Meets in Western NC

Anyone thinking of meeting in western, NC possibly this fall?

Keep an eye on the "Meets" forum and the Mid-South Forum, that should be where any activity should be. I'll make a special effort to be sure you get kept in the loop, because we are, after all, "neighbors"!:D

Keep an eye on the "Meets" forum and the Mid-South Forum, that should be where any activity should be. I'll make a special effort to be sure you get kept in the loop, because we are, after all, "neighbors"!:D

Thanks, I'm still getting used to this.

i'LL TRY AND KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR MEETS IN WNC. CAN LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU KNOW. THANX

i'LL TRY AND KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR MEETS IN WNC. CAN LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU KNOW. THANX

I can keep you in the loop too! You are even a "closer" neighbor!:D

I'm up for a meet... I'll be checking as well.

You folks should have been with us last weekend. Great time in the mountains. WNC has wonderful opportunities for meets, so much to see and do. Biltmore, Chimney Rock, Lake Lure, Blue Ridge Parkway, Mount Mitchell, Cherohala, Nantahala, etc!!

I was reading about the meets of past and they sounded like a lot of fun. I'll be checking in from time to time. I appreciate you guys keeping me informed.

It was a shame that you could not have joined us the weekend of Jun 26th in Pigen Forge. Check out the Southeast Regional meet. Lots of pics.

It was a shame that you could not have joined us the weekend of Jun 26th in Pigen Forge. Check out the Southeast Regional meet. Lots of pics.

I will, thanks.

I think that would be great,I'm in the sandhills, and would love to see the mountains

I saw some RLs on Killboy.com this week. Was that a ROC meet?

I saw some RLs on Killboy.com this week. Was that a ROC meet?

I think so, I'm not sure if that was from the meet in Pigeon Forge, TN on 6-26-09 or in Florida that some were talking about.

I saw some RLs on Killboy.com this week. Was that a ROC meet?

You have got it right!! We were all over the Dragon, up and down. Also went to Fontana Dam/Village. Cruised the Foothills Parkway, Little River Road, and Wears Valley Road, had a great time. You missed a super event!!

I will concur with that, we had a great time. We do look sharp on Killboy.com

Falls coming around the corner, anyone heading to the Blue Ridge Parkway? RL style.

Falls coming around the corner, anyone heading to the Blue Ridge Parkway? RL style.

I would like to make it up to the Pisgah Inn before they shut it down for the winter.

Falls coming around the corner, anyone heading to the Blue Ridge Parkway? RL style.

I live in SE NC, but will be in the mountains the last week in September. Any thoughts of a meet somewhere on the Blueridge Parkway around Blowing Rock (close to Linn Cove Viaduct) in late September??

I would like to make it up to the Pisgah Inn before they shut it down for the winter.

Not sure where the Pisgah Inn is located, I'll look it up.

I live in SE NC, but will be in the mountains the last week in September. Any thoughts of a meet somewhere on the Blueridge Parkway around Blowing Rock (close to Linn Cove Viaduct) in late September??

I work the weekend of Sept. 26/27, off Oct. 3/4. What dates are good for you.

I'm in western NC right now. At a meet at the dragon. I rode along the Cherahala today and was in Robbinsville.

Killboy will get some shots of my car tomorrow and saturday

I'm in western NC right now. At a meet at the dragon. I rode along the Cherahala today and was in Robbinsville.

Killboy will get some shots of my car tomorrow and saturday

Keep us posted and posts some pics!!

Keep us posted and posts some pics!!The only photos I have uploaded are from Tuesday. I hit the Blue Ridge on Wednesday and have some photos from the Cherohala yesterday. Hitting the dragon in about 30 mins

At the NC welcome center on I-26 (about 30 mins north of Asheville)

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii115/keith_757_2/2009/0908%20Dragon%20Meet%20NC/0908%20Welcome%20to%20NC/IMG_4268.jpg

You know thats about an hour and a half away from me and I never been to that part of NC before. I must try it out.

