Thought I would start this thread. Each year there is a traditional group drive through the Skyway loop (5 hrs west of the dragon) on Friday morning with a water fall detour. Since we are starting on Wednesday this year I though I throw this out there and see if anyone will be interested. There is a Loopy-Loop (also 5 hr but east of the dragon) that is also excellent drive (See video here, the embedding will default to low res, click gear icon to change resolution -> the loop is at the beginning of the video, the rest are tail runs). Thought this would be a good additional for the extra day (weather permitted).

If anyone are interested in either, put your name down:

Skyway Friday Loopy Thursday

 

I just might be in for this...

 

hmmm.....

 

I'm in for the Friday drive.

I'm in for the Thursday drive if we can leave at 10. I'm driving up Thursday morning.

 

I'm definitely in for the Friday drive as usual.

Also very interested in the "loopy loop" Thursday drive, but since I'll probably be rolling in late & having fun at the bonfire Wed night, my participation will depend on what time you guys start. 10AM sounds very reasonable, plus since there's no "damned dam" photo shoot to get to on Thursday afternoon, the early start isn't really necessary.

 

I'm in for the Friday drive. Look forward to it.

 

Here is the group drive departure time:

Thursday Loopy Loop departs 10 AM

Friday Skyway departs 9 AM

 

Do you have road #s/names for the Thursday drive? I may be interested in that one as well as Friday

 

No way I'll get there for Thursday...I need to figure out how I can get there in time for the Friday run. What is the route/direction on Friday in case I can't get there for 9:00?

 

The route for Tuesday:
The loop will begin on US 19 through Bryson City then turn north onto 441 in Cherokee
The loopy loop is on US 441 (Newfound Gap Rd N)
Turning west onto Fighting Creek Gap road through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Turn North onto State Rte 337, connect to US 321 (Lunch break at the Riverstone Restaurant by the river just before getting on 321)
Turn west onto Foothills Pkwy
Turn left onto US 129 through the tail.

 

The route for friday Skyway:
Start from Nantahala US 19 heading SW turn right onto US 129 in Topton
Turn left onto US 143 (Skyway) in Robbinsville
Left turn onto River road (Bald River Falls side trip), back to Skyway
Skyway ends in Tellico Plains, right turn onto State 68 heading north into Maddisonville.
Lunch Break in Maddisonville at Berts Grill.
Jump on to US 441 heading northeast
Turn right onto state 72 just after the bridge
Turn right onto 129 heading south through the Tail back to fontana.

 

Thanks!

 

The Friday drive is one of my favorite things about the whole DGRR adventure... Make it if you can Chris!!

 

Florida guys are in for Friday.... definitely one of out favorite drives each year at DGRR.

If you've never drove the Skyway loop it's a excellent drive.

Steve

 

@estevan62274
How late will you guys be up Thursday evening? I'm looking at a 16 hour drive to get down there. If I leave at 6am, I'll be rolling in between 10pm and midnight depending on the number of stops and traffic. I was planning on leaving a little later and grabbing a hotel along the way...but I think I could just power through if you guys will still be awake when I arrive.

 

We'll be up till midnight.
I'd say go ahead a power through and get there by midnight if you can.
You got my number just call let me know what you decide.
Steve

 

Gotcha! I already requested Thurs-Fri-Mon off. Not sure what I'm doing on Sunday, if people are just packing up and heading out I may leave right after breakfast and try to make Philly by dinner. I have a friend there I can crash with and finish the ride Monday morning.

 

Yeah, we usually leave Sunday morning 8am
There is still plenty of local rotorheads hanging out Sunday.

 

The Cherohala Skyway and Tail of the Dragon is calling! A teaser pic from yesterday. Was out on the Tail testing my fuel system on the car. Going to be a good time at DGRR!

 

You will be leading our drive again wont you??

 

Happy to do it.

 

Sure hope my old NA klunker can keep up with that bad A$$ 20b!! lol so looking forward to it!

 

^ Pretty nice NA clunker you have there. Looking forward to it as well.

I want to remind everyone to gas up prior to the Friday drive. Please fill up so there are no issues with running out of gas on the drive.

 

I'm in for the Thursday loop if still on been here since Tuesday need to get a little social.
from the village?

 

See you all later today!