Dragon Run Meet -- 2010 "Meet me at the Dragon" Event - Page 4

SonicBlue · 03-17-2010, 12:45 PM

I think cobrabitn is precognitive, for pushing to do the Dragon from Deals Gap and back.

TDOT: Highway 129 clean-up likely won't be quick

After looking at the photos, the slide is definitely at the first turnout - about a half mile from Foothills Parkway, not the bigger turnout a mile closer to the Dragon. If we run as planned, we don't have to change any plans - as long as they let us go as far as the bigger turnout for photos before going back.
Maybe I or rs16 can get down there to find out for sure.

Fortunately, the Pigeon Forge-Gatlinburg spur rock slide will have open lanes during the final repair Mar. 15 to Apr. 30. - in case anyone wanted to go down to Gatlinburg while they're in the area.

All lanes of the Spur reopened after rock slide

Meanwhile, I-40 is scheduled to reopen by late April.

I-40 rock slide update: crews step up drilling

SonicBlue · 03-20-2010, 12:28 PM

Got a possible meeting place in Robbinsville: Papas Pizza to-Go (website). It's less than a mile north of where 129 & 143 come together on the way to the Dragon. Their UrbanSpoon review is what caught my eye. ("This is the second year now that a car group I'm a part of has gone to ...") They even have coupons that are good through the 25th.

**cobrabitn** · 03-20-2010, 08:03 PM

That sounds good to me, just have to make sure those with weak stomachs don't dispose of it improperly.

Thanks for the research, it is very helpful.

SonicBlue · 03-24-2010, 12:13 PM

TDOT's construction Smartmap says:

Quote:

State Route 115 northbound in Blount County - Incident at NORTH CAROLINA-TENNESSEE STATE LINE / BEGIN HWY-129 / {US-129} reported at 3/15/2010 4:00:00 PM and estimated to be cleared by 9/1/2010 5:00:00 PM (Eastern Time Zone). Northbound traffic is affected with all lanes closed. Southbound traffic is affected with all lanes closed.Northbound traffic is being diverted to alternate routes. Due to a rockslide two miles south of Chilhowee Dam.

If the Dragon is going to be closed through August, perhaps an alternate route should be considered for this run. The Tail of the Dragon website suggests Moonshiner 28 as a good choice. That website has this to say:

Quote:

With the temporary closing of the Dragon, Moonshiner28 is a great alternative. There are sections of 28 in North Carolina every bit as twisty as the Tail. Bonus .... speed limit is 55 most of the route.

It looks like the tightest curves might be on the sections from below Bryson City to Franklin and Franklin to Highlands, but that's 55 miles in the wrong direction. After that, the curviest section appears to be the 12 miles from the 143/28 split to Fontana Dam. The trick is finding a place to meet. If the GA group could stay on 74/19 to where it meets 28 below Bryson City, everyone could meet up at the Pizza Hut, Wings place or Mexican place there. The shortest route for the TN group would be to go over the park. From there, everyone could take 28 all the way to Deals Gap, then turn down 129 toward Robbinsville and the Cherohala Skyway. From there, the original route could be taken.

Another option suggested by the Dragon website is the Devil's Triangle - a 45 mile loop about 30 miles NW of Knoxville, that has two sections that look like they easily rival the Dragon. I've never been on it, but I could check it out the next nice weekend. If you still wanted to run Cherohala Skyway; everyone could meet in Robbinsville, run the Skyway, head up and run the Triangle and then pick a route to Pigeon Forge.

What do y'all think?

lorahcobra · 03-26-2010, 09:47 PM

TDOT announced today the "Dragon" will be back open by July 31. Does not help for an April run, of course. The "Devil's Triangle" is part of White Rock Off Road Park...and is used by mountain bikes, 4-wheelers, and some dirt bikes. While there are sections of the road that are paved, 75% of it is pot holes, gravel, and dirt with DEEP ruts. Unless you have a 4 wheel drive Cobra with about a 10" lift kit...I would not recommend it. On any given weekend in the spring there would be several thousand off-roaders there...again not good for high speed driving...

**cobrabitn** · 03-26-2010, 11:25 PM

Personally, I think run the dragon from the NC side and then go over the skyway. I think the lunch meet in Robbinsville would solve a lot of the logistic problems and will make everyone have one place to meet, greet, and eat.

SonicBlue · 03-29-2010, 10:21 AM

Well, that's what I get for assuming. TDOT is all about how the Dragon is closed. It didn't occur to me NC would keep their side open. I'll try to get down there this weekend to see just how far you can get from that direction and where you can stop/turn around.

