SouthEast - Tail of the Dragon Meetup
 

As Haku suggested in the recent Tri-State meetup thread, it is time for the SouthEast 991 addicts to organize a similar event. We have some of the finest roads in the country in the Smoky Mountains and they are roughly at the same distance from GA, TN or the Carolina's.

So here's an initial proposal: what about starting from the Tail of the Dragon on Sunday 6/9 (late morning so that we can all get there?). We could put our heads together and come up with a round trip itinerary and lunch break in the mountains.

The the Atlanta folks, here's a nice way to get to the Tail of the Dragon following scenic and twisty roads:

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...ine=1365953033

Looking forward to see positive responses and have as much fun as our friends up North :)

Serge

I would have loved to go, but I'll be playing golf in Amelia that weekend.

I'm in!

I was just down there 2 weeks ago with my 991. Took the while family for a week and rented a cabin. I didn't see a single Porsche there the whole week, I couldn't believe it, and I drive all over the place. The roads were fantastic and I guess early season as there was no traffic anywhere. I sure wish I could join you guys as it would have been so much more fun driving with other Porsches, but I'm about 11 hours away so not an easy trip for me. Post lots of pics, I'm sure it will be great!

Jealous wish I live back in the east coast sometimes, enjoy fellas

I'm in in theory...i'll chk into logistics.

Great!
Haku, where are you ? ;)

Hope you hardcore 6speeders do not mind, I am posting the same thread on Rennlist. The more, the merrier :)

The North Carolina PCA is hosting "Roads and Rails" the following weekend June 14-16, Includes Chimney Rock, Biltmore Estate, NC Mountain roads, Fontana lake and tail of dragon on Sunday. GA and other SE folks are invited, invitation was posted on PEACHSTATE PCA site last week. NC PCA have 40 rooms blocked at the Fontana Village Resort for the 14 & 15. Check this out as an option as well for a SE meet-up

Sent from my iPad using 6SpeedOnline

Hello Serge, sorry for the quiet! I've been at Cape Cod for the past week doing family stuff... and today recovering from the commodities splash! :eek:

Yup I'm in on this one matey! Thanks so much for starting the thread. Please let me know if I can help with any organising etc. I can do some head-scratching on roads to visit around there. Common ones are of course the Cherohala, Blue Ridge Pkwy., and the 129 the Dragon. IMO, its worth doing but be prepared for a busy road with a pile of those who protect us.

Interesting but it may just be a huge group with all the pros and cons that goes with it. Although I'm less eager with this option, I'll go with the majority.

+1

I'm not too fond of PCA events either.

Agreed with Haku and Opnielsen, I'd rather go for a 1-day "informal" 991 event than join the crowd of a PCA social event.
Thanks for pointing out the opportunity though.

I suggest we stay on course with the initial proposal. Let's find out how many more participants we would have.

Serge

Good deal, thanks.

Good to know we will be 'protected' ;)
Maybe we could ask the local authorities if they would provide an escort and clear the road for us!

The DRAGON will be totally crazy on a Sunday in June. Wall to wall motorcycles, misc. cars and trucks. My experience is that exceeding the speed limit isn't a problem due to heavy traffic. There are many other NC roads better suited for group runs on weekend in the summer. As an example there are a couple of runs between The Higlands/Cashiers to Asheville that are a lot of fun for aggressive driving with much lighter traffic, just a thought to consider.

Sent from my iPad using 6SpeedOnline

A meet up sounds fun. I'm down for this. Joe Brown Highway near Hiawasse Dam is a hidden gem in that area. Cherohala is always nice as well.

Interesting point...wonder if anyone can do this on Monday the 10th? Get out of the weekend traffic

Out of town on 6/10 unfortunately. Could do Saturday if better, but I guess Saturdays and Sundays will be the same.
If the Dragon is too busy, let's continue to provide alternatives in the area. Haku had also a couple of suggestions!

SM ATL, have you driven route 169 on the way to Helen??? You got some amazing roads about an hour north of you. I use to head up there once a month when I lived on Atlanta.

I wish I could join you guys on your trip to the Tail of the Dragon. Was there a few years ago....pretty awesome experience.

I'm ok for either the Saturday or Sunday...maybe even for an overnighter and stay at either Blue Waters Mountain Lodge on Santeetlah or Snowbird Mountain Lodge right the Cherohala. If anyone is up for making it a two day drive let me know.

Since we'll be there I think it may just be fun to do the Dragon anyway...at least drive it once. Slow or fast with or without traffic we just play it by ear and enjoy the company and cars. There are a bunch of roads in the area that will be fun to drive. I'll go through my maps and make some suggestions next week.

This keeps getting better and better...

Bump!
We are about 6 participants at this point.

Serge,

Have you driven Hwy 60 to Blue Ridge off of Hwy 19? It appears to have a lot of twisties on it. How is the road surface?

Sent from my iPad using 6SpeedOnline

So are we aiming for 1 or 2 day (over nighter)?
If 1 day, Saturday or Sunday?

I'm up for any option and am looking forward to the meet. I'll be going through the drive options this week and will hopefully come up with some suggestions.

