Saturday Loop Drive

[BlimeyCabrio]

I mentioned in another thread that I plan to lead an EPIC run on Saturday for those who are up for it. We'll have to leave *fairly* early to make the loop before the disc golf tourney... Probably need to pull out by 10AM, maybe a bit earlier... but it will be worth it...

Here's the route (click to see the google map)

This will take in the Hellbender (NC 28), the Dragon (US 129), the Cherohala Skyway (TN 165 / NC 143), Wayah Road (also known as "Thunder Road") and more twisty parts of NC 28. It will be a smorgasbord of the finest motoring roads in the known universe, with a few potty breaks and some lunch thrown in, and some scenic vistas. It will avoid most of the general Saturday insanity that occurs on the Dragon... we do it one-way fairly early on Saturday AM, before it gets out of hand (hopefully).

We'll watch the time - if we're running late when we get to Robbinsville, we MAY opt to cut the corner and not do Wayah road if it would jeopardize the disc golf start time. But I think we'll be in good shape.

Shout out if you're with me!

UPDATE:
We will meet at 9:15AM AT THE BASE (NOT THE TOP) Of FONTANA DAM - we're having a photo shoot there, then we're all doing a "parade" drive down the Dragon, then we'll continue for the rest of the drive. This should give us plenty of time to do the whole loop and be back for disc golf at 4PM!!!

[minianni]

If I get to go Paul, I'm with ya'.

[1QukMINI]

Hopefully I can go Paul. I have every intention....
jason

[Drillslinger]

I'll have to see if the Frau's up for it, but I wouldn't mind going

[wildcrazy442000]

Just kick in the door(one of the Fireplace Rooms), If you can get me up I'll go. Twister said something about a "Clown Car" Parade at 2PM. Will we be back in time?

[BlimeyCabrio]

You could probably be back at 2PM if you cut a corner and skip the last section with Wayah Road. Otherwise we'll probably be back around 3ish. It's gonna be a 5ish hour adventure... if it goes as I envision it (don't ask me how that worked out at my mod party. )

[MidnightDave]

After seeing the map and given his acumen with the Thursday night get togethers and the mod party, I'm going with Paul--I'm sure there will be some good eatin' in there somewhere, to...Let's motah!

[wildcrazy442000]

Sounds like a plan to me, I need to call tommorrow and ask about the little guy.

[LowCountry S]

I'm in if the boss, err wife wants to that is .

[BlimeyCabrio]

I'm currently thinking about lunch at Sweetwater BBQ in Robbinsville - it's excellent, and they have lots of stuff so it won't be overly redundant with Friday's dinner. We should be in that area around 1ish. The challenge is that we'll be in Tellico before lunchtime, and it'll take a little while to do the Skyway with some stops. After lunch, folks can either continue the route to Franklin via Wayah Rd, or cut back across to Fontana. So there's an easy "out" for folks who decide they've had enough.

[Cooper_Gal]

I am totally interested!!

[1QukMINI]

Hey Guys, our radio channel for the weekend is 20-20. Just FYI!

[TWISTER]

3pm photoshoot has been rescheduled again to 9:15 at the base of the dam then this LIL drive can start

[1QukMINI]

Sounds good!

[Cooper_Gal]

Sounds like a plan!

[wildcrazy442000]

Works for me.

[BlimeyCabrio]

That's a FANTASTIC idea - that way my loop drive can continue on after the "parade" and have more time to do the rest of the loop before we have to be back!!!

SOOOO

UPDATE - Everyone is meeting at the BASE of the dam (not the top - two different places) at 9:15 for photos, then the parade, which will continue on as the loop drive - we'll stop in Robbinsville for Lunch and will be back at Fontana before 4PM for disc golf.

[MidnightDave]

I'll just do what I always do...follow the MINI in front of me!

[1QukMINI]

Uh, the base? Oh, I'll just follow like Dave... Heck, maybe I'll follow Dave! Never mind, I ain't following that crazy fool! ;-)

[wildcrazy442000]

Gosh isn't the base of the Dam, under water. Maybe we should meet at the Top!!!

[BlimeyCabrio]

Heh heh... Somebody ALWAYS ends up in the wrong place - it's the same place we do the "official" panoramic photo at MOTD - short version - when you leave Fontana Village, you must turn LEFT on NC 28 and head toward the Dragon. If you turn RIGHT instead and follow the signs to the dam, you'll end up at the top - and you can't get to the "bottom" from there... other than jumping...

[BlimeyCabrio]

WoooHOOOO!!!!

Wow, what a GREAT day I had on Saturday. Thanks to EVERYONE who joined me on my little ole country drive. I'm new to this "lead a run" thing - and I'm still learning - so thanks for bearing with some of my rookie mistakes. I PROMISE to do better next time.

What went well:
* No tickets
* No incidents
* No one got lost (if they did they haven't been found to complain yet)
* Everyone got to eat - eventually
* Lunch was very good
* We made it back in time for disc golf
* We regrouped whenever we got split up or overly strung out.
* Jack and I made some tintop owners respect cabrios.
* Jack made me respect Justacooper cabrios.
* The Photo - Dragon "parade" - loop run schedule seemed to work.


What can be improved:
* My realism. I had CRAZY expectations regarding how many miles we could cover in one day. So I pushed us TOO hard without enough stops. Next time, we'll plan to do exactly the same route we actually did (not the one I planned that's TWO HOURS LONGER...) - and that will make me feel OK about stopping a couple of times on the Skyway for potty breaks and photo opps.
* My pre-drive briefing. I should have briefed everyone on driving within your own comfort level, that we'd not leave anyone, that we'd regroup frequently, on how to find your "proper" place in line over the course of the day based on your abilities and comfort level (i.e. let faster drivers move to the front of the group), that there WILL be folks who drive kinda fast, etc.
* I should NOT have forgotten about MINI_Bee and made him chase us down (but I'm REALLY glad he found us).
* I should have coordinated with specific folks to take turns bringing up the rear to ensure no one got stranded, and to prevent the terrified feeling that you were going to get left in the middle of nowhere, and ensuring that no one felt like they had to drive beyond their abilities or comfort level.
* My handouts. I should have had printed maps and directions for every car. Just in case.

Wow - considering how many things I did WRONG, it's a wonder ANYONE SURVIVED. It's a testament to your intrepid sense of adventure, and your willingness to risk life and limb to keep from getting left in the wilderness alone...

If you have other suggestions on things that would make future drives more enjoyable, please let me know.

If you'd like to see drives with a different "flavor" (e.g. slower, more scenic oriented, whatever) feel free to suggest that. And I'll nominate you to lead one just like whatever you suggest next time. After all, this was MY first time... somebody's gotta do it...

[1QukMINI]

I got NO complaints about the drive (of course I didn't get left at the gas station), and have nothing but LOVE for it! I think it went perfect!

[BlimeyCabrio]

By the way - here's the link to the route we ACTUALLY did - about 144 miles round trip.

The Dragon / TN360 / Cherohala Skyway loop

[minianni]

Thanks for putting this on Paul. I had a great time. It was kind of nice "ridin' the herd" in the back. Got to enjoy scenery and snap a few pics. Didn't have to concentrate so hard on the next apex.

Steve (mr.minianni)