slngsht Posted November 3, 2006 Share Posted November 3, 2006 Al and I are meeting up at 5 AM in Hagerstown, MD to start the trip. As my wireless wide area network card permits, we'll post up pics, progress, and other crap as we go http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/smile5.gif. It's a long drive and one of us will need something to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted November 3, 2006 Author Share Posted November 3, 2006 We're at Mrs Rowes in Staunton, VA... Waiting for SteveT http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/toetap05.gifhttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrinjester.gif If he drove his Seven, we'll have to pry him from the car. It's in the low 30s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solder_guy Posted November 3, 2006 Share Posted November 3, 2006 We're at Mrs Rowes in Staunton, VA... Waiting for SteveT http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/toetap05.gifhttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrinjester.gif If he drove his Seven, we'll have to pry him from the car. It's in the low 30s Have fun! I'm going home soon and tune some carbs ?? I've been to Staunton before. .. I think that is the location of Woodrow Wilson's birthplace. Rob M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted November 3, 2006 Author Share Posted November 3, 2006 Well, SteveT is DA MAN http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/thumbsup.gif It's 30 degrees!!! http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20061103_054718_IMG_1310_Small.JPG http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20061103_054805_IMG_1311_Small.JPG http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20061103_054844_IMG_1312_Small.JPG We're back on the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevet Posted November 3, 2006 Share Posted November 3, 2006 Thanks boys - good to see you both again. Very nice drive back - 38 by the time I got home! If you have time, stop off on the way back for one of Mrs Rowe's famous pies (I bought one for tonight). Like I need more pies! I look like the Michelin man already http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/thumbsup.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevet Posted November 3, 2006 Share Posted November 3, 2006 Rob, judging from all the Woodrow Wilson signs as you enter Staunton, I think you are right on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al N. Posted November 3, 2006 Share Posted November 3, 2006 Al here. Taking over the computer while Mazda does some time in the driver's seat. It's been a really smooth trip so far - thanks again to Steve for finding a place not far off 81 to meet us. The foliage has really been beautiful down here in Virginia. Most of the leaves have already fallen in my part of NJ. Looking forward to arriving at the Dragon. We've already discussed a few topics in transit. UPDATE, WITH PUMPKIN PANCAKES http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20061107_072301_Pancakes.jpgAl Navarro2006-11-07 07:23:04 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arya Ebrahimi Posted November 3, 2006 Share Posted November 3, 2006 When are you guys coming back? Mazda, you realize my bday is tomorrow and you pass right by me http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/wink5.gifhttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gif My parents will be in town, you should stop by and say hi, I'm about 10 mins off of 81 @ exit 118C in Virginia. Arya Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted November 3, 2006 Author Share Posted November 3, 2006 We're coming back Sunday... I'll give you a ring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxologist Posted November 3, 2006 Share Posted November 3, 2006 c'mon, put some names with those faces! i can sorta guess who steveT is and Al is a pinoy... seeing steeve stuffed in there in the winter jacket makes me glad i have an SV. its not so bad trying to fit when wearing my heavier jackets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillMarcy P Posted November 3, 2006 Share Posted November 3, 2006 Hats off to Steve, but when we join you in the morning, Bill and I will not be in our Caterham. Er, I don't think so. I better ask Bill... Safe travels, Marcy http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/wink5.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevet Posted November 3, 2006 Share Posted November 3, 2006 Box' I'm a tight fit with or without the jacket - would like to try an SV though, mainly to see how much more room there is for my feet (is there room to 'rest' your clutch foot?). Mine are size 12's BTW http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/eek6.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted November 3, 2006 Author Share Posted November 3, 2006 Hi ALL!!! We're at Microtel. WHAT A TRIP! We're short on time... Here is the cliff notes: 1- Just as we are entering the Dragon, a white Chevy Lumina is coming the other way. The lady looses it and runs off the road into the trees http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/eek6.gif We stopped and helped her out - nice welcome to the Dragon. Al has this on tape! He'll post it up. 2- About 1/3 of the way through, we ran into one of those scenes where a tractor trailer is stuck on the road. 3- If you're not haulin', be prepared to get passed by a bike or two 4- You gotta FOCUS on this road. Very tight turns with elevation changes. No guard rails in many places. It's really like an autocross with elevation changes and trees for cones. Taken at 70 - 80% pace, it will be very satisfying, while leaving room for the unexpected. I recorded the GPS coordinates of the run. Al has video footage. Going to go stretch a little bit, and off to dinner with the Johnsons. BTW, this is a dry county http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/toetap05.gif Have one for us http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/cheers2.