Early Dragon Run - May 18 - 22

[Nix]

Wow, this is looking good! Two new additions today! I seriously can't wait.

Just got my new tires on today. Only 50 miles on them so far but it's just past rush hour and traffic is snarled everywhere. I'll probably go out again later once it calms down a bit. Wanted to get in enough miles that I could go get them re-torqued and then go exploring tomorrow.

 

[Bruce Bartlow]

Wow, this is looking good! Two new additions today! I seriously can't wait.

Just got my new tires on today. Only 50 miles on them so far but it's just past rush hour and traffic is snarled everywhere. I'll probably go out again later once it calms down a bit. Wanted to get in enough miles that I could go get them re-torqued and then go exploring tomorrow.

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Yes! Great news on the Dragon... and great job, partner!

-- Don't forget to get those tires warmed up first.... they need HEAT big time!

-- Could i have the exact dates for the September Dragon meet? (A link might help too) I can't cancel the campsite without a 50% penalty... so i'll just move it to September just in case.

-- What would you recommend for new Civic seats? The stock seats are a little small for me, and not too comfortable for somebody over 200lbs. And how would i know if they would fit the SI? I sat in some Ricaros (Ford Focus ST?) at the SF auto show... but they were too narrow. I'd like a bit more bolstering... and definitely more cushion (for the coming Road Trip!) but really don't know where to start. Thanks!

 

[Nix]

I would not recommend swapping the civic seats as they have an airbag in the side of them. As far as I know, if you remove one airbag and the light goes on, then all the airbags are disabled. Its some sort of safety feature. Hence the danger of installing a Bride or Recaro seat. On the 8th gen you could swap any US civic drivers seat for any other. You could put the Si seat in an LX and vice versa. I don't know if thats true for the 9th gens but again, if you are looking for more support, the Si seat is the most bolstered and the Coupe more so than the sedan.

The fall Dragon meet is scheduled for September 17-20

 

[VNPP]

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Just let us know what the obstacles are.... we aim to please! Would you need a place to stay?

If i can work things out early, a place shouldnt be a problem, the parents are still the thing that needs some covincing hahaha

 

[Nix]

We're old. See if that helps. We aren't racers or ricers, well, im mostly not a ricer, and I drive a slow LX like you so its very safe. I like cruising speed.

 

[Bruce Bartlow]

If i can work things out early, a place shouldnt be a problem, the parents are still the thing that needs some covincing hahaha

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Oh, parents. I know one of those... me!

Listen, i know just the trick... invite them along! Of course they won't come... but the mere invitation says "we've got nothing to hide".... and even if one did come, that would be okay too. We just put them in the slow car.

@Nix... can you help out?!

 

[Dennis Rockholt]

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Oh, parents. I know one of those... me!

Listen, i know just the trick... invite them along! Of course they won't come... but the mere invitation says "we've got nothing to hide".... and even if one did come, that would be okay too. We just put them in the slow car.

@Nix... can you help out?!

WAIT I will need a place to stay!! haha Id rather not stay by myself if I dont really have to lol

 

[Nix]

Great Idea Bruce! Yes! @VNPP - Tell your parents to come. It would be great to meet them. Tell them I have personally invited them to come check things out. It is a really beautiful area and they can check out many historic things. It is the site of a few very cool TVA, Tennessee Valley Authority, projects from the Great Depression. They also filmed Deliverance and The Fugitive here. They have also recently added horseback riding at the Fontana Village Resort. If they would like to come keep an eye on things they can have a romantic weekend getaway as well.


I was about to book a room this week.... however if we have multiple new people showing up I may get a cabin instead.... In a serious show of hands I need to know how many of you are coming. Seriously let me know by the end of the day tomorrow. I am planning to book on Friday. I can wait a few days though but would prefer not to. Orbitz keeps changing the price. It's cheaper on there and travelocity than on Fontanas own website. Figure that one out.

 

[Bruce Bartlow]

Great Idea Bruce! Yes! @VNPP - Tell your parents to come. It would be great to meet them. Tell them I have personally invited them to come check things out. It is a really beautiful area and they can check out many historic things. It is the site of a few very cool TVA, Tennessee Valley Authority, projects from the Great Depression. They also filmed Deliverance and The Fugitive here. They have also recently added horseback riding at the Fontana Village Resort. If they would like to come keep an eye on things they can have a romantic weekend getaway as well.


I was about to book a room this week.... however if we have multiple new people showing up I may get a cabin instead.... In a serious show of hands I need to know how many of you are coming. Seriously let me know by the end of the day tomorrow. I am planning to book on Friday. I can wait a few days though but would prefer not to. Orbitz keeps changing the price. It's cheaper on there and travelocity than on Fontanas own website. Figure that one out.

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I apology in advance for a long one here. But everybody needs to make an informed decision about costs.

On the surface a cabin sounds tempting. Your own crib... everybody together, turn up the tunes... make your own snacks, whatever.

