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Rush to Gold Bridge – Day Three

As the Rush to Gold Bridge awoke for the third and final day, it was bitter sweet. We had one more day of fantastic roads to enjoy with each other, but it was the last day. Great friends would be saying goodbye before dinner. A couple of our guests, or their cars rather, decided that they should do that earlier!

DH3_6554The Mercedes of Barb and Edwin had developed a mysterious feeling in the steering coming into Hope the night before. A worn tie-rod end was discovered…not unsafe, but the wise move was to head home directly instead of joining the route. Paul’s Saab 96, which earlier had one valve badly out of adjustment, had now reached “horribly out of adjustment”. Paul and Tony would limp it home, discovering once they got home that the push rod decided to leave the rocker assembly entirely, and simply enjoy the ride inside the valve cover. Not one to miss a party, they bee-lined it north to meet the group at the finish.

The rest of us headed off after the driver’s meeting for a west-coast favourite. We travelled up Highway one, into Lytton for a coffee and then over to Lillooet for the traditional gas stop at Lightfoot Gas. Ten years ago, when we started running classic car events, the staff at Lightfoot were always shocked to see a group of classic cars depending upon the pumps. Now, they laugh and say hello to folks who have become regular faces throughout each motoring season.

Departing Lightfoot gas for Pemberton, one must traverse the “Duffey Lake Road”. Years ago this was a gravel gem, but paving in the 90’s has created a brilliant mountain road. We climbed from Lillooet, with gorgeous views of Seton Lake, and then over the divide between BC’s interior desert and the coastal rainforests. As you pass Duffey Lake, towering peaks fill your windshield ahead, and after passing alpine meadow after meadow, it’s into the descent. Harrowing for anyone driving an RV or loaded vehicle, the descent into Mount Currie is a driving enthusiasts dream. The speed limit is 60km, and if you like both your brakes and staying on the pavement, you’d be wise to heed the signs!

As we rolled into the finish at the Black Squirrel Restaurant, it was nothing but smiles. The Duffey, even with a light touch or rain, is far too good to not beam when you’re done. We told exaggerated stories of our tarmac and gravel adventures to one and other, discussed the ideal car we should purchase for next year’s event, and simply enjoyed our final meal together…but before we could depart, there must be some awards!

Taking home the Hard Luck Award was certainly Paul and Tony in the Saab 96. The cylinder head (at minimum) is coming out of the engine bay for some serious overhaul, and from experience we know that only leads to more items needing serious work.

CGS_5336The McGyver award, generally reserved for the best fix, was given to John Hinde for the astounding method he used to ensure his Intermeccanica could finish not only day one, but the entire event. “Astounding?”, you might ask? Well, yes. You see, when it seemed as though a fix might be hopeless, or certainly not forthcoming in a parking lot in the middle of nowhere. John knew just how to encourage the team of friends trying to solve the problem. “I bet there is cold beer at the restaurant tonight,” he’d mention, “I’m definitely going to have to buy some rounds.”  Ah yes, nothing like a little encouragement to get the fix happening! Lying half under a car in a puddle of oil, sun beating down on my legs, that cold beer was sounding like very good motivation indeed!

The Spirit of the Rush award is reserved for the person or persons who best shows what it is we’re trying to do here at Classic Car Adventures. Traditionally, on the Rush to Gold Bridge, we prepare a stunning award from a 12” genuine gold-panning pan. This year’s award was carefully packed into the Mini, and made it all the way to our first road-side stop where we did a wheel bearing adjustment. A couple of days later I asked Mark “hey, have you seen the Spirit Award?” We couldn’t recall when we had last seen it, but a review of my phone’s photos told the tale. Mark, you see, had placed the award on the roof to get to the tools. That is where the award was last seen…neither of us put it back into the mini’s trunk.

IMG_5123For this year’s Spirit of the Rush award, we thought it appropriate to honour a gentleman who’s often working on the CCA team, and thus isn’t really eligible for an award. On the Rush to Gold Bridge, however, he takes a full vacation from his restoration shop, a full vacation from his usual role as sweep on our events, and this year invited his son to join him. His love for classics is infectious, and his knowledge across makes and models almost unbelievable. One minute his tuning weber carburetors, the next he’s fixing a Porsche headlight, and moments later identifying why a door doesn’t quite fit right. “If we just tweak it here…” and suddenly it fits better than new. And so, this year, we presented Robert Maynard with the Spirit of the Rush award…hastily remade with a roadside Pie Plate and a spare decal. Hmmm…maybe we should take that McGyver award back?

CGS_5300With the awards presented, there was just one final task before our departure. All weekend our guests had been trying on my Roue Watch, asking about the various styles, and imagining what one might look like on their own wrists. In Colorado, we drew a single car number and presented the two watches to driver and co-driver. For the Rush to Gold Bridge, we decided to draw individual names, and see where they might end up. Jim McLagan and Paul Westwick were both excited to head home sporting new watches on their wrist!

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2017 Hagerty Maple Mille – Day Two

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A tradition at Classic Car Adventures is the parking lot party. At every event we do, it becomes a natural thing to enjoy stories with fellow enthusiasts at the end of a day of driving. Standing in the parking lot at 1am, with the party still in full swing, it was perhaps a little out of character…but with the day we had, and the location we were in, it seemed absolutely perfect.

Saturday morning in Gananoque began as any driving adventure does. There were classic cars being warmed up, trunks being packed, coffee and breakfast being searched out. Where yesterday’s roads were flowing and meandering, today’s would serve up the twisties. Our route began by heading north, towards cottage and lake country.

