South of Albany Meet III

[idipskoalmint]

I know it's still winter, but I'm excited about doing another round of this. Hopefully, we won't get split up this year.

After last years event, there was discussion of renting out Thatcher Park and doing a cookout/BBQ. What's the consensus now? If we want to do this, we'll need to figure out the logistics.

If you want to go to a restaurant, how did the Pump Station work out for you guys? I'm on a first-name basis with the owner (we talk cars; he drives a Mini Cooper John Cooper Works edition), so I might be able to finagle a little bit of a discount if we repeat. If not the Pump Station, do you have any other suggestions for places to eat? After what happened last year, if we are going to a restaurant, I'm going to require a deposit be made.

I think this year is going to be a little different in terms of our route, and I think the Catskills people may be happy - how about we take it down there? If we plan on this, would someone be willing to help make up a route?

Greg - you up for helping me plan a section through the Helderbergs again? If anyone else would like to give their input or just tag along for a nice drive while Greg and I plan, I'll post up planning dates (most likely, it'll be Sat/Sun afternoons).

I don't mind taking the lead on this one again, but if anyone is willing to help, it would be greatly appreciated. If you want to help, and don't have my contact info, shoot me a PM

Matthew

[Kavik]

Last year was a blast, can't wait to do it this year with better suspension and non-balding tires.....some of those turns last time were a little hairy in my car 

I don't mean to throw this off topic, but there is talk and rumors about Thatcher being closed    I hope it doesn't happen, but we might have to consider a secondary option

[flutyr525]

im down for cookout/bbq or pump station or someplace else. i recommend CB's or walkie talkies at least for the head person(s) and the rear person(s) so we dont get split up again.

im also down matthew for helping in the planning of routes but all depends on my work schedule and yours. well figure that out when the time comes.

[Kavik]

Deffinate good idea.  I've got a pair of walkies i can bring along.  much cheaper solution considering most people don't have CB's in their cars.  And only half the people would need to buy a set in order for everyone to have one 

[flutyr525]

i have a really good set myself that are super clear and have a ~15 mile range

[RS25BG]

our wonderful governor IS planning to shut down thatcher park...i dont know anything about that, just heard.  

i will help plan a little in the helderbergs, matt you have seemed to take more interest in this than me, so i'll just be a help with the route.  

i will be honest, its hard to get this big of a group to stay on course etc...last years was not planned so perfectly and i do apologize for that. its get to this point where i felt overwhelmed and annoyed. i really dont feel like dealing with that again. im sitting back this year.

[idipskoalmint]

I don't mean to throw this off topic, but there is talk and rumors about Thatcher being closed    I hope it doesn't happen, but we might have to consider a secondary option

our wonderful governor IS planning to shut down thatcher park...i dont know anything about that, just heard.

State agencies were asked to do an "exercise" to explain how the potential upcoming budget cuts would impact them. The parks department leaked this information to public interest groups (it was explicitly stated not to go public) in an effort to get a rise out of the public, and got in a heat of trouble (big wigs got called to the governor's office this week).

i will be honest, its hard to get this big of a group to stay on course etc...last years was not planned so perfectly and i do apologize for that. its get to this point where i felt overwhelmed and annoyed. i really dont feel like dealing with that again. im sitting back this year.

We have to do better with walkie-talkies/CBs this year.

[BenjiJosef]

I'm definitely down if I get my 2.5 by the date.  I can help with some logisitcs issues when I get done with school in May...Keep me updated.

[Kavik]

hell, with the walkies we could go completely off course and still not lose people if we relay the new route.  I think that will make it immensely less stressful!

and Ryan, I think my 2 mile range ones will do just fine......if anyone falls 15 miles behind on a cruise, there's no catching up at that point  


one more thing:  the google map layout of the route last year was a great idea, but we should maybe consider bringing some print outs of it this time lol  I thought about printing a bunch up for the last round, but in the end I forgot to

[sccrxxvi]

Last year was a blast, can't wait to do it this year with better suspension and non-balding tires.....some of those turns last time were a little hairy in my car  

I don't mean to throw this off topic, but there is talk and rumors about Thatcher being closed    I hope it doesn't happen, but we might have to consider a secondary option

The rumors are quite likely true, unless the legislature does something about the budget...

http://readme.readmedia.com/Statements-from-Governor-David-A-Paterson-and-Commissioner-Carol-Ash/1166601?utm_source=newswire&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=media_pr_emails

