Couple of years back I went to Miata At The Gap and it was fun. Apparently my kid liked it enough to drag me out to the Gap this year. While the whole experience is awesome, I needed a bit of a push to go again and she provided it.
Last time I didn’t go on any group runs, since those runs are quite lengthy (some are a few hours, while others can go on for several) and the kid could not take that much motion. This time, she agreed to one and I picked the slowest-looking cruise to a nearby waterfall.
As far as speed is concerned, it largely depends on the run leader, group size, and your position within the group. Apparently if you are at the back, you might end up driving faster at times due to the “whiplash effect,” or so I was told. I wasn’t in the back, but somehow the “whiplash effect” was present quite a bit.
I guess everyone’s experience will differ, but what I gathered is this: if you are new or not sure, go for a cruise where the run leader (there is a driver meeting before the drive) says, “We will be going the speed limit…” There is a good chance you will not, but it will give you a good feel for what to expect in terms of speed and your comfort level.
Do NOT go on a spirited run right out of the gate. I wasn’t on one, but I was told by a few people that it is not for everyone. People drive fast, and they mean really fast.
Another perhaps obvious piece of advice is to wear appropriate shoes for driving. I decided to wear Crocs (one shoe to fit all activities, including the pool), which is fine if you just cruise on the highway or drive at a leisurely pace in one gear through the mountains. But when you have to actively shift and heel-toe, well, it can be done in Crocs too, but it is far less comfortable and a lot more fatiguing over a few hours of a run. Next time I’ll definitely pick appropriate shoes and take small flip-flops for pool activities.
Before going to the Gap, I had been wondering if I should get a walkie-talkie… well, I took too long and didn’t end up buying anything. I don’t know how useful they are, but quite a few people had them and apparently they are handy during runs.
Now, cell connectivity didn’t improve over the last two years, so an offline map is mandatory! Download it beforehand since internet service can be iffy even at the hotel. In either case, I think I’ll get a walkie-talkie next time I go. I think it will be fun, and the kid will have something to play with as well.
Besides driving, you can go shopping at Vendor Alley, participate in meets, and hang out with people. If you want more options, well, you are in the Smoky Mountains. There are places to explore, things to see, and as much as I don’t get impressed by nature, I must admit – Smoky Mountains scenery is stunning. My short list: Train Museum, Road to Nowhere, Bryson City, and Titanic Museum. I picked those as side quests since my kid sometimes gets motion sickness and needs a break.
All-in-all, Miata at the Gap is a really nice getaway. Plan, pack, and go – I think it is worth it, even with a 10–11 hour drive one way. I like seeing and talking to people of all ages and from all walks of life, and it is a really enjoyable place to be.
Last time I put together a short list of things to know. I think I’ll revise it:
- Cell connectivity in the mountains is spotty at best; there is no connectivity at Fontana Village, so don’t count on it. However, there is free Wi-Fi in shops, so download maps beforehand.
- Fill up a full tank of gas before going into the mountains. If you are going for runs, a full tank of gas is a very good idea.
- Mountain roads are public roads, patrolled by police, so drive according to the rules. Do NOT cut corners or cross the double line – mountain roads are already dangerous as is, no need to risk further.
- Miata runs are fun, but start with cruises. Don’t start with spirited runs – they are really fast. Wear appropriate shoes.
- While the Dragon is the highlight, there are so many fun and exciting roads to drive on, so go explore.
- Don’t forget you are in the Smoky Mountains. There are places to go and things to do.
