Dragon Trip Details
 

Here's the details!

We will meet on Saturday, May 5th at 7 am at a gas station near the crossroads of 28 and 129. On the Dragon map, it's called "crossroads of time".

Why so early? To avoid the traffic that gets very heavy on weekends.

Please arrive with a full tank of fuel... this little station is not a Chevron. Fill up here at your own risk.

The two wheel inn in Robbinsville -south of the map- (www.twowheelinn.com) did have rooms left for rental, and you can contact them to secure a bed. DON'T WAIT TO FIND A ROOM IN THE AREA. There are two bike rallies there the same weekend, plus the normal load of travellers.

If you can get a room there and will be alone, you may want to post a "roommate wanted" post here and split the cost of the room with someone.

Click here to see the map of our meeting place

If you plan to go, please tell us you'll be there so we can look for you!

I'm pretty sure you mean May 5th... :)

Sweet! Sounds like Chills, bmusatti, NickCats, djomlas, jeffsquire and myself are headed down from the midwest. Hopefully we'll get some more seeing that we've only started to firm things up in the last day. :D

Thank you Sammy... I just needed one more cup of coffee to get that right!

I'll put it on my calendar, and do the rest of my road trip to DC from there after that weekend. Probably will need a roomate, as I'll be solo. The chicky-snack hates car trips...

I'll be solo as well. I'll room with you, Fray. We can split the cost of the room, too.

I go there frequently anyway (easy drive from HSV). Count me in and possibly +1.

JPOG

I will be there with the wife, already have a room booked, looking forward to seeing y'all there. For anyone else coming up from Atlanta, we will be making the trip up on Friday (sometime)...

Sounds like fun. Count me in

Hey Guys:

Just an FYI. The Kentucky Derby must be May 5th because I can't get into a "nicer" hotel in the Louisville or Lexington area for Thursday night, May 3rd. I want to get at least 1/2 way to enjoy more daylight/sunlight top-down driving and make the trip a little easier and more enjoyable for the Wife.

Standard type hotels are requesting a paid-in-full rate with no cancellation 60 days prior.

Maybe I'll need to stop in Cincinnati that night.

Regardless, I expect a lot of cars on the road that weekend. So, people coming from my area, might want to re-think their travel plans, and plan accordingly for travel time & accommodations.

Can't wait! :)

It does seem like there's a lot going on that weekend.. I wonder if the road will be packed!

It will be, especially at that time of year; weekday mornings are a great time to visit the Dragon...

When it comes closer to the actual date I think I'll have a better idea of whether or not I can leave Thursday night. I'm thinking Cinci might be the best bet as it would allow us a definitive point to meet up with jeffsquire coming from Michigan.

This trip to me is as much about the journey as it is the destination. :cheers:

Can't vouch for the validity of this, but it was recently posted on FerrariChat:




"EVERYONE WHO GOES TO DEALS GAP------PLEASE READ THIS-----I'M TRYING TO HELP YOU ALL OUT"

posted by a State Trooper:

"Hey, just to give you a heads up for next season----we have a new captain in the Knoxville district which covers Blount county------he has already told us that we will put a stop to the "race track driving" up on the dragon this year------so far what they have said is that the speed limit is 30mph and "ANYONE" caught going 50mph and up will be charged with reckless driving and will be jailed and their bike/car will be impounded-----I am telling you this because i am trying to put the word out to everyone i know----or to people who know people that go up there-----I don't want to have to take people to jail for this---however I have bills to pay and I kind of like having a job---so never the less I have to do what i am told to do-----so the way i see it is that if killboy.com knows and you know and dealsgap.com knows and whoever else can find out can pass this along---it will benefit everybody--------feel free to copy and past this and let everyone know-------if you get caugh t up there it is only your fault because i am trying to pass the word along for everybody's sake-----we are not just going to come up from the bottom like in years past---they are gonna have us go through cherohala skwy in north carolina and come from the top down to the bottom----so no more free rides on your way back to the state line----they are gonna bring unmarked cars with radio's and have unmarked bikes up there----this will be a joint effort with blount county and the THP-----The entire THP motor unit will be brought in 2 people at a time(for a week long assignment) to be paired up with the local car----they plan on busting tail at least 3-4 times right off the bat---then they will sit back and see what takes place-----these orders came from Nashville Headquarters---we have a complete brand new higher ranking structure from the very tip top spot down----they have said we will work until the problem is solved----just wanted to give you and your friends a heads up..... .....SIGNED..........Trp Cagle with THP assigned to Blount County Division----(don't come crying to me if you get busted----cause I'm telling you now)"

