Nissan 370Z Forum - Mid-Atlantic Cruise: The Frederick to Towson Mega-Cruise

Hello again, everyone.

It's time again for us to cruise our Z's over winding, scenic roads. I've come up with the idea of a Mega-Cruise, a multi-stage cruise where people can come and go as they like, because some ppl might not want to drive all day, while others have told me that past cruises were too short. So, here's the idea. I've broken this cruise into stages, along with the approximate time that we'll be at each point. That way, if you have to go midway through, you can just take off. But if you can't make it early on, you can show up later. If you want to just drive the whole dam thing (pun intended), then you'll get a good 6 or 8 hours of driving in, which is what I did last Saturday.

A couple notes: It is preferable that everyone have a radio. So, if neither Kirk nor Darren can attend, unless anyone else has radios, we may want to hold off on this one. Also, I will bring printed routes with me, so I need to know ahead of time who will be attending. Unlike other cruises, the roads in Frederick are hard to keep track of, and like all other cruises, we're going to get separated. You are responsible for learning the routes ahead of time. If we have radios, or if you need to get me by cell, then you can use these if you get lost. But it could be very, very difficult.

also please mention what stage you're interested in. Otherwise, I'll assume you're in for the full cruise.

I'm proposing the following route, because I've driven the roads that comprise it.

Details (subject to change):

* Date: Saturday, July 16
* Times (all optional): 8am Frederick, 1030am Thurmont, 1230pm Friendly Farm, 130pm Hunt Valley, Towson 230pm (lunch)
* Rally Points:
- Frederick Coffee Company & Cafe
- Cozy in Thurmont, MD
- Friendly Farm in Upperco
- The upper parking lot in Hunt Valley Towne Centre
- Hooters in Towson
* Scenic Roads: Winchester Blvd, Mountville Rd, Horine Rd, South Mountain Road, Reno Monument Rd, Fox Gap Rd, Boonsboro Mountain Rd, Foxville Rd, Beckleysville Rd, Spook Hill Rd, Pretty Boy Dam Rd, Falls Rd, Loch Raven Dr

Here are links to the route in stages, and finally with one larger map:
Stage 1 - Frederick to Thurmont

The meeting point here is in downtown Frederick. There is a large gravel parking lot that stretches behind the coffee house, so don't worry about the small lot in front if you can't get parking there. The coffee is pretty good here.

This route winds and passes through several stop lights. We will get separated. Study the route if you intend to take this stage of the cruise. It is vital, so that you don't get lost if separated, which will happen. There is no rush, and we can meet at Cozy near the end. Cozy also has a large parking lot, although it is difficult to see from the street. It's a small, campy set of buildings. I almost drove right by it. But its parking lot stretches out a lot.

It is also worth noting that the Sheetz in Boonsboro is a nice mid-way gas station in case one needs to stop for gas, food/drink, or bathroom break.

Stage 2 - Thurmont to Friendly Farm

When meeting at Cozy, meet at the southernmost lot. Cozy has a hotel to the north, and then the restaurant and Camp David museum in the south, with parking south of there. Cozy has public restrooms available and a restaurant, but it's not a great place to stop for a quick drink.

Mostly straight road, this is the route that I took from Thurmont to Pretty Boy (with slight alteration). Friendly Farm, again, has huge parking. I've decided to set that as the next way point, with the intent of running pretty boy from there. But these roads are slightly more scenic than just running 70 back.

Friendly Farm is scenic. It's a great place for pix if we can once again get the lot all the way back and to the right to ourselves.

Stage 3 - Friendly Farm to Hunt Valley Towne Center

Friendly Farm is on a huge plot of land. The parking lot is enormous, and it is very scenic up there, with rolling hills in the background. It has a rest room facility, but again, this really isn't a convenience stop.

This is the pretty boy dam route, winding up at the back (upper) parking lot at Hunt Valley Town Center. Probably the most fun part of the entire cruise. Pretty Boy is tight corners, beat up road, but it's gorgeous and fun. We won't be running it as fast this time.

Hunt Valley Towne Centre has numerous places to get food/drink/lavatories, but it will be a long walk from the back lot where we're meeting. Still, we won't be in any rush at this point.

Stage 4 - Hunt Valley to Hooters in Towson

Loch Raven Dr. is my favorite road in Maryland. Its sweeping turns are amazingly adrenaline-pumping. But it could be very busy, and Law Enforcement may be there. So, caution is advised.

Cold beer and spicy wings await! Our favorite finishing point! The map isn't 100% accurate, as we'll simply drive up Loch Raven Dr. and make a u-turn instead of continuing onto Providence Rd.

Entire Route - Frederick to Towson

I think this is going to be really fun!

Planning to Attend

1. shadoquad (all stages) (black cherry 370 coupe)
2. b1adesofcha0s (stages 2-4) (platinum graphite 370 coupe)
3. TROOPER (stage 4) (black nismo 370)
4. birdmanx1 (all) (white nismo 370)
5. Fatalsports (all)
6. Kirkster (all) (black cherry 370 roadster)
7. mdztuners (stage 4) (black 350 coupe)
8. 4r3s (all) (blue 370 coupe)
9. lazywolfe (all)
10. ZOLE (all) (platinum graphite 370 coupe)
11. Somberlaine (stages 2-4) (40th coupe)
12. SolidKatFish (stages 1-2) (Red 370)
13. RandyD (all)

possible

* eastwest2300 (black 370 coupe)
* xohmx