Coming to America??

[Nigelr32]

Hi there across the pond!!

I'm thinking of coming over to see Pikes Peak for real. Coming from the UK is not gonna be a cheap trip, so I'm asking a couple of questions that people from the surrounding area may be able to answer

Which Airport would be the most economical, considering driving to the event vs air fare.. For example I'd rather save $400 on the fare and drive an extra 3 hours and take in the scenery.

Same goes for hotel/motel. Can anyone recommend a good area to aim for that wont be overpriced because of pikes Peak, and is safe to roam around in the evening?

Thanks in anticipation of a load of replies.. BTW, I'm 53, so when i ask for suitable accomodation, I'm not looking for all night clubs and bars, though a few late beers is always welcome!!

[Ultramaroon]

@humfrz, any tips for this good fellow?

[joe strummer]

Howdy. From London, Kayak.com has Colorado Springs, the closest airport at 35 miles from Pikes Peak, at about $100 more than Denver, which is about 140 miles away.

As for hotels, I've done quite a number of road trips in the States in the past few years, and have never gone wrong using TripAdvisor.

Pikes Peak is 14,000 feet high, so it has about 60% of the oxygen that sea level does. You'll definitely feel it.

[EAGLE5]

Realize that a three-hour drive in America is not an especially long one. The US has slightly less area than Europe, half the people, and a lot more open space.

Yelp is probably the easiest way to find good food to eat. Trip Advisor is good for hotels. You can look up specific dates.

Consider posting in the Rocky Mountains regional sub-forum.

Also consider going to more than just Colorado. I mean, it's great there, sure, but it's not the best the US has to offer (sorry Coloradans).

[Resolute]

I would recommend flying through Colorado Springs rather than Denver. Flying into and out of Denver will be slightly cheaper, but driving to DIA is terrible, the TSA lines are a lot longer, and it's generally just a worse all-around experience. It's a good $100 spent to fly through the Springs if that's an option for you.

The good hotels for the PPIHC will be downtown, since that's where the pre-race party is held. You'll be able to walk around and chat with the teams and see their cars while live music and drunk racing fans poor through the streets. It's a good time. And we have really good local breweries.

If driving around isn't a problem (remember to stay on the right side of the road!), or you plan to just Uber your way around town, then there are a ton of nice hotels north of downtown all the way up to Monument that will be plenty safe and offer good service. There are also some nice hotels down south near the World Arena that would be worth checking out.

You will need to plan to get up early if you want to watch the race from the mountainside. The line to drive up there starts queing at o-dark thirty, and there's always the option of hiking up to a good spot if you have some nice boots and a small pack to carry food, water, etc... But either way, you'll want to plan ahead and set an alarm.

If you can stay for a few days, then you might also like to visit Garden of the Gods park, Cave of the Winds, and touring the Olympic Training Center might be extra fun since the games are taking place this year.

I'm sure you'll have a good trip out here regardless of what you do. Feel free to PM me any questions you have about the area. Cheers,

edit: also, the Hertz rental car place by the Colorado Springs airport usually can get a Shelby GT-H. There are LOTS of mountain roads west of the Springs, and also long, straight stretches of empty pavement east of the Springs. So, that could be fun

[humfrz]

Well, I don't have much to add to what @Resolute had to say.

I've driven to the top of Pikes Peak and spent some time in the area but, not during the hill climb week.

My favorite town to stay in is Manitou Springs.

http://manitousprings.org/

There is a cog railway that can take you to the top of Pikes Peak.

http://www.cograilway.com/

As mentioned, Garden of the Gods is a nice side trip.

http://www.gardenofgods.com/

Have a fun trip!


humfrz

[stevesnj]

Colorado Springs Airport and I suggest you rent a car and the way to get to the Peak is through Manitou Springs. A very cool place where carbonated water flows from street fountains and some very cool shops. Also visit Garden of the Gods National Park.Be prepared for altitude sickness if you are not used to high altitude and bring plenty of wateras you will dehydrate quicker in higher altitudes. It's a beautiful place. Bring a jacket it will be chilly the higher up you go.

[Nigelr32]

Wow thanks guys for all the great advice, tips and enthusiasm!!


I forgot to mention, I grew up in the US and lived in Ft Lauderdale, Georgia, Grand Island and Boston. I have been back a couple of times and have done 39 states so far. I love America and will probably retire there, in California. I even have a green card!!


I have been to the bottom of Pikes Peak before, and drove a little way up, but it would have been in August '88 so after the climb.


You have basically answered my questions, very well and then some. I hadn't considered the lack of oxygen up there.. those poor engines!! I'll bet 500 hp at sea level equates to around 300 up there??

[themadscientist]

[mdm]

Originally Posted by Nigelr32

I even have a green card!!

You do know that "A person might also be found to have abandoned his/her [green card] status if he or she moves to another country to live there permanently, stays outside the USA for more than 365 days (without getting a re-entry permit before leaving), or does not file an income tax return [to the IRS] on their worldwide income."

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Nigelr32

....................... I hadn't considered the lack of oxygen up there.. those poor engines!! I'll bet 500 hp at sea level equates to around 300 up there??

Yep, especially at your age, you will notice the "thinner" air at 14,000 feet.

My forum buddy was running around the visitor center at the top looking for his girlfriend ........ I followed for about 20 feet ..... and broke off the chase ...... gaaaaasp!! ........ why am I running, after all it was HIS girlfriend!

My butt dyno registered about a 25% reduction in power of my MX5, at 14,000 feet.


humfrz

[Nigelr32]

Originally Posted by mdm

You do know that "A person might also be found to have abandoned his/her [green card] status if he or she moves to another country to live there permanently, stays outside the USA for more than 365 days (without getting a re-entry permit before leaving), or does not file an income tax return [to the IRS] on their worldwide income."

I know what you're saying. I was just stating I have a green card, I know the rules, but as a professional single male I get good vibes.

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by Nigelr32

I'll bet 500 hp at sea level equates to around 300 up there??

When I bought my BRZ back in 2013 from Heuberger in Colorado Springs, I drove I-70 back to Los Angeles.

Going over the Eisenhower Tunnel at almost 11000', I was pulled on by a semi.

SEMI.

-alex

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by Nigelr32

Which Airport would be the most economical, considering driving to the event vs air fare.. For example I'd rather save $400 on the fare and drive an extra 3 hours and take in the scenery.

I've done this "fly into CO and drive out" trip twice.

If you want to save money, DIA is cheaper to fly in to. However, keep in mind that driving down to Colorado Springs will be pretty much your 3 hours, normally a 90 minute or so drive. It's scenic in the sense that there's a large mountain range on your west side, but other than that the rest of the land feels like a dead Wyoming high plains that's half dead.

I was picked up from DIA both times because I bought a car and the dealer sent a shuttle. Given a choice, I'd rather fly into Colorado Springs.

Oh, and don't forget the random summer thunderstorm w/ hail. I got caught in one in June 2014.

-alex