Dear Friends of Horsepower, There's a little nip in the air so it's time to go driving again! Please join us for 197 miles of the BEST driving roads in the country. The 2008 FALL FLING TOUR Starting with breakfast at Bogus Creek Café and Bakery in Stockholm, Wisconsin, 9:15 AM Sunday, Sept 28th. For an idea of the fantastic roads we'll be driving, check out this video that my friend Jeff made on a tour last year: http://videos.streetfire.net/video/Road-Tour-2007_125221.htm And here are some photos from last month's drive: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bmw328driver/sets/72157606776960297/ Two meeting options: 1. 8:00am at Rainbow Foods, 7282 S. East Point Douglas Rd in Cottage Grove, MN. Take Hwys 10 & 61 southeast past 494, exit on 80th Street and turn left, over the highway then right onto East Point Douglas Road. Rainbow will be on your left. The group will leave at 8:10am. 2. 9:15am at Bogus Creek Café and Bakery, N2049 Spring Street, Stockholm, WI. From the southeast corner of 494, it’s a scenic 60-minute drive to Stockholm. Take Hwys 10 and 61 south and east out of the Twin Cities. Turn left to stay on 10 East, heading toward Prescott. Cross over the drawbridge in Prescott and turn right onto Wisconsin Hwy 35 South. Pass through Diamond Bluff, cross Hwy 63, go through Bay City and Maiden Rock. In beautiful downtown Stockholm, turn left onto County J. Bogus Creek is one block up on your left. We will be having a fabulous breakfast at Bogus Creek, served by the lovely and talented proprietor, Colleen. The tour will leave Stockholm at approximately 10:15am after the drivers meeting. After 197 miles of the coolest curves and hills and a few comfort stops, the tour will end at about 2:30pm with a late lunch served by the always charming Guy and Nancy at Hansen’s Hold-Up Bar and Grill (Mapquest: S2428 State Hwy 95, Arcadia, WI) about 12 miles north of Fountain City, WI. Breakfast and lunch are pay-your-own. Bring CASH because they don’t always accept credit cards. There is no charge for the tour itself. We will have three groups: “Spirited†will start first, followed by "Intermediate" and then "Mellow". Everyone should pick a group where they can drive at a comfortable and safe pace for the tour. Please bring your own GMRS walkie-talkie. You can buy good inexpensive radios at Wal-Mart, Menards, Best Buy, Costco, etc. Look for at least “18 mile†or “20 mile†on the package. Loaner radios will NOT be available for this tour. LEGAL NOTICE: This activity is not affiliated with any organization, club, or internet discussion forum, although it is being publicized in several places. The organizers of this tour are simply providing a route map and turning instructions. This route map and instructions are provided for informational purposes only. The route uses roads that are open to the public and are not monitored or controlled in any way by the route providers. The route providers are not responsible for the behavior of any drivers or passengers and have no control over them. All participants are responsible for their own behavior and should act in a safe manner, obeying all laws. By participating you acknowledge that driving or riding in a motor vehicle involves inherent risks which can result in property damage, serious injury, or death. You also assume all risks, and waive any and all claims against the route providers. Keep it between the ditches and we’ll see you on Sunday, September 28th!
Yeah, sorry. I haven't seen e85 at the gas stations in the area we will be driving. Wisconsin is a bit behind Minnesota in that respect.
yeah i know that, and i usually only can get 200-220 miles on a tank. maybe i will just have to run premium that day
That reminds me. I want to make sure people know what they're getting into on this tour. If you leave from downtown Minneapolis, drive to the start of the tour, do the whole tour, then drive back to Minneapolis, you will rack up 420 miles.
I think i might drive my miata for the trip(if it does not blow up before the date). I think miata would be perfect as a camera crew car, being a convertible there is like at least 180 degrees of non obstructed view. So if someone wants to team up with me and be a camera man ( i have a digital SLR that we can use) let me know. The car will have a roll bar very soon, so will not happen.
Yes, you can pretty much plan on this being an all day thing. Also, plan on realizing once again why you love driving your car so much. PS- get a radio
Oh by the way, this car will be leading the tour, driven by my friend Glenn, with me riding shotgun and talking on the radio. I'm gonna have to sit in a Noble M400 all day as we drive the most hilly and twisty roads around. It's a dirty job, but somebody's gotta do it.
Marty with the totally tricked out Porsche says he's going to show up to give Glenn in the Noble a run for his money. Remember guys, it's just a country road tour!
Okay, here's the most important thing to know about my tours: THERE IS NO KEEPING UP. Everyone finds their own comfortable and safe pace for the tour. No one is forced to drive fast or held up behind slower cars. We split into three groups: Spirited, Intermediate, and Mellow. Then those groups usually split into sub-groups of guys who want to drive together. We'll probably have about 30 cars on this tour. Everything from high performance supercars to 1963 Austin-Healey Sprites. No matter what pace you want to run, you will find people to drive with. That's the beauty of it! People who "try to keep up" often end up in the ditch so DON'T TRY! Just drive at a speed that is safe and comfortable for your car and your skills.
if i wouldn't be WIPED from the paintball tournament the day before, i would have liked to tag along and toss my hat in the ring with the wagon. :emo:
I'm in! I'll be there again. I was in intermediate last time and loved it - fast enough to be fun, not pushing so hard as to be dangerous. No racing going on, just fun country road cruising. Looking forward to this one...
Weather forecast is looking good for Sunday. We should have about 30 cars. Bring your walkie-talkies and we'll see you there!
Bumpity-bump! This was a blast last time and the people are great. Especially liked talking to the BMW driving instructors. The more the merrier...
Due to circumstances beyond my control, I can no longer make it. I am really, really sad about this.:emo: Bump for a great time
Great tour yesterday! Here's the first set of photos I've received: http://picasaweb.google.com/ptrein/2008HazenFallFlingTour?authkey=IQAy7YxQNU4#