Within minutes of leaving our hotel, the pink and grey rocks of the Canadian Shield began to show itself in the rock cuts, river banks, and surrounding hills. Ancient glaciation stripped the shield of it’s soil, and cut its many lakes into the surface. In more recent times, the Canadian shield has proven challenging for road builders, who often choose to go around rather than through it’s many outcroppings. For drivers, this means many twists and turns, ups and downs, and wonderful motoring!

Following Phil’s Jaguar XK120 through the turns, with the red paint playing beautifully against the early changing leaves, you could see how suited the car was for today. We enjoyed an hour of touring with Phil and Linda, enjoying the curves and the lakeside scenery, before they pulled over and we reluctantly agreed to pass. I was a little sad to see such a wonderful car disappear in my rear view mirror, but then quickly realized who was now filling it!

The corner of my eye would catch the light blue or red in my rear view mirror, and I soon realized I was the 5.0L Mustang leading a gang of Porsche 356’s and 911’s! With cottaging season over, and our selected route through more remote locations, we could open up the throttle a little more than yesterday. Lakeside views were replaced by apexes and concentration, as the speed limits rarely dip for the twisty sections. The 5.0L barked at each use of the throttle, and I did my best to keep from slowing the Germans down.

We travelled north, and then south, and then north, and then south, and then…You get the picture. We zig-zagged on multiple highways and country roads as the route book took participants over the best the region had to offer.Gas stops and coffee stops were in tiny towns, with wonderful history. You would be filling up at a modern gas station, while gazing across the street at a general store or post office originally built in 1904.

Around mid day we pointed our cars west, and began to head through the Kawartha Highlands. With potential lunch spots sparce, the recommendation to pickup a picnic lunch was utilized by many. We saw folks stopped at lake side and river side parks, enjoying a period-correct lunch style not often used in today’s road trips.

The remainder of our route today took us through Bancroft, Kinmount and south-west to Beaverton. From there it was a quick dip to the southern shore of Lake Simcoe, where our group arrived at Jackson’s Point. Here we parked our cars lakeside, and began the post-drive parking lot party.

Perhaps it was our late arrival, or the beauty of our lakeside setting, but it seemed dinner time was suddenly upon us, before we could fully enjoy the socializing and winding down. Could it be that’s why the party continued after dinner?

Each of our rooms in the resort had a door that opened into our reserved parking area. As I made my way towards one of the many rooms I had been invited to for a “post dinner party”, I was expecting a small in-room gathering, and figured I’d make my way from one party to the next. Instead, I discovered the entire event was outside mingling in a big parking-lot social. Where we may have spent the day driving primarily in groups of Porsches, Mustangs or British cars…at night, the group becomes one of a single designation; great friends, new and old…

Today’s photos are once again provided by Ralph Saulnier

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2016 Hagerty Maple Mille – Day One

The anticipation in the hotel lobby was palatable. 2016 is the second year for our Hagerty Maple Mille Ontario event, and the field is full of first-time entrants. The opening pages of the route book, describing our style and important details, were being scrutinized, and discussions about odometer accuracy were overheard. There was no fear, however, as multi-tour veterans were busy ensuring everyone a working odometer isn’t needed.

076J9474Particularly excited to start the event were John and Marci Hinde, having driven their Intermeccanica 356 all the way from Vancouver BC to run the Hagerty Maple Mille, their fifteenth event with Classic Car Adventures!

Our driver’s meeting covered the usual items, including our style of driving events, the yellow card system (used to keep driving styles ‘in-check’), Hagerty’s roadside assistance program and some suggestions for lunch stops. Nearing the end of the driver’s meeting, a time when Dave traditionally puts on his “lucky flannel”, the group was introduced to the lucky flannel, carefully sealed in a plastic bag. In recent years the lucky flannel has become the ‘unlucky flannel’, bringing rain and snow whenever it has been worn. So, for the Hagerty Maple Mille it is safely sealed in a bag, hopefully keeping the weather at bay!

076J9504Our start out of Peterborough was grey, and the roads damp. We had some rain overnight, and a slight mist in the air. Perhaps Dave should have just left the ‘lucky flannel’ at home?! But as we ventured out of town, winding our way past the Warsaw Caves, the weather began to improve.

By lunchtime, in Madoc for most of the group, the sun was beginning to shine and convertible tops began to find their proper place, folded up under the boot. We drove for a couple of hours, enjoying tight twisty backroads and open flowing roads through historic fields before turning north on “Buckshot Road”. Here the event came to a surprising halt. Unbeknownst to the route master, Buckshot Road was closed this week for culvert replacement!

076J9523Classic Car Adventure routes are always kept a secret until you receive a route book, and once you do there are easy to follow turn-by-turn directions. While we do print maps in the book, they are more to show you ‘where you’ve gone’, vs ‘how to find something’. A closed road, with a less adventurous crowd, could leave you stranded.

But Classic Car Adventure’s guests aren’t ones to be defeated. If a carburetor clogs, five cars will stop to diagnose and repair. Electrical problem? Six repair kits will be opened up to keep you going. Closed road? Well, we’ll just sort out a re-route. Some cars turned around to help others avoid extensive back tracking, while a re-route was determined. Once Dave had confirmed the re-route, friends were text messaged, cars were sent back to re-direct those still coming and a double sweep system was formed. The true adventure spirit of the group was instantly visible, and together everyone ensured no car was left behind.

076J9635The sun was out, the roads were still winding (a little) and we all arrived at the hotel without problems. True, we may have missed some twisty roads that were in the original route, but it didn’t matter. There were two more days to explore, and time before dinner to enjoy a post-drive beer with friends. Some old, some new, but all of us equally adventuresome.

Photography for the Hagerty Maple Mille is provided by Ralph Saulnier Photography

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