Deal's Gap, Tail of the Dragon! August 22-24, 2003
#152
Guest
Posts: n/a
What is now U.S. 129 has been used as a path for travel and trade since before the United States came into being.
A brief history of the highway, found on the Web site operated by motorcyclists Ron and Nancy Johnson, describes how Native Americans once used the road before it became a path for settlers going to Cades Cove from the Parsons Branch Road. The path for the road was likely chosen because it followed Deal’s Gap, a natural break in the mountains between North Carolina and Tennessee.
In 1934, the road was paved the first time and was designated as U.S. 129. Like many early highways, U.S. 129 curves to and fro, following the natural contours of the land like the foot and horse paths that preceded it. It still maintains that character, with more than 300 curves in just over 11 miles.
But from its first paving until the last decade of the 20th century, it was a sleepy road for locals, little known to the outside world.
That all changed when motorcycle enthusiasts discovered the road in the 1990s.
“Each year since then, the number of motorcycles and sports cars has seemingly doubled,” the Johnsons’ Web site reports. “Today, riders and drivers from across the U.S. and Canada come to run the Dragon.”
The road is still remote — it borders the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on one side, and is mostly surrounded by national forests. The Johnsons note that in 14 miles, only one road — North Carolina Highway 28 — crosses it, and only one building, the Deal’s Gap Motorcycle Resort, also known as the Crossroads of Time, sits along the section through Deal’s Gap.
A brief history of the highway, found on the Web site operated by motorcyclists Ron and Nancy Johnson, describes how Native Americans once used the road before it became a path for settlers going to Cades Cove from the Parsons Branch Road. The path for the road was likely chosen because it followed Deal’s Gap, a natural break in the mountains between North Carolina and Tennessee.
In 1934, the road was paved the first time and was designated as U.S. 129. Like many early highways, U.S. 129 curves to and fro, following the natural contours of the land like the foot and horse paths that preceded it. It still maintains that character, with more than 300 curves in just over 11 miles.
But from its first paving until the last decade of the 20th century, it was a sleepy road for locals, little known to the outside world.
That all changed when motorcycle enthusiasts discovered the road in the 1990s.
“Each year since then, the number of motorcycles and sports cars has seemingly doubled,” the Johnsons’ Web site reports. “Today, riders and drivers from across the U.S. and Canada come to run the Dragon.”
The road is still remote — it borders the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on one side, and is mostly surrounded by national forests. The Johnsons note that in 14 miles, only one road — North Carolina Highway 28 — crosses it, and only one building, the Deal’s Gap Motorcycle Resort, also known as the Crossroads of Time, sits along the section through Deal’s Gap.
#153
Lexus Test Driver
Originally posted by tomtnc
Daizen sways were ordered yesterday and will be installed for the Gap
Maybe now I'll have a shot at hanging with Daddy-O
Daizen sways were ordered yesterday and will be installed for the Gap
Maybe now I'll have a shot at hanging with Daddy-O
#155
Lexus Test Driver
Nevermind. Bit gave me a link to TMEngineering and I ordered the sways from there.
BTW, I asked about how many people had already made reservations for our tail of the dragon meet and the lady said we had about 15 reservations. Seems like a lot of people are either not coming or waiting to the last minute to reserve their room.
BTW, I asked about how many people had already made reservations for our tail of the dragon meet and the lady said we had about 15 reservations. Seems like a lot of people are either not coming or waiting to the last minute to reserve their room.
#156
EV ftw!!!
#157
Lexus Test Driver
Originally posted by Hameed
25 CONFIRMED ATTENDEES!!!!!!!!
http://www.lexusdragon.com/confirmed_attendees.html
25 CONFIRMED ATTENDEES!!!!!!!!
http://www.lexusdragon.com/confirmed_attendees.html
#159
EV ftw!!!
Originally posted by 1SICKLEX
Site still shows 23?
Site still shows 23?
I updated the site on Saturday to reflect the 25 attendees.
Last edited by Hameed; 08-11-03 at 05:47 AM.
#160
10 days and counting.
Sorry If I have missed any planning in the past week, I was on vacation all week so I was unable to keep myself updated on what all is going on.
