WTD 2016 - Tapoco Lodge
12-14-2015, 04:13 PM
#11
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Six Metro stops short of insanity.
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So I've been playing with maps and driving directions and schedule. It's a 9 hours drive non-stop. I would like to meet the Cincy crew at their usual dinner spot in Townsend, TN. Anyone interested? That would require a 10:00-10:30 am departure from Front Royal, VA. I'm working on gas/lunch stop somewhere along I-81.
12-15-2015, 05:23 AM
#14
Thread Starter
Yes. Will reach my 15 year date this January. 8 hrs/pp leave ... here I come!!!
01-04-2016, 11:03 PM
#15
Mid-Atlantic group.
Jan and I are now definitely going and will be staying at Tapoco.
I expect to be driving down/back by myself in the S2K with Jan driving another car, probably a rental since it is a 2000+ mile week. If anyone else's partners want to ride down/back in more comfort, a carpool might be available!
Mine will be a very different car this time, totally back to OEM driveline and not screaming all over the hills with 430whp and roaring Greddy, but should remain reliable where I missed most of the event last year with a split Full Race header and repairs in Powell, TN at Velocity Motorsports.
My plan will probably be to drive to Roanoke on Tuesday. Reservation at the Courtyard on Ordway Dr near the airport. If the weather is good, I'm considering getting on Skyline Drive at Front Royal ($20) and taking it down until I can switch over to the Blue Ridge Parkway to Roanoke (about 340 miles in 9-1/2 hours not counting stops so 12?). Might just do part of that, or some alternate route. The time can be shortened quite a bit by taking the Interstates to Front Royal, then doing the scenic drives.
If the weather isn't good, then just take I-81 getting to it either by the DC beltway and I-66 or out I-70 & RT-340 to I-81 (about 260-290 miles in 4 to 4-1/2 hours). Planned departure will be the usual at Starbucks at 7090 Deepage Dr, Columbia, MD 21045.
The second half of the trip on Wednesday (Roanoke to Tapoco) lends itself to FOUR distinct options, again, depending on weather, departure time and just how much torture one is willing to accept. perhaps playing along the way (Back of the Dragon at least).
Route 1:Straight shot, 3 options: 315 to 360 miles in 5-1/2 to 6 hours not counting stops
Route 2:Some back roads to Wolfes BBQ in Marion, then do Back of the Dragon and back on the main route for 375 miles in 7-3/4 to 8 hours without stops
Route 3: Complete insanity, leave early, catch Backof the Dragon, Wolfes BBQ in Marion and many, many, many very twisty mountainroads to Robbinsville and back way into Tapoco. 450 miles and 360,000 feet of vertical ascent/descent and it will take 12 hours without the necessary stops.
Route 4: Ken's Southern Alternate: Some highway, some winding two-lane, some twisty bits, then Interstate and RT-74 in the back way. 400 miles, about 8 hours plus stops.
On Sunday, I'll only be going to Roanoke again for another overnight at the Courtyard finishing to Columbia, MD on Monday. Will likely take the reverse of one of these routes. Last year there was a huge backup on I-81 at Blacksburg and again past the 64 cut off up to nearly 66. I got off and just winged it by turning off highways on my GPS and told it to take me the shortest distance. I tore down some really fun roads and only almost died once. At the second backup, I wound my way up to 340, stormed over that killer mountain climb/descent and took the back way up to Front Royal/I-66.
We can work out details later but keep it in mind if someone wants to ride with Jan on Tuesday or Sunday in a "regular" car on I-81 instead of semi-nuts, endless back-roads craziness in the toy, let us know. We'll be going from Columbia, MD so can either go out I-66 or out I-70 to RT-340/I-81, stop in Roanoke @ Courtyard (other options available) and the rest of the way on Wednesday.
Excited and looking forward to doing it all again and Jan is really looking forward to staying at Tapoco all four nights there.
