Raa vii

[tdragger]

I'm working with Steve to lay out a couple of routes. For Saturday, we will make the Wayah Rd/Waterfalls Loop Rd with a lunch stop in Highlands, NC at the Flip Side. Route distance is about 180 miles.

For Sunday, we will do the Clingmans Dome/Foothills Pkwy/Dragon Loop with the lunch stop at the Historic Tapoco Lodge. I'm trying to get as many people to join us for lunch at the Lodge. If anyone else wants to plan a ride for Sunday, please try to schedule your lunch stop at the Lodge for around 12:30-1:30ish.

More details on the routes to follow.

 

[rocket3jjd]

well toss your first rocket on you because of some bich that pulled out in front of you because she didn't see you because you were riding the fastest rocket (a graphite grey one ) and then buy another on and we will talk

that and 38 years of riding the piss out of all the other bikes I've had, and the deer and dumb ases that I've come across over the years and yes thats what you have to look forward to


But Im still riding

 

[scowherd]

WOW GUYS DON"T Make things so difficult...With this many Bikes we are going to have a variety of skill levels and riding styles. Some like group rides and others like to grab 3 or 4 people and go riding with no detailed plans. My plan will accommodate all. I am attempting to schedule 3 group rides a day many with the same lunch destination. I am also going to have the owner of American ride maps on site so if captains want to venture off and explore they can assist in helping you plan a route..... I want smaller ride groups for one reason and one reason only SAFETY. That is my Plan unless someone else wants to take over the ride planning and has a desire to lead a 50+ bike caravan through the mountain roads and attempt to find a lunch stop that can accommodate 60 people and get them in and out in less than 2 hours (It is just not realistic). NOW back to the matter at hand we need some ride captains for group rides.

I have organized my share of these events and think I have a pretty good handle on whats needed to ensure we all have a safe and fun time...

BTW the last I heard this was still a free country and everyone attending is free to do whatever, whenever they want. The plans are for the people that want a plan and the solution is very If the plan is not what you want then by all means do what you wish and enjoy the event in your own way......

 

[Ogremeister]

Steve...I have 2 questions.

1. Why do you want the same lunch destination for many groups? (Seems like it would make it harder to get good service.)

2. Can tdragger's rt's be done on all 3 days? If so, even if you added just 1 more rt...there would be options for 3 groups each day for 3 days. (Same 3 rts ridden each day but by different people)

 

[scowherd]

Steve...I have 2 questions.

1. Why do you want the same lunch destination for many groups? (Seems like it would make it harder to get good service.)

2. Can tdragger's rt's be done on all 3 days? If so, even if you added just 1 more rt...there would be options for 3 groups each day for 3 days. (Same 3 rts ridden each day but by different people)

1) I like to give everyone a place to unwind and visit during lunch... and of course I contact the restaurant long before to ensure they can accommodate.

2) Again routes are not the problem I have 50 plus routes developed in the area I need volunteers? Are you in for leading and planning a few rides ?

 

[tdragger]

My routes are identical or slight variations on Steve's previously used routes. This will be the 4th RAA that I will have attended that Steve planned in Maggie Valley and he has done a bang up job each time. I trust Steve and Katy will have it planned out in a thorough and balanced fashion like they always have. You have choices to ride with a group or go off on your own. This is all about having fun with some common sense safety in mind.

As far as the lunch stops, the Tapoco Lodge is normally open to lodging guests only. Since I've stayed with them before, they are wanting to host our lunch but we need to have a reasonable number to show to make it affordable for all sides. A secondary motivation is to plant the idea of hosting a .com Salvo at the Lodge in the near future. If the west coast Salvo doesn't happen next year then hopefully we can have it at the Tapoco Lodge. We need to talk to Dave about it.

All Steve really needs at this point is ride lead volunteers.

 

[Ogremeister]

1) I like to give everyone a place to unwind and visit during lunch... and of course I contact the restaurant long before to ensure they can accommodate.

............
As far as the lunch stops, the Tapoco Lodge is normally open to lodging guests only. Since I've stayed with them before, they are wanting to host our lunch but we need to have a reasonable number to show to make it affordable for all sides.

I understand...unwind & socialize, reasonable number

But we have 3 days.......if we had sufficient numbers for each day would Tapoco Lodge want to have approx 1/3 of our total FRI, SAT & SUN? or maybe 1/2 of our total SAT & SUN? or do they just want one day.........I am assuming that they/we don't want our entire total there at once...........??

I am just trying to get a feel for what type of planning to think about here.

2) Again routes are not the problem I have 50 plus routes developed in the area I need volunteers? Are you in for leading and planning a few rides ?

.............
All Steve really needs at this point is ride lead volunteers.

I am just trying to get a feel for what type of planning to think about here.

Steve says "leading & planning", James says "just leaders".........

Either way is fine but I am not sure what you want..........seems like you already have routes.........just arrange them to meet whatever goals you have in mind for lunch and ask for volunteers to lead those routes.

I already told Steve back in Sept. that I would help if needed....but I don't want to waste time planning rt's if they are already established.

I am just trying to get a feel for what type of planning to think about here.

 

[tdragger]

Sorry, Andy, if I caused some confusion.

Just to be clear, the Tapoco Lodge's basement restaurant, The Slickrock Grille, used to be open to the public. Unfortunately, some patrons to the restaurant would end up wondering upstairs into the lodging area and it became an issue with the lodging guests so they had to close it down. The Grille is now used only for special occasions like weddings, receptions, etc. Spreading our events over the weekend might not be an option. I'll check if they can do that but we would need to make sure that 20 or 30 of us show up each day to make it worthwhile.

Also, I'm sure Steve would appreciate any assistance with route leads AND planning.

 

[scowherd]

I understand...unwind & socialize, reasonable number

But we have 3 days.......if we had sufficient numbers for each day would Tapoco Lodge want to have approx 1/3 of our total FRI, SAT & SUN? or maybe 1/2 of our total SAT & SUN? or do they just want one day.........I am assuming that they/we don't want our entire total there at once...........??

I am just trying to get a feel for what type of planning to think about here.






I am just trying to get a feel for what type of planning to think about here.

Steve says "leading & planning", James says "just leaders".........

Either way is fine but I am not sure what you want..........seems like you already have routes.........just arrange them to meet whatever goals you have in mind for lunch and ask for volunteers to lead those routes.

I already told Steve back in Sept. that I would help if needed....but I don't want to waste time planning rt's if they are already established.

I am just trying to get a feel for what type of planning to think about here.

Understood, If you would like to plan some routes that would be great a New perspective routing some of the roads in the area would be quite refreshing. If you just want to lead a ride I can provide those also. Your choice... my mail objective is to split up the rides to make more safe and allow for different riding styles. I also would like to ride and enjoy everyone's company on a couple of the rides this year instead of leading (I want to see a group of rockets from the rear for once) Thanks again for your help ogre and however you participate will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Ogremeister]

I have 2 tentative rt's that I would like to do (weather permitting) on Sat & Sun. (Full details later) They are both a bit shy of 300 miles and both all day rides......Anyone is welcome to join me but if you are not into serious riding you may find them a bit of a challenge ....Friday, I will prob'ly go hang out on the Dragon and (if I need a new front tire by then) go to WHEELER'S.

Rt 1...goes over Cherohala-68-Joe Brown-Junaluska-Wayah-28...
Rt 2...Cruso Rd-some highway riding then goes to Little Switzerland via 80-Diamondback loop-BRP back to Asheville-then up Devil's drop to BRP-Lake Logan Rd