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Spring Fling 2013: Drive & Lunch in VA wine country

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It's that time of the year again! Spring is in the air, old man Winter is running off to hide, and the trees are starting to blossom!

 

Just like I did in previous years, I'm organizing the Spring Fling run again, this time on Sunday, April 21.

 

NOTE: If you have done this run before, please take note that we are NOT starting at the Wegman's parking lot, but the TARGET parking lot. This is because Wegman's apparently has a strict policy against allowing car groups to gather in their parking lots (boooooo...).

WHERE TO MEET: Target Sterling West parking lot (South-East corner). The address is 45130 Columbia Place, Sterling, VA 20166

WHEN: Sunday, April 21 @ 9:00am. Driver's meeting at 9:50am. We depart at 10am sharp! Don't be late!

RUN DISTANCE: 68.1 miles (morning) + 69.3 miles (afternoon) = 137.4 miles total. Easy "early exits" available in afternoon at 85.7 miles (Rt 66), 94.0 miles (Rt 50), 105.8 miles (Rt 7).

RUN TIME: Approx 6.5 hours - we will return to the Target parking lot at approx. 4:30pm.

WHAT TO BRING: Full tank of gas, 2-way radio, money to buy lunch (cash please - makes it easier for the check), sweater/raincoat/umbrella (if necessary, depending on weather) and a fun-loving attitude! :top:

 

A quick refresher:

 

One of my fondest MINI-related memories is the very first drive I ever participated in with DCMM - it was the Spring Fling, created by Bruce Pancoast (mty_mini), and organized with help from Jen Oakes (Jen) (who was our event coordinator at the time). This all happened on Sunday, April 24, 2005... only 7 1/2 weeks after I picked up my brand new MINI. Alan (Scavenger), who was getting his first exposure to the MINI, came along as my co-pilot.

 

Meeting in the Sterling Wegmans parking lot (near MINI of Sterling), it was fun to meet a whole bunch of like-minded MINIacs all at once, for the first time. Little did I know just how much fun there was still to come... after grabbing some coffee and/or breakfast snacks from Wegmans.

 

The roads were beautiful and twisty, and was such an awesome experience to be in a long line of MINIs for the very first time. We stopped for lunch at Orlean Market in Upperville, VA (in western Fauquier County), then continued on for wine tasting at Naked Mountain Vineyard & Winery after that, before heading all the way back to Wegmans.

 

It was a long day (128 miles or so!), but so nice. Needless to say, I was eager to do this run again.

 

Our lunch stop will be again be at Griffin Tavern, since Orlean Market closed down a number of years ago. Unfortunately, due to the size of our group, we will be a more selective and limited menu than their regular menu, but they will still have their famous Shepherd's Pie and other classics.

 

NOTE: The plan is to have 1 check per table, so to make things easier to sort out, please bring sufficient cash to cover your portion of the check.

 

For those interested or curious:

 

Original Spring Fling thread (2005)

Spring Fling 2008 thread

Spring Fling 2009 thread

Spring Fling 2010 thread

Spring Fling 2010 Morning Route on Google Maps

Spring Fling 2010 Afternoon Route on Google Maps

Spring Fling 2011 thread

Spring Fling 2012 thread

 

Spring Fling 2013 Route Sheet

Spring Fling 2013 Waiver Form (for non-member drivers)

 

NOTE: All non-member drivers are expected to sign a waiver before participating.

 

NOTE #2: Due to severe size limitations from the local wineries, we do not participate in wine tasting any more. However, you are welcome to order yourself a glass of wine with lunch at Griffin Tavern. :biggrin:

 

Hope to see many of you out there again!

 

Our lunch stop (Griffin Tavern) has given us a hard cap of 50 ADULTS, so if we reach that number, RSVPs will be closed. (Kids will not count towards the count of 50, so please put in the comments if you have any kids coming with you)

"Mr. OEM" - 05 JCW (TK, GPIC, SS, GPTA, R56 RSB, StBr, R56 BBK, GPWhls, SV, RS, R56 GSI, IES, StrWhl, GK, HG, LBIT) MCS, HB/HB, Packs: 1, 2, 3 & 4. LSD, Rear FL, LB/PB upholstery (inc. LB SB & HB), HB Int, Anth. HL, PDC, Nav. OEM: DPSM+Aux, SIRIUS, BT, RV Cam, Aux gauges, ILK, Alarm, AK, PFM, DL, SpLnk, CFD, CSL, BIW, R52 diag rods, EuroTL, EuroWT, EPS, EASM. AM: IanCullAUC, Intravee+KCA420i, SchrothR4, MM-STR.

