North Georgia Cruise through the Mountains

[SparkyRnD]

Rather than use an old thread, I opted to make a new one.

I'm looking to set up a non-racing / non-track gathering in the North Georgia mountains. This will be an opportunity for friends to come together to hang out for a day, do some driving and grab some chow together. Let me know if you are interested. The route will center around the Chattahoochee National Forest (Dahlonega / Suches / Amicalola Falls). No racing, no track time, etc. Just cruising through some fun roads and hanging out, great scenery with a meal or two fit in.

We would meet in the Walmart parking lot at 270 Walmart Way, Dahlonega, GA 30533 maybe around 9.30am, with the goal of leaving around 10am. We’d head north along 19 / 60 until Stonepile Gap, and then take 60 up to Blue Ridge for lunch. That would take about 1.5 hours plus a few stops (we’d build in a few as there are some nice places to check out the view, and to watch other cars go by). That would put us in Blue Ridge at noon for lunch.

After lunch (say around 1.30pm), we’d come back down 60 to Wolfpen Gap Country Store to stretch, fuel up, etc. Then take hwy 180 through Vogel State Park until it hits 19, then head south to blood mountain country store for another stretch. Then take 19 south to Turner’s Corner, where we could stop to fuel up if anyone needs (and get drinks / etc). From there, we’d drive up to Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge where we would eat dinner. That would take about 3.5 hours including stops, putting us at the restaurant around 5pm.

After that, we’d all go our separate ways.

Here are the closest dates available:
November 5
November 12
November 19

Hoping for at least 10-15 people, otherwise we can push it later.

[HectorM52]

I'm tentatively in. Gotta confirm with the boss-lady.

[RS_Customs]

I've been working on Bill's charger. Not sure I could have it ready for a road test for a few more weeks. May run around in the honda though.

[SparkyRnD]

This event is more about the drive and the people than about specific cars, the Honda would definitely be welcome.

[RS_Customs]

Not worried about the honda being welcome, just want the charger back off the jack stands lol.

[gardnerme]

Should be a great time! I am pretty sure the 19th is out for me, though. I will check and see what my social coordinator has for me on the 5th and 12th.

[Bygblok]

man it'd be great to do but November is a bust for me right now. Between my reserve military duty, a 26th anniversary and Turkey Day I might only have one weekend to myself to enjoy. Hope you guys have a great and safe trip.

[LemonTwisted]

I should be able to make it on the 12th.

[HectorM52]

Twelfth for me as well.

[SparkyRnD]

Should be a great time! I am pretty sure the 19th is out for me, though. I will check and see what my social coordinator has for me on the 5th and 12th.

Do I need to have a talk with your coordinator? ;)

[gardnerme]

Do I need to have a talk with your coordinator? ;)

Do you think it would help?

[protouring70]

I'll have to see, been traveling for a couple of weeks. Hopefully I can get all my "duties" done.

[bugdewde]

I'll make a showing if there isn't any conflicting dates with the boss-lady. Aw heck..... I'm in.

[1981silverz28]

I think I can do the 12th also

[69rs]

Sounds like a good time/place for Susan to debut her new old ride! Pencil us in! If anything changes, y'all will know who is the boss.

[SparkyRnD]

Ok, the 12th it is.

[JEFFTATE]

I'm gonna try to make it out ,
The Vet needs valve guides , so it's parked till I can get to it , and the Camaro needs a heater core, I'll just bypass the heater core and drive the Camaro.
They are both covered in home improvement dust , I haven't worked on either one of them in months ..

[avewhtboy]

I should be able to come hopefully this great weather holds our for that weekend!

[gardnerme]

I'll just bypass the heater core and drive the Camaro.

Love it!

[69rs]

Awesome Jeff! Make it happen!

[69rs]

Rick, are you gonna be sporting that new Vega?

[SparkyRnD]

I'll need a head count to make reservations for lunch / dinner. Let me know how many each driver will be bringing.

[69rs]

Rick, you bringing the new Vega?!

[69rs]

Oops, sorry.......I already asked!

We will have 2.

[69rs]

Scratch that.......make it 4 for us. A buddy and his wife just confirmed that they would be joining us.

[JEFFTATE]

I'll be there.
My wife, Rhonda, is coming too ,
There will be 2 of us

[LemonTwisted]

I'll need a head count to make reservations for lunch / dinner. Let me know how many each driver will be bringing.

