Glad to hear everybody had a great time at the CSP track day last weekend. Now it's back to the subject at hand: the mountain drive this Saturday (7/17/04). Lets meet at 8 AM sharp at the Colorado Mills Target parking lot. Some of you may recall meeting at this location before and it seems like it would be a centralized spot for us to get together. Let's get an early start to try and beat the traffic up to Central City and Blackhawk!

From Gary's comments, driving up Guenella Pass may not be a good idea for a group like ours. Don has an alternate route in mind and I say, go for it! Looking forward to meetin' and greetin' this Saturday...

 

I've never been to the Colorado Mills before, so hopefully I won't get lost. Using MapBlast.com, it looks like it's at the intersection of I70, Colfax, and Indiana... right where we got off to race last weekend (exit 262). From there we can get on US6 and take it to US119 on into Blackhawk/Central City. Hopefully, we won't loose anyone to the lure of quick money and high stakes... but you never know!

Since some peeps have declined to risk marring their prized beauties by traveling high mountain gravel roads (I'm one of them) then going north might be something to look at... mind you, all that is said here are suggestions. please speak up if you have other ideas, k?

From Central City we can continue on up to Nederland. Then we have decisions to make:

1. Continue on US119 to Boulder
- Have lunch somewhere
- Go to Boulder Nissan and chechout their Stillen SC and Greddy TT cars

2. Take US72 north and either head to Lyons, or Estes Park.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, give some input into other ideas or suggestions. I know David wants to get an early start, so we can make this a pretty long run if we want.

Cheers!

 

I am ready to follow. Will be at the Target parking lot at 8am...really 8am?

Count me in.

 

That sounds fine to me. I'll be there as well.
When you get to Nederland, you can go north to Allenspark to the junction with Hwy 7 and head down to Lyons. South St. Vrain Canyon is a nice road. Omce to Lyons can decide to go to Estes or head back to Boulder.
Just a suggestion.

 

I'll be there at eight in Target parking lot where we meet last time. I'll even bring doughnuts for every one (No Bento for Joe and David though).

Here's my route suggestion:
3. Start in Golden at Colorado Mills, go up 6th toward Central city. At the stop light way before Central city take a left and head south still on 6th. That goes to I-70. Take I-70 to Idaho Srpings and continue up to Mt. Evans. Note: small charge to go up Mt Evans, and there are plenty of bikers. From Mt. Evans go back to I-70 to Idaho Springs. We can either stop for lunch at Beau Jo's or Tommy Knocker Brewery. After Lunch we can get back on I-70 and cut over to Evergreen. From there we can go shot through the canyon to Morrison (fun twisty road). We can eat there if we didn't eat in Idaho Springs. From Morrison we can go back up the Canyon to Everygreen again (fun twisty road backwards) and then go over to Conifer. From Conifer we can go down I-285 and over to Dear Creek road (Another fun twisty ride). That will end us up near the Lockhead Martin Building in the Ken Carl valley near C470. Everyone go home.

Just an idea. I've done these routes plenty of times with my bike. I know that it's possible, but I will need to look up directions and which exits to take. Let me know if you guys want to take this way and I'll start plotting it out. Also if you think it's a dumb idea it won't hurt my feelings.
David

 

The easiest way to get to the Target parking lot at Colorado Mills is to take I-70 to the Denver West exit, and go south on Denver West. From here, just cross Colfax and take a right to get up into the Target parking lot (across Denver West from Best Buy.) Let's plan to leave as soon after 8 as possible...there will be plenty of time for us to catch up in Central City or Blackhawk, and leaving on time will give us a better chance of beating some of the traffic (although I suspect that even at 8 we'll hit quite a bit of it.)

I agree that the drive up to Nederland would be enjoyable. From here, I don't really care which way we go (either Allenspark-Lyons or straight to Boulder.) We'll probably have to see what time it's getting to be for those who have to get back early. I agree with Craig...that drive from Allenspark to Lyons is a blast (even though it's often cop-infested.)

Don - could you bring one of your extra CG-Lock devices? It'll be easier for me to just buy one of your extras than deal with the manufaturer's sketchy shipping problems. Thanks!

Gary

 

np Gary, other peeps are asking for them as well

haven't been on the drive from Allenspark to Lyons, but from mapblast pics it looks like a very twisty road.

 

David- Thanks for the suggestions, but I think we should stick to the original plan of making it down 119 into Central City and Blackhawk. As GaryM05 says, it'll give us a little time to park and chat once we get there. Besides, I need some time to hit the casinos and make lots of $$$- j/k. We'll also need some time to enjoy your generous offer of donuts, although I'm kinda bummed about the bento (bento: traditional Japanese box meal-for those who were wondering). After that, we can decide as a group where to go!

 

Okay, sounds good. Looking forward to the drive.
David

 

Don,
I think I'd like to buy one of those seatbelt locks. I looked at the website and I'm sure that thing will cut several seconds off my lap times. I'm sure I'll challenge that Viper once I get that installed. Best $35 I've ever spent.

See you Sat.

