Hey, we are still in so let me know what the details are when you have them. If I don't respond to any thing in the next few weeks it's because we will be touring Europe with the parents, but we still really want to join the Alps drive.

 

Folks (can I say guys?) --

I'm going to start looking at hotel options further east. About 100 km east. And here's why.

Yes, I love the idea of getting there, dropping gear, and then driving freely without the luggage. So that seems key.

But last night I sat down with a good friend of mine (who rides a motorcycle) who is headed to Switzerland today, for his annual drive through the Alps. We broke out a paper map and fired up Google Earth, and talked driving.

Saturday's drive to the Matterhorn seems easy enough.

The problem is Sunday. There's a nice, nice cluster of peaks and passes just calling us, but with the current hotel plan, it'd be a 500 km day -- and he advises against that (~400 is right, he says).

And I gotta say -- the route looks killed. Just awesome.

So, I'll see what I can do to find something further east (I have ideas of villages to check) and will post some options and a new Google Earth file here maybe later this week.

Again -- anyone want to help out with this? Would welcome some help. PM me.


And Paul, if you're reading this, just go buy the damn ticket. This is going to be insanely good.

 

Abu,

Just just keep us posted on that.

Also, if your friend has driven those roads is there a reason for me to go scope them out? I just wanted to make sure we didn't end up on some Heidi goat trail.....

 

We talked about where to go on Sunday (Day 3). I've proposed that as a day to go east, into Italy. If you're heading that way, and want to scope out the Matterhorn ahead, that would be awesome.

 

If you want to send me the route you need checked, that would be great. One small weekend won't be enough time to check it all.

 

Well, I have bad news... I am going to have to duck out on this one as well. Right now the Mrs and I are paying for both of us to go to school and after a long chat with her, we decided that we simply can't swing this right now... Sorry guys, but the timing is just really bad.

 

Well that sucks Daflake!

Hopefully, we can get together sometime and go for a drive soon then!

 

Hey, Smiley --- here's your chance! Hope a flight, and drive Daflake's car!

(and drive it like it's stolen!)

 

In this case it would be the truth

(Daflake be sure to leave your keys where Ill be able to find them )

 

Hey, at least I know you can patch what you break!

It doees suck and we have been juggeling the finances for a year now to the point that we just have to stop the little overnighters and pay for school. The bad timing on this is that the credit hours needed for the masters program is steep as it is the internship. It ate our fun change!

 

I hate to do this after starting all the madness... but I have to duck out as well. I didn't know when it was going to happen but I was just told today. Not going to be in the country that week. Service before self and all that other BS right now. Not too happy about it.
As it is I was just told I'm going to Korea for my next duty assignment. So I'll only get about 6 months with my car.
Kind of the reason I've been out of pocket the past few weeks.
Have fun!!!

 

Holy smokes, that sucks.

Well, we're going to have to add in some other runs, then.

 

And, I may be putting a jinx on all this, but I went ahead and called Brad and ordered an M7 USS. Should be here next week.

Might do a day at the garage on 7 July here in the Heidelberg area -- anyone else got parts they need to install?

Could turn into a pulley party, I suppose.

 

Hey!!
Let me know the day for the installations!! Henry

 

Guys, we might be able to swing a day in the Alps with you guys... I just can't afford the hotel at this time (two school students puts a dent in the pocket).

So, what I may need to do is figure out what the best run is going to be and make a day of it.

 

That sounds good Daflake. We will have to take a look at the Google Earth files and figure out which one is best for you. I am thinking that the Matterhorn day would be a must though!

 

Vilseck to the Matterhorn is 720km.

In case you were wondering.

Vilseck to any part of the Alps that we're looking to drive is going to be 500 km. One way.

That would be, I assess, one very long day.

 

For anyone interested, I've got a garage reserved for this Saturday, 07 July 2007. My USS arrived, and I've got a few other parts on hand that need to be installed (OCC and the like).

Got parts? Here's the chance to be social and get your parts installed.

Details are here.

 

OMG.

Let me say that again.

OMG.

Going on this Alps trip? Don't have a USS?

Call Brad and get one. Any knucklehead can install it themselves, or call me and I'll come do it for you.

My car now drives like it really is a 200 hp freakin' go-kart. The difference is night and day. I could probably remove the brake pedal, cause I just don't need to slow down any more.

I think that all I am missing for the Alps trip is a short shifter. With the USS and the 15% reduction pulley, I am good to go. It's going to be driving bliss.

Why are you still reading this? Go order your USS!

 

Hey, new Google Earth file, here. It's a "sweep right" play, moving the base operations to the east some.

I need someone to find us billeting. I am swamped.

 

Please, please, please -- invest in a decent camera mount, something like this.

Don't do what I ended up doing yesterday.

Schlumpf Collection
Here's my walking tour of the French national auto museum.

Breaking the "howling barrier"
A video about that howling noise that at least R53's make in the 90-125 mph range. The video shows that, yes indeed, the sound goes away for 125+ mph. Don't try this at home.

Running the Hills
Odd bits of video from the drive. It's got some nice panorama shots, too. Those were good hills.

The one less traveled by
I ended up seeing a turn and just taking it. I ended up on one of those awesome little one-lane deals that you stumble onto from time to time in Germany, or seemingly all the damn time in the Black Forest. One lane, no real place to pass, hopefully no traffic coming the other way, and all the while the GPS is telling you to turn around, that you won't make it. You always do, too. Not a fast drive, just scenic and a lot of fun.

 

abuzavi!!
That howling noise is not normal. You need to check were is coming from. Henry

 

abuzavi,
Is there still space for the trip?
If so count me and my wife in
Blue

 

Well, it's official -- I'm out. My *** is parked in Romania for the foreseeable future.

I guess I'll put together a spring trip, too. Just share with me your lessons learned.

 

Unfortunately, I'm out too... @&%$# work priorities!