Heading out in a few.

See you all there!

 

Me too - might be a few minutes late due to the rain that is SUPPOSED to go away.... can't wait to me y'all!

 

We'll still be there. I guess my wash last night went to waste, but I can always wash it again tonight.

 

You should all be in the middle of some twisty fun by now. I intended and expected to be there as of bed time last night. But when I woke up my back had flared up again and I couldn't move. I even took it easy yesterday in prep. Sorry to be a no show, I hate that.

 

Oh MAN was that fun! I can't WAIT till the next one! As soon as I download the pics, I will post them!

 

Any pic that is wet or wild.

 

Got a few of them! You missed out on a good run today! I hope you will be able to join us on the next one. There are some BEAUTIFUL roads!!! The stone walls were AWESOME.

 

I should have made it today. Definitely, will be in for the 20th.

Maxi, will be fully ready to take on any curves and twisties.

 

It was a lot of fun, and the weather was oh so veddy British!

 

I loved all those stone walls too...beautiful scenery. Lunch was yummy.

Thanks Haemish, for a fun drive, and thinking fast when we had to stop for a flat tire...you didn't lose anyone, and that was admirable.

Hope the person with the flat made it home ok..

you guys are gonna have fun on the 20th..

 

Great day, Great Roads, Even better Company. Had a heck of a fun time for my virgin run. Edge did a hell of a good job setting this up. See ya next week in Maryland.

Brian

 

Well, I am still loading pictures... I can't believe I took 150 pictures over the last 2 days

 

That was a great run! Thanks for putting in all the work and getting down perfect Edge!

The route handouts were a nice touch too.

 

I'm glad today was a good turn out! I cant wait for the 20th!

 

Today was a great run! I didn't even notice how long it was.

Claire (the one who got the flat) did make it home ok.

My pictures did not turn out at all, so I hope others took some good ones.

 

ATOKA!!!!

Great run!

Thank you Haemish for doing such a good job setting the route up.

Beautiful scenery. I also thought the stone walls were extra-cool.

 

Still uploading but here are a few I like so far. I took A LOT! Trying to figure out some good angles, and having fun getting out taking photos again. I didn't get many of the actual run...I was driving... But I did get some good ones! Here is a link to the stream on Flickr.

 

Haemish, what a heck of a great run, the roads, the food, the pace....... everything was great. I'm going to upload some pictures and I have a video that I have to edit. Thanks.

P.S. The hats are great, any news on a second run????

 

Thanks! We are very happy with them as well! We will open up another run after I get home from MOTD

 

Haemish - Thanks for a "Grand Day Out" to borrow from my favorite clay friends ! The route was great, my brother had his first real crack at Wensleydale and had fun.......to the tune of a very nervous Daddy

Agreed, the weather had a smashing resemblance to that found across the pond.....in June !, luckily for us, its only April ! Bring on the Sun and heat.....sorry folks...I hate cold/winter

The Griff was really nice....really enjoyed the Newcastle on tap but I passed on the fish-n-chips fearing my brother's driving might make me a bit green, settled on the Ruben and was not disappointed.

Looking forward to next Sunday's run, not sure I'll make the 20th though my bro' said Naked is excellent wine

Cheers,

Mike

 

Wow..... all those great pictures. Hope you all have some for the photo contest.

Looks like I missed tons of fun today.
Will definitely try to make it on 20th.

 

Whew - what a day...

Byron & Sue (CooperCops) - I'm sorry you guys couldn't make it... but I know you would have if you could.

Mark (mmatarella) - I'm sorry to hear that your back flared up. I hope you feel better and that you're able to make it on the 20th.

Stacey (MINInurse) - Great pics! I'm glad you had a great time... sorry that you guys got tired at the winery... just a heads up - the second half is just as good as the first (if not better). And yes, the stone walls are awesome... one of my favorite parts.

Stephanie (creseida) - I'm glad you and your hubby had fun. Hurry up and join the club already!

