7th Annual Fall 2013 - Tail of the Dragon GTG - October 4, 5, 6
Re: 7th Annual Fall 2013 - Tail of the Dragon GTG - October 4, 5, 6
After 9 hrs of drive, I'm home.
Grate weekend everyone! Got to meet some new and finally got to meet some old folks ;）
Ever since I hit Ohio, it never stop rain.......
Grate weekend everyone! Got to meet some new and finally got to meet some old folks ;）
Ever since I hit Ohio, it never stop rain.......
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,395
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From: Cincinnati ( Delhi )
Re: 7th Annual Fall 2013 - Tail of the Dragon GTG - October 4, 5, 6
Another great weekend. Thanks to Ray for recommending the museum and to John for the great boat trip! Thanks to Gary for keeping this event orgainized. We had a great drive home with Shabing and his friend. I hope she comes back next year.
James & Tammi
James & Tammi
Re: 7th Annual Fall 2013 - Tail of the Dragon GTG - October 4, 5, 6
Well, at least we haven't totally chased her away...yet
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Posts: 13,590
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From: Fort Worth, Texas
Re: 7th Annual Fall 2013 - Tail of the Dragon GTG - October 4, 5, 6
Oh, I'm home. Got here at 8:30, I left the Dragon "area" late as Pacemaker & Mrs. Pacemaker and I spent the afternoon working on a new route for the Tourist class - stay tuned!
I was going to post a nice, long "it was great to meet everyone, thanks to ___ for ____", etc. But I'm too tired. I have got to be at the airport in 15 hours for my flight to Seattle - if there was ANY way, I'd have stayed at the lodge tonight and driven home tomorrow, but it just was not possible.
Thanks to all who came along, those who drove and those who rode right-seat and tolerated us - everyone there added to the experience.
I DO want to take a minute and especially thank our first-timers for joining us as well.
I was going to post a nice, long "it was great to meet everyone, thanks to ___ for ____", etc. But I'm too tired. I have got to be at the airport in 15 hours for my flight to Seattle - if there was ANY way, I'd have stayed at the lodge tonight and driven home tomorrow, but it just was not possible.
Thanks to all who came along, those who drove and those who rode right-seat and tolerated us - everyone there added to the experience.
I DO want to take a minute and especially thank our first-timers for joining us as well.
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From: Irwindale, CA
7th Annual Fall 2013 - Tail of the Dragon GTG - October 4, 5, 6
It sounds as if everyone on the event had a marvelous time, ticket and all.
Are there by any chance enough Crossfire owners on the West coast to have an event? Probably a poor thread in which to ask this question - in that I assume none of you are westcoasters.
I'm currently a newbie in waiting - for my 'new' car to be shipped to me from Texas. When scouring all of the available sources for Crossfires on the Internet, it appears as if by far the majority of Crossfire sales were made from the Midwest East.
I apologize for interrupting your 'had a great time' fest.
Biba
Are there by any chance enough Crossfire owners on the West coast to have an event? Probably a poor thread in which to ask this question - in that I assume none of you are westcoasters.
I'm currently a newbie in waiting - for my 'new' car to be shipped to me from Texas. When scouring all of the available sources for Crossfires on the Internet, it appears as if by far the majority of Crossfire sales were made from the Midwest East.
I apologize for interrupting your 'had a great time' fest.
Biba
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Mooresville, NC
Re: 7th Annual Fall 2013 - Tail of the Dragon GTG - October 4, 5, 6
Home safe and Sound. Want to thank everyone we met, cruised with, or just enjoyed the social on the deck with! You all were great and made us feel more than welcome. Memories were made! Hated to leave with such a great day in store, but did with responsibilities to attend to and plans for the next get-together. Thanks to all and be safe. See ya soon! JD and Alta. 04 Graphite with **** eating grin on pilot.
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Posts: 17,377
Likes: 674
From: Aurora , ILL
Re: 7th Annual Fall 2013 - Tail of the Dragon GTG - October 4, 5, 6
Monday morning
Almost everyone has left from a fantastic weekend
As I sit here in the lobby of Fonfana lodge I think of how many people were in here on Friday and Saturday night as we spent time together meeting new people and seeing friends who return year after year.
Now I sit here a little before leaving myself and just feel the emptiness of the room with everyone gone.
I can't express enough how much I absolutely enjoy these meets in the mountains each year and I hope everyone who came this time has left with that same feeling.
All of you who make time to pack the car and drive the hours to get here make these meets what they are.
When I get home I will be going through a ton of photos to share with all of you in a later post in this thread.
I'm leaving here soon for my return to Aurora, Illinois and hope to see many if not all of you back next year.
Our 2014 Spring meet here is set for - April 4, 5, 6
Mark (Pizzzaguy) has signed the contract with Fontana lodge
Mark will be creating a new thread soon for those of you to post and let him know if you will be coming.
