Okay, okay. I've been all kinds of lazy recently in not getting the route up. But, in my defense, I have a hot girlfriend.

So, without further adieu...

THE ROUTE

Meet at the old JC Penney parking lot (or close thereby) off of Ashford Dunwoody Road just north of I-285 in Dunwoody at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 21st. We'll hang out, make fun of Mark and Aaron's dirty cars, then depart for the mountains at 1:00 p.m. SHARP!

Go south on Ashford Dunwoody Road and get on I-285 heading west. Take GA-400 north towards Dahlonega. After about an hour, 400 ends. Take a left onto GA-60 then an immediate right into the gas station to regroup and whatnot. Take a right out of the gas station to continue on 60 north.

Continue on GA-60 north, making note of right turn in town across from McDonald's to stay on 60. Continue on 60 until you see a rock formation in the middle of the road. Turn left here, but be careful as you are turning left across an almost-blind turn.

Continue on 60 until you come to a BP station on the right. Turn right before the station onto GA-180/Wolfpen Gap. This is a really fun road with LOTS of off-camber, decreasing-radius turns, so watch yourself!

Continue on Wolfpen Gap to dead end into GA-129. Turn left (north). Go approximately two miles to right turn onto GA-180. Please be careful here, as we seem to lose a few folks who can't read and miss the turn. ;)

Continue on GA-180 for one mile to right turn onto GA-348 (Richard B. Russell Hwy.). We'll stop at the top of the mountain on the right-hand side for a nice photo-op and regathering. After pics and a short rest, take a right to continue on 348 to dead end into 17-75 spur. Go right.

Continue on 17-75 spur until you dead end into GA-129. Go right. Travel for a few miles to left turn onto GA-19 at corner convienence store. Continue on GA-19 until you return to the rock formation.

Veer right at rock formation to connect back with GA-60 towards Morganton. This is a nice open road with sweeping turns, so you should enjoy this one. Upon arriving in Morganton, we'll stop to regroup at the bank on the left. Take a left to continue on 60 until it intersects with GA-76. Go left. 76 becomes 515 which becomes I-575 south back into Atlanta.

If you guys would like (and we have time), we'll stop in Kennesaw for a group dinner, so let me know where you might like to eat...Barrett Parkway perhaps?

NOTE:

Veteran Mountain Drivers will notice that I've shortened the route slightly, leaving off Blood Mountain. Reason being: I'm expecting a very large group (maybe upwards of 50 cars), and going on our "normal" route would take all day. But never fear! We will have these drives as often as you guys want, and I'll be sure to mix it up a bit for later treks.

PREPARATION

Although we won't be racing through the mountains at warp speed, the mountains will take a toll on your car. Here's what you can do to make the experience a little less stressful for you and your car:

1. Tire pressure. Bring a gauge with you, and make sure before you head out that your tires are properly inflated. I recommend 35 psi, but more or less will be fine.

2. Check your oil before hand. Seems obvious, but you'd be suprised. I had a guy in a trip I led a few years back with my VW group that had low oil, and his light came on in the middle of nowhere. He had to drive with his oil light on for fifteen minutes or so, which I'm sure his car didn't like. Just common maintenance.

3. Brake Pads. Make sure you don't head up there with you pad sensor light on. You WILL do a number on your brakes, especially if you plan on being somewhat "frisky". Wofpen Gap itself could eat through half a set of pads. Seriously.

4. Bring a two-way radio. VERY important, especially if we get upwards of ten or so cars going. Split-ups are bound to happen, and two-ways will defnitely come in handy. Keep in mind that we will regroup at the BP in Helen halfway through the trip.

5. Anything else anyone can think of? Lemme know.

Questions regarding the route or preparation? Ask them here or PM me. I look forward to having this drive be our largest yet, and I think it'll be a great time for everyone! :)

ANOTHER NOTE:

Please remember that these drives are put together so you can enjoy your car and the beauty that is the North Georgia Mountains, not to practice what you learned at that last driving school. If you are acting like a fool and endangering others, you will be asked to leave.

Thanks! And Carter...get on those maps! :stickoutt

I don't like that route. :az:















Nothing against it G, just that 129 between 75 and 19 is where I got picked off. I'll be watching my speed through there (and probably most everywhere else). It is a nice road for sunroof photo shoots though :)

Originally posted by Atl3
I don't like that route. :az:


Well then you don't hafta go. :booty:

Sweet. I am looking forward to getting the new ride up there!

jason

Originally posted by BimmerDawg
Well then you don't hafta go. :booty:


:stickoutt :stickoutt :stickoutt :stickoutt :stickoutt

I'm on the case. I'll send a PDF to Georide and he can distribute them.

I'll also print some 11x17 copies on my pimpalicious work printer.

Stay tuned...

