Hi Eric,

Four AtlantaMINIS.

 

How much over the speed limit do you want to go? LJinNC said his average speed was 67 mph, and he got from Asheville to Cincy in 5 hrs, 45 mins...

 

Well the Italian Job adventure isn't too far away. Bean is working on his new look.

 

Good chance of two MINIs out of SMM. If our daughter goes we will take two MINIs.:smile:

 

I have heard that of 5/26/05 the Kirkwood Inn set aside 5 more rooms for the MINI group. A total of 38 rooms. To reserve a room call 1-800-732-4741 and be sure to mention the MINI Cooper group.

 

Jill,

Is that 4 MINIs going with US or 4 total? I understood there was a 4th AtlantMINI going (Chris) but he was NOT traveling with us. He was going up separately Is that correct? I'm trying to get an exact number for OUR caravan. Thanks.

Ed,

If I've done the math correctly and we get away from Asheville NO LATER THAN 10:30, that should put us there by 5 to 5:30, right, assuming no major traffic issues? Of course, we do have to stop in Knoxville for the rendezvous there but hopefully, that will go smoothly. If we get away from there by 1 (after gasing up and grabbing a quick lunch), we should be OK. I'm also assuming that the speed limits are 65-70 and we average 5 miles/hour over. Are you concerned that I'm being overly optimistic?

Eric

 

I think there is a couple of use from Michigan heading down there. I will be anyhow... I cant make it down for Chili on Friday darn it, so I will be heading down Saturday morning with a buddy of Mine. This even should be lots of fun!

 

the party guy is back!
This is Chris from Atlanta, i will be traveling with the Atlanta Minis!

 

I just ordered my ticket and will be moroting up with the Atlanta MINIs. I can't wait!!!

-Judy-

 

Looks like we have five motoring out of Atlanta so far.

 

Thanks Jill. I got 5 down for you guys. The caravan is growing!!!!

By my count, we are now up to 16 and possibly 17 MINIs and I anticipate we will have a few more sign up now that this thing is a reality. Obviously, it is going to be difficult to keep this many cars together, particularly in heavy traffic (which we are going to encounter in and around Cincy). I have already asked a few people if we should limit the number of cars in our caravan and/or have a cut off date for people signing up. (I can see, for example, a number of "procastinators" jumping in at the last minute as we get closer to 6/17 and this thing totally getting out of hand ). Am I stressing out too much over this? Then there's always the "more the merrier" philosophy. I'd like to know what some of the rest of you think about this. Thanks for your input.

Eric

 

Eric, I know the stress of keeping a large caravan together. I wouldn't let it bother you greatly. Every single car in the caravan needs to be prepared with maps and directions to get to where we are going with out following someone. No one can predict what will happen along the road and it only makes sense for each individual to be prepared to be responsible for themselves. If we all make it there together in our caravan, it will be a bonus. :smile:

I want to say again that I appreciate the trouble you have gone to, keeping interest going in this with little information.

Edit: I would vote for not limiting the caravan.

 

I agree with QueenB. As long as everyone has directions we should be OK. It looks like if we plan a stop about every 2 ours for a quick pit stop that should give everyone a chance to get back together. From the directions I have it looks like Interstate most of the way so we should be fine. Don't get stressed it will all work out.

 

I agree with queenB. We should be fine. I too want say that I appreciate the trouble you have gone to, keeping interest going in this with little information.

 

Don't stress out over this. You've done a great job of putting the information out. Now relax and enjoy the fruits of you labor.

I vote not to limit the amount in the caravan. We will have maps, directions, and radios so there should be no problems, especially if we all look out for one another. Keep an eye on the MINI behind you, if they have trouble and pull over, you pull over, then the MINI in front of you pulls over, etc, etc. This way no one gets left behind.
A safety tip that was given to me by Century MINI... Don't put two colors of MINI's together. Say there are two blue MINI's together and the first one passes someone. The motorist that was overtaken will see a blue MINI go by then think it is ok to pull out into the lane... right into the second blue MINI.

 

I made up a cusomized road map in Microsoft Streets & Trips. Based on the speed the Atlanta MINIs usually drive, stopping in Knoxville for an hour or so, construction areas, etc...
I can customize further by adding exactly where we're meeting in Knoxville(Where are we meeting??) and if we're stopping together in Cinci or just going our own routes to check in.


I also suggest we bring two-way radios. I know for me, they've been a lifesaver in the past.

 

Got this from a post by Coasterguy on the ON. He has ridden just about every roller coaster in the world, so he knows of what he speakth.

WARNING to those going to Kings Island!For those of you unfamiliar with this park, beware: it's HUGE. Take comfy walking shoes, keep yourself hydrated, and work the park smart to avoid the lines.

Most folks will go in and head right for the new coaster, and the rides in that area of the park will have long lines at the start of the day. The crowd will then disperse to other areas, and as it begins to get dark, folks will head for the Beast coaster. SO: you're doing the new ride as a special treat. When you leave that ride, go to the farthest point away from it and work your way toward the front of the park from there.

If you MUST ride Son of Beast (I don't recommend it), take good notice of the cars. Each car on the train has a front, middle, and back row seat. If you can't get a middle seat, SKIP THE RIDE. Seriously. The front and back row sit right over the wheels, and all the roughness of the ride goes thru the wheels, right into the riders. The middle seat is between the wheels, and is smoother. (smoothER, not SMOOTH) I made the mistake of getting a back-row seat and spent the entire ride trying to hold my head still so my brain wouldn't shake. It gave me a three-day headache and ruined a good chunk of my trip.

