Sorry guys, I'm gonna back out. The get-together is getting too big for my tastes and some of the chest-thumping makes me nervous.
Call it getting old or having a friend crash up there with me (while being stupid) a few months ago, but whatever the case, I'm a lot more conservative than I used to be in terms of who I ride/drive with.
Regarding the questions on locations of gas and whatnot.
If you stay in Tellico Plains as I recommend, there are plenty of gas stations around, one of which is open 24 hours a day and is a mini-mart(beer and food). There is also a small grocery store on that same main road that also sells beer.(Both are on the Skyway road on the other side from the TOTD, heading into Tellico Plains). The road that Caney Creek is on forms part of the loop that people take to tie the Skyway and TOTD together. Just make sure you fill up before leaving TP and you'll be fine. If you find yourself getting low and you are south of the dragon and already on the other side of the skyway, it's best to head south on 129 and tank up in Robbinsville.
This event really needs a sticky post at the top with a list of confirmed attendees and arrival times so people know what to expect. This stuff of "I'm bringing a buddy who might bring a couple of his buddies." isn't real helpful.
Oh, and good luck with the two-way radios. They didn't amount to squat last time because *some people* (cough cough) couldn't be bothered to roll up their windows and turn down the music so they can hear the thing while the rest of the group was trying to tell them they just blasted through a speed trap.
Cell phone service is fine in TP and Robbinsville, but spotty/non-existent everywhere else. Might not be a bad idea if someone brought a cb just in case, especially if you'll be crossing the skyway at night. The last time I crossed it at night, I didn't see a single vehicle coming the other way.
Have a great time!
Dan
