The Ontario-based CCA Hagerty Maple Mille event takes participants through the gorgeous fall foliage, offering great driving and photo opportunities! Elliot Alder was there to capture the action and atmosphere, and has a great gallery online. Check them out, relive the fun, and please support the great photographers who come out. https://www.elliotalder.com/milleproofs?fbclid=IwAR17Yttknbj5BOMUGP15paDVDqTMKFkbnBtFwLjmz-dzerP0XgTgXo5sUfM
Its been less than a month since the CCA Hagerty Fall Classic, but we’re already trying to re-live the adventure through the lens of Andrew Holliday Photography and his wonderful coverage of the Oregon event. He has a full event gallery online, and all photos are available for purchase online. If you missed photos from previous years, he also has images from previous Fall Classic and Spring Thaw events! Gallery password: ccaimages https://aholliday.shootproof.com/category/83687
Tornado warning? I asked, via text message, “That’s what it said, but the radar looks like we’re going to miss everything.” Hmmm, this might not be the usual Hagerty Maple Mille we run!
For the first three years, the Classic Car Adventures Hagerty Maple Mille has enjoyed stunning weather. We’ve had cold mornings, but every day has been top-down motoring. Looking at the Ontario weather reports yesterday, I had concerns that we were going to get wet today. Most of Ontario was under a moderate to severe thunderstorm warning, and while sunny, the wind was certainly picking up before the driver’s meeting!
For the most part, however, I shouldn’t have worried. Our route today began in Guelph, and went west through Maryhill to find some twisties on our way up through Elora. Just as it seemed we were going to pass through a band of dark clouds, the route would turn north instead of west, or east instead of north. We zig-zagged our way north through small country towns, rolling farm hills and past long-forgotten historic places of Ontario. Our group lunched in Mt Forest or Durham, and after visiting Markdale, headed for the afternoon loops.
For Clayton and I, powering along in his 1970 Corvette, we saw little rain. We put the T-Tops back on at lunch, but quickly pulled them off as things got sunny. We pulled over at one stage to put them back on, but decided we may have made an error. No worries, we thought, we’ll take them once we’re done taking photos. As the front half of the cars passed us, I seriously wondered if I was wearing enough sun screen. As we were waiting for the back half of the group, a small shower came through and we opted to move on. It was a little rain, nothing worth even mentioning. The roads were dry just a few kilometres later. I guess, for some of the group, that wasn’t the case. As the storms of Ontario powered up, portions of our group got rained on in absolute deluges, but always short lived.
We visited the twists and turns of my wintering youth. In the early days of my licensed driving career I was instructing skiing or coaching snowboarding at Devil’s Glen Country Club. The many roads that follow river valleys and the escarpment mountains were the “Monte Carlos” of my teenaged years. What could be better than taking our Maple Mille guests on them? The route book took us on little known roads near Horning’s Mills and Honeywood, before twisting up through Dunedin, Creemore and Glen Huron. In amongst the road instructions were stories of Mrs Giffen’s pies, and what would eventually (once I was legal) become my favourite beer in Canada. We went to Stayner, past a family favourite restaurant, and into the backside of Collingwood where I honed my mountain bike skills. The whole time we took every twisty road the area has to offer.
Arriving at the hotel resort for the evening, our traditional “parking lot party” was cut short by the high winds, but some things simply can’t be stopped with weather. The sun had once again come out in full, and cars were being washed. The Corvette was being looked at by five or six intrepid mechanics….an attempt to find the odd drivetrain noise we seem to be developing. A group of guests found a patio sheltered by the wind to host an impromptu get together. Winds, a spattering of rain, possibly a couple of ‘torrential downpours’ (really…are convertible people truly trustworthy about weather reports?)…none of it could hamper the day.
The roads today were wonderful, the towns lovely and scenic, but we’re most excited to simply be out enjoying driving our classics with other like minded people. Over half the group raised their hands this morning when asked who was here for their first Maple Mille, and by dinner you couldn’t tell who was new. Gather great people, some interesting cars, and some great roads…and it’s bound to be a perfect day. The Classic Car Adventures Hagerty Maple Mille is off to a great start.