Katie (kdgblu / Mom) - You're welcome... a son's gotta make his mom proud! I'm glad you had a great time too... thanks for sticking around that extra 15-20 minutes so that we could enjoy your company up to I-66...

Brian (Brian0758) - I'm very happy that your first run with the club was a good experience. As I posted originally, that run (or a very close equivalent) was my first run with the club too. It's special to me and I am very happy to revive it.

Rowan (ravana) - I'm glad that you and your Mom had a good time, and thank you for the compliment on the route sheet.

Laura (GreenCactus) - Yes, it was a very long distance, but we moved quite efficiently so it worked out well. That was a real bummer about the flat tire, I am glad to hear that Claire made it home OK. That's the thing - never leave a MINI behind! (unless they choose to be left behind heh)

Bill (wolf617) - ATOKA! Actually, I can't take credit for that one... I'm not completely certain, but I'm pretty sure it was Paul! who coined the phrase, 3 years ago on the first Spring Fling. I just had to use it again, it's hard not to. Oh, and you're welcome.

Rick (Mr EZ) - glad you had a great time! It's tough trying to figure out the "right" pace... too fast... too slow... I'm glad that nobody seems to have any large concerns about the pace today (so far at least... constructive criticism is always welcome though!).

Mike (SpitfireMKI) - Great pics! I'm glad that you and your brother had a great time. Sometimes you just have to have a little faith I guess... I've let numerous people drive my MINI, and I'm glad I have, because I've made a few converts out of doing so. Maybe your brother is next?

 

I especially want to thank the following people:

Bruce (mty_mini) - for creating the original Spring Fling, from which this variation was built. Hats off to you - most of the beautiful roads we saw today are due to you taking the initiative to do this 3 years ago.

Stephanie (creseida) (first dry run navigator) - for spending the day with someone she had never met, for a club she has yet to join... and providing tremendous assistance in helping to make the route more efficient. She's also the one that came up with Griffin Tavern & Restaurant as an alternate lunch location, after the original one was discovered to be closed. Bravo! I think Griffin is way better!

Ashley (Hammerette) (second dry run navigator) - for your invaluable assistance in locking down the exact mileage count (awesome job, honey!), accurate time estimation and very helpful advice on getting the route sheet straightened up. Not to mention your wonderful company - Griffin Tavern for dinner and Spring Fling in the dark under high beams! I just wish you could have joined us today... how can we move Athens, TX to Virginia?

Alan (Scavenger) (third dry run navigator & today's sweeper) - that was an awesome dry run, dude - thanks for your help and company, a good friend as always (side note - thanks to Pawel (pyskacz) and his brother Simon for their company on the 3rd dry run too). Thanks also for a perfect job as my sweeper!

Janelle (BGBADWLF) (today's navigator) - You jumped in for the run at the last minute, and it made all the difference! Thanks so much for helping me organize the waivers this morning, and your help & company on the run today. See, I knew those military skills would come in handy today!

Item of note - the entire DCMM board was on the run today! That has to be a first. Wow.
Item of note #2 - On entire Spring Fling run, you never drive the same piece of road in the same direction twice. Even then, there are only a few short parts where we drive the same piece of road in the opposite direction!
Item of note #3 - Bruce/mty_mini is signed up to join us for the run on the 20th... for those of you joining us then, please be sure to thank him when you meet him.

To everyone else - thanks for being such good sports and showing up today, in spite of the rain. A little rain never hurt anybody!

 

Some really nice pictures despite the weather; guess you all are braver than I am. From the pictures I spotted what looks like 2 separate cars that already look how mine will when it's done. VERY exciting for me, because they look great!

Def. hoping the weather on the 20th is better.

 

yeah, it was cool to see Janelle today. I hope we see her more often.

Stephanie, jump off the fence, girl! As you can see, we're a fun bunch....when we use our inside voices

Haemish, you just like the fact you got to eat shepard's pie 3 times in 2 weeks I guess I know what you'll have for lunch on the 20th..