You know thats about an hour and a half away from me and I never been to that part of NC before. I must try it out.I'm finding out how fun my little car truly is..... I've made some pretty aggressive dragon runs.

I'm finding out how fun my little car truly is..... I've made some pretty aggressive dragon runs.

I have been on the Dragon many times; several 5 speed Accords, a couple of F-150's, 1 Accord automatic, and 2 RL's. The 5 speeds were the most fun. I guess you remember and now agree with our most famous professor from Southern Mississippi, djueax; when he said, "when people in WNC and East TN say dam it", they mean it!!

From I-40, where would the nearest exit be to turn off of to the Dragon?

Probably Waynesville, then South to Robbinsville, then pick up US-129.

Have fun, Keith!

Have fun, Keith!some notes from today

Tonight, Scott and I came upon a 10 mph under the limit old family in an Accord sedan between teh lodge and the Den..... We passed illegally :D

Pretty clean run just two slow downs but they allowed us to pass. On the way back, we had a completly clean run from the dragon turn around to the Fontana parking lot.... that has to be some sort of record

As of right now, Killboy photos are not up
k i l l b o y . c o m (http://www.killboy.com/calendar.jsp)

What are the other 4 photographer companies?

I dare say that my dragon runs are much faster than the Ridgeline meet runs. The Civic Si has a ton of new respect from me now that I know what it can do.

Probably Waynesville, then South to Robbinsville, then pick up US-129.

Thanks, I'm going to check that out soon.

I dare say that my dragon runs are much faster than the Ridgeline meet runs. The Civic Si has a ton of new respect from me now that I know what it can do.
The RL drivers were not concerned with elapsed times on the Dragon circuit; we where more interested in enjoying our beverage of choice, enjoying the scenery, and trying to prevent having a Rice Rocket for a hood ornament!!;):D:cool:

And listen to larryr tell many war stories! And listen to the sound of the ice and beverages swish from side to side of the cooler in the back passenger area. Swish, swish, swish.

The RL drivers were not concerned with elapsed times on the Dragon circuit; we where more interested in enjoying our beverage of choice, enjoying the scenery, and trying to prevent having a Rice Rocket for a hood ornament!!;):D:cool:how many bikes passed the Ridge group while you meandered through the woods?

Imagine 30 civics rolling at 65 mph (I personally got up to 75 mph) and the speed bikes much faster... one heck of a noise in the forest.

It's crazy here, I know the Civic group squished many squirrels on the roads over the last few days. The area must be over-run with these tree rats hahahah

how many bikes passed the Ridge group while you meandered through the woods?

Imagine 30 civics rolling at 65 mph (I personally got up to 75 mph) and the speed bikes much faster... one heck of a noise in the forest.

It's crazy here, I know the Civic group squished many squirrels on the roads over the last few days. The area must be over-run with these tree rats hahahah

How did you manage to drink beer and shift gears and maintain that speed?:rolleyes: We were passed many times sometimes the pass would take place when the straight was only a few feet long!! When you look in the mirror and see a dude with black leather from head to toe and pads on his knees look out, you know he is coming by very soon and very fast!! I will check you out on Killboy later today!!

Could this be our "not a Ridgeline owner" moderator showing his stuff on the Dragon last Friday?;)

Here are teh five photographers that took photos:
http://www.killboy.com/calendar.jsp
http://moonshinephoto.com/
http://www.us129photos.com/
http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/store.aspx?p=36204
http://www.zeefoto.com/


yeppers, good shot too. (these are from moonshine)

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q178/keith_757/2008%20Honda%20Civic%20Si/2009/0911%20Tail%20of%20the%20Dragon/prpv-3.jpg

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q178/keith_757/2008%20Honda%20Civic%20Si/2009/0911%20Tail%20of%20the%20Dragon/prpv-1.jpg

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q178/keith_757/2008%20Honda%20Civic%20Si/2009/0911%20Tail%20of%20the%20Dragon/prpv.jpg

Moonshine was the only one that had posted Friday's pics this morning!!