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With our final drivers meeting complete for this year, our group hit the road from Prineville to The Dalles for the end of the Hagerty Fall Classic. Despite being the final day for the event, we certainly hadn’t used up all the great roads…and by the time we got to the finish, many of us had wished a second half of the day was yet to come.
Leaving Prineville, we headed west along the Oneil Highway, a meandering journey through golden fields of cut hay. Just as you begin to think about whether the morning will be all rolling hills and fields, the road twists and the towering rocks of Smith Rock jump out into view. It’s a stark, and almost shocking, contrast to the rolling fields. Similar to driving along the plains of Nebraska, only to turn a corner and see an example of the Rock Mountains towering over a tiny town.
From there it was North to Willowdale, where we left the fields and plains for canyon carving. The road twisted relentlessly up onto a plateau where we went through Antelope, the historic towns of Shaniko and Bakeoven, and then tested the brakes all the way down into Maupin.
For the start of the twisties I was following the group of Minis and an Alfa Romeo, with one of the BMW’s and a Corvette behind me. I realized, too late, when the road started to twist and climb that there was no where for me to pull over. The ’58 Volkswagen was going to have to keep up to the Minis and not disappoint the cars behind me. With my foot firmly planted to the rubber mat, I gripped the steering wheel and dove into each corner. As the theme music to a certain childhood movie staring a white car with the number 53 on it played in my head, an old saying came to mind. “Its better to drive a slow car fast, then drive a fast car slow.” No where was this more true than the climb up onto our first plateau.
While the Minis danced their way up the corners looking like a life sized slot-car set, the BWM and corvette behind me appeared to be enjoying the drive while not riding onto my back bumper. In the ’58 beetle I was merely doing the speed limit up the hill, but I couldn’t have found an single extra mile per hour if you had closed the road and called it a race course.
Leaving Shaniko, along a road we’ve used in a previous event, I looked forward to the reverse of our canyon climb, as you drop all the way down to the Deschute River in Maupin. It’s a series of twists and switchbacks that will test the brakes on any car not driven with foresight and planning. Upon reaching the bottom, there’s a beautiful drive along the river, where the slow speed limits allow you to take in the views and watch the white water rafters next to you in the river. Soon you arrive at a stop sign, and turn left…er, right? Hmm, the route book says right…I don’t remember this road?
Moments later were climbing up a canyon twisty that would be far more at home in the Alps vs the middle of Oregon. Every 100ft there was a sign proclaiming “Abrupt Edge”, when it honestly should have read “no shoulder, that’s a cliff.” With zero guardrails, and a sudden drop for hundreds of feet, I was sure happy to be in the driver’s seat and not the co-drivers spot! We crossed the Deschutes river canyon, made our way up through the grass valley and eventually over to The Dalles, where the Columbia Gorge Discovery Centre hosted our finish lunch.
This being our final meal together, it was time for some awards, recognition, and draw prizes. The Hard Luck award will be headed to Duane and Sylvia, who had to head home early in their Jaguar XK140. A float issue was causing one cylinder to flood, and despite a couple of roadside attempts no repair could be made.
The McGyver award went to Bill and David in the BMW. Initially we thought it would be for the way they managed to repair a clutch slave cylinder with a bolt, and rebleed it on the side of the road…but they decided to add to the effect by arriving at the finish with an exhaust system held onto the car with bailing wire, rope and a whatever else they could find in the car. As it turns out, if you see the exhaust system appears a little rusty on your pre-event inspection…you should probably check to see if it’s surface rust or almost all the way through!
The Hagerty Sprit of the Classic award was (unknowingly) in stiff competition this year. Ross flew in from Colorado, to join Jacob in a car they bought together essentially sight-unseen three days before the event. The Mini crew continued to be the life of the evening party, while entertaining us all on the road with their usual parade antics. Jay and Linda arrived as new entrants, but made friends so quickly they were “regulars” before the Thursday dinner had even started. But in the end, we could only award the honour to one entrant.
