Marine Blue

Winter is fast approaching and I thought now would be a good time to determine if others in the NE Region are interested in a fun run. A friend mentioned that the roads around Quabin Reservoir are great and definitely worth a run in the P-Car. Looking at the maps I'm thinking of meeting at the Palmer exit (8) off the Mass Pike on a Sunday Morning. Find a place for some coffee and a brief chat before heading around the reservoir. Looks like Route 181N to 202N, 122E, 32A S back to the Mass Pike.

If anyone is familiar with the area maybe someone can suggest a park we can stop at for pictures and car chat. Also if anyone knows of any local restuarants or maybe a diner we can stop at to get lunch before heading back to our homes.

If interested post on this thread. I'm thinking either the weekend of October 20th or 27th as possiblities depending on weather.

nodestination1

So long as she's not in the paint booth, Im in. We need to get some of the NE folks together already!

greg928GTS

Yes, maybe.

84_Carrera

I should be good, 20th works better for me, wife's camping with the boy & the cub scouts that weekend.

Ubermensch

I'd be interested as well.

Charlie C

I'm interested too. You should post this in the 987, 996, 997, etc. etc. forums too.

Marine Blue

I've added posts to all of the above and a few others.

Anyone a member of Pelican want to post a link to this thread?

I'm searching for a meeting spot/parking lot before the drive, stay tuned.

Marine Blue

Greg, you and Lori are welcome at our place if you don't want to make the trek back to Maine.

yellowline

I'm due south on 395...I'm in if I don't have big exams the following week. UConn is right on 84, should be an easy cruise up to the general area.

JasonAndreas

For a reallllllly fun ride (probably the best roads in Mass) I would start maybe 15 miles west of the Quabbin. Route 116 from Deerfield to Ashfield, route 2 from the route 112 exit (around Charlemont or Buckland) to North Adams, rte 9 from Dalton to Goshen, end the run for brunch @ Zoe's in Easthampton, which is maybe 15 minutes from the Pike. Making it relatively easy for everyone to get back home. There are also a few diners out here or you could try the opposite side of the spectrum and eat @ Blantyre or Wheatleigh in Lenox. If you could somehow work in the mountain road upto the summit of Mount Holyoke @ Skinner state park it would be worth it too.

Marine Blue

I spent the better part of today on a scouting run with my son to check out the routes and get out in the 928. We had a blast and probably some of the best driving weather you could possibly ask for. Perfect New England day. Quabbin today was awesome although there was quite a bit of traffic and the roads would have been more fun at triple digits. Note I'm not much of a speeder (too many tickets in my past) and these roads were definitely being patrolled. If we stick to the original route, this will be more of a scenic and relaxed drive on some really nice sweepers. We can stop at an apple orchard off of 202 which has fresh pie, cider and apples and they'll be open through the end of October.

Jason, I would agree that some more twisties and less traveled roads would be nice as would some higher speed limits. You say the 116 looks good and judging by the maps I would agree. Are these roads heavily traveled or relatively empty? This could be a good potential alternative if others are willing to travel a bit further out.

Anyone object to making some minor changes to the route? Any other input?

A few pics from today, I would imagine that the weekend of the 20th should provide some great fall folliage.

Charlie C

Yeah, a bunch of Porsches speeding might be noticed by the cops. Even if a few at the front of the pack get by, some at the back end would surely get nabbed.

Jay Gratton

If I am not working I wouldn't mind going for drive.

JasonAndreas

Except for route 2 near Florida & North Adams there are no people at all and most of the towns have no local police force either (or only one officer).

How long do you want the route to be?

Route 116 is newly repaved and very windy with lots of switchbacks.
Route 112 is all downhill with some fun sweepers but its mostly just scenic.
Route 2 starting at the 112 interchange is very windy and with major elevation changes and really good views (62 miles at one spot). -- nothing at all like route 2 in the eastern half of the state.
Route 8a is farm country.
Route 9 is all long very high speed sweepers with some elevation changes -- probably my favorite

2 hours or so in length although if you so choose it can be done in far less time...

kgs365

im in