Mountain Run 3 Info
 

The routes for MR3 are now set and shown below. The Grand Sport Registry and the ZR-1 Net Registry will be making the MR3 together this year. In anticipation of a greater number of participants, each day offers two options: a route that is approximately 5 hours driving time plus a longer route for participants wanting to maximize seat time on the mountain roads. Those who went on MR1 and/or MR2 will recognize a couple of old favorites as well as some new roads ... we hope that each day will be a fun & memorable experience for all who choose to participate.

The first day starts from Fontana Village in North Carolina and the final day ends in Bowling Green in time for the Gathering. If you are planning to go be sure to make your room reservations for MR3 as well as your BG room reservations PLUS let us know either on this thread or on the original thread. Click HERE for additional information. Complete information including maps, turn-by-turn directions, GPS coordinates, etc. will be emailed to all participants by the first of May.

Click MR3 Maps for the Mountain Run 3 maps
Click HERE for photos from Mountain Run 1
Click HERE for photos from Mountain Run 2

Any questions? Post here and we'll do our best to post a quick answer.

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May can't come fast enough!
Looks great GUNNY, thanks for all your hard work on this!

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Boy I hope I can make this.

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Forget hoping ... just do it. The run won't be the same without you ... and bring your wife, too. She will enjoy the trip, especially Helen & Gatlinburg.

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I will only come if she does. This year I'll be a driver.

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George, Thanks for all of your time and effort to set this up. It is going to be a great time!

Jim

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Hey, the best is yet to come for me. Even though I've been on every one of these roads multiple times, I plan to drive up to the mountains (as soon as the snow & ice melts) and run the routes in the planned order so that I can confirm that my turn-by-turn directions are correct. In the past I've used Google Maps directions and, honestly, they are more confusing than they are helpful.

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I wish I could come down and be your co-pilot for the certification runs!

Jim

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Does anyone know any of these people? I want to make sure that they are not part of the ZR1/GSR before I cancel thier reservation.

561 Rudeman, Steve 05/14/2015 05/17/20150011/0 Active01/22/2015
571 Schaefer, Billy 05/14/201505/17/20150011/0 Active01/22/2015
579 Scott, Andrew 05/14/201505/17/20150011/0 Active01/22/2015
583 Smith, Mitchell 05/14/201505/17/20150011/0 Active01/22/2015
590 Sowell, Diana 05/14/201505/17/20150011/0 Active01/22/2015
599 Stewart, John 05/14/201505/17/20150011/0 Active01/22/2015561

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Believe me, I would truly enjoy having a good navigator for the pre-flight runs. Looking forward to seeing you in May.

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Robert,
I don't think any of those people are associated with the ZR-1/GSR groups ... I think someone at Fontana made a clerical error and may have given them our group rates. Note that their arrival/departure dates are different from our trip. Their reservations may be legitimate but the dates are incorrect. I would be very surprised to learn that they are really part of our group ... the names are just not familiar.

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Thanks for the info, George, Robert. I am confirming that I will be joining MR3 and that have made reservations at Fontana Village, Alcoa and BG (ZR-1North - Bob Lambe). Just want to be sure I have the days 1-3 straight. Based on Robert's e-mail of a couple of months ago, I booked Fontana for May 10- 12 (check out on 12th), so I assume Day 1 is May 12 - correct? I am in Alcoa from May 12-13 (check out on 13th, so day 2 is 13th?

Thanks

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I think that George's Day 1 is Monday 11 May. That way, George's Day 3 is Wednesday and we arrive at Bowling Green just in time for the Pizza Social at the Holiday Inn.

I am arriving at Fontana on Sunday, 10 May.

Jim

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to confirm

Day 0 - May 10 (Mother's Day) - arrive at Fontana; we will probably have a driver's meeting Sunday evening
Day 1-3 (Mon-Wed) are the 3 days of MR3, arriving in Bowling Green Wed afternoon
BG Gathering begins Wed night usually with pizza at U-Plaza
the official days of the Gathering are Thu-Sat with everyone leaving after breakfast on Sunday

MR3 is basically free except for your gas, meals, & lodging. It's a good idea to have reservations in Fontana and Alcoa as rooms might be scarce or non-existent on the day MR3 starts. It does help us to know who is coming as we plan MR3 so we ask that everyone keep us informed of their plans.