Mark , put me on that list
Gary
Almost everyone has left from a fantastic weekend
As I sit here in the lobby of Fonfana lodge I think of how many people were in here on Friday and Saturday night as we spent time together meeting new people and seeing friends who return year after year.
Now I sit here a little before leaving myself and just feel the emptiness of the room with everyone gone.
I can't express enough how much I absolutely enjoy these meets in the mountains each year and I hope everyone who came this time has left with that same feeling.
All of you who make time to pack the car and drive the hours to get here make these meets what they are.
When I get home I will be going through a ton of photos to share with all of you in a later post in this thread.
I'm leaving here soon for my return to Aurora, Illinois and hope to see many if not all of you back next year.
Our 2014 Spring meet here is set for - April 4, 5, 6
Mark (Pizzzaguy) has signed the contract with Fontana lodge
Mark will be creating a new thread soon for those of you to post and let him know if you will be coming.
Mark , put me on that list
Gary
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 17,377
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From: Aurora , ILL
Re: 7th Annual Fall 2013 - Tail of the Dragon GTG - October 4, 5, 6
TO EVERYONE WHO CAME THIS WEEKEND... PLEASE SHARE YOUR PHOTOS WITH US IN THIS THREAD.
I KNOW A LOT OF YOU HAD CAMERAS AND WE ALL LIKE TO SEE EACH OTHERS PICS.
ALSO:
We all enjoy reading about your experience from the weekend so please share a story or anything you wish about your time here.
I KNOW A LOT OF YOU HAD CAMERAS AND WE ALL LIKE TO SEE EACH OTHERS PICS.
ALSO:
We all enjoy reading about your experience from the weekend so please share a story or anything you wish about your time here.
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 13,590
Likes: 976
From: Fort Worth, Texas
Re: 7th Annual Fall 2013 - Tail of the Dragon GTG - October 4, 5, 6
It sounds as if everyone on the event had a marvelous time, ticket and all.
Are there by any chance enough Crossfire owners on the West coast to have an event? Probably a poor thread in which to ask this question - in that I assume none of you are westcoasters.
I'm currently a newbie in waiting - for my 'new' car to be shipped to me from Texas. When scouring all of the available sources for Crossfires on the Internet, it appears as if by far the majority of Crossfire sales were made from the Midwest East.
I apologize for interrupting your 'had a great time' fest.
Biba
Are there by any chance enough Crossfire owners on the West coast to have an event? Probably a poor thread in which to ask this question - in that I assume none of you are westcoasters.
I'm currently a newbie in waiting - for my 'new' car to be shipped to me from Texas. When scouring all of the available sources for Crossfires on the Internet, it appears as if by far the majority of Crossfire sales were made from the Midwest East.
I apologize for interrupting your 'had a great time' fest.
Biba
Regional Forums - CrossfireForum.org
There is a WEST and a NORTHWEST forum.
Our 2014 Spring meet here is set for - April 4, 5, 6
Mark (Pizzzaguy) has signed the contract with Fontana lodge
Mark will be creating a new thread soon for those of you to post and let him know if you will be coming.
Mark , put me on that list
Gary
Mark will be creating a new thread soon for those of you to post and let him know if you will be coming.
Mark , put me on that list
Gary
Give it a day or two and we should be good to go.
AS FOR MY TICKET
It was for 8mph over. Can you believe that? I only got it because, as the office said, "I heard you guys coming... by the time I got my car turned around and radar on, the first pack had passed. I KNEW they were really moving, but can't ticket anyone without a radar hit. When you two (Me and RedDog) came around the bend, I had you..." He then told me he wanted ME to deliver a "message" to the "others". Unfortunately, his message was hand written.
The waitress at the Lodge had yet another story about that officer, he ticketed his father in law for no seat belt - while LIVING with his father in law.
I had fallen behind (see? ANOTHER reason to not fall behind when running with the big dogs!) and this gave the officer his chance.
I will be buying a radar detector even before I pay the ticket.
PLEASE DON"T JUDGE THE SPEED OF NICK'S GROUP BASED ON MY TICKET, I really lucked out. He COULD have nabbed me BEFORE the curve.
ON ANOTHER NOTE
On Saturday, after an almost EPIC Dragon run (at the end of the ill-fated "ticket" run) I stopped to talk to the EMS unit at the gap. They had pulled in to use restrooms and were the team stationed on the Dragon to reduce response times. I really just wanted to ask them about their radio coverage in the area.
We ended up talking about a lot of stuff, some things the (rather cute) girl told me:
1) The officers with the county on the Dragon have a two ticket quota per shift.
2) Reasonable speeding on the Dragon is expected and seldom ticketed (keep it under 50, but I've personally been caught doing 50-58 and got away with it.)