Carter

Sweet.

ahhh, blood mountain is my favorite part. that is the segment where it becomes three lanes isn't it? oh well, i'm still really looking forward to it.

Originally posted by ///M3Hellrot
ahhh, blood mountain is my favorite part. that is the segment where it becomes three lanes isn't it? oh well, i'm still really looking forward to it.

Yep, dat's it. We'll hit it up at the next drive!

I wonder how LA's gonna handle spirited driving on these roads. I won't be a front-runner, but I suspect even "tame" driving will be somewhat of a harrowing experience for her.

:evil2

Bring Dramamine :)

However, we both know if Geordies right and we have 30+ cars we won't be going all that fast.

That brings up another ?......are gonna try and split into smaller groups Geordie?

Originally posted by Atl3
That brings up another ?......are gonna try and split into smaller groups Geordie?

Yeah, I really don't see any other way to do it. Jew wanna lead one? :)

<=== NOT Jewish.

Last time I'm telling you...

Geordie has trouble spelling basic words. You'll have to forgive him... he meant so say, "you."

Yet, I'm still not offended...

Joo gets what I'ms sayin'?

No, I meant to say "Jew", which is what I did say. Or typed. Whatever.

Owned.

<=== Christian but not Protestant. That leaves 2 choices. You figure it out.

Almost finished with the map. Should have results sent to you around lunch, Geordie.

Episcopalian (sp?)

Tres bien.

All the ritual forgiveness of regular Catholicism with only half the guilt.:)

Extra-Strength Episcopalian -- Now with 50% Less Guilt!!

In churches near you now!

Baptist or Presbyterian (sp?)

Geordie, jah I'll led a gruppe ;)

Originally posted by Atl3
Baptist or Presbyterian (sp?)

Geordie, jah I'll led a gruppe ;)

Baptist? HA! You insult me! They are most definitely Protestant.

Aaron got it right first try.

Sorry, not up on my religious sects :dunno: I am christian, but don't really believe in the establishment (ever see stigmata?).

Stigmata was pretty good. As was End of Days.

However, I was really disappointed with The Ninth Gate.

Dang, I haven't seen any of those.

I gotta catch up on my movies.

are we getting a map anytime soon? i know the route in my head, but it would be cool to see a map version. i'd like to see how close we come to my g/f's mountain house in N.C.

peace and love

Geordie.. I would be willing to lead a group as well. Maybe one of the slower groups. Let me know if you need anyone..

Originally posted by ///M3Hellrot
are we getting a map anytime soon?

Patience, young one...

The map is 90% finished. I'm touching it up and finalizing it today. Slow servers plus huge file size equals slow map production time. It would have been done Friday if not for all the waiting.

Some people got a sneak peek Friday and Sunday. Axe them about it.:)

Carter

I have seen The Map and The Map is good.

Fine-tuning should be finished soon and dissemination will begin shortly after.

Originally posted by Ron17
...and decimination will begin shortly after.

Ron's head got blowed up. Did you mean to say decimation or dissemination? You make it sound like you're gonna mess somebody up 10 times. Hahaha.:)

<--- waiting patiently for a .pdf :D

How 'bout I send you a .pos?

;)

Originally posted by Ron17
I have seen The Map and The Map is good.

Fine-tuning should be finished soon and dissemination will begin shortly after.


I have also seen the map. The map is maptastic.

Originally posted by bcart1991
Gimme a route and I'll whip 'em up in no time - even send out pdf's to participants.

Originally posted by bcart1991
The pdf's will be ready approximately 1-2 hours after Geordie sends me the route.

Actual ready time will be determined by my workload (ha!) for that day.

Stay tuned for hot hot pdf action...

For shame.

Hey, he has to maintain the lack of efficiency expected from gov't workers, doesn't he?

Cut the man too much slack...

I will cut no slack.

On a related note, when I took my car to the dealership today to have my ABS light diagnosed, they "washed" the car. Yeah, right...

:rolleyes:

However, even with their sub-standard "wash," it's miles cleaner than it was on Sunday. :)

On a related note, your car is now full of swirlmarks just like mine is since Global washed it. :(

BTW, I'm trying to be about as cynical as possible.... is it working?

Originally posted by Kyle K.
For shame.

I didn't realize that I would be dealing with abnormal workload, server inefficiency, and monstrous file sizes.:complain

To wit, the map is complete. It is pimper than pimp, and it has been sent to Several people as well as to Jimmy for hosting. He shall be posting the link for download shortly.

Instructions:

Resize the pdf to fit 8.5x11 paper and it should work.

Carter

Originally posted by bcart1991
I didn't realize that I would be dealing with abnormal workload, server inefficiency, and monstrous file sizes.:complain

To wit, the map is complete. It is pimper than pimp, and it has been sent to Several people as well as to Jimmy for hosting. He shall be posting the link for download shortly.