Do these guys just sit out there in one spot and take pictures all the time. It looks like the same place every time I see a pic. I'm picturing guys sitting in lawn chairs by the road. :D

Not to leave it out on purpose, nice pics.

Do these guys just sit out there in one spot and take pictures all the time. It looks like the same place every time I see a pic. I'm picturing guys sitting in lawn chairs by the road. :Dyou are correct in all accounts. Each company has their own spot and they are snapping thousands of photos of EVERYTHING that rolls by..... everyone can be a customer

you are correct in all accounts. Each company has their own spot and they are snapping thousands of photos of EVERYTHING that rolls by..... everyone can be a customer

These guys do a great job, also they have super equipment. They must have a camera card the size of a credit card. The shutter speeds and recovery times are fantastic. Check out some of the photos of bike wrecks, they will be 1/2 dozen or more shots as the wreck begins and ends. Everyone should experience this little venture at least once in their lifetime. I am sure Keith will be back!!!

you are correct in all accounts. Each company has their own spot and they are snapping thousands of photos of EVERYTHING that rolls by..... everyone can be a customer

I dont mean to sound out of touch on purpose, do they really get enough business to stay out there and do that?

These guys do a great job, also they have super equipment. They must have a camera card the size of a credit card. The shutter speeds and recovery times are fantastic. Check out some of the photos of bike wrecks, they will be 1/2 dozen or more shots as the wreck begins and ends. Everyone should experience this little venture at least once in their lifetime. I am sure Keith will be back!!!

From what I've seen I guess I just answered my own question, they are sharp pics.

I dont mean to sound out of touch on purpose, do they really get enough business to stay out there and do that?I would think so. Their overhead is extremely small and they charge a good amount for photos. The road has MANY huge clubs that descend to these hills all the time

http://www.tailofthedragon.com/calendar.html

I would think so. Their overhead is extremely small and they charge a good amount for photos. The road has MANY huge clubs that descend to these hills all the time

http://www.tailofthedragon.com/calendar.html

Wow, I didn't realize something local was that popular, thanks for the link. Does the ROC have a time each year for the Dragon or just at random?

Probably Waynesville, then South to Robbinsville, then pick up US-129.

Is the Dragon hwy 129 like going toward Maryville, TN or is it one of the scenic highways near there?

Is the Dragon hwy 129 like going toward Maryville, TN or is it one of the scenic highways near there?

It is a 11 mile stretch on US-129 with 318 curves, the Dragon starts at Deals Gap at the NC/TN border at the intersection of Hwy 28 to Fontana Dam. It goes 11 miles into TN and ends at the Foothills Parkway exit. If you contine on 129 it will intersect with US-411 South of Maryville. Google a map from your location to Deals Gap, NC. It will probably take you South down US-74 and intersect with 129 in the Natahala Gorge. Great area for a drive!!

It is a 11 mile stretch on US-129 with 318 curves, the Dragon starts at Deals Gap at the NC/TN border at the intersection of Hwy 28 to Fontana Dam. It goes 11 miles into TN and ends at the Foothills Parkway exit. If you contine on 129 it will intersect with US-411 South of Maryville. Google a map from your location to Deals Gap, NC. It will probably take you South down US-74 and intersect with 129 in the Natahala Gorge. Great area for a drive!!

Thanks for the detailed directions, I may plan a leaf looking trip later this fall, sounds like a great place to do so.

Thanks for the detailed directions, I may plan a leaf looking trip later this fall, sounds like a great place to do so.Lots of places to pull off on area roads, but not on the section called the dragon.

If you think you can do that on the dragon, you won't make it back alive... seriously, you'll be off the side of the road (no guardrails and has major dropoffs, kinds that the car disappears from sight). That road you have to pay attention. many switchbacks, hairpin turns, vast majority of vehicles flying along. You'll be a road hazard to them, remember to be kind and pull over to allow the train to pass you. I did pass a slow car on the dragon, old dude in an Accord (no not Duncan this time) just wouldn't let people by and traveled below the speed limit. As I and another Civic Si passed (~50 mph), I was also overtaken by two speed bikes. :eek::D They were at warp speed as they quickly disappeared from sight and I was moving along :rolleyes:

... I can't wait to get back there!

