Quabbin cruise 2015 planning
 

Hey all, it's time to start thinking about this year's spring cruise. I want to get people's input on a date. We have been holding this event in mid May, which would be the 16th-17th this year. One issue with that date this year is that there will be a lot of traffic on the Mass Pike due to an air show in Chicopee, and the Pike is the route many people use to get to the cruise. The last air show in western Mass caused massive backups on the Pike and I wouldn't want people to get stuck sitting in traffic. My suggestion would be to move it to the weekend of the 23rd-24th. This is Memorial Day weekend so I know some people might be tied up then but the weekend two weeks previous (9th-10th) is Mother's Day weekend and that always seems to be an issue for people. Anyone who wants to put their $.02 in on this or any other aspects of the cruise is welcome to.

i have not been on one of these in a few years. going to try and make it this year. I have a trip planned for memorial day weekend but if it falls on a different weekend count me in

I'd be in for either weekend. Saturday rather than Sunday.

If course a Sat event is always more fun, but due to my line of work anything around holidays is always a no go for me. One could avoid a chunck of traffic by going back roads, or taking 84 down. (Would add about 15+min, but it'll be moving)

I wouldn't be against pushing for the 16th, or even June 13.

i say air show weekend. and just leave early enough or go up and around as joe suggested. also what time is the start of the show? just plan our start after by an hour or so.

Hahaha dude the Pike was backed up all day last time. Plus that weekend really isn't good for me either.

Sitting in traffic would be terrible and Memorial Day weekend doesn't work for me either.

Any following weekend should be OK. May 30th-31st or a weekend in June.

I have Musclepalooza Memorial day weekend.

There are a few different ways to get to the meeting spot in palmer, RT20 through worcester is one of them.

Diving rt 20 through Worcester to the meeting point it a hour and 15 minutes with no traffic. Nice drive though. I say do it earlier. Mothers day weekend.

June 13

I'm good with June 13th.

Most of May isn't good for me but June looks much better.

Looks like sometime in June would be good for everyone.

next march?

we are marching toward June 13th.

The 13th should be ok for me.

june 2016?????

I need more time to get my car ready. 2017 at the earliest.

So June 13 it is??

That's the weekend of Good Guys car show.

How many people are dead set on going to both that show and the Quabbin cruise? I would like to go with the 13th unless it means losing several people.

I have no interest in going to that show. I would prefer to do the quabbin sooner but oh well.

I like when we've been doing it but May just sucks for me this year. I wouldn't have an issue with June 6th either.

June six is shared birthday party for my brother and I at my house... anyone willing to make the journey is more than welcome.

any updates? Come on people lets set a damn date.

June 19th to 24th, I'm in California.

Any other day in June is good for me.

Sorry for the late response, I was on vacation. It looks like June 13th is going to work out best for most people so let's go with that. I'll make a thread soon.

Sounds good.

Every year I try to pick up NEFBA swag for the Quabbin. This year, a guy named Dennis O'Brian is working on making us some club plaques.

He is going to make the plaques similar to this:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...15/plaque3.jpg

with this:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...15/plaque1.jpg

Hopefully they come out looking good.

that can work..

Thanks! I'll post up a pic when they come in.

The place that is making them is out of Charlton, MA: https://www.obrientruckers.com/about.html

The plaques are not made in China. LOL.

http://giantgag.net/wp-content/uploa...n-china-01.jpg

Sounds good! After you make the thread, I'll send out an email to everyone with a link.

We need go karts...... what's the closest place we can incorporate into this?
(May be bringing the kids)

I've looked into that, believe me. I would love to do that too but I came up empty. If you find any let me know.

Demon, If you want to swing by my place (West Granby, CT) before or after the cruise....you can do some go-karting with the kids. Not sure if that helps.

Ive been expanding the cruise area thinking outside the box, but still allowing the reservoir as an end spot. I know theres some stuff over in Amherst, and over closer to Worcester, both are pretty far out. Maybe 45min off the usual path. Unless we are open to route changes?

Definitely not against stopping enroute and maybe meeting at the halfway. Wife took off for our party on the 6th so I get the boy, not sure about my niece.
I know sitting in the car all day get ls boring for them.

Those should look awesome dave. 13th should work for me too

There is a good chance I will make this one weather permitting. Last one it was raining at my house but not on the cruise.

These are the three I found within range, http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...pstq7p4owy.jpg

West Hatfield, MA
http://www.pioneervalleykarting.com/

Somers, CT
http://sonnysplace.com/

Dudley, ma
http://tristatespeedways.com/


I do like the way the one in ct looks, but haven't calculated distance, and route.

I've been to both the Hatfield and Dudley courses but haven't actually ran on them yet, they're both very nice, but still not really close to the route. Actually we could just have a dedicated go kart meet, that would be fun too. And we could have it any time of year. Both of those places are fast karts, which are more expensive but way more fun. The Dudley place has a great arcade with lots of 90's games too.