Blue Ridge Mountain Run 2014 - Updated

"Desu-San-Desu" (Desu-San-Desu) 08/11/2014 at 17:53 • Filed to: None

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Updated with Facebook and Google+ event links and new route details:

Hey guys. After some collaboration with Daender and another member of the drive, we've revised the route for the Mountain Drive, scheduled for October 23-26. It's scheduled for three days, two nights, with the plan being for us to camp overnight instead of spending money on hotels, so those planning on coming should bring their own camping equipment. Please be aware that you don't have to come for the entire 3 days. If you just want to meet up with us and join in for a single day or stint of the journey, that is more than welcome.

As for the route changes, the original route had a large amount of Interstates and four-lane highways, which seemed kind of antithetical to an event called 'Mountain Run', haha. So we changed it to reduce the number of stints on major interstates and highways and stick more to the twists and curves of the mountains.

We're currently routed to visit the west half of the Blue Ridge Parkway along the way, however we've planned an alternate route in case we discover that the Parkway is clogged with a bunch of leaf-gawking tourists. On the southward leg, we'll be spending about half a day at the Tail of the Dragon for some up and down runs for those who wish to take part. Also....the new route features a motherfucking !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! !

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Another important factor is fewer towns and tourist routes, which should help reduce the amount of traffic and 'traffic officials', excluding Tail of the Dragon, of course, since that's obviously part of the route. I've handpicked a lot of the route to provide the best mix of technical, challenging roads as well as a few parts of more relaxing, scenic bits to let us and our cars recuperate. Also, towns are strategically placed to allow places to stop and refuel, eat, and rest. Here's !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! :

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Right now we've got about a dozen cars signed on to go. If you're interested in joining, let me know or visit the event page on Facebook or Google+ and RSVP on there:

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Please be aware the last time we did this run, myself and a couple others had to stop halfway down some of the downhill portions to let our brakes cool, as brake fade was becoming a problem. Some of us actually had smoke coming off our brakes. Luckily, we've upgraded our brakes since then, but it brings up an important point:

Please make sure your car is capable of completing a 360-mile trip through some of the best mountain roads in the region. You are encouraged to bring a small mechanics toolkit and extra fluids (especially oil, brake fluid, and coolant) in addition to camping supplies. I myself will be bringing a 4-person tent if anyone doesn't have their own tent and needs to crash in mine.

Also, if anyone coming has a vehicle that has plentiful cargo room and would like to volunteer their car as a 'gear vehicle', please let me know. My own car is very limited on both space and power, so the less gear I have to carry in it, the better, lol.

Cell signal will also be spotty for many of us, so we're trying to work out a way to equip everyone with hand-held radios for the journey. I myself can provide 3 or 4, but if anyone else attending can contribute to the radio dispersal, that would be greatly appreciated.

On the topic of navigation, we will be printing out directions for everyone who is RSVP'd as 'Going', along with a few extras, just in case. Be aware that mobile GPS apps will be less effective, as most do not allow custom routes and even fewer, if any, allow custom routes while without a data connection. Each driver is encouraged to bring along a paper map with them. If anyone attending has a GPS that allows custom routes and will work in the mountains, please let me know and we'll try and space drivers with an effective GPS in the front, middle, and rear of the convoy to reduce the chances of people getting lost.

If you have a dash cam, GoPro, Nabi Square HD, ION cam, or any other form of recording equipment, feel free the bring it along. I've been talking with Daender and we're discussing a possible narration theme for the trip for anyone who wants to bring recording gear. It'll be sort of like super-low-budget Top Gear!

The primary theme we're looking at right now is " Which modifications are truly necessary to fully enjoy a car? " We may also add a "- when you're on a budget " to the end of that, too.

So we'll be exploring the pro's and cons of stock and modified vehicles and the individual mods themselves and in the end will try and come up with a verdict on what is the perfect balance of frugality and customization. Obviously the more people who come, the broader range of vehicles we'll have and therefore the more basis for comparison we'll have.

As for what this means for individual persons? Well it means recording gear- primarily microphones and cameras. I think myself and 3 or 4 others all have a GoPro apiece. I know I'll be using mine to film raw car antics from multiple angles, probably switching camera location every time we stop. I'll probably end up using my smartphone to record narration and dialogue. However, if anyone else wants to join in on the hosting fun or contribute equipment (cameras, mics, MicroSD cards) to said hosts during the trip, feel free the speak up.

