it's still up in the air a bit. ryan told me last night we are going to make the stops short and fast food for lunch. so this morning a get a call from ric saying what is up? i put him in touch with ryan to hash it out as i was out of the loop on this call. i really do not care what we do. i have listed times and places that people can meet us becasue one it looks cool, two it gives more help if something should happen, and three it gives us all something to talk about. if anyone wants to split off, feel free to do. in the end we will make it there for dinner, it could rain all the way there too and make us even later, a truck could jack knife and hold us up for hours. all i can do is try to plan it the best i can even knowing there is construction. god luck to everyone that doesn't join us. as for now the plans for places and time say the same except we will have new shorter lunch plan i guess. all of this will play out fine as we drive down.

 

agreed, we're trying to fix something that isn't broken

agreed, i was looking at forty MINI's on the high way as one of the many highlights of the trip

wait a second, you mean you didn't take this stuff into account? what the hell kinda planners are you?:smile:

and amen to that

 

Regardless we will have a good 100 mile period where the whole caravan will be together, which is after the stop at the rest area just inside Kentucky. If we skip Man O' War and do a quick break elsewhere then I'll be sticking with the pack. I'm thinking a truck stop would be a good place to stop - they usually have tons of gas pumps (lotsa Minis fillin' up!) and fast food inside.

 

Awesome!! Thanks so much. I guess I'll grab it from you down at the dinner somewhere.

 

Ryan and Chad,
I have just reviewed the past 2 weeks discussion to update myself on the plan for Thursday. Are we still on for 6:30 am to depart or has the time been moved up as suggested? How often will we stop, and when is the first stop, as some of us may need a potty stop early on after our first cup of morning coffee?

I am in favor of quick stops, grabbing fast food or brown bagging it along the way. As the caravan has grown, stops will take longer just because of the number of people involved.

I did a Street and Trips map request with an update on construction and all looks clear according to the Microsft guru. What is the scoop on the rock slide that has been discussed? Does anyone in the group have the Nav System in their Mini? If so they should be on call for any instant direction changes we might need.

Can you repost the iternary with any of the changes you may have made since the last posting? I know it results in a lot of discussion, however,for some of us, it assists in our planning process.

I'll bring along some "Simpy Scrumptious" goodies to share along the way.

Thanks for all your efforts and time planning this. I can hardly wait until Thursday. :smile: :smile:

Lori, aka MINIRCR

 

I have NAV and will be constantly checking the computer's ETA. What's happened to Wrecker's recon report?

Sid

 

first stop. Leave @ 6:30 am the Meijers at 8 and Haggerty. and from all the worried people about construction and being on time we will be pulling out at 6:30 so meet up and have all your pre run plans done. no showing up at 6:15 and run into meijers. be gassed up, coffee in hand, ready to roll. (sorry to be so hard, but we have to stay on time with so many cars) so plan on reaching this meeting point at 6:00 am.

next stop in michigain Exit 18 on I-75 (Nadeau Rd, Monroe) About 7:00 am. we will jump on 275 after the first stop and be here to pick people up at 7 am. again be ready! be there by 6:30

after that we all just drive down, speeds will be about 5 over the limit most of the way, as our speedos are off anyways. any stops we make will need to be short and fast. we will have lots of time to check out cars at the dragon, so we will not have to do it on the way down. when we stop, pee is needed, grab a water, or fuel when needed and we are back on the road.


see you all thursday.

sid, my phone call is on the way, he is driving right now... i'll let you basically know the day of. i have a few installs to do yet...

 

Agokart &/or Ryephile,

Blu Frnz here - as promised we confirmed our plans and would like to join the group at the Lexington ManO'War exit OR wherever the group plans to fill up close to that exit...
Since this is our 1st Dragon and we are VERY excited about the caravan itself....we would like to be 'indians'. Food - no food - whatever...just want to have fun - OFF FROM WORK AT LAST!
Is there another way for us to contact someone to find out what the plans are closer to Thursday or just come to thread?

Just Happy to be in a MINI with such a group!
Blu Frnz
aka Cheri & Sandra

 

Detroit Crew: Leaves @ 6:30 am the Meijers at 8 and Haggerty
Chad (agokart) Detroit Tuned
Ryan (Ryephile) Detroit Tuned
Ryan's Mom (Mom)
Greg (MtnBikerBones)+1
Sid (Msfitoy) +1
Joann (josmini) & Bob
Phil (Xanda) & Denise
Chris (C)
Steve (steebo)
Brandon (Wraith1416)
Zak in new cooper s (Maximusmini)
Dan (Dan)
Larry (LZ)
Theresa (Theresa) & Terry
Scott (TheWrks) +1
(Sparty)
Ken (pkd)
Scott & Louri (minircr)
Loren (LorenH) +1
(alpinamike)
Christain (4gazm)

maybe (MINIAC)
maybe Lina (Pepe)

Rick (wrecker) +1 (meeting us there, home trip)

Other Michigan stop: Exit 18 on I-75 (Nadeau Rd, Monroe) About 7:00 am
Lou & Dee (dee) maybe +1
Stefanie (ImaVunDerBrah) +1
Milissa (MelissaJax) +1

