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A post by tour guide extraordinaire Carlos G on another thread brought up  the Tour de Smo' and I thought I'd let y'all know where that stands for this year.

At last year's gathering (where a great time was had by all) we agreed that, after doing almost the same thing two years in a row, we should do something different this year to keep it fresh.  After throwing about quite a few ideas we tentatively settled on a gathering in north Georgia near Casa de Mullis and that Ron and Maddie would be the leads this year.  I figured I'd sit back and let them handle it, which turned out to be a good thing because my attentions got diverted by my mother-in-law's stroke.  Here's where "The best laid plans..." thing comes into play.

In the interim, Maddie got pegged to do all of the planning for Ron's reunion (can't remember if it's Air Force Academy or what) and despite her being as productive as three average humans, doing the Tour de Smo' is more than she can take on this year.  I found this out a couple of months ago and reached out to the Tour de Smo' Planning Commission (Stan, Cory, and me) where things continued downhill.  Cory and Jeni are planning a vacation elsewhere at our usual time and can't make it this year.  Same thing for Danny and Michelle.  I floated the idea of doing a repeat of last year for the rest of us, but was told that some folks who have attended the previous events probably wouldn't make the long drive to do the same thing again (understandable).  I'm afraid that I don't have the bandwidth right now to plan something new, which would require some travel to the mountains (not exactly in my backyard) to set up.

So where does that leave us?  I should have the Beck Super Coupe this summer and would love to do something in the mountains this fall, so I might just reach out on short notice and say "Y'all wanna meet me in the mountains on xxx date?"  That wouldn't require any real planning, but would still be fun.  I realize that wouldn't work for a lot of folks, though, and lodgings up there can be problematic that time of year if you haven't made reservations months before.  The other option is for someone else to take up the torch for this year and to do something else, perhaps in a different location like Virginia.

Anybody game for it?

1964 Beck Super Coupe

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Hey Aaron!  What would be needed would be routes, lodging, and restaurants for cruises on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.  The last two years most folks arrived Wednesday and left Sunday.  We’ve sort of worn out the Dragon and the Rattler.  @Carlos G (lives in Brevard) came up with a spectacular route last year that I’d happily do again.  Maybe the two of you could put your heads together.  We’ve done it the last weekend in September for a couple of years.

EDIT: Of course the whole idea has been for it to require little planning and stress.  If it’s too big of a load I am fine with just calling a few friends and saying “Let’s meet in the mountains next weekend.”

Last edited by Lane Anderson

I like the "Let's meet in the mountains" thing.

If people want to come this way, there is a cool refurbished motel here in Brevard. I don't know if the motel has a fire pit out back though.

https://thesunsetmotel.com/

There are many decent restaurants within walking distance from the Motel, on and around Main street. There is usually some live music somewhere in town too.

I could put together a route or two for a Friday and or Saturday. Just as long as it isn't on 09/21, I have to work a bike race. Just as long as the weather permits. This last Friday we got 7"+ of rain. I think it broke a record for the area. Needless to say, some of the roads that I like to drive on are flooded at the moment.

 

I can’t even remember where we were (as we found out late Saturday), but the whole experience was great. I even found an interesting detour off the beaten track towards Louisville. It was like a last hurrah before returning to the the I-system. The worst part for me is the mandatory two day trip to get there, simply too far  for me to make it down to NC in one day and still have some legs for two solid days of twisties. The excellent weather we had was a real bonus too, since for awhile, it looked to be a bust. Let that be a note to Wolfgang who passed because of a weather forecast.

I concur with Stan. The roads Carlos took us on were breathtakingly fun, intimate, involved, and challenging. Best driving on public roads EVER! I especially enjoyed driving with Stan and/or Carlos in front of me. The three of us were FLYING!

The Rattler was an awesome icebreaker. TOD was fun, excellent to have Pieter lead it.

But that Deliverance loop, along with the views of the Blue Ridge: LEGENDARY!

If you missed it last year, you really missed out.

DannyP posted:

I concur with Stan. The roads Carlos took us on were breathtakingly fun, intimate, involved, and challenging. Best driving on public roads EVER! I especially enjoyed driving with Stan and/or Carlos in front of me. The three of us were FLYING!

The Rattler was an awesome icebreaker. TOD was fun, excellent to have Pieter lead it.

But that Deliverance loop, along with the views of the Blue Ridge: LEGENDARY!

If you missed it last year, you really missed out.

I don’t think the Galats will be able to make it this year, which is a pity.

Ok folks, please chime in if you're interested in meeting in the Smoky Mountains near Brevard, NC the last weekend in September.  I need this to have an idea of what to tell the folks at the hotel regarding a block of rooms.  Please let me know your level of interest in the next few days.  I know it's a ways off, but if you think you might be coming, please say so.

After thinking seriously about this during the (long) drive home from Carlisle, I think I am going to have to forego the Tour de Smo' this year .  I have a lot of things going on at home and will have to let someone else run it or have it take a breather for 2019.  It sounds like @Carlos G has some good (and simple) ideas for an event in Brevard (see above), and if the stars align I might even be able to join anyone who goes, but for now I just can't plan for it.

Regardless of it happens this year, @Ron Mullis (and Maddie) have talked about doing the event in north Georgia for 2020.  That should be a fun change.

Last edited by Lane Anderson
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