[flutyr525]

and Ryan, I think my 2 mile range ones will do just fine......if anyone falls 15 miles behind on a cruise, there's no catching up at that point  

hahaha! i agree...my point was more of the fact that i have a set more so than the 15 mile range

[idipskoalmint]

The rumors are quite likely true, unless the legislature does something about the budget...

http://readme.readmedia.com/Statements-from-Governor-David-A-Paterson-and-Commissioner-Carol-Ash/1166601?utm_source=newswire&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=media_pr_emails

If something happens, we'll address it at that time - otherwise, if you guys want to talk about it, please do so elsewhere. I know I posted about it, but let's try to keep this thread on-topic

Thanks,
Matthew

[20wrx09]

COUNT ME IN

[Kavik]

  Sorry, was just trying to throw it out there for the planning, in case others hadn't heard.  Didn't intend for the discussion to branch off completely

soooo....back on topic: once we get an idea of a general area, I might be in for scouting out some roads, if my schedule come spring time permits  

[WRXer]

after doing the 48hrs cruise the past 2 years with 50 plus cars there are a lot of things we can do to help keep everyone together.

- A map for everyone
- A written route for everyone
- Communication device for everyone
- pre-set stop points that anyone who gets lost can just go straight to and catch the group when we get there
- A person at the back who can always communicate with the person at the front (with a lot of people a mid person helps too) CBs recomended for these positions
- And for the sake of the rest, slower people volitarily making their way to the back of the line

[spenk]

I'm down & the Pump House was killer.

Matthew --this year you should require prepayment for the eats.

[gebby1029]

After last years event, there was discussion of renting out Thatcher Park and doing a cookout/BBQ. What's the consensus now? If we want to do this, we'll need to figure out the logistics.
Even if Thatcher Park is not an option, I'd be down for a cookout/BBQ elsewhere.  Pump Station sounds good too.

Greg - you up for helping me plan a section through the Helderbergs again? If anyone else would like to give their input or just tag along for a nice drive while Greg and I plan, I'll post up planning dates (most likely, it'll be Sat/Sun afternoons).
I'd be down for a tag along but I'm bone stock so you couldn't go TOO fast

I'm down & the Pump House was killer.

Matthew --this year you should require prepayment for the eats.
People didn't pay their bill last time?

[peter32892]

I'm down & the Pump House was killer.

Matthew --this year you should require prepayment for the eats.

Can't wait for this. Yeah this should definitely be required after last year with people coming up short/not showing up raising the cost for everyone else. But if we have a BBQ we won't have to deal with this instead just have it be like if you want to eat you bring something. 

[ssgtshields]

What are the dates you are shooting for? As long as I'm not deployed, count me in! Matt let me know if you need any help with anything. Corey

[idipskoalmint]

@gebby: I took a headcount for the food when we were at Thatcher, and we got separated just after we started. People who were included in that count didn't show up to dinner because we got separated, and that forced everyone to chip in extra money. Luckily, the manager was willing to split the no-shows with me, and we only ended up paying for 3 extra meals.

What are the dates you are shooting for? As long as I'm not deployed, count me in! Matt let me know if you need any help with anything. Corey

Not sure the dates, yet, but I'll make sure it's scheduled when you're in town.

[spoolordie]

im fucking pretty much down as long as something more amazing isnt happening on the date we go....not likely

[Malachoz]

WAIT A MINUTE!!!?!!?!!

You guys are finally coming south of ALBANY?!?! WOOT!!!

I'm fucking there brothers....just for the love of God try not to do it on a saturday 

I work...and wanna meet all you guys....I didn't see anything about specifics yet, or else I missed it.

Where, address of place, shit like that, me and my girl might show up..if not I'll try my damnest. I got money in hand, waiting for info. 

[idipskoalmint]

I'm fucking there brothers....just for the love of God try not to do it on a saturday 

I work...and wanna meet all you guys....I didn't see anything about specifics yet, or else I missed it.

Where, address of place, shit like that, me and my girl might show up..if not I'll try my damnest. I got money in hand, waiting for info. 

There aren't any specifics yet. Most likely, it'll be some time in May/June.

[spoolordie]

pre pay for serious too not that i didnt mind throwing in some extra dough but it will make things easier

[Blake]

Count me in. as long as my car is back up and running. Should be ready to go in about 3 weeks.