FJ40 Cross-Country Expedition: Will YOU join us??? (1 Viewer)

[Speeter]

I could do ~150 miles or caravan near Columbus OH.

 

[ginmtb]

Like this?

 

[Awl_TEQ]

I like it. I can see my place!

95% of Canadians live within 100 miles of the border anyway.

 

[mtnbiker4evr13]

I could do 30-50 miles from Athens Ohio, not sure if my junk would want to go any further.

 

[handcannon]

Wow! What a fast moving thread! The thread started on Aug 12, and 12 pages and 225 posts later it is Aug 25. I've finally caught up with this thread. I'm fascinated by the number of 40 owners joining in from all across this continent.

Where's all those Oregon 40's when we need them?

I'm in the Willamette Valley, Oregon, Albany area to be exact. IF our finances open up in time so that I have money for fuel I would like to be part of this. My 40 is inoperable and my transportation would probably be my 94 Chevy diesel pickup (red and silver, with black hood and right front fender, and peeling clear coat), so I probably would have to tag along with someone else, or bring up the tail in a caravan.

I live just over a mile from I-5, which isn't my idea of an FJ40 type of highway. But, Hwy 97 (east side of the Cascade Mtns) would be a scenic north/south route through Oregon. Or, Hwy 20 could be a scenic east/west route through to Idaho. Either road would have anything from high desert country to pine forests.

The Bend, Redmond area has many scenic places for pics of a gathering of 40's, or a baton handoff. It could also be for a connection point for a north/south route California to Washington/ Canada. And it could be a place to connect to an eastern route to Idaho/Nevada.

Don

 

[myquestoyota]

Dear Don, Throw the 40 on a trailer and meet me in Portland for the handoff, we'll push it off the trailer for a photo op and then drag it back on. Then you can drive it on the trailer for the next drop, etc.
Cue the music....
"No time for losers cuz we are the champions....... of the world"

You gotta know someone with a 40 you can ride with.

 

[Cruiser_Nerd]

So can we figure out a way to get the baton TO Long Island -

I would be up for the east end via Orient Point 50 miles up to MA or RI. ...... the last time I've ventured near the other end was to your place.

 

[NicksFJ40]

Depending when Expo begins, I'm thinking of partially putting together the 40 to participate. I'm hoping this can be a yearly adventure.

 

[brian]

what are some thoughts on the brief case idea as the or one of the batons?

 

[4Cruisers]

Been busy and haven't followed this thread since the first couple of pages. Is there a gap between NV and NM across AZ? My only currently registered FJ40 is about 35 miles south of interestate 40 in AZ that could possible help with the gap depending on the date.

So far I've got part of New Mexico covered, but more to the east. I'm a little flexible, so maybe could cover a little more to the west. I was thinking some back roads north of I-40 from Window Rock, AZ through Crownpoint, NM then on towards US 550 northwest of Bernalillo would be nice - a lot of low traffic roads, including some that are unpaved.

 

[handcannon]

Dear Don, Throw the 40 on a trailer and meet me in Portland for the handoff, we'll push it off the trailer for a photo op and then drag it back on. Then you can drive it on the trailer for the next drop, etc.
Cue the music....
"No time for losers cuz we are the champions....... of the world"

You gotta know someone with a 40 you can ride with.

I like that idea! My pickup is 3/4 ton so no problem using it as a tow vehicle. I don't have a trailer, so I would have to borrow one, rent if finances will allow. Finances, of course, are a big one for me currently. We're the tightest we've been since I got hurt over seven years ago.

Have plans been made yet for dates/location? Keep me posted on plans. I may have to plan on just being at the hand off as I don't know anyone around me with a 40.

Don

 

[DSRTRDR]

for me, it all depends on WHEN ?

my 40 is located in the Phoenix area, and I am willing to travel a reasonable distance of, let's say 300 miles, with the bikini top I currently run (unless it's in the dead of winter in AZ, that would be too cold for an open truck) - once I have the truck outfitted with the new soft top, I wouldn't hesitate to take it cross-country - provided I have the time when the event happens

 

[mtnbiker4evr13]

what are some thoughts on the brief case idea as the or one of the batons?

Would a broken birf be too cliché? Call me old fashioned but nothing says Toyota like a birf...also it wouldn't look like a drug deal to bystanders.

On the other hand a larger object would give people a place for stickers from their home town which would look cool after a couple hand offs.

 

[myquestoyota]

I'm really liking the cloak and dagger briefcase idea with the handcuffs. Dark glasses and earpiece mandatory

 

[awynne56]

What I really like is the 80's suitcase phone that cost a dollar a min to make a call. That has to be the baton. Like many have said don't know how far my truck will make, I'm thinking at least 30 miles.

 

[JohnnyC]

I am ready

 

[micruz60]

Gettin' outta hand!
@hecrod
Last map I checked, there is a gap from SW Montanny to Utardia...
I've been fence straddling as to my participation... Ol' Rustytrusty needs abit of mechanical and test runs....
I could get into Dillon, Montana area and take a handoff from there back to Jackson Hole, if'n someone would go South from here to Utah?
And, it has been noted, timing / logistics are the crux of this expedition, might take several months?

 

[hecrod]

Speaking of money... I imagine there will be some baseline costs. Maybe everyone involved can chip in $5 or $10 to defray those costs - to be managed by... Hecrod... and any excess donated to Tread Lightly or some such...

I think we're good on the money front for now. We can address larger expenses (e.g. the stickers) collectively as time goes on...