They began the weekend as new entrants, but not only quickly made friends…they made it a mission to get to know as many people as possible. Each night they were seen dining with new people, finding out all about what made them join our adventure. On the road, when their center console of their Camaro became a gear-oil volcano through the shifter, they were unfazed. Together with help from other cars, they created axle stands from rocks, diagnosed where the oil fountain was coming from (a torn shift boot) and worked out a system by which the co-driver was now in charge of both directions and oil deflection. When the problem couldn’t be solved on Saturday night, rather than head home directly, they decided that an adventure such as our should be finished! Besides, the whole underside needed to be cleaned anyways…what’s another day of oil? All smiles as they shared stories of their adventure at the finish, Aaron and Zafera were the perfect choice for our Spirit of the Classic award!
RWM & Co. graciously donated two gift certificates worth over $300 each for use at their Delta BC restoration shop. Len Swanson and Aaron Aaron will be making good use of their certificates in the coming winter!
With our event almost complete, it was time to draw for the two Roue Watches which had been asked about all weekend. Bill Eastman, winner of the McGyver award, will be able to time their next repair using his new SSD model Roue watch. Helaine has found the perfect early birthday present for her husband Curt after having her name drawn for the CHR model watch. We think it will look pretty good with his Hyabusa powered Lotus Seven!
All too soon it was time to say good bye until next year. We’ll be back for next year’s Hagerty Fall Classic, and you certainly won’t want to miss out on the fun. Events, much like slow cars driven fast, are much better experienced in person vs. reading about it!
Thanks, once again, to Andrew Holliday Photography for another stunning preview of images from today’s adventure.
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When we awoke in Telluride, it was to clear skies and incredible views. Towering peaks of granite, lightly snow topped, rising up beyond our condos to blue skies. Below, an eclectic selection of classic cars awaiting more twisty roads. My Instagram started pinging updates at about 7am, a number of entrants were posting photos of their morning coffee along with a classic car and the mountain view. Collectively we all had the same message; “a wonderful thing to wake up to”.
With the driver’s meeting over, we began our descent from Telluride into a route which would take us from rugged rocky mountains with towering pine trees, through desert scrubland and into red rock canyons carved by years of water and river movements. While travelled just 366 miles over the day, it was like changing worlds completely. The Canyons surrounding Moab seemingly having zero connection to the peaks of Telluride..
Our group explored Hole N” the Wall, a famous 50’s road-side stop that still holds all the charm and leaves the impression of stepping back in time. Some toured Arches National park, taking in the wonder of massive stone arches formed by wind and water erosion. Some enjoyed Colorado National Monument, a twisting road with breath-taking views of stone spires, coke ovens and other geological formations. We had shared the same roads, but enjoyed different experiences throughout the day.
Dinner tonight was a gathering of friends, a chance to share stories of the day, and to show off plaid purchases in the past year. Apparently we now have an unofficial “Plaid Party” on Saturday nights! Dave’s love of flannel and plaid is clearly rubbing off of the Colorado natives. As dinner wound to a close, tools were borrowed and parts were sourced, and the party continued outside in the parking lot. A Datsun was getting some cooling fan work, a beetle was needing a hand brake adjustment, another Datsun was getting some cosmetic adjustments. A 914 hosted the “roof top bar”, and friendships (new and old) were celebrated.
As we drove today, through incredible views and changing scenery, I was struck by how different the areas were, our cars were, and our different walks of life. I enjoyed the Rally Bug as Erik Bergman, Jacob Fielding, and Ross Nellums all took a turn at driving it. Each had a slightly different take on the car, but collectively could agree why I love it so much. As we drove along, discussing work, cars and life…I one again enjoyed that events like these are so much more than the cars, the roads, or the scenery. The thing that makes the Hagerty Silver Summit so special is the people.
Enthusiasts gathered for one single reason; to enjoy classic car motoring on fantastic roads. Does it get any better than this?
(Special thanks to Andrew Snucins and Dan Evans for another day of absolutely incredible photography.)
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How do you put the perfect day into words?
I’m honestly not sure it’s possible to share the beauty of today with those who didn’t get to experience it. Last year, as I led the driver’s meeting inside at the beginning of the Silver Summit, I was looking out to a foot and half of snow in Golden Colorado. This year, outside in a t-shirt and shorts, we basked in the sun of Clifton as I went over the usual driving expectations. First year guests were asked to raise their hands, but already they were becoming close friends. Our unofficial Thursday night welcoming party was possibly trumped by the “pre-party” parking lot gathering that occurred while waiting for cabs to dinner. By the time we started Friday morning, everyone was at least somewhat acquainted. “What car did you bring?”, “Oh, how did you hear about the event.” Friendships, which prove to be long term, were being formed.
