Driving to Carlisle -who, how, when

I am still trying to decide about driving, flying or trailering to Carlisle.

The trip is about 690 miles, from Atlanta, Georgia, mostly interstate, which is not real fun in the Speedster, the Speedster is fun with the top down, but interstates aren't much fun, but I'm usually game for a roadtrip.

Issues: rain and leaking (I haven't been in the rain yet, but I know it will leak a lot); luggage/ storage room - what do really need to bring? ; should I plan on 2 days to get there, 690 miles in one day in a Speedster (?) has anyone driven that many miles in one day, in a Speedster?; Who else is going there, via I-81 (?) from TN, NC, SC, GA or VA - when are you going and are you caravaning ? Any concerns about mechanicals (what tools or parts should I bring)?

Just looking for some support. I would like to bring the Speedster, but 690 miles is quite a trip (to me anyways), maybe not to Hoss or Jim Ward...but it is to me.

Robert,

I have made the trip twice trailering cars from Rome, Ga to here Pa. It takes me 14 hrs adveraging 60- 65 mph and it is all good interstate roads.

There are a couple of Speedster owners (Hoss is one ) heading up from the South to Carlisle .........

I am sure that they will respond to you.

Pre trip inspection and tweeking from one end to the other will give you the confidence you 'll need to enjoy the trip

Tools: basic hand tools, duct tape, wire, flashlight, can of flat fix and a few towels to soak up any ummm..... moisture

What I would do is head out late morning after rush hour type traffic and get 300 miles and six hours + - or so under you belt and do the balance on day two.

Do make the trip! I have done a number of similar trips in various replica's I have owned over the years and enjoy each one!

Alan

Robert ,

Clothes - very casual. A couple of pairs of jeans, your favorite t-shirts, maybe a pair of bermudas, a jacket, sweatshirt, hat, etc. We can expect everything from cool to hot. Last year I believe we actually saw close to 90 but it could be the cool Spring weather.

Drive or trailer but flying isn't going to be a whole lot of fun.

Bob, Sarah and I are leaving early Thursday A.M. and driving straight through. If you are up for it, you are welcome to join us. Our mapquest says it is something like 560 miles to the hotel, a reasonably long day but not impossible. If you broke you drive into two days, it wouldn't be bad at all. If you have a CD player, you could rent an audio book from Cracker Barrel to make the time go by faster.

When I packed for Knotts, I was traveling solo and had visions of tenting in KOA's on some of the nights. After a long day behind the wheel, this seemed unappealing and I didn't do it. It was nice to have a warm bed, private bath and cable TV at the end of a day's drive.

I usually pack more clothing than I will need but may not be able to this trip since I have to allow space for Sarah's stuff. As for tools, Alan's list of items to carry sounds like a good one, almost exactly what I brought.

You can do it. It will be a great adventure. Like I said before, when the day comes that I move into "the home" I want to have some exciting tales to tell.

Thanks for the suggestions.

I was thinking about heading out early evening on Wednesday to get 150 to 200 miles done, then finishing on Thursday.

An audio book is always a good idea, but I may have to think about setting something up with headphones. Actually thinking about getting that little portable XM radio (I already have XM in my SUV).

Should I bring a fold up chair...is it needed or just stealing space...The tools (flat fix, alt belt, etc..) are a good idea...but not sure of what else I need to check out on the car (other than oil, tire presssure, lug nuts, wiper fluid). How about a small bucket with cleaning supplies??? I just got a bra to protect against interstate road rash.

On the return trip, do most people leave on Sunday morning or ...?

Bob:

Sent you a separate email but missed a few items:
You can bring a fold-up chair, but if you're running out of space then skip it - there will be chairs available under the tent. Also the cleaning supplies should be available, too. Southern Hospitality says that, as a part-time Southerner, I'll share all my cleaning stuff with you (and we've got more room (a tow-vehicle) so we can haul more) so don't worry about that.

Brian kept that car up pretty well, so there shouldn't be much to check beyond what you mentioned. Do a walk-around while someone works all the lights, check the brake fluid, check for any leaks (minor engine leaks are "normal" but I don't remember seeing any on that car when last I saw it), pack it up (don't forget Road snacks), hop in and head North.

Most people head to the meet early Sunday morning, and then start bugging out just before Lunch. We left for home shortly after 10am last year, and there were several others packing up at the hotel with us.

Hope all of our info isn't becoming "Sensory Overload"!!

Gordon
One of the "Speedstah Guys" from Beaufort

BTW: Peter McEwan from Beaufort, SC, is coming up too. You can reach him at:
peter_mcewan2000@yahoo.com

As far as cleaning supplies go Carlisle provides a hose off area to get the big chunks. If its just dust and bugs I like the Maguires or Mothers "Show Shine" spray and a microfiber towel. All last summer I washed mine probably twice and used the spray about once a week. In between rainstorms.

Jerome

PS. Don't forget the pork rinds for the trip.

I prefer jerky, 97% fat free no less. Too bad it makes me retain water. I found out how much the day after I ran out ;-)

Mmmmm, Mystery Meat...(Drool)

Geez...Jerome! I thought that you guys out on the Frontier would be into Pemmican, not Pork Rinds.......