Oh joy. :cool:

My buddy has radios and I will have my V1 on for sure. Let's all remember that the cops would really like to bust the bikers doing 120 mph around the corners and killing themselves more than cars (certainly my opinion, but thought I'd throw it out there).

damn thats messed up that they will bust up the party like that, but i do see where they are coming from.

anyone thinks this will make news?

how far are you all driving to get there?
 

From DC, 9+ hours.

I did some reading last night at dealsgap.com and the locals say that the local law enforcement is comprised of respected officers who seem to understand that the towns around the Dragon are doing well financially because of the tourism the dragon creates.

A biker commented that he has lots of fun doing 50 mph on the dragon and not to worry about it.

I still think we'll have a lot of fun!

I think we will have a great time too. I was not planning on doing 120...or 1/2 that speed.

Meeting some of the Forum members, breaking bread, and having a few fermented beverages will be the most vaulable take-a-ways from this mini vacation!

And Sammy put it best with his comment about the journey being as important and enjoyable as the final destination.

Fermented beverages! Man that has a great ring to it! :cheers:

I like distilled better, but I reckon it's BYOBB-bring your own Boxster and beverage.

Let's make sure to add the Cherohala Skyway to our itinerary :

( From Ferrari Forum - Posted by someone from Georgia )

Funny but for a car guy the Cherohala Skyway is a much better drive. You actually have passing zones and areas where there are slow lanes! And the corners are much better for a car. Some of the switchbacks have deep camber, lots of width, great views around the bend for oncoming traffic. You can really use all the road and not worry about a semi coming up the other way.

Tail of the Dragon is cool for a bike, or for "punting around" in a car, but really, there are a bunch of better roads for a car guy in the general area. And less traveled/abused!

Nick

I gotta get new front rubber before then... Put new rubber on the rear... then noticed my fronts are sliding a bit on hard turns, causing a bit of understeer. They'll need to be replaced soon anyway.

Cherokee Casino
 

Anyone considering the Cherokee casinos. They are only about 20 minutes away, and the hotels in that area may be a better option

Uro, this is something I just found about the post you made a while back as an update on that concern.

Recently posted at www.tailofthedragon.com:

"We have received numerous emails concerning the recent posting on the Internet by a supposed Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper warning of dire consequences on the Dragon this coming year for speeders. We do not post rumors on this site so we contacted Captain Ray Fletcher of the Knoxville Division Tennessee Highway Patrol. He confirmed as we had believed that some of the details in the post are completely false, such as the immediate arrest and impoundment of vehicles for speeding over 50 mph on the Dragon.

Captain Fletcher was not able to comment on whether or not the post was made by a Trooper, but some of the language, unusual statements and obvious errors as stated above make us believe the post was by someone other than who supposedly signed their name and position to it. Obviously a real Trooper would not jeopardize his job by signing such a post.

Captain Fletcher stated that the laws will be enforced on the Dragon as they are on all Tennessee roadways. Tail of the Dragon advises riders to obey the laws and they will have no trouble with the Tennessee Highway Patrol or Blount County Sheriff Deputies."

Skip the Dragon and drive the Cherohala
 

In MHO the Dragon is over rated -- I've riden it a few times on a number of different motorcycles as well as the Cherohala connecting NC and TN. Without question, the Cherohala is a more enjoyable ride/drive.

Of course, if you've never been on either one -- they are both worth the time -- just to say you have as well as for the experience.

-gene

count me and the wife in if i am not deployed at the time

Im so mad I was 2 hours from the dragon for the past 4 days and I could not go to it because of other plans :ah:

I'm gonna have to bow out of this one... Situations are just not favorable enough to make a road trip this year.

I'll more than likely be good to go next year, since situations will be worked out better, and I'll also have one more week of vacation!

