Oppo at the Dragon 2019: Game Plan and More Info

"Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies" (jordanwphillips)
05/28/2019 at 18:30 • Filed to: Oppo Meet, Oppo at the Dragon 2019

When: September 6th(arrive) to the 8th(depart), 2019

Last year, Daender and I arrived Friday afternoon and spent some time at the dam and made a run on the Dragon in the FiST(rip from my life), so you can do the same, or just settle in.

Where: The Tail of the Dragon, lodging at the Fontana Village Resort

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

This is the hotel at which we stayed last year, and this year if we can confirm 10 rooms, we can get them at $113 a night, though if not it was under $130 last year. So far I’ve gotten 3 rooms confirmed, but it would be great if I could get a block reserved. There are two restaurants on the premises, and a gas station nearby. There are a couple of restaurants within 10 miles, but not a whole lot.

ONE THING ABOUT WHERE: The Dragon is remote, there is no cell service. Deals Gap Motorcycle Lodge has WiFi(probably where we would meet for breakfast on Saturday) as does the hotel. *More on this in a bit.

What: First and foremost, it’s a meetup, a place to put faces to names.

Along with that, it’s a drive/ride(bikes are more than welcome, in fact that’s part of why I picked this weekend). Friday we will get in our Dragon runs, along with early Saturday at sunrise. If you want to experience the US129 at it’s magic hour, beat the traffic(It’s so worth it).

Friday we will arrive, maybe make a few runs, and then meet for supper at the lodge’s restaurant, the non-fawncy one. Saturday is when we will spend a lot of the day driving. I plan to meet up at the Deal’s Gap Lodge for breakfast at 7:30, after a few runs on the Dragon. From there we will do the Cherohala Skyway, then loop back and try to hit all of the new Foothills Parkway. All of this is up for debate, but we are definitely doing the Skyway, Hopefully the weather will be a bit better than last year, as the last trip up the Skyway was wet.

Sunday is the day when we will depart(unless you plan on staying longer, which is fine.) You can choose the route you take that day.

What to Bring: Along with yourself, there are some essentials I would recommend. First and foremost, a radio to communicate. Again, there is no cell service, so if you need help, you need a radio. We will at least plan to have the radio at the front and at the back, but having your own would be ideal. You can get them on Amazon for fairly cheap. Another is a lesson I learned last year: TOOLS. Stuff breaks, there are no shops in the area. Some of us will have tools, but it would be best to bring a few of your own.

Who: So far you can contact me, I made an email that I will try to keep check of: oppoatthedragon2019@gmail.com. If anyone wants to join in and assist, that would be awesome!

You can also contact me on here or Facebook, as I will make a post on the OppositeTalk page as well. Closer to the event I will make a chat of some sort, and I think the most approved in the past has been Slack.

If you have any questions or requests, contact me here or there or through Email! If you can come, please let me know with the next 2-3 weeks!

DISCUSSION (57)

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
05/28/2019 at 18:34

Shit, radios. You guys are more hardcore than PNW

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
05/28/2019 at 18:45

They are cheap insurance.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
05/28/2019 at 18:51

I've thought about it, but we use discord typically and radios would count as distracted driving

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
05/28/2019 at 18:52

I, along with other, clip it to my seatbelt. Other than pressing the button, it’s pretty much hands free.

Chuckles > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
05/28/2019 at 18:56

Radios as in FRS radios?

AestheticsInMotion > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
05/28/2019 at 19:00

I like this idea

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Chuckles
05/28/2019 at 19:01

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007B5ZOJO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I got these.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > AestheticsInMotion
05/28/2019 at 19:03

It’s very much a stolen idea.

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
05/28/2019 at 19:21

Shaping up for some top gear style shenanigans.

Chuckles > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
05/28/2019 at 19:34

Any issues with range? I know those mileage estimates are based on flat open land.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Chuckles
05/28/2019 at 19:40

Haven’t really tested it that much tbh.

arl > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
05/28/2019 at 19:43

OK, I’m in! This will be a great opportunity to break-in the new car and meet new people.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > arl
05/28/2019 at 19:49

Awesome!

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/
05/28/2019 at 19:57

Maybe with less breakdowns this year...

UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
05/28/2019 at 20:54

I’m confirmed. Let’s hope my stock ST doesn’t break down....

Josh - the lost soldier > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
05/28/2019 at 20:55

Less dildos, too?

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Josh - the lost soldier
05/28/2019 at 21:11

Carbon fiber hood, so it shouldn't dent...

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy
05/28/2019 at 21:16

So are you going to be staying at Fontana, if I can get that deal?

NKato > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
05/28/2019 at 22:03

I could look into rigging the Queen up with a long range system, would be able to cover distances like the St. Helens run . We’d need to look into UHF, VHF, and the like, though. And I'd need someone riding shotgun for the radio.

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
05/28/2019 at 23:29

I must have missed a hell of a trip last year lol

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
05/28/2019 at 23:31

Were there a bunch last year? I am planning on having my car ready by then. Gonna drop some more weight and do sway bars (at least front). We’ll see what else lol.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
05/28/2019 at 23:38

I’m 100% in. Let me know how to confirm a room reservation.

