Gathering 2023

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Originally Posted by mcich7781

First of all I appreciate all the planning and coordination that has gone into "The C4 Gathering 2023."

Though this venue is slightly closer to me in overall miles than the NCM in Bowling Green, I am on the fence, undecided on whether to attend.

Having recently been on a Hot Rod Power Tour in my ZR-1, I know I will never do that again.

After being stuck, backed up traffic in every single little town, in the heat of summer, with a manual transmission, in the cramped cockpit of my Z, I vowed to never do that again. It was way too hard on the car, and me, for that matter.

My experience from the Hot Rod Power Tour has taught me that type of event is best enjoyed in a comfortable vehicle with an automatic transmission.

Could getting to and from the Woodward Dream Cruise events be like that? Everywhere, bumper to bumper, stop and go, over and over?

Since I don't own a car trailer and tow vehicle, I may attend the Gathering in my civilian car, which I know will navigate those traffic congested, potholed city streets and interstates between my home and Troy Michigan much better than my lowered Z.

I don't really know what to think? I have never been to that local area of the country in my Z. Will I bend up another rim, or smoke my clutch?

My car is not made of eggshells, but I know for a fact the interstates between my home and the Detroit area are a battlefield. It wouldn't take much to put me in a rental car to get home.

I guess I could possibly plot a route through the back roads.

Perhaps someone could chime in on my comments with any of their experience with this event, local road, and traffic conditions to help me (and perhaps others) to decide.

Thank you in advance.

Sent from my SM-G955U using ZR-1 Net Registry mobile app

Wow, some mild misinformation:
1. The worst roads you will likely find are in the Chicago area (which if you time correctly, you can avoid rush hour traffic).
2. I94 in Michigan is a pretty good road to run your ZR-1 upon. There are areas in Detroit that are terrible, but you're not going there. And Woodward Avenue itself is very well maintained.
3. The event is NOT 1 day. It is a week-long event. I've been doing this since the first cruise back in 1995 when it was more a weekend thing. Now it's pretty much a full week.
4. You will not be driving your ZR-1 the official day of the cruise (other than to find a spot early in the day with friends and sit and watch). It's too crowded for that.
There are places where 1-2 miles per hour is possible. Walking is faster. but there are other places where the cruising is pretty free and easy. Keep in mind that from the Detroit border (the cruise doesn't go into Detroit proper) to the Pontiac "Wide-Trac" loop, it's about 20 miles. North of 15 mile (or Maple Road) is pretty open. 13-15 mile is very slow. 13-about 11 is moderate. 11 to 8 mile can be slow to moderate. But VERY few people cruise the entire 20 or so miles. If you park anywhere between 14 and 16 mile, it is quite walkable, and that's where you will find most of the OEM displays and perhaps the most interesting cars.
5. Most of the Cruising is done on the weeknights leading up to the Saturday event. But it can feel like work traffic sometimes in the middle of the day. Wednesday is usually "Corvettes on Woodward". I've seen over a thousand Corvettes meet at the hotel just north of Long Lake (18ish mile) on Woodward.

I hope you decide to come. It truly is an experience.