Fray, we'll miss seeing you and driving together. Fortunately, you live in Austin and there's some unbelievably twisty roads around you... not so here in Sauna City Houston!

I'm in as well as my buddy Keith in his 1996 993 C4S.

I'll probably stay in Cherokee or Asheville area so we can have nice dinner/couple of beers in town after the fun all day.

Jeff
'02 986S

A couple of thoughts
 

First Thought: Since the recent addition to my family, my wife has joined the Chrysler Pacifica Auto Club :barf: and has passed her Mini Cooper and club affiliations on to me(daily driver). While on the Mini site, I noticed that Mini On The Dragon is the same weekend as we are planning our trip. They had close to 500 participants last yr and are expecting over 600 this year. Nothing we can do about it, except rescheduling, which I'm not suggesting, but at least those making the trip know what to expect.

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/motd-home

Second thought: The Smokie Mt chapter of PCA is hosting their local "Spring Thing", which is a typical PCA "show and drive" event for multiple PCA chapters. The location is Greeneville, TN, which is fairly close (approx 80 miles) from the exit end of the TOTD. The link to the site is :

http://www.pca.org/smt/2007SpringThing/2007flyer.pdf
I may crash the party


Last thought: I think taking the Cherohala Skyway for the return trip back to Robbinsville is a great idea. Definitely worth considering

I think all of us forum member should join you in crashing their party! Why not?

I'll have a look at the details and see when and where it will be.

FYI, I contacted the Smokey Mountain Region PCA guys and they said we're more than welcome to show up to this event and hang out with them. The contact that emailed me back said he was a boxster owner and had no idea about this forum and would be joining our ranks soon. :cheers:

I really wish I could make it out to this, but alas, the stars have aligned against me... someone better be taking pictures!

Fawk! 500 or 600 Minis? Sounds like it's going to be bumper to bumper the length of the road.

We should be fine. When I did the Tail in 2005 the National HOG Rally was being held in Chattanooga, TN. 15,000 bikes in town and it was still a blast !

http://www.chattanooga.gov/Mayors_Office/9_1547.htm

Nick

I will be staying in Indianapolis on Thursday night, May 3rd at the Marriott North. If anyone wants to stay there, let me know, send me a PM, I can get a great rate at $103/night.

I wanted to stay in either Louisville or Lexington, but most of the better hotels are booked due to the Kentucky Derby.

Damn
 

I really wish this wasn't May 5th... I'd love to go, but the Derby is that day and it's one of those things I look forward to all year here.

Not sure if I'll have anyone in town for the Derby, but I may be able to host a few people in Lexington if needed. I only have one open garage spot, though!

I am anxious to hear how the trip goes, I may have to make the trek by myself at some point. Luckily there are pleny of great roads through horse country to tide me over...

Over the weekend a friend of mine told me that that there is either Honda or Subaru (I can't remember which she said) meet there on the same day.

OK, Boxster buddies!

I need all the "definitely going" to the Tail of the Dragon Boxster Meet on May 5,6 to email me and tell me a few important things, just so we can keep you abreast of changes and keep an eye out for you when we get there.

Copy the following into an email and email it to randall (at) touchusa dot org. Subject line should read "TOD details"

1. Your real name (first and last)
2. Your forum screen name
3. Your Friend, GF or Wife's name
4. Where you're coming from (city and state)
5. Your cell phone number
6. Your email address
7. Where you're staying Friday and Saturday (Name of hotel/motel and town its in. If it's two different places, list both.)
8. Any particular expectations you may have so we can attempt to accomodate you (no guarantees, but I'll do my best within reason).

What I am planning to do is to keep a roster of who all will be there, and post the list of attendees and accompanying persons on a new page on my porsche web site. Details as to where we will meet Saturday morning and where we will gather to eat dinner that night will also be posted. Bmussatti called me a couple of days ago and suggested we round up some prizes to give away after dinner for various things (person who travelled the most miles to be there, person with the highest mileage, person with the most fiberglass bolted to their car, etc.

So, if you know you are going for sure, then email me and I'll gather the info and post it to a page I will put in this thread and email you back with asap.

PS - If you are a sponsor reading this, belly up to the bar and donate something or a gift certificate toward something you sell! It's free advertising!