I’ve decided I’ll bring the Fiero if it passes muster at the woodward dream cruise. Otherwise, ST.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
05/29/2019 at 06:28

Awesome, once I hit 10, I’ll call and reserve a block, then I make a post about it.

UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
05/29/2019 at 10:03

Yep, will do. I may miss the driving Friday night due to commuting, we will see. But I’ll still stay both nights.

Milky > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
05/29/2019 at 12:14

I could use this an excuse to see fam in Atlanta. Gotta check with some people but leaving this comment because I’m thinking about it.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
05/29/2019 at 12:40

12 hr drive, probably have to pass.

Shame too, sounds like it’s be a riot!

bob and john > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
05/29/2019 at 12:53

yea, me and radios....no go.

i have my house already booked. i’ll likely get there late friday (leaving early that morning)

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > bob and john
05/29/2019 at 12:57

Just tape it to your helmet.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy
05/29/2019 at 14:20

Ohh is the SO coming too?

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Milky
05/29/2019 at 14:23

Also because Miata.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
05/29/2019 at 14:31

I’m a maybe at this point. But if I do come, I’ll get a hydraulic jack, jack stands, impact guns (electric cordless and corded ) and all the sockets and extensions that I have :)

arl > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
05/29/2019 at 14:54

Let’s get CB’s with giant antennas. I need to full fill my old Smokey and the Bandit dreams.

haveacarortwoorthree2 > arl
05/29/2019 at 15:41

10-4, and I’m clear.

Milky > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
05/29/2019 at 16:08

I already did it once. But that was literally day two with the car/first manual. Going back and knowing what I’m doing sounds nice.

Kinja'd!!!

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/
05/29/2019 at 17:18

The second pic was the lineup last year, it was small but fun. The smallness had it’s advantages.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Milky
05/29/2019 at 17:19

The more the merrier and cheaper.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > arl
05/29/2019 at 17:19

The Vette already has too big of an antenna.

arl > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
05/29/2019 at 19:13

Aww. OK.

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
05/30/2019 at 08:02

Nice! I’m looking forward to it! I’m planning on making a day trip of it. Need to do a few things in prep first, but there shouldn’t be any issues.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/
05/30/2019 at 18:18

Do you live in the area or something?

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
05/30/2019 at 18:30

Yeah somewhat. I’m about 2hrs away in Asheville. I’ve yet to drive on Tail of the Dragon, so I figure this is a good excuse to make the trip

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/
05/30/2019 at 18:34

Ah, we aren’t super far apart, I’m about 2 hours from Asheville. Maybe you’ve checked it out, but if you haven’t, NC-215 is amazing.

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
05/30/2019 at 21:01

Kinja'd!!!

Hopefully not this?

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/
05/30/2019 at 21:25

Close, a little bit south of that. https://www.google.com/maps/@35.4713557,-82.8845198,516m/data=!3m1!1e3

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
05/30/2019 at 21:51

Oh good haha. I’ve been on it actually when I went to devil’s courthouse. Was legit for sure. There are so many roads around here it’s crazy. Th at’s why I haven’t made the trip to the dragon... that and the fear of all the tourists driving on it

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/
05/30/2019 at 21:55

That’s why I specified getting up at sunrise. At sunrise, it’s almost empty. When I was there in April it was pretty sparse.

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
05/30/2019 at 22:31

I guess that’s just tourist season in the mountains. Makes sense. I probably won’t be that early of a riser to wake up and leave 2 hours before sunrise on Saturday lol, but we’ll see.

UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
06/01/2019 at 13:14

If you bring the ST, you won’t be alone as mine is coming as well

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
06/08/2019 at 23:28

dang bit of a drive from MI but im tempted

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
06/09/2019 at 12:51

Do it. I can assure you that if one of the people that says they are coming comes, you are still short by half a country for the farthest drive.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
06/10/2019 at 19:17

can i trailer my rx7 lol

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
06/10/2019 at 19:44

I believe you could.

rockingthe2 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
07/08/2019 at 17:10

So long as work and family cooperate, I’m probably down, me and my room mate have been wanting to ride down from VA to hit the dragon on bikes, might even convince a few other locals to take the trip with us

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > rockingthe2
07/08/2019 at 17:34

Well until the 29th, we have a group deal for $113 a night at Fontana Resort.

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/oppo-meet-at-the-dragon-2019-a-block-has-been-reserved-1835591868

rockingthe2 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
07/08/2019 at 18:16

I’ll keep it in mind.

Just Jeepin' > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/07/2019 at 13:24

Thanks for not encouraging illegal Ham use.

Protip: get a couple of people to shell out for a GMRS license and put them near the front and back with a higher power radio. Inter operates with FRS and gives a much better range.

arl > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/23/2019 at 07:27

Wel l guys, I’m not going to make it this year.I’m off to do a bike ride with my Dad instead. You all have fun and hopefully I’ll be there next year.