License Plate: SUV2BIG MotoringID: CARVE129

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Hey guys, is this the Griffin Tavern in Flint Hill? If so, that's out MY way!! :idea:
The one and only! :)

"Mr. OEM" - 05 JCW (TK, GPIC, SS, GPTA, R56 RSB, StBr, R56 BBK, GPWhls, SV, RS, R56 GSI, IES, StrWhl, GK, HG, LBIT) MCS, HB/HB, Packs: 1, 2, 3 & 4. LSD, Rear FL, LB/PB upholstery (inc. LB SB & HB), HB Int, Anth. HL, PDC, Nav. OEM: DPSM+Aux, SIRIUS, BT, RV Cam, Aux gauges, ILK, Alarm, AK, PFM, DL, SpLnk, CFD, CSL, BIW, R52 diag rods, EuroTL, EuroWT, EPS, EASM. AM: IanCullAUC, Intravee+KCA420i, SchrothR4, MM-STR.

License Plate: SUV2BIG MotoringID: CARVE129

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The practice run for the Spring Fling has been completed (thanks for your help, Hilary!), and everything looks good. Griffin Tavern has asked that we cap the number of people at 50 though, so please be aware that I will close the RSVPs once we reach 50 "Yeses", unless people drop off again, in which case I will temporarily re-open them.

 

The RSVP system will be opened for this event on Sunday, April 7.

"Mr. OEM" - 05 JCW (TK, GPIC, SS, GPTA, R56 RSB, StBr, R56 BBK, GPWhls, SV, RS, R56 GSI, IES, StrWhl, GK, HG, LBIT) MCS, HB/HB, Packs: 1, 2, 3 & 4. LSD, Rear FL, LB/PB upholstery (inc. LB SB & HB), HB Int, Anth. HL, PDC, Nav. OEM: DPSM+Aux, SIRIUS, BT, RV Cam, Aux gauges, ILK, Alarm, AK, PFM, DL, SpLnk, CFD, CSL, BIW, R52 diag rods, EuroTL, EuroWT, EPS, EASM. AM: IanCullAUC, Intravee+KCA420i, SchrothR4, MM-STR.

License Plate: SUV2BIG MotoringID: CARVE129

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OK. It's Sunday April 7th.......where are the RSVP's?
Hey, I didn't say what time today. :tongue:

 

RSVPs are now open! Remember, we have a hard cap at 50 people.

 

I have updated the event details in the main post at the top, and I have also uploaded the route sheet for this year's event.

 

In addition, I have attached the waiver form to this message (I'll also link to it in the main event post). All non-member drivers will be required to sign and submit this form before participating. We will have them at the event - I just wanted to provide the form in advance, so people can read it ahead of time, if they like... or even print it out and bring it along with them, already signed.

 

Finally, I am looking for experienced volunteers for the following:

 

 

  • Lead navigator - will ride with me and help keep me on course, as well as relaying turns & upcoming hazards over the radio back to the rest of the group.

  • Group relays (2) - will drive between the 3 main groups and relay important information back and forth (upcoming turns, turn completions, hazards, etc)

  • Sweeper - This person is the car in the very rear of the group, and helps to ensure nobody gets lost or left behind

 

Ideally, the group relays and the sweeper should also have a passenger who can keep an eye on the route sheet, in case any part of the group gets separated from the rest... but it isn't mandatory.

 

Looking forward to the event - only 2 weeks to go! :top:

Waiver - Spring Fling 2013.doc

Waiver - Spring Fling 2013.doc

"Mr. OEM" - 05 JCW (TK, GPIC, SS, GPTA, R56 RSB, StBr, R56 BBK, GPWhls, SV, RS, R56 GSI, IES, StrWhl, GK, HG, LBIT) MCS, HB/HB, Packs: 1, 2, 3 & 4. LSD, Rear FL, LB/PB upholstery (inc. LB SB & HB), HB Int, Anth. HL, PDC, Nav. OEM: DPSM+Aux, SIRIUS, BT, RV Cam, Aux gauges, ILK, Alarm, AK, PFM, DL, SpLnk, CFD, CSL, BIW, R52 diag rods, EuroTL, EuroWT, EPS, EASM. AM: IanCullAUC, Intravee+KCA420i, SchrothR4, MM-STR.

License Plate: SUV2BIG MotoringID: CARVE129

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I am so excited!!! I grew up in those bushes.

 

I'm about to hit the back roads to my Pop's house (Rt. 729). Craig you know the drive....

[sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]

"BLAK" 2007 MCS , Hypersport Body Kit, Alta 3" Cat-back exhaust, DoS CAI - ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

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