2020 Tour de Smo' - after all

Indian summer starts this week. It'll be sweet October 1st down there, cager(that's what the motorcyclists call people in cars with roofs).

@DannyP posted:

Indian summer starts this week. It'll be sweet October 1st down there, cager(that's what the motorcyclists call people in cars with roofs).

True. And after a bit of a scare at the first of the month, it looks like we're going to have a nice one out here. 80's all week.  I almost put the top up on my 968 and put it away after my drive on Sunday. Then I thought "nah, give it another month."

As for the Spyder, I'm not going to put it away in "mod mode" this winter. My only project is to replace all the brakes, but that's going to be a weekend project. I'm planning on driving it every chance I get this winter. (One advantage it has, as a "four-wheeled motorcycle," is that I don't have to be wary of sand/salt.)

Cager is better than what I am normally called. 

Ok folks, it's one week away.  See y'all then!!!

Last night around 5:00 I was thinking, hey, I'll be in VA checking in to a hotel in exactly one week!

Somewhere in the afternoon, a week from now, we'll all be in Maggie Valley!

And out from the cellar of Speedsters past he rose..............

I have risen from the dusty table of spent single malt bottles where Cory, Hoss, Marty and others have sat, to join your tour on Friday, Oct 2nd. BIGBIRD will have wheels up around 5 AM. Plan is to ETA at Creekside Lodge before you carburetor breathing tubs depart for breakfast. Wish i could stay for the weekend, but too many things goin' on on this side of Sam's Gap. FYI: Audi Club / Carolinas chapter is running the roads of WNC that weekend based out of Blowing Rock. PLUS..........a fleet of slightly overpriced Italian Stallions from Maranello are doing the same out of the Grove Park Inn in Asheville.

@Lane Anderson posted:

Ok folks, it's one week away.  See y'all then!!!

Enjoy you guys!  

Maybe next year the world will be back to normal...

Indian summer !!! I had forgotten just how beautiful those days can be ! I was raised in Minnesota and northern Iowa. Lots of nostalgia there. I can imagine how wonderful driving my Spyder would be during those days.   I wish you all safe driving and plenty of fun up in all this wonderful mountain roads.  Post a lot of photos guys.........Bruce

Looking good.               So far.

It's going to be a few degrees cooler there than on my side of the mountain. That doesn't matter, just as long as the rain stays away. 

I've been watching, and I believe (out of compassion for Jeanie) we'll be trailering. Those lows look nippy.

I've got a hitch, trailer brake, and related wiring in the limo, and I'm getting new rear tires at Discount Tire this afternoon. I've got a new Aluma trailer I'm itching to pull anyhow, so I think we'll be giving the entire 40 ft long rig a try. 

As I said to El Presidente yesterday, I am soooooo looking forward to temperatures that don't make me sweat.  One week from right now (it's 0856) I'll probably be walking back to the hotel from breakfast with Stan and any other early risers, getting ready for tree day's festivities.  Yeehah!

I thought I may have a case of the Spyder envy, not bringing my car but after the weather check, I think I'll enjoy my decision. 

I'd expect an ETA of early afternoon Thursday. 

Don't worry, there will be a point during one of the drives that you will say "Damn, I should've brought the Spyder".

I have no idea what time we will get there on Thursday, but we are certainly looking forward to meeting you all. Going to drive the Cayman S rather than the Speedster this time out. A bit too brisk for my bride and I. Our Speedster temp driving range is between 60 an 85, or so, degrees.

This should be a lot of fun!!

"President for Life" wrote: "I think we'll be giving the entire 40 ft long rig a try. "

HOLY MOLY!   That rig is two feet longer than my 4-door pickup and trailer was!

Does it have an intercomm from the driver to the passengers in the way-back?

As you pass tractor-trailer trucks do they flash their headlights to you when the rear of your trailer is clear?  

