so i'm all for a road trip in the new car if we have the money and time off, but what i am wondering is if motd is a legal run or is it considered a "spirited" run. i have no problem with either, although a legal closed road run would be GREAT and I think that would be something people would pay to do.

also what kind of prices am i looking for to stay in a motel, i don't care how crappy it is.

 

There will be three group runs: Dragon Parade, Dragon at Dusk and the Midnight Run. Depending where you are in the pack, it could get slighlty "spirited" at times. The rest are mainly individual runs and the pace is up to you.

Keep in mind alot of folks spend as much time on the Cherohala and neighboring roads as the Dragon.

Hotels are very reasonable. I've heard good things about the Microtel in Robinnsivlle. There is a good list of lodging HERE

 

The road is an open public road, and subject to all traffic laws. Years and years ago, well before MOTD, the road would be closed at times for highly spirited runs, but they don't do that anymore.

At times there are police, and they do write tickets!

 

the speed limit on the Dragon itself is 35 mph. as a noob, you may not want to exceed that your first few times. The Dragon does claim lives, so bear that in mind. the police can be....moody....some years, they've been downright nuts about handing out tickets for any little thing.

 

This will be my first trip to the Dragon.

Just to warn other drivers, I had a couple of "L's" made up to put on my MINI until I get the hang of driving conditions there.

 

What do the "L"s stand for?

 

Learner

In Britain when you are taking driving lessons, one must put the red L sign on the front and back of the vehicle they are driving to warn other drivers they are a noob.

 

I love it!!!

 

well that's just a good idea!

 

Are they reflective? I'd like one! I'm not sure if it's "cool" to show off that I'm a noob, but hey I'm kinda geek-cool anyway, so who cares!

 

The pair I had made aren't reflective, but I could check with the place where I had them made and get back to you in a day or two.

 

Being a NASCAR fan, I think a yellow tape stripe on the rear bumper indicating rookieness might be more appropriate. But I'll be more undercover than that. Of course my ear to ear smile might give me away!

 

I was a noob at the Dragon last year, and if you are smart you will be fine. Make sure your car is in good shape because you don't want a mechanical problem in a dangerous situation. In the group runs there is alot of care taken to make sure everyone is in line according to their ability/experience/and desire. If you have training or experience then you can go up in the line if you want to go quick but not crazy go in the middle and if you want to take your time or get used to it, hang back towards the end. You will have tons of fun and make alot of good friends and memories, just make sure you do it safely. Also, last year the police were giving invitations to come back and visit them(they give tickets that require you to appear in court) so try your best not to get a ticket. The main thing to watch out for is big trucks and cars/bikes crossing the middle line and coming over into your lane. For God's sake when you are driving, do not cross the line because it could be catastrophic for alot of people as the Dragon is busy that time of year. If you have any more questions about being a noob shoot me a PM and I'll do what I can to help you from my experiences.

 

really, really good advice

 

noob too this year, I like the L plates. grew up in Australia and remember those. should make P for next year.

 

Or maybe a V for Veteran?

 

Great advice here. We were noobs last year, and were even driving a JustACooper, and still had a blast. A couple of notes from our experience:

- Even at 35 mph, you'll have plenty of fun. If you go faster, just mind your personal limits. Don't push yourself farther than you or your MINI feel comfortable.
- Don't cross over the double yellow. You could get ticketed or worse (insert skull and crossbones here).
- If folks come up on you quickly and ride you, take your time and find the next place to pull off and let them pass. Beware the gravel on some sides of the road, as there can be a significant drop that you may not expect when pulling off quickly.
- If you come up on someone who is going slower than you'd like, give them the opportunity to pull off, and understand that they just don't feel comfortable going faster for whatever reason. It is still a public road, let everyone enjoy it!
- Don't cross over the double yellow.
- Law enforcement is generally on the Tennessee side of the border (where most of the Dragon is located) and includes the Tennessee Highway Patrol and Blount County Sheriff's Office. Do note that these officers will occasionally come over into NC, stopping at the Deal's Gap resort.
- Don't cross over the double yellow.
- The NC side, while not having as much law enforcement, does have the TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) police on and around the Hellbender, primarily near Fontana Dam. There is a nice long straight road that leads to the powerhouse at the bottom of the dam (where we set up for a lot of runs and the panoramic photo). You have a fairly good chance of encountering a TVA officer on this road. Be aware if you decide to test your new performance mods on this road.
- NC has a law prohibiting more than 4 driving lights and folks have been ticketed for this. If you have a light bar, keep this in mind.

If I can think of anything else, I'll forward it along. You'll have a great time, I promise!

 

sounds like you may have been ticketed last year for crossing the double yellow

 

Not I, but there have been too many accidents due to cars, trucks, and motorcycles crossing the double yellow, particularly around curves. It is just a really big sticking point. A speeding ticket isn't nearly as costly as a hospital visit, y'know?

 

Thanks!, great advice and pointers

Great thread for us MOTD newbies!

 

We always see the warnings about not crossing double yellow. Sage advice that will help keep you safe out there. But you must watch ALL the lines. Cutting the corners too tight to stay inside the double yellow can put a wheel over the outside white line and possibly off the pavement into a rut that can flip a MINI on it's side faster than you can say Cherohala.

Double yellow, friend of fellow. Single white, not too tight!

 

Most (maybe all) states have this law-it depends on whether the law enforcement people want to enforce it. The maximum you are allowed is 1 pair headlights, 1 pair of parking lights/turn signals and 1 pair auxiliary lights (this includes fog lights, driving lights, etc.). Four driving lights could get you pulled over as well as running fog lights with driving lights.

Essentially: 6 or fewer lights to the front-and remember that after sunset 4 of those will be 2 headlights and 2 parking/turn signal lights(these are the minimum required by law). Also remember that if you are running driving lights and following another car or meeting traffic, you could be pulled over just like running high beams and being right behind/meeting another car. It all depends on how strict they want to be.

FWIW: last year it was the TVA Police enforcing the light issues and they're federal officers so you may see them anywhere, and they have jurisdiction everywhere in the area.

 

Ok so i noticed that there are many times to go to Registration do we just go to one and then that is that or do we need to go to one everyday? Thanks from a Noob. CAN'T WAIT

 

Just once.

You can pick up your stuff at any of the scheduled registration times.

People arrive all weekend, so registration has been scheduled to fit that need.