There was some talk about a drive in late September. The initial plan was to motor west on I-70 to Glenwood Springs, take a left to Aspen, go over independence pass to Buena Vista, left to Fairplay and cruise back to Denver. It is roughly 350 miles and will take approx. 7 hours without stops. Closer to 10 hours with lunch, gas and stretch breaks. If everyone is willing we can get an early start and use this drive to enjoy the MINI's and the changing of the colors.

Please let me know if you are interested by posting. If we get enough people I will get more details and maps to everyone.

Later,
Brad

 

Hi Brad. The drive sounds great, unfortunely, Nancy & I will be in New England that week.

David

Liquid Yellow S

 

Ah September 20th. BMW has rented the entire Six Flags Park in Georgia for Family Day. 2000 BMW's on the road from SC to Georgia, watch out for us!

Cabbage

 

I'm in with two minis, four people total. We were going to to a tour de fall colours anyway with an overnight planned,

Jeff in Boulder

 

Brad, unfortunately I won't be able to make this one...have to work that weekend. Make sure to take pictures though...

See ya at track day!!!

later
jon

 

sounds like a nice ride, if a little bit long...

 

>>sounds like a nice ride, if a little bit long...

That's kind of what I'm thinking too, the drive on the 9th was a ~9 hour adventrue for me, and that was only 250 miles. Not that I'm complaining, but two such long drives back-to-back might be a bit much. Maybe we can schedule a shorter drive (up to Estes Park?) a week or two later.

 

My objection is that it, again, manages to conflict with a prior commitment. I'm something like 1 for 5 now on being able to make drives, and I feel like I have no life. It's always on the one Saturday a month I actually plan something. Ugh.

 

>>...and I feel like I have no life.

Clearly you have a life, but you must put an end to it post-haste so you can participate in all things MINI!

 

Everybody,

Here is the basic route for the drive on the 20th. I have shortened the original drive but it will still be a long one.

Meet at 7:30 to 8:00 in the parking lot at the Morrison exit and I-70 in the south-east corner of the the intersection. Where the Yalla Yalla started. Leave the parking lot at 8:00 a.m. sharp.

Drive up I-70 and turn-off to go to Leadville. Drive from Leadville to Aspen over the pass. Then drive back over the pass and turn south to Beuna Vista. Go west out of there and cruise back to Denver on 285.

THINGS TO BRING:
1) Talk-a-bout radio with sub channels. We use channel 7, sub channel 21. These are not that expensive and really do help during the drive.

2) Sack lunch. I am not sure where we will stop for lunch, either Leadville or Beuna Vista.

3) Jackets, Cameras, Gas etc...

Please keep in mind this trip will be a mellow trip and most speed limits (not that they are ever not followed) will be kept in mind.


Thanks and hope to see alot of you there.

Please post if you are planning to go on the trip.
Brad

 

If you are coming to the Conclave on the 14th (Sunday) come a day earlier, the 13th. All the British motorbikes and cars including the MINI's are going for a ride into the mountains. Details at the Conclave. Most people show up at 8:30, the drive starts at 10 AM.

It is a great way to meet other's who have a passion for English cars and get to know the other clubs in Colorado.

 

I'll be there at the Morrison Exit in my MCS on the 20th and my brother-in-law in his MCS too. I'll drop the wife in Aspen and return east over the pass with you guys and then go back and get her and spent the night with family.

Jeff

 

Tentatively plan for elektrikblooS to be there. Working on the spouse. So one eager car, one eager person, one tentative person.

_________________
elektrikblooS

 

I had hoped to be there but am going to watch our team play rugby in Aspen. Ruggerfest will be in full swing on Saturday (20th). Stop for lunch and watch a real sport!

Cheers

Geoff

 

The tentative spouse is getting more and more eager (I had to bribe him with letting him drive one way over the pass!), so we're getting less tentative by the moment! Watch for "PJSMINI" on the 20th!

 

Cool, I will see all of you at the I-70 and Ward park-n-ride between 7:30 and 8:00 on Saturday morning. Please if you can bring a talkabout radio with sub channels.
Thanks,
Brad

 

Did y'all know that the September 20th was the official debut date of the Mini Cooper back in 1961. (...according to Paternie's book) Yet another reason to celebrate your MINIs!!!

 

As if just driving the little buggers wasn't enough reason to celebrate!

 

I made a slight mistake. We are meeting at Morrison and I-70. I'm sorry I put down the other meeting area. See you all tomorrow.
Brad

 

I'll come for part of it at least. Jon (03indigo) and I just installed DiD's old MCS antiswaybar in my Cooper and I'll looking forward to a good test drive.

 

What...all this talk before the drive, It is now Wednesday after the drive...no stories, no pictures...what the heck...don't leave me hangin'

 

Jon,
I will e-mail you some pictures tonight if you would post them for me?


It was a sweet drive, it got a little fun at the beginning with a PT Cruiser (turbo) that wanted to play with the MINI's, but when it started to get dangerous to other drivers we had to play it safe and let him pass us and go on his merry way. We had a lot of fun trying to stay together as a group and did a very good job on I-70 and even up to Leadville. It was cool watching all the MINI's come up to a slower car and then, like water around a rock in the river, the MINI's would seperate into different lanes and converge back in the same lane. Once we reached Independence pass it got real fun and really tight in the curves, with some real danger if a corner was mis judged or missed all together. But, everyone made it safe and we motored right up the pass above tree line and over the continential divde down to Aspen. There we found the Rugby tourney and ate lunch by the field and watched some of the games. After that 4 of us set out for the pass and went to Johnson's Corner for some fuel. We gassed up and went home different ways. I left the group at highway 24 and went to the Springs, while everyone else went to Denver on 285. It was a fun drive and we even saw some leaves turning colors (kinda blurry at speed) and slowed down for 2 dows and pretty good sized buck before Leadville.

If anyone else would like to add please feel free.

Thanks for Everyone that showed up. I hope that everyone else had a good time.

Brad

 

Brad,

That sounds like an awesome time...and sure, send the pictures...I will be happy to post them, either here in the rocky mountain section...or on my other server so I can link them to a thread.

I just put on some white bonnet stripes today...yippie!!!!!!!! Still trying to decide on a roof graphic though...it is a hard decision.

Send the pics when you can, and i will get them up for everyone.

Cheers...

jon