Massachusetts Dragon Riders

<a href="http://www.7is7.com/otto/countdown.html?year=2011&month=6&date=18&hrs=16&min=0&sec=0&tz=local&title=Countdown%20To%20the%20Dragon&lang=en&show=dhms&mode=t&cdir=down&bgcolor=%23CCFFFF&fgcolor=%23000000">Countdown To the Dragon</a>

Annual Dragon Trip for 2011

June 18 - 25, 2011

for 2011

Massachusetts Dragon Riders

6th Annual Assault

June 18 - 25, 2011

Tail of the Dragon

Deal's Gap, N.C.

318 curves in 11 miles

We will slay you !!!!

I am adding some directions to Robbinsville for those who want to review the route. There are two sets. One will bring you out I-84 to I-91 and down, the other will cut you through NY and NJ and cut into I-81. I made the stopping point in Christiansburg as we did last year. The Super 8 Motel was a good place to stay in the area with cheap rates. Make your reservations by calling 540-382-7421. Use Exit 118C to the motel.

Directions using I-84 to Pa. - Directions using NY & NJ - Directions from Christiansburg to houses

Simple Directions - No Map Simple Directions - No Map

Again this year we have rented the three (3) houses owned by the webmaster of www.tailofthedragon.com These houses will accommodate up to 25 people, but we try to limit the occupancy to 22 maximum. This is so that we are not using the sleep sofas and futons that are in the living rooms and tv watching areas. Check out www.thetreetops.com for more info on the housing. To join us for the 2011 tour, we will require a $80.00, per person, non-refundable deposit with your signup to secure your spot. We must have your deposit by October 1st. Get your name on the waiting list at no cost. First come first serve if there is an opening. Last year we did have openings!!!!

The final balance of $85.00 for lodging will be due on February 1, 2011. The total cost will be $165.00 per person for the entire week. The rental is from Saturday after 4:00 pm to the following Saturday prior to 10:00 am.

We are planning to leave in a caravan on Friday morning and drive about 10 - 12 hours. Find a hotel, have a good meal, get a good nights sleep and leave the following morning for Robbinsville NC. No one is forced to travel exclusively with the caravan. If you want to meet us at the houses, we'll see you there on Saturday afternoon. We should arrive between 2 - 4 p.m. depending on our departure time from the hotel. Unload, settle in and maybe go for a ride around the area. Screaming up the Cherohala Skyway ( http://www.tailofthedragon.com/cherohala.html ) is a blast as it starts just outside our door. Even the road to Robbinsville will be like a mild Dragon ride.

Food, again is an individual choice. You can go out every night, cook in every night or go with the crowd. You can chip in for house food or buy your own. No rules on this. Each house can do as they please.

If you are riding in a car, you will be expected to chip in on the gas and tolls down and back.

Please let us know at or before our departure if you plan to drive your bike down, if you are going to trailer and how many spots you have and if you need a spot on a trailer.

If you are not signed up at this time, make sure you get on the waiting list, first come, first served. E-mail us and we will save you a place on the waiting list.

You can also qualify for an "Iron Butt" Saddle Sore 1000 ride down which could leave on Thursday and arrive in Robbinsville on Friday. Grab a hotel and recover until the caravan arrives on Saturday. Ride back home with the caravan or continue on a new adventure.

Housing and Sleeping will be by assignment. This will be done after the deposits are in. Please go over the list and make arrangements between yourselves for any changes that may be required. Remember that the houses are within walking distances of each other with visiting rights to each house and Hot Tub. Please check the house rules for clothing in each Hot Tub before entering.

Area info:

The area around the houses has very limited to no cell phone reception. Any of the local downtowns that you visit will have reception. The houses all have free long distance phone service anywhere in the US. The houses also have answering machines if people call in to us. We will have all the phone numbers posted before we leave so that you can provide them to those who want to bother us during our vacation. The houses also have computers so that your e-mails can be received if you are using a web based e-mail service. Most services today have a web based as well as using Outlook or Outlook Express. Feel free to bring your own computer if needed as the houses have wireless internet hookups.

Information needed:

We would like to have everyone that is or will sign up to provide us with their personal information. We will have a provided form everyone must fill out and sign. These forms will be put into sealed books that the different ride leaders will carry. In the event of an emergency, only then will the books be opened and the information used. We will have the forms at the May 17th meeting, but get a head start and download the form and send it back by mail.

To download the Emergency form, click here (in .PDF format)

Housing info:

The house rules are very simple. Clean up after yourself as we had to fire the maid for this trip. If you smoke, you must go outside. All the houses will have linens provided. If you have a favorite pillow or baby blanket, please feel free to bring them. The houses all have washers and dryers so that those riding our bikes down don't have to pack a steamer trunk for the week. We will be able to purchase in Robbinsville anything you may require, such as detergent, food, clothes and any other things you forgot or can't carry. Robbinsville is located in a dry county, yes, there still are places like that around. It is a short ride to get out of the county and be able to purchase your favorite beer or mixer. As we were told last year, "Follow the road to the stop sign and take a right on the 4 lane. No route number, just the 4 lane". The stop sign was 15 miles ahead and the 4 lane was Rt. 74 to Murphy NC. Just like being in Maine!!!