BimmerFest BMW Forum banner

Bimmerfesters 'Climb to the Clouds II'

90K views 1K replies 42 participants last post by  DSXMachina 
#1 · (Edited)
Announcing the 2010 Bimmerfesters Climb to the Clouds II! The White Mountains, New Hampshire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Festers, save Saturday June 12, we're gathering for our second annual Bimmering adventure! Last year there were no arrests and all drivers were present and accounted for at the finish line. We're going to push our luck and do it all over again. There will be a surprise 'secret road' or two which I'll announce later in time for you to enter the data points in your GPS. I still need to scout them before inclusion to make sure we didn't have any 'frost heave explosions' over the Winter.

This actually is a very family friendly trip, and you are encouraged to bring your S.O. and kids along. I guarantee they will see things that they will talk about for years.

Here's a Google Map showing our trip. It is fully interactive so check out all the features. Click on the blue links on the left side and the map will bring up those locations.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=e...3.44594,-71.515503&spn=0.699923,0.973663&z=10

We'll all meet for breakfast at The Tilton Diner in Tilton, NH and go over the plans one last time. Then we'll convoy through lake country, get some pics of our BMWs passing through century old (but strong!) Covered Bridges, and stage for an unforgettable climb to the summit of Mount Washington.

You're going to find out what 'Freude am Fahren' is all about, NH style: The Kancamagus Scenic Byway lies dead ahead. The "Kanc' snakes 35 miles through mountains and valleys of the White Mountain National Forest at an average elevation of 2900 feet. Dozens of twists, turns, hairpins, rises and dips will test your car's suspension, and your concentration while surrounded by spectacular scenery.
http://gonewengland.about.com/od/nhsightseeing/a/aakancamagus.htm

The Kanc winds up at the Conway Outlet Center where we'll be taking a short pit stop (bathrooms and shopping) before heading North to Pinkham Notch and the Mount Washington Auto Road.

Although plenty wide and mostly paved this will not be an adventure for the faint of heart. There are no guard rails, not a single Jersey Barrier, just you and the mountain. And the valley floor over a thousand feet below.
http://www.mountwashingtonautoroad.com/Page-22.html

There will be a 'Fest photographer snapping a souvenir photo of your BMW rounding an uphill switchback with the mountain on one side and...nothing...on the other. We'll be having lunch at the Summit House (buy or bring) and have plenty of time to explore (it's kid safe-mostly). It is unlikely the wind will be like the day when it set a (recently eclipsed) world record velocity of over 230 mph right where we're parking.

It's all downhill from there, literally. Driving down can be even more um, interesting, than driving up. We'll then head North and West, skirting the Presidential Range and check out a few more sights along the way while passing through Crawford Notch and dipping South to The Mount Washington Hotel.

The MW Hotel, one of the few remaining Grand Dames of a bygone era recently underwent a multimillion dollar restoration. It's a great photo op and not to be missed. Plan on taking in the view of The Great Whites from the lounge before our group picture out front!
http://www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/BrettonWoodsMountWashington.aspx

After cutting through some back country we'll end up in Bartlett and jump onto a hidden local road, Bear Notch Road. BN Road, which would itself be a major attraction if not for the Kanc, ends at the Kanc which we will now travel in reverse back to our dispersal point in Lincoln, NH. It's going to be about supper time so how about staying for a meal?
http://www.thecman.com/restaurants/common-man-lincoln/

Total trip time, start to finish, is estimated at 8 hours. I'll be driving the route in late May (can't now, it's still snowbound in sections), and will verify all roads and the schedule.

Each driver will receive an info packet with route maps when we meet. However I will post the final route and schedule in late May so that anyone with a GPS can set waypoints if they wish. It won't be required though because the roads are all well marked and you will get maps with your itinerary.

This will be a great opportunity for you and your family to enjoy a day together with your fellow Bimmerfesters. You might even want to stay overnight into Sunday, but the convoy will say goodbye around 5pm on Saturday.

As I said, all the details will be posted by late May. The trip date is set in stone, Saturday the 12th of June (the 20th is Father's Day).

Here are some pictures from last year's event.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=375910&highlight=

FAQ
Q. How many BMWs will there be?
A. For tactical reasons we're going to limit it to 30 confirmed cars with 5 more stand-bys as fill ins. Reservations are on a first come, first served basis.
We'll be convoying in groups of 10, each led by someone who did the trip last year.

Q. Will a cellphone work in the mountains?
A. Uusally but don't depend on it. Dead zones can be miles long.

Q. My baby doesn't do gravel. Will she be OK?
A. The only gravel we'll encounter will be very short sections of the Mt. Washington Auto Road, but they are extremely hard packed and stones stay put. Additionally, the MWAR speed limit is 5 mph. Think that's too slow? You won't.

Q. I may have some fragile bladders along, will there be bathroom stops?
A. At least every two hours. NH generally has clean and convenient facilities. However, you might have the most acute need while ascending the MWAR, there are none until the top.

Q. Should I bring a camera?
A. Are you kidding?

Q. What about food?
A. Breakfast will be at the Tilton Diner, a NH highlight for bacon and eggs, pancakes, and all the bad stuff that tastes so good. Bring some snacks for the car (no chocolate, or crumb buns, take it from me). Lunch is going to be on top of Mt. Washington and if you don't bring a picnic there is simple but very edible food available.

Q. Will we be seeing the "Old Man of the Mountains"?
A. Yes and no. He jumped off the side of Franconia Notch a few years ago and now lies in a 5000 ton heap of gravel on the valley floor. Very sad.

Q. Why can't this be a Rally, TSD Trial, or other competition?
A. The fact is you'll have plenty enough to do keeping your BMW on the road. The scenery will be distraction enough.

Q. I hear that Motorcycle Week starts June 12th...
A. It does, but all those bankers and lawyers will be far south of us in Laconia until Monday when they get the MW Auto Road all to themselves.

Q. Is there an entry fee?
A. Nope, just meet your own expenses.

Q. Come on, no one does anything for nothing?
A. OK, how about a $20 donation to the Susan G Komen for the Cure Center? As you know, BMWNA was a long time very generous supporter of this charity but will no longer be able to do so. It would be fitting for us to help in any way we can. Last year we raised $180 which was donated in the name of "Bimmerfesters".

Q. Gasoline?
A. Major branded stations will be along the way except for the Kanc where there will be nothing. Fill your tank before Tilton and you will have plenty left when we're done.

Q. Will my BMW make it up the MWAR?
A. The little old lady in the Suburban behind you will make sure you do. She can't turn around until the top. Just kidding, you'll have no problem.

Q. My BMW had an accident. Can I join you in my Honda Accord?
A. Sorry, no, this is an all BMW road trip.

Q. My BMW had an accident. Can I join you in my Ferrari California?
A. Yes.

Q. I'm in! What do I do now?
A. PM me for a reservation and make sure I PM you back to confirm! I will post a current reservations list so you can see who else is going.
 
See less See more
#1,162 ·
Bit slow...we went up and down in 10 minutes, and with better music...with traffic.

:angel:
Great video ///M-R

Sent from my iPhone using BimmerApp
 
#1,168 · (Edited)
Snow Tires?



We don't need no stinking snow tires.



CA
 
#1,169 ·
I would like to go even though I live in the west coast....
But go up the mountain, where can I go no.1 or no.2? Is it alright if I bring a trowel with me?

Sent from my iPhone using BimmerApp
 
#1,170 ·
eww
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top