Klasse Act
I pee with gloves on!
Yes, its earlier than the past 8 runs to start this up, yes its before SZ but its also exactly 6 MONTHES AWAY and today is the 6th of April, so why not....HERE WE GO:wizard:
First off, welcome to the beginning of the thread. As you know in the past we always waited till SZ was over and then got the poll going for which weekend to have the run on but since the 2nd full weekend in Oct has been the winner the past 3 years, I decided to just make it this weekend from now on. This makes it easier for people to plan things around it, like vacation time, you know waaaay inadvance this way. I don't feel this is going to "step on the toes" of SZ either, this is more of an organized meet where SZ has numerous events.
Cabin info can be had here www.caneycreekvillage.com This is the official host cabin site for our group since 2003 (except the 2nd annual event where they were booked up because of the Gold Rush weekend, something I didn't know about at the time) Dixie is the owner of Caney Creek Village and couldn't be any nicer to us, REAL southern hospitality. I must say I feel like family when I'm there. I remember a couple of us taking up a collection for her when her husband passed away, as expected our group stepped up there, thank you! I would reserve the cabin ASAP too. I plan on calling her this week. Now, if for some reason the cabins get booked up and some of the possible noobs can't get a spot, no problem, we always have someone that will let them crash at their place, splitting the cost of the cabin between themselves. If that doesn't work for some reason there are other cabins in the area, inparticular right next to the Tellico River and there's that one we pass as soon as we get onto the Skyway on the right, that ones VERY nice. One way or the other, we'll make it work if we get to that point but to date, this has never been an issue. Some people live down there or near, we've got another guy who's family has a place of their own and others chose to stay in Robinsville but like I said, it all works out and we all do whatever it takes to make you feel welcome and comfortable. Whatever you do, don't let the fact that you've never gone before detour you from going, asking questions about the run, etc. Our group is very diverse, from age, type of car, level of experience, level of "balls", background, personality, what you do for a living, etc. That said, when it comes to our run, we all come together as one to have a great time. There's been discussion ongoing on what to do to make our run run smoothly. This is important as its gotten pretty large, last year had a total of 26 cars but not at once. Some came later and left earlier, so that part of it worked out pretty well for all concerned.
Alot of GREAT suggestions have come up to smooth things out and they have to do with departure times. Now, this is a vacation, so I don't want anyone to think they've gotta rise at the crack of dawn every morning to leave with the group. Trust me when I say this, not everyone is an early riser here and there's many people who know the road, so again, you don't have to get up early. There will be a loose scedule talked about here and if there's any questions, please feel free to drop me a PM or put the question here in the thread, afterall, that's what its for.
Doing a SEARCH can net you pics and vids from previous runs too. We've got many guys with high end camera's and video equiptment, not to mention these guys www.killboy.com I'm sure at some point over the next 6 monthes there will be pics posted up in here to get everyone motivated so to speak.
Last but not least in the introductory thread is this, not a warning but a suggestion....THIS IS A PUBLIC ROAD AND SHOULD ALWAYS BE TREATED AS SUCH! In our previous 8 runs there's only been 1 "real" problem and that happened last year. The warning/suggestion of taking it easy your first time out wasn't heeded and it resulted in an unfortunate situation, a situation that could've been alot worse. I always post this because its important as we always get noobs on this run, even those who've wanted to go and THINK they know what goes on on this road. This road has 318 turns in 11 miles, banked turns, soft shoulders and sometimes NO shoulders. Someone broke it down to this, a turn every 186 feet was posted 2 years ago, imagine that, if you can, a turn every 186 feet! Add the fact that this is a PUBLIC ROAD and it must receive respect, it DEMANDS it from all who drive/ride it. My suggestion to the noobs is this, pretend you've got your Grandma and/or Grandpa in the passenger seat. Trust me, doing it at a relaxed pace will not only show you what the road is REALLY like, but gives you a chance to set up for your next run, knowing what's next is half the battle out there. I don't wanna forget the Cherahola Skyway either, more people have DIED on the Skyway than on the Dragon, although many have died while out on the Dragon and on the website www.tailofthedragon.com there's a list for that. The Skyway has FASTER speeds, HIGHER elevations, LONGER curves and STEEPER grades (9%), thus you MUST pay close attention to what you and your car are doing out there for sure, its in yours and everyone else's best interest. BRAKES AND TIRES MUST BE IN GREAT CONDITION!!! You don't need a fast car to enjoy the run, trust me, I know, I really, really know but what I do know is what I just said, please make sure your car is in great condition. This also means your oil change, trans fluid, brake fluid and coolant....EVERYTHING IS PUT TO THE TEST! Let me give you noobs a scenario, your going down a 9% grade, your in 4th gear and your revs are at 5-6k, imagine the load EVERYTHING IS UNDER!
This thread is all about asking/answering question, keeping everyone updated on your ride(s), friendly "banter", posting pics, sharing stories, keeping us updated, etc. Its 6 monthes away as I make this post and its a long time for sure, but early planning and ironing things out now makes it easier when we all converge to Tellico Plains in early October.....enjoy!
BTW....there will be a seperate thread for cabin RSVP which will double as a "who's going thread" too, everything like that will be there for everyone to see. You DO NOT need to pre-pay for your cabins when RSVP-ing but try and make sure you know your able to make it but sometimes life comes up and if you can't make it, let Dixie know ASAP so we can get that cabin for someone else. As usual, just tell Dixie your with the group with ROGER FROM DEETROIT
WELCOME TO THE 2011 FALL DRAGON RUN!