If anyone hates this idea, or has suggestions on how to improve or adjust it, please comment and let us know! You can also just comment to say how much you like the idea, haha.

And last but not least:

HOON RESPONSIBLY!

We are going on this run to have a good time with other gearheads and Opponauts. We expect everyone to be respectful of the laws as well as the safety and well-being of themselves and other cars on the road. I'm not going to pretend that speed limits are going to be strictly adhered to, but please be aware of your limits and the limits of your own car and the limits of the other cars and drivers around you. This is not the place to show off and pretend to be a professional drifter. These are public roads with sheer drops down mountainsides in some places, so please use common sense and respect when operating your vehicle.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Desu-San-Desu 08/08/2014 at 23:30

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Ugh. I hate not really having cool roads like that in NY that I know of beside the old Watkins Glen street course.

Conan > Desu-San-Desu 08/08/2014 at 23:36

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Looks quite nice and you can do a fair bit faster on some of those than the Parkway here.

Leadbull > Desu-San-Desu 08/08/2014 at 23:50

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Three days... you plan on stopping off somewhere and going for a hike? Newfound Gap (pictured) is right off 71.

Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ > Desu-San-Desu 08/08/2014 at 23:55

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I am hours away but this very relevant to my interest. hmmmm

Battery Tender Unnecessary > Desu-San-Desu 08/09/2014 at 02:05

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hmm, right in my back yard. This looks like fun

Desu-San-Desu > Leadbull 08/09/2014 at 02:18

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Yeah, we plan on camping out at night, with some probably hiking as well. Thanks for the heads up!

Desu-San-Desu > Battery Tender Unnecessary 08/09/2014 at 02:19

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If you're interested in joining in, I can give you the link to the Facebook event page.

Desu-San-Desu > Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ 08/09/2014 at 02:19

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If you're interested in joining in, I can give you the link to the Facebook event page.

Desu-San-Desu > Conan 08/09/2014 at 02:19

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Where is 'here' for you?

HooverFish > Desu-San-Desu 08/09/2014 at 03:24

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going right through my old hometown of Waynesville... know that area quite well

Conan > Desu-San-Desu 08/09/2014 at 06:52

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Part of the time for work I'm in Amherst, Virginia, near the Blue Ridge Parkway. Beautiful place. Mostly I'm in Farmville, near not much in the way of mountains.

Desu-San-Desu > Conan 08/09/2014 at 06:54

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I think the parkway will be a nice relaxing detour from some of the more challenging routes, but do you have any suggestions for other routes that also head towards Pigeon Forge?

Conan > Desu-San-Desu 08/09/2014 at 07:05

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I think you've nailed that pretty well. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is cool and continue avoiding the stop lights of the AA Highway/Route 9 in Kentucky.

Battery Tender Unnecessary > Desu-San-Desu 08/09/2014 at 09:27

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Sure,either here or at my email imolasls@gmail.com

Desu-San-Desu > Battery Tender Unnecessary 08/09/2014 at 09:45

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https://www.facebook.com/events/2856121…

Mosqvich > Desu-San-Desu 08/09/2014 at 13:00

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Stay out of jail ;-) #VirginiaIsForCops

Desu-San-Desu > Mosqvich 08/11/2014 at 18:01

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Good thing we're not going through Virginia. ;-P

Rainbow > Desu-San-Desu 08/11/2014 at 18:18

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That loop is on a very touristy road with frequent stopped cars due to wildlife and photo ops. I haven't been to the Smokys during October before, though, so it might be fine. Just thought you and/or others should know that there are a lot of RVs and minivans, and at one or two places there are pedestrians of all ages. You don't want to end the drive by killing a 5-year-old in front of his parents. Not that I don't trust everyone to be smart, but you know.

Aaaand, I think I'm going to come along! Will there be any time in Pigeon Forge for some go-karts? I'd also suggest heading to Ober Gatlinburg for the Alpine Slide (awesome downhill luge without any crappy safety regulations slowing you down) but that would take several hours to make it worthwhile. Regardless, if I get my CV joints fixed (or if I can borrow my dad's car) and I'm given time off, I'll be there.

