NorCal (Bay Area) DRIVE Chat Thread

[Clipdat]

Sunday morning Mines Road week three turned out to be another very successful and fun drive! Great turnout again with some regulars showing up, as well as some drivers that I haven't met before. Very cool to see more people coming out and experiencing Mines! In addition to myself there were 6 twins, a RS, and a motorcycle!

And again, I was impressed at how cool the other cars were. This was my first time seeing a 2017 86 up close and I have to say that the front bumper looks a lot better in person! Also, a Monogram series Hot Lava on Prodrives? Are you kidding me? Absolutely stunning. Always enjoyable to see a BRZ in DGM - this color is one of my favorites due to the immense amount of metallic flake in the paint. I'd imagine that washing and waxing this color would always be a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Nice as well to see @PandaBRZ make it out! Lewis all you need is a Radium PCV catch can, and our engine bays would look exactly the same!

I arrived a little later because I topped off my oil (yes, I check it when the engine is cold despite the user manual stating otherwise) before setting off from Alameda, but fortunately there was still enough time to buy all three of the Rip Van Waffles that Starbucks had for sale. I distributed two of them to fellow drivers that hadn't had them - I think they enjoyed them! But, like Plato said, they are even better when you let them sit over the top of a steaming hot cup of coffee for a few minutes to get them soft!

After some final words, a distribution of FRS radios, and deciding on driving order, we set off at about 9:20am. Much like last week, Mines itself was mostly clear of traffic and cyclists. There were a lot of cyclists starting out as we were starting, so I was worried that there was a race or something happening. Fortunately for us we were able to pass them early on in the straight section right at the start, versus running into them later on down the road.

Things were going good and I was getting into a aggressive groove thanks to @Ryder86 who was hanging right with me through the corners. Then, I came around one of the partial blind left handers, and there was a tan Ford Explorer SUV completely in the middle of the road coming toward me. It was as if the middle lane line didn't apply to them and that they owned all of the road. I instinctively moved my car over as far to the right as I could, and my body did that thing where you kinda tense up and cringe at the same time as you brace for the inevitable impact about to occur.

Fortunately for me, they must've went back into their lane just enough to avoid side swiping me. I don't know how close they were, but it was enough to make my heart jump and start racing. Not the kind of adrenaline I like to experience when on Mines. I've had similar experiences on this road, but with oversized vehicles towing things, or in the single lane sections. Never seen someone just so blatantly ignoring the middle lane line for no apparent reason.

When we made it to The Junction at about 10:10am, it was already turning into quite a scorcher of a day. I checked my oil temperature upon arrival and it was showing as 221 and this is with a Perrin oil cooler. I wonder what my oil temps were getting to when I drove Mines without an oil cooler? I guess I'll never know, but my engine doesn't seem to have suffered any ill effects as a result.

Everyone parked in the usual spot and we started taking photos. @My Key I really like the colors and clarity of photos that you and your wife were getting with that high end Canon glass! I think you should be our official drive photographer. Greg then took it to another level never seen before on any Norcal 86 DRIVE and busted out a DJI drone for some sweet aerial and panning shots! You can see it below in the first picture. How cool! He also made piloting look effortless! Thank you so much for bringing that out, I can't wait to check out the videos from it.

After the photoshoot we hung out talking for a bit and deciding where to go next. We did Del Puerto last week so we decided to drive up Mt. Hamilton this week. @BigFatFlip had to roll out back to Sacramento so he parted ways via Del Puerto which sounds like it was a nice, albeit hot, drive. Sorry if I rushed anyone into getting back on the road before they were done socializing. With a larger group, it can be hard to get everyone on the same page regarding agenda and timing. Personally my priority is always getting in as much driving as possible before the roads become more congested later in the day.

This was only my second or third time up Mt. Ham so I had @PMok lead. He warned me that he would "not be going fast". If that is "not going fast", I probably don't want to see what fast is. Wow. Some of those uphill hairpins are tricky to get right as far as keeping your momentum and finding the right gear to be in. When I suddenly heard a header screaming and looked in my rear view mirror to see Greg kicking the ass end out in first gear around one of them, I thought to myself "Yeah, that's the proper way to do them."

