Mid-Atlantic Speedster/Spyder Meet - 10/16

This year's Mid-Atlantic Speedster meet will be held in Sykesville, MD and the Spyders are invited too! Date is 10/16 (Saturday) and since we tend to have a few "leakers" a raindate is planned for 10/23.

Karl Macklin and I debated over possible locations and since last year's meet was a success we decided to pick another location that was central to the Mid-Atlantic region. Sykesville is a scenic, rural town away from the interstates and not far from last year's Mt Airy winery tour. We're still working out the details so mark the dates on your calender and watch here for further updates. We're expecting another great turnout so come out, enjoy the fall foliage and join us!

Bruce

I might be interesred is there more information on specific time and location also what is on agenda.

Lew

Lewis,
Rest assured, If this is anything like Bruces event last year, you'll be interested in attending.
Pending Nasty climates, I'll be signing up again!

Greg B

Bruce/Karl
Count me in...Let me know if I can help you with any legwork.

Fred

Fred,
Glad to hear you're joining us again this year! I've had mixed emotions about you wanting to sell your car but if it's still for sale we'll try to get a few "lookers" to join us (hopefully you'll buy another if this one sells.

Greg,
Thanks for the compliments and good to hear you're joining us too.

Lewis,
We're working on a plan and hope to have somethigng soon.

All,
If anyone is familliar with the Sykesville area, let me know. We could us a little more info about some of the locations.

Looking forward to it. Does anyone know if iot may start in the morning or in the afternoon? Previous engagements will have to pull me away by mid afternoon. If nothing else, it would be good to meet you all.

Last year was fun with a wine tasting, cruise and visit to a Civil War site but some people felt there wasn't enough time to meet, talk and check out the cars. This year we're thinking about a picnic-type event at a park. Probably meet around 11:00 or 11:30, have lunch (bring your own pic-a-nic basket) and maybe take a cruise of one of Maryland's Scenic By-ways. What does everyone think?

Okay, here's the plan. We're going to meet at Piney Run Park in Sykesville, Maryland on 10/16 (Saturday). If you want to get directions from Yahoo maps or Mapquest the address of the park is 30 Martz Road, zip is 21784. It's a great park and includes the 300-acre Piney Run Reservoir, here's a link: www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/recreational/fwhotpineyrunpk.html The park and local countryside will be great for photos and you'll enjoy the changing autumn leaves that will be in full blast by then. There is a fee to get in the park - $4 if you're a resident of Carroll County or $6 if you're not. Plan to arrive at Piney Run between 10:00 and 11:00 (I'll be there at 9:50), bring your own refreshments and picnic lunch, frisbees, kites, (folding) fishing rods, whatever and try to be there by noon for group photos.

We'll also try to work in a cruise of one of Maryland's scenic by-ways and end up in downtown Sykesville, here's the link for the cruise: www.sha.state.md.us/exploremd/oed/scenicByways/Patapsco.pdf . If there's interest in the cruise we'll head out about 1:00 or 2:00.

Let me know if you're coming or if you have any questions. We had 12 Speedsters turn out last year, let's beat that number this year!!

Bruce, buddy,
I'm hatching a plan. Would a Subytub be welcome at this event? It's a long drive, but sweet bride reminds me that you only go around once and, who knows, this may be it.
Hoss Hallstrand

Hey John,

Wow! You're talking a lenghty ride and there's no long distance award but we would REALLY like to have you join us. Last year Stacey Campbell drove up from Williamsburg, VA and made it into a long weekend - stayed in a local bed-and-breakfast and saw some of the local sites. Hopefully Stacey will join us again this year and maybe he can offer you some suggestions. The only complication might be the raindate if the weather is questionable but if you let me know when you plan to leave we'll make a decision before you get on the road. She's right - you only go around once!

Confirmations so far:

Karl Macklin
Lewis Martin
Wendel Green (yeah, a Spyder!)
Mitchell Plapp
Bruce Stumpp
Greg Billesbach
Fred Kligman

Keep 'em coming!

Hey, Bruce.