**97whitevert** · 03-29-2010, 06:28 PM

Let us know what's what. What a PITA, but will still be blast no matter what!!

SonicBlue · 03-29-2010, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lorahcobra

The "Devil's Triangle" is part of White Rock Off Road Park.

Are you thinking of the Coal Creek OHV Area at Windrock Park? I'm told routes 62, 116 and 330 - which make up the Triangle - are all paved roads.

**97whitevert** · 03-29-2010, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SonicBlue

Are you thinking of the Coal Creek OHV Area at Windrock Park? I'm told routes 62, 116 and 330 - which make up the Triangle - are all paved roads.

I was under the impression that the 'triangle' was all paved. I know we have been on a good part of it... many years ago

lorahcobra · 03-29-2010, 09:12 PM

White Rock...Windrock...see what happens when you get old????

Yeah, I meant Windrock...haven't been there in at least 3 or 4 years...slept since then, ya know?

62 is no problem but most of 330-116 is not suitable for vehicles that require good pavement. And in Spring, that place is EXTREMELY crowded. There is a campground at the entance and this time of year it will be full of off-roaders doing the overnight/bonfire/kegs-of-beer thing?!?!

Which, of course, means most of them will be riding all over the place hung over the next morning. Trust me, this is no Dragon. Check it out here:

http://www.coalcreekohv.com/

**cobrabitn** · 03-29-2010, 09:27 PM

I think the skyway is the way to go...eating in town sounds good, too. Maybe if we can see how far on the dragon we can proceed, it might be worth it to stick with the original plan with the exception of eating at the pizza place.

lorahcobra · 03-29-2010, 09:42 PM

Ok, so I'm old AND confused!

Devil's Triangle goes around Coalcreek OHV. Most of that route probably is paved but there appear to be stretches on the map that are not. Maybe just turn around and retrace at that point? But, again, this route has driveways, churches, businesses, etc. It is also traveled by coal trucks...guess what they do to pavement?

Sorry, I was confusing the road INSIDE the off road area (which we have partially driven) with the road around the outside of the area.

Remember, the guy who wrote this was on a motorcycle...therefore not nearly as concerned with good, flat asphalt...

http://www.fromthehandlebars.com/new...vils-triangle/

SonicBlue · 03-30-2010, 11:56 AM

No worries. You drive an '03 Vert, so that makes up for a lot.

cobrabitn, you wouldn't want to meet up with the GA crew in Robbinsville then?

**cobrabitn** · 03-30-2010, 10:29 PM

Yeah, I do think Robbinsville is the best place to meet and eat at the pizza place for lunch. I'm going with your suggestion as it sounds good to me.

I could see where my statement was confusing the original idea was to eat before we got to Robbinsville but I think it best to meet once, all in the same place. if we can make Robbinsville by lunchtime, we may be able to get on the skyway earlier.

Are you going to see if we can go the back way to the dragon?? NC side??

View Poll Results: Please select your preference below:
I can make it March 27, 2010	2	7.69%
I can make it April 24, 2010	13	50.00%
I can make either day, March 27 or April 24, 2010	11	42.31%
I can't make either date, I don't like cruising the Dragon.	0	0%
Voters: 26. You may not vote on this poll

03-20-2010, 08:03 PM	#48
cobrabitn Dr Jekyll on the street, Mr Hyde on the track Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Rock Hill SC Posts: 14,650	That sounds good to me, just have to make sure those with weak stomachs don't dispose of it improperly. Thanks for the research, it is very helpful. __________________ Cobrabitn 2016 Ruby Red Metallic with Caribou accent F-350 Crew Cab Stump Puller! 6.7 Diesel Automatic with Chrome Package, Off Road Package, 3.55 Locking axles, and Ultimate Lariat Interior Trim Package! 2017 Shelby GT350 Coupe - track car! Mods: JLT True Cold Air oil catch can 2009 Vista Blue Shelby GT 500 Coupe - Garage Queen Tinted Windows JLT True Cold Air Kit Pro-Dyno Tune 526 rwhp - 511 rwtq 1994 Rio Red Indy Pace Car #22 "Runabout" Snake in the grill MGW shift knob 1996 SVT Cobra Wheels 1969 New Lime Mustang Mach 1 Sportsroof - Second owner - bone stock with shaker. One SVT Cobra, one Shelby GT500, one 69 mach 1, and a Shelby GT350 is better than nothing! Custom Data Plates for your Mustang or Ford! Buy "Cool Merchandise" at Data Plates Plus www.dataplatesplus.com See my MSR Video here!

