drwhosc: You have a very valid point. I have driven this route from Urbana to Blacksburg a few times over the years. Its always the same, go and get home. I have never owned a car that was a driving machine. The Red Witch is. The more I think about it, the more I am going to route my trip along your recommended US23. I would like to take a nice, scenic drive.


Adk46: Pacer and 928. That is awful. And hilarious! Depending whether I take drwhosc's advice, I may not be going I-75. We shall see.


Chris Lockhart: I hope so! I have never owned a high performance anything, let alone a proper GT car. I have no experience whatsoever to base this on. I am very much looking forward to this drive.


Wisconsin Joe: That list is an abrupt list taken from the map app on my iPhone. I have run it a few times before. However, see my reference to drwhosc above...
I have heard about and thought about the Tail of The Dragon. I have a foolish newbie question. I have heard that the Dragon is a bitch of a road and many have been hurt trying to tame it. As a 100% complete novice, should I even be on that road? Or, if I drive like I have some sense and not trying to beat a sportbiker, I will be OK?

Either way, I am looking forward to making this a Road Trip and not just a drive.
Thanks for the advice on the Valentine.


Seth K. Pyle

 

I have an expensive radar detector in the Cayman, and a very cheap detector in the 928. The cheap one is certainly helpful. I've not gotten a ticket yet, but deserved many. You must hide it in Virginia, of course, and go slow anyway due to their reckless driving law.

 

If you try to run the TotD as fast as possible, you will probably get yourself into trouble. If you take it slowly and use a bit of sense, you will be fine. It's something like 300 curves in a 30 mile stretch.
I've driven it in a semi (really). They don't allow that anymore, for good reason. I was putting my steer tires on the outside shoulder and seriously worrying about dropping the trailer tires in the inside ditch.
Even if they hadn't posted it "no trucks", I would never, ever, ever, ever take a big truck down it again. Ever. Definitely on my list of "top ten stupid things" I've done with the big truck.

But I'd love to take it in the 928. Just not super fast.

 

Many have been hurt by being stupid. As Joe said, don't be stupid.

It's just another twisty road, twistier than most but still a road. And like any unfamiliar twisty road, you're not going to drive faster than you can see ahead.

There are lots of pullouts, and most of the slower traffic is good about pulling over-- mostly big cruising bikes. And when we were there (mid-afternoon, mid-week in June a few years ago) the traffic was pretty light. But the photographer was out, and we got a nice pic. Definitely a highlight, and certainly worth doing if you are in the area.

The other great road in those parts is the Cherohala Skyway, from Tellico Plans TN to Robbinsville NC. Gorgeous countryside, big sweepers, good pavement, a very fast road where the sightlines are good.
The only problem is that Cherohala is posted 45 if I recall correctly, and is occasionally patrolled...

165893-small.jpg

 

Skpyle

I host a drive a quarter with the local PCA club. In two weeks, we ar doing a 4 day trip to the outer banks in NC. Going to put either the shark or the 911 on a ferry. Then we are going to drive up the OBX from the southern approach.

In the summer we are going to host an event in Greenville SC with a drive up to the Pisagh Inn. We have done the dragon in the past and we have some great roads in our area. IF you want, I can keep you informed about our events. Will be good to get a well appointed 928 in the fold. Mine is OK, but I nicknamed it swamp thing because I rescued it.

you will like US 23. I really enjoyed that drive. Just took a couple of extra hours compared to getting from point A to B. good luck, and glad to have a fellow reenlisted close.

You should also consider SITM Sharks in the Mountains. Nice gathering with some stellar folks. I only made it up there once, but enjoyed the hell out of it.

 

Adk46: Hmmm...good to know. I may pick up a cheap radar detector just to have. I spent 4 years in Virginia while stationed in Norfolk. Being the good, upstanding sailor that I was, I had a few run in's with Virginia's Finest.
I'll pass...


Wisconsin Joe: That makes sense. I have no illusions that I am Speed Racer. Nor do I want to be. My intent would be to drive like I had some sense. I would rather not spend 15 large on a 928 then promptly wad it up on the way home. I am very much looking forward to this type of drive.

A semi...on the Tail of the Dragon...? Sheee-yat!!!


jcorenman: This is very true. Stupid is as stupid does. I'd like to think that I am not stupid. Hmmm...good to know about the Cherohala Skyway. Thanks!


drwhosc: Thanks! Please keep me informed. I make no guarantees of attendance, work and all... However, I am very interested.
I am looking forward to US-23. I am not as much worried about the time.

I went to SITM last year and had a blast! Everyone there was great! I am taking the Red Witch this year if I have to drag her with my teeth.


After thinking this through, I believe my route home from Urbana will be US-23 through SW Ohio, ending up at the Tail of the Dragon, and on to I-26.


Thanks guys! Keep the advice coming...

Seth K. Pyle

 

I was in Robbinsville early on a Tuesday morning in late fall. Heading to Knoxville. Going back to 40 would have been about 80 extra miles. There were "curvy road ahead" warnings, but no "Trucks Prohibited" signs (that has since changed, I am told). The guy where I unloaded in Robbinsville warned me that it was a twisty road, but that traffic would be light.

I hadn't heard of the TotD at that time.

Very little traffic, which was good because I spent a fair amount of the trip taking up the whole road.

And, of course, once I realized what I had gotten myself into, there was no way to turn back.

I still wish I had stopped on the far end to get a t-shirt or a sticker or something.

But definitely near the top of my "stupid crap" list.

 

Too bad the photographer wasn't around!

I've heard of trucks getting stuck in there, afraid to go forward and no way to back up. You should get a badge for making it all the way or something...

 

Wisconsin Joe: Two words...pucker factor.
You should have got a T-shirt.


bureau13: 😝


Note: I have to break my brother's heart. The original plan was for him to drive the Red Witch from Auto Assets to my family's home in Urbana. He would have had an hour's drive in a 928. I would then fly into Dayton, and meet him at Mom's house.

Now, since buccicone has graciously offered to pick me up at the airport, then drive me to Auto Assets, that plan has gone out the window...
Now, one of two things will happen: I will let him drive the Red Witch on Saturday in Urbana, or I will putter around Columbus until he gets off work. I will then let him drive us home in my 928.
Or both.


Seth K. Pyle

 

Yeah. It's funny how much I heard about it after I went through.

I got through without going into the ditch or hitting anyone. That's enough of a reward for me.

 

What size T-Shirt do you wear?

 

Alright...one week to go.
I have been planning, figuring, and scheming the whole time.
The Red Witch is not yet ready. However, the shop has uncovered no new surprises. All should be good to go by next Friday.

As it sits now, I am going to pick up US23 south of Columbus and follow it all the way to I-26, then to I-85.
I am guestimating 10 hours.
I am not yet excited. It hasn't really set in yet. Give me a few more days.

One week to go...


Seth K. Pyle

 

Who packs a steering wheel and tools in his luggage?

I do.



Seth K. Pyle

 

Seth, (which was my grandfathers name and my youngest son's, so on that account alone...you have some cred in my book)

Have a safe journey and report along the way if possible. Drive accordingly and learn the car, and leave that fast red colored car shinny side up.

Brian.

 

Have a safe trip and enjoy the miles!


I flew out to LA and drove mine back to Dallas.


A long road trip is what this car was DESIGNED for and you would be hard pressed to find anything before or since that can match it.


Make sure you make a few stops and take pics...


Treat it as the adventure it is!


Frank