I really think you should have a CB radio in there to hob-nob with the truckers as you travel.  I used to get a lot of trucker interest in what Pearl was as we were traveling, along with a lot of helpful info.  Your choice on the handle, but "President for Life" has a good ring to it, especially in these overly weird times.

I can just see the conversation with you and Jeannie:  "Well, I suppose we can drive down to Georgia in a noisey, smelly, windy, bouncy Speedster with mediocre heat and no A/C and room for maybe two small bags for you and I can carry an extra pair of underwear in my pockets, or we can trailer it and ride in the Limo with Climate Control and a decent stereo and a suitcase or two each.  - What'cha wanna do?"

We have a ton of work to do this week, inspections, meetings, tours, showings and closings, so while I am going to drive in on Thursday as originally planned, my wife Anna will fly in on Friday to Asheville.

Much of this is deferred/delayed from our friend Sally's little venture through the south.

I may miss the morning festivities on Friday to pick her up, but we are looking to have a great time on this trip. 

We really need a little break.

Looking forward to meeting you all!

I'm glad you didn't cancel, @Panhandle Bob. We'll keep the light on for you!

Stan:

I'm only going to see Jeanie and your new rig.

Polished (paint corrected), washed and waxed the Cayman. Paint correction was a first for this car and it looks almost brand new. Now, come the rain to ruin it.

If you don't know about or use Adams car products, you are missing out. 

@Panhandle Bob posted:

Stan:

I'm only going to see Jeanie and your new rig.

That's funny!

Tomorrow I plan to wash the car and put it in the trailer, we have rain in the forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday. I may wash the Cayman as well.

I made a printable back window sticker for those of us who can't bring their plastic cars with this weekend. 

Borrow Cory's trailer, Chris.

I have my own. I am not waterproof with the Spyder yet. I have a top but no side curtains. Once I get that sorted out, I can pull it on my trailer. 

Well.... both of my tow vehicles are also in the shop today so I wouldn't be able to anyway but, I digress. 

Not loaning Cory the Cayman so I can

@Chris MacDonald Here is my sign If my Spyder had a back window.

My favorite is Danny's mirror sign.

Thanks Ed. My favorite shot of that mirror was when I posted a picture with Cory's car framed in it on FB. LOL! He he he.

Spyder cleaned and prepped and loaded in the trailer. Lenny is coming tomorrow, we'll leave Wednesday morning.

Found it!

Yer an evil man, Danny.  Evil, I say! 

The latest from NOAA would indicate its a GO for us. Dianne and I will be on the road Thursday AM, looking forward to some cool crisp carb loving  air.

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Wonderful!  I look forward to seeing you both.

Off topic a bit @DannyP but Chuck showed me a video of Al Gallow's (spelling) wife recording their lovely cruise in the country................ and then Danny and Chuck blow by them on the left lane at what looks like warp speed. 

It was pretty funny. 

For those of you who are planning to bring something other than your Speedster/Spyder because of the temperatures projected, the latest predictions have raised them by around 10 degrees.  Just sayin'...

Well, since it's a "GO!" for the weekend and some of you are already heading out,

Don't forget to bring a few extra masks!  Gloves, too!

My app still says the same weather. Maybe you are looking at Maggie Peaks?

Ahh  "Maggie Peaks" .... I recall a dollar or two going her way back in the day ~

For the thin blooded, Friday could be considered coolish. Friday we'll be heading farther North to Hot Springs, which will be warmer than Maggie Valley.

Saturday you'll be farther South, in the Brevard area.

The most important thing is, THERE WILL BE NO RAIN. Drinking and bullshitting around a fire is better when it's nippy out anyway.

Nope, I’m seeing the same numbers, Carlos.  Highs in the 60s except for Friday.  I thought we’d be in the 50s the whole time.

I have heated butts and a gas heater. I'm good.......

@Lane Anderson posted:

Yer an evil man, Danny.  Evil, I say! 

Yes, yes I am.