The previous thread has been moved to Under Review. This is a new thread with a fresh opportunity to take the high curvy road and leave the animosity at the driver's door.

Dave

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North American Motoring
dave@northamericanmotoring.com :: Send me a PM

 

thanks

 

318 curves in 11 miles going through the beautiful smokey mountains - I'd definitely say the high curvy road is the place to be - The Tail of the Dragon

also - moving to National Events
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Thanks Dave for reviving the thread.

Myself with The Sunshine MINIs group, along with Yucca Patrol, Koolmini, MINIclo and hopefully 2minis will all be there having a great time on the roads and good friends.

 

The trip to the Dragon is going to be one heck of a time. I'll be bringing my sea kayak along for the trip and hope to get a few hours of paddling in on some of the lakes in the area. Should be fun to rip the Dragon with my Kayak loaded on top

Anyone else interested in a few hours of kayaking in between dragon slaying?

 

>>The trip to the Dragon is going to be one heck of a time. I'll be bringing my sea kayak along for the trip and hope to get a few hours of paddling in on some of the lakes in the area. Should be fun to rip the Dragon with my Kayak loaded on top

 

^^^^^the "smokey parts" are my tires

 

>>^^^^^the "smokey parts" are my tires

Better than being your breaks.

 

Yucca,

I've brought my kayaks down and paddled at Fontanna Lake which is not to far at all from the Dragon. It has 11 miles of shore line with lots of coves to explore. I enjoyed the paddle very much. There are several boat ramps to access from. I used the one inside the Tsali Recreation area (awesome mountain biking there by the way). Hope that helps ya!

- Driving Hamster

 

Thanks Driving_Hamster!

I've been scouring topo maps of the area and was considering kayaking Fontana Lake, as well as the lake that has a launch right at the top parking lot of the Dragon.

It looks like I might also be able to kayak from below Fontana Dam almost to Deal's Gap. Of course, I might be having too much fun with the MINI to spend much time on the water . . . .

 

you might have to take the kayak off the top before you run the dragon. you might get stick on one of the tight turns like the big trucks that try to drive it..

 

Yeah, but it'd be really funny to watch!

 

>>Yeah, but it'd be really funny to watch!
>>
have that camera ready

 

espeically if he happens to be in the kayak at the time.

 

Never considered it, but with the kayak on top, I guess my MINI now seats FIVE adult passengers!

I am guaranteed of at least 2 Dragon runs with the kayak as the Dragon is part of my route from home to Fontana, and since I want to use the boat launch at the top parking lot, I guess that makes at least 4 runs with a roof-top load.

 

I cant wait to see that, I ll stay in back for once just to watch!!!!

 

>>espeically if he happens to be in the kayak at the time.
>>

hey Yucca, i'll drive & you can sit in the kayak

 

I am going to do my best not to miss it. I did
it on a bike in the fall and it was great!!

 

>>I did it on a bike in the fall and it was great!!<<

Now THAT seems insane. I haven't been there, but I'm guessing the shoulder is pretty narrow, and you've got people coming from all over to drive the road like idiots. Blind corners... Yikes!

 

>>>>I did it on a bike in the fall and it was great!!<<
>>
>>Now THAT seems insane. I haven't been there, but I'm guessing the shoulder is pretty narrow, and you've got people coming from all over to drive the road like idiots. Blind corners... Yikes!


The Dragon is a Bikers paradise. It probably has more bikes than cars go down it over a given year. I hope I can make it up there as well this spring, but I can't commit yet.

 

>>>>I did it on a bike in the fall and it was great!!<<
>>
>>Now THAT seems insane. I haven't been there, but I'm guessing the shoulder is pretty narrow, and you've got people coming from all over to drive the road like idiots. Blind corners... Yikes!

 

hee hee - I don't think a bicyclist would be stupid enough to ride down The Dragon - especially since there is NO shoulder in most areas!
-Thursday eve/night - Meet and Greet at Fontana Village - BBQ
-Friday morn - Parade down the Dragon
-Saturday afternoon - MINI Kar Show at Tapoco Lodge

 

Ryephile, AtlantaMINIs is hosting a welcome dinner at Tapoco on Thursday night...and I thought I read somewhere someone was (unofficially) proposing Friday night for the Fontana Village party.
-Mark

 

Friday at the Fontana was posted on the last thread about the drive that was deleted. It might be an omen.

Something will be happening at the Fontana that Friday night, just what is still a mystery. Once we figure it all, I know we'll share with everybody...

 

The last time koolmini and I were there we did see 2 bicylists riding down the dragon!

Fortunately, we were able to easily pass them, but I thought they were nuts to do it.