Well, not really ON the Dragon, but at Tsali! We went last year with some Mini friends and the trails are great, just long enough, not super technical, and very interesting. Anyone up for another trip, maybe Thursday morning around 9?? I'm heading down early and may go on Sunday, Monday and/or Tuesday as well... let's make some plans!

 

Yeah, that place was a lot of fun. I'm bringing my bike again .

 

I'll probably tag along. Still not sure what vehicle I am taking ; Not sure if there will be room

 

... there is always room...

Bu-wahahaha!

(actually, I bring the Brave Little Trailer, but I can certainly appreciate lacking a few cubic feet in a Classic. You can use gutter racks though, right? I may have a deal for you...)

The Brave Little Trailer (a multi-trip Dragon veteran!)


Why I appreciate the small space in a Classic (this one belongs to Mini of Pittsburgh, behind the chrome grille is a propane grille!):

 

I'd be interested in a ride also. Is there a place to rent a bike for the day?

 

That, I don't know!
You may want to check online for bike shops in the area...

 

Just spoke to Tina at Fontana and they have 4 or 5 bikes they rent out. They cost $10.00 per hour, $15.00 for half a day and $25.00 for a full day.

 

Thanks Snooter! I was thinking of making this a formal MOTD event, but couldn't commit to a time early enough.

Why not select one... how about we meet @ the car wash area at 845AM Thursday, caravan to Tsali at 9, and charge "a voluntary donation to the local food bank" as admission?

We'll all start together, ride at your own pace... it's not a rail trail but not too gnarly either. There are a few slightly technical sections but nothing I recall worrying about. Of course, I've been mountain biking since 1982...

Participants:
- DixonL2 and son
- davavd
- nynomad (if there's a bike)
- Minidaphne (if there's a bike)

More?

 

Sounds good! Just got to figure out where to put my bike, but ill find a way

 

Pull off both wheels and the seat - it'll fit!

 

A seat in the car that is

 

FYI.....There is also Bryson City Biclycles that rents bikes too.

 

I know this is a MTB thread, please forgive me if I hijack. I did the Tsali outing last year, as a novice mountain biker it was a blast (but oh the hills. . . )

I am a dedicated roadie and am bringing the road bike this year. I see some good road cycling options- the Cherohala, Road to Nowhere, and others. Is anyone else interested? I normally would do maybe 30-50 miles but will probably shorten it with the hills (as a flatlander from the Midwest, I will not be acclimated to much climbing).

I could do any afternoon- Thursday, Friday, or Saturday if anyone would like to join one or more days. I'll plot out a route, starting with a drive from Fontana.

 

I'm a roadie too and it's VERY tempting to bring the road bike and bike the CLOSED dragon... I've actually seen road bikes out there before but it's insane. The other roads actually have a slightly wider shoulder so it's not as dangerous, but remember you'll have 500 or so Minis driving all over, you likely won't have a chance to safely road ride too close to Fontana (it pains me to say that, believe me I know the addiction!).

Hills? I live in Pittsburgh, fer cryin' out loud. What are "flats"? ;-)

 

The more I think about this, the more I like it! With the Dragon opening at 8am, a sunrise ride would be awesome. Maybe Saturday or Sunday morning? Have time for a couple hours of riding before it's open to cars- truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Anyone else up for it?

 

I don't think I'm going to make it this year. On March 31, my car overheated just west of Knoxville. It turns out to be a blown head gasket. I'm waiting on the word that it's fixed so I can go back up & get it. I don't think I'm going to want to drive up there, back here & then go up there again in a week or two. Y'all have fun.

 

Red Wofl, that's VERY TEMPTING. Only problem is... I'm already bringing a 32 foot 3-lane pinewood derby track and a mountain bike strapped to the top of the Brave Little Trailer behind the Mini. Now, a road bike weighs <20lb... and it's only my wife and I (my son, who went last year, chose to stay behind...) so maybe I can fit it. I'd want to be OFF the Dragon by 745 though, soas not to find trouble with the local constabulary. I have to check my schedule...

Davavd, sorry to hear about the gasket... but you're a cyclist! Suck it up and just be there! :-)

 

Alas, no cycling on the Dragon. . . Traded emails with Brad Talbott from Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort, his response was "it is my understanding that anyone caught in the gap prior to 8am will be arrested". It was a good idea. . .

 

To quote Charlie Brown...

rats

Ah well, still bringing the Mountain Bike. Who's in for 845 Thursday?

 

another roady here. i agree that hitting the roads near the village would be insane (and i know insane). so i'm thinking of bringing my old hardtail cannondale cad4. are there trails starting near the village?


....googles tasali......


okay, i'm interested, but am terrible at scheduled events @ the dragon. i will bring the hardtail and plan to ride everyday

any other obsessed riders?

 

I'm obsessed, but will be there with my wife and so have to schedule things a little more closely with her... and she doesn't mountain bike :-(

 

I am bringing my mountain bike and like I said Thursday is good for me

 

My wife and I will most likely be bringing mountain bikes. We plan to ride at Tsali a couple of days in the Sunday, Monday, Tuesday time frame before MOTD. We'll be the slow ones on the trails taking our time and enjoying the woods.

 

Awesome! Last year we had what, maybe 5-6 of us, all of varying abilities, all enjoying ourselves. Some went flat out, some were Masters of Leisure, all had grins. And everyone except me had a convertible, go figure!

I'm still in for 845 Thursday at Fontana - we can certainly make it earlier if anyone wants to make it an earlier day! I may also go for a "dawn raid" at Tsali on Tuesday morning, but it'd be ear-lee (0630 ish).

 

well, to answer my own question...yes, there is riding at the village. great switchbacks behind the lodge

i'll miss y'all at tsali due to an unforseen atlanta trip i have to make tomorrow

have fun...and be safe!