I will email maps, directions, fuel stop info, restaurant info, and more to all participants prior to MR3 and will be getting everyone's email address sometime in April.

If you have any questions at all, be sure to post here so that we can keep everyone informed.

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It's premature to finalize travel plans to Fontana but certainly not too early to be thinking about it.

Many of you may want to coordinate your travel plans and convoy together on Sunday; it may be possible to coordinate with the GSR folks as well.

Fontana is a bit isolated so the last few miles can be a bit of a challenge if you're tired from driving all day. As we get closer to MR3 I can help you with some routing choices to make it easier and at the same time, see some nice scenery.

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Thanks Jim, George; got it! I will be in sometime Sunday May 10th as well. I look forward to connecting with folks Sunday evening.

Bob

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I've never done the M.R before, just wondering if 2-way radios are going to be utilized during the routes? If so, I need to start searching the house for mine and see if it still works.
Rich

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Yes, we will use 2-way radios (walkie-talkies) such as Motorola, Cobra, Uniden, etc. If the radio is FRC compatible, it should work. Most of the brands advertise 20, 25, even 30+ mile range; my experience in the mountains is that you're lucky if you have line of sight range. It's best if you have your own, but don't buy for a one time use; usually someone will have a spare that you can borrow.

Things you will "want" to have for the mountain run

• cell phone (important)
• 2-way radio (important)
• GPS (handy, but not essential, since you will have maps/directions)
• road atlas (handy, but not ... see above)
• radar detector (very handy, and probably essential if you decide to drive aggressively at any time during your trip)
• drammamine or pressure bracelet for your passenger
• spare serpentine and other parts
• essential tools
• VISA & AAA card (just in case)
• camera, possibly a GoPro

I plan to email the final info to all participants by the first of May and it will include printable files for directions, maps, etc. so that everyone should have all the necessary info for a successful trip.

On a side note about phones, radios & GPS ... at any given time/location on some of the roads, one or more of your devices will probably not function properly. I know a couple of locations that none of my devices appear to work and that can be a little unnerving ... should that happen, just play a recording of "Dualing Banjos" and enjoy the ride.

Thanks for asking a good question ... if anyone planning to go on MR3 has more questions, please post up.

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a little bit about motion sickness when in the mountains

• I've never heard of a driver having motion sickness
• Some passengers are bothered by motion sickness; others are not. I've never had a problem with motion when I was driving; however, I did the Dragon as a passenger with a very experienced, aggressive driver, and I was definitely not feeling well due to the motion, turns, elevation changes, etc.

how to prevent ...

• take dramamine (or similar)
• wear a wristband for motion sickness

Wristbands should be available at a pharmacy, sports store, or HERE.

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more on motion sickness ...

Click HERE and then click on the bottom thumbnail to "experience" the Dragon. Granted, nothing can replicate the actual feeling of either driving or riding shotgun while running the Dragon, but if you can play this on a large monitor or even a large screen TV it helps illustrate some of the sensations that you might feel when actually doing the Dragon. If you've never done mountain roads before and you feel the slightest bit of queasiness while watching the video clip, you might want to bring something for motion sickness. It doesn't bother me watching this video but my wife will not look at it, nor does she enjoy riding with me on any spirited runs through the mountains. BUT ... and this is funny ... she drives a turbo Sportwagen TDI and has discovered how much fun it is to drive the mountain roads to the point that I'm no longer comfortable riding with her. Go figure.

Tough to predict how different folks react to mountain roads, but better to be prepared if you've never driven/ridden these roads before.

re: the video ... yes, the total time was approx. 16 minutes, and yes, those are real rain drops on the windshield. For a dose of reality be sure to watch beginning at the 7 min. mark for approx. 1 minute.

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Gunny,

Inquiring minds would like to know: do we have an emial list of drivers yet for the MR3?

And, BTW, I have a spare Motorola FSM "walkie-talkie" if anyone wants to borrow it.

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I think I have email addys for everyone from MR1 & MR2 (assuming no changes) but don't know the MR3 final roster yet, much less email list ... probably time to start compiling the roster & email lists.

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First time I did the Dragon I felt sick and I'd never had a problem with that. But that was also after running it 5 fives in a row. Strange but my wife (passenger) who is prone to motion sickness was fine!