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q178/keith_757/2008%20Honda%20Civic%20Si/2009/0911%20Tail%20of%20the%20Dragon/IMG_4696.jpg

k757 - you will enjoy, it is a great road. I have driven it several time with several of my cars, including my Ridgeline.

k757 - you will enjoy, it is a great road. I have driven it several time with several of my cars, including my Ridgeline.have been... proof! :D

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q178/keith_757/2008%20Honda%20Civic%20Si/2009/0911%20Tail%20of%20the%20Dragon/prpv4-1.jpg

Lots of places to pull off on area roads, but not on the section called the dragon.

If you think you can do that on the dragon, you won't make it back alive... seriously, you'll be off the side of the road (no guardrails and has major dropoffs, kinds that the car disappears from sight). That road you have to pay attention. many switchbacks, hairpin turns, vast majority of vehicles flying along. You'll be a road hazard to them, remember to be kind and pull over to allow the train to pass you. I did pass a slow car on the dragon, old dude in an Accord (no not Duncan this time) just wouldn't let people by and traveled below the speed limit. As I and another Civic Si passed (~50 mph), I was also overtaken by two speed bikes. They were at warp speed as they quickly disappeared from sight and I was moving along

... I can't wait to get back there!

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q178/keith_757/2008%20Honda%20Civic%20Si/2009/0911%20Tail%20of%20the%20Dragon/IMG_4696.jpg

So maybe I drive :eek: and my wife and son can look at the leaves, curves and crazy drivers. :D

So maybe I drive :eek: and my wife and son can look at the leaves, curves and crazy drivers. :DMake sure to wave at the professional photographers. I believe there are 5 companies out there

So maybe I drive :eek: and my wife and son can look at the leaves, curves and crazy drivers. :D

Lots of good scenery in East Tn and Western NC. All within a couple of hours drive; Cherohala Skyway, Fontana, Tail of the Dragon, Smokies and Cades Cove, and the Blue Ridge Parkway (Asheville to Cherokee is the best). Here are a few pics of the areas.

Make sure to wave at the professional photographers. I believe there are 5 companies out there

I just hope they capture my good side. :D

Lots of good scenery in East Tn and Western NC. All within a couple of hours drive; Cherohala Skyway, Fontana, Tail of the Dragon, Smokies and Cades Cove, and the Blue Ridge Parkway (Asheville to Cherokee is the best). Here are a few pics of the areas.

Nice pics, I'll have to plot out making sure we visit those places.

And if you're anywhere near Linn Cove Viaduct, be sure to take the Beacon Heights Trail up to an incredible view of the mountains. The trail is only about a mile, and WELL worth the hike. Here are some pics.

I just hope they capture my good side. :D



Nice pics, I'll have to plot out making sure we visit those places.

I Googled your route to the Dragon, you are about 5/6 hours away from Deals Gap and the start of the Dragon. I-40 to the Waynesville exit West of Asheville, South on 74 into the Nantahala Gorge, then right on 129 through Robbinsville to Deals Gap.

And if you're anywhere near Linn Cove Viaduct, be sure to take the Beacon Heights Trail up to an incredible view of the mountains. The trail is only about a mile, and WELL worth the hike. Here are some pics.

I agree, I used to hike up there a lot when I was in college at App State.

I Googled your route to the Dragon, you are about 5/6 hours away from Deals Gap and the start of the Dragon. I-40 to the Waynesville exit West of Asheville, South on 74 into the Nantahala Gorge, then right on 129 through Robbinsville to Deals Gap.

Thanks, I appreciate that.

I was watching 'Good Morning America' on ABC and one of the anchors was talking about the Dragon. They showed footage of their motorcycle ride and of course was providing commentary. It was beautiful scenery. One thing I didnt know was part of 'Thunder Road' being filmed on the Dragon. Just wanted to share. :)