Favorite motoring route

[Tinker]

If you are interested in enjoying your mini, here is a great way to do it:

I 435 to Kansas 5 highway, north. This is the 1st exit on the Kansas side if you are coming from Missouri (or last, if you're coming from the south). Going north on 5 highway, you follow 5 through 2 quick stop signs. Then the fun starts....almost 10 miles of pretty twisty road. Speed limit is 55 most of the way...drops to 40 in several places. Numerous "S" turns that are rated between 20 and 35 MPH...but of course, we took them at 40 to 50 MPH!!. A nice time to go is on a sunny afternoon, because as you near Leavenworth, you go by the Lansing Correctional Institute...the inmates that are playing baseball love to wave at Mini's Right after you pass the inmates, look to your left and wave at the buffalo herd!

Very fun drive.

Another good tip, especially if you have a navigator that is itching to drive the Mini...5 runs into 7 highway...you can turn left and go several miles to the Lansing Dairy Queen. Buy a Freeze or a Blizzard to share, then change drivers, so you are now the navigator. You'll get to enjoy most of the Freeze/Blizzard, cause the driver now driving south on 5 will have to have both hands on the steering wheel to get the most out of the drive!

Once you get back to 435, you could go straight and then drive through Wyandotte County Park....once you get to a T intersection in the park, turn left and head for the dam....it's several miles away, on a very twisty road (but only 20 MPH There's a nice scenic overlook also on the way to the dam...and while on the dam, you can look to the right to get a full lake view or look left for a nice "far" view. You can turn around or follow the road all the way around the lake.

Let us know if you try this route...we loved it and hope you do too.

[minichick]

The best quickie would be Switzer between 119th and College in Overland Park, a nice curvy zoom before heading back to work.
Also, when actually out of the city, I enjoy taking route C which is between 71 and 2 Highway on the way to Clinton Missouri, tight turns and the smell of the country...definitely an adrenaline rush when taking the turns at 50mph.
Of course, there's more. But these have been enjoyed the most.

[Bahumut]

I must say, before I start getting flamed, that I am not a street racing advocate, and I know that the routes posted here aren't about racing, just motoring.. So with that said, I hope you enjoy, and keep in mind that I simply drive very hard.

I don't have a mini, but I have driven one more than once (i actually test drive all the cars I look at here) through this route dubbed 'the course.'

The Course is small, has traffic during the weekday, but late during the weekend, traffic is minimal. During evening or late night hours, traffic is non existant, except for the occassional sportbike group or Vespa streetfighter.

To Course is in the business park between 75th and 87th street, west of I35. Lots of curves, a couple seem off camber, and if heading south, the final corner is a stonker; very tight and blind at 50 mph.

I like to start at the railroad tracks, gun it southwards, staying on Nieman. Blow throught the esses and prepare to stop at the one stop sign on west frontage road (at the end of the Course, next to the Bushnell Outlet). If you want to actually "finish" the course, take a left at the stop and an immediate left back into the business park. Its a different road, and it's a lot slower. It runs parallel to the main strip (nieman) until you see the chevrons screaming "LEFT!!" A hard left to the stop sign (which I blow through after midnight if there is no traffic) followed by a right back onto the Course, and you're off again.
In the MINI, you can probably stay safe at 50mph, get risky (but exciting) at 56-60, be aware of how to countersteer at any speed above that. In my impreza, I can only cruise safely at 43-45, getting risky at 45-50. Above 50 has me using my e-brake constantly to avoid understeering into the grass. The MINI is way more fun.

Course, ALTERNATE Ext.

If you find it crowded with other motorists, instead of going back through the Course, take a RIGHT turn at the stop sign at the end. This will send you in the opposite direction on frontage. Stay on this road and you'll pass Longbranch steakhouse and go under 87th street. Continue on, watch for the slight crest left then right as you head by the lumberyard, Wonderbread, Coca cola, etc. Near costco, there is an on-camber right, then left. You'll have to stop at the 95th st traffic light, but if you go straight, you'll be treated to an immedate set of swooping curves and a long straight down a hill. Eventually, you'll hit pflumm, where it all ends (actually there's a lot more, but you can figure it out. that's what motoring is about right?)

If that wasn't clear, let me know. Hope it's something new to try.
-Bahumut[/b]

[KangaMINI]

Bahumt,

I live on the east side of that very section you are talking about - it is fun over here too!! My fav. route to take home is 87th to Switzer, then N on Switzer until 83rd, turn E to Mastin and Mastin is all curvy and fun. Capsaicinmini knows what I'm talking about.