MapQuest says its 530 miles and 8.5 hours driving from my place to the meet.

Hmmmm....

Of course, I don't have a car right now, but I could put Speedster signs on my old Miata.

If the timing works out I might just be able to make this event. Last year's was great fun and I'd really hate to miss this year's run. If I make it I promise not to trip over Bruce's Speedster exhaust pipe more than once.
Does anyone know of a hotel in the Sykesville area?
Is anyone else planning on arriving the night before?

Johnny 2 Bolts,
If you and your bride are interested in a little sightseeing sidetrip to Colonial Williamsburg on the way home, you are welcome to stay at the Campbell household. It may help break up your trip. Shucks, we will even find room in the garage for your Subytub. The hat might have to stay outside though...my garage is only a 3 car.
E-mail me if you are interested.

Stacey & Pat Campbell

Stacy, hopefully you will receive my e-mail. Thanks for the offer.
hh

Stacey,

We look forward to you joining us again this year! I saw a few bed and breakfasts right in and near Sykesville although I can't vouch for any of them - try a Google. Sykesville is not too far from last year's meet in Mt Airy so if you saw something last year it would probably work for this one too.

BTW, I'll have my trangle-shaped reflective road hazard thingie to put by my exhaust pipe....just in case you get too close!

There ought to be a motel near Mt. Airey right off of Rte.70. Plenty closer to Baltimore right off of 695 & 70 which would only be 35-40 minutes from Piney Run Park.


Still hoping to get my car ready so I can join the fun. Been out on a few trips close to home but need to build up the mileage and confidence level before heading off an hour from home. I have an afternoon obligation but hope to swing by in the morning even if not in my Speedster.

Tony Miller

Bob

Make the trip in the Miata, I also a speedsterless situation
with two under construction ...
But ,my wife does have a Miata rebodied as a 2002 BMW Z-3.

I have a few "Speedster" scripts we could duct tape to the proper locations....Hey who would know the difference ?

Alan!.......Pa-leeeeez!

Come on Alan, bring it! We'll pretend it's a Speedster.

FLASH! This meet is postponed until the 23rd due to the rain that has creeped into the forecast. Watch your email, I'll send out an update later this evening.

Speedster & Spyder Owners:

We're postponing the meet to our raindate of October 23rd due to rain showers now predicted for this Saturday.

We'll keep the same plan - Meet at Piney Run Park between 10 and 11:00 AM, cruise an official Maryland Scenic Drive and stop in the historic railroad town of Sykesvile, Maryland. My email from last week is included below with further details. One additional perk - we'll finish the cruise at E.W.Beck's Pub (www.ewbecks.com).

I hope everyone who was planning to join us this weekend can still make the 23rd. Would appeciate if you could send me an email and let me know if you're planning to attend. I'll get another email out to everyone early next week.

Bruce,
I will try and attend as well. This gives me another week for a few shakedown cruises first before heading out for a longer ride.
Tony Miller

Tomy,

Great, I added your name to the list.

Bruce

Again, weather permitting I'm planning on attending. To bad it was'nt Sunday as it turned into a great day only slightly cool.

Lew

East Coast Bruce:

Got together with John Estes (IM) and Andreas Eizinger (VS) this past weekend at John's house in Matunuck, RI, which meant I drove across the Newport (RI) Bridge in pretty high winds. Think Golden Gate Bridge in gale force winds, here. Cars and trucks were blowing all over the lanes, but the Speedy sits so low and has so little side area (and is slightly protected by the bridge's side railing) that it hung in its lane like it was glued there.

Still, I almost lost my venerable Pawtucket Red Sox hat in one big gust - not that it would help our bemoaned Red Sox very much!!

Sorry I can't make your upcoming shin-dig....dreaming of Carlisle '05, though...

gn

Steenking Weatherman! Yesterday they were calling for rain this weekend and bummed out my Sunday. BUT now they are calling for a "spectacular weekend". Partly sunny around 70. Let's hope it holds!
(and that my Ignitor II makes it here in time).
BD

Lewis,
Glad to hear you're in, I added your name to the list! The forecast is looking good for the 23rd.

