BRP Tour 2011 - Rally Leaders

[jcauseyfd]

Hey Folks!

Only a week to go and we'll be cruising down the BRP!

Looks like we are going to have a large crowd on hand. To help with that, we'd like to get some folks to help out as rally leaders. Looking for folks willing to do any of the following:

Segment leader - lead the whole pack of MINIs down the BRP as the lead MINI. Would be for a segment or two from one stop to another. Great practice for leading a drive. And you usually have open road in front of you (in case you have gotten tired of looking at the same MINI boot from the last segment).

Rally assistant - these will be folks interspersed in the line (every 12th to 15th MINI or so). May effectively become a ride leader if we break up the group some. Main thing will be when getting into town and such, will help the MINIs behind them to the next assistant to stay together and get to where they are going (so someone fairly comfortable with where we are headed, how to get there, or handy with GPS). We'll be advising folks that if they are starting to feel lost, one of these people is who they should find.

Sweeper - this is the last MINI in the line. Help let the leader and others know where the end of the line is and any issues coming up from behind us. If we have a problem (e.g. flat tire or something), may need to stay and help and then guide folks in to the next stop. Basically need to be able to run the route on your own.

If you are interested in helping out in any of these roles, please post up here or drop me a PM. If anyone takes up this offer, we'll try to get together Thursday evening after dinner (or if you are joining us later, we'll find time to coordinate).

Thanks!

[TWISTER]

I'll be a segment leader, I kinda like it.

One thing I'd like to discuss with someone is what about the people that are not taking the side excursions? Should this be the lead group and another group be the excursion group? Then we all meet at a long stop destination?

[colejd]

Good questions. I thought that we would tell the group at the stop before that we will be taking the twisty excursion and ask them if they want to come along or wait at the next BRP pull off for us to pick them up.

[maacodale]

I'll be glad to to help out. I'll hang around the rear and co sweep and I can also be an assistant. I remember most of the route and can wield a pretty mean GPS. Count me in!

Don't feel scared to volunteer, folks. It's a lot easier than it sounds. Plus, the other MINI owners are very forgiving. Besides, they didn't offer up to help, now did they?!

[jcauseyfd]

I looked at the routes. I think on Friday, for the Squirrel Spur Loop, we can stagger the departure from Mabry Mill. Let those doing the loop leave about 15 minutes early. Then have the two groups merge back together at the Folk Music Center.

On Saturday, we can do the same thing with the departure from Linville Falls and then merge back together at the summit of Mt. Mitchell.

Sunday is a little more challenging. May have to stagger the departure from the hotel, and then form back up at Devil's Courthouse.

Each loop s/b only about 30 minutes long, so if the group not doing the loop delays their start about 15 minutes, they should only have to wait an extra 15 minutes at the end (unless they add some overlook stops of their own).

I'm thinking:

BRP Plus = those doing the loops
BRP Pure = those not doing the loops

[colejd]

Sounds like a plan.

[mjsteelega]

Happy to be a Rally Assist, or where ever you need me. Will have GPS and radio in the car.

Who's coming from Raleigh? Anyone want to drive up together?

[colejd]

Mike,

Glad you can attend. See the following link to see when the main group is leaving on Thursday.

http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthre...road-Adventure