Drive New England: Anyone interested?

[GammaZeta]

I'm putting together an informal group of car enthusiasts throughout Western New England to enjoy exploring and traveling the wonderful back roads of our region. People that enjoy Sunday morning drives, meeting with like minded enthusiasts and learning new routes.

I'm looking for professional people that drive in a safe, responsible manner that respect the roads and the neighborhoods we are driving through. I'm NOT looking for the 1991 Honda Civic modded at the local Autozone to hang out with at McDonald's to do donuts and drifting with.

Respectful, professional people that enjoy the art of a great drive down a back road.

I will hopefully be organizing 10 - 16 drives, all of which will start on a Sunday morning and last anywhere from 1.5 - 4 hours. Most drives will be in Central or Western New England, but hopefully we will organize special routes to include everybody.

Also, I hope to coordinate a few aimed at including our spouses, like a stop into Shelburne Falls or other local attractions.

If you're interested, give us a "Like" on Facebook: www.facebook.com/drivenewengland.

Or if you have any suggestions for a route, let me know. If you want to give me a hand organizing, let me know too!

All cars and people are welcome to join, but please make sure to read the rules that I posted on the Facebook page. If you can't follow all the rules, this group is not for you.

[DopeM3]

I'm down.

[btv764]

Sounds like fun, subscribed....

[SMG M3]

interested

[WCH]

Potentially interested.

[LarThaL]

I have organized this type of stuff for many, many years. Not so much recently, but I am definitely up for it. Organizing too !!

[GammaZeta]

Originally Posted by LarThaL

I have organized this type of stuff for many, many years. Not so much recently, but I am definitely up for it. Organizing too !!

Awesome! I think I pm'd you a while ago.

I figure a few more weeks and I hope to post both the driving routes and the dates.

Still a little too early, hopefully March.

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by GammaZeta

Awesome! I think I pm'd you a while ago.

I figure a few more weeks and I hope to post both the driving routes and the dates.

Still a little too early, hopefully March.

I know some great routes through western MA and into southern VT.

[GammaZeta]

Here is a draft I put together on a potential Drive: New England 2013 schedule. I'd like to know what everyone thinks so far. www.facebook.com/drivenewengland

April 28 – Route 57 and Route 20 (Start: Westfield / End: Westfield)
Layover in Great Barrington for breakfast.

May 19 – Vermont Route 7 (Start: Shelburne Falls / End: Rutland Vt)
Layover in Manchester Vt. for some amazing outlet shopping

June 9 – Route 112 (Start: Westfield / End: Shelburne Falls)
Bring the spouses to see the Bridge of Flowers in full bloom. Take a walk down historic Main Street.

June 23 – Connecticut 44 / Massachusetts Route 7 (Start: Windsor Locks / End: Williamstown)
Great free art galleries at Williams College, Mass MoCA in North Adams, and lots of great lunch spots.

July 28 – Skyline Trail / Berkshire Trail / River Road (Start: Westfield / End: Greenfield)
Lunch in downtown Greenfield

August 11 – Quabbin Loop 202/2/32A (Start: Chicopee / End: Belchertown)

August 25 – Connecticut Drive T.B.A

September 8 – Route 2 (Start: Gardner / End: Mt. Greylock, Adams)
Just in time to beat the foliage tourists. Picnic and games on top of Mt. Greylock. Maybe even some grilling?

September 22 – New Hampshire Drive T.B.A

October 6 – T.B.A

October 20 – T.B.A

November 3 - Repeat

November 17 - Repeat

[Savage_M3]

I'd be interested, but I honestly won't know for sure until a bit closer to the dates. Keep me posted...

[LarThaL]

All great roads, but some of the best are just named country roads that have no real route number. Best thing to do is to just plan a drive, post it up and see who signs up/shows up. Too big a group can be problematic also because you draw unwanted attention. When I did this with the Audi crew years ago, we had to break up into smaller packs in certain segments to avoid unwanted attention.

BTW...OP, where in MA are you?