When Chris trailered Pearl down to South Carolina for me, I looked into his truck and there was this big box on the back seat. Looking closer showed that it was full of Reese's cups, Chex Mix, chocolate bars, Fig Newtons, Oreo's - all sorts of stuff.
And to drink while on the road?? LOTS of Mountain Dew, of course!! (Makes you burp, but more caffeine than coffee!)

The life of the "Long Haul Speedsterer"

Hey everyone, thanks for the suggestions....

Beef jerky, Pork Rinds, XM Radio, Audio Books, all the necessary items...I just got an Ipod as well...I can put audio books and favorite tunes on it, and listen on headphones or the car stereo. I will make a list of helpful tools to bring based on the suggestions.

My wife said she may actually want to come (the kids are home from college), so she may follow in a chase car (doesn't that sound stupid)... why drive one car when you can burn gas in two....my stupid idea not hers... I don't there is enough room for both of us, gear, etc...and drive 690 miles.

Or I could buy a trailer and haul it in style....

Bob:

You're wrong. There IS room for two people and their gear AND a proper spares kit in a Speedster. Just use some common sense on what to bring and you'll be fine. Other people do it all the time. Call John Hallstrand and ask his advise on what is REALLY needed and what isn't - he'll know.

The secret is pack as light as you can with just the "necessities", and then throw out half of what you packed - believe me, you didn't need it anyway. There are laundromats, pharmacies and stores nearby, other people have things you can borrow, and credit cards can take the place of a LOT of excess "stuff". Pack one warm and one cooler weather outfit and one spare outfit (your choice of weather), then wash often. We don't dress up, so neither should you. Two decent sized 2-day bags fit easily behind the bucket seats with room for a few more necessities, spares in the trunk, leave the beer at home (we'll take care of that for you, and/or wine for your wife). Tell your wife she'll have a great time and be able to talk about it for years. She'll be coming to the best "Family" reunion she'll ever go to. Trust us - that's what we found last year.....

Gordon
One of the "Speedstah Guys" from Beaufort, SC (now "on loan" to Rhode Island)

BTW: Did you get the spares list I sent via email??

Gordon,

Chris and I grew up in the generation where the 4 food groups are:

1. Sugar (Candy, I'm talkin' Gummi Bears, Sour Patch Kids and Swedish Fish)
2. Processed Cheese (Any cheese in a can or anything with "cheese" on it)
3. Ketchup (Includes Pizza, The Chef (Boyardee Of course), Wings, Pretty much any thing with tomato sauce out of a can on it)
4. Mountian Dew (Mmmm...liquid candy)

Jerome

Getting prepared...having a new more powerful Pioneer head unit and rear speakers installed. The head unit also also contols XM and Ipod, which are also being installed. BRILLIANT! Getting ready for the road....

Robert,

I'm jealous, should be some good tunes for the road - what do you like?

BTW, in case you haven't done any practice packing yet, I agree with the comments above and can tell you I got a pile of stuff in my Speedster going to Carlisle last year. Not only did I have luggage and my right-seater (Hot foot Norma) but a lot of stuff for the Meet - trophies, raffle items, two folding chairs, an easel, the banner, Meet hats, cleaning stuff, booze and much more. And could have stuffed a few more items in there yet.

Enjoy the drive!

Bruce , you have a Speedster and half load. You need one of those cycle trailers...didn't someone have one at Carlisle last year? After hearing your packing list, I think mine is an easy load.

My music tastes are pretty basic, rock and roll from the 60's, 70's and early 80's, then I switch to XM for a little bit of everything else.

I look forward to meeting you and the rest of the gang later next week.

I've found it hard to beat XM's "Fine Tuning" channel....wildly eclectic, but all really good stuff. Where else can you hear DeBussey followed by "Sting" and then the "Chieftans" and it all flows?? Plus the Weather/Traffic reports are great (especially on both Coasts).

BTW: Going to the Sting concert in Providence tonight - Whoo-Hooo!!

gn

What, no Hank Snow or George Jones on XM???

You bet!
Channel 13 is "Hank's Place", featuring all Classic Country. Kind of like dropping in to the SOC bar, only it's a Country Road House.

Good news and bad news...my bettter half won't be making the trip...I guess thats good news for me...just kidding...most people like her more than me, she is certainly better looking than me...

I just had new front and rear component speakers and a high end Pioneer head unit installed, including XM and Ipod capabilities, and it works great, I can actually hear the stereo when driving with the top down..even with no subwoofer.

I am just filling up the Ipod with copies of my CD's and downloading some audiobooks, BRILLIANT...

Doing a final detail and then a mechanical check before putting on the front mask/bra and loading it up, starting this weekend.

Thanks for all of the advise, feedback, etc...I hope to meet up with "Hoss" on Thursday on I-81...he has cross country experience, and maybe a good auto club, just kidding...

Looking forward to meeting "all yall speedsta people"...see you soon.

For anyone who's worried about the trip out there...

I am ALL ABOUT doing some wrenching while we're out there, if needed. Between myself, Dad, and the 40 other people coming, I'm sure there's nothing we can't tackle in the parking lot, short of a motor rebuild. So, even if something should happen, I bet it'll get fixed.

:)

Chris

Bob, contact me off line and let's see what we can work out in terms of hooking up on I-81.
John