Tour du Nord IV - February 2008

[NHRef]

Another alternative is to meet later in Portsmouth (say, 2:00 p.m.) and either have dinner enroute to Calais or after we arrive there.

Pete

Quote: Originally Posted by geowit (original)

Um-m-m, since I'm planning on having Rob ride shotgun, it looks like I'd have to leave at 5:30 AM to even have a shot at making that timetable. I definitely want to get there earlier than last time but it looks like I'll have a 2.5 hour drive just to Toms River, NJ. I would like to have some flex in the schedule if possible.

[Oldpaint]

Quote: Originally Posted by MinorRoadsKill (original)

Good question. I may fly to Halifax, or drive to NH or ME in search of a MINI. Flying saves a day each way, but I've never been to NH.

Driving hinges on whether I put up my beloved '99 Accord for sale, which in turn depends upon whether I reel in a contract next week that requires traveling out of town more frequently in 2008.

Trade it in @ MINI of Halifax and we'll meet up with you there.

[uptick]

Ohh what we can expect two years later, with the US$ = CD$ now (and crude oil at ~$100/barrel)..



(the Halifax charge was for a case of beer... )

[Oldpaint]

Regular is going for cn $1.16 / liter in St. John's which (if my algebra is correct) works out to US $4.43 /US gallon. There wasn't pricing for premium on the web site I used. (I used 1.01 for the money factor)

[geowit]

Quote: Originally Posted by Oldpaint (original)

Geowit,
Last time did you meet us in Portsmouth?
- my pictures from there aren't clear enough to see.

If you meet us at the Calais Motel late, just make sure to have dinner before you get anywhere near Calais.

NHref or MRK,
Where are we meeting MinorRoadsKill?

Yes, we met some of the group in Portsmouth. I believe Pete led the way to Calais. I would prefer to meet and travel with the group from Portsmouth but I may need a little flexibility on the time depending on Rob and possibly weather. The drive in '06 was like spring time so I was able to take some liberties on the "recommended" limits.

Quote: Originally Posted by MinorRoadsKill (original)

For those who find Calais is too far a trip on Thursday, I would suggest trying instead to get to Bangor, about 2 hours short of Calais. This permits a later departure from your origin on Thursday, while still catching up with the pack somewhere in New Brunswick. The downside is that if the weather is really bad, you'll have to get an earlier start on the Friday.

MinorRoadsKill

I don't think the drive is too far, we did it in '07 without too much difficulty although I agree with the assessment that we should have had an earlier departure time from Portsmouth. Separate starting points is a variable I would rather avoid.

Quote: Originally Posted by NHRef (original)

Another alternative is to meet later in Portsmouth (say, 2:00 p.m.) and either have dinner enroute to Calais or after we arrive there.

Pete

Pete, after I hear from Rob, I'll have a better idea of time lines. I like the idea of meeting earlier but I may need a little leeway if I run into delays. I'm sure we can work something out. Not a big deal.

[NHRef]

Everyone from south of NH has to drive through Portsmouth. Coming from Milford NH, I, too, have to drive through there.

I'm flexible and can time the arrival in Portsmouth to whatever is convenient for folks.

Is anyone else interested in a Portsmouth rendezvous?

[Oldpaint]

While fooling around with google maps today (learning about uploading kml from my gps), I came across this interesting journey happening as we speak. Here's todays picture on his web site. Look familiar?

[benzamg]

Gadzooks, my co-driver just bailed on me.

Apparently something came up at work ... I guess I won't have to make that detour through Newark Airport after all... so unless some intrepid traveller would like to take my passenger seat, I will be going solo this time around...

Anyone travelling near southwestern CT want to meet up on the way to meet NHref @ Portsmouth?

[benzamg]

Quote: Originally Posted by Oldpaint (original)

Regular is going for cn $1.16 / liter in St. John's which (if my algebra is correct) works out to US $4.43 /US gallon. There wasn't pricing for premium on the web site I used. (I used 1.01 for the money factor)

hmm...

I did a little bit of searching on the novascotiagasprices.com and I finally found a price on premium...
In Cheticamp, Nova Scotia, it is 125.5 c/l (where regular is 118.8 c/l so I assume the price will be similar in Newfoundland)
http://www.novascotiagasprices.com/i...imit=60&list=0

And with the current nearly 1:1 exchange rate.. 1.25500 (Canadian dollars per liter) = 4.70365521 U.S. dollars per US gallon (Thank you GOOGLE)
1.255 CAD per liter to USD per gallon - Google Search

[LePew]

Quote: Originally Posted by Oldpaint (original)

While fooling around with google maps today (learning about uploading kml from my gps), I came across this interesting journey happening as we speak. Here's todays picture on his web site. Look familiar?

WOW! Did you read what happened to him north of Manic on the way to Labrador City yesterday? Rough road--in fact so severe his windshield fell out!

[NoNo]

I believe the word used was "bumby"

[robr3004]

Well unfortunately I'm going to have to bail on this years trip. Only learning about this trip this 2 months ago, I really didn't have time to fit it into my budget. I was hoping my tax return would have been more, but it didn't turn out that way after I did them last night.

Also, now that I have almost 100K on my 04 MCS I have a lot of work that needs to be done over the next few months. New struts, tie rods, front control arm bushings<- this is a killer for labor cost, and tires. I will most likely need a new clutch as well in the next 6 to 12 months . Plus my pickup truck needs a new clutch and brakes.


But with all the work being done, I feel comfortable driving my Mini on the next Arctic Run and hopefully my girlfriend will be able to join me.

I know I'm really going to miss this run. If for some odd reason I come into any extra cash in the next couple of weeks, I still may try and jump in last minute if I can secure all the necessary lodging and get a Ferry ticket.

If anyone has a Windows Mobile Pocket PC or Smart phone, I can still set you up with the Copilot GPS software and website tracking.

Regards,
-ROB-

[ravioliworld]

Yeah, me too...didn't really commit to this trip, but I'm going to bail as well. There's a slight chance I get a work trip to the UK. And even the slightest chance of that happening is enough to keep me from committing to this trip. (Possible free trip plus flying with the UK coast guard.)

[geowit]

OK, it looks like I'm doing a solo also.

Pete, it looks like about 7 hours to Portsmouth for me. I think I can be there by 1PM if that will work?

Ben, I'll be coming across I84 through Danbury if you want to meet up for the drive up to Portsmouth.

Oh, where the heck is Roman? I need some Czech beer.

[NoNo]

Some of you solo drivers should consider teaming up. While I understand the comfort of being in your own car, I have to say, I had a blast last year carhopping. It gives you a tremendous opportunity to really get to know everyone, even the people you've "known" from past events. Plus it means more company and an extra set of eyes, which with the long days we put in can be very useful. Just a thought.