Put me down for 2.

[SparkyRnD]

So far 10 confirmed and 6 tentative. Anyone else?

[protouring70]

Just found out that I have to work, I was looking forward to this.....

[SparkyRnD]

boo

[SparkyRnD]

Ok, dinner reservation is set for 5.30pm for 16 (will adjust the day of if needed). Make sure to bring some cash or cards for meals / fuel / etc. And any last minute additions or changes, please let me know so I can adjust.

[HectorM52]

I believe I will have two as well.

[69rs]

Woohoo!

[SparkyRnD]

Anyone else joining in? Also, pm me with your email or phone number and I can send my contact info and directions for those coming along.

[avewhtboy]

Rick, you bringing the new Vega?!

Hey Jim nice to see your coming yes I will be bringing the Vega as long as it doesn't break down!

[SparkyRnD]

PM's replied to

[SparkyRnD]

see everyone in the morning. If you already pm'ed me your email addy, I've emailed you a PDF with directions / info. If not, you can still PM me here and I'll get a notification on my phone. I'll try to bring along a go-pro or two, but if anyone else has them, please bring them along.

[69rs]

Wow! What a good time yesterday! The roads were twisty, the cars were cool, the food was good and the company was fun to hang out with. It was great to see old friends and make new ones. Thanks Ryan, for setting it up, and thanks to everyone who participated. We need to do that more often!

[69rs]

Hey Adam, what's that noise? Lol!

[HectorM52]

Hey Adam, what's that noise? Lol!

It's probably some crazy man in a red Camaro coming up behind me!!!

- - - Updated - - -

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/11/E5BC74B67AF84D2983FA6D1E3B9D62B0_1-1.jpg

[SparkyRnD]

Wow! What a good time yesterday! The roads were twisty, the cars were cool, the food was good and the company was fun to hang out with. It was great to see old friends and make new ones. Thanks Ryan, for setting it up, and thanks to everyone who participated. We need to do that more often!

Absolutely my pleasure, and sorry it took so darn long to get the first official event off the ground. We had a great time and really enjoyed the company. I hope to do this every 2-3 months, and sometimes run the same areas, other times have new areas. I would appreciate feedback (public or private, doesn't matter) on what everyone thought of the roads, the speeds, the restaurants, etc. That will help me plan for the next event and adjust if people liked somethings more / less than others. I will get my videos and pics posted in the next few days after I have a chance to download and go through them.

I am sad to report that the gear-pro video stopped recording about 2 minutes before it fell off the car, so no roll-n-tumble video was to be had. I also recorded hwy 180, and it stopped about 2/3 of the way down the road, so the most twisty parts and the part coming down Blood Mountain weren't captured. But, there is a ton of video from earlier in the day, both front and back facing cameras.

[gardnerme]

I had a great time seeing everyone again/meeting everybody yesterday, and I am glad I tagged along for the event. It was great day with great company, amazing scenery and awesome weather. Hopefully, I can bring my junk along on one fo the future events and enjoy the time behind the wheel. See you guys next time!

Here are a few pics I took yesterday.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/11/IMG_4749-1.jpg (http://s918.photobucket.com/user/gardnerme/media/2016%20N%20G%20Mountains%20Run/IMG_4749.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/11/DSC08946-1.jpg (http://s918.photobucket.com/user/gardnerme/media/2016%20N%20G%20Mountains%20Run/DSC08946.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/11/DSC08960-1.jpg (http://s918.photobucket.com/user/gardnerme/media/2016%20N%20G%20Mountains%20Run/DSC08960.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/11/DSC08965-1.jpg (http://s918.photobucket.com/user/gardnerme/media/2016%20N%20G%20Mountains%20Run/DSC08965.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/11/DSC08950-1.jpg (http://s918.photobucket.com/user/gardnerme/media/2016%20N%20G%20Mountains%20Run/DSC08950.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/11/DSC08951-1.jpg (http://s918.photobucket.com/user/gardnerme/media/2016%20N%20G%20Mountains%20Run/DSC08951.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/11/DSC08968-1.jpg (http://s918.photobucket.com/user/gardnerme/media/2016%20N%20G%20Mountains%20Run/DSC08968.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/11/DSC08970-1.jpg (http://s918.photobucket.com/user/gardnerme/media/2016%20N%20G%20Mountains%20Run/DSC08970.jpg.html)

[avewhtboy]

Hey Ryan thanks for organizing this and seeing it through! Really perfect day for a mountain cruise. Traffic wasn't bad and the sun gods smiled down on us for the entire day.