03-26-2010, 09:47 PM	#50
lorahcobra SCMC Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: west knoxville Posts: 130	TDOT announced today the "Dragon" will be back open by July 31. Does not help for an April run, of course. The "Devil's Triangle" is part of White Rock Off Road Park...and is used by mountain bikes, 4-wheelers, and some dirt bikes. While there are sections of the road that are paved, 75% of it is pot holes, gravel, and dirt with DEEP ruts. Unless you have a 4 wheel drive Cobra with about a 10" lift kit...I would not recommend it. On any given weekend in the spring there would be several thousand off-roaders there...again not good for high speed driving... __________________ Steve and Crystal Lorah '03 Carroll Shelby Tribute Edition Yellow Cobra 'Vert "BrightSnake" 474rwhp, 476rwtq "Burn rubber, not your Soul"

03-26-2010, 11:25 PM	#51
cobrabitn Dr Jekyll on the street, Mr Hyde on the track Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Rock Hill SC Posts: 14,650	Personally, I think run the dragon from the NC side and then go over the skyway. I think the lunch meet in Robbinsville would solve a lot of the logistic problems and will make everyone have one place to meet, greet, and eat. __________________ Cobrabitn 2016 Ruby Red Metallic with Caribou accent F-350 Crew Cab Stump Puller! 6.7 Diesel Automatic with Chrome Package, Off Road Package, 3.55 Locking axles, and Ultimate Lariat Interior Trim Package! 2017 Shelby GT350 Coupe - track car! Mods: JLT True Cold Air oil catch can 2009 Vista Blue Shelby GT 500 Coupe - Garage Queen Tinted Windows JLT True Cold Air Kit Pro-Dyno Tune 526 rwhp - 511 rwtq 1994 Rio Red Indy Pace Car #22 "Runabout" Snake in the grill MGW shift knob 1996 SVT Cobra Wheels 1969 New Lime Mustang Mach 1 Sportsroof - Second owner - bone stock with shaker. One SVT Cobra, one Shelby GT500, one 69 mach 1, and a Shelby GT350 is better than nothing! Custom Data Plates for your Mustang or Ford! Buy "Cool Merchandise" at Data Plates Plus www.dataplatesplus.com See my MSR Video here!

03-29-2010, 06:28 PM	#53
97whitevert well, maybe.... Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: anywhere, everywhere....NC Posts: 11,730	Let us know what's what. What a PITA, but will still be blast no matter what!! __________________ Lisa 97 white convertible #99 Born on 1/28/97 03 sonic blue coupe #323 Born on 6/4/02 86 SVO Mustang track beast- The older brother of the SVT ! 99 green BAT 95 laser red F150 06 sonic blue Escape "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." -- Mahatma Gandhi

03-17-2010, 12:45 PM	#46
SonicBlue Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: East TN Posts: 70	I think cobrabitn is precognitive, for pushing to do the Dragon from Deals Gap and back. TDOT: Highway 129 clean-up likely won't be quick After looking at the photos, the slide is definitely at the first turnout - about a half mile from Foothills Parkway, not the bigger turnout a mile closer to the Dragon. If we run as planned, we don't have to change any plans - as long as they let us go as far as the bigger turnout for photos before going back. Maybe I or rs16 can get down there to find out for sure. Fortunately, the Pigeon Forge-Gatlinburg spur rock slide will have open lanes during the final repair Mar. 15 to Apr. 30. - in case anyone wanted to go down to Gatlinburg while they're in the area. All lanes of the Spur reopened after rock slide Meanwhile, I-40 is scheduled to reopen by late April. I-40 rock slide update: crews step up drilling

03-20-2010, 12:28 PM	#47
SonicBlue Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: East TN Posts: 70	Got a possible meeting place in Robbinsville: Papas Pizza to-Go (website). It's less than a mile north of where 129 & 143 come together on the way to the Dragon. Their UrbanSpoon review is what caught my eye. ("This is the second year now that a car group I'm a part of has gone to ...") They even have coupons that are good through the 25th.

03-29-2010, 10:21 AM	#52
SonicBlue Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: East TN Posts: 70	Well, that's what I get for assuming. TDOT is all about how the Dragon is closed. It didn't occur to me NC would keep their side open. I'll try to get down there this weekend to see just how far you can get from that direction and where you can stop/turn around.

