FWIW, I propose the370z.com submits a bid for the project. We can charge the city whatever it costs for us to rent the equipment from RSC and we'll work for free. :D

lol... I like that idea... and thanks for the explanation earlier... makes a lot of since that it isn't on a major interstate or something like that, therefore they probably aren't as rushed as they would be if so, but still, it seems to me that a lot of people travel that road. As far as all of us are concerned, it sounds like there are plenty of other roads around there that are just as fun...

But damn, I'm not jealous at all of the people that used to travel that road every day for business or just to get from A to B... that must really put a damper on things.

TNDOT has posted a 9/1 opening date for the road :(

the rock slide was massive. those of you who've been there might remember the huge gravel lot across from a large rock face by the lake just across the TN line. this is where the slide happened. in the video, that's where the camera crew was, standing in that parking lot. what sucks is all the people that made their living off the dragon (killboy, hwy 129 photo, the dragon inn, etc). we'll just have to wait and see if they open up at least a portion of the road for tourists while repairs finish on the flat part of the road

Please don't let this discourage you all from attending. Deals gap is just one road and many of us don't even consider it our favorite due to traffic and slow motorcycles. There are tons of other better roads and plenty of other great activities.

+1. I'm sure there are many other great roads in the area, and I bet you the Dragon photographers will relocate to said roads. :D

So very true!! :tiphat:

I agree with Sharif...and for that matter, for the noobs of the group who will be attending this year, you may not even get to the section of the Dragon that is in question. Between the other activities at the lodge and the other roads available, you will have you hands full.

I generally avoid the TN side of the route anyway due to the fact that the Police are much heavier heading in that direction. I will admit that there is some good scenery that way, but there is always next year for that.

We will just have to wait and see what takes place. Hopefully they will be able to get the cleanup underway quickly. Lets all hope for pretty days ahead without Rain, etc so the TDOT can knock this out.

- Dustin

Take a right out of Fontana instead of a left. Hellbender here I come!!!

Yeah, it looks like the Dragon is going to be closed till late July because of a Rock Slide.

However it is known that a lot of places for example Carlisle where Car Enthusiast gather every year the locals don't want those events there for X reason.

So the cleaning of the Dragon is not going to be in thier top list of priorities to of that locality.

Most likely the Event Coordinators will find other roads!

Local business owners wouldn't agree...

Emergency Contract Awarded for U.S. 129 Rockslide Repairs | TN.gov Newsroom

The important part of that article:

There's a big turnaround available towards the end close to the rock slide which would make the Dragon available to us. I hope they make it work.

Latest Mid Atlantic CruiZe to ZdayZ Count....?
 

Anyone got a handle on the latest greatest count of folks from the Mid Atlantic area who are planning to participate in the 20 May CruiZe to ZDayZ? Last list I saw was late Feb and had about 21 but not sure all of those were necessarily planning on doing the drive down with the group on the 20th?

Just me thinkin out loud cause I got nothin better to do while away from home on business...

BREAK BREAK -- (Probably a different thread)

Anyone planning for coffee and maybe a mini Cruize this Sat (3 Apr)? Internet weather guessers say sunny and low 80's......"SWEET"......

woot!!!

No poker run? No time/ distance rally? Kinda not much going on this year. And a couples wine and cheese thing? WTF? Still glad I'm going but seems like nobody really put much effort into planning this year.

Parties and dinner I guess... ;-)

Lance, will you be my date to the wine and cheese tasting?

:shakes head: You two time cheater! And you're sharing a room with me, too? OMGWTFBBQLOL? :roflpuke2:

I'll let you 2 work it out alone... ;-)

hmm... maybe 129 being closed kinda puts a damper on those 2 events because you can't make a circle to come back without going WAY out of the way?

BWT for those coming in from surrounding states... here is a road closure map...

http://fontanasites.com/road%20updates/tail%20map.jpg

Thanks for the road map, looks like mother nature left us at least a couple of routes to the lodge! :icon17: I know it doesn't sound like it but MAYBE they'll get a few of the closures opened in 5~6 weeks, if not, we'll simply adjust!

You rock!

:tiphat: Dave, I'm glad to see your making the trip!!

