NorCal (Bay Area) DRIVE Chat Thread

[BigFatFlip]

Originally Posted by PMok

He asks me, "isn't this one of those new Scion G37s?" I said "no, that is the twin to this car, this one is the Subaru Skyline GTR." Of course his next question was "how much HP?" "Not much", I replied, "just about 500 at the wheels"

Thanks P, this made my day, pretty much did a spit-take with my morning tea on my computer, I'm cleaning my key board as I type this

[PMok]

hmmmn ok so where was I. Oh yes heading towards the coast. So I flicked the manettino on my Italian steed to Corsa mode and neatly left about 50M of parallel tire rubber in the parking lot as I headed west from the market. I like to mark my territory and let my brothers know where I have been. I think I heard a Prius driver scream in horror, or maybe it was the transmission complaining about the hard 1-2 shift. Whatevs.

As I head down the highway I see a green MR2 Spyder up ahead, several corners away. But then as I wind the car out, the Spyder seems to have vanished. Either it turned off the road somewhere or it went into hyperdrive and left me behind. MR2s can do either you know. So now I was alone with my thoughts and the open road. A dangerous combination. My new aftermarket windshield seems to have more wind noise than the OEM windshield. I rev the engine and downshift to mask the sound. Was it a mistake to upgrade to these RSR tires? The car now has so much traction that driving has become a point-and-shoot operation. As long as you turn the wheel to follow the road the car goes there. Braking is optional and more for the sake of innocent bystanders and oncoming traffic, or your own comfort level. The car is just fine taking corners at double the posted limit. The thrill is gone, as BB King would say. On a track perhaps the tires will show their limits, but on these back-country roads you run out of courage far before you run out of grip. Or maybe it's just me, I'm a yellow-bellied coward lion.

At the end of the yellow brick road lies the turnoff to Stage Rd, and then a few miles further, is the PCH aka Hwy 1. Most ordinary people would then cruise down Hwy 1 along the coast for a while, soaking in the fine ocean views and enjoying the exhaust of slow RVs that refuse to move over to let you pass. But dear chaps, I am extraordinary. I am a devotee to the DRIVE, an acolyte of the asphalt. I reach the stop sign and make a U-turn. Back to Alice's. Along the way I see picturesque hills, towering redwood trees, and a interesting looking footbridge over a nearby creek. More than once I am tempted to stop and take some photos but I am hurtling through the apexes too fast and the opportunities pass by too quickly. The box with the Carsmo spoiler behind me slides back and forth with each turn, and I hope that the packing material is keeping it safe. And then I come up on a Mazda 6 sedan, and slow down. Instantly full of regret that I hadn't stopped earlier, and that regret compounded as I followed this slowpoke all the way back to Alice's.

At Alice's thankfully the Mazda continues on down 84 towards Woodside. I turn south onto Skyline 35 and happy days are here again. Moving along at a good pace, feeling the Gs in the fast sweeping turns… until I come around a bend and see a freakin ginormous deer standing there in the middle of the road. I stand on the brakes hard and come to a slow roll. The deer stares me down a few seconds more before dashing off into the woods. Methinks I might have to put my race pads back in after all, screeching sounds be damned. Sorry no pics of the deer. As I drive along again I notice a side road is marked as Crazy Pete's Rd. No joke, there is a green street sign and all. I wonder where that road goes. Maybe to some creepy looking run down shack with skulls and bones in a pile outside. Or, a really cheesy TV and electronics store with crazy low priced deals too good to pass up. I decide to leave that one be.

I stop at the Skyline vista point a few miles away from Page Mill Rd. Fantastic view of the Bay Area from up here, and I stop to take a few photos and even an instagram video post. The phone reception comes and goes here but I manage to get it uploaded. http://instagram.com/p/eqgrg3y-j8/
The wind howls and the roar of cars passing by seems louder right here. Bikers and couples in convertibles stop by and take in the view, snap a few photos and go on their way. I'm in no particular rush so I hang out for about 20 minutes before resuming the drive. The rest of the drive is pretty uneventful. Turned down Hwy 9 and headed back toward civilization. Took 85 and then 87 to meet up with the MR2 guys for MR2sday at The Plant, a shopping center in San Jose. Never been here before but it seems to have all these interesting restaurants I've never heard of. Which wich, Johnny Garlic's, Al's Italian Beef. There's a Five Guys Burger there too. Holy crap I didn't even know Straw Hat Pizza was still around, a relic from the '80s. A group of us end up going to Al's for sandwiches. I get a Big Al and the beef is delicious but I am surprised and disappointed that it didn't come with cheese. It's more like a French Dip sandwich. I will have to remember to order it with cheese next time. We hang out and chat in the parking lot until about 10, when I figure it's time to make the long trek back home. That my friends, will be the subject of another story, another time… just kidding. Nothing happened, I went home.












-p.

[86BRZ]

The only reason to me drive Page Mill uphill is to go Page Mill down hill.

Cheers!

[Clipdat]

This past weekend was one of the most trying and emotionally draining experiences ever, so much so that I took Monday as a sick day to try to recover and relax. Then today I find out that I still don't have closure on the whole debacle. That, combined with an unusually high stress day at work and I knew what I had to do at lunch.