But it costs: The Orbitz price tonight for a 3-bedroom cabin is $249..... x 4 nights which makes it $996 plus tax. Figure $1,100 out the door, or $90 each (x 4 nights) if 3 people share, or $70 each (x 4 nights) if 4 ppl share. That's for the 3 bedroom with one king, one queen and two bunk twins.... 4 beds in all. https://www.orbitz.com/book/bookingpath?execution=e1s2

The main problem with the large expensive cabin is that not everybody is staying all 4 nights. So let's not be surprised if we can't make this happen, on that basis alone.
On the other hand, the problem with the cheaper Lodge rooms is food... and the need to eat out every meal. Not a big deal for those staying just a day or two... a definite issue for those staying longer.

Seriously, the standard Lodge room for $80 is tough to beat. With two people sharing that room, it's only about $40/nt. per person. With Nix and I the only ones staying 4 nights so far, we would need at least 2 MORE people to stay all four nights to keep the cost of a Cabin to a reasonable level. Then, those leaving after a day or two could contribute a lesser amount, say $25.00/ nt.... but they'd be on the couch... or on air mattresses with a sleeping bag.

Despite the cost sharing, those staying all four nights would still be on the hook for about $300.00 each. Ouch. Sharing lodge rooms (2 per room) we'd be at $40 per night. So it's either $40, $80, $120, or $160 depending on how long you stay. OR, if you really want to go budget, it's basically FREE if you want to camp... I've still got 2 campsites reserved for $18.00 each about 1/2 mile from the lodge in the Fontana Dam area. If nobody wants dibs on a campsite (which also can be shared) i'll be canceling that extra reservation by next Monday.

So let's get a head count --- AND exactly how long everyone is staying -- and go from there. I'm guessing that since this is a last minute trip for many, we should keep the cost down. Besides, we'll be burning enough gas and leaving enough rubber on the deserving roads of TN and NC.... we don't need to be breaking the bank on a hotel room. We'll be driving most of the time anyway.

That's my inflated .02.

 

[Nix]

Room booked at the lodge.

Arriving Sunday in the afternoon. Check-in isn't until 4 so no rush to get there. Leaving early Thursday morning.

So far I know it's myself, Bruce, and Keens. Is anyone else a definite yet?

 

[Bruce Bartlow]

Room booked at the lodge.

Arriving Sunday in the afternoon. Check-in isn't until 4 so no rush to get there. Leaving early Thursday morning.

So far I know it's myself, Bruce, and Keens. Is anyone else a definite yet?

i think Dennis, but not all week.

 

[Dennis Rockholt]

I should be able to make it for at least the weekend portion guys

 

[Bruce Bartlow]

I should be able to make it for at least the weekend portion guys

 

[Bruce Bartlow]

I should be able to make it for at least the weekend portion guys

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Which weekend, amigo... the first one (17th/18th) or the next one? I had planned on showing up the 18th myself (along with @Nix, etc) but i could easily come a day early (or two) to meet with you. NO problem at all! O r I could stay after everybody leaves on the 22nd... and you and I could do our own thing the 23rd/24th ... whatever. Just let me know and i'll be there!

 

[Dennis Rockholt]

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Which weekend, amigo... the first one (17th/18th) or the next one? I had planned on showing up the 18th myself (along with @Nix, etc) but i could easily come a day early (or two) to meet with you. NO problem at all! O r I could stay after everybody leaves on the 22nd... and you and I could do our own thing the 23rd/24th ... whatever. Just let me know and i'll be there!

Uhm the 17th is fine! I can either make a day trip or try and camp overnight maybe if the living arrangements havent been worked out...I should be ordering my parts around may 1 so Idk if I will have them all on by the time of the cruise, but I am really hoping so! Looking forward to meeting yall!

 

[SpartanML]

Friend of mine has expressed interest in riding down with me. I'll be booking my room at the lodge tomorrow I think. Despite my most valiant efforts I couldn't convince Keith to take off work and forget his family. (Family who needs it pfft) Next few weeks I'll start getting everything on the car ready for glory.

 

[Bruce Bartlow]

Friend of mine has expressed interest in riding down with me. I'll be booking my room at the lodge tomorrow I think. Despite my most valiant efforts I couldn't convince Keith to take off work and forget his family. (Family who needs it pfft) Next few weeks I'll start getting everything on the car ready for glory.

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"ready for glory".... love it!

 

[SpartanML]

Since the last Dragon trip the car was almost completely bone stock, I've decided to upgrade to a Whiteline 20mm RSB and StopTech brake lines. Add this to the more aggressive ZII tires I'll be running and the car should be alot more compliant and more interesting at least. Clock is ticking...

 

[Bruce Bartlow]

FYI: Anybody who hasn't booked accommodations will need to look elsewhere; Fontana Village is completely sold out.

Spartan, see below:

 

[Bruce Bartlow]

Since the last Dragon trip the car was almost completely bone stock, I've decided to upgrade to a Whiteline 20mm RSB and StopTech brake lines. Add this to the more aggressive ZII tires I'll be running and the car should be alot more compliant and more interesting at least. Clock is ticking...

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You will love the 20mm RSB. Combined with the ZII's you will think it's a new car. And in a way it is. Seriously, the car already has a lot going for it. So those two things, I believe, are the best, most economical way to revolutionize your driving experience.