Tail of the Dragon/Deals Gap weekend run...July 13-16

[Jehu]

Just wanted to give my IA folks a heads up on a run we've got planned for the weekend of July 13-16 (Thurs-Sun).

Confirmed Attendees:
Daily Interlude
Prelude88 (Kevin from preludepower.com in his 300Z)
sjones (from NSXPrime.com in his 91 NSX)
keebler
PropaGanda (& friends: friend in a WRX and possibly a few other EVO's and an S4)

Interested (if you are definately going, reply here or PM me and I'll move you up to Attendees!):
mk3sup
atlboytony
pethelizer
Hulud
keebler's friend (in the fd)
Absoludely
Senko (and pup!)
jdm7thgen
Danny
JLude (from preludepower.com in his 01 VTEC)
'89NClude (Josh from preludepower.com in his 1991 Prelude SI)

Usually, we meet up my neck of the woods (exit 14 off of GA400) around 8am and head out to the Gap by 9.

I'll be heading out first thing that morning though as I have to be up there by 1pm w/o exception. I'll probably head up around 7am for those wondering.


http://www.teaminterlude.com/db/eventpics/RotorToasterApril2006/RotorToasting.JPG
^^^^^
Please please please make sure your car and more specifically your brakes are up to par! This road can and will wreak havoc on your brakes and suspension!



http://www.teaminterlude.com/db/eventpics/RotorToasterApril2006/RotorToaster_Header.JPG


Mark your calendar's now... Third weekend in July we're heading to The Dragon for a weekend of driving and good times! Nice thing about this trip is... no helmets needed... no track fees... just bring yourself and your significant other, friend, family, whoever and let's have a good time! Your costs: Food, Gas and a $15 camp site!

Can someone say 318 turns in 11 miles? And I mean awesome turns and scenery to die for! Then you have the Cherahola Skyway too!

Crossing Deals Gap at the Tennessee/North Carolina state line, the Dragon is considered by many as one of the world's best motorcycling and sports car roads. Anyone looking for an exciting highway will enjoy this stretch of US129 and surrounding roads.
http://www.fontanavillage.com/pics/cherohala.jpg http://www.fontanavillage.com/pics/dealsgap.jpg

318 Turns
11 Miles
1100 Foot Elevation Change
North Carolina / Tennessee Smokey Mountain Area

__________________________________________________ _______

Links
Tail of the Dragon website (http://www.tailofthedragon.com/)


http://banners.wunderground.com/weathersticker/bigwx_cond/language/www/US/NC/Robbinsville.gif (http://www.wunderground.com/US/NC/Robbinsville.html?bannertypeclick=bigwx)


Camping at the Fontana Dam (800-849-2258 - http://www.fontanavillage.com/)
http://www.fontanavillage.com/pics/fontanadam.jpg

The campsite is just down the road from the village itself. Here's a map to help locate the campsite and the village:

http://www.fontanavillage.com/maps/DAM_VILLAGE_AREA.gif

And Yahoo's location... (http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=fontana+dam&csz=28733&country=us&new=1&name=&qty=) (click the up arrow on top to see the road for the dam...)

You can get directions from Yahoo's page...

[P. A.]

this is a greate post, can't get better than that, +1 for you, :goodjob:
BWT, not shure yet if going tho...you know....work and stuff :boohoo:
but will do my best.... :(

[JennB]

I usually stay at Fontana Village. They really have remodelled nicely this year.

Anyways, be careful on the Skyway. Last time I went up there it ended up just being scenery. I've had some nice runs up there in the past but there were more cops on the ground and in the sky than I have even seen in the area recently.

[atlboytony]

do u think stock SE-R would be ok to run there?? not a great driver but not a bad driver

[Jehu]

Stock anything is fine as long as you drive responsible (w/in your limit) and your car is in decent mechanical shape...

[JDMBeau]

just wondering.... how long of a drive is it up there?, and is this one of those, see how fast we can go in turns? not downing anyone, just dont wanna put my self in any danger 1100 ft up lol

[Jehu]

I'd say about 3-3.5 hours but they are partly fun driving hours too (through neel gap/over blood mountain). And you drive w/in your limits. don't worry about what the guy in front of you is doing...

[pethelizer]

i'm interested.... but gotta check the schedule. deffenetly wanna get up there with you guys sometime though.. what cars are going?

[PropaGanda]

Some friends and I want to go for 2 days but I don't know about the camping thing. Are there any hotels in the area?

[Jehu]

There is the hotel/lodge right there (Fontana Village) that owns the campsite. It's like a mile up the road from the camp site.

(800-849-2258 - http://www.fontanavillage.com/)

And as of right now; Preludes, NSX's and a 300z are going that I know of.

[pethelizer]

man.. so what days are u guys gonna run the dragon? everyday or what is the usual plan?