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted November 3, 2006 Author Share Posted November 3, 2006 c'mon, put some names with those faces! i can sorta guess who steveT is and Al is a pinoy... seeing steeve stuffed in there in the winter jacket makes me glad i have an SV. its not so bad trying to fit when wearing my heavier jackets. I'm on the left in the first picture. Michelin man is Steve http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/lol.gif Al is on the right in the 2nd pic http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/cheers2.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevet Posted November 3, 2006 Share Posted November 3, 2006 Sounds good boys. Looks like I'll be driving down afterall - the beer fridge will be on the trailer http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al N. Posted November 4, 2006 Share Posted November 4, 2006 Just the first of a few YouTube clips. The crash (not ours, thankfully). FWIW, the only reason you'll hear me debating whether to stop or not is because there really isn't a shoulder and the accident happened right after a turn. As you'll see, we stopped and even gave the driver a ride back to her house (unlike the truck in front of us, who was giving the poor girl a lecture by the time I got to the scene). I can't embed YouTube vids in forum posts, alas. So here's the link: Revised link for better quality (I hope). Also, a pic of the car in the woods. She was lucky. http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20061104_201200_Femme_Accident.jpgAl Navarro2006-11-04 20:12:24 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al N. Posted November 4, 2006 Share Posted November 4, 2006 Alright, the non-accident video is giving me issues on the upload now so I may as well give my first impressions of the Dragon. I happened to be driving the leg of the trip that took us over the Dragon and into Robbinsville, NC — where I'm writing this from our hotel (how many Microtels have a Porsche GT3 parked out front?). And after getting over the shock of seeing an accident within minutes of getting here, we settled into a good rhythm after a Suburban pulled over to let us through. Mazda did his best Nicky Grist routine via the GPS mapping his laptop (he'd call out left or right, with notes on how tight each turn was) while I merely held on for dear life. Without giving you too many blow-by-blows, here's what I think so far: • First, we were right to pick this location for a meet. It's beautiful and not overly commercialized (yet) and the roads (the Dragon is only one of many) are simply built for Sevens. • Speaking of which, I really missed my Seven on this drive. The TT occassionally got bungled up in the wrong gear or wrong part of its powerband (not driver error, of course!). I know the Seven would not only corner harder, but also be able to explode out of turns. Not to mention handle the many transitions on the Dragon with aplomb. • At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Sevens are built for roads like the Dragon and its neighbors. I am confident that the bikers/locals will be impressed and that our group will represent the LSiS concept well. • It's really easy to be tempted to go over the double yellow. Don't. The sport bikes are counting on you. • The Dragon is almost too twisty...throwing to many curves at you in too short a time. I actually got nausea — AND I WAS DRIVING!!! I have to say I prefer other roads in the area already, including the one over to Ron and Nancy Johnson's house. The Johnsons had Mazda and I over for dinner — we got to see a preview copy of their 4th Edition of their Dragon video. Really good stuff. The food was amazing too. And of course, our hosts were great. They shared lots of great ideas and caveats with Mazda and I. WIth luck, they'll be able to speak at one of our group events next July. THANK YOU RON AND NANCY! More when I have the energy. Must get some sleep before we drive Cherohala Skyway tomorrow. Al Navarro2006-11-04 12:39:10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted November 4, 2006 Author Share Posted November 4, 2006 Ron and Nancy Johnson are amazing people. I was really impressed by their personalities, their stories, hospitality, etc... I wish I had the Frankn7 here http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/banghead.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted November 4, 2006 Author Share Posted November 4, 2006 it's almost 6:30 and we're off to meet up with Bill and Marcy http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/seeya.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted November 4, 2006 Author Share Posted November 4, 2006 Wow... what a fantastic day. Met up with Bill and Marcy today. Drove up and down the Dragon and the Cherohala skyway at a very relaxing leisurely pace. Met with the owners of Tapoco Lodge. It is a fantastic setup. If you got one of the cabins, you'll have a car port too. Tapoco will do very nicely for our get-together. Tomorrow morning we'll be leaving early. We plan to stop by Fontana, and the autocross lot before heading out. Steve T. You have a nice room and a car port http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/thumbsup.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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