EIM at the Alphabet Soup Drive -- July 18th

**Gil-galad** · #1 06-18-2009, 11:59 AM

[ Link to RSVPs for this event ---> HERE <--- ]

EIM plans to participate in A Wisconsin Alphabet Soup Twisty Drive being led by CMDG on Saturday, July 18th.

The southwest Wisconsin roads that will be traversed during this drive represent some of the best MINI motoring available in our region. The landscape escaped the brunt of the glacial bulldozer during the ice age resulting in a plethora of twisty curves and rolling hills. It's also a big plus that Wisconsin chooses to pave (rather than gravel) most of the quality tertiary roads. The result is a combination perfectly suited to the MINI.

The preliminary EIM rendezvous point is set for Dubuque at 9:00 am. We will meet with the Chicago MINIs in New Glarus, WI at 10:30 am.

Additional details to follow in this thread. Also, FreeFromDezire from CMDG (who is leading the planning) has posted some nice info and video clips of portions of the drive in this CMDG thread: A Wisconsin Alphabet Soup Twisty Drive -- you'll want to check it out!

It will also give you a clue where the term "Alphabet Soup" comes from.

D3m0N · #2 07-05-2009, 12:11 PM

Any further news on this?

**Gil-galad** · #3 07-05-2009, 05:08 PM

I know it's still happening, and the meet-up for us is now planned for New Glarus, WI at 10:30 am.

I expect we'll be hearing from CMDG with route details sometime this week.

AutoXCooper.com · #4 07-05-2009, 05:53 PM

Date: July 18, 2009
Meet Location: Rockton IL Love's gas station at the intersection of Rockton Rd and I-90/39.
Meet Time: 9:15 am
Roll out: 9:45 am

sounds like someone wants to work out his new mods

MINI dmv · #5 07-07-2009, 10:02 AM

Any news on the "Midnite Breakfast Tour"?

**Gil-galad** · #6 07-08-2009, 07:43 AM

Nothing, other than last word from CMDG is that it's still on their radar screen.

We'll start a separate, dedicated EIM thread once we learn more details.

Now, back OT ... I'm going to try and negotiate an advance rendezvous point so the EIMers don't have to go all of the way over to the CMDG meet-up south of Beloit. Will advise everyone when I have the details.

05MINI · #7 07-09-2009, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gil-galad

Now, back OT ... I'm going to try and negotiate an advance rendezvous point so the EIMers don't have to go all of the way over to the CMDG meet-up south of Beloit. Will advise everyone when I have the details.

Good idea. It is a 3 hour drive from my location to their start point.

D3m0N · #8 07-09-2009, 04:52 PM

3 1/2 from Iowa City

**Gil-galad** · #9 07-09-2009, 05:17 PM

Edit: Disregard my earlier post...

I received a PM from Jay, and we're looking at a 10:30 am rendezvous in New Glarus, WI at the BP station south of WI-39 and WI-69. Route details will be forthcoming soon.

Anyone interested in a 9:00 am preliminary rendezvous in Dubuque? I'd be happy to meet you there.

MariaChick · #10 07-09-2009, 07:34 PM

we can meet you there

D3m0N · #11 07-09-2009, 08:31 PM

9:00 AM where in DBQ I am in

1:51 according to google maps from DBQ to NewGlarus

1:54 route looks more interesting however
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...31&ie=UTF8&z=9

Maybe 8:30 meetup?

**Gil-galad** · #12 07-10-2009, 05:26 AM

I think something might be messed up with your Google Maps calculation. It shouldn't take 1:54 to go 70 miles.

I did the same route on MapQuest (up US-151 to Mineral Point and then over on WI-39) and it shows 1:20 which is probably a little conservative -- so a 9:00 am meet up in Dubuque should be plenty early. There are several alternative routes that might be more interesting but we don't want to wear anyone out too early! I think we'll get our fill of twisties after New Glarus.

Shall we meet at the same Wendy's as we did for last year's Taste of Madison drive? It's at the corner of E 16th St and Kerper Blvd.

05MINI · #13 07-10-2009, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gil-galad

Shall we meet at the same Wendy's as we did for last year's Taste of Madison drive? It's at the corner of E 16th St and Kerper Blvd.

Works for me. See you at 9:00.

**Gil-galad** · #14 07-14-2009, 08:11 AM

I traded PMs with Jay from CMDG...he's putting the final touches on the route map. I'm expecting to be able to circulate it to you sometime tomorrow. I'll keep you posted.