We began the day by climbing up the Grand Mesa, a risky choice for anyone in a classic car. If you can make it to the top without overheating or a mechanical failure, you’re probably going to survive the whole weekend without problem. It’s steep, and long, and sure to test your car to the max. Once on top, however, the altitude and melting snow help to cool cars as they head south towards Delta. We looped slightly north and then dropped down into Gateway, where a number of guests stopped at the Gateway Canyons Resort for lunch and a tour of the auto museum on site.
Following lunch, we pointed our cars south on highway 141 and perhaps my favourite road in all of North America. Certainly one my top three. The Gateway Canyon highway follows the Dolores River has it snakes its way left and right. The highway is a combination of 180 degree bends, tight 90’s and fast flowing sweepers. Remote and desolate, one carves along the canyons enjoying beautiful red rock cliffs and views of the flowing river. For our journey, we shared the road with 914’s, a 911, the Fiat Spider, a Datsun 240z and a Healey Sprite. Corners were carved, suspensions were loaded, steering wheels gripped, as we wound our way through twenty-nine miles of incredible twisties.
Soon we were leaving the desert and climbing towards the town of Telluride. The heat of the desert made way for the cooling breeze of mountain evergreens, appreciated by both car and crews alike. We arrived at the Mountain Lodge Telluride, where the group enjoyed a cocktail party in the log-home-style lodge, followed by the traditional group dinner. As I travelled from table to table to see how the day went, two themes became apparent. Our group loved the roads and fun driving, but appreciated the chance to spend time with fellow car enthusiasts the most. Epic mountain views, a fantastic parking lot party, and incredible machinery was all just icing on the cake…
A huge thank you to Andrew Snucins and Dan Evans for their stunning photography.
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“How did you find these roads?”, I was asked at our finish. “We’ve lived here all our lives, and travel up here almost every weekend in the summer and we’ve never driven those roads…”
With the sun rising on Lake Simcoe, and the morning mist slowly burning off, a number of cars made use of the lakeside lawn for early morning photos. Not having the keys for the Mustang, I made my way to the breakfast room. Inside, groups of friends new and old were already seated and eating, and the effects of our late night gathering were clearly non-existent. You could feel the anticipation for another great day of motoring.
Departing Jackson’s Point, we headed counter-clockwise around the lake, on a route not usually used by most people. Typically when travelling the east side of Lake Simcoe, one endures the straights of highway 48, 12 and then 169 on the north side. A closer look at the map, however, and you’ll notice a shoreline ribbon of tarmac that follows almost the whole lake, with wonderful views to compliment your morning drive.
On the north end, we explored Cooper’s Falls, Housey Rapids, and then almost into Gravenhurst before turning south for a portion of CCA’s favourite Ontario road. With the afternoon beginning it was time to head towards our finish, at the Erindale Aerodrome.
The Aerodrome was packed with classic cars, all attending the Hagerty Family Funfest weekend. As our group of cars rolled into the show grounds, it was clear we were a little more dusty than the show cars already on the field! Having just finished roughly 1100km of driving over the past three days, however, we were welcomed with great interest from a number of the other attendees.
The Hagerty Maple Mille group retired to the Hanger for Lunch, a much needed cold beverage and a chance to share our final stories and goodbyes. Mike Kieley was awarded the Hagerty Spirit of the Maple Mille Award, for his efforts in ensuring Scott Gray would still make the event. When Scott’s 356 motor gave up the ghost in final testing, Mike wouldn’t accept Scott’s cancellation. “Take my ’74 Targa,” he insisted, “it would be a shame if you missed the event.”
And that, really, is the type of people we get to share our weekend with. Wonderful Car guys and gals who love classic cars, driving great roads, and getting to meet new and wonderful friends. We’re already planning the 2018 route for the Hagerty Maple Mille, mark your Calendars for September 21st to 23rd 2018!
Photos of the day were provided by our talented photographer Ralph Saulnier
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Additional photos of the Maple Mille, by CCA’s Dave Hord
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