Make it down to the Dragon, or up here to MITM, I will be at both... Maybe AMVIV next time around too...
Well, I'll let you know when I'm picking one up, and you can let me know if you'd like to come with. I wouldn't mind a professional's eye to check it out one bit.
I feel like I'm about to be torn to pieces, considering how much you guys talk about it, but what's the Dragon??
Its a not so fictional place on the Tennessee North Carolina line just south of Knoxville, where the blacktop is butter smooth and winds through 11 miles and 318 curves sandwiched between a ravine and the Smoky Mountains... It is also the largest gathering of MINI people in the country, where we all get together actually put a face to a profile, and share many stories and beers for a few days every spring. Last year was my first down there, and even though I had to drive my Jeep down, it was just the escape from reality I needed! MINIs, friends, beer, and IMHO the best scenery you can get in this country... Oh and BBQ... Lots of great BBQ... How can you go wrong!
The last part of April-the first few days in May. (I forget the exact dates) There are a few of us from the Denver area setting up a convoy again... Making the 20 hour drive is easier in a group.
Better find lodging soon... Last year there where over 1000 attendees registered, and Fontana resort isn't quite big enough for all of us! There are also lots of motorcycle resorts, and B&B type places to stay in the area, but any kind of morning commute makes catching some of the morning festivities difficult!
....and it puts a damper on the late night, drive back to the B&B, festivities that we conjure up at Fontana every night at the corner of MOTOR ON and YFM
And theres that too... Going for only a day isnt going to give the full effect of Dragonisim... Really the whole week isn't enough! Plus as .0 says... You cant go full Dragon on the first night...
Sadly, however, I don't think I have the time and money to pour into a week of MINI mania. Don't get me wrong, I'm obsessed with MINIs. But I have school and work and I'd much rather put that lodging money towards coilovers or meth or new wheels+tires or something along those lines. But it would be fun to pop down for a day! Make it a 3-day weekend (With the drive time there+back).
Hold off on the Dragon until you have been around a couple years... Make your friends within the community before going, that way it is like a box of chocolates when you get there! MINI5280, our (Colorado) local MINI club is always busy doing stuff together... Club runs, destination dinners, hell I even push for mod&maintenance nights in somebody's garage when I can! We also have MINIs In The Mountains every year (unless MTTS tries to steal the show) which is a great event to get in the swing of things. I have been to all but 2 of them! (MITM-1 (2006), I didnt even have my first MINI yet, and 2010 I was stuck in Iraq trying to get the right mid tour leave slot which didnt work out ) 2015, Is going to be held in Snowmass (I believe) from there the rides go everywhere! The vendors are getting scarce but the people keep adding up, and it is still a good getaway.
As long as I don't have to take the bus. ;P I looked into them, but they didn't seem to have cruises very often... Hurt my soul. I'm looking for like a bi-monthly cruise group. I may start one if I can't find one. That's no fun! Wait, how old are you? THAT sounds like SOOO much fun!! I'll have to come for that.. What time of year does that take place?
You need to get on the FB page... The next ride is Oct 4th, and its mainly focused for the Countryman owners, but a few brave R53/R56 owners are also signed up... I am taking the Jeep, might be another Jeep too... I have room for 3+ Me... This weekend is a charity event up in Ft Collins for a kid named Cooper with some form of cancer.
Countryman.... And they call themselves MINI. ;P Seriously... The Clubman was bad enough. Now with the Countryman, 4-door MINI, Paceman, heck, even the new 2015 Coopers!! It's sad how quickly things declined after the R56. Rant ended. Haha Oh, I didn't mean I'll need a ride like that. I was referring to Forest Gump. Box of chocolates?? Yeah. That's awfully sweet! Don't think I can make it though. I'll be going to see the lady this weekend. XD Fair enough. that sounds about right. yeah, I don't see why I couldn't make it to that!