Gordon,
I hear you. We planned to sail on Sunday, it was blowing 35 knots - we decided we didn't want to work that hard. BTW, you need to buy a hat tie at one of the boating stores. I'm dreamin' too, still in awe of the turnout we had in May!

Bill,
You know the mantra: Drive 'em, trailer 'em, tow 'em but get them there somehow !!! :>) Good luck with the Ignitor. Hope you can make it.

All,
I was second-guessing myself after postponing last week. BUT we had a few scattered showers Saturday and then a storm rolled through with hail in the afternoon. You may have heard on the news, the storm triggered 11 accidents in 11 miles on I-95 involving 90 cars!!! No deaths, unbelievably the worst was a broken leg. Decided it was the right decision to have the Speedies back at their respective homes instead of at a meet.

Good call for Sat., Bruce. It was a mostly crappy day here too.
I'm thinkin' we'll have a nice day like we had for the wine tour.
Might be even better.

BD

Fred Kligman's name is added to the list!

Rene Burcksen's name is added to the list!

Wonder where Colton Perry disapeared to??
BD

Hard to believe it's been a year since...

Last I heard (just before Carlisle) he said he was getting married and didn't have time. Drop him a line, see if you can get him to come out.

BTW, lookers/shoppers are welcome too! For you folks looking for a Speedster, Fred Kligman will be there with his sharp 2003 Vintage Speedster and it's for sale! See photo below or check out his file "Fred" in the Photos section.

Chuck Heath is added to the list, he's coming in Cory Drake's Speedster!

Okay, we're starting a new list of people who are attending on the 23rd:

Mitchell Plapp
Stacey Campbell
Bill Drayer
Bruce Stumpp
Tony Miller
Karl Macklin
Lewis Martin
Rene Burcksen
Fred Kligman
Chuck Heath (In Cory Drake's Speedster)

I'll add the names as I hear from everyone.

Why's Fred wanna sell it?

He looks so happy in it...

Speedster & Spyder Owners:

The Meet is ON for this Saturday, the 23rd!! The weather forecast looks good so it should be perfect Autumn weather for cruising and leaf-peeping.

In case you forgot, here's the plan....

We're gathering at Piney Run Park near the scenic railroad town of Sykesville, Maryland. Plan to arrive at the Park between 10:00 and 11:00 AM (I'll be there at 9:50, just look for my white Speedster with red polka dots). Bring your own refreshments and a picnic lunch, frisbees, kites, fishing rods (folding?), binoculars, whatever and try to be there no later than noon for group photos. The park and local countryside will be great for photos and you'll enjoy the changing, full-color Autumn leaves. There is a small fee to get in the park - $4 if you're a resident of Carroll County or $6 if you're not.

After some picnicing, socializing and Speedster-gawking we'll leave Piney Run Park around 1:30 and cruise one of Maryland's scenic by-ways. We'll finish the cruise around 2:30 at E.W.Beck's Restaurant and Pub in downtown Sykesville for some post-cruise bench racing, sightseeing and socializing. Here's a link for the cruise: www.sha.state.md.us/exploremd/oed/scenicByways/Patapsco.pdf . And here's the link for Beck's: www.ewbecks.com

If you need directions, use Yahoo maps or Mapquest - the address of the park is 30 Martz Road, zip is 21784. It's a great park and includes the 300-acre Piney Run Reservoir. Here's a link for the Park: www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/recreational/fwhotpineyrunpk.html Drive to the end of scenic Martz Road and you'll drive right into the Park entrance.

Let me know if you're coming, if you have any questions email me or call my cell phone (xxx-xxx-xxxx). Advance notice is good but if you decide to join us at the last minute, no problem - just show up!! We're expecting another great turnout so come out, enjoy the fall foliage and join us! We had a good turnout last year, let's beat that number this year!!

Gordon,
Unfortunately it's due to a change in my marital status after 25 years.

Fred

So how did yesterday's Mid-Atlantic Speedster meet go? ....
No posts yet and wondering if the Pub may have an after effect on you guys?...Or are you all in jail ?