Hello everyone:

We (Southeast Element Owners) are planning a meet in the Smokies this fall and I wanted to extend the inviation to all element owners that would have an interest in joining us to run the TAIL OF THE DRAGON (http://www.tailofthedragon.com/) on Saturday, October 8, 2005.

I think this will be a great time and everyone will be welcome to join us tackling 318 turns in 11 miles though the Smokey Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee!!!

Just look for the posts in the Southeast group section for more information on when, where, etc.

count me in. that sounds like fun. i think i drove that way home once from my mother's house one night (she lives in nashville). i didn't know what i was getting myself into until it was too late.

donnie

Same here! I'm up for it.

I'm not sure when the leaves change there, so we might need to be mindful of "Autumn Leaf" tourist crowds when making reservations.

Don't forget to sign us up on their calendar:
http://www.tailofthedragon.com/calendar.html

Awesome drive! I have done it a few times and loved it each and every time. :)

Keep us informed, I think I can talk my wife into it! We love this area!

Wish I was a few thousand miles closer - that looks like a great time!

Wish I was a few thousand miles closer - that looks like a great time!

You know a couple of thousand miles in your Element would be fun....and besides, we need all the help we can get to out-do the Mini Cooper Group!

Hey TrickyVick!

My wife says we're in! We would love to go! Let us know!

Omigosh! Went down there twice with my Miata. After the first time I went back home and had a 4-point rollbar, Willans 6-point harnesses and Toyos put on. The second time around was amazing.

Afraid if I did the Dragon in my E I might forget for a moment what I was driving. And be prepared for the crotch rockets to come smoking up your tailpipe.

Hmmm... I wonder of Willans harnesses come in Galapagos Green. :|

I very strongly recommend www.snowbirdmountainlodge.com (http://www.snowbirdmountainlodge.com/) for lodging. It's not cheap but meals are included in the price and the couple that own it put their heart in that place. And the meals are memorable. Best dinners I've ever had, anywhere. Nice breakfast buffet evey morning. Picnic lunches made to order.

Maybe I'll go and just eat.

As noted previously, www.tailofthedragon.com (http://www.tailofthedragon.com/) is command central for that trek. Links to lodging (one motel is very close but the name escapes me, Robbinsville also has nice options) and lots of fantastic drives. The Cherohala Skyway would be very E-friendly.

The Miata forum (www.miataforum.net (http://www.miataforum.net/), I believe) is very informative on the Dragon (a.k.a. "Deals Gap" and Route 129).

The Smokies are gorgeous.

Omigosh! Went down there twice with my Miata. After the first time I went back home and had a 4-point rollbar, Willans 6-point harnesses and Toyos put on. The second time around was amazing.

Afraid if I did the Dragon in my E I might forget for a moment what I was driving. And be prepared for the crotch rockets to come smoking up your tailpipe.

Hmmm... I wonder of Willans harnesses come in Galapagos Green. :|

I very strongly recommend www.snowbirdmountainlodge.com (http://www.snowbirdmountainlodge.com/) for lodging. It's not cheap but meals are included in the price and the couple that own it put their heart in that place. And the meals are memorable. Best dinners I've ever had, anywhere. Nice breakfast buffet evey morning. Picnic lunches made to order.

Maybe I'll go and just eat.

The Smokies are gorgeous.
So does this mean you are in????

This all sounds like fun, but for real fun you should go to the home area of T Mac, central Illinois. There's roads down there that don't have 11 curves in 318 miles.

I have reservations for Acadia N.P. that week and the friend who is riding shotgun already booked her flight from Oregon.

So, no, can't do Deal's Gap this fall.

The Tail of the Dragon website has added us to their calendar for the SEEOC Meet in October. Here is the link to the Calendar:

Tail of the Dragon Calendar (http://www.tailofthedragon.com/calendar.html)

It's official!!!

Here is their response to my request:

Gerald:

We added your event to the Calendar Page. Looking forward to seeing you in your costume. You should be a real hit with the bikers.

Ron and Nancy Johnson

So how many are going? Just 3? :| My parents live in Robbinsville so I have a place to stay that's REAL Close. But if it's only 3 going I don't know if it's worth a 12 hour drive. I can go to the local Home Depot and see 3 Elements. :grin: Thanks, Alan

I have canceled my registration this morning and hopefully we can get some more enthusiasm for a spring event.

Everyone start thinking about May 4-7.....I will post something later this week or this weekend with more information about that date.

I have done this ride on my honda Goldwing with the goldwing club. Went down through the smokies, then over to cumberland pass. That was in 1980 but I'll bet it still ROCKS !! Best ride in the last 40 years. Try it You Will Like It !!

I just got back from the Gap...decided against driving my E as I need to carry some serious Gs.

Inw I have to order me a new set of T1-Rs.

I will be hitting the Gap again this year. But it will be on my other Honda! :D

Well I just wanted to thank you all for the info on Tail Of the Dragon.:D

Jim, one of my golf buddies mentioned he and his wife were going down to that area to visit his daughter. I said "Check out the TOD I heard about this on the EOC.". He'd never heard of it but checked out the web site and said "Thats for me".
So today I get a call. He rented a Sebring Convertible, made the trip up and down, (said his wrist hurt from the cornering), and has brought back a T shirt for me because of the tip.
So Thank You EOC!:)

Considering this TOD talk, I was surprised to find myself tailgating a group of 5 motorcycles last weekend. This was on WA 302 across the base of Key Peninsula just north of Tacoma. They might have been returning from the Harley gathering at Ocean Shores that another poster mentioned, though I didn't note the brand of bikes. They were actually driving a bit slower than the speedlimit (which ranged from 35 to 50), where as I tend to be a 5mph-over driver. It was a pleasant road, and I wasn't in a rush, so I try to pass them.

They pull over to the side of the road just before the junction with WA 16 (the Tacoma Narrows road) - possibly to watch some parasailors from the causeway.

paulj

Well, I have now been in my Element and my Burgman.....you can see more about this here:

Burgman 650 (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23932)

Element SLAY's the TAIL (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25643)