John and I will be attending from Bloomington, Indiana.

 

Yes , 10 years ago last Sept. , 300 hundred miles on her

 

WOW! With the number of first timers going this year Pizza, I may have to make this spring event. You know one of the best parts of going is to see the faces and hear the stories of our first timers.

Please put us down as a definite maybe, Kathy in Aero-Blue as a first timer

KDW4Him - Klay & Kathy - Alma, MI

 

Klay, given how things are going, you may end up leading a group. I am overwhelmed with first timers this time (and I DO agree, the new ones MAKE the weekend), I may need more help than I currently have. One of the other leaders is a "definite maybe" as well.

In any event, given the changes we've made, it will be one for the books, and will serve as a rehearsal for the Fall.

 

Dee got our T shirts today thanks the Label said Stephanie not Steve please correct on your records... thanks

 

what's the number at now for attendees....

 

See post 2. I think we have 1 or 2 Facebook joiners that I dont have on there - but we are doing really well considering we have two months to go.

USUALLY, spring attracts10 to 25 cars, we are at 25 now and again, have two months to go.

 

For all the first timers that coming to the Dragon in the Spring the group runs are great fun , but going out your own and exploring can be just as much fun also or pick another couple to go with you , there are a lot of great roads in the area , this will be Susan and I 16 Dragon , you will be in for a great time and you will make life long friends ,Wing up see at the Dragon ( Ray)

 

This is not accurate,

The three of us received tickets in Fall of 2014 because we were doing 10 over around Townsend Tennessee. It was a 4 lane highway with no traffic and we were cruising towards Gatlinburg for an afternoon of walking around.

I received another one in Spring of 2015 when Jeff and I were on the Skyway. I saw the cop a long way in the distance and still don't believe I was going as fast as he said I was. 15 over, I believe it was 5 over.

You received a ticket in Spring of 2014 because you didn't keep up with the pack. Otherwise Reddog would've gotten it.


There wasn't an aggressive group in Fall of 2015 and I doubt there will be one in Spring of 2016 as I've yet to decide if I plan to attend.

 

I suspect Pizzaguy was exercising a bit of literary license to build interest and he just embellished the story a bit . . . LOL Plus I suspect his memory might be starting to fail just a bit (like mine!) . . .

 

1) I believe you were NOT going that fast, as well. I believe that you got that ticket 'cause Larry Law remembered you from before, you can't convince me otherwise.

2) There you have it - see? I got a ticket for being the SLOW GUY. (I've been accused of making that up - thanks Nick.) Do you realize that you just made my point?

3) There are two others who have announced that they are interested in leading if you aren't there.

 

Fantastic!!!

 

Being first and probably only timers we intend to venture out solo as well as going on the group runs.


We have now decided to stay at the Lodge for the following week so that we can explore the area more. So if there are others that would like to team up, we are game lol.


Getting very excited now only 8 weeks away!!!!

 

I hope there will be!!!!! Nothing better than a "spirited" drive :-)

 

You will enjoy the stay at the lodge and the area for the week after the event
There is a certain sad empty feeling though once all the other Crossfire owners have left and you find yourself Monday morning thinking of all the people that you just met and spent time with over the weekend.
The lodge is a pretty quiet place once the weekend groups have all gone home.
I'm sure you will love your time here in the USA especially in that part of the country !

 

Lots to do around the area. Day trips to Bryson City, NC; Gatlinburg, TN; Helen, GA (Alpine town); Biltmore House in Asheville, NC; Highlands, NC; Chimney Rock, NC to name a few. You should have a great time! If you want or need any route maps, I've got quite a few I can post.

Later,

 

At the top of the dragon, north of deals gap is a great little hotdog shop. Does any one know the name of the place? Wanted to see if they had a webpage and when they open? Last year they were closed but it was Easter weekend

 

WOW, I got nothin. NORTH of the gap, you mean down past the Dragon, then down past the Harley Store???

Do you refer to this: FOOD | Dragon Pitt Inn & BBQ

Or this: Punkin Center Motorcycle Resort | Motorcycle Campground on the Dragon | Biker Friendly Campground

There is NOTHING else to the "north" on US129 until you get close to Maryville. Could you mean towards Robbinsville?

 

Dragon Pitt looks like the place. thanks. Jenny and I have stopped there several times coming down to the lodge. We drove up last spring dragon but they weren't open.

 

SPRING DRAGON UPDATE: I got an unexpected call from the Lodge today. It seems that another group (I suspect the Seirra Club but can't be sure) needs more rooms. We have 35 rooms blocked and so far, 22 rooms are reserved by our attendees. On February 2, our 13 remaining rooms will be opened to all and they said it was possible they'd all be taken by the other group SO, BE ON NOTICE that if you plan to call for a room the week before the Dragon or ANYTIME after the 2nd, you may not be able to book a room. Your only option would be to ask someone to share their room or stay at the Microtel in Robbinsville (not very convenient but do-able). Just FYI, carry on!