When we got to the summit around 11:10am we were rewarded with gorgeous views of the always scenic bay area. It was a nice clear morning, and I could actually see commercial planes coming in for landing at San Jose airport off in the distance! Per usual, even roughly 5 year after this car's release, we got plenty of looks as we rolled into the Lick Observatory parking lot. Nice to still see people getting excited and curious about our cars! Or maybe they were just looking over since I kept doing some throttle stabs and making my Greddy exhaust pop as we were parking? Sorry, can't help it.

After a second photoshoot at the summit, I think we were all ready for lunch. We all headed back down and this time at an even more aggressive pace. The hairpins coming back down the hill were easier to manage and read, although you do need to scrub more speed than you think as you drop into them. This is where aftermarket brake pads with more initial bite would be a huge advantage!

As I approached one of the right hand hairpins, I noticed that it also featured a somewhat dramatic elevation change. In what seemed like one subconscious string of movements, I braked late, rev match down shifted into 2nd, and cranked the wheel hard to the right as I powered through the corner. The front left suspension got loaded up hard and as I rotated through the turn, I hit the first mid corner bump. It felt like a large downward BOOM as my front left coilover hit it's internal bump stop and transferred the impact directly to the chassis and my seat. A half second later, another chassis shuttering BOOM as it bottomed out again on it's bump stop, hitting it's maximum travel limit. What a crazy sensation! This is the first time I've felt the bumpstops on these AST coils!

As I exited that corner, I was even more excited to continue the rest of this downhill section. I was having a blast and definitely getting into "the zone" where you begin to become one with the car, your focus increases, and all of life's worries and stress begin to fade away. As the elevation decreased, and the roads started straightening out, I was able to get back into the 3rd and 4th gear sections. I noticed at this time that even though I had VSC SPORT mode engaged, the yellow TCS light was flashing frequently, seemingly at times that it shouldn't be.

For example, if I was in a higher speed third or fourth gear section and I need to make a quick steering input to accommodate a crest or subtle turn in the road, doing so would cause the light to flash as the car reacted to my input and the weight shifted. To me these inputs didn't seem unreasonable or inappropriate for the speed I was traveling, yet the TCS kicked in regardless. I don't think it was loss of traction that it was detecting, but maybe just bushing flex/deflection or something causing the nannies to get quite upset. Would be curious to hear if anyone else experienced something similar on these sections.

Anyway, we got back to The Junction and had a delicious and satisfying lunch as usual. Had a great time chatting with my fellow driving enthusiasts and getting some relief from the now 101 degree heat!

Trip back up Mines was largely uneventful until we ran into two of the slowest moving buses I've ever seen. They were going about 15-20mph in most of the canyon section's corners. I suppose there wasn't really anywhere for them to pull over to let us pass, although they made no effort to do so anyway. The rear bus seemed to have a number of people on it, whereas the front one appeared to be empty. I found myself wondering "What the fuck are they doing on Mines? Where could they be going? Where are they coming from?!?!".

So, the day ended on a bit of a frustrating note, but all in all a pretty epic day of driving! Hope everyone who came out had a great time, and guess what, it's going down all over again next Sunday!

[PMok]

Originally Posted by Clipdat

As I excited that corner, I was even more excited to continue the rest of this downhill section. I was having a blast and definitely getting into "the zone" where you begin to become one with the car, your focus increases, and all of life's worries and stress begin to fade away.

This, right here. This is why I drive, and why the downhill section on the backside of Mt Ham is one of my favorite drives.

[PMok]

Over time I've learned to generally cut my videos pretty short because of the realization that in this day and age, nobody wants to really watch a 20 or 30 minute video of me driving ... hell, usually I don't even want to watch all of it. But this particular run down the back of Mt. Hamilton, as I chase @Ryder86 was a great session and really gives you a good sense of what you're missing if you've never gone down this side of the mountain. And, it is far easier to get this up and off my plate if I simply throw it all on YT without too many edits.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nv71qkZN54k"]NorCal 86DRIVE: Chasing Ryder86 down Mt Ham - YouTube[/ame]

[driggity]

Originally Posted by Clipdat

Also, a Monogram series Hot Lava on Prodrives? Are you kidding me? Absolutely stunning.

Thanks for the kind words. I was stoked to stumble across those wheels locally. I've loved the look of Prodrive wheels since I bought my WRX in 02 but was never a fan of the weight of the normal ones. When a set of the Forged made by Rays wheels popped up (thank you NASIOC classifieds) I had to snag them for the FRS.