3) Don't tailgate or harass slow traffic (even if they won't pull over) or they will nab you.
4) Get caught across or on the yellow line and they will nab you even if they have to chase you into North Carolina. As she said, "If everyone would stay on their side of the road, we'd have a lot less trouble here..." She also said that the most likely vehicle to cross the centerline and cause injury or accident will have two wheels.
5) Average deaths are 2.5 per year on the Dragon, somewhat higher on the Skyway.
6) She said she could not remember a death or even serious injury to anyone NOT on a bike.
7) Almost all deaths are sportbikers, but she personally attended to a Harley rider killed when they hit a tree at about 30 mph.
8) She has attended quite a few injured Harley riders, they just aren't usually hurt very badly.
Sorry guys, I did not get a picture of her... If you crash up there, maybe she'll give you mouth-to-mouth!
Last edited by pizzaguy; 10-07-2013 at 10:38 AM.
Re: 7th Annual Fall 2013 - Tail of the Dragon GTG - October 4, 5, 6
Many of the westcoasters ARE on this forum and have events listed - look here:
Regional Forums - CrossfireForum.org
There is a WEST and a NORTHWEST forum.
I will put the thread up as soon as the Lodge starts taking reservations at our reduced rate. If you call now, they will charge $129 a night - she told me just now they have a "snafu" with the reservations computer/system/robot/drone/whatever and that as soon as it is fixed, she will let me know and at that time, I will throw a thread up and Gary will "sticky" it.
Give it a day or two and we should be good to go.
AS FOR MY TICKET
It was for 8mph over. Can you believe that? I only got it because, as the office said, "I heard you guys coming... by the time I got my car turned around and radar on, the first pack had passed. I KNEW they were really moving, but can't ticket anyone without a radar hit. When you two (Me and RedDog) came around the bend, I had you..." He then told me he wanted ME to deliver a "message" to the "others". Unfortunately, his message was hand written.
The waitress at the Lodge had yet another story about that officer, he ticketed his father in law for no seat belt - while LIVING with his father in law.
I had fallen behind (see? ANOTHER reason to not fall behind when running with the big dogs!) and this gave the officer his chance.
I will be buying a radar detector even before I pay the ticket.
PLEASE DON"T JUDGE THE SPEED OF NICK'S GROUP BASED ON MY TICKET, I really lucked out. He COULD have nabbed me BEFORE the curve.
ON ANOTHER NOTE
On Saturday, after an almost EPIC Dragon run (at the end of the ill-fated "ticket" run) I stopped to talk to the EMS unit at the gap. They had pulled in to use restrooms and were the team stationed on the Dragon to reduce response times. I really just wanted to ask them about their radio coverage in the area.
We ended up talking about a lot of stuff, some things the (rather cute) girl told me:
1) The officers with the county on the Dragon have a two ticket quota per shift.
2) Reasonable speeding on the Dragon is expected and seldom ticketed (keep it under 50, but I've personally been caught doing 50-58 and got away with it.)
3) Don't tailgate or harass slow traffic (even if they won't pull over) or they will nab you.
4) Get caught across or on the yellow line and they will nab you even if they have to chase you into North Carolina. As she said, "If everyone would stay on their side of the road, we'd have a lot less trouble here..." She also said that the most likely vehicle to cross the centerline and cause injury or accident will have two wheels.
5) Average deaths are 2.5 per year on the Dragon, somewhat higher on the Skyway.
6) She said she could not remember a death or even serious injury to anyone NOT on a bike.
7) Almost all deaths are sportbikers, but she personally attended to a Harley rider killed when they hit a tree at about 30 mph.
8) She has attended quite a few injured Harley riders, they just aren't usually hurt very badly.
Sorry guys, I did not get a picture of her... If you crash up there, maybe she'll give you mouth-to-mouth!
Regional Forums - CrossfireForum.org
There is a WEST and a NORTHWEST forum.
I will put the thread up as soon as the Lodge starts taking reservations at our reduced rate. If you call now, they will charge $129 a night - she told me just now they have a "snafu" with the reservations computer/system/robot/drone/whatever and that as soon as it is fixed, she will let me know and at that time, I will throw a thread up and Gary will "sticky" it.
Give it a day or two and we should be good to go.
AS FOR MY TICKET
It was for 8mph over. Can you believe that? I only got it because, as the office said, "I heard you guys coming... by the time I got my car turned around and radar on, the first pack had passed. I KNEW they were really moving, but can't ticket anyone without a radar hit. When you two (Me and RedDog) came around the bend, I had you..." He then told me he wanted ME to deliver a "message" to the "others". Unfortunately, his message was hand written.
The waitress at the Lodge had yet another story about that officer, he ticketed his father in law for no seat belt - while LIVING with his father in law.
