John Cooper? That's a little easier to spell and pronounce than Alec Issigonis.

What's the best way from the city? Google Maps says 290 to 38, but that seems like a long time on a surface street. Has anyone ever made the drive during evening rush, and how long should I budget the trip to be?

 

Since John Cooper was taken, I'll go with Charlie Croker.

 

I'll go with MINI

Yes, it's a name...

 

I'm gonna check my GPS... but I wouldn't recommend 90 to Randall Rd. From what I hear and remember, it doesn't move very well on a friday evening. I think if you get off before then and snake your way over, it should be better... Anyone with other suggestions?? I'm at 90 and Arlington Hts Rd.

 

I'm ethier coming from McHenry or a little further East, If McHenry then I was thinking of snaking down 31 and 25 but knowing that it could easily turn into a 1 1/2hr trip, my other consideration is go 12>53>355>88 jump off ethier around Naper and do 56>38 or go further on 88 out to 31 and go north. Kinda depends on my mood and how traffic is flowing.

 

lets see from the n/w burbs there's 290/355 south to I88 west till Orchard., right on Orchard till Randall, left on Randall to the place. Going 290 till 38 then taking 38 west might take all day on a friday night.

Just remembered one thing, there's construction on 88 west at the york toll and then again near Naperville road exit. It took my 90 minutes on Wednesday leaving the office (O'Hare) at 5pm to reach about where we're going.

Its cloudy enough we won't be driving into the western sun.

 

From O'hare and the city, 88 to Orchard is good. There will probably be a slow down near 88 with traffic merging from 355. But once you get past that, things will open up.

An alternative, though not faster, would be 290 W -> 355 S-> Rt 64 W.

Rt 64. is 6 lanes most of the way out and if you get the lights is really fast. I'd stay away from Rt. 38 until you get close to Geneva, way too many lights through Wheaton.

The Ike will probably be a mess. If you're on the road at 6pm, it should be okay. I work in Evanston and on the occasions that I drive to the office, I budget 2 hour.

 

I'll be there at 8pm. You guys expect lots of traffic that late even?

I have no idea what to guess for the reservation name.

Mini Party of 12?

No idea.

 

90 to Randall is awful! The toll construction near the Fox River is really bad.

Francis - I pass right by your office on my home, about 80% of the time I take Golf to Rt. 59 to Rt. 64. To mix things up and to get onto some nice two lane scenic roads you might I take Rt. 59 S -> Bartlett Rd. W -> Rt. 25 S -> Rt. 38 W.

motor on - Rt. 31 between S. Elgin and StC is a hoot! EDIT --> if you take 31, make a right at Crane Rd (map) to short cut over to Randall. You'll save a good 20 minutes.

 

John Cooper!

 

 

Chicago area traffic map if needed...

http://www.traffic.com/Chicago-Traff...affic-Map.html

 

I've had some things come up at the last minute, I'm not going to be able to make it I was really looking foreward to this too :impatient

 

 

It was great seeing everyone again and meeting Christina.

I hope you all had a good time on the west side.

Jeremy, it was worth the wait. Great food and good friends.

Blake

 

It was nice seeing everyone tonight. Good luck with that tire Blake

 

Thanks

 

Very cool!!! 7 MINIs in a row Good to see you guys again. Nice meeting you MiniChristina. We should do this again sometime

 

hmmm... one of these things.. is not like the other... One of these things just doesn't belong

Let us know how things work out Blake!!!

 

Nice job on the tire comparison photo! I'm sure Blake enjoys that a lot!

Good to see everyone! Anyone else have any more pix? Sorry to have to mooch. I really need to carry a camera.

Taylor

 

A big thanks to everyone who showed last night, it was nice meeting some new faces.

Good drinks, good food and plenty of MINI conversation.

Jeremy, a great call on planning this, so a double to you.

Blake, good luck on the tire, 215 or 205's or a combo of both?

 

Everyone... here's a link to the shots I took. I need to get more practice taking night shots

http://flickr.com/photos/96311057@N0...7594286076827/

 

Don't feel too bad, I tried the night time setting on mine and whoa! blurry pics but the colors came out great.

Let me see about getting mine posted.

 

Hi Everyone... Thank you so much for letting Tony and I join you all last night. We both had fun meeting everyone.

Again,
Thank you!!
Christina

 

You will all be happy to know that I went to Discount Tire this morning to take care of my, er, problem. They were very apologetic and they ordered up the new tire. Grrr, not in stock!!!

The new one will be here on Tuesday.

Thank you all for pointing this out to me.

blake