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We've been getting a great response from a lot of folks.
I'm meeting with Byron this week-end to firm up the Friday evening cruise.
Right now dusk is around 7:00 PM
We'll be leaving the event around 4:00 PM for the cruise, there will be picture opportunities at the Chilhowee dam also.
We'll are schedule to have a police escort for some of the route on the way to the Dragon. (stopping cars from getting in our line)
Let me mention that everyone wanting to participate should make sure they have plenty of fuel for the run, there is very little available once you near the 'Dragon'.
Expect some evening time driving.
If you plan on having passenger, make real sure that are not prone to motion sickness. This is a very curvy ride.
There will be professional photographers stationed on the dragon, and pictures of your ride will be available (for a price) on line. These guys do this for a living on the Dragon.
Phanni I love the idea of setting the record on the dragon, we have booked our hotel and will be there for sure. We are members of the Nashville Corvette Club and will be mentioning this to friends for sure. just love seeing convoys of Vettes running down the road..
Here is a question that many are going to think I am an idiot...I refuse to drive a dirty Corvette (imagine that) coming from Nashville our GS will not be looking great...obviously a car wash is out of the question...what do people do in situations like that? looking for any great ideas as I am sure everyone is going to be looking good when the run begins
I am not part of the Nashville Corvette Club. I just purchased my first a month ago but would like to travel down to the show and catch up with your group if that would be an option!
I am not part of the Nashville Corvette Club. I just purchased my first a month ago but would like to travel down to the show and catch up with your group if that would be an option!
We will already be at Deals Gap "Resort" Friday morning and are planning on heading out from there to Loudon to make the Corvette Expo events there and join the Dragon Cruise back to Deals Gap for the night. Then onto our cabin in Gatlinburg Saturday morning sometime and will take in the CC expo Saturday afternoon. If anybody is spending the week in the area, we will be, too and plan on Sunday "people watching" back at the Dragon and probably another day there during the week to "have dome fun"..
Yesterday was the most beautiful day of the year, upper 70's lots of sunshine and a great day to run the dragon.
Byron Cooper and I did a run up the "Dragon" to check out the timing for the run.
We left at 4:00 PM from the park and drove the Dragon.
It is about 1.5 hours each way and around 60 miles from the park to Fontana dam, which is 7 mile further than deals Gap which is the NC side of the Dragon. We spent about 45 minutes near the dam then returned by driving the dragon in the opposite direction. We were back off the mountain with plenty of day light. Motorcycle traffic was not heavy. Although, We pulled over at one point to allow a couple of 'crazies' by. (We were in a Toyota TRD supercharged Pick up).
A couple of things that need mentioning if you're going on the cruise.
There are no gas stations, no rest rooms, or no eating joints, once you start up the mountain.
Deals Gap at the NC end of the dragon has a gift shop (yes they have T shirts) and eating facilities, however there are not a lot of parking spaces as it is more for the bikers than the autos. We will continue another 7 miles to Fontana dam where there is plenty of parking and photos opportunities. From there everyone is on their own to return. I suggest leaving the NC side before 6:30 so you'll be off the mountain before dark.
If your intended passenger has motion sickness problems, I suggest not taking them.
We will not be trying to set any speed records going up the mountain. some curves are marked at 10 MPH, if you get my drift. The actual "Dragon" run is about 11 miles one way. It can be heavily patrolled because there is little room for error on some curves. Several people die on this road every year.
We will have police helping us exit the park and getting us through a couple of red lights.
We plan to leave the park at 4:00 PM allowing us to have plenty of daylight for the return.
You will be on your own returning, but please be careful, as it is not unusual to have folks "apexing" corners and crossing over the line on an already narrow road.
The leave are just now starting to turn and in two weeks it should be spectacular. There are a few 'pulloffs' for views of the mountains, lakes and valleys.
All participants will receive certificate of participation in this event, which is intended to qualify for a record number of Corvettes on the Dragon.
Let's hope we have great weather and plenty of participants.
Not to hijack the thread but more to show some options for this or a future ride. I have made the loop (on my motorcycle not the Vette) and the Cherohala Skyway is really a neat option. If you have the time well worth the drive. I liked it just because the road and scenery was better than "back tracking" through the dragon. Sounds like a great ride either way!
Not to hijack the thread but more to show some options for this or a future ride. I have made the loop (on my motorcycle not the Vette) and the Cherohala Skyway is really a neat option. If you have the time well worth the drive. I liked it just because the road and scenery was better than "back tracking" through the dragon. Sounds like a great ride either way!
done the dragon in the vette and the bike done the cherohala on the bike great road I was planning on doing this trip but they changed our cub scout camp-out to that weekend so have a great time and take plenty of pics.
Not to hijack the thread but more to show some options for this or a future ride. I have made the loop (on my motorcycle not the Vette) and the Cherohala Skyway is really a neat option. If you have the time well worth the drive. I liked it just because the road and scenery was better than "back tracking" through the dragon. Sounds like a great ride either way!
That's a great run, however we're not starting until 4 PM and won't have time for that.
If I have the time, that's the one usually take. Rainbow falls at the far end is great too.
Of course, if anyone wishes to include the Cherohala, they're welcome to do so. It is in fact a better road for Vettes, since it has longer more sweeping curves, better views and has less motorbikes coming at you in the wrong lane.
I am not part of the Nashville Corvette Club. I just purchased my first a month ago but would like to travel down to the show and catch up with your group if that would be an option!
we have not made final arrangements yet, because of the hotel situation there are currently two of us traveling out there on Friday morning I believe, I am sure there will be more from the club with most hooking up while there. But sure you can join our mini cruise
We will already be at Deals Gap "Resort" Friday morning and are planning on heading out from there to Loudon to make the Corvette Expo events there and join the Dragon Cruise back to Deals Gap for the night. Then onto our cabin in Gatlinburg Saturday morning sometime and will take in the CC expo Saturday afternoon. If anybody is spending the week in the area, we will be, too and plan on Sunday "people watching" back at the Dragon and probably another day there during the week to "have dome fun"..
So you are staying at Deals Gap resort Thursday night? A friend of mine who is also from Louisiana is headed up to Deals Gap on Thursday as well. He will be in a Silver GTO. The rest of our group will be up at the Gap around 8:30am Fri morning.
I am not part of the Nashville Corvette Club. I just purchased my first a month ago but would like to travel down to the show and catch up with your group if that would be an option!
we are meeting @ 8:00 AM Friday morning @ the Lebanon Outlet Mall parking lot facing I40. Going to leave no later than 8:15 or so. What are you driving?
I'll be heading that way from the Cleveland Tn area. I plan on leaving here about 2 pm, I've gotta get some sleep first after coming off a 12 hour night shift. I should be there by 3:30 pm at the latest.
09-24-2015, 05:08 PM
