The time has come for us to start planning our 4th Annual Dragon Trip. Listed below are the details as we have them. I have decided to move the invitation and planning stuff to a website. Located here you'll find some web addresses for info about the area and where we will be staying. Additionally, by using the message board we can all keep up to date. Once you have decided your going check back often and provide feedback. Most of you Dragon Slayers already know of this stuff, but I'm expecting a few newcomers to join us this year or you might know somebody that might be interested. Send this website address to them so that they can check what riding the Dragon is all about.

Understand that at this point we are in the planning stage and I'm looking for feedback. If you have any ideas, plans, wants, wishes (that pertains to the trip) send them to me so that we can start planning. (USE THE MESSAGE BOARD to convey your wishes. If they generate enough interest I will move them to the "update" page.) If you're like me and the only reason you have a motorcycle is because you know this trip comes around at least once a year and already know for sure your going, sign up on the board now and let me know what dates work best for you!

1. Where: Once again we staying at Ron and Nancy Johnson's place(s). Depending on the amount of people that are "FOR SURE" going (and that stay for the entire trip), we will decide what places to rent. They have built a new house on their property, so now we have the options of the Treetops, The Ridge and the new place The Point. We don't have an issue with people that may only want to go for a few days, but for planning purposes, we need to know these things in advance. We can and will work out a reduced rate for those that wish to leave early or come late as long as we get it planned early enough. For those that will be joining us for the first time, the Treetops, The Ridge and The Point are three vacation rental homes owned by Ron and Nancy Johnson. They are very nice, motorcycle friendly, people who run the Tail of the Dragon website. A link is provided for you on the home page of this site. Check it out as there is a lot of info and the latest Dragon news located there.

The Treetops has four bedrooms, the Ridge and the Point have three bedrooms, all with at least two beds in each room. All three are within walking distance from one another. They are located out in the country away from just about everything. This means, we can make as much noise as we want and we won't disturb anybody. (As long as the noise is not coming from pocket bikes.) A pool table, ping pong table and foosball table is located at the Ridge in a 30x50 garage where we can keep the motorcycles and trailers if we wish. Also, they all have hot tubs. Also located on the home page is a link to the website for these places.

They are located less than a mile away from the Cherohala Skyway, an awesome road in its own right, and about a 20 minute ride to the Dragon proper. The only drawback of this place is the driveway is packed gravel. Though this has not proven to be a problem in the past, I just want everyone to be aware.

2. When: I will confirm our reservations as soon as I get a "GOOD" number of people that "ARE GOING". We are looking at late May early June as tentative dates for the trip. As soon as you are sure your going let me know on the message board with what week works best for you. As it is still early in the planning, we are able to adjust a little for the good of the whole group. We need to start talking about it now so we can get the place(s) reserved. These places get booked very early in the year so we need a decent head count now. I plan on making initial reservations with Ron and Nancy at the end of January. Which brings me to why this website has come about now instead of March. Actually there are a few reasons, 1) It takes some people a while to make plans such as these, so with this much of a lead you can start making plans today. (i.e. get your leave scheduled, get your TDY's scheduled, etc…) 2) The weather will be warming up by then but may still be a little cool, which makes for better riding when your suited up. And hopefully we will miss some of those April showers we got last year. 3) Last few times we went, nobody had a passenger. More than likely this time there will be a few couples. With this much advance notice, your "other half" can schedule time off from their work too. 4) For some it will give them enough time to get their bike in order. In the next couple of months, get some new tires and whatever else your bike might need. Tires especially; the Dragon is not a place to run on worn tires. For those on sport bikes, a set of leathers is a wise investment too.

3. Why: BECAUSE IT THE GREATEST ROAD IN THE WORLD TO RIDE A MOTORCYCLE! No really, why go now with us. A few reasons, by going with a group we can stay in better facilities and share the cost. This means we can stay someplace nice and at the same time make the trip a lot more affordable. On average the lodging will cost around $150-200 bucks per person for the week. Depending on how many people go, it may even be cheaper. (Keep in mind; you will have already paid $50 with your deposit. See the Rules page.) The cheapest hotel in that area is $30 a night for a single, which would run you over $200 a week plus taxes, for a cheap run down room. Also, you can car pool up there with fellow riders and share the gas cost, saving even more. In addition, when you have a few people to help, it makes loading bikes on trailers and trucks a lot easier. And for that matter, those that don't have the means to normally trailer their bikes, when we go as a group we can pool our resources and make things happen. Finally, it is just more enjoyable riding with a group of people you know.

4. Special Plans: One of our regular Dragon riders (Dan Beirne) has purchased a lot right on the Dragon. We may decide to forgo the luxury of electricity and plumbing (i.e. TV and Hot Tub) for a night and camp out on his property. If you would like to join us in this adventure let us know and be prepared to bring a tent/sleeping bags and whatever other camping gear you might need for an overnight in the woods. Depending on the enthusiasm for this event and the weather, we may do this at the beginning or end of the trip to allow us to extend the stay a day. Or we might just do it during the week. Just throwing it out there, send me back a response if you're up for it. If not many are interested we will do this during the week for those that want to. I will let you know right now, I'm in. (I might get to see me a Grizzle Bear yet!)

While some of us only care about getting as much time on the Dragon as possible, others might want to make a day run to sight see. Cherokee is nearby along with Pigeon Forge. Popular tourist stops. There is also river rafting and many other outdoors stuff that might interest some of the other riders. If anyone has any other ideas that you think the group might enjoy send them my way. I will send out updates between now and then to get a consensus and keep the group informed.

5. Lessons learned: If you made it this far you might actually be considering going in which case I will continue. One good thing is we actually know where this place is at and we won't need to drive around the countryside for a couple of hours in search of it. Additionally, I promise not to plan any shortcuts that take us down gravel roads. If you can't ride up with the main group be sure to let us know so that we can give you proper directions. The place is very well hidden. If you need help with getting your bike up there, be sure to let us know well in advance. On the flip side, if you have the means to carry more than just yours, also let us know so that we can plan. There are not many cell phone towers in the area so your cell phones are almost worthless up there. Verizon is about the only provider that seems to work and even then it's sketchy. Make sure your bike is legal. We've had no problems in the past but some of their laws are different. For instance, if your tag is up under your fender, you will get pulled over. Lastly, for those of you that enjoy the spirits, most of the area around Deals Gap is dry. If you want to drink, it would be wise to bring a supply. I highly recommend first timers go to the website located on the home page and read as much info as you can before the trip. There is a wealth of Dragon news and tips.

Thanks for checking the site out and hope to see your name and info on the message board as one of the 2006 Dragon riders.