him

I'm up for early morning... but i don't know how early other people can get their asses to North Van. =P

Gyro_Bot

Actually, I was thinking of Spanish banks, then over the lions gate, connect to the sea to sky - I have no idea what route this is, but I'm sure someone knows.

Spanish banks won't be full, that early in the morning (8ish 9ish) - lets aim for 8am, this way folks get there by 9am for sure (When we REALLY should leave) also, spanish banks will be a great photo opportunity.


Also, we will be providing a list for everyone of what to get for the drive:
Here are some examples of what to get before the drive:

- Walkie Talkies - 200 meter range minimum - cell phones don't work during some parts of this drive.

- Extra batteries for you walkie talkies, because you will be using it lots I'm sure.

- Please remember your 5W 20 motor oil (You will need it, promise)

- Please remember to have plenty of water, especially since some of us removed our Air conditioning (You know who you are )

A BC RX8 member (myself) will provide a print out of info for the members that will be driving:

Map with driving directions
Gas Stations will be displayed, along with restroom stops
Emergency numbers to keep handy during the trip

** There will be an image displayed here for initial reference. Printouts handed out at meeting place (where ever that is) so be there, so you get these!


This drive is remarkably long for a first road trip (next drive lets do something smaller for the not so die hards) we'll get maximum turn out - Even I am a bit nervous about the size of this trip!

We will come back with some good stories, awesome pictures, and memories of a trip we may not repeat for a long time. If you want to go, this is going to be worth every second of the trip.

Gyro_Bot

I talked to my cousin Shawn about the conditions up there (he drives a big rig up there weekly) and he says the biggest problems we will run into will be:

- Other Clubs (mustang club and motor bike clubs) taking up the road, or trying to jockey up the pace. (These folks usually leave around 10am - 1pm) - if we leave early like what "him" suggested, we should be fine.

- Road construction: There are several sites involved as seen on DriveBC.com and these traffic merges are nothing more then a nuisance.

- There is an animal alert (mostly in the morning and at dusk) - we should keep our speed down (speed limit) in the wooded areas.

- We should be careful about passing big rigs (like my cousins) because the length of time open to pass (when the road widens to two) may not be long enough for the whole convoy to get through.

These are not to serious items, and I'm not worried about the trip anymore. Those little rocks on the road did scare me at first, but they are well scattered off the beaten path.

Cheers!

See you guys at McDonalds!

him

I think we should still meet at the McDonald's in Park Royal Mall in West Vancouver.

Park Royal is just off the Lion's Gate Bridge. It's just a little bit off highway 1 and 99. which is the route we're going to take to get up to Whistler.

I'm sure Spanish Banks is beautiful at this time, but there are a few problems:

- It's out of the way for most people. Spanish Banks is near UBC, west of Burrard and Granville bridge. If we meet at Spanish Banks, we'll need to head back east, cross one of the bridges into downtown, then cross the Lion's Gate.

- I'm afraid that with our convoy, it'll be pretty hard trying to stick together driving through the city with all the red lights and stuff.

- McDonald's would also be easier to meet up. It's one store as opposed to an entire beach. We wouldn't miss each other. No, "I was on the west end of Spanish Banks!" "Well, I was on the east!" =P

- Don't worry. We'll have lots of picture opportunities!

So I really think the McDonald's at Park Royal Mall is the place to meet up. I think meeting up around 8-9am is good. Please try to arrive on time! We want to finish the drive before Monday. =P haha. don't worry. We'll finish. But seriously, be on time!

And if anyone is afraid of getting lost, (I know I hate driving those weird North/West Vancouver roads), we can organize little convoys to drive to meet up?

And Gyro, thanks for the check list of things to bring for the trip! And thanks in advance for the maps too! =D

burnaby rx-8

I agree that the Park Royal mall Mcdonald's is probably the best place to meet up for the trip. Brilliant idea really.
I also think that we should probably make 8 AM a definate meeting time and try and leave by at least 8:30. The longer we wait, the more traffic we'll have to deal with up toward Whistler.
I think we should definately meet up for photos at Spanish Banks one day for a summer Meet or something?

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

Westview Safeway Parking lot is even better....lot is usually relatively empty...right off freeway at Westview...so no-one has to come down off the HWY to get there

Plus there is a MacDonalds and an Esso there as well.....

him

I think Park Royal might be a little easier to find? Let's just stick with the McDonald's at Park Royal. I want a meeting location where no one would say, "I couldn't find it." Park Royal's website http://www.shopparkroyal.com/ should give you plenty of info.

Gyro_Bot has added additional maps of where we're going to meet up and the drive on the first page. I've also asked him to point to exactly where the McDonald's is in Park Royal. (It's in Park Royal South).

