ZDAYZ Caravan Route Options
 

Here's the route I think we have all settled on:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...59f5cc7678&z=7

I'm still trying to decide if I am going to make this journey..

Lance, I looked at the same routes (among others) from Columbia... I can't take off Thursday or Friday, so I think the SO and I have decided that it's too much of a haul to go for only two days. 9-10 hours starting Friday evening and the same starting mid-day Sunday would be too much for my old body.

I'm going to cruise with a small group, don't need the unwanted attention for the cops.

Haha -- we'll be staying pretty much within legal limits... don't want to get into any trouble.

I think I like Option 1 the best -- it'd probably be the easiest for us to stick together on. I feel the same way about you with running the Dragon after 10 hours in a loaded car, but I'm sure we'd just take it easy so it shouldn't be a problem.

But really, either one should work. Not really sure exactly how big our group from NOVA departure is going to be.

You should meet up with us on the way if it's feasible. Lead cars will set their cruise to the speed limit (maybe 5 over) based on GPS and just cruise. Any attention will be wanted! ;-)

Yep, I'm not as crazy in my old age. I'll be convoying down with everyone and I have no doubt in my mind that everyone will behave. This is going to be a joy ride and not a race.

Yeah - we are a mature group. :)

Don't know if the HR guys could link up with us as I think they'd be crossing routes with us at all.

I am thinking the NOVA group will be pretty managable... maybe two cruise leaders for the group. I volunteer for one of the spots as I'm pretty familiar with that route and all available stops. Lance, you up to lead as well? I figure you could lead the whole group in on that last leg in.

We're going to have to figure out who is cruising with us and pick out some stops along the way. Probably need two fuel stops... one a little after half way and another before we get to the place so we can have a pretty full tank for the weekend.

Oh and a lunch stop, too. There are some Cracker Barrells along the way if you guys are into that country style cookin' :)

Yep I'm good. I've got a GPS unit and can set the cruise based of it. I'll get a couple talkabout radios as well.

sounds like you guys are going to have a blast. only 2 of us from our area right now. hope we can get more.....

Cool cool. I've got my GPS too and have a radio or two laying around somewhere.

I so wish I had a 370Z; I'd be right there riding down with you guys!

Traveling in a large group isn't too much of a problem heading down though. Just a few weeks ago, I was in a caravan down to V.I.R. with 5 GT-Rs, a Lan Evo X, and bright red C5 Z06. You can probably imagine how cops felt seeing six modified Japanese sports cars and a bright red muscle car riding down the highway. We moved at a quick pace, not excessively speeding but a bit faster than other cars on the road at times, and we didn't get much attention from any cops at all; not even in Southern VA where Troopers notoriously harass modified cars.

Here is a shot I took @ 70mph hanging outside the window of another Evo lol. Keep in mind some of the cars were out of the shot, but you get the idea.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2762/...9e1a2801_b.jpg

Lets face it though, at some point in the ride down, whether you guys stop for food or to refuel, getting back on the ramp to the highway is going to tempt at least one person to get into it with their car, usually with others to follow. No harm in that though, as long as you don't stay in it and end up doing 140 through traffic! Don't want to go to jail. :icon17:

I'm excited for it though, I can't wait to see the pictures from the event! Lance, that means YOU sir!!! :tup:

nice pic. that looks awesome. thats what we need to do around here :shakes head:

Cruises are good fun. We shouldn't have any trouble keeping to posted limits.

You really get into trouble if you act like the moron kiddies in their four banger ricemobiles swerving in and out of traffic.

We'll rock the cruising lane in style.

I've got an open seat in old yeller! ;-)

I have been following that Invisible to cops thread, and I think I am going to run Night vision....lolz

I will certainly keep that in mind! We could get some great shots!