Out of State Link Ups:
@ I-75 & Rt #30 (Exit 135) in OH @ McD's about 8:30 am
Steve (Minzila)
Paul (Stone)

Exit 68 For 571 (Tipp City) Just North of Dayton OH, on I-75
NOTE: THIS IS NOT A STOP WE WILL PASS BY AND CALL YOU ON THE TALK-A-BOUT About 10:00 am, but be early!
(DW)

Kentucky Rest stop on south bound I-75 @ mile 176, Between Exit 178 and 175 (just south of cincinnati) about 11:30 am
Jeremy (Sarcux) & Jessica (Plus two other cars or more)
Patrick (AppelCello)
Jeff (welshmenillnotyield)
(rednwhitecooper)
(Jray)
Aaron Cornaby (Out Motoring)
Sean Svensen
Michael
(MandaBoo) + Dizzy


Man-O-War blvd in Lexington KY, off I-75 Exit 109 (Lunch and Fuel ~ 1:00 pm)
Ric Stofer (Motorn)
Cooper Stofer
(muidaq) +1
Cheri and Sandra (BluFrnz)

Reach the Dragon with 40 cars @ 5:00 pm!!!

This is still the plan as of now. while on the road you can always reach me at 586-484-1158. i have a person looking at other detour options right now and will find out before we leave, but all the stops are still good. we just may have a few less cars.

 

Are there plans for a caravan back on Sunday or is it every man for himself? Kinda sucks that we're driving back on Mother's Day... I didn't realize that this weekend fell on Mother's Day when I registered (not that that would have changed my plans ). Would be good to get home as early as possible.

 

yeah it's about the same on the return trip. we leave around 12 on sunday. we will spread the word on the time down there.

 

Agokart,

Please read our post above.
We were unsure of our entry spot until this past weekend and it is different than on your current list...

BUT, we are very excited to join the caravan around Lexington somewhere!


Blu Frnz
aka Cheri & Sandra

 

Motorn, Cooper Stofer, muidaq,

We would love to rendevous with you all.
We live off Tates Creek between ManO'War and New Circle right next to Tates Creek shopping center...
Anyone else coming from that direction?

We just bought Motorola talkabouts and we are READY to GO Motoring!

Cheri phone - 859-492-3627
Hope to hear from you.
Cheri
Blu Frnz is a '04 Indi Blue Cooper with white top and wheels.

 

Ooh, OK. I was hoping to get on the road earlier but I'll see how things play out before making a decision.

 

D2D Leader Ring Tail Recon Report

MI mile marker (m/m) 7 Right lane closed, traffic shift left. Rumble strips in left lane, speed limit 60 mph

OH m/m 85 Lane shift left, 55 mph, less than 1 mile

OH m/m 64 Shift right, right lane use shoulder. 55 mph

OH m/m 52 Right lane closed. 2 Lanes open. Lane shift left approx. 2 miles. 55 mph

KY Many orange signs for construction. m/m 83, 72, 52. All False Alarms!
No actual work. This is Kentucky!

TN m/m 156 Shoulders closed. 55 mph. No problems

TN m/m 144 "Roadslide" shift to northbound side. 1 Lane open, 30 - 40 mph, approx 5 miles

TN m/m 128 1 Lane open, 30 mph Unexpected bridge work, 3 - 4 miles max. This was slower than Roadslide that everyone was worried about.

Alternate route - Exit at Jelico TN. Follow signs for 25 West. Yes, you will go North than East. Take 25 West to La Sollette. 63 to 75 Carryville. But still hit bridgework at m/m 128. Detour will add 20 - 30 minutes but first half has some real nice twisties.
See no way around bridgework at 128. Clear sails to Oakridge.

Recon Summary
Stay on 75. Attack Head-on. Do Not Attempt Flanking Maneuver.

Broke for R & R in Oakridge. Will resume mission Monday on 75 South of Knoxville.

Will send another report Tuesday if needed.

Will leave Dragon Thursday A.M. Will meet D2D caravan around TN / KY border and give full escort.

Safe Motoring.

Wrecker.

 

Talkabouts purchased, already set to 7 sub 21, ready to meet up with the caravan in London, Ky, exit 41. I can't wait!

 

My sister just took a trip to Knoxville and she also said that most (particularly a large group) would likely be better off just staying on I-75. While yes, we will probably be going 30-40mph, it's better than going 35mph on the back roads which are longer mileage-wise

 

Nice to have the recon!

Outta curiosity, who is stopping at Man O' War, and who isn't? Wondering how big the split caravans will be. I'm skipping it.

 

Not sure if anyone has another day off but three of us Minis are takn a detour to Gatlinburg on Sunday. PM me if you're interested. We're stoppn 2 hours north (Corbin, KY) for the night and taking it easy back the rest of the way on Monday to Detroit

 

[QUOTE=Blu Frnz]Motorn, Cooper Stofer, muidaq,

We would love to rendevous with you all.
We live off Tates Creek between ManO'War and New Circle right next to Tates Creek shopping center...
Anyone else coming from that direction?

Yes, I live in Waterford :smile: Looks like we will be meeting at the Ramsey's out by Hamburg about 1:00 on Thursday.