Good times, good times.

I will have to check out the west side I usually dont go on the "other side of the tracks"

[GoDogGo]

... if heading south, the final corner is a stonker; very tight and blind at 50 mph.

I give up. What is a "stonker"?

-Randy

[minichick]

Loved the course, had actually never taken it although I live very close. You're right about the speeds. Risky but exhilerating above 55 It made me giggle with glee after a stressful day.

[Bahumut]

stonker..
a moment either stressful or very exciting.. like loosing your teeth only to find out the tooth fairy is coming.. or losing your teeth at the age of 30 and JUST finding out there is no tooth fairie.. and that your teeth don't grow back.

Think of when you're at home in the study, headphones over your head, and some Dennis Coffey or Roy Ayers spinning on the turntable in your Hi Fi system. You're relaxed and reading this month's CAR magazine, and a really, really funky break starts up in the music, sending shivers from your shoulders down to your toes. You can't even read about the MINI 4-door concept anymore because that last break. Well, it was a STONKER!

Hope that helps.

Glad you guys liked the route. Be careful, safe, and ticket free.

[Hyper Blue]

Blue Moon Road...in Missouri.

No doubt in my mind...it's the best. The easiest way to get there is: take 435 east to Holmes Rd. Turn right, and go to Red Bridge Road. Turn left, and keep going all the way to Blue Moon Road. Now here, you could turn left or right. However, I recommend going left first. The best way to describe the road would be.......several miles of curvy roads surrounded by nothing but trees...not the kind of road you would want to get stuck on in the middle of the night, but that's usually when I go. Come to think of it, I've never driven that road during the daytime. Oh, and if you have the Xenon headlights, you'll really appreciate them on this road. Enjoy.

[DDodge]

Actually, I call that the Blue River Road. Runs from Swope Park to Martin City, with lots of curves, trees and tunnels all the way. I take it almost every time I take out either the Mini or my motorcycle. Lovely drive!

Don't miss the drive around Lake Jacomo, either!

Don D

[hctiev]

Tinker -

I stumbled upon the K-5 route by accident several months ago. Started at the Riverside Speedway and took it all the way into Leavenworth. I haven't actually taken the Mini on it yet, but plan to this weekend. It's a great ride!!!!

In fact, all the roads mentioned here are awesome little runs!

[dimini]

Addendum to the Blue River Road:

GREAT road, all the way from Swope Park to Martin City. HOWEVER, there are lots of deer out there! Be careful at dawn, dusk and night. I've driven (and bicycled) that route for 20+ years. Again, lots of deer to add to the mix.

[StoicMaverick]

if your more a fan of the DRAG (as I am). go South on 69 starting at Blue Valley Parkway clear up until Lewisburg it is just flat, straight, road with almost no hiding places

[Minidave]

Watch out for those unmarked OP police cars! They've gone stealthy, with almost body colored markings...........

[Baron Ken]

Any good routes down near Gardner? I'm getting a MC to test drive for the next couple days and just want a fun outing with the wife and daughter (in carseat).

Thanks.

[JohnBLZ]

Any good routes down near Gardner? I'm getting a MC to test drive for the next couple days and just want a fun outing with the wife and daughter (in carseat).

Thanks.

How far can you drive it?

I would highly recommend some of the roads around Tuttle Creek in Manhattan..

Plus Highway 13 through the Flint Hills.

[Baron Ken]

Any good routes down near Gardner? I'm getting a MC to test drive for the next couple days and just want a fun outing with the wife and daughter (in carseat).

Thanks.

How far can you drive it?

I would highly recommend some of the roads around Tuttle Creek in Manhattan..

Plus Highway 13 through the Flint Hills.

They didn't specify how many miles, but I don't want to take advantage of Baron Mini. I just want to get a fairly good test drive. Maybe a 45 min to an hour round trip. Doesn't have to be anything special.

Thanks.

[JohnBLZ]

The west/north road around the lake in Desoto?...The speed limit is very deceptive...but it's semi twisty road

[Baron Ken]

Just made a short drive down to Hillsdale Lake and went swimming, water was up and somewhat muddy, but still fun. Had never been there before so was worth the trip.

Thanks for the input everyone. We've only lived in Kansas for about a year and a half, so we are still learning what there is to do and see around here.

[Minidave]

we are still learning what there is to do and see around here.

not much, and a whole lot o nothin.............