slomove Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 O.K. don't worry, I am not going to organize another long Se7ens tour anytime soon. That means....not really. However, with tears in my eyes I gave up on the 2009 National Sevens Meet that was planned for Branson, MO (it would have been barely doable from CA) and moved to Birmingham, AL (too early and just too far). Great idea otherwise and I would have really liked to go there. :nonod: Anyway, my wife and I now decided to spend the allocated time early July in the Se7en in the Rocky Mountains. That means tow to Salt Lake City, then Bear Lake, Jackson/Teton NP, Yellowstone, Cody, Beartooth Hwy., Wind River, Rocky Mountains NP, Kremmling, Steamboat Springs, Dinosaur NP and back. That would now be 7/3/09 through 7/18/09. If anybody happens to be in the area at this time or maybe even want join us for any part of the trip please let me know! I will provide my detail plan to whoever is interested. Cheers, Gert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 Gert, You are coming very close to my place and you and your wife are invited to stay over at my home. I live in Erie, CO, about 45 minutes south of the east entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park. Lots and lots of twisty canyons around here to enjoy, even some good scenery. As the time gets closer I may decide to join you for part of the tour although it will likely be in my Miata rather than the Caterham. I don't think the doc is going to allow me to drive it again for about a year. But he thought I could probably drive the Miata in about 6 months. Skip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskossie Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Gert, I wish you could plan to go a bit further south during the Colorado portion of your "Rocky Mountain High" Sevens Tour 2009. There are some great roads in the Telluride/Silverton/Ouray area, as well as one along the north rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison that I've driven once, gritting my teeth in my vague, wallowing rent-a-tub. I found that the latest spiral-bound multi-page Colorado road atlas by Rand-McNally (?) shows the roads in sufficient scale that all of the really twisty main roads and back roads show up in good detail. This makes it easy to choose the real driver's routes, sight unseen. I picked my copy up at a Kinko's. Perhaps there is one printed for Wyoming, also. (With both Wyoming and Colorado, you can pare the weight of the atlas down to Seven-economy style by discarding all of the pages that cover the billiard-table-flat eastern halves of these states). Gert, while in Wyoming, you should drive Snowy Range Pass out of Laramie, and return to the Eastern Slope and Skip's house by way of Cameron Pass and the Cache la Poudre Canyon....then a little trip over Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park (altitude 12,183 ft.), and return to the Eastern Slope by Berthoud Pass, the Peak to Peak Highway, and St. Vrain Canyon. Skip knows all the routes -- it makes my mouth water! Skip, do you think I'll have my Seven built and shaken down by July 3rd? (No, don't tell me the truth!). I'm assembling the car in northern Colorado, so maybe there is a chance I could tag along on part of your tour, Gert. After all, it was your Pacific Coast 2005 Tour that I was originally aiming for in assembling my car -- no luck there, though! Tom Meacham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted January 16, 2009 Author Share Posted January 16, 2009 Gert, You are coming very close to my place and you and your wife are invited to stay over at my home. I live in Erie, CO, about 45 minutes south of the east entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park. Lots and lots of twisty canyons around here to enjoy, even some good scenery. As the time gets closer I may decide to join you for part of the tour although it will likely be in my Miata rather than the Caterham. I don't think the doc is going to allow me to drive it again for about a year. But he thought I could probably drive the Miata in about 6 months. Skip Thank you very much Skip, that would be a nice side trip. I may take you up on the offer, depending if other folks come along. Probably not going to happen, but I am no going to swarm your home with an unruly Se7ens crowd. Sorry to hear about your trouble with that doc. Hope you get better soon, or maybe get another doc.... For that matter, if I have the choice of cars for a long trip when not exactly feeling young (it does happen) I do better in the Seven than in the Accord or the Sante Fe, due to the nice side and back support. That means, maybe except the getting in and out part. Please PM your email address. I will get back with you once I have locked down the route. Cheers, Gert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted January 16, 2009 Author Share Posted January 16, 2009 ......I wish you could plan to go a bit further south during the Colorado portion of your "Rocky Mountain High" Sevens Tour 2009. There are some great roads in the Telluride/Silverton/Ouray area,...............while