Hi,

Chicago-Copper

I am probably going to drive after work, ~3PM on Wednesday and coming back on Sunday, so please let me know if we can somehow meet on the way... My dates/time might be flexible. I will be driving alone, so it's much more fun to caravan!!!

Hope to hear from other Minis soon!!!

 

I'm heading out on Saturday (the 1st) to spend some time in Boulder on the way.. A buddy and his 17-year-old son are sharing the drive with me. It'll be a crowded Clubman!

But I am leaving on Sunday morning (know someone else that is too; I'll pass him this link). Not sure if we'll try to drive it in one day or take our time and do it in two. The drive out there will help determine that!

Me: British Racing Green Clubman-S, License is 'CHEERS'

I'll take radio's out there..... I assume the rides may use these...

 

Hey Gasikest: We are leaving Monday mid-day from Chicago, and going via I-90 with a stop over at Mt Rushmore, then arrival in CO on Tue evening and at Copper on Thu morning.

Look for the triple black '03 JCW MCS with flames on the hood and "MINI" on the IL tag. Maybe we can caravan back to the windy city together on Sunday?

Did you check the CMMC site? Maybe HP Jenny is going later in the week.

 

Thank you for replies... it looks like we can caravan back on Sunday with three MINIs, but it would be nice to find someone to drive there with... I will keep looking...

 

Anybody driving from Chicago to Copper on Wednesday or Thursday morning!!??? I could meet you on the way as well?

 

Leaving Western Burbs Mon a.m. (I hope before 9) for leisurly (spelled right, I've driven this one before) drive out 88/80/76 stopping Mon night somewhere between North Platte, Nebraska and Fort Morgan/Brush Colorado. Tues from there to Estes Park, through Rocky Mountain National Park and down to Winter Park. Wed. a.m. over to Copper and hopefully a quick install from Way before 3 days and a couple of evenings motoring.

Starting back after meeting people for breakfast/brunch in Frisco, over the Western Dragon and then interstates back to Chi, probably stop somewhere between Lincoln Nebraska and Des Moines overnight, getting home sometime Monday.

Departure time Sunday depends on whether I do Mt. Evans Sat night, of course topless. That in turn depends on the weather for the Friday Night Mt. Evans trip. I'll take whichever one promises the best (no clouds) viewing.

 

Sunday sounds like a possiblity. Dumb question, but what's the 'Western Dragon'? I used to live in Colorado for a while so I could probably figure it out if you throw out the towns and such...

 

Here you go...

 

Western Dragon is CO 103 between Idaho Springs and CO 74 near Evergreen. Goes past the entrance to the Mt. Evans road.

 

after I spent a few trips going to the 'Dragon' in Deal's Gap, NC. While that road down there is impressive, it is much shorter than the Western Dragon, it hast too many LEO's, and it comes nowhere near 10,000 ft. And there is no snow. We have snow.

So that is how the Western Dragon was born. Out of necessity.

Jonathan

 

The Western Dragon is way more fun. So much so that the group we took to Mt Evans last year did it both ways on the way back to Copper.

Back on point ... Zinvestor, we are leaving mid day Monday from northern burbs, but going via I-90 to hit Mt Rushmore. Only adds 4 hours to the trip over I-80. Stop over-nite in Chamberlain, SD (closest place to get a non- $300 hotel room due to biker's week in Sturgis), arrive in CO Tue pm. PM me if ur interested.

 

Thanks, but I'm planning to spend the four (or more) hours doing the RMNP thing and then overnighting somewhere between Grand Lake and Winter Park.

 

Wow.. Western Dragon rocks! I'll have to look at the MITM drives and compare the two to plot my scheme for awesome drives!

 

There will probably be at least one group a day doing the 'Western Dragon' as group rides. Standalone it is a half day trip. We also get half of it on the way to Midnight at Mt. Evans. Some folks have been known to take the long way back from that and finish the whole thing at night. Me, ... I need my sleep. I do the whole route on the way out on Sunday.

 

and do the Dragon on the way TO Copper, if you come from the east or thru Denver.

Take I-70 west from Denver, up the hill towards Genessee. Exit Evergreen Parkway, and just past Bergen Park (watch your speed) turn right on CO103 Squaw Pass Rd. 31 miles later you will be done, at altitude, and at the base of Mt. Evans. Head down Chicago Canyon for a breather (fun twisty breather) towards Idaho Springs. Hop back on the Interstate for a 44 mile run into Copper.

Nice warmup if you ask me. See MAP posted below.

Jonathan

 

I have done both Dragons and love them both. In NC 3rd gear is about all you can do and Colorado had mine in 5 and 6th most of the way. More speed on the western dragon and I love speed.

 

sounds like an excellent plan for an early morning "wake-up call."

 

I would do it on the way in as well if I weren't going up to Estes and RMNP and then down through Winter Park. Although, just looking at the map, I could go E on 70 from Empire and pick up the E end of 103 go up to Idaho Springs and then back on 70 to Copper. That might cause me to be late for my install with Way though, so ????????? HHHHHHHHMMMMMMMMMMM.

 

I'm planning to do the Western Dragon when I drive in on Wednesday from Boulder. I was going to take 6 from Golden to Idaho Springs (or the Peak to Peak through Central City and 'Oh My God' road), but the Dragon looks even better....

Sunday? Who knows... If there's a group I could probably have my arm twisted

 

Looks like a Sunday ride back may happen...

I'm not taking my laptop, so I'll have limited (if any) connectivity to NAM. I'm heading out tomorrow, so I won't be able to reply here....

My info:
email (can read via my phone): kbleicher32@gmail.com
Mini: BRG Clubman-S. License: 'CHEERS'

I'm also taking radios out. Not sure if we'll be using them for the rides, but unless otherwise noted I'll be on:

Channel: 4
Sub-channel: 27

Everyone have a safe and FUN drive out. I'll put some curvy grooves in the highway tomorrow.....

 

Looks like we could have a group of 5 coming back Sunday/Monday - gasikest, kbleicher, gtshnzr, hstanfield and me. I've sent all of you my cell number via pm or email.

 

Wowser -- 5 . . . "Copy rubber duck, looks like we got a convoy"

 

I was just told at work that I have to be in Monday morning... )) So I will try to do drive over on Sunday! Still looking for somebody to caravan to Copper on Wednesday afternoon... Cheers!

 

We'll get you back home safe and within the law. Even Mapquest says its only 16:27 driving time from Frisco, Co to Libertyville, IL. So add in a little leg stretching and we'll def be in before midnight CST if we get out by 7 am RMT or earlier (remember we lose an hour on the way back).

 

Thanks gtshnzr!
I will be driving a black MCS, temp IL license plate. I am heading there on Wednesday, so honk if you see me on the road!!!