OK... so here's the first pass at a schedule, but first, some qualifiers:

• This is just an initial draft, which takes into account your initial proposals on distance / direction, which I selectively adjusted to make it work.
• This assumes that every section of the leg will take place over a weekend... I of course expect several adjustments to this assumption.
• If the distance does not work, let me know
• If the direction does not work, let me know
• If the proposed date does not work, let me know!
• The proposed route is of course a placeholder... each of you will determine the final route you will take to your destination.
• I'm assigning names, but this is not meant to be exclusive... anyone that wants to jump in should feel free to do so! We'll just have to communicate...
• I'll integrate all input and present you with a revised schedule on Sunday.

I'm proposing two Legs to start simultaneously, one from Maine down to Key West (in blue below), following the coast... mostly, joining the 2nd Leg in Northern Florida. The 2nd Leg (in orange below) will kick-off in Michigan, also down to Key West through OH (and IN???), KY, TN (AL?) and GA.

Now on to the tentative schedule:


1st Leg - Maine to Key West

1. Saturday October 8th - @vt0u812 (Central Vermont), @JohnnyC (Upstate New York), and @hecrod (Boston) meet in Portland Maine to kick off the Expedition!
2. Sunday October 9th - @hecrod (Boston) hands off baton to @Cruiser_Nerd (CT) during Yankee Toys Fall Gathering in Southern NH
3. Saturday October 15th - @woytovich collects the baton from @Cruiser_Nerd in CT.
4. Sunday October 16th - @woytovich leads the Long Island entourage (@woytovich, would you take the Lead in coordinating the Long Island Leg?) into NYC (specific location TBD). @brian collects the baton. @wizjim25 and @awynne56 can also travel here from the Jersey Coast. @RolandFJ40 and @shmukster... we will have to figure out a way to loop you into this weekend. Let me know of your preference.
5. Saturday October 22nd - @Shark56 collects the baton from @brian in Northern Maryland.
6. Sunday October 23rd - @Booch and @iptman collect the baton from @Shark56 in Southern Virginia (Norfolk?) or Northern NC.
7. The baton continues South into Charleston SC during the week (I assume @Booch will do this?). It would be great to loop in @David1947 at some point in this section of the Leg.
8. Saturday October 29th - @Booch meets @ErikinSC, @77wagon and @CharlestonG8R in Charleston SC. @Booch can of course, if needed, leave the baton with @CharlestonG8R at anytime during the week.
9. Sunday October 30th - @CharlestonG8R (and others?) heads towards St. Augustine Florida to meet @sggoat, @Captn Conch and @mel lowe. @sggoat and @Captn Conch are coming South from Atlanta, where they have collected the "Michigan baton".
10. @sggoat and @Captn Conch determine final timing down to Key West.

2nd Leg - Michigan to Key West

1. Weekend of October 8th - @olive gives us a tour of MI, IN and parts of OH???
2. Saturday October 15th - @Speeter collects the baton from @olive , maybe somewhere near Columbus?
3. Sunday October 16th - @Speeter hands the baton to @Bluegrass40 near Louisville KY. It'd be great to loop in @mtnbiker4evr13 at some point here...
4. Saturday October 22nd - @Bluegrass40 hands the baton to @Tennessee80 near Nashville.
5. Sunday October 23rd - @Tennessee80 hands the baton to @Cleg near Knoxville, TN
6. Saturday October 29th - @Cleg hands the baton to @GA Architect and @Chris8760 near Atlanta. @Sig191144 maybe you can meet the folks near Atlanta as well?
7. Sunday October 30th - @GA Architect and @Chris8760 hand the baton to @sggoat and @Captn Conch somewhere in Southern GA. These guys head South towards St. Augustine FL to meet @CharlestonG8R.
8. @sggoat and @Captn Conch determine final timing down to Key West.

So, what I need from all of those listed as participants is:

1. Confirmation that you will be part of the Leg, and
2. Feedback on whether timing / distance works or needs to be adjusted

Again, I'll provide an updated version of the Plan on Sunday... but everyone should assume this is happening soon!



Two more things:

1. This does not preclude a West to East Leg.... but timing is of the essence
2. @brian of course... this means we need at least two batons... the briefcase, and??? One baton will need to be shipped to @olive, the other to @vt0u812 (or @JohnnyC or me). Let me know of your thoughts on how to handle expenses here.

 

[brian]

Shipping these days is cheap

The one case I was thinking about is 30couple dollars on flea bay.
I would have no problem getting it and seeing to it finding it's way to the designated starting point.
There have been a few suggestions for batons.
I'll start a separate thread this evening to get feed back on the items.

 

[Captn Conch]

Sggoat and I were talking this morning and are working on the Florida, Key West leg, The way you have it North to South is great the "Atlantic Route." With option to branch off at Daytona onto hwy 4 through the many miles of orange groves through Orlando on to Tampa and get on the old Tamiami Trail (Highway 41). We could join at Fort Myers and on to Key Largo Islamorado, Marathon, Big Pine Key to Key West.

Who ever comes down through Florida to Key West Fla must go back up through Florida. (unless you live here.)

Or if they want to go the way you have mapped, The "Atlantic Route," Then maybe Goat and I could rendezvous at Key West and return trip back up the Keys on the "Gulf Route" Historical Tamiami Tail north through Everglades, Naples, Cape Coral\Fort Myers, Sarasota, St Pete, Tampa Bay, Ocalla (Don Garlits museum of Drag Racing,) I think we can work with that either way. Late Fall or very early spring, late winter is best as the daily Monsoons are over..and Snowbirds are gone.