I never showed up late... maybe without gas ... but never late..

Two more Jersey cabrios with us YEAHHHH . Maybe we should have a "Cabrio only caravan" ... (a miley for each Cabrio...) btw how many cabrios are coming from this area?

MS STREGA2
DC STELLA

 

Hello everyone:


I'm new to mini and this forum. I did the dragon on my Harley about 3 years ago and it was a bit scary. I'm in for this trip as well....oh, i'm flexible as far as meeting point.


Juan

 

You're welcome to join us. But make sure you go here first: www.northamericanmotoring.com/motd-home and register for the event and sign up for the dinners and activities that will be going on through out the weekend.

 

Thanks Lastrega for helping us wayward Jersians

 

lived in Jersey for 2 years... I loved... plus with all those Italians I felt like home... almost..

In May are you staying in DC (city ) or outside ?

MD STREGA2

 

Hello! Philly MINI here!!
Just wanted to see if it was possible to catch up with every one here to try and touch base to see if we can join up in the caravan down to the dragon. I would like to see if NY MINI is interested and any one else maybe further north. But for now i just wanted to make sure I'm on the same page as every one else.

Motor ON!

Mike

 

In May are you staying in DC (city ) or outside ?

I have buddies in Silver Spring, but they are infested with babies now and I am not sure how crashable their place is now. If we don't stay with them, I still have my dorm key from American University (circa 1990) - hopefully they haven't changed the locks.

 

Done!!! Thank you.

 

Well it all depends on where you guys will be and when...

If we leave from the Manassas/Centreville VA area by 7:45 (because somebody will either be late or have to stop for gas) we should be at the I-66/I-81 interchange south of Winchester VA approximately 45 minutes later or so.

That should also put us at exit 72 (Wyethville) at about 12:30 for gas and lunch.

Assuming we don't hit any traffic (and all those convertibles don't slow us down ) We should roll into the Fontana by 5

 

Bad news, I may not be able to go with you guys...

I'm typing this from work and

 

......just got permission to take the week off.
I may head down early


A bunch depends on how much work I get done on the home front.

I am getting fired up about this trip.

 

Apparently everyone should be a little concerned about where YOUR group will be and when. Did you find a new shortcut or have you just renamed a major US interstate?

 

New road, less traffic It's one of those secret shadow government evacuation routes or something!

But just in case we could still take I-81...

 

[QUOTE=mbabischkin]Well it all depends on where you guys will be and when...=QUOTE]

Well how bout you tell me where you need us tobe and when and we'll be there? IS that alright?

See you at the dragon!!
Mike

 

What time are you guys looking to leave the Philly area? It's what a 4 hour drive from Philly to DC? I'm not sure which is the fastest way for you guys to come down... Is it faster to take I-81 from PA or is it faster for you guys to come through DC...

I don't want to suggest you guys come through DC if it's going to add any significant time to your drive.

 

Ok, now that we're getting close it's time to start really organizing the drive down...

First we'll be meeting in the parking lot in front of the Starbucks Coffee at 5623 Stone Road in Centreville VA. Please make sure you're there and ready to leave by 7:30.

Directions (For those of you with Nav these may be different directions, but they're the easiest from I-66):

From Maryland and all points north, take I-95 South to I-495 (Washington Beltway). Exit onto I-495 towards Silver Spring and Bethesda MD. Follow I-495 into Virginia and exit on to I-66 West towards Front Royal.

Follow I-66 West to exit 52 (US-29) and make a right at the bottom of the ramp to go south on US 29. At the first light, make a right on to Stone Road. Go 2 traffic lights (approximately 3/4 mile) and take the first right into the shopping center. Make a left once you get into the shopping center, Starbucks is approximately 1/2 way down the shopping center.

This is a great jump off point as in this shopping center is the Starbucks, Giant (supermarket for those outside of DC), McDonalds, and a Manhattan Bagel.

While Marina would prefer that you arrived with a full tank of gas . If need be we can stop at the Mobile station on US-29 as we head to I-66.

We'll use channel 7-21 on your FRS/GMRS radio on the way down.

Those of you coming along, PM me and I'll give you may cell phone number so you can contact me if you're running late. We should be gathering early enough that traffic shouldn't be too bad...

 

Ooooh! Maybe I wont be a caravan of one this year!

 

... so if there are any other early birds give me a shout... Never been there so I thought I'd get a head start anbd look around, and in case I see anything interesting on the way.

 

We will be leaving Wednesday from Bethesda, Northwest corner of the DC Beltway in the afternoon, out 66 to 81 and then as far as we can before stopping for th night. We'l leave the next morning and then into the Dragon. We usually stop every couple hours for a potty break and change drivers. Maybe you all will catvh up to us. Coming in from the TN side looks interesting. My cel is 240.298.5207.

C you all there.

Ken from Southern MD DG/W MCS 2003:smile: :smile:

 

How many people do we have? Maybe someone would like to meet at 7:00 am and take off by 7:15 so the next group can leave at 7:30. if we have a large group breaking up in two or caravans will be easier.

Is this a very stupid idea??? I just want to get there soon...

MD STREGA2
DC STELLA

 

When are most people leaving? I think Wednesday is too early for me.

 

This group is leaving Thursday.

And Marina, take a deep breath. The 30 to 45 minute time difference won't affect anything...

 

Michael you are right 30 45 minutes is the same , therefore we decided to leave Wed. night at 19:30 or so. We'll ' drive half way thru and spend the night somewhere then Thursday am will drive the rest of the trip and planning get to the Fontana btw 12:00 and 13:00.
Anyone wants to tag along?

MD STREGA2
DC STELLA

 

OK, barring any unfortunate time-off-boss-denial issues, I'm IN too, and I want to join the caravan.

Immediate suggestions, for anyone who wishes to organize them:

1) Pre-printed route directions, including map stuff (ala MapQuest or Google Maps), from the meeting point all the way to the Dragon. mbabischkin's directions above are great, but a list including mileage, etc. would be even better.
2) A list of caravan drivers (including both real names and NAM nicknames), their car descriptions and license plates, and cell phone numbers, for those who are comfortable providing them. I'll be very happy to volunteer my cell # in a PM to whoever may be organizing this.

Both of the above items will be a tremendous help if people get separated or lost.

I'd take it upon myself to commit to organizing both ideas, except I want to wait until I'm SURE I am going... no point in doing all this and not showing up to hand out the paper. If nobody else jumps in to do it by the time I know, I'll happily do it!

 

As for directions, I'll have them for those who show up at Starbucks. Not sure if they'll be from Streets and Trips or Delorme or something else.

We may set out together, but honestly I'm not going to force or expect anybody to stay with us.

Especially since I think it's harder to get lost going to The Dragon, than actually getting to The Dragon...

I-66 West till it ends at I-81. I-81 South till it ends at I-40. I-40 West to US-129 in Knoxville. US-129 to The Dragon.

That's the whole route. Plus everyone should have FRS or GMRS radios with them. So we'll be in constant contact the whole way down. The radios are a must for The Dragon, especially since once you get past Marysville on US-129 your cell phone won't work.