auzivision

Instead of hijacking other related threads, below is one specific to this side trip as the ‘official’ TOD/SITM 2009 thread.

In past years, I’ve heard about people meeting up in Alcoa, TN Thursday night a doing TOD Friday AM in route to SITM. Something like this (I'm guessing):

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...,1.779785&z=10

This year I’ve heard some chatter about doing TOD Thursday night instead. Going with this plan, where would one stay Thursday night and what's the planned route?

I'm leaning towards Alcoa Thursday and TOD Friday AM... or I can roll in on the later side somewhere further south. What are other peoples plans at this point?

AO

Kurt-
I've done both. Last year we rolled into Alcoa early enough that we were able to hit the TOD that night since we had planned an alternate route for Friday morning. It worked out great. Most if not all the Harley's were off the TOD. There was no traffic except for a Semi-trailer that took a wrong turn and had to be escorted through the Dragon. If you get going too late on Friday morning, the Dragon will be filled with Harleys that jsut putter along. It's not very fun this way.

I am planing on doing TOD Thursday evening and then take the Cherohala skyway Friday morning.

I think it is important to make sure you plan your own route and have a good map or GPS. It's difficult to keep a large group of cars together. So it usually ends up that groups of 2 or 3 cars end up going at their own pace.

The route I took last year took us through some of the best twisty roads I've ever been on. I didn't even touch the interstate! It took me about 6-7 hours to drive from Alcoa to Banner Elk, when I could have done it in about a third of that time. It was so much fun. I encourage everyone to get off the highway and drive the fun roads. I'll see if I can find my route from last year and post it.

Oh yeah... has anyone looked into lodging arrangements in Alcoa yet?

AO

Here's the route I took last year. Ahhh memories....

http://tinyurl.com/4o63gj

Giovanni

I had a lot of fun 2 years during the first 30 minutes or so and then I just wished I took the interstate, lol.

auzivision

Cool, so either way you are planning on staying the night in Alcoa... that works for me. If I get down early enough I’ll run the tail, if not… I’ll do it a different time.

I have a Garmin GPS that should work and Google maps on my blackberry which I'm sure will have intermittent signals. I’ll make sure I have a good old fashioned paper map as backup.

AO

The Comfort Suites Hotel has rooms for $85 (two Queen beds). We used this hotel 2 years ago - it was full last year.

If you book it through ChoiceHotels.com you can cancel up to 6PM the date of arrival without penalty. ALso if you have a special arrangement with Choice hotels through your business, the Significan Organization Special Discount gets you the same room for $72. (Wife works for Delta )

This is what I'm booking.

See you there.

Comfort Suites Airport (TN040)
140 Cusick Rd. , Alcoa, TN, US, 37701 | Phone: (865) 984-9840 Fax: (865) 379-5058

auzivision

I've booked a room at the Comfort Suites on Cusick and have an extra bed if someone wants to split.

Be warned... I've been known to snore.

EMan 928

I'm booked in Alcoa as well.

AO

bump

robot808

Any thoughts on when you might be taking off Friday morning? Assuming my car is running order by then, I was planning on leaving Chicago Thursday night. Hoping to make to say Louisville to sleep. Depending on what time you guys were gonna take off, maybe I could wake up really early and catch up to you guys.

AO

Bob, we usually head out around 9am - 10am at the latest.

auzivision

Whooo Hoooo… getting closer... one week and counting!

Only minor project for this weekend, oil change, radiator flush (currently running on beer cooler water), and top off ATF switch Tran-X since it’s still leaking a little.

With the new sub installed, don’t have as much room for tools now. Wasn’t there a thread around here somewhere listing the bare essentials every emergence tool kit should contain?

Let’s see… zip ties, duck tape, bailing wire, fuses, relays, puller, hose clamp, screw drivers, 10MM gear wrench, a few sockets, voltmeter, flashlight and a church key… what am I missing?

dr bob

Platinum American Express card, upgraded AAA with extended towing.

auzivision

Good ideas, but lately I haven't been a fan of either.

For the past five years, I've been living on the edge driving a 928 without AAA. So I’ve saved $550 in membership fees that can be applied to that first tow bill. Last time I used AAA, I ended up waiting 4 hours for a tow truck to arrive… haven’t renewed since.

My plan is a cell phone programmed with Google 411 plus AMEX and Visa... just in case they don't accept AMEX. Lately, I've been finding a lot of places won't accept AMEX only Visa and MC... especially abroad.

Here is a link to that thread with all the good ideas:

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...nks-928oc.html

robot808

ok, i think i can make it. maybe stay at the hotel or maybe arrive there before you leave. will be pretty close. if one of you guys wouldn't mind pm'ing me a cell?
thanks,