R50/53 Dragon Tamers Wanted
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2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: Memphis, TN
I am looking to organize a trip to the Dragons Tail in April. In case you don't know about the Dragons Tail, it is a section of US 129 between TN and NC. There are 318 curves in 11 miles of road. I hope to make this an annual event. Anyone interested, please email me atdmiskell@bigriver.net. More information on The Dragons Tail can be found at Tail of the Dragon
Bend The Rules, Rule The Bends
Bend The Rules, Rule The Bends
1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville, AL
I should have my MCS by then. And hopefully broken in too. Keep us posted. I could always drop off the wife and kids in Gatlinburg and then come on down for some motorin'. Or just head up for a day.
AUsomTiger
AUsomTiger
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,010
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From: Huntsville, Alabama
Sounds good to me. I didn't know about this highway the last time I was around that area so I'm looking forward to checking it out the next time I'm up that way.
AUsomTiger, february can't get here soon enough. Oh, great game saturday. :smile:
AUsomTiger, february can't get here soon enough. Oh, great game saturday. :smile:
Coordinator :: Mid-Atlantic
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,598
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From: Baltiluthermonium
I'm in Maryland, but I could make the trip....keep us posted. That sounds pretty fantastic! :smile:
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6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,831
Likes: 1
From: Phoenix, AZ
>>Oh... 
MINI's at the Gap. What a wonderful thing. Wish I didn't live in Oregon.
No need to cry...If you want twists and turns, I'd suggest a little drive out of the Southern part of Oregon into the Northern part of California. Hwy 199 follows the Smith river providing many adrenaline filled moments. Then just after that it opens into the Redwood forest and things can really get fun in there. Find Grants Pass, OR on the map and follow the 199 to Cresent City. Quite a beautiful drive!
MINI's at the Gap. What a wonderful thing. Wish I didn't live in Oregon. No need to cry...If you want twists and turns, I'd suggest a little drive out of the Southern part of Oregon into the Northern part of California. Hwy 199 follows the Smith river providing many adrenaline filled moments. Then just after that it opens into the Redwood forest and things can really get fun in there. Find Grants Pass, OR on the map and follow the 199 to Cresent City. Quite a beautiful drive!
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: Bend, OR
>>Oh... MINI's at the Gap. What a wonderful thing. Wish I didn't live in Oregon.
>>
>>R
McKenzie Pass may not be the Gap, but we'll have to get a rally together after it opens in the spring!
MINI's at the Gap. What a wonderful thing. Wish I didn't live in Oregon. >>
>>R
McKenzie Pass may not be the Gap, but we'll have to get a rally together after it opens in the spring!
Coordinator :: Alabama Motoring Society & South East
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 10,170
Likes: 2
From: Burning-Ham Alabama
Tail of the Dragon sounds awesome! Is there a confirmed date in April for this. I would like to see a lot of MINI's choosing to camp together if there are any good campgrounds that we can swarm into. . . . .
Keep me posted!
Keep me posted!
If you've never driven the Dragon you have'nt experienced the feeling of warm fluid running down your leg. 
Neutral
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 6
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From: Chattanooga, TN USA
Keep this post alive. I am in TN towards Chattanooga and should take delivery next month. I have many friends that ride up there all the time but have never been myself. This would be great!!! 
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2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 94
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From: Memphis, TN
Alright everyone, the dates are set. May1-3, and Jason has called and reserved a block of rooms at the Microtel in Robbinsville and Fontana Village. Last time I checked we had about 47 people interested. We are also on the Calender of Events at http://www.tailofthedragon.com. Hope to see you all there!
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 491
Likes: 0
From: Beaverton, OR
>>Oh... MINI's at the Gap. What a wonderful thing. Wish I didn't live in Oregon.
>>
>>R
Have you driven between Carlton and Beaver on the coast? Vernonia and Astoria? Estacada and Detroit lake? Hood River and Hwy 26? Some of the roads in Eastern Oregon? We won't start on Washington and Northern Idaho and Montana.
Oregon is God's Country. He just inspired Issignois 'cause the roads weren't being utilized.
MINI's at the Gap. What a wonderful thing. Wish I didn't live in Oregon. >>
>>R
Have you driven between Carlton and Beaver on the coast? Vernonia and Astoria? Estacada and Detroit lake? Hood River and Hwy 26? Some of the roads in Eastern Oregon? We won't start on Washington and Northern Idaho and Montana.
