August 4th Reno/NorCal Raptor run

[vanilla_gorilla]

Don't worry, I'll only arrive with some t ***** and stickers for you guys. I'll leave the expensive stuff at the shop. This is gonna be fun.

Awesome! Trust me, I'll be a customer shortly!

And it is going to be a good time, so excited!

---------- Post added at 07:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:18 AM ----------

If you are looking for a place with a HUGE surface parking lot, check out the Grand Sierra Resort, just north of the airport. I recall that in the late 90's, it was a Hilton hotel and once a year the parking lot was converted to a road course to host the SCCA Trans Am race. I checked Google Earth and the surface lots are all still there. Can't vouch for the resort though, haven't stayed to Reno in awhile. Last time we stayed was at the Peppermill which was okay. They also have surface lots (plus a parking structure).

Maps and Directions - Grand Sierra Resort Reno, Nevada

I just checked for rates and availability, and there are no rooms available.

Uh oh, something just hit me, we should probably book rooms ASAP, this might be the Hot August nights weekend...

 

[ruffstuff]

Bummer ...

Just talked to friend and she said the Atlantis Casino/Resort also has a large surface parking lot. It is near the convention center.

Atlantis Casino Resort Spa

 

[puddle hunter]

Just checked, Hot August Nights runs the 7th-12th. But that doesn't mean people wont be there ramping up for the event.

My vote goes out for Atlantis, Grand Sierra, or the Peppermill.

 

[ruffstuff]

Adding to the occupancy issue is the Reno-Tahoe PGA tournament that is finishing up on the weekend of the 4th-5th.

 

[MB RAP]

Any news on where we can reserve a room so we are all together as a group?

 

[Boss327]

Ima stay at the silver legecy. I just checked avaliblity and pepermill, Grand Sierra are sold out. atlantis is $149.99 a night and the silver legecy is $79.99 a night

 

[BigJ]

Hey guys, how do we feel about non Raptors joining? My neighbor is a relative newbie to off roading, but reaaalllly wants to head out with me (and friends). The Reno area would be a perfect opportunity to invite him along (his wife and two young boys would probably come as well). He's got a '97 Nissan Pathfinder riding on 31"s with a small lift.

Thoughts?

 

[Nv Guy]

I don’t have a problem with non-Raptors, but he might have a problem keeping up without breaking something, because Vanilla's & my "just cruising" pace was pretty quick on the pre-runs. When I ran the first section with the local 4X4 group the pace was a lot slower that what Vanilla and I ran it at.

But it's up to him & the others here.

Now...the room situation & Saturday dinner.

Vanilla and I were discussing things today and we came up with the following thoughts.
Dinner, Saturday night: We were thinking that gathering everyone up and heading to a buffet either close to or at the hotel will keep things easy, as we won’t have to deal with parking & separate checks and the regular restaurant issues, we just get a big table and eat.

It’s looking serious room wise.
We also thought we might want to get everyone at one place to keep things simple.
So I did some quick research tonight and found that the Grand Sierra Resort is booked, so is the Peppermill. I did find availability at the Nugget in Sparks, but their buffet isn’t all that great. The next place was Circus-Circus. Their site shows room availability & they have a large vehicle parking lot, so parking won’t be an issue, plus its walking distance to the Eldorado & their buffet, which is pretty good.
I am thinking reservations need to be made ASAP, because it's looking like the hot August night crowds are starting to move into Reno early.
Any thoughts on all this?

 

[vanilla_gorilla]

Ima stay at the silver legecy. I just checked avaliblity and pepermill, Grand Sierra are sold out. atlantis is $149.99 a night and the silver legecy is $79.99 a night

Sounds good to me, I've stayed there before, we should be able to walk from there to other locations for a buffet. And Brew Brothers is in this location for a couple beers.

Hey guys, how do we feel about non Raptors joining? My neighbor is a relative newbie to off roading, but reaaalllly wants to head out with me (and friends). The Reno area would be a perfect opportunity to invite him along (his wife and two young boys would probably come as well). He's got a '97 Nissan Pathfinder riding on 31"s with a small lift.

Thoughts?

Hey, I'm good for whoever wants to come out, Boss327 is an XLT with some suspension mods. But as Bob stated, he's gonna have a hard time keeping up, especially on the first trail we run, it will be slow going for him over the rocky section, and then the couple hill climbs could be a challenge (But we'll have tow straps). The second part, that NV Guy and I ran yesterday will be better for him, but we running certain sections around 60 to 80 mph. Plus we didn't get to all of the trails so we will all be doing some exploring as a group this weekend.

But I was also talking to Bob yesterday and I think most of us going are pavement pounders, not a lot of off road, especially high speed off roading under our belt, so i'm sure our pace will be slower then what other runs do, since we are all going to be learn our trucks.

I don’t have a problem with non-Raptors, but he might have a problem keeping up without breaking something, because Vanilla's & my "just cruising" pace was pretty quick on the pre-runs. When I ran the first section with the local 4X4 group the pace was a lot slower that what Vanilla and I ran it at.

But it's up to him & the others here.

Now...the room situation & Saturday dinner.

Vanilla and I were discussing things today and we came up with the following thoughts.
Dinner, Saturday night: We were thinking that gathering everyone up and heading to a buffet either close to or at the hotel will keep things easy, as we won’t have to deal with parking & separate checks and the regular restaurant issues, we just get a big table and eat.

It’s looking serious room wise.
We also thought we might want to get everyone at one place to keep things simple.
So I did some quick research tonight and found that the Grand Sierra Resort is booked, so is the Peppermill. I did find availability at the Nugget in Sparks, but their buffet isn’t all that great. The next place was Circus-Circus. Their site shows room availability & they have a large vehicle parking lot, so parking won’t be an issue, plus its walking distance to the Eldorado & their buffet, which is pretty good.
I am thinking reservations need to be made ASAP, because it's looking like the hot August night crowds are starting to move into Reno early.
Any thoughts on all this?

Boss327 found a room at Silver Legancy, have far is that from the Pepper Mill? You mentioned that is probably one of the better buffets. Is it walking distance?

 

[cups]

Couple of things:
As soon as it is declared, "That's what we're doing", I'll make my reservation.

Pavement Pounder,.. One of the nicer things I've been called. Thanks Van. But my only real off time was years ago in a Caprice wagon or Grand Marquis racing around AZ dirt roads. Did some family camping when kids were young. So I may be a bit slow.

At the moment, I have no recovery gear. Would it be presumptuous of me to be on this run? I need to learn stuff and don't wont to wait until finances allow me to be completely geared up.