I just hope that GTM gets those oil lines created and shipped out asap. Apparently, I sent mine to the wrong address (46th street when it should have been 6th street). There is no way I will be missing my first Z Dayz.

Better get crackin Travis!!!

:tup: Me, too!

I read that hwy 129 will be opened by April 12th. That's great!

I'm planning on coming into FVR via the Cherohala Skyway. Looks fun.

Where'd you read that?? I'm excited to see this & that you are still making the trip!!

Tennessee and North Carolina Cooperative Efforts Will Open “The Dragon”
Released on Thu, Apr 08, 2010 - 1:19 pm under Road ClosuresTransportation
Workers rappel down the mountain to identify and remove loose rock.Crews constructed this rock berm to protech the nearby waters of the Chilhowee Lake.KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Transportation will reopen an 11-mile stretch of U.S. 129/SR115 in Blount County known as “The Dragon” on Monday, April 12 at 8:00 a.m. The stretch of U.S. 129 from the Tabcat Bridge to the North Carolina state line will be open to traffic each day between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. The section of U.S. 129 from just past the Foothills Parkway to the Tabcat Bridge will remain closed as crews work to remove a rockslide that closed the roadway in March.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol will provide traffic enforcement and Graham County, North Carolina will provide emergency response along the open section of U.S. 129 during daylight hours. Motorists are advised that emergency response will be limited in the area. Law enforcement will have zero tolerance for traffic law violations and will diligently enforce the area. U.S. 129 will be closed to traffic at the North Carolina state line at 8:00 p.m. each night until 8:00 a.m. the next day. The roadway will remain closed to commercial traffic and large RVs.

TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely worked closely with North Carolina Department of Transportation Secretary Gene Conti and Tennessee Department of Safety Commissioner Dave Mitchell to find a way to reopen the scenic stretch of U.S. 129 known as “The Dragon” which is popular with both motorists and motorcycle riders for its 318 turns in 11 miles.

Congressmen John Duncan of Tennessee and Heath Shuler of North Carolina as well as State Senators Doug Overbey of Tennessee and John Snow of North Carolina and State Representatives Joe McCord of Tennessee and Roger West of North Carolina also worked closely with TDOT, the NCDOT, and local businesses to find a compromise to reopen the dragon.

Meanwhile, work continues at the site of the rockslide which closed a portion of U.S. 129 on March 14. Crews with TDOT’s emergency contractor, Pacific Blasting & Demolition Ltd., continue to remove loose rocks from the slope above the roadway. They have also installed a silt fence and have built a berm to act as a barrier to protect the lake and prevent slide material from impacting the waters. The contractor plans to work seven days a week, ten hours a day to safely expedite the rockslide repairs.

The U.S. 129/SR115 rockslide project is estimated to be complete by July 31; however, TDOT is providing an incentive of $6,500 per day to complete the work early. If work is completed by July 1 the contractor will receive a full incentive of $195,000. If work is not complete by July 31 the contractor faces a disincentive of $6,500 per day until the work is complete.

TDOT has created a web page for information on the rockslide which can be found at Tennessee Department of Transportation by clicking on the link “Rockslide Closures” at the top of the page. Motorists can find detour maps for all rockslides currently effecting travel in Tennessee. TDOT will also use the site to communicate updates on the project to stabilize and clear the U.S. 129 slide.

I brought your concerns up with Bryan, this is what he just posted elsewhere:
Also:

31 days until online registration closes. If you want to garantee food and a shirt that fits ya, get-r-dun!

There will be a TSd rally Friday 10 - 2 by POPULAR DEMAND

Anyone want to team up for the TSD Friday? I think it's a 2-man job (one driving, one providing instructions/directions).

Ill ride with you lance.

Kool... I guess we'll get the details Thursday when we get in. Fun fun! Glad to hear they are opening the dragon up as well.

Yeah, should be.

Go Mid-Atlantic Z Team!

Are we there yet?:driving:

That's the best way to do it... kinda hard to read and drive up there!

Almost....just 5 weeks away!!

still not soon enough for me!

w00t!!! :happydance::happydance::happydance::happydance:


+9876473840289375809870986584302109238275839102398 57890322

those 9 days in the mtns are calling my name!!!

cant wait. picking up plenty of beer in a couple of weeks. :)

Wish I could make it down!