Maybe now, but wasn't this you back in the day?
Viddler.com - Burnout FAIL - Uploaded by failblog

That is why you lock the doors and don't use the door handle to hold your self steady...lol

GT-R cruisin pic...NICE!!!!..... :worship:

We're good for either route OR cruise configuration -- I've got at least 6 ea. Motorola talk abouts (some older than other, but all work I think). We're planning to taking LOTS of pics & videos -- gotta get my "sticky pod" ordered, probably going with an external camera mount -- ANOTHER great advantage of a vert -- takin pictures!:driving:

Placed my order on Amazon for $62.95 for the Delkin Fat Gecko dual suction mount. They have single suction mount for about $30.00 as well.

I like option 2 for the reason of being tired after 9 plus hours. If you add the stop for lunch and gas it'll be more like 10 plus hours. Depending on time of departure we need to consider traffic as well although I've never driven either route before. You all know me though, I'm an early riser so departing at the crack of dawn is not a problem with me. For example, leaving at 6AM would allow us to arrive somewhere between 4 and 5PM provided nobody has any tire changes or what have you that could add to the time.. Still daylight then and some time to get settled.

Don't tell me SO this or she'll demand we make the trip... I like it, she LOVES it. They were building a church a few miles from us that looked suspiciously like a CB in its early days of construction... to say she was excited would be an understatement :rolleyes:

I definitely think 6AM is going to be the latest we'll want to head out by.

6:00 MA.... ughhhh.... ;-) Let's see, that's a 5:00 AM departure from my place. Wow I LOVE YOU MAN! LOL!!!

Remind me and I'll bring a cooler with some Red Bull. :icon18:

I'll have to spend the night in a hotel up there, cause thats like 4:30 departure from here...not happening :)

Well there's a Hyatt (I think) right next to the starbucks we'll be meeting at.

Rick -- I'm bettin one of us fellow Mid-Atlanticians who live closer to the departure point, can put you up on Wed night so you don't have to spend a lot of $'s staying in a NoVa hotel.

Rick, our spare bedroom is full of boxes from the Wife moving up but we do have a leather couch in the living room of our condo. If nobody else can hook you up that is closer than we are (Stafford) just let me know and you're welcome to the couch. It'll still mean leaving earlier to get up to Fairfax to leave by 6AM provided that is what everyone winds up agreeing on.

So it almost sounds like (given the rockslide on the Tennessee side of 129, that we are looking at Route #2? [I-81 to I-26 to I-40 to the Great Smokey Mountain Expressway (23/74/28) to Fontana....]

Yep or a modified Route 1... I guess Roue 2 is the best, although it could be modified I'd think for more interstate time. I'll take a look later on tonight.

I guess one of our Saturday meets in early May will be a good time to do a little more detailed planning/coordination for the 20 May morning departure "cruize"...

Yes! It will be a pre cruise briefing.

Yeah sounds like a plan...

Last weekend I was down in Blacksburg, VA so I got to run most of 81 through VA both ways... It's going to be tough managing the caravan given the speeds they run there. The speed limit is 65 most of the way (except for a 55 mph stretch through Harrisonburg) and it's policed pretty heavily. We're definitely going to have to stick to that 65-70 mph range to be safe. There will be some traffic traveling 80+ and it's a big time truck route, so it'll be interesting to see how closely we can stick together. :)

I figure if we leave Fairfax at around 6am we'll be stopping for lunch somewhere south of Roanoke.

It's easy... Everyone in a hurry passes to the left. :tiphat:

Indeed, but the sheer volume of trucks makes the right lane annoying at times.

Red Lead and Yellow Lead will work it out.

Yeah they slow up on the ups and speed up on the downs... Oh well, we'll figure it out on the fly... ;-)

Oh, btw I'm in Vegas as some know and I know a few of you are NASCAR fans. Drove up to Las Vegas Motor Speedway today.

They had the Richard Petty school going on, was able to drive under the tunnel right up to pit road, then watch the cars run. Was pretty cool. $109 for a couple laps around as a pax at nearly race pace. Drive for $400 a bit slower.

Was just cool being able to stand on pit road while stock cars went by around 150 MPH though. Never been to a 1.5 mile track before. Very fun day (yes I worked for a bit today too). ;-)