I don't know if i could do the whole weekend.. might have to work on Friday

[Hulud]

i will prolly be up there, but i doubt i will go up with a group of people.

since i dont have ABS i dont feel like creating wrecks with the way most of the people on IA drive

[Keebs ð¿ð]

I'll probably go along for the ride. not sure yet, will need to check my calender and make sure I'm able to. Also will have to dig up my camping gear. But we'll see, I'll bring the skyline out to cruise the roads :)

[Jehu]

Usual plan is to hit the dragon and surrounding roads. Not much more planning than that unless we need to meet folks up there. For the most part, it's like this:

Breakfast
running (dragon or skyway or other road)
lunch
running (as above)
dinner
night running (typically dragon)
sleeping

Take pics when/where you can...


And if we have too large a group, we will split. There are enough regulars going to make 2 or 3 groups. But on the skyway, I say we all go. It's more of a cruise and stop and take pics. It'd be nice having all the cars there for pics.


We'll be there the whole weekend so come after work on Friday (try to get off a bit early even) or come up first thing on Sat. Just make sure that if you leave in the morning to meet us that you tell us ahead of time so we can make plans to meet up. If you leave at night, come find us at the camp site or on the dragon...

[Jehu]

Started a list of "Attendees" and those "Interested". Let me know where you stand!

[ShooterMcGavin]

hmmm interested.

[Keebs ð¿ð]

Okies, you can bump me up to attending, I'll definately be there. I'm trying to bring my friend in a red fd. He hasn't called back to let me know if hes in or not, but he's interested.

[PropaGanda]

I should have a friend in a WRX and possibly a few other EVO's and an S4.

So yea, we will be there but we are staying in a hotel. I haven't been camping in about 8 years and I don't have the stuff for it any more.

[Senko]

If I can get my hachi running again I would love to go, will see how things pan out.... been a while sense I took a trip to myself and will have to bring the puppy, but shes still getting her road legs.

[Jehu]

I should have a friend in a WRX and possibly a few other EVO's and an S4.

So yea, we will be there but we are staying in a hotel. I haven't been camping in about 8 years and I don't have the stuff for it any more.
So are you confirming that you'll be there (and your friends too)?


Senko, not sure if you want/should bring the pup as it might get tossed around w/ these corners! I guess I could see it sitting on the floor board but even then I'd toss around a dog with some of my runs...




Moved others as requested... :goodjob:

[PropaGanda]

I am confirming that we will be there (as in my fiancee and I) and that my friends will likely be there. Sorry for the vague post...

[PropaGanda]

And I just read that EvoSe is planning a dragon run on those days as well. So there should technically be a shit ton of Evos...

[PropaGanda]

I just noticed that they are planning on going on the 14th through the 17th, so I guess I will go with them one day later instead. There will also be a 3000GT/Stealth run as well (I am kinda worried about doing a run with those land yachts). I would like to get some of your numbers so that we can meet up with you later...

[jdm7thgen]

ive been up there on the bike, i'll throw my advans on my civic and new brakes. and come. I will pm if im for sure i really want to go to this, gotta check with work but i will let u know..."very intrested"

[PropaGanda]

Just be careful and watch out...

May 11, 2006
Tennessee and North Carolina state troopers aren't looking to slay the Dragon, but they do want to keep its fire under control with Operation Dragon 2006. The joint effort will combine the forces of Tennessee and North Carolina highway patrols to make the Dragon and nearby roadways safer. Troopers from both agencies will provide a highly visible presence in the areas frequented by motorcyclists and sports car enthusiasts. The first coordinated operation is scheduled Saturday and others are planned during the summer and fall. Troopers in both states will conduct their own intensive enforcement efforts at other times during the season.

THP Sgt. Danny Thomas, who oversees highway patrol activities in Blount and Monroe counties, said the enforcement activities are all focused on safety. ``We welcome everyone who visits the Dragon and the areas around it, as long as they obey the law,'' Thomas said. ``We're doing intensive enforcement in an effort to make the roadways safe for everyone on two, four or even 18 wheels.''

The Dragon sports 318 curves on an 11.1-mile stretch of U.S. 129, running from Deal's Gap at the North Carolina line to Tabcat Bridge alongside Chilhowee Lake -- a 1,085-foot change in elevation. It is one of the nation's favorite rides for motorcycles and sports cars. The run has been touted in several national magazines as well as on several Internet sites. The often heavy traffic on the narrow highway includes riders and drivers from across the country, some from other continents.

Unfortunately, the festive atmosphere is too often clouded by accidents, some of them fatal.
In 2005, there were three deaths on the Dragon -- all of them motorcyclists. Thomas said that in 2005 troopers investigated 47 accidents on the Dragon, 41 of them involving motorcycles. He said the number of accidents on the Dragon was down from 57 investigated by THP in 2004 -- 51 of those involved motorcycles and two were fatalities.

So far in 2006, Tennessee troopers have investigated only nine wrecks on the Dragon. Eight were motorcycle accidents. However, troopers have responded to reports of accidents on the Dragon 27 times in 2006.

Eighteen times so far this year, the troopers and often Rural/Metro Ambulance Service have rushed to the area only to find a motorcyclist's friends have picked up the rider and bike and the reported accident has vanished.