MariaChick · #15 07-14-2009, 09:43 AM

Wish we could have more club members joining in,

**Gil-galad** · #16 07-14-2009, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MariaChick

Wish we could have more club members joining in,

Yeah, that would be nice -- but small numbers are okay too. Some folks are more into the Meet-n-Eats, some the parades, some the cars shows, and others into exercising the twisties. (Some of us are into all of them.

) There's lots of competition for people's time during the summer. It's all good.

***I just received the full route map from FFD and will email it to participants.

Note that our participation begins at 10:30 at the New Glarus rendezvous. I propose that, depending on where we find ourselves in the late afternoon, we bail out and wave farewell to the CMDG MINIs somewhere east of Dodgeville so we can start heading home. I'm hoping I can convince the EIM folks to stop for supper at a restaurant on the trip back -- I have my eye on Mineral Point as a good supper stopping point.

The associated GPS coordinates should be available soon.

05MINI · #17 07-14-2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gil-galad

Note that our participation begins at 10:30 at the New Glarus rendezvous. I propose that, depending on where we find ourselves in the late afternoon, we bail out and wave farewell to the CMDG MINIs somewhere east of Dodgeville so we can start heading home. I'm hoping I can convince the EIM folks to stop for supper at a restaurant on the trip back -- I have my eye on Mineral Point as a good supper stopping point.

Fantastic! The weather looks good for this event. Of course it looked good for Winona, too, until we actually got there

I will be sure to throw a sweatshirt in my boot.
I am always ready to eat and will plan on supper in Mineral Point.

MariaChick · #18 07-14-2009, 11:09 AM

Sounds good to us.

AutoXCooper.com · #19 07-14-2009, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MariaChick

Wish we could have more club members joining in,

I'm all in fav of having as many MINI' as we can, but this is a hardcore event.

300 MILES of pavement in ONE day not counting the drive there and back.

This will be 300 miles of twisty and by the time we get home the only road you will want to see is the one to your bed.

It's going to be fun, but this event is not for everyone.

If anyone begins to fatigue it's that persons time to slow down, move to the back till recovered.

All are welcome, but it's going to a long day, See Ya D

**Gil-galad** · #20 07-14-2009, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChicagoMINIDrivingGroup

I'm all in fav of having as many MINI' as we can, but this is a hardcore event.

300 MILES of pavement in ONE day not counting the drive there and back.

This will be 300 miles of twisty and by the time we get home the only road you will want to see is the one to your bed.

It's going to be fun, but this event is not for everyone.

If anyone begins to fatigue it's that persons time to slow down, move to the back till recovered.

All are welcome, but it's going to a long day, See Ya D

Appreciate the perspective. I'm anticipating that this will be mitigated somewhat for us by the EIMers staying together in a separate group running slightly behind you guys. That way, we can throttle our pace or make emergency stops if necessary without impacting other participants.

Also, as posted earlier our group plans to wave off about 3/4 through the route** to start heading west and home.

**Edit: We plan to turn right on WI-39 in Hollandale and head west from there

**Gil-galad** · #21 07-15-2009, 05:47 PM

I scoped out a proposed EIM evening meal stop in Mineral Point -- The Old Royal Inn. Nice local character with some history, not too pricey, and maybe even a little live music. Reviews on several of the travel websites appear quite favorable. Here's a link where you can access info and a menu:

http://hollytierneybedord.com/main.html

Sound okay to you?

D3m0N · #22 07-17-2009, 06:45 AM

Much to my disapointment I will be unable to motor with the group on this outing as my plans were changed for me.
Have fun and take many pictures...

**Gil-galad** · #23 07-17-2009, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 05MINI

Fantastic! The weather looks good for this event. Of course it looked good for Winona, too, until we actually got there

I will be sure to throw a sweatshirt in my boot.

Looks like your comment may be prophetic...temp and cloud cover is looking a lot like the Monday at MMEMW, though it won't be nearly as windy. That said, I'll take this any July day over the other possible extreme.

D3m0N, motoring pictures may be limited somewhat as I figure I'll be too busy hangin' on...

05MINI · #24 07-17-2009, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gil-galad

I scoped out a proposed EIM evening meal stop in Mineral Point -- The Old Royal Inn. Nice local character with some history, not too pricey, and maybe even a little live music. Reviews on several of the travel websites appear quite favorable. Here's a link where you can access info and a menu:

http://hollytierneybedord.com/main.html

Sound okay to you?

This looks great to me!

See you at 9:00 tomorrow with my hat and mittens

05MINI · #25 07-19-2009, 06:54 AM

What a great time! Wisconsin has some mighty fine roads. Here is a link to a few pics from the day.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/3028273...7621680738726/