ive been thinking of relocating there, as well

 

I was heading to work this weekend in Western Virgina and stumbled upon a road that could easily rival the dragon. The road my coworker/navigator chose was not so fun in a work vehicle but has heaps of MINI potential.



Heading west on 81 from Wytheville, Va we needed to be about 30 miles north in Tazwell county. My trusty coworker found a “nice little” road that would connect us to 19 the road we needed to be on. The road we took was 16. Right off the interstate we went through Hungry Mother state park. Very scenic, lake with paved walking trails. Then I saw the dreaded sign. “no trucks over 35 feet”. If I were in my car this would put a smile on my face. Being in and older work vehicle with almost 150,000 miles on it I was cocerned.


The good news is that in the 28 miles that we were on this road we only saw about 15 cars going the other way. Not sure why. The pavement was in great shape some of it was so new it didn’t even have lines on it. Very steep cliffs on one side and rock faces on the other. We went over 3 separate mountains in all. Switch back after switch back.

I’ve also been on the dragon in a work vehicle. I travel a lot for work in case you were wondering. With that trip I was in a van. I’ll just say that the van brakes were a little hot at the end of the day. With this last trip over 16 I’m not sure what all will be needed to fix the work vehicle. It is currently at the ford dealer having some transmission issues check out. I came home a different way in a rental car.

If any of you MINI owners live in western Va. Tell everyone what they are missing or just go check it out yourself.

 

^^^^^were exactly is Tazwell county (16)?....what exit off of 81?
i'm trying to find it on my map, to plan a highway break on my way to the Dragon vrrrroooooom/weeeeeeeeeee

 

i think it was exit 47 or 48 off of 81. i'll let you know. i'm heading back there now to pick up my fixed work vehicle.

 

i wanna play... doesn't sound TOOOOO far away from me.

 

It's right around Marion VA. Looks like about 40 miles above the TN/VA state line.

 

sounds like it might be a good TURN off the interstate for me on the way down to the Dragon

 

Look at going out 16 (this is north) and then coming back sw to Glade Spring on 91. 91 looks mucho interesante also.

 

October 22-23 or October 28-29?
Cheers,
H

 

14-16.

 

i will try to seek & destroy this road on the 19th of Oct on my way to the Dragon

 

hey dudes, pass through Bumpass and visit me!

 

 

Can everybody post when they are planning on going?

A long time ago previous FOTD folks told me that it is the 3rd weekend in Oct... Which makes FOTD the 14-16th - right? ...which is what I'd been planning. But now nobody is calling it...

I haven't been watching this thread for a while so I'm confused at the all the different dates. I'm pretty flexible on the timing, when are others planning (or able to go)?

I'm going to ask an awkward question: Do the previous FOTD folks just want to hang by themselves and therefore aren't saying? If it's a private affair amongst old friends, I understand & I'm not offended -- just say the word and the rest of us newbies can pick another date. :smile:

I just want to hang out with a group of MINIs motoring for the weekend - even a little one.

 

I'm looking forward to the Dragon! I need to loose the run flats on my JCW MCS before I get there.

 

20-23

 

I could do any October weekend except 7-9th. I don't have a cabin booked yet though...

 

As long as someone can share a place, i'm open for anytime

 

for those of you that were interested, here is how you get to 16. coming west on 81 you will take exit 47. at the bottom of that ramp take a left. taking a left does not send you under the bridge but along side 81. stay on that road for a mile or two and you will see a sign for 16. it's a right turn. stay on that road for 30 miles of fun. watch your brake temps and watch for oncoming traffic. hope you all can make it there. please let me know if you do.

 

well it seems like people want to do the fall of the dragon all secretive. I just letting people know that I am planning on runnign the dragion every weekend after work on saturday's. Why you ask, well I am close and really need to get out! So come out and look for the JB/JB MCS

-Josh

 

See you there October 20-23, Josh! I'll be motoring down from Michigan with maximusmini and Ryephile!


Clover

 

weeeeeeeee

-Josh

 

It sounded to me like October 20-23 was the weekend to go and that is when I'll run up. Looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible.

I have not yet booked anything in terms of lodging, but really don't see that as a problem.

Cheers,
Herbert

 

looks like we should plan for 20-23 too :P

 

Waaaaa! I wanted to go, but at least I'll be coming back from a weeklong business trip to Germany so I have a good reason . I'll be flying back in on Friday and I figure I'll be jet lagged and have to spend the weekend recovering :impatient