It's time to start planning for our first big mountain drive of the summer! Those who were able to make it out to Rock Bottom last week will remember that we talked about heading out on Saturday, May 21st for a full-day drive to a location to-be-determined.

The 2 destinations that were discussed at Rock Bottom were Aspen or Steamboat, and most of those that remember those drives from the summer of '03 will likely agree that they were the best we did that year.

Going this early in the season, we're almost asking for a last-minute change in plans due to high-country weather patterns, so we have to go into this with the ability to be flexible that weekend. But that's part of the fun!

So who's up for an adventurous (if only due to the possibility of late-season inclement weather at altitude,) fun drive up into the mountains? And where should we go? Aspen, Steamboat, or elsewhere?

(Chaindog - sorry for posting this so close to your event thread for the 7th, but history has shown that it will take us some time to finalize our plans for this drive. I wish I could make it to your Clement Park gathering!)

Gary

 

No sweat, both sound fun. There are some pretty sweet spots up in vail too not sure if that is far enough to make it an all day thing though.

 

You already know I'm in, fo shizzle.
Mudd

 

Unless things change for the worse, I am certainly in for this cruise..

Chris

 

Gary, I'm dying to get it going this year. Wouldn't you know it, I'll be at ZDayZ in NC that weekend. Hopefully next time.

BTW, the summer issue goes out in the mail at months end. It's a keeper.

Bob

 

Sorry, that's the weekend of the Superbike races at PPIR and I will be attending that event. Promise I'll make the next one.

 

I am down for the drive. I am in Cheyenne WY. Just got my car.

 

sweet, if I'm in town I'd defiantely be down for this

 

As discussed briefly Saturday (5-7-05) Where and when to meet? Maybe if we start talking about that now, we might agree on something by the 21st?.....

 

In the past, we've usually met for these drives at the Park n' Ride parking lot at the Morrison Road exit off of I-70, usually around 8 am to beat the traffic. However, the last few times we've done this, the lot has been pretty full (even by 8 in the morning,) so we might want to consider an alternate meeting place this time, like the Target parking lot in Colorado Mills at I-70 and Colfax. Some of the locals will remember meeting here last year.

Do you have any input on destination, hr2burn? Other than Vail (which I agree with Chaindog might be too close in,) the only vote so far has been for Aspen via Independence Pass, assuming it's open.

 

Just found out Independence Pass probably won't open until Memorial Day at the earliest. Should we plan on the Steamboat drive like we discussed as plan # 2. Does anyone else have a preferred drive?

Mudd

 

I don't remeber anything about the Steamboat drive (and I was not here for the drive last year); what kinda time and or milage are we looking at for that drive? The Target parking lot should work as a good meeting spot, if we are heading down I70 anyhow.

Can't wait..

Chris

 

Don't know the milage as it could vary depending on the route we take. As far as time, just block out the whole day, as you never know how many stops you will make, how long you might be in a certain town, or which route you might take, all which could affect the time. Blocking out the whole day allows you to enjoy all that the day has to offer. Thats just my 2 cents.

Mudd

 

Thanks for the info, Brian. Sounds like Aspen will have to wait until later in the summer.

So for now it looks like Steamboat will our planned destination for this drive, and to agree with what Brian said, it's best to allow the full day for a drive like this so as not to have to hurry back at the end of a long day of driving. Mileage will likely be several hundred miles (but at least they'll be quality miles .)

Bob & Craig - sorry you guys won't be able to make it. Bob - doesn't this mean that you will have seen your ZDayz peeps twice in the past year, and you haven't seen most of your Colorado homies even once in that time? We can take a hint (and I really think Joe is starting to feel unloved!)

Gary

 

Do you mean the Target @ Colorado Mills?

 

As to answer your question GaryM05, I really don't care we go, as long as we just go. Hell I'm up for a drive to Vegas, Arizona.....Whats Vail? a couple hours each way?

 

Telluride is cool, but I think 6 hours each way...

 

Telluride I love, it is so nice, but I feel thats more of a 2 day drive to fully savor it's splendor. If you were in a hurry it can be done in a day though.

 

hr2burn - yep, it's the Target at Colorado Mills. Vail is about 2 hours out, which isn't quite far enough for what we're looking for. But depending on the high country weather/road situation around Rabbit Ears Pass on the way to Steamboat, it might be something to keep in mind as an alternate (although a Vail trip would need to include a good amount of non-Interstate back roads to keep things interesting and give us more time in the mountains.)

Telluride would be fun, but like Brian said, probably a bit too far for a day. There might be a multi-day trip out there later in the summer, though.

Gary

 

Bob, I had no clue that our disdain for one another was so obvious.

Blue pen, on behalf of all of us down here, a hearty welcome and please excuse us for not acknowledging your presence here sooner. Looking forward to meeting you.

Joe