Desu-San-Desu > Rainbow 08/11/2014 at 18:25

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Awesome! Feel free to RSVP on either event page and make a comment letting us know you're from Oppo. Feel free to make the same suggestions on there.

Now, tell me more of this karting..such as the cost. :-P

Rainbow > Desu-San-Desu 08/11/2014 at 18:41

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Will do!

The track I prefer is $9 per run, which usually lasts between 4-7 laps depending on how recently your kart has been tuned. I usually am one of the first ones called in after 5 laps, or they start right after and I get to squeeze a sixth one in. At least I think so. And I have no idea how long the laps are, but here's a link to the place. The good track is the Wild Woody; the other one is a lot slower. There's also an arcade inside if anyone doesn't want to race for any reason. And, of course, there are the much faster indoor karts in a few places, but I have no clue what they cost.

Oh, and one more question: what time is everyone going to head out? I see that the Facebook page says it starts at 9:00, but I'm assuming that's more of a time for people to start arriving. I'm about two hours away, so I'm just curious what kind of sleep I should expect to be getting that night.

Desu-San-Desu > Rainbow 08/11/2014 at 19:33

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9:00am is the planned arrival time in Traveler's Rest. We'll probably spend an hour or so chatting and prepping before actually leaving, so probably 10:30 or 11. We're going to shoot for getting to Pigeon Forge before nightfall.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Desu-San-Desu 08/12/2014 at 14:27

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I may be able to come. Not sure yet. I'm going to have new brakes for the Mini, and I will need to burnish them before I go to Daytona the following weekend.

Yes, the Mini is going to be driven at Daytona.

Also, y u no Cherohala?

Desu-San-Desu > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 08/12/2014 at 17:57

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Mostly because it's a little more out of the way than the rest of the guys are willing to drive. By that point, we're going to be on the leg for home and heading back east. It looks like an awesome option for a later trip, though!

When is the Mini going to Daytona? You should document the event!

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Desu-San-Desu 08/12/2014 at 23:27

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I'm at Daytona on 31 October (Weekend after this). We are driving the Rolex 24 hour configuration. I would have taken the Z4, but roll cage required on open top cars (Boo! Hiss!). Also, this means using the bus stop.

We were at AMS a few weeks back with at least one other Oppoite. Fortunately there was no bus stop being used that day, so I was getting an indicated 140MPH going into the oval T3 (Silence! Power isn't everything!) (Actual was probably closer to 135MPH). I also learned how to powerslide the Z4 correctly (i.e. not spinning or crashing).

I also need to get actual tires for the Mini, as all season runflats aren't going to cut it on track. There's a good likelihood of me getting either Pilot Super Sports or RE-11s (On a 180hp front drive Mini. So shoot me.)

Desu-San-Desu > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 08/12/2014 at 23:38

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Need another driver? ;-P

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Desu-San-Desu 08/13/2014 at 00:10

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Wouldn't you rather want to drive your own car? :)

Desu-San-Desu > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 08/13/2014 at 00:25

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Err...I doubt my tires or brakes will be able to do a track day after the mountain run, lol.

z32 > Desu-San-Desu 08/13/2014 at 23:56

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I'm around knoxville, TN and my Juke and I are interested in meeting you guys for the runs through the dragon. What time do you plan on being at the entrance from 321 to the foothills parkway? I'm not on facebook, but sent you a google+ request for the event.

Also, saw your set to go through gatlinburg, then through pigeon forge, and into townsend through wears valley rd. October is definitely one of the busiest tourist months of the year up there and for that reason alone I would suggest bypassing pigeon forge and taking old state hwy 73 from gatlinburg into townsend. It's also a fun road to drive when it's not busy and if you're getting in later in the evening, it should be somewhat less traveled.

Which campground are you guys staying at Friday night?

Desu-San-Desu > z32 08/14/2014 at 09:46

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We're still finalizing campgrounds, as that's more Daender's thing. I personally am not sure. I know we were planning on maybe stopping for some karting in Pigeon Forge, time permitting, but that's not something that's integral to the trip. I'll mention the tourist situation and detour to him. As for right now, the timetable it very tentative, so I'm not sure when we'll in your neck of the woods. All I do know is that we're planning on getting to TN by nightfall of the first day, then spending the second day doing the Dragon, then going home on the third day.