Oregon is God's Country. He just inspired Issignois 'cause the roads weren't being utilized.
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 587
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The dragon's a perfect road for the MINI if you haven't been on it. It's an incredibly tight, twisty road through the woods. Because of the density of the woods, and the hills, nearly every corner's visibility is limited. You will not learn this road any time soon. It's anchored at one end by a gas station/T-shirt shop, and if the weather is right there'll be a zillion bikers, portable dyno trailer, and perhaps a sheriff. :smile: At the other 'end' is an overlook where you can decompress after a mind-blowing trip through the ***** Wonka of roads.
Another great mountaintop road (but fast sweepers) is the Cherahola Skyway (search for Cherahola on the web--tons of info) which runs about 50 miles. Where I probably never got out of 2nd gear on the bike on the Dragon, I saw triple-digit speeds on the Cherahola. It doesn't really speak to the MINIs strong points the way the Dragon does, but it's a gorgeous road with a great view it's entire length. The BBQ joint at the end is good, I hear.
If you don't stay at the hotel, the Nantahala National Forest is just North of Robbinsville. PM me for directions to a spot with clean amenities and a great swimming hole (but cold :smile: )
If you're coming up from the South, Highway 129 has some of the most fun driving/riding I've ever been on. The particularly hairy turns on this road ARE marked. Pay attention to the signs. I've seen more than a few cars & bikes in the bushes. I've been one once, but that's another story.
Similar to the Dragon, but closer to Atlanta, is Hwy 180 (Wolfpen Gap road) that runs up by Vogle State Park. This is also a REALLY tight, twisty road, and every bit as fun as the dragon, just not quite as long. The banking is steeper on this one.
A couple of well-meaning warnings. Cherahola runs along a mountain top. Crank open the sunroof and keep an eye out for the Sheriff's planes. On the Gap itself, you won't worry so much about cops as the lunatic bikers that frequent the place. Drift across the yellow in a turn & you're likely to have a Suzuki hood ornament. (Note: I like going fast, but some of these guys are stupid/nuts/imbalanced.)
Ah, and yes, 2minis, it's biking heaven. The last time I went up camping with a few other families the wifely sort said I could ride the bike & she rode up with the kids (didn't have Coop yet.) Pure bliss. The entire weekend I was there we saw a group of Miatas buzzing around from as far West as Oregon, Texas and such. It's really a neat place.
Jeff in ATL(anta)
Another great mountaintop road (but fast sweepers) is the Cherahola Skyway (search for Cherahola on the web--tons of info) which runs about 50 miles. Where I probably never got out of 2nd gear on the bike on the Dragon, I saw triple-digit speeds on the Cherahola. It doesn't really speak to the MINIs strong points the way the Dragon does, but it's a gorgeous road with a great view it's entire length. The BBQ joint at the end is good, I hear.
If you don't stay at the hotel, the Nantahala National Forest is just North of Robbinsville. PM me for directions to a spot with clean amenities and a great swimming hole (but cold :smile: )
If you're coming up from the South, Highway 129 has some of the most fun driving/riding I've ever been on. The particularly hairy turns on this road ARE marked. Pay attention to the signs. I've seen more than a few cars & bikes in the bushes. I've been one once, but that's another story.
Similar to the Dragon, but closer to Atlanta, is Hwy 180 (Wolfpen Gap road) that runs up by Vogle State Park. This is also a REALLY tight, twisty road, and every bit as fun as the dragon, just not quite as long. The banking is steeper on this one.
A couple of well-meaning warnings. Cherahola runs along a mountain top. Crank open the sunroof and keep an eye out for the Sheriff's planes. On the Gap itself, you won't worry so much about cops as the lunatic bikers that frequent the place. Drift across the yellow in a turn & you're likely to have a Suzuki hood ornament. (Note: I like going fast, but some of these guys are stupid/nuts/imbalanced.)
Ah, and yes, 2minis, it's biking heaven. The last time I went up camping with a few other families the wifely sort said I could ride the bike & she rode up with the kids (didn't have Coop yet.) Pure bliss. The entire weekend I was there we saw a group of Miatas buzzing around from as far West as Oregon, Texas and such. It's really a neat place.
Jeff in ATL(anta)
Let's hope for fantastic weather - should be perfect in May...Party time 