03-29-2010, 09:12 PM	#56
lorahcobra SCMC Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: west knoxville Posts: 130	White Rock...Windrock...see what happens when you get old???? Yeah, I meant Windrock...haven't been there in at least 3 or 4 years...slept since then, ya know? 62 is no problem but most of 330-116 is not suitable for vehicles that require good pavement. And in Spring, that place is EXTREMELY crowded. There is a campground at the entance and this time of year it will be full of off-roaders doing the overnight/bonfire/kegs-of-beer thing?!?! Which, of course, means most of them will be riding all over the place hung over the next morning. Trust me, this is no Dragon. Check it out here: http://www.coalcreekohv.com/ __________________ Steve and Crystal Lorah '03 Carroll Shelby Tribute Edition Yellow Cobra 'Vert "BrightSnake" 474rwhp, 476rwtq "Burn rubber, not your Soul"

03-29-2010, 09:27 PM	#57
cobrabitn Dr Jekyll on the street, Mr Hyde on the track Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Rock Hill SC Posts: 14,650	I think the skyway is the way to go...eating in town sounds good, too. Maybe if we can see how far on the dragon we can proceed, it might be worth it to stick with the original plan with the exception of eating at the pizza place. __________________ Cobrabitn 2016 Ruby Red Metallic with Caribou accent F-350 Crew Cab Stump Puller! 6.7 Diesel Automatic with Chrome Package, Off Road Package, 3.55 Locking axles, and Ultimate Lariat Interior Trim Package! 2017 Shelby GT350 Coupe - track car! Mods: JLT True Cold Air oil catch can 2009 Vista Blue Shelby GT 500 Coupe - Garage Queen Tinted Windows JLT True Cold Air Kit Pro-Dyno Tune 526 rwhp - 511 rwtq 1994 Rio Red Indy Pace Car #22 "Runabout" Snake in the grill MGW shift knob 1996 SVT Cobra Wheels 1969 New Lime Mustang Mach 1 Sportsroof - Second owner - bone stock with shaker. One SVT Cobra, one Shelby GT500, one 69 mach 1, and a Shelby GT350 is better than nothing! Custom Data Plates for your Mustang or Ford! Buy "Cool Merchandise" at Data Plates Plus www.dataplatesplus.com See my MSR Video here!

03-29-2010, 09:42 PM	#58
lorahcobra SCMC Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: west knoxville Posts: 130	Ok, so I'm old AND confused! Devil's Triangle goes around Coalcreek OHV. Most of that route probably is paved but there appear to be stretches on the map that are not. Maybe just turn around and retrace at that point? But, again, this route has driveways, churches, businesses, etc. It is also traveled by coal trucks...guess what they do to pavement? Sorry, I was confusing the road INSIDE the off road area (which we have partially driven) with the road around the outside of the area. Remember, the guy who wrote this was on a motorcycle...therefore not nearly as concerned with good, flat asphalt... http://www.fromthehandlebars.com/new...vils-triangle/ __________________ Steve and Crystal Lorah '03 Carroll Shelby Tribute Edition Yellow Cobra 'Vert "BrightSnake" 474rwhp, 476rwtq "Burn rubber, not your Soul"

03-30-2010, 11:56 AM	#59
SonicBlue Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: East TN Posts: 70	No worries. You drive an '03 Vert, so that makes up for a lot. cobrabitn, you wouldn't want to meet up with the GA crew in Robbinsville then?

03-30-2010, 10:29 PM	#60
cobrabitn Dr Jekyll on the street, Mr Hyde on the track Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Rock Hill SC Posts: 14,650	Yeah, I do think Robbinsville is the best place to meet and eat at the pizza place for lunch. I'm going with your suggestion as it sounds good to me. I could see where my statement was confusing the original idea was to eat before we got to Robbinsville but I think it best to meet once, all in the same place. if we can make Robbinsville by lunchtime, we may be able to get on the skyway earlier. Are you going to see if we can go the back way to the dragon?? NC side?? __________________ Cobrabitn 2016 Ruby Red Metallic with Caribou accent F-350 Crew Cab Stump Puller! 6.7 Diesel Automatic with Chrome Package, Off Road Package, 3.55 Locking axles, and Ultimate Lariat Interior Trim Package! 2017 Shelby GT350 Coupe - track car! Mods: JLT True Cold Air oil catch can 2009 Vista Blue Shelby GT 500 Coupe - Garage Queen Tinted Windows JLT True Cold Air Kit Pro-Dyno Tune 526 rwhp - 511 rwtq 1994 Rio Red Indy Pace Car #22 "Runabout" Snake in the grill MGW shift knob 1996 SVT Cobra Wheels 1969 New Lime Mustang Mach 1 Sportsroof - Second owner - bone stock with shaker. One SVT Cobra, one Shelby GT500, one 69 mach 1, and a Shelby GT350 is better than nothing! Custom Data Plates for your Mustang or Ford! Buy "Cool Merchandise" at Data Plates Plus www.dataplatesplus.com See my MSR Video here!

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