Instructions:

Resize the pdf to fit 8.5x11 paper and it should work.

Carter

Jeez, I thought you people were supposed to be jolly. :stickoutt

btw, I was joking earlier in the thread... slack will be cut when slack is needed. ;)

http://home.comcast.net/~jimmylawson/mtndrive.JPG



DOWNLOAD BELOW IN PDF FORMAT


2 OPTIONS:

a. RIGHT CLICK THE LINK AND SO SAVE TARGET AS
b. OPEN UP THE FILE AND THEN SAVE USING ACROBAT READER



i'd PREFER you to use option a because i don't want to blow up the server its hosted on.


Download (http://home.comcast.net/~jimmylawson/mtndrive.pdf)

So remove Option B and TELL people to do it by Option A.

[Mr. Burns] Excellent. [/Mr. Burns]

Originally posted by Ron17
So remove Option B and TELL people to do it by Option A.


i'm trying to be helpfull to the less tech savy aka geordie. :stickoutt

Donations to the map maker(carter) and the map hoster(myself) are highly suggested.

As you would say, "I'll donate a punch to your face."

I'll accept donations in the form of beer Monday night...:wave:

Originally posted by Ron17
As you would say, "I'll donate a punch to your face."


nice!

JACKPOT. that shit is badass. thanks a lot guys

Okay this just rocks. Kudos to Carter (map maker) and Jimmy (map hoster). This mountain drive should be the best yet. The 21st can't get here soon enough.

Originally posted by punknamedjimmy
trying to be helpfull to the less tech savy aka geordie. :stickoutt


Hey! Earlier today Aaron said I was the king of cross-pollination! What this means in my defense I'll get back to ya with.

so are we going to start a headcount ? i'll start,


1. Ray with trefidy Z (along with sara)
2. Blake in 03 acura RSX
3. Blake's dad in 03 porsche carrera S4
4. copy the list and add your name to it.


AARON, feel free to keep your name last as you always do. and gordie, you can bump me down and spot and take seat number 1. ;)

Good call, Ray. I'll post a seperate thread next week with a count, just to make sure we know how many folks are going. Only problem with that is so many people show up for these meets that aren't regulars on BF.c, so it's really just a guess.

Tell ya what...I'll leave you at #1 since it was your idea. ;)

Thanks for the compliments on the map guys. It's not that often that I get to showcase my skills here at work, much less anywhere else.

I will also bring MANY copies (on 11x17 paper) to hand out at the drive just in case anyone forgets theirs.:)

The map rocks. Enough said.

Cheers for Carter.

Here, here!

Wow, all this makes me wonder what you guys were using for previous mountain drives. What was it, some rocks and a chalk drawing in the JC Penney's parking lot?

I'll try and steal a few more GA highway maps to bring along, in case some people want to take their own little side trips, etc. You can (almost) never have too much information...

Carter

We used spoken-word directions with no pictures... passed down from generation to generation, in the tradition of the elders.

I thought it was a series of grunts and finger pointing... :dunno

Actually, the only resource was Geordie's head. Wow, can't believe we actually made it through the first few drives... :laugh

That's an understatement, UGA-grad. ;)

Well, not to brag, but LSU does have the nationally top-ranked geography program.

:redspot

:buttrock

:wave:

:clap:

The capital of North Dakota is Bismarck.

:clap:

Big Jim, former tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, is outfitted with various whips, chains, and a sexual appetite that will knock your socks off!
Big Jim has satisfied women throughout the world...and the capital of Nebraska is Lincoln!

Macau once a province to Portugal, is now under rule of China. Approx. 30min from Hong Kong to Macau by Jetfoil

i have a belly button

Originally posted by phildo
i have a belly button

After meeting you and noting your general demeanor, my professional, educated, high-ranked opinion woud be that it's an outie...

...but I've been wrong before.:)

:rofl:

did you know that lebruha is witch is spanish ....

nope it goes in. see... in.

Dammit, I gotta go back to school now.:(

The map is awesome! :buttrock

Thanks Carter and Jimmy!


Brian

Yeah, me and Brian (Experimental M3) got lost on the last M3 drive. :biglaughb If only we had Carter's map!

Sadly, I will not be at this drive. :(

Ray, Ali, Kevin and I all got lost......we missed the right turn onto 180 I believe

Originally posted by Sparc_it
Ray, Ali, Kevin and I all got lost......we missed the right turn onto 180 I believe

Yes. A lot of people do this. I made note of it in the "text version" of the directions. :)

haha... i was trying to find this damned map and this thread brought back memories so i'm bumping this shit hardcore. go me.

but yeah... does anyone have a copy of this map? cause the site i had it hosted on i don't have anymore.