25 attendees, that is sweet, I noticed a turbo SC, WHOOO hooo we are all gonna have soo much fun at the dragon....
So who is all coming from Florida, I suggest that we all meet up and caravan to ATL.
Sorry If I have missed any planning in the past week, I was on vacation all week so I was unable to keep myself updated on what all is going on.
25 attendees, that is sweet, I noticed a turbo SC, WHOOO hooo we are all gonna have soo much fun at the dragon....
So who is all coming from Florida, I suggest that we all meet up and caravan to ATL.
#161
Lexus Test Driver
Originally posted by FREELANCE
10 days and counting.
Sorry If I have missed any planning in the past week, I was on vacation all week so I was unable to keep myself updated on what all is going on.
25 attendees, that is sweet, I noticed a turbo SC, WHOOO hooo we are all gonna have soo much fun at the dragon....
So who is all coming from Florida, I suggest that we all meet up and caravan to ATL.
10 days and counting.
Sorry If I have missed any planning in the past week, I was on vacation all week so I was unable to keep myself updated on what all is going on.
25 attendees, that is sweet, I noticed a turbo SC, WHOOO hooo we are all gonna have soo much fun at the dragon....
So who is all coming from Florida, I suggest that we all meet up and caravan to ATL.
#162
I was thinking the same, here is what I am thinking:
I want to leave Thursday night probably around 7:00ish-8:00 drive for about 6 or 7 hours at least get out of florida, then find a place to sleep. Wake up early and meet everyone at Hennessy at the predetermined time which I believe is 3:00, then leaving at 3:30.
How does that sound to you?
I saw that 2 others from Florida are registered for the event, so I am trying to get w/ them to see if these plans will work for them as well.
I want to leave Thursday night probably around 7:00ish-8:00 drive for about 6 or 7 hours at least get out of florida, then find a place to sleep. Wake up early and meet everyone at Hennessy at the predetermined time which I believe is 3:00, then leaving at 3:30.
How does that sound to you?
I saw that 2 others from Florida are registered for the event, so I am trying to get w/ them to see if these plans will work for them as well.
#163
Lexus Test Driver
Originally posted by FREELANCE
I was thinking the same, here is what I am thinking:
I want to leave Thursday night probably around 7:00ish-8:00 drive for about 6 or 7 hours at least get out of florida, then find a place to sleep. Wake up early and meet everyone at Hennessy at the predetermined time which I believe is 3:00, then leaving at 3:30.
How does that sound to you?
I saw that 2 others from Florida are registered for the event, so I am trying to get w/ them to see if these plans will work for them as well.
I was thinking the same, here is what I am thinking:
I want to leave Thursday night probably around 7:00ish-8:00 drive for about 6 or 7 hours at least get out of florida, then find a place to sleep. Wake up early and meet everyone at Hennessy at the predetermined time which I believe is 3:00, then leaving at 3:30.
How does that sound to you?
I saw that 2 others from Florida are registered for the event, so I am trying to get w/ them to see if these plans will work for them as well.
So far, everything sounds right though.
#164
Originally posted by jmecbr900
Sounds good except I believe we're meeting at Hennessy a little earlier since I think we have to be on 400 exit 13 by 3:30. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I'll try and put the link to the caravan for us.
So far, everything sounds right though.
Sounds good except I believe we're meeting at Hennessy a little earlier since I think we have to be on 400 exit 13 by 3:30. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I'll try and put the link to the caravan for us.
So far, everything sounds right though.
#165
Forum Administrator
iTrader: (2)
Got some more prizes in!
Set of Daizen GS sways courtesy of Sewell Lexus (www.lexus-parts.com), a bunch of cool JDM stuff from Steve Ganz / Carson Toyota including two SWEET Japan-only TRD hats and from Ethan at ClubLexus a set of CL travel mugs, CL shirt and Lexus Visor in addition to all the stuff he sent earlier!
Thanks guys!
Set of Daizen GS sways courtesy of Sewell Lexus (www.lexus-parts.com), a bunch of cool JDM stuff from Steve Ganz / Carson Toyota including two SWEET Japan-only TRD hats and from Ethan at ClubLexus a set of CL travel mugs, CL shirt and Lexus Visor in addition to all the stuff he sent earlier!
Thanks guys!