Also, thanks for organizing the drive and good to finally meet you.

Originally Posted by PMok

But this particular run down the back of Mt. Hamilton, as I chase @Ryder86 was a great session and really gives you a good sense of what you're missing if you've never gone down this side of the mountain.

Coming down that road and not catching any traffic other than a lone cyclist heading down sure was a treat. I will say that the stock suspension method of crossing the cattle grates is a bit different than all you low, stiff guys


And after being right behind you for a while on both Saturday and Sunday and now watching that video I am completely in love with how your car sounds.

[PMok]

Originally Posted by Clipdat

Hope everyone who came out had a great time, and guess what, it's going down all over again next Sunday!

Happy Friday... same plan on Sunday, or you thinking of any other routes?


No drive for me planned this Saturday... my MR2 buddies are planning a BBQ at Shadow Cliffs in Pleasanton, if anyone wants to join in all are welcome. It's a potluck bbq from 10am-2pmish. Since @finch1750 has a MR2 as well I think he's planning to come out too.

BBQ IS AT:
2500 Stanley Blvd, Pleasanton, CA 94566
SHADOWCLIFF LAKE.

Sorry for the non-DRIVE topic, but hey if I'm not doing a drive that morning in order to do this, it must be cool and something you want to do too right?

[finch1750]

Originally Posted by PMok

Happy Friday... same plan on Sunday, or you thinking of any other routes?


No drive for me planned this Saturday... my MR2 buddies are planning a BBQ at Shadow Cliffs in Pleasanton, if anyone wants to join in all are welcome. It's a potluck bbq from 10am-2pmish. Since @finch1750 has a MR2 as well I think he's planning to come out too.

BBQ IS AT:
2500 Stanley Blvd, Pleasanton, CA 94566
SHADOWCLIFF LAKE.

Sorry for the non-DRIVE topic, but hey if I'm not doing a drive that morning in order to do this, it must be cool and something you want to do too right?

Yep, I plan to come out

[My Key]

Won't make it. Parents are in town

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[Clipdat]

Same plan:

Mines Rd week four, Sunday July 16th. Mt. Ham was fun so maybe that again as well.

The meetup spot is Starbucks at 223 S. Vasco Rd, Livermore.

Meetup time is 8:30-9am, will roll out shortly after 9am.

Edit: I should mention, that yeah, some people might be saying "WTF" at doing Mines every time, but I personally want to see how many consecutive Sundays I can drive it. I'm just posting it here as well because it's fun with a group of course.

Originally Posted by PMok

Happy Friday... same plan on Sunday, or you thinking of any other routes?

[PMok]

Originally Posted by Clipdat

Same plan:

Mines Rd week four, Sunday July 16th. Mt. Ham was fun so maybe that again as well.

The meetup spot is Starbucks at 223 S. Vasco Rd, Livermore.

Meetup time is 8:30-9am, will roll out shortly after 9am.

Edit: I should mention, that yeah, some people might be saying "WTF" at doing Mines every time, but I personally want to see how many consecutive Sundays I can drive it. I'm just posting it here as well because it's fun with a group of course.

On my way Drew. Be there by 9.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[PMok]

Thanks for another fun drive @Clipdat ... just wish it wasn't so hot today haha. I just turned on the AC and cruised back home after lunch.

Did a short video clip with the phone on the first leg of the trip:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWoz_V0Fvb4/

[Clipdat]

Looks like instagram's autosmoothing/anti jerkiness algorithm did a number on the video!

Originally Posted by PMok

Thanks for another fun drive @Clipdat ... just wish it wasn't so hot today haha. I just turned on the AC and cruised back home after lunch.

Did a short video clip with the phone on the first leg of the trip:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWoz_V0Fvb4/

[My Key]

Originally Posted by Clipdat

Looks like instagram's autosmoothing/anti jerkiness algorithm did a number on the video!

I just thought that Plato had too much powaaaa

[MyRx]

Any interests in weekday late afternoon, evening drives? Not the middle of the night 12am stuff, but rather dusk or sun setting drive, dinner following.

[spike021]

Originally Posted by MyRx

Any interests in weekday late afternoon, evening drives? Not the middle of the night 12am stuff, but rather dusk or sun setting drive, dinner following.

I might be. Thursdays probably work better since I can work from home, which is a much shorter day than commuting via train, etc., and that makes driving afterward easier.