I was just thinking that a group of Rx8 could meet together and Drive down Skyline Drive, I've done it by motorcycle and it was amazing. I figured it could be organized before it got too terribly cold. but the fall colors will be amazing. (before the leaves all fall and coat the road) Anyone interested?

I might be interested, I love that road. From the 211-north, or the whole thing?

I'd be interested. It's always been high on my list, but I've never done it.

We have Skyline drive here in So. Cal.

It's a nice road too!

I ran the whole thing last time cause I came from the north and was heading to Charlotte NC raceway. I think the whole way would be really fun but I don't quite remember how long it is. lol.

last time on it i got pulled over by a park ranger for going to fast in my camry, lol. i might be up for that, i've never made it south of 211.

got any dates in mind?

Remember when driving was fun and relaxing? No? Well, believe it or not, your car can be your escape. A slow meander down Skyline Drive will give you a whole new driving experience.

The Skyline Drive runs 105 miles north and south along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in ShenandoahNational Park and is the only public road through the park. You can enter Shenandoah at four places: Front Royal near Rt. 66 and 340, Thornton Gap at Rt. 211, Swift Run Gap at Rt. 33, and Rockfish Gap at Rt. 64 (also the northern entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway). It takes about three hours to travel the entire length of the park on a clear day.

As you travel along Skyline Drive you will notice mileposts on the west side (right side if you are traveling south) of the road. These posts help you find your way through the park and help you locate areas of interest. The mileposts begin with 0.0 at Front Royal and continue to 105 at the southern end of the park. The largest developed area, Big Meadows, is near the center of the park, at milepost 51. All park maps and information use these mileposts as a reference.

The maximum speed limit is 35 mph, so you can roll down your windows, feel the breeze and experience every curve and turn of this beautiful drive. There are 75 overlooks that offer stunning views of the Shenandoah Valley to the west or the rolling piedmont to the east. The park purposely leaves the roadsides unmowed so wildflowers put on a show all year long. In early spring you can see trillium peeking through the grass. June’s display of azaleas is spectacular, and cardinal flower, black-eyed susans, and goldenrod keep the color coming right into fall.

Deer, black bear, wild turkey, and a host of other woodland animals call Shenandoah home and regularly cross Skyline Drive in their daily travels. Watch carefully for these animals who may dart across your path without warning. At 35 mph, you’ll stand the best chance of a fun and exciting wildlife encounter rather than an unpleasant wildlife experience! If you want a closer look, be sure to pull completely off the Drive and stay in your vehicle. Remember it is unlawful to feed the wildlife.


http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/driving-skyline-drive.htm


How about like the 20&21 or 27&28 of Oct?(late oct is best for the leaf colors of fall) It can be either day (it's sat and sun both) or it can be both days, one day down one day up or something. I think the best idea to save time and money is a Sunday afternoon drive south to north. That way theres still enough time for each person to go back to their homes once we're done but those from the opp way don't have to wake up early. And those of you who go to church could come afterward if your close enough.

Opinions?

Count me in, either of those weekends will work for me. Although, I think I would prefer Saturday so I can catch the football games on Sunday.

Cool, so we got one person that can come lol. We should hav at least/around five 8s to have it interesting in my opinion. :)

I would be interested for a Sat. run also. Can't do Sundays since we are in church and stuff.

Ok, so sat would be better. ok. just gotta make sure I don't work the sat we go... my and my bf will be coming and he's gotta get off of work. But we'll try. :)

Might be interested, my brother lives down in Asheville, NC. I will look into planning a trip down there.

Might be interested, my brother lives down in Asheville, NC. I will look into planning a trip down there.

Awsome
Can you go the dates I listed?

I am 100% interested. I haven't had my phantom blue baby down into the valley yet. And since I'm a JMU alum, I'd love to catch up with everyone in Front Royal, drive down to 33 and exit there, head over to Harrisonburg and see the ole campus. What kind of starting point/finishing point are people trying to do?

As a side note, any NoVa members, should we meet up somewhere and caravan? And is this rotary only, or would a 350z and a GTO be welcome? :)

if you are mid east, you should join the mazda sportscar club of washington http://www.mscw.com/.

we do a lot of fun events. a skyline drive is coming up i believe.

Ah, I thought you were talking about Skyline Drive in northern NJ - that's a short ride (about 8 miles) from Ringwood NJ down to Interstate 287 - but it goes up and over a mountain while it does it and is a blast in a proper car. My business partner has an M3 and that's one of our favorite roads.

There's another great road out there - NY Rte 17A south from Greenwood Lake NY over to Rte 17 - up and over a mountain, past Tuxedo Ridge ski area, and through Sterling Forest. Spectacular! Short, but fantastic.

I am 100% interested. I haven't had my phantom blue baby down into the valley yet. And since I'm a JMU alum, I'd love to catch up with everyone in Front Royal, drive down to 33 and exit there, head over to Harrisonburg and see the ole campus. What kind of starting point/finishing point are people trying to do?

As a side note, any NoVa members, should we meet up somewhere and caravan? And is this rotary only, or would a 350z and a GTO be welcome? :)

I was thinking the whole thing (north to south) but if you wanted to get off early you could but I'd suggest oing the whole thing and then on your way back you can stop by JMU.
And, I'm a NoVa so yeah we could meet up somewhere, just have to figure out where.
And I say yeah to to the 350z and GTO my boyfriend might driv separate in his Camaro SS but I'd try to limit so we have more 8s ;)

if you are mid east, you should join the mazda sportscar club of washington http://www.mscw.com/.

we do a lot of fun events. a skyline drive is coming up i believe.

I was looking at this but I think just doing a drive like this with a smaller rx8 focus would b good.