in Wyoming, you should drive Snowy Range Pass out of Laramie, and return to the Eastern Slope and Skip's house by way of Cameron Pass and the Cache la Poudre Canyon....then a little trip over Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park (altitude 12,183 ft.).... Hey Tom, you are not working on your car for 4 years already, it may just seem that long The PNW tour was actually in 2007. Maybe the tour in summer would be a good motivation to finish your car? The Telluride/Silverton/Gunnison area is indeed fantastic, but I have been there twice before (once with the Se7en). Also I noticed several of the "Highways" down there, even across some very high passes are more like multi-lane freeways. As for the route tip through Laramie/CameronPass/LaPoudre that is an excellent idea. I had originally considered going from Rawlins directly to Rocky Mountains NP but your proposal is much better. Well, back to the drawing board. Gert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskossie Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 Gert, you're right -- the PNW Tour that I was aiming for was in 2007 (that's still an ungodly long time for me to be still assembling my Seven!). Some of the Colorado mountain passes do resemble freeways with curves, but often these are 2-lane highways with long passing lanes. On the 2005 Sevens Tour, Bob Simon and I in his S3 VX Evo stayed in the passing lane on Red Mountain Pass (I believe it was) through the entire ascent, and we just flew by everyone else -- very satisfying indeed!! I'll let Skip speak for himself, but I think his potential medical limitation in driving his Seven may come not from sitting in the car itself for long periods, but from hoisting oneself in and out (something that is much less of a problem in a Miata). I have had surgery (not arthroscopic) on detached rotator cuff tendons on both shoulders, and during the recovery period and in early physical therapy, I could not have come near hoisting my bod into or out of a Seven. Most cars with doors don't present this barrier to mobility (though I hope no ADA complaints have been filed against Caterham Cars yet!) Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted January 16, 2009 Author Share Posted January 16, 2009 .....I'll let Skip speak for himself, but I think his potential medical limitation in driving his Seven...... Tom, don't get me wrong. I did not want to belittle a serious thing. Just hoped a lighthearted comment might cause a smile even about such a mess. Gert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 Thank you very much Skip, that would be a nice side trip. I may take you up on the offer, depending if other folks come along. Probably not going to happen, but I am no going to swarm your home with an unruly Se7ens crowd. Sorry to hear about your trouble with that doc. Hope you get better soon, or maybe get another doc.... For that matter, if I have the choice of cars for a long trip when not exactly feeling young (it does happen) I do better in the Seven than in the Accord or the Sante Fe, due to the nice side and back support. That means, maybe except the getting in and out part. Please PM your email address. I will get back with you once I have locked down the route. Cheers, Gert Gert, Bring on the Se7ens crowd, I can accommodate quite a few if some of them don't mind air beds on the floor of the shop. I'm having shoulder surgery next Thursday. Two tendons have detached and the muscle has pulled them back about 2". I was expecting a 3 - 4 month recovery but the doc says count on a year before I can hoist my body in and out of the Caterham cockpit. Even without the shoulder problem, long trips are not possible in the Se7en as I have to take along my oxygen supply and there just isn't room for the LOx tank in there. Long trips in the Se7en involve the Silverado and the trailer. I have a small tire trailer for the Miata that has a mount on it for the LOx tank. Getting old sucks. Skip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 Gert, PM sent, let me know if you receive it as the site is having problems with email. Skip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted January 17, 2009 Author Share Posted January 17, 2009 Rough Plan.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 Gert, Looks like a sizable loop. I highly suggest that after RM Nat'l Park you head south to I-70, exit I-70 at Copper Mountain and head to Leadville. Then take Independence Pass over to Aspen, then there are several ways to reconnect with your route. Independence Pass is a joy to drive and spectacular scenery. It tops out at a little over 12,000'. Early mornings during the week is the best time for a spirited drive. Skip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted January 17, 2009 Author Share Posted January 17, 2009 Gert, Looks like a sizable loop.....Skip Well, not too bad for 2 weeks. Including the tow to SLC it is 3300 miles. I planned for 3-6 hours/day driving plus 2 or 3 rest days. That should leave ample time for stopping and sightseeing etc. Such a pattern worked well on USA2005 and PNW2007 tours. Gert, ..........I highly suggest that after RM Nat'l Park you head south to I-70, exit I-70 at Copper Mountain and head to Leadville.......Skip Thanks for the insider tip! But since the tour is already on the long side I decided to stay north of the I70. I have been in Leadville before (proof below ) but I came from the South and drove to Vail so I did not take the Independence Pass. Well, maybe next time.... Gert http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1335639889_Leadville.