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Wish I could say that about my Bride who rode with me thru the Dragon on the way to Atlanta a couple years ago.
She was more Pi**ed Off than sick...
For some reason, only ran it once that time? :cry:

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John, you surprise me ... I would never have believed that !!!

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If you're a definite for MR3 (i.e. made room reservations, started packing your bags, etc. etc.) send me your name & email address by clicking HERE and filling in the info. If you prefer to send your info via PM that's OK, too.

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John, Doug ... were either of you in last year's group that encountered the 18-wheeler on the curve? or am I thinking of another trip?

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I was there! Steve too! (He had no choice in the matter, he was riding shotgun)
The mother trucker took up the whole road on the corner...
Fortunately,no pants were soiled!

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Say "Hey" Gunny:
Thanks for the good time last year and all the effort you assigned yourself so that all participants have a great drive, coming up this May. I'll intercept ya'll at the Comfort Inn, Alcoa, TN., Tuesday afternoon/evening and I have a reservation at The Holiday Inn, Bowling Green. I can be found at jfferner@hotmail.com or 304-232-4870, And so it goes....Jim

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I'm not a definite yet, but please put me in the wannabe category. If everything comes together I'd like to join you for at least one MR.

As others have mentioned, thanks very much for coordinating this.

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Hope you can work it out to make the entire MR3 as well as the caravan to BG ... it will be a memorable week that's well worth the time. Keep us posted on your plans.

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Thanks, Gunny.

One of my issues is the dreaded, random no-start. I'm taking steps to address that. One thought I had was, well, if I have problems with my ZR-1, what better place for it to happen than with a group of knowledgeable ZR-1 owners! :-)

Another issue is available vacation days off work, but I agree - the mountain runs and events in Bowling Green (especially the track day) would be a shame to miss.

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Reminder ... in case you haven't seen/read this thread ...

Plans for Mountain Run 3 are 99.9% completed. We're looking at 3 fun days running some wonderful mountain roads with our Z's as well as with the Grand Sports. It's a great way to start off the BG Gathering later in the week.

Check out the other Mountain Run 3 thread (sticky above) for additional info.

Is it possible for a moderator to move this thread to a sticky just below the original MR3 thread? Thanks.

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Update ....

Looks like the mountains are going to be warm & sunny this weekend so I'm leaving in a few hours for my MR3 "final pre-run" to fine tune the maps/directions/info, etc. If you're still on the fence about going, the trip is a terrific way to start off the BG Gathering.

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CAN'T WAIT!!!! Just going to change diff fluid, air up the Nittos, and once again join in what (for me) was the true highlight of the Gathering! Combined with the BG events in the works, it's hard to imagine a better, more fun filled week of pure Z nirvana!!

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UPDATE
I was blessed with one rain-free day last week and ran the complete Day 1 & Day 2 route in one day ... left my mountain house at 6 AM and got back just before 7 PM ... long day, but very rewarding. I double checked all the directions, check points, fuel stops, etc. and tweaked the routes in a couple of places. I'm nearly finished with the files that will be emailed to all participants. Check this thread for an announcement when the files are emailed and if you don't get an email, contact me ASAP.

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Awesome, George.

Did you think to check your tires' tread depths before and after? :-)

I'm still trying to decide if I should do the trip on old tires or new.

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It's "scary" fun with OLD tires; it's flat out "scary" with OLD tires if the roads are wet, which is a distinct possibility in the mountains during May.
If your tires are very old, hard, or slim on tread and you have a chance to run with newer rubber, I think you'll be a lot happier ... just sayin'

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HELP !!!

I have the following names in my list but don't recognize a couple of names and therefore don't have email addresses. Check the list and if you're doing MR3 and your name is not on the list click HERE and give me your name/email address. If your name is on the list but you're not going, please contact me at the above link.

Childs, Stephen
Cone, Scott
DeMarco, Robert
Ferner, Jim
Hogue, Rick
Jones, George
Lambe, Robert
McBride, Russ
Muhr, Richard
Nacheman, Scott
Pauley, Gary
Porter, John
Reschke, Glenn
Voter, Jim
Workman, Paul

Bill Hedberg ... reading on a different thread it appears that you're driving a GS and Chris is driving the Z. Let me know the status using the above link. Thanks.

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George, do we have a count on how many GS folks are joining us on the MR3?