And so everyone can put it on their scheduals how about the 27 of October?

sure. but you'll have to send me a PM to remind me. im pretty forgetful. and then i'll probably have a large project come up and no free time. 19.5 credits = work.

I'm from N. Va and interested in the ride. I would prefer the October 20th date.

ok, as for the 20th, I have work so I'll have to talk it out with my office. But if everyone agrees with that I'll try. PM me if you want to go for sure and either 20 or 27 will work best. I'll need some kind of an idea where everyone is meeting so let me know where your coming from and NoVa people can choose some kinda meting point.

Cool, the 20th or 27th work for me.

I think both dates will actually work for me as well. As far as a meeting place, anywhere along Rt. 7 will work for me.

I'd also be interested, though I'd probably have to request off work three weeks in advance.

My wife reminded me of a previous commitment on the 27th, so the only date that will work for us is the 20th.

ok, as for the 20th, I have work so I'll have to talk it out with my office. But if everyone agrees with that I'll try. PM me if you want to go for sure and either 20 or 27 will work best. I'll need some kind of an idea where everyone is meeting so let me know where your coming from and NoVa people can choose some kinda meting point.

How far down south are you guys planning to drive. I might be able to meet up with you guys. I live in the Charlottesville/Waynesboro area....I can enter right off of I64. The 20th might work for me as well.

because of work if I go (going north to south) I can get there as early as 3:45p, or (going south to north) I can get there as early as 5:45p >.< 3:45p should be ok though, so how about meeting at 4p on the northern section? I'll find a good parking lot or foo joint close to it. That cool? who all could make that?

How far down south are you guys planning to drive. I might be able to meet up with you guys. I live in the Charlottesville/Waynesboro area....I can enter right off of I64. The 20th might work for me as well.

if we can, I wanna go the whole way.

if we can, I wanna go the whole way.

If I had a nickel for every time I've said (or thought) that.

because of work if I go (going north to south) I can get there as early as 3:45p, or (going south to north) I can get there as early as 5:45p >.< 3:45p should be ok though, so how about meeting at 4p on the northern section? I'll find a good parking lot or foo joint close to it. That cool? who all could make that?

what time should the NoVa group meet and have we decide on a location yet?
I think the rest area of I-66 just after Route 29 Exit would be a good location.

what time should the NoVa group meet and have we decide on a location yet?
I think the rest area of I-66 just after Route 29 Exit would be a good location.

I like that idea, and 300p or 330 would be enough time for me to get out there. :) But I gotta know who all is seriously interested.

i am. but school has a tendency of dumping an unforeseen work load on you that exact weekend you want to do something fun.

count me in anyway.

lol, of course.

So for a list

1. ti8OMGWEE
2. kersh4w
3.
4...

anymore, gotta let me know :)

So have we settled on the 20th or 27th? As I posted earlier, the 20th is the only day I can do it. We are in if it's the 20th.

I'd consider it if it's the 20th, but Skyline is not my favorite drive - sure the scenery and all is great, but it's too slow and boring and traffic sucks. Great for scoring points with the GF, though!

There's a MSCW HPDE at Summit on the weekend of the 27th that I'm considering. Anyone else doing this event?

im in for the 20th ride

October 20th north end at 4p

1. ti8OMGWEE
2. kersh4w
3. stormyblu8
4. gr8ti
5...

1. ti8OMGWEE
2. kersh4w
3. stormyblu8
4. gr8ti
5. 1stgen8

I just need to figure out when and where to meet up with you guys.

I'm not too sure where to meet if anyone has a good idea let me know, otherwise I may take a pre trip scan sunday.

i will be interested when you all pin down the date let me know. again im based in reston, so if anyone wanted to do a caravan im willing i live off reston parkway and wiehle. give me a shout.

I just looked up the exit in Waynesboro, Va. It's located right off I-64 & Rt 250 and is approx 105 miles from Front Royal. So when all the details are final I will pm you my info if you don't mind calling me when you guys get close. I am only 10 mins away from the exit.

There's a MSCW HPDE at Summit on the weekend of the 27th that I'm considering. Anyone else doing this event?

how much is it? in the $400 range?

ok, so I managed to get off of work so I am deff going and I've got all day. How about we meet up in front royal, somebody give a suggestion, I've never been, around 2p?I wanna meet up at like a restaurant with a good parking lot but not being there it's hard to tell. I found a subway off of 340 and E5th that should be a good spot and not too hard to find I hope.

So set time/dest is subway at route 340 and E 5th st, front royal at 2p? Everyone ok with that?

Since I live in Waynesboro I will get on at 2pm and head in your direction. I figured we can meet at Big Meadows (Byrd visitor center) which seems to be the half way point. I added a link that has a more detailed map.

http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/map1.htm

got the map.

come on people. a caravan of 2 is...

not a caravan.

also 1stgen.. um. im pretty sure we are going to go down it.. and then, because we dont live down there. we are going to go back up. we can meet up, sure. but this is supposed to be a leisurely drive down skyline.. drive. :lol2:

I thought there would be more ppl. Someone needs to get an exact count on who's going. If there is only 2-3 cars maybe we need to postpone this trip until others can participate.

got the map.

come on people. a caravan of 2 is...

not a caravan.

also 1stgen.. um. im pretty sure we are going to go down it.. and then, because we dont live down there. we are going to go back up. we can meet up, sure. but this is supposed to be a leisurely drive down skyline.. drive. :lol2:

Ti8omgWee sent me a pm that said you guys were going to take the highway back up.

i dunno. she might. :P

Sorry, I had to back out last min(mom's very sick) but next time we can get a larger group!

i went anyway, and it was beautiful. i'll post pics in a day or 2.

http://graphicdesignlabs.com/skylinedrive/index.html

pics!

Those pictures are beautiful, I really wish I could've gone. I think I'm gonna try going next weekend but I dunno if I can.