So if you DO ride that one, save it for last and get yourself a middle row seat.

In all fairness, I've heard that they did MAJOR improving to that coaster in the last year or two, but compared to all the world-class rides at that park, you won't miss much by skipping Son of Beast entirely.

 

Tickets arrived today!!!! YooHoo!!!!!

Karen,
Sounds like good advice but speaking for someone who doesn't do rides as a rule, after I ride the IJ coaster, I'm probably done for the day as far as rides go.

Thanks for those who provided input on the question I asked about limiting the number of cars in the caravan. I agree mostly. We're all resourseful and we'll all get there. I'm not worried about that. I'm still thinking, however, there ought to be a "deadline" for signing up for this trip. Maybe Monday 6/13 or Tuesday 6/14 at the latest. I'd like to be able to finalize my list by that date and know who is meeting where. I don't think this is an unreasonable request. So if you know anyone who is "on the fence" at this point, please ask them to make a decision NO LATER THAN 6/14 and let me know. Thanks!

Judy,
Thanks for the offer to pull some directions together. I think one of our members, Ed, who will be leading us through Cincy, is working on some directions/maps and is planning on having those available to folks on the 17th. Any additional information you pull together should be helpful, however. And yes, radios will be critical. Thanks for the reminder.

Eric

 

Local Cincinnatian here...let me know if you guys think you'd like a local to lead once you get into the area...could come in handy if the traffic gets bad.

 

I got my tickets yesterday!

 

I'm so envious of you guys that get to go to the PKI Mini event. Having lived the Cinci area for about 50 years we are now retired to FL and can't make it up.
Those that are going please take pictures and post them for us. Especially one on I-75 coming into Cincinnati. Beautiful city shot. Also of the event. Thanks.

Now on to traffic. Here is a web site for checking traffic before heading into the area. Won't do much good once you are on the road , but it might help to look 'around' before going.

http://artimis.org/

PKI is a few short miles north of the I-71 & I-275 exchange. Site also has live cameras to see what traffic is doing plus construction updates.

Everyone enjoy, should be a lot of fun.

 

Keith,
Thanks for the info! C'mon, it's only a 10 hr drive to Greenville, you can stay overnight here, and make the run with the rest of us the next day!

Dmeyer,
Thanks for the offer! However, I too am a native Cincinnatian, and get back up there on a regular basis, so I think we have it covered, unless you just want to join in with the fun!

Eric and everybody else,
Eric's numbers for the travel time look spot on, although I would anticipate arriving about 30 mins sooner.. As long as we get on the road from the Knoxville meet up point at exit 122 by 1:00.. I vote for running no more than 5 over the speed limit, particularly with the number in our group. I know of one or two who get a little uneasy at speeds over 75. If everyone feels brave, we may push it a little more than that. So, there will be a healthy stretch of 70 to 75 mph travel north of Knoxville, and mostly 70 mph through Kentucky, with a slower stretch around Lexington..

I also just checked the traffic cams for Cincy (5:10 pm), and everything looks very open through town, with a little slow up on I-71 at Pfeiffer Rd., which is a couple miles before I-275, which is rather typical for that stretch of road..

I've worked up a mileage list (to hand out) of major interchanges, state lines, and rest area locations which includes maps of the major interchanges, Knoxville and Cincy...

I'll take the lead when we get near to Cincinnati, say around the I-71/I-75 interchange, and lead from there since I know the way through Cincinnati, however, I can even take the lead sooner (Say at the rest area about halfway up KY, which will break it into two 2hr sections). We can get into those details on Friday.

To echo what Karen and QueenB have said, don't stress out over the number of MINIs that will be caravanning. As long as we all have maps and radios, the caravan can be broken up by other vehicles and we'll all still be able to make it up there in one piece. Everyone remember to be courteous to the other vehicles on the road... With all the planning, the trip should be rather stress free for everyone, and we shouldn't be too tired when we arrive.

We had a good system in operation going down to Hilton Head last November.. When the lead car needed to overtake a slower vehicle, they would inform the trailing vehicle by radio, who would get over into the passing lane, and let the remainder of the pack out ahead of him. Once the slower vehicle was overtaken, the pack would move back to the slow lane as they got ahead of him. As long as everyone maintains their speed, it works very well..

I have also heard from Lee after his return trip, and there are no significant construction zones between Asheville and Cincinnati. I have also spoken to a co-worker who just came back from Knoxville, and the landslide repair on I-40 is complete, and all lanes are open.

Oh yeah, Trainmama's and my tickets have arrived, too!

 

Thanks Ed for the update! I appreciate all the hard "prep" work you're doing. Just reading your posts makes me feel better and reduces my stress. I'm getting very excited about this trip and look more forward to it everyday. I just hate we have to wait another 2 weeks. But we have our M2C2 Quarterly meeting this Saturday and the Matthews Car Show the next Saturday so we have some "time fillers" until the 17th!
I look forward to seeing everyone at the meeting on Saturday.:smile:

Eric

 

That's the whole idea, Eric. This is supposed to be FUN, not stressful. If we all work together getting this trip organized (and lord knows, you've done plenty so far), it'll be easier for all of us. George and I are both ready to go NOW!!! I think George is really hankerin' for that Skyline Chili more than anything..

As I posted on the quarterly meeting thread, I won't be able to make it due to a previously scheduled activity.. I'll be playing with trains in Waynesville. The good news is I'll be driving the MINI there!!

 

Where off of exit 122(I-75) in Knoxville are we meeting?

(PS: It's now me +1 for the trip up)