OK Knights and wannabes - get ready to ToD and Sharkfest

T-5 Days and counting! The weather in Asheville looks promising as well. TWC is currently showing low 60s Thursday & Friday and high 60s Saturday & Sunday, all with a 10% chance of rain. Earlier though, they did show higher chances of rain.

Now all I need is nice days this weekend to detail the car and keep it clean!

Originally Posted by Richard in NC

Now all I need is nice days this weekend to detail the car and keep it clean!

That's what I was hoping for, but it doesn't look too good...

Graham's youngest, non-inheriting, daughter has requested this picture be posted. It shows Graham and bride at SESF 2020.

Now, this is too funny... Go Graham!!

Well here I am after 4 runs of the ToD this morning. No cell phone service but they do have internet access here at the Tapoco Lodge. Had to go all the way into Robbinsville (15 miles) before cell phone would work. Also one car wash there so got the bugs and the grass off that South Carolina road crews sprayed on my car.

I must admit, I did get quite sick after the the 4th run. Not sure if it was the meds for my pulled muscle or just the speed/311 curves (x4!!!). I may be cured of ToDitis after today/tomorrow.

Mr & Mrs Boxboss are on their way as is Ward in his 850. Expect both in a few hours.

Not much in the way of pics yet, being by myself as I am. But post when we start getting more folks.

Gbelton, Grahambishop, Richard in NC, and mjames expected in AM tomorrow. May be others but they never reported in

WE WANT PICS!

Originally Posted by Malibubimmer

WE WANT PICS!

very jealous


see miserable "noble" title

While you guys are there I wouldn't mind if anyone mentions I've got the L6 up for sale

We made it to the Tapoco Lodge around 4PM (ET) and met Dave, Dragon's head in hand. Ward drove in shortly after. No late runs on the Dragon: 8 - 9 hours in the car is enough for one day and a light rain started. It should be gone in a few hours. The other 4 are due here at the Lodge aroung 8 in the morning. The Lodge has dial up (as well as shared computers) only, so no pics until we get to Asheville. Ms Box took a few pictures on the Dragon today - I went over it to force her into a run. Pics later.

Checking in from Asheville! Had dinner with gbelton, Grahambishop, and Richard in NC. Now, off to sleep for a long day of driving tomorrow.

Originally Posted by HGilmore

Your wish is granted! A teaser is attached. The early birds did the Tail of the Dragon. There's now about 50 bimmers in the hotel parking lots. Lots more are coming.

Originally Posted by Richard in NC

Your wish is granted! A teaser is attached. The early birds did the Tail of the Dragon. There's now about 50 bimmers in the hotel parking lots. Lots more are coming.

More pics! Please!

Here's a few more from day 1:
Early morning fog.
Bikers getting ready for a run.
Our cars lined up.
A different angle.
Nice view of a lake.

A few more:
The creek in front of the lodge where some stayed.
One of the many overlooks.
What happens if yiou screw up on the Dragon.
Not much color early in the season above 5000 ft.

Here's a couple of the cars on the way to the dragon and a couple of the 318 curves:

Slightly OT question: Of course, those bikers are all wearing kevlar reinforced blue jeans and sports shoes, right?

A few more...
1) Dave and mjames break away on the Cherohala Skyway
2) Lunch stop on the Cherohala
left to right: Ward 850, Richard 650, GrahamBishop 645, Cobradav 645, Boxboss 645, GBelton 650, mjames M3
3) SESF drive
4) Unexpected SoCal visitor

1. Lined up 2x2 for the SESF drive.
2. First stop.
3. Nice view.
4. Parking lot at Clingmans Dome, highest pt in Tennessee at 6600 ft.
5. The unique observation tower.
6. The ridge line showing all the dead trees from a blight and polution.

1. A nice E24 6.
2. The drive down from the mountain.
3. A nice E31 8.
4. The touristy town of Gatlinburg.
5. A nice overlook showing the Smoky Mountains.
6. A 6er vert.

Is Cobradav taking pictures of sheep for his private collection? (Nice pics, though. Keep posting. Bear came but didn't bring his M6? I'd ask what he was doing in the woods, but then I would give some wiseacre the opportunity to provide the punch line.)

Originally Posted by Malibubimmer

Bear came but didn't bring his M6? I'd ask what he was doing in the woods, but then I would give some wiseacre the opportunity to provide the punch line.)

You got that right!

Ms Boxboss and I made it home safely. Here are a few pictures from SESF show day (Saturday) at the Biltmore Estate. The show was in a field by the winery. Richard has the best shot of the cars in front of the house, so he needs to post that one.

1. On the road from the house to the winery.
2. e63/64 area.
3. Over 100 cars for show day.
4. People's Choice winner, a showroom condition 3.0.

Spectacular time, cheers to everyone who went! Here's our TOD run + SESF from my perspective:

Thursday - Dragon Slayers


Gerry, Richard, Ward, and I left Asheville around 7 AM and headed to the TOD/Tapoco Lodge to meet Dale and Dave.


We stopped after running the Dragon for this shot.


Another stop on the TOD, this is about the half-way point of TOD, the infamous big overlook.

The Tree of Shame on the TOD. Say cheese, Richard!

Stopped for lunch at this Bistro/Grille we went to last fall in TN after running the TOD and Cherohala Skyway.

I love this shot!


Friday - SESF Drive


Group stops at visitor center after cruising the Blue Ridge Parkway on our way to Clingman's Dome (second highest point east of Mississippi).

Clingman's Dome ... this is high. Snow was on the ground and covering parked cars. Felt like the seasons changed!


0.5-mile steep hike uphill to the lookout tower. It's cold!


Hazy view, oh well.

Dragon Slayers depart Gatlinburg, TN (SESF drive's lunch) on their own route back to Asheville.

Zaino doin' it's thing!