So yeah, let's just stick with McDonald's @ Park Royal. I hope I'm not sounding bossy and not willing to bend...... =P

And Esso? I thought Esso was bad!?

him

Okay, so let's sum this thing up.

Date: Sunday, June 24, 2007
Time: 8:00am

Location: McDonald's @ Park Royal Mall (South) (808 Marine Drive, West Vancouver)

Who's going?

1) him
2) mechi
3) Gyro_Bot
4) burnaby rx-8
5) Soulflare
6) thumb

spigot52, Asurada, dannobre, are you coming?

When the date gets nearer, I'll PM everyone with my cell phone number just so no one gets left behind. =)

Very excited about this! Very!!

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

If I have a car intact :

fietguy

hey guys,

just saw this topic, i would come, but that weekend im away...guess the point is moot, looks like ill miss out

went up to whistler two weeks ago...the road maintenance is horrendous...careful driving, and hope you guys get good weather

Asurada

like I've said, I'll go if the weather's nice along with my friend who has a rx8 too !!
So, I guess sign me up for now ?

him

Well, I guess the drive from Vancouver to Whistler will be a little slow... But that's only the first 1/4 or 1/3 of our drive... After that, I think it should be smooth, right?

Sorry you can't make it, fietguy.

him

Well, I think we'll all be praying for good weather. =) It'll be awesome having you and your friend with us.

So now the list looks more like:

1) him
2) mechi
3) Gyro_Bot
4) burnaby rx-8
5) Soulflare
6) thumb
7) dannobre
8) Asurada
9) Asurada's Friend

Rotor8

Same here. If the weather is good, count me in.

him

Nice! I'll be looking forward to meeting you.

1) him
2) mechi
3) Gyro_Bot
4) burnaby rx-8
5) Soulflare
6) thumb
7) dannobre
8) Asurada
9) Asurada's Friend
10) Rotor8

StefYVR

Loks like you guys should have a decent turn out. Too bad I can' t make it, I usualy work Sundays. Maybe the next one could be on a Saturday. I have 3 out of every 4 Saturdays off, but work 3 out of 4 Sundays.

Have Fun !

fietguy

My 8 got stolen yesterday!!

I parked on a busy street (Granville) in Downtown on a street meter parking after 9pm, and it was gone when I came back a couple hours later!!

Unbelievable, I thought I parked on a safe spot as loads of people walk by that area. I called Towing companies, and no one has my car, and thus, I called it in to the police department.

So if anyone sees a Titanium gray 8, OZ rims, factory kit, side strakes with the license plate starting with 936 let me know!!

seriously, this is a shi tty situation.

Inconsequential

So Eldon, this Sunday?
I might be up for it, if I get my car back in time, it got broken into the other day, so I am taking it in to get the door fixed tomorrow, dont know when I will get it back by though.
We also need to find a day when I get it back, I want to get new rims, I am still riding on my winters, so I want to get new tread also...
If I dont respond on here before the weekend, I will try to give you a shout after work on Saturday.

Inconsequential

Holy **** Mark, I cant believe that happened man, I thought mine was in a safe place in Kits too, carp, I will keep an eye open for that car, I have seen it around once before, but this wasnt recently.
I hope it gets back to you safely, what are the cops and icbc doing for you?

him

Yes! This Sunday!!!! Hope you get your car back in time!

Willicuddy

I hope everyone has a great time on the cruise. I would have loved to come, but I'm stuck in Sun Peaks until the Fall.

Make sure you take some great pictures

Keep it safe

Will

Burnsy

I'm new on the board but I may join for a bit.

Did the same trip in a Skyline GTR last year lots of fun.

I may be able to only go as far as Whistler but we'll see....

I've never had the RX8 out for a drive as long as that-- I saw someone recommend bringing oil, do they eat up that much?!

Looking forward to meeting some BC RX-8ers.

Cheers,

Pierre

him

Welcome to the club! We'd love it if you could come!

Well, you're supposed to check your oil every 2 fill-ups? For a 600km dirve, at around 15L/100km, we'll use about 90L, so about 2 fill-ups.

I'll add you to the list of people I'll PM my phone number to just in case you can't find us in the morning.

him

1) him
2) mechi
3) Gyro_Bot
4) burnaby rx-8
5) Soulflare
6) thumb
7) dannobre
8) Asurada
9) Asurada's Friend
10) Rotor8
11) Inconsequential
12) Burnsy

wrtan

Hi Guys,

Sorry can't go this time, have to accompany my daughter to her classmate's party. but I'll show up in Mac Donald's to meet you guys.