[kristobias]

Just back from a 3000km/ 4 day trip to drive my CS to the Tail of the Dragon and all the great mountain roads in the NC/Tennesee vicinity. I went with 15 other enthusiasts ranging from 19-5X with cars from BMW M cars to Hondas and Fords. It was an amazing experience and a testament to how well the CS is set up for spirited driving out of the box. It performed flawlessly.

While in NC, we caught an amazing vintage BMW show in Hot Springs.

The Tail may be the star attraction, but for me some of the other local (quiet) mountain roads (like Highway 209) are even better.

A few pics

M2 cleaned up before leaving

[kristobias]

And a few of the clean up after getting back

[thrilla]

That’s some lineup! NSX, S2K, CTR, and your M2CS

[killerdeck]

Amazing group and trip! I see a very interesting line up of cars including a 2002, the OG CSL, NSX, etc. My best friend and I completed an adventure from Dallas to the Tail during August 2022, as well. The CS was a dream the entire trip. We even averaged as high as 30 MPG with cruise set in MS for several hours. One of my all time favorite road trips and driving experiences.

[///MPhatic]

We go every year in October. Such a fun trip. The M2 is very suited to The Dragon, so much so, that I have never bothered taking my Exige there.

[NPTM]

Dying to make this trip…a trek from NY but have watched hundreds of YouTube videos in the past year of the roads there and I’m just blown away…one day! Great shots and diverse crew of cars, love it!

[W///]

I'm about 3 hrs or so from TOTD, but have only driven it twice. To be perfectly honest, there are better roads in NC off of the Blue Ridge Parkway IMO, with less traffic and cops also.

Very cool pictures though, and thanks for sharing! Hockenheim silver with gold wheels look so good!

[robopp]

Originally Posted by W///

I'm about 3 hrs or so from TOTD, but have only driven it twice. To be perfectly honest, there are better roads in NC off of the Blue Ridge Parkway IMO, with less traffic and cops also.

Very cool pictures though, and thanks for sharing! Hockenheim silver with gold wheels look so good!

I just moved to SC, but we’re about as close to the NC border as you can get. I’m curious if you could recommend some roads off Blue Ridge? TIA!

[W///]

Originally Posted by robopp

I just moved to SC, but we’re about as close to the NC border as you can get. I’m curious if you could recommend some roads off Blue Ridge? TIA!

Welcome to the area!

I always love hwy 178 going towards Rosman NC. To the north of Rosman, you'll find hwy 215 and 276 which is also good fun.

Essentially, just go to any connecting roads around the Blue Ridge Parkway itself and they're all pretty great!

[IcewaterPete]

OP: Great trip and pics! Glad you had such a good time…how could you not! I love that area. Bonus to catch the vintage Bimmers!

For those itching to make the trek there for the first time make sure you map out your trip the old school way and have a paper map as back up. Cell service around there can be nonexistent. I like to hit that area early in the morning and on weekdays if possible to avoid the craziness.

[Fred Conoway]

I also agree with fully mapping out your trip beforehand, and even checking the roads on google street view before adding them to the route. I've been caught out a few times with roads that look like they should be paved, only to find out they are un-paved dirt or gravel

[kristobias]

Originally Posted by W///

Welcome to the area!

I always love hwy 178 going towards Rosman NC. To the north of Rosman, you'll find hwy 215 and 276 which is also good fun.

Essentially, just go to any connecting roads around the Blue Ridge Parkway itself and they're all pretty great!

I’m a cyclist and I’ve stayed in Table Rock and ridden 178 a bunch. It would be great in a car!

[flybigjet]

I did the Tail multiple times last fall while doing a seven-week solo motorcycle trip-- mid October and early November.

There was hardly anybody there- it made for excellent riding/driving conditions.... although on a bike, heated gear was *mandatory*.

You had to keep an eye on the weather, but on the plus side, you could sleep in until the temperature warmed up enough to make the tires happy.

The Cherohola Skyway is in some ways, a better ride as well. A few other good ones in the area are the Snake 421 loop, Back of the Dragon and the Moonshiner 28.

R.