[SouthShoreM3]

I would love to be a part as well. Subscribed. I know for sure I cannot do the first gathering. Driving to SC for a wedding. Deciding to hopefully make a stop at the performance school when I go down.

Great idea. I have been thinking about this type of gathering as well and to possibly see about doing a fundraising for Chrones disease as I was recently diagnosed in November.

[GammaZeta]

Originally Posted by LarThaL

All great roads, but some of the best are just named country roads that have no real route number. Best thing to do is to just plan a drive, post it up and see who signs up/shows up. Too big a group can be problematic also because you draw unwanted attention. When I did this with the Audi crew years ago, we had to break up into smaller packs in certain segments to avoid unwanted attention.

BTW...OP, where in MA are you?

Yeah I agree, but since this is the first time doing it, I thought including more familiar roads would be best. Also, there are destinations to most of them so everyone can bring their spouses if they so desire.

I'm almost thinking of this as a "must drive" catalog. Once we scratch each road off the map, then we can add additional roads that aren't as well known.

I'm not expecting a large group. Maybe 5 - 15 cars at most. Nothing too crazy. If it grows after a few seasons, then maybe split it up.

I'm your next door neighbor in Chicopee!

Basically, this is a condensed version of what I do on a yearly basis. So I figured why not include some other enthusiasts. I'm keeping it casual and doing the drives, picking a meeting spot and just going with it!

[SouthShoreM3]

I'm sure some is have modified the car to some extent. I know it's a little hard to keep my car from being PRIUS quiet. I hope that isn't singling out the non stock setups..hah! By no means am I a burnout guy. Never have been..we go through enough tires as it is on this car!

I read an article a while back in the globe about some of the best driving roads that also near the eastern side of MA. Ill try and find the article if any of the western, MA folks want to journey this way.

[MSport35TT]

interested please look out for my 'like' on facebook

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by GammaZeta

Yeah I agree, but since this is the first time doing it, I thought including more familiar roads would be best. Also, there are destinations to most of them so everyone can bring their spouses if they so desire.

I'm almost thinking of this as a "must drive" catalog. Once we scratch each road off the map, then we can add additional roads that aren't as well known.

I'm not expecting a large group. Maybe 5 - 15 cars at most. Nothing too crazy. If it grows after a few seasons, then maybe split it up.

I'm your next door neighbor in Chicopee!

Basically, this is a condensed version of what I do on a yearly basis. So I figured why not include some other enthusiasts. I'm keeping it casual and doing the drives, picking a meeting spot and just going with it!

Just curious.....have you ever been to Mark's Cruise Night outside Bradley Airport on Monday Nights?

[GammaZeta]

Originally Posted by LarThaL

Just curious.....have you ever been to Mark's Cruise Night outside Bradley Airport on Monday Nights?

Not recently, but did a long, long time ago.

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by GammaZeta

Not recently, but did a long, long time ago.

We should get a group to go down at least once during the season. I know opening night is Monday May 6th.

Other Events:

Herb Chambers Cars and Coffee
Larz Andersen Museum Cars and Coffee
Larz Andersen German Car day

And of course, the drives you are planning. Maybe set a drive to one of these events??

[Savage_M3]

Originally Posted by LarThaL

We should get a group to go down at least once during the season. I know opening night is Monday May 6th.

Other Events:

Herb Chambers Cars and Coffee
Larz Andersen Museum Cars and Coffee
Larz Andersen German Car day

And of course, the drives you are planning. Maybe set a drive to one of these events??

I'm interested in the two at Larz Andersen. Post the dates when you find out, hopefully I can join!

[GammaZeta]

I think we can coordinate those as well. I'll keep an eye out for other event dates and try to post them to the facebook page.

[SouthShoreM3]

There is that car show in foxborough I believe at the beginning or every other Thursday of the month during summer. Lots of fun and all types of cars. From rat rods to high end super cars...and lets not forget the fast and furious scene.

[NHman]

I am interested as well. My M3 is scheduled to arrive sometime late May.