I had fallen behind (see? ANOTHER reason to not fall behind when running with the big dogs!) and this gave the officer his chance.
I will be buying a radar detector even before I pay the ticket.
PLEASE DON"T JUDGE THE SPEED OF NICK'S GROUP BASED ON MY TICKET, I really lucked out. He COULD have nabbed me BEFORE the curve.
ON ANOTHER NOTE
On Saturday, after an almost EPIC Dragon run (at the end of the ill-fated "ticket" run) I stopped to talk to the EMS unit at the gap. They had pulled in to use restrooms and were the team stationed on the Dragon to reduce response times. I really just wanted to ask them about their radio coverage in the area.
We ended up talking about a lot of stuff, some things the (rather cute) girl told me:
1) The officers with the county on the Dragon have a two ticket quota per shift.
2) Reasonable speeding on the Dragon is expected and seldom ticketed (keep it under 50, but I've personally been caught doing 50-58 and got away with it.)
3) Don't tailgate or harass slow traffic (even if they won't pull over) or they will nab you.
4) Get caught across or on the yellow line and they will nab you even if they have to chase you into North Carolina. As she said, "If everyone would stay on their side of the road, we'd have a lot less trouble here..." She also said that the most likely vehicle to cross the centerline and cause injury or accident will have two wheels.
5) Average deaths are 2.5 per year on the Dragon, somewhat higher on the Skyway.
6) She said she could not remember a death or even serious injury to anyone NOT on a bike.
7) Almost all deaths are sportbikers, but she personally attended to a Harley rider killed when they hit a tree at about 30 mph.
8) She has attended quite a few injured Harley riders, they just aren't usually hurt very badly.
Sorry guys, I did not get a picture of her... If you crash up there, maybe she'll give you mouth-to-mouth!
Pizza, when you buy one, depends on your personal preference, the new one from Escort is terrific, then there's always V1 you can choose.
Me being me, like to have it all the time, Escort's new Passport Max is smarter, which can detect the false alert locations and remember them. In the same time, red light camera locations and usual speed trap locations can also be marked and stored in the device.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 27
From: Alma, MI
Re: 7th Annual Fall 2013 - Tail of the Dragon GTG - Saturday Cherohala Skyway Tour
Here is the Saturday Cherohala Skyway Tour Group
Inge led the run through Hell Bender. She lost us on the 3rd curve!
Inge led the run through Hell Bender. She lost us on the 3rd curve!
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 13,590
Likes: 976
From: Fort Worth, Texas
Re: 7th Annual Fall 2013 - Tail of the Dragon GTG - Saturday Cherohala Skyway Tour
I remembered her complaining that we went too fast a year ago... but after Fridays' run back from Franklin, I knew she had changed.
If anyone cares - 8 mph cost me $218.
If one of you gets caught doing 80 on the skyway, it's gonna be hundreds of dollars.
If anyone cares - 8 mph cost me $218.
If one of you gets caught doing 80 on the skyway, it's gonna be hundreds of dollars.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 27
From: Alma, MI
Re: 7th Annual Fall 2013 - Tail of the Dragon GTG - October 4, 5, 6
Monday morning
Almost everyone has left from a fantastic weekend
As I sit here in the lobby of Fonfana lodge I think of how many people were in here on Friday and Saturday night as we spent time together meeting new people and seeing friends who return year after year.
Now I sit here a little before leaving myself and just feel the emptiness of the room with everyone gone.
I can't express enough how much I absolutely enjoy these meets in the mountains each year and I hope everyone who came this time has left with that same feeling.
All of you who make time to pack the car and drive the hours to get here make these meets what they are.
Gary
Almost everyone has left from a fantastic weekend
As I sit here in the lobby of Fonfana lodge I think of how many people were in here on Friday and Saturday night as we spent time together meeting new people and seeing friends who return year after year.
Now I sit here a little before leaving myself and just feel the emptiness of the room with everyone gone.
I can't express enough how much I absolutely enjoy these meets in the mountains each year and I hope everyone who came this time has left with that same feeling.
All of you who make time to pack the car and drive the hours to get here make these meets what they are.
Gary
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,611
Likes: 2
From: Lebanon, Tennessee
Re: 7th Annual Fall 2013 - Tail of the Dragon GTG - Saturday Cherohala Skyway Tour
How much if you're caught doing 100+? Like we "may" have done after on the second leg of the Skyway?
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,395
Likes: 111
From: Cincinnati ( Delhi )
Re: 7th Annual Fall 2013 - Tail of the Dragon GTG - October 4, 5, 6
Klay, Thanks for the great photos...
James
James
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 13,590
Likes: 976
From: Fort Worth, Texas
Biker kid last fall got caufht 104 in 40. Wrote for 60 in a 40. Over $400. Think he said $470. I never doubted him. Sure don't now. Skyway..... But he was in TN.