First off, welcome to the beginning of the thread. As you know in the past we always waited till SZ was over and then got the poll going for which weekend to have the run on but since the 2nd full weekend in Oct has been the winner the past 3 years, I decided to just make it this weekend from now on. This makes it easier for people to plan things around it, like vacation time, you know waaaay inadvance this way. I don't feel this is going to "step on the toes" of SZ either, this is more of an organized meet where SZ has numerous events.
Cabin info can be had here www.caneycreekvillage.com This is the official host cabin site for our group since 2003 (except the 2nd annual event where they were booked up because of the Gold Rush weekend, something I didn't know about at the time) Dixie is the owner of Caney Creek Village and couldn't be any nicer to us, REAL southern hospitality. I must say I feel like family when I'm there. I remember a couple of us taking up a collection for her when her husband passed away, as expected our group stepped up there, thank you! I would reserve the cabin ASAP too. I plan on calling her this week. Now, if for some reason the cabins get booked up and some of the possible noobs can't get a spot, no problem, we always have someone that will let them crash at their place, splitting the cost of the cabin between themselves. If that doesn't work for some reason there are other cabins in the area, inparticular right next to the Tellico River and there's that one we pass as soon as we get onto the Skyway on the right, that ones VERY nice. One way or the other, we'll make it work if we get to that point but to date, this has never been an issue. Some people live down there or near, we've got another guy who's family has a place of their own and others chose to stay in Robinsville but like I said, it all works out and we all do whatever it takes to make you feel welcome and comfortable. Whatever you do, don't let the fact that you've never gone before detour you from going, asking questions about the run, etc. Our group is very diverse, from age, type of car, level of experience, level of "balls", background, personality, what you do for a living, etc. That said, when it comes to our run, we all come together as one to have a great time. There's been discussion ongoing on what to do to make our run run smoothly. This is important as its gotten pretty large, last year had a total of 26 cars but not at once. Some came later and left earlier, so that part of it worked out pretty well for all concerned.
Alot of GREAT suggestions have come up to smooth things out and they have to do with departure times. Now, this is a vacation, so I don't want anyone to think they've gotta rise at the crack of dawn every morning to leave with the group. Trust me when I say this, not everyone is an early riser here and there's many people who know the road, so again, you don't have to get up early. There will be a loose scedule talked about here and if there's any questions, please feel free to drop me a PM or put the question here in the thread, afterall, that's what its for.
Doing a SEARCH can net you pics and vids from previous runs too. We've got many guys with high end camera's and video equiptment, not to mention these guys www.killboy.com I'm sure at some point over the next 6 monthes there will be pics posted up in here to get everyone motivated so to speak.
Last but not least in the introductory thread is this, not a warning but a suggestion....THIS IS A PUBLIC ROAD AND SHOULD ALWAYS BE TREATED AS SUCH! In our previous 8 runs there's only been 1 "real" problem and that happened last year. The warning/suggestion of taking it easy your first time out wasn't heeded and it resulted in an unfortunate situation, a situation that could've been alot worse. I always post this because its important as we always get noobs on this run, even those who've wanted to go and THINK they know what goes on on this road. This road has 318 turns in 11 miles, banked turns, soft shoulders and sometimes NO shoulders. Someone broke it down to this, a turn every 186 feet was posted 2 years ago, imagine that, if you can, a turn every 186 feet! Add the fact that this is a PUBLIC ROAD and it must receive respect, it DEMANDS it from all who drive/ride it. My suggestion to the noobs is this, pretend you've got your Grandma and/or Grandpa in the passenger seat. Trust me, doing it at a relaxed pace will not only show you what the road is REALLY like, but gives you a chance to set up for your next run, knowing what's next is half the battle out there. I don't wanna forget the Cherahola Skyway either, more people have DIED on the Skyway than on the Dragon, although many have died while out on the Dragon and on the website www.tailofthedragon.com there's a list for that. The Skyway has FASTER speeds, HIGHER elevations, LONGER curves and STEEPER grades (9%), thus you MUST pay close attention to what you and your car are doing out there for sure, its in yours and everyone else's best interest. BRAKES AND TIRES MUST BE IN GREAT CONDITION!!! You don't need a fast car to enjoy the run, trust me, I know, I really, really know but what I do know is what I just said, please make sure your car is in great condition. This also means your oil change, trans fluid, brake fluid and coolant....EVERYTHING IS PUT TO THE TEST! Let me give you noobs a scenario, your going down a 9% grade, your in 4th gear and your revs are at 5-6k, imagine the load EVERYTHING IS UNDER!
This thread is all about asking/answering question, keeping everyone updated on your ride(s), friendly "banter", posting pics, sharing stories, keeping us updated, etc. Its 6 monthes away as I make this post and its a long time for sure, but early planning and ironing things out now makes it easier when we all converge to Tellico Plains in early October.....enjoy!
BTW....there will be a seperate thread for cabin RSVP which will double as a "who's going thread" too, everything like that will be there for everyone to see. You DO NOT need to pre-pay for your cabins when RSVP-ing but try and make sure you know your able to make it but sometimes life comes up and if you can't make it, let Dixie know ASAP so we can get that cabin for someone else. As usual, just tell Dixie your with the group with ROGER FROM DEETROIT
WELCOME TO THE 2011 FALL DRAGON RUN!