``It's hard to estimate the manpower and expense involved in responding to these disappearing accidents,'' Thomas said. Statistics were not available regarding the number of accidents in North Carolina related to the area near the Dragon. However, the five counties in Western North Carolina in the area near the Dragon have had a 56 percent increase in motorcycle accidents from 2004.
North Carolina troopers will be assigned to the Deals Gap area near the top of the Dragon and to the Cherohalla Skyway, where some say the probability of motorcycle accidents is even greater than on the Dragon. The Cherohalla Skyway linking Robbinsville, N.C., to Tellico Plains includes 15 miles in North Carolina and 21 in Tennessee.

Tennessee troopers will focus on the Dragon, but others will be active on the Tennessee end of the Cherohalla. Marked and unmarked cars, motorcycles and aircraft will be used on both sides of the state line in the effort to curb accidents and, according to Thomas, ``improve driving habits.''

``We're not anti-motorcycle. I've got one of my own and take it up and over the Cherohalla into Tellico Plains whenever I get a chance. That's a really beautiful ride. But, I can't enjoy it as much as I'd like when I have somebody on a sports bike or sports car zipping around me on a curve and making me think I'm going to find them smashed up around the next curve. Speeding and reckless driving are what we're trying to stop,'' Thomas said. ``That way, everybody can enjoy themselves without getting hurt."

[PropaGanda]

Also, we are getting a cabin. If anyone is interested in splitting it with us and dividing the costs then let us know...

We are getting a two or three bedroom cabin depending on who we can find to split it with. The three bedroom has one room with two twins and one with bunk beds so it should sleep 6 people. If you don't already have a place to stay let us know if you would be interested in this for the nights of the 14th and 15th.

[Jehu]

Well, I'll be camping! :goodjob:

jdm7thgen, I've added you as interested...

[Fr33way]

I wont be able to make but that sounds awesome. Everyone have a great time!

[{X}Echo419]

www.3si.org is going to be up there that weekend also.

[Danny]

interested

[Stormhammer]

heads up folks - theres some new program going on with TN and NC authorities in where they'll be out in force on motorbikes patrolling and pulling over speeders

[Keebs ð¿ð]

Just making sure this is still on since its coming up this week. PM me where you guys are meeting up and riding out so I can be there

[Jehu]

The meetup and ride out is going to be hard to put together as I and another one of the guys going up is leaving out early on Thursday morning because we have to be in Maryville, TN for court.

I'm not sure if you want to meet up at 8am in Forsyth county on Thursday but that's our plan! You are more than welcomed to though! PM me for where to meet...

[Jehu]

Anyone else going? Kevin and I are heading up early to take care of some tickets. If you go, meet us at the fontana dam campsite in the evening...

[Jehu]

I'm leaving in the morning...see you up there if you're going...

We'll be at the fontana village campsite...

[AugustaCusto]

be sure and take lots of pictures!

[halfshaft5]

Just got bad a couple of weekends ago and cops everywhere. They now have cordless guns and will step out in front of you to stop you. I was lucky, a bike got busted jsut after he passed me about 1 mile into. Just be careful.....They are writing high dollar coupons....I saw one for $500...

[AugustaCusto]

that is ridiculous...

[halfshaft5]

Well I guess the words really out and they are just busting us for having fun. Seen a couple of bikes wiped out over the years and its not pretty!!! Speed kills but so do rednecks in Imports with

[halfshaft5]

Sorry hit enter by accident. Story goes some guy had 4 tickets from the dragon and tried to shoot the officer a year or so ago when he got stopped for the second time in one day. Just a rumor but about par for the course up here. God bless.

[GsrTurbo320]

..seems like this was ..a failure.

[Jehu]

I had a good time. No cops and lots of fun between me, kevin, and the NSX. Didn't see or hear from anyone else...

Pics coming soon...

BTW, dealing with my reckless driving ticket, just have to take a class and pay for court fees! :goodjob:

[Keebs ð¿ð]

I had a good time. No cops and lots of fun between me, kevin, and the NSX. Didn't see or hear from anyone else...

Ya meh bad. Skyline ran into some problems and I spent the weekend getting it up to lethal to have some bugs worked out. And I had the srt in pieces parting it out so I wasn't able to make it. But hopefully you guys will do it again later in the fall

[Jehu]

Pics (I have full size of all of them):
http://www.teaminterlude.com/db/EventPics/393.jpg
http://www.teaminterlude.com/db/EventPics/393_51.jpg
http://www.teaminterlude.com/db/EventPics/393_38.jpg
http://www.teaminterlude.com/db/EventPics/393_10.jpg
http://www.teaminterlude.com/db/EventPics/393_25.jpg
http://www.teaminterlude.com/db/EventPics/393_41.jpg
http://www.teaminterlude.com/db/EventPics/393_48.jpg

MORE:
http://www.teaminterlude.com/07-13-06-RotorToaster.asp