Stuart and Jan
Jan and I are now definitely going and will be staying at Tapoco.
I expect to be driving down/back by myself in the S2K with Jan driving another car, probably a rental since it is a 2000+ mile week. If anyone else's partners want to ride down/back in more comfort, a carpool might be available!
Mine will be a very different car this time, totally back to OEM driveline and not screaming all over the hills with 430whp and roaring Greddy, but should remain reliable where I missed most of the event last year with a split Full Race header and repairs in Powell, TN at Velocity Motorsports.
My plan will probably be to drive to Roanoke on Tuesday. Reservation at the Courtyard on Ordway Dr near the airport. If the weather is good, I'm considering getting on Skyline Drive at Front Royal ($20) and taking it down until I can switch over to the Blue Ridge Parkway to Roanoke (about 340 miles in 9-1/2 hours not counting stops so 12?). Might just do part of that, or some alternate route. The time can be shortened quite a bit by taking the Interstates to Front Royal, then doing the scenic drives.
If the weather isn't good, then just take I-81 getting to it either by the DC beltway and I-66 or out I-70 & RT-340 to I-81 (about 260-290 miles in 4 to 4-1/2 hours). Planned departure will be the usual at Starbucks at 7090 Deepage Dr, Columbia, MD 21045.
The second half of the trip on Wednesday (Roanoke to Tapoco) lends itself to FOUR distinct options, again, depending on weather, departure time and just how much torture one is willing to accept. perhaps playing along the way (Back of the Dragon at least).
Route 1:Straight shot, 3 options: 315 to 360 miles in 5-1/2 to 6 hours not counting stops
Route 2:Some back roads to Wolfes BBQ in Marion, then do Back of the Dragon and back on the main route for 375 miles in 7-3/4 to 8 hours without stops
Route 3: Complete insanity, leave early, catch Backof the Dragon, Wolfes BBQ in Marion and many, many, many very twisty mountainroads to Robbinsville and back way into Tapoco. 450 miles and 360,000 feet of vertical ascent/descent and it will take 12 hours without the necessary stops.
Route 4: Ken's Southern Alternate: Some highway, some winding two-lane, some twisty bits, then Interstate and RT-74 in the back way. 400 miles, about 8 hours plus stops.
On Sunday, I'll only be going to Roanoke again for another overnight at the Courtyard finishing to Columbia, MD on Monday. Will likely take the reverse of one of these routes. Last year there was a huge backup on I-81 at Blacksburg and again past the 64 cut off up to nearly 66. I got off and just winged it by turning off highways on my GPS and told it to take me the shortest distance. I tore down some really fun roads and only almost died once. At the second backup, I wound my way up to 340, stormed over that killer mountain climb/descent and took the back way up to Front Royal/I-66.
We can work out details later but keep it in mind if someone wants to ride with Jan on Tuesday or Sunday in a "regular" car on I-81 instead of semi-nuts, endless back-roads craziness in the toy, let us know. We'll be going from Columbia, MD so can either go out I-66 or out I-70 to RT-340/I-81, stop in Roanoke @ Courtyard (other options available) and the rest of the way on Wednesday.
Excited and looking forward to doing it all again and Jan is really looking forward to staying at Tapoco all four nights there.
Stuart and Jan
03-28-2016, 09:43 PM
#16
Thread Starter
We are arriving Wednesday afternoon/night.
03-31-2016, 08:21 AM
#18
Thread Starter
Pedro
03-31-2016, 09:29 AM
#19
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Six Metro stops short of insanity.
Posts: 29,441
Received 1,134 Likes
on
767 Posts
I'm heading to Robbinsville and leaving Alexandria around 5:00am. Im' not sure if the S2000 will be ready or if I'll be taking the Civic Si, but I'm driving I-66 to I-81 south if you happen to be up that early and want to have company.
03-31-2016, 10:17 AM
#20
Thread Starter
Why don't you just sleep in like normal people and join us a little later?