I'll do Sunday for sure. I could also drive up Saturday and spend a bit more time.

Maybe we leave the options open:
-the meet up itself would be around 10AM on Sunday: introducing ourselves, 1hr drive, lunch, 2-3 hrs round trip + photo sessions , farewell
-for those who are interested, we could travel up and arrive around 2 or 3pm, have a longer spririted driving session in the afternoon, a dinner at a nice place that has a good selection of wine and sleep a bit in Sunday morning.

What do you think?

We are headed to Walland, TN by way of the Dragon on,Thursday for the weekend. In addition to driving the Dragon will be driving several alternative roads in the area as well. Any potential hotels that need to be checkout while I am in area. Group still planning drive for weekend of 8/9 June?

Sent from my iPad using 6SpeedOnline

W, if you're around Lake Santeetlah you may want to stay at Bluewaters Mountain Lodge. Its a smallish lodge run by Mike and Maury and Porsche NA uses it often. Great roads around there as well.

I'm up for for the overnighter. As I'll be coming from the Chattanooga side I could meet up somewhere along your route and join up to your schedule. As per my previous post I'd suggest staying at Bluewaters Lodge on Santeetlah Lake. A lot of fun drives around it including the Dragon. Its a small quiet lodge with very safe parking. We would need to book early as the season will be in full swing. PCNA uses it and their gathering last year was interesting... men in blue tracked down a bunch of them to the lodge and nabbed them for very "spirited" driving ;-) Long story.

Let me know if this works and if there are enough of us I could try for better room rates if we do a group booking.

Update: I just called them and at the moment they have 4 rooms available. IMO, we have a couple of days before they will be booked up.

I'm in for Sunday, I'll have to talk with the boss about Saturday. That may be difficult for me as its our anniversary..."Happy anniversary, Honey, would you mind if I leave you alone Saturday night and drive to western TN to run the tail of the Dragon?" Doesn't roll of the tongue very easily. I'll let you know.

Haku,

Thanks for recommendation, we are actually staying at Chilhowee Mountain Retreat, www.chilhoweemountainretreat.com near Maryville. It is small first class B&B (3 rooms) run by a great couple. We will checkout Bluewater for next time. Brunch on Sunday at BLACKBERRY FARM :)

Sent from my iPad using 6SpeedOnline

hilarious hehehe!.... but then again... if you're used to sleeping in the doghouse!!

My wife will probably come along and wants to hang out and chill at the lodge whilst I'm out playing with the boys.

Sounds good. Sometime I'll check out the B&B as well. BB Farm sounds super. I was unaware of it so thanks for the tip.

I just checked out Chilhowee Mountain Retreat and it looks fab. I think we'll try it out soon.

I'll drive up on Sunday morning.

I think I can join you guys as well. I would rather start Saturday to break up the drive. I like the Blue Waters place HAKU suggested. If there is a common place to start Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, that would be fun.

Week end Bump do that this stays on your radar!
Already 7 991's confirmed.. and a couple of other fast cars.

Attachment 237153Had a great time on Thursday, Friday and Saturday on The Tail of the Dragon, GA Hwy 60, Cherohala Skyway, NC Hwy 28 and Moonshiner's. Weather was perfect on Thursday and Friday, rain on Saturday but still great driving. Ran the Dragon four times.

For those going up through Clayton, I would suggest this route ATL>Clayton>Highlands>Franklin>Hwy 28>Deal's Gap. The Moonshiner (Highlands>Franklin) has just been repaved this winter and is great driving. Cherohala Skyway (Robbinsville>Tellco Plains) is an excellent run for a group as well.

Lynn and I will be in area on Sunday & Monday 5/19 & 5/20 on our way to Richmond, VA and then again on Thursday 5/30 on our way back home. Wish we could join you, but the FedEx St-Jude is on during your trip and we have a few guests coming for that. Sounds like a great time.

I'm trying to convince Lynn to do a trip report while we're gone, so we may be able to provide some additional insight for your trip. Having lived in Asheville for a couple of years, I can say that all roads mentioned so far are delicious.

Enjoy!

This is on my list of things to do before I die. Sounds like a blast.

Has anyone decided what hotel will be used for those overnighting? For those going on Sunday only from ATL a meeting place and time to drive together?

Sent from my iPad using 6SpeedOnline

I'm booked at Bluewaters on the 8th and I believe Carcam is as well. I plan on getting there early Saturday and join up during the day. Want to drive the area on Sunday as well. May stay over another night as well.

I will be there but later that Saturday afternoon. Looking forward to it!

Just so that we are prepared. Here's a list of some other events scheduled for that weekend on the dragon.


JUNE
June 6-9 The Ohio Riders Invade Deals Gap INFO
June 7-8 Maggie Valley Bike Fest and Swap Meet at Maggie Valley Festival Grounds INFO
June 7-9 1st Annual Green Knights Deals Gap Run EMAIL FOR INFO
June 7-9 10th Annual SV Rally INFO
June 7-9 Annual Louisville Sportbikes Assault on the Dragon - Two Wheel Inn Headquarters INFO
June 9-16 R1 and R6 Convention INFO