 

< It was his Mother driving it at the time... oops, but don't tell anyone!!! >

 

This was an enjoyable day. Thanks to Bottom (David) for bringing some hot and juicy Krispy Kremes for everybody to start out the day. We had seven beautiful Z's crusing all the way up to Blackhawk and into Central City. Stopped by the Isle Casino and Bottom even made a few bucks. Peterputter sold a few CG-locks and did a short demo on how to install them. We continued up CO 119 and the Peak-to-Peak route through Nederland and on towards Estes Park. Threatening weather had us halt our westward march and head into Lyons for lunch. After a good lunch with lots of Z talk we decided to head down into Boulder and check out Boulder Nissan's Stillen charged and Greddy Twin Turbo applications. Thanks to Boulder Nissan for letting us take an up close and personal look at both cars, although I think Peterputter has a serious case of supercharged lust now. A fun day, but I'm already looking forward to the next one!

 

Oh my, another nice CO day... with wonderful fun roads, beautiful scenery, and the best people to experience it all with... Jesus, take me now!!! NO, WAIT... let me have some fun with that Stillen SC first, ok???

zz-notop: (Craig) Nederland came up to fast, and before I new it... you were gone. I'm sorry I didn't get any pics of your latest mod, but maybe you can post a couple for the rest to enjoy! You're a good sport... can't wait until our next meet.

Bottom: (David) YeeHaaa!!! You got that Stillen exhaust issure worked out.. man, I'm so happy... but the real test will be on the track, eh?

Shogun: (Joe) Great to see you again... and we all hope to see lots more of that PPW 'leading' at the next cruise!!!

GaryM05: (Gary) Sorry I gave you so hard a time about the Dec trip to Kali... you know I like pullin' your chain sometimes!!! Hope to see you at out next track event... I've got more questions for you.

Darryl & Julie: Sorry guys, I don't know your handle on this forum. Thanks Jules for taking the photos and we all look forward to them being posted and hosted by Darryl. Lemme know the FTP site and I'll send ya what I got as well. Can't wait to see you run at our next track event; you look really fast!

dkmura: (Muramotoson) Man, was it good to see you behind the wheel of a sports car once again! We are all happy that your complete recovery may be just around the corner. We need your advice, tips, and kewl stories from the 'Racing World'. Where and how do you want me to send those pics of the stereo amp?

As proof of David Muramoto's attendance, I attach this photo (his smile is almost as big as the one I had after getting that test ride in Boulder Nissan's SC 350z):

 

Geez Don, do you have some sorta x-ray camera? It appears that David's "Evil Alf" tatoo is permeating through his shirt.

Great time once again.

kohlersc would be the missing handle.

Joe

 

As "peterputter" requested, here are some pics of my lastest upgrade as donated by "pp" himself. I purchased one of the seatbelt locks, which, I'm suer, will greatly reduce my lap times, but this mod will surely surpass that in performance enhancement. As "pp" pointed out one of the hazards of owning a roadster is the constant threat of steering wheel overheating. His much appreciated donation to the cause is pictured here:

 

I've also included a picture of this versatile gift in its alternate application:

 

I want to thank "pp" for his gracious generosity and for the concern of all my fellow Z'ers for my well being.

THANKS TO ALL!!!!!!

 

ROFLMFAO!!!!!!

Tooche' Craig... nice touch!

THanks for the info Joe.

I'm off to work... cheers!

 

Another great drive everyone. The only downer was the construction on the drive into Lyons...that road looks much different at the low speeds we were forced to drive!

Craig - Sorry we couldn't find a good spot to park before you had to take off. I had planned on stopping in Nederland at the grocery store parking lot, but as we approached it I saw that it was full of bicyclists, and had no room for our group - and I think that's the only parking lot in Nederland that's big enough for 7 cars! We stopped soon after leaving Lyons for some pictures, but you had already had to head back by then. Hopefully we can do better next time.

Don - It's all good! Life wouldn't be worth living without a little smack-talk every once in a while. But if I'm going to spend that much cash (not to mention all the other expenses that come with a week-long road trip) I would want it to be for the chance to drive somewhere like Road America, Mid-Ohio, Road Atlanta, Sears Point, Mont Tremblant, Watkins Glen, Lime Rock, or somewhere similar that has a little more history. I'm sure the trip to California Speedway will be well worth it to those who go, though. Maybe someone will have a video camera hookup in their car by then, so that those of us who stay behind can live vicariously through some onboard footage.

Again, another great drive this weekend. I'm already looking forward to the next one!

Gary

 

I was a good drive. I didn’t mind the construction too much. I had a problem with the truck and the caviler not letting us by. Not that they had to, but it would have been nice.

It was also good to see David pass someone on a double yellow line right before a turn. I thought that was something that only teenagers did and not someone that was born in the fifties (David’s birthday was on the helmet that he lent Don’s son at La Junta). J/K

I also liked seeing the TT and Supercharged Z’s. Don, are you seriously looking at getting a supercharger? That would be sweet. With the TT Z on the lift, I got a good idea of how the Stillen exhaust should go together. So about three hours later with a propane torch and a hammer I was able to move the exhaust back about an inch. Now the hanger posts stick past the rubber hangers without any tension. There was more evidence on how far the exhaust expands and the force it exerts. A bolt on one of the tubes clamps dug into the steel frame supports about a half an inch. I was pretty surprised to see that.

I must have missed the story on the pink steering wheel cover, that’s hilarious. We should start to worry if Craig starts putting a roll of toilet paper on his shifter.

It was good seeing everyone again and meeting Darryl and Julie, I’ll look forward to the next ride.
David