Deal's Gap (Tail of the Dragon) run next weekend! (Sat. Feb 11, 2006)

[KATwo40]

Ok, we're hittin' Deal's Gap (aka Tail of the Dragon TN/NC border) next weekend, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2006.

For anyone who doesn't know already, Tail of the Dragon is TN state road 129, leading into NC through the Smokey Mtns. It's a stretch of road 11 miles long, with 318 curves within those 11 miles. That's right. 318 curves, in 11 miles.

We'll be starting in Knoxville, TN. Meeting point will be Food City parking lot on 129S (Alcoa Hwy.), departing at 10:00 A.M. SHARP. From there, we'll head down 129S into Alcoa. We'll then take the left split onto 321S, through Maryville until we turn onto Foothills Parkway. We'll take Foothills Parkway until it loops into 129S again, just a mile or two from Deal's Gap. At that point, we'll begin rockin' and rollin' on the dragon.

Now, it's VERY IMPORTANT to understand that Foothills Parkway goes through a wildlife park. Please, do not be silly. It's some nice curvies and gorgeous scenery, the perfect warmup for the dragon. However, there are many little critters that run around the Parkway, including, but not limited to, deer, bunny rabbits and TWRA officers, who will throw you UNDER the jail for drivin' crazy through the park. So, let's keep it civil.

When you hit the dragon, there are some rules to follow:

1. Allow motorcycles to overtake you. They're WAY faster than us and it's more dangerous to back up a line of bikes, who are 2ft from each other and your bumper than it is to just wave them around you.

2. LANE CROSSING KILLS. Please, STAY IN YOUR OWN LANE. Even if you think you can see around the next corner, you can't see around the second or third. Let's hone those driving skills by staying in your own lane.

3. DRIVE WITHIN YOUR OWN ABILITY. Please, it's not a race. It's just some spirited driving through the mountains. I strongly advise that no one drive at more than 80% of their ability, for the safety of themselves and others on the road. If you start getting fatigued and need to drop back, please, do so. Don't push yourself too hard. There are no guard rails on this road. Running off the road means either you hit a bank or you go off the side...very very steep side. Oh, did I mention it's a 2-lane road?

4. Please, don't be a #@%* head.

Once you cross into NC, and reach the end of the dragon, there's a pretty cool restraunt for chillin'. They have a store with Tail of the Dragon memorabilia and such and a big Tree of Shame out front. It's decorated with parts and pieces of bikes, cars, trucks, etc. that have "lost" to the dragon. It's quite a site to see.

Anyone having questions, feel free to email me: [email protected]

It'll be a fun drive, so long as the weather holds out. If it's rainy or snowy, we'll re-schedule.
Modified by KATwo40 at 6:35 AM 2/19/2006

[Maverick7687]

YESSSSS I am supposed to be off that weekend! I will definately be there, I can't wait! Well, my car will for sure be the slowest one there, I still havent replaced my Knock Sensor... Anyway, it will still be fun!

[2the40]

Nooooooo!!!

I'm working that day! O well, guys have a kick *** time.

And be safe

[Maverick7687]

Heh, I am psychic...and I see someone *cough*2the40*cough* being "sick" that day.....

[KATwo40]

I'm sorry to hear you can't make it, 2the40. If things change and you can come, we'd love to see ya' there! It's gonna be a high time.

[2the40]

Thanks guys.

I really hope someone can take my shift! I'm really going to try and make it.

[kasilvia]

I'm definitely there!!! I'll push her through if I have to!!!

[scs13]

I'm definitely there!!! I'll push her through if I have to!!!

haha same here!

[KATwo40]

Weather man says 30% chance of snow Fri night/Sat. early morning. I'll be watching the weather CLOSELY to find out Friday night. If it snows, we'll have to reschedule.

I'll post again Friday night for an update.

[aquaman]

Man I'd love to go but thats a bit of a drive in weather that I'm not used to driving in. Have a good safe time.

[KATwo40]

Ok, just looked on the weather and looks like we're good to go for tomorrow.Click here for details

http://wwwa.accuweather.com/fo...day=2

You'll see it says light snow, little to no accumulation in the early morning, cloudy/windy rest of the day.