Some great roads you picked out I am really sad my gopro ran out of memory for the trip home I need to get a bigger memory card.

Thanks again looking forward to doing it again

here is a link to a video I uploaded to youtube

https://youtu.be/poDbPNE_rvw

[JEFFTATE]

Sparky, Rhonda and I had a great time Saturday.
Thanks for putting on this cruise.
It was a blast !

[SparkyRnD]

Glad to do it guys (and gals). We'll start planning the next one soon.

[69rs]

Cool video, Rick! Thanks for posting it.

[HectorM52]

Where are the rest of the vids and pics, guys??? :) :)

[LemonTwisted]

I had a great time chasing everyone thru the mountains! It was great seeing some old friends and meeting some new ones. Looking forward to the next event. Here are a few of my pics:

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[69rs]

Good pics! I'll try to get some loaded soon. I have to retrain myself how to do it!

[avewhtboy]

Here is a link to another video I uploaded to youtube.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0lZ_ry3W0c&feature=youtu.be

[69rs]

Aaahahaha! I also saw a quick vid you posted, Rick. Buckle up, Adam!

[avewhtboy]

Aaahahaha! I also saw a quick vid you posted, Rick. Buckle up, Adam!

Ha ha I wasn't going to post that link here but he has it!

[HectorM52]

Aaahahaha! I also saw a quick vid you posted, Rick. Buckle up, Adam!


Ha ha I wasn't going to post that link here but he has it!

LOL, guess maybe I need to invest in another can of WD40 or PB Blaster, huh?!?!?

[SparkyRnD]

I hope to have some time this week to get my vids / pics uploaded as well

[SparkyRnD]

Sorry it took so long, life keeps getting in the way of stuff :)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/01/CTTM1-1.jpg
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[SparkyRnD]

Here are links to the 7 videos I shot and uploaded to youtube. Note that the sound is crap, so don't turn it up loud (it's worse on the front-facing videos, better on the rear-facing). Maybe it's time to invest in some real Go-Pro's instead of the knock-offs. Each video is around 20-30 minutes.

https://youtu.be/Cdh5AzXBAOw
https://youtu.be/pSv43hinGCY

- - - Updated - - -

https://youtu.be/FalyrM1ugcY
https://youtu.be/bdgj33Emy-M

- - - Updated - - -

https://youtu.be/FKhaGPShTtA
https://youtu.be/OhQh7Su80fY
https://youtu.be/UgNQQst81xI

[avewhtboy]

Hey thanks for posting the videos and pictures from the event. Maybe time for a thread for another event?

SCCA autocross going to be at Lanier Speedway we could plan a group to go to one of those?

[SparkyRnD]

Yep, it's probably time to start planning another one. The idea behind this gathering was for cruising up in the mountains, and not focused on racing as there are so many other pro touring autocross events that I wanted this to be an informal gathering of people with similar interests just out enjoying the scenery and some twisty roads for a day.

[SparkyRnD]

Should we set up another run? Anyone interested?

[HectorM52]

Yes. And yes.

[RS_Customs]

Yes, and I should be able to bring the charger out. Might even get Bill to run down in the cutlass if he's not busy.
If you look at our event schedule that pretty well shows when I am free lol

Robert

[SparkyRnD]

Ok, I'll start looking at dates / locations over the next week or so and start posting up some options.

[avewhtboy]

Ok, I'll start looking at dates / locations over the next week or so and start posting up some options.
I found a shop in Dallas GA that has a chassis dyno that would be willing to host a Dyno day for us.

If your interested in trying to get something like that going let me know

[chuckd71]

I'd be interested, I have to come down to Suwanee or wherever to go to Vengeance anyway sometime in the next two weeks.

[RS_Customs]

Ok, I'll start looking at dates / locations over the next week or so and start posting up some options.

no rush, it will be at least 3 weeks before I'm available lol

[LemonTwisted]

The monthly Year One show is this Saturday, 5/20/2017 from 11:00 AM til around 3:00 PM if anyone wants to cruise out to Braselton, GA.