NorCal - 2014 Bimmerfest Caravan

[m3dragon]

Hello Gang,

First let me say I will not be attending this year. Wife and I are expecting our first child the same day as Bimmerfest. So there was no way I could argue out of that one HAHA.

I am posting the route I lead last year for Bavarian 500 guys. There are a few people on this thread and a few others that will be taking over in my stead. To help them out I have made a signup sheet so as we get closer I can relay the information out. For 2015 I have great weekend planned which I was not able to lead this year. So if you can't make this year, next year will be a blast.

Sign up here

2014 Bimmerfest NorCal group drive

1. Drive down - Friday May 16
Drive from Northern California to Pasadena . Lunch will be in San Luis Obispo along with a fuel stop for those who need it. Dinner will be at Slater’s 50/50 for burgers, beer and stories at 7:30pm till you are tired.

Slater's 50/50
Burgers / Shakes / Micro Brewery
61 North Raymond Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 765-9700

2. Event Addresses and Check points
Event start point:
Meet Time: 8:30am
Address: Target Parking Lot - 1790 Airline Highway, Hollister, CA 95023
Depart Time: 9:15am

Official starting point for the drive down to Pasadena. Once the drive leaves this location, we will be using the following timetables for each check point with a plus or minus 10 minute factor. If you are not at these locations, or are not with the group at the time of departure, you are on your own.

Rally Point
Meet Time: 10:15am
Address: Valero - 50940 Mesa Verde Rd, King City, CA
Depart Time: 10:00am – 10:30am
Fuel stop and restroom break. This is also the rally point for those in the Central Valley of California caravan to join the main caravan. This stop will be as fast as possible in order to keep the group on schedule for the remaining check points.


Lunch Stopping Point:
Meet Time: 12:45pm
Address: 297 Madonna Road, San Luis Obispo, CA
Depart Time: 1:30pm

Lunch and second fuel stop for the group. Choices for food are, Chipotle, McDonalds, Applebee’s, Panera Bread, Deli (local), IHOP, and Denny’s. The group will roll out at 1:30, so make sure to be ready to roll.

End of the drive:
Arrive Time: 5:00pm - 6:30pm (Depending on traffic)
Address: Super 8 Pasadena, 2863 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA
End of day one after a long but fun day of driving. Dinner will start at 7:30pm.

3. Hotel Information
For reasonable room rates the Super 8 Motel Pasadena. Single Queen $84.00 a night including tax
For those who are on the SUPER tight budget, rooms at the Rodeway Inn & Suites across the street for $71.00 a night. You must call in and book the room on your own. They are a first come first serve.

[Sticky]

First let me say I will not be attending this year. Wife and I are expecting our first child the same day as Bimmerfest.

Kid is a hell of a lot more important than Bimmerfest.

Frankly, Bimmerfest is just a bunch of walking around looking at cars standing still and booths. It's pretty boring.

[m3dragon]

I agree about bimmerfest. I had planned a three day event that would have made the trip far better than going to just the show. But I will run it in 2015.

Brother in law wants to see bimmerfest and graduates this year. So 2015 works out better.

[BigM62]

Kid is a hell of a lot more important than Bimmerfest.

Frankly, Bimmerfest is just a bunch of walking around looking at cars standing still and booths. It's pretty boring.

How about Bimmerfest Gumball?

[Sticky]

How about Bimmerfest Gumball?

Well that would be a hell of a lot more fun.

[m3dragon]

Not sure if you guys are interested but I can have a set of decals made for the trip down.

Cost would be $25 for a set, shipping and fees included. These decals are the same style I use for my overnight drives so I know they are safe to use on paint.

Thoughts?

[Sticky]

I don't know how many would be interested in decals but I would assume a very small number.

[m3dragon]

Just a bump.

Also decals measure 8.5 X 11 so they fit all BMW's. If you want them PM me for payment details

[BigM62]

LOL. You would have to pay me.

[m3dragon]

First decal number claimed. Image will be updated as people request numbers so refresh the thread to see what has been claimed. Also to make it easier I made a order option on the norcal drivers site. Easier for all this way to pay and select numbers.
http://raddrives.com/catalog/index.p...&product_id=55

[m3dragon]

Week bump so people can find the thread.