[KATwo40]

BAH! Snow snow snow this morning. Weather for Robbinsville, NC (Deal's Gap) is:

Snowing currently, stopping around 9:00ish, snow around 10:00am, blah blah blah.

Maybe next weekend we can pull this off.

[KATwo40]

Ok, we're shooting for Saturday, Feb. 25th. Same time and location as described above, but two weeks from today.

See ya'll there!

[2the40]

Gonna ask for that day off. Hopefully I'll be tagging along!

[MS180SX]

way off topic, but u ever mail that thing out? im so tempted to put the blue bottle in my z. Just the bottle, no nozzle.. just for S&G...

let me know

[2the40]

sorry... mail out? Nitrous? haha

I'm not hip to the lingo.

[Maverick7687]

Ok, we're shooting for Saturday, Feb. 25th. Same time and location as described above, but two weeks from today.

See ya'll there!

This is sort of good for me because I had to make an unexpected trip to West Knoxville at about 9:30 this morning. Glad you said two weeks, I should be back in town that weekend. Can't wait....still...

[KATwo40]

sorry... mail out? Nitrous? haha

I'm not hip to the lingo.

He's talkin' about some money I'm sending him for nitrous kit. I'll be sending it next week. Should have been in email or another post.

MAVERICK - Hope you're in town that weekend. That's the SINGLE reason I made it for two weeks. I knew you only come around every couple weekends.

[Maverick7687]

MAVERICK - Hope you're in town that weekend. That's the SINGLE reason I made it for two weeks. I knew you only come around every couple weekends.

Dude, thats awesome, I appreciate you thinking about that! I am really going to try, I just have to find someone to work for me. It was a ***** to get down here this weekend. Everything should be straightened out by then though.

[2the40]

gotcha

[kasilvia]

Ok, we're shooting for Saturday, Feb. 25th. Same time and location as described above, but two weeks from today.

See ya'll there!

Well, my car will definitely be "under pressure" by that weekend, but the 25th is my son's birthday. So the only dorifto action for me is gonna be the Go-Karts at Celebration Station!!! Maybe I'll catch you guys some other time. Take some pics. Hope to see some of you in passing!

[KATwo40]

Well, my car will definitely be "under pressure" by that weekend, but the 25th is my son's birthday. So the only dorifto action for me is gonna be the Go-Karts at Celebration Station!!! Maybe I'll catch you guys some other time. Take some pics. Hope to see some of you in passing!

HAHA High times, man, high times. I LOVE kid birthdays! You'll, undoubtedly, have more fun that us.

And, glad you'll be boosting by then. What setup are you using? Shoot me an email about it. I'd love to know! [email protected]

[KATwo40]

Ok, peeps, the 25th is coming up on us quickly..would love to see ya'll out there for this. So, wax your tires, fill your windows, clean your tank and check the air in your seats!

[KATwo40]

Two days! This Saturday we roll. Hope to see ya'll there. Same time/meeting location as listed above. Weather is supposed to be sunny, in the 50's and low wind.

[Maverick7687]

It's now Friday, just wanted to make sure we're still on for tomorrow! The 240s running, still lagging like a *****, but running nonetheless.

[KATwo40]

We're on, dude!

[scs13]

sucks i couldnt go. how many people went and tell me you guys have some pics.

[Maverick7687]

YES PICS! Sadly, I couldn't make it either. As excited as I was. Woke up in Gatlinburg at about 9, only to realise that I had noones phone number and I knew I couldn't get there before everyone left.

[KATwo40]

Trip went really well. I was able to stay glued to a Miata with full suspension, braces, Azenis (old style) and all that crap.

I'll post up some photos later, but I gotta jet for now...mother-in-law birthday dinner tonight...

[Maverick7687]

Congrats on sticking with the Miata... C'mon with the pics already, the anticipation is killing me! You need to understand that I AM NOT A PATIENT PERSON! Haha.. j/k hope the dinner went well.. Tell her Happy Birthday from NICO!