Hudson Bay or Bust Wrap-up

Sections: Events Mar 1st, 2005 14 Comments

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From David Rose:

Two weeks ago this coming Thursday I drove with 11 others in MINI Coopers (24 people, 12 cars) to James Bay. The Bay is just below Hudson Bay, and is technically attached to the Arctic Ocean. Most of us returned home Tuesday. People drove from as far away as St. Louis and Georgia, and one woman flew in from California. This was a repeat of my October, 2003 trip with Jay Gettinger, only more cars, and this one was in winter.

Everyone had a simply spectacular time. (Some less than others, granted, but I loved it.) I have posted pictures and written this up here: davidrose.us/DavidWebPage/Cabriol/HB2/HB2.html

Some highlights: Of course, I drove most of the way with the top down. Yes, it’s cold, but it’s air temperature cold (which hit -30C) I’ve never been in temperatures that low and I have to say it was incredible. THAT’S cold. With the windows up/top down combo, air does not blow into the car, so if you can take cold, it is more than doable. Of course, dressing helps. There is a picture of my shotgun and me (who was driving at the time) dressed for success.

I also rolled the MINI. Not something I would recommend you try at home. We were about 160 km in to a road that is 614 km long, with one stop area in the middle. I was doing about 100kph and hit an ice patch just before a curve. The details are in the story, but suffice it to say I am not only fine (save some frostbitten fingers) but wow, that too was incredible. I emerged unscathed and in a very cheery mood (probably because I was able to emerge at all!). Anyway, while it is nothing I want to repeat, landing upside down in a car and walking away is something else.

Oh, not only did I walk away, I drove the car home.

So, physically I’m fine (I clarify that because I know many of you think mentally I’m completely unbalanced). Please stop by the page if you get a chance and read what’s going on, or at the very least, push my counters up :)

[ Midwinter MINI Arctic Run - Hudson Bay or Bust ]

Written By: MF Reader

http://www.gbmini.net/ Ian

It is people like David that help to create the wonders of our MINI community ;)
Phil

If I was able to take a similar trip, I’d flip too (but hopefully not in the same manner!)!

David, your photoessay is wonderful, your enthusiasm remarkable and your luck, well, out of this world. Thanks tons for bringing us along for the ride!
Bob Dylan

You guys are NUTS! hahaha! Great pics.
Scott Purvis

Dave’s journey reminds me of growing up in Alaska and my drives between Fairbanks and Anchorage in the winter months. I would also like to praise everyone who made that journey. It is testimony of the love for our MINI’s. Here I am worried about a little salt on mine here in Cleveland and these people ventured into truly frozen territory and the MINI’s did just fine. Well, except for David’s. I would have had a cardiac arrest on the spot if this happend to me. Cheers and Motor On!
Stan

I wonder if MINIUSA is going to jump on this to advertise the MINI’s safety capabilities. I’m very happy to read that you made it back safely, Dave. I keep on showing people your pics and it makes for great conversation! :)
dgszweda

It is interesting going up that far north. I have been a few more degrees farther north last winter in my Mini a few hours north of Fort McMurray Alberta, which is way up there. And it was cold. It is really a different lifestyle up that far north.

By the way, this website looks great in FireFox, and looks aweful in IE.
http://www.DavidRose.us DUCTTAPE

Again, thank you all. I had a great time (as did many of those who attended) and I think I’d say I’d leave again on an hours notice (as would many of those who attended!)

FYI, I did contact BMW NA. They blew me off. Go figure. Personally? Any car I can flip and both walk away from and drive home is a winner in my book. I mean, I’m a conservative guy. 4 kids, house, 4 goats (ok, a tad not too conservative) and knowing that what I drive is safe is important to me. Seems like an opportunity lost, BMW…

Pictures: I am shocked at the quantity, and quality of pictures coming from this. Roman sent some today that are amazing. I mean, Marosh must have smelled like herring because these two guys were 10 feet from caribou. And the video Uptick took is wonderful.

Lastly, I just went to FireFox. It never dawned on me the other 99% of the world would have issues with IE! Sorry!

Thanks again, from everyone who went. See you all at MOT!
Doug Travis

How about a list of the crazy group of people that went on this adventure.

Inquiring minds want to know,

Doug
http://www.gbmini.net/ Ian

Check the arcticMINI website which is supposed to have a personal page for each person – but most are not (yet) set up.
Nathaniel Salzman

David,

I have an unrelated question about your MINI. I see that you’ve got the four rally lights across your bottom grill. I’ve seen several places where I can get this, but my principle curiosity is how well you like them. They obviously look tops, but I am wondering if they light up the night like it looks like they should. The thread posts I’ve read about the Xenon’s make them look like they’re not worth the $550 MINI wants for them and the rally set of lights you have interest me greatly.

thanks a bunch, hope to order my MINI in May.
http://www.DavidRose.us/MINI DUCTTAPE

Hi Nathaniel, They are boss. They light up the night like nobody’s business. I had Xenons on my 02S, and put them on the cab, and they are certainly brighter than halogens, but with these, it’s kind of hard to tell (from behind the wheel) that’s I’m driving Xenons.

I got these from Alta. You need to remove the bumper and drill into the aluminum bumper piece, but it’s really not hard, and as I said, they are incredibly bright. Alta sold me 2 yellow fogs and 2 white driving.

I’d recommend them highly.

(PS, don’t wait until May. I was driving an S when I ordered my Cab in June for March delivery. I pushed that to Feb, to Jan and then to ‘how fast can you get it here’. You’ll really enjoy driving this car)
Nathaniel Salzman

Oh I would order it right this second if I had my way! I say May because that’s when I finish my degree and start my permanent position at the design studio where I work. I might be able to order it sooner, but I’ll probably have to wait and order in May, save a little money up for the DP, and then take delivery late June or whenever it comes in.

The dealer’s been spectacular. A couple of weeks ago they were gracious enough to let me have a MCS for part of the afternoon all by my lonesome to “bond.” It was fantastic. I had been on a test drive before, but after getting to spend some extended time, I was absolutely blown away by the car. No doubts in my mind. I don’t even know where to start with what I love about it. The style (being a designer and all) the heritage (my dad’s ’69 MGb GT) and the performance is quite simply rediculous. It’s got BMW build quality and british fun and flavor. All you guys who get to drive yours everyday have my my envy.

Anyway, I love the lights. Have you noticed any cooling differences with those lights covering up that lower grill. I know it’s winter right now, but do you think that would be an issue in warmer weather?
http://www.davidrose.us DUCTTAPE

:) You know then…

I do not think there is a cooling issue. They are down quite low, and there isn’t much grill there to begin with. Plus, once you have the car, you’ll know that air ‘circulates’ very well in the bonnet bay, ’cause its impossible to keep road dirt and dust out of there.

Enjoy the new wheels! d
http://omor.com/coruscation/archives/hudson/ dc

There was no cooling issue on this trip.

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