Remember decals are optional and you can make any 3 letter / number combo as you can see on the image. The decals are stick and reuse if taken care of.

There is a socal thread started for the gang down there to find each other.

[m3dragon]

As I have had a few PM's from other forums. If you would like a decal please order them from the link below.

Put in your top number, letter, or 3 charter combo and I will send them out mid April. You have till April 30th to request these so I have enough time to mail them.

ORDER DECALS HERE

[m3dragon]

Some people have made the request to setup a caravan from the Bay Area to Hollister. The rally point for this caravan will be as follows:

Casino M8trix
1887 Matrix Boulevard
San Jose, CA 95110

Meet time: 7:30am
Depart time: 8:00am ON THE DOT!

Please also fill out the Google sign up link. Details and full event route will be emailed to those who sign up.

[m3dragon]

Just a bump to keep the thread alive.

[Sticky]

Double bump.

[m3dragon]

Just a reminder that if you want decals you have till April 28th to place a order. I will be mailing them to people on May 1st.

[m3dragon]

Radio, Radio, Radio.

Please remember to bring or by two way radios before the event. This helps in safety and keeps you in the loop of road conditions. Also knowing where Johnny Law is helps.

http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-MR350...+two+way+radio

Amazon has them at a good price with the link above.

Lastly remember to sign up on the Google doc as route and other drive details will be posted there.

[Sticky]

Radio, Radio, Radio.

Please remember to bring or by two way radios before the event. This helps in safety and keeps you in the loop of road conditions. Also knowing where Johnny Law is helps.

http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-MR350...+two+way+radio

Amazon has them at a good price with the link above.

Lastly remember to sign up on the Google doc as route and other drive details will be posted there.

Damn man you really have this well organized.

[m3dragon]

Come out to one of my overnight drives and see first hand =)

Now you see why the airfield event I sent you was broken down the way it was. I still owe you some contacts sorry forgot =(

[Sticky]

Now you see why the airfield event I sent you was broken down the way it was. I still owe you some contacts sorry forgot =(

Shhhh.... we'll work on that after Shift Sector.

[m3dragon]

First round of decals are in. If you want them order ASAP.

Don't forget to sign up on the google doc link. I will be sending maps out next week to all those who signed up.

[Sticky]

Those turned out really well...

[m3dragon]

Can you believe the drive is around the corner =)

For those who have not signed up on the Google docs link yet, a email was sent out with all the maps and details for the drive. If you wish to have this info, please fill out the Google link on the first post.

This is the LAST week for you to order the custom decals to have a souvenir for the drive down. These make for some fun collectables of drives you go on.

[m3dragon]

I wanted to make a quick post to help everyone. The threads I have started are not for the Bavarian 500. I ran and planned the route for them last year but I am not with that group. This is a different drive but anyone is welcome to tag along with either group.

The drive I have sent to those that have signed up on the Google doc parallels the Bavarian 500 for the first half of the drive down. After lunch the drive I sent out heads off freeway to more scenic roads that have some twists and turns VS highway. This route also will help get past most of the socal traffic (hope is the key word).

There are three of our fellow BMW enthusiasts that are leading the drive I had planned. They will be at the event with the decals numbered 007 - Joey / 12 - Max and Kevin.

Most of you are staying at the Super 8 so you will be one big group. If you are not at the Super 8 and are at the other hotel listed, you effectively made that block of Pasadena BMW row.

Unless something crazy happens for 2015 I will have a fun 3 day weekend for all those who wish to participate next year.

No matter which drive you pick have a safe drive down and be safe.

[m3dragon]

For all those who have signed up on Google Doc, a email was sent out with the finalized route this caravan will be taking. This is the fun route for the drive down so if you did not get the email please let me know.

For those who are coming from Sacramento I suggest using the following location.

Starbucks
8450 Elk Grove Boulevard
Elk Grove, CA 95758

For those of you coming form other locations to meet up in Holister, I would suggest posting a location on this thread and I can relay it to the other posts I made.

The only other caravan I know of is the one from Casino Matrix. Make sure no matter what you leave there at 8:00am to be able to meet up with the others at the start of the drive.