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davemk1 Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 I might be up for coming down from Bozeman and running a day with a few folks. FWIW our SCCA club just posted it's schedule for the upcoming season. If you are close and want to run we'd love to have you. Date Host club event location April 18-19 Helena (tri-region) Helena May 3rd Ice Gardens Bozeman May 10th Helena (Missoula) Helena May 30-31 EVO & Autocross Helena June 7th Helena (Missoula) Helena June 13th MSU Bozeman June 20-21 Helena (Bozeman) Helena July 11th(12?) MSU Bozeman July 25(26?) MSU Bozeman August 1-2 Helena Divisional Helena August 15-16 Top Gun Helena Helena August 30 Ice Gardens Bozeman September 20th Ice Gardens Bozeman If you are in the area in July we are running two events right in town at Montana State University. A fun lot with a good turnout of about 30-40 folks driving all kinds of stuff. Figure a minimum of 6 runs. All the best, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted January 19, 2009 Author Share Posted January 19, 2009 Hello Dave, would be nice to meet you there. Tentatively we will arrive in Cody on 7/11 and stay for 3 nights, doing a loop through Beartooth Hwy and Chief Joseph Hwy on the 12th or 13th. I guess it will not allow us to do the autocross thing, although I would like to try (never done that) but it is a bit too far off route. Gert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskossie Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Gert, Re your route: I can't get the Google Map display to stop jumping around between street maps and hemispheric views. Could you post a day-by-day list of your propsosed destinations (with dates and distances if possible)? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted January 21, 2009 Author Share Posted January 21, 2009 More detail below. I will tow from LA to Farmington, UT and back. Sunday,7/5/2009, Farmington to Vernal, 247 miles Monday, 7/6/2009, Vernal to Steamboat Springs, 244 miles Tuesday 7/7/2009, no driving (Steamboat Springs) Wednesday, 7/8/2009, Steamboat Springs to Kremmling, 123 miles Thursday, 7/9/2009, Kremmling to Erie, 161 miles Friday, 7/10/2009, Erie to Saratoga, 245 miles Saturday, 7/11/2009, Saratoga to Cody, 303 miles Sunday, 7/12/2009, no driving (Cody) Monday, 7/13/2009, Beartooth Loop, 193 miles (Google Maps don't work properly on this route) Tuesday, 7/14/2009, Cody to Jackson, 231 miles Wednesday, 7/15/2009, Jackson to Farmington, 268 miles And.....interested? Gert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Gert, Thinking about the Bear Tooth Highway got me itching to go drive it again. If the doc says its OK by then, I will head up that way with you from Erie. I might even go on to Utah as I have family there and usually make a summer visit. We'll see how it goes by then. Skip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskossie Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Gert, I'm very interested in meeting up with you, if my car is finished and running by then. I have a commitment on July 4 in Alaska, but could come down that evening to Colorado (car willing). I'll coordinate with Skip,and Bob Simon (Loveland, CO), if he can do at least a part of it. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bsimon Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 Wow, I can't believe I missed this thread. Count me in for at least part of this tour. It'd be a shame to miss a blat in my own backyard. I hope my car will be back together by then. I just started a bit of upgrading. New ratios in the SC box, dry sump, clutch, removable scuttle, ash tray, ten speed fuel injected windscreen wipers, etc. It'd be embarrassing to not be back together by July, especially if Tom's car was complete and road worthy. Hey Tom, Have we ever been to Leadville? Skip, good luck on that shoulder surgy. Remember, positive attitude helps the healing process. :thumbs: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted January 24, 2009 Author Share Posted January 24, 2009 Cool guys, keep it coming.... :yesnod: I have not nailed down the nasty detail of hotel selection. If you know a recommended place in your neighborhood let me know. For e.g. Saratoga, I was considering the Wolf Hotel with some pretty good ratings. For Kremmling I thought maybe Bob's Western Motel although I could not find any reviews. But, honestly we are cheapskates and don't want to shell out a fortune for a 2-week trip. Gert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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