[Marc]

Folks,

Below is the link for Thursday's ride on the Tail of the Dragon and up to Alcoa Good Times for lunch and Spyder specials. Since this year's rides are "destination rides", you can take whatever route you prefer...but this map below is our recommended route (3 hours of ride time, 4 hours with stops)

The Route takes you from Gatlinburg into the The Great Smokey National Park for about 2 miles to the Sugerlands visitor center where you pick up Old Scenic 73 (Little River Road) for 34 miles into Townsend. Old Scenic 73 is listed as one of the 10 most scenic roads in America! (Note: Do not take the Cades Cove turnoff).

In Townsend, pick up 321W to the Foothills Parkway. Take the Foothills Parkway to US 129. Turn left on US 129 south and the Dragon is about 3 miles down the road. Run the Dragon to Deal's Gap, stop for some pictures, and then run the Dragon back north. Stay on 129N all the way into Alcoa where you'll pick up 140 for a couple miles to Alcoa Good Times for a free buffet lunch at 1pm.

Total time from Gatlinburg to Alcoa Good Times is about 3 hours of ride time, so when adding in stops you'll want to head out from Gatlinburg by 9am at the latest.

Note: street addresses are in the Google map. Most folks have GPSs, please insert the route and/or the addresses in your GPS to ensure you make all the correct turns.

Dragon/Alcoa Good Times Map

After a some great food and Spyder fun at Alcoa all Thursday afternoon, it's about an hour's ride back to Gatlinburg.

[1SpyderDee]

Marc, will there not be a specific gathering of ryders and a "guide?"

[Marc]

1SpyderDee, on 15 September 2010 - 07:04 PM, said:

Marc, will there not be a specific gathering of ryders and a "guide?"

We've outgrown our group rides with an official guide. We are encouraging folks to hook up with a small group of other riders with a lead riding using a GPS. There also may be some locals that show up at the Meet-n-Greet that may ride on the rides and be "unofficial guides" for smaller groups.

[1SpyderDee]

Marc, on 15 September 2010 - 07:10 PM, said:

We've outgrown our group rides with an official guide. We are encouraging folks to hook up with a small group of other riders with a lead riding using a GPS. There also may be some locals that show up at the Meet-n-Greet that may ride on the rides and be "unofficial guides" for smaller groups.

ok..great SpyderDawg and I need to hook up with one of these "unofficial" guides and groups for Thursday and Friday, as we are not familiar with the area nor do we have GPS. If anyone is going to have a group, please let us know meet place/time. We will be at the Meet and Greet Wednesday. How's about you, Marc? Are you riding??? Can you tolerate a couple of tag-a-longs?

[Marc]

1SpyderDee, on 17 September 2010 - 06:28 AM, said:

ok..great SpyderDawg and I need to hook up with one of these "unofficial" guides and groups for Thursday and Friday, as we are not familiar with the area nor do we have GPS. If anyone is going to have a group, please let us know meet place/time. We will be at the Meet and Greet Wednesday. How's about you, Marc? Are you riding??? Can you tolerate a couple of tag-a-longs?

Bob, Craig and I will have our three Spyders there, but based on last year I'm not sure yet if we'll get to ride much. I know Thursday we are going directly to Alcoa to help them set-up for the big lunch and event there.

I would suggest that folks meet at the Sugerlands Visitor Center parking lot (same place we've met in the past) on Thursday morning at 8:30am...and head out in small groups from there.