I had to do Pinehurst! Sadly, not enough time for Redwood as well, but it was still a nice and very spirited drive. Definitely pushed my stock Bridgestone tires and looking forward to experiencing what Plato is describing with his new tires when I get mine on.

[BigFatFlip]

Originally Posted by Pmok

That my friends, will be the subject of another story, another time… just kidding. Nothing happened, I went home.

You're 2-for-2 buddy

Originally Posted by Clipdat

This past weekend was one of the most trying and emotionally draining experiences ever, so much so that I took Monday as a sick day to try to recover and relax. Then today I find out that I still don't have closure on the whole debacle. That, combined with an unusually high stress day at work and I knew what I had to do at lunch.

I had to do Pinehurst! Sadly, not enough time for Redwood as well, but it was still a nice and very spirited drive. Definitely pushed my stock Bridgestone tires and looking forward to experiencing what Plato is describing with his new tires when I get mine on.

I hear ya buddy, after a stressful day, some guys like to go let of steam at the gym or go vent at the bar. Not being much of a drinker myself (nor an exercise guy, obviously), a drive, which doesn't have to be at the limit, usually gets me relaxed.

[Cjymiller]

For those of you in the South Bay that haven't been following along, a group of us will be going on a quick night drive after watching the Rush premier tonight.

Check out the thread!
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46533

[Simpleviet]

I'll make this a short post. After the drive I'm hungry and sleepy.

End of Summer meet. Many showed up and some came to do a quick hello. The many familiar faces I met through out the whole driving experience. The spouses, wives, girlfriends, fiances whatever you may call it partner in crime, who sacrifice their time to let go of their drivers to go do these drives and being very supportive. I'm glad to have met them and I learned a lot of things. My first own sport car. First car club I've joined. First of many things. I got to see so many 86s modded in their individual ways. Every one of them looks unique and beautiful. The drivers are awesome people very passionate of their cars and got to share with them their secret roads and learning the ropes what it means to drive in a group. Terrific community and I'm proud to be apart of. The video Plato Mok made for the meet is epic. I enjoyed watching the past drives. Those were the most beautiful roads I've taken in my life. I wouldn't have known any of these canyon drives. I appreciate this car more and more as I learn more about the limits and mistakes I made (fun ones and sometimes dangerous ones) I feel this car spoils me. The other cars I drive feel like a floating boat rocking left and right and turning I have just don't feel it. It's dull. It didn't have character and I understand what my friend from New York explained to me about a car having character of its own. How a car can be alive and every little niche of problem good or bad is etched into this car and its own individual liveliness. It just place a smile upon my face as I drive each and every time. Oh yes, I want to give my thanks to those who donated at the meet CounterSpace Garage, massdrop, garthul (I probably spelled that name completely wrong or way off) Sheena, Derek-chu, Plato Mok, Buffalo Wild Wings, and whoever I may have forgotten. Thank you so much and I appreciate it. Whoop whoop I got myself a spoiler. hahaha. Later today we did a drive to Patterson. i had a hell of a time 14+ 86 give or take. The with its left and right and up and down hills and few blind spots takes this car to another level of driving free with nothing to stop you. I felt the roller-coaster drop feel. Oh yeah! Scenic view; the African Savannah tall golden grass as far as the eye can see on both sides. Eventually, you will see multiple large turbine fans in the distances. Then you arrive towards an electrical field flux generator. Definitely fun and I had one of them slips in the back in one of them turns keeping with hot lava man (I forgot his name already. Maybe it was Mike) After a good chit chat getting to know others more. Some left their separate ways and the rest went home the fun way down Patterson again. Different aspect of a drive. I got lost getting home after Patterson was done. I relied on my little to dead phone to lead the way home. I noticed another 86 following me I was waving good bye turns out it was Jacky and Valerie ( I hope I did get your name right ><) I made a wrong turn to the right and found out they're heading to SJ instead of SF. Followed them to 84 West. At first I was embracing the view cause I never have gone on it. I realized it was 84 East as we get closer towards 680. I was like oh yeah this is the road that goes to Livermore to Mine roads and Mt. Hamilton and such. I never stayed 84 East long enough I always made the right turn. I appreciate their help getting me on the right track. Overall, I enjoyed this community. Good to see fellow Sacramento coming down! It's the people that makes this one hell of experience for me. I would write more but I'm feeling really hungry and tired. I'm sorry I don't have pictures. Phone dead dead and I didn't expect to do a drive haha. For those who are new don't be afraid to come out. Definitely awesome community. I'm a rookie driver.

Thank you Plato and those that have stepped up in the plate to lead any group drives. Setting the many events up and keep things safe and fun for all.

End of the Summer.

[Overland'n'5thGEN]

Yup I was the hot lava guy and it is Mike. Definitely a fun quick drive.

sent using a Nexus 7 helped out by Tapatalk.

[MyRx]

Originally Posted by Simpleviet

I'll make this a short post. After the drive I'm hungry and sleepy.

...missed the part that was short. Haha jk jk. Good read as always. Thanks for sharing .

[PMok]

Took another short drive today. A familiar road to many of you, Redwood Rd and then part way up Pinehurst. The road is still damp in some spots as you near Pinehurst, as there are some spots that barely get any sun during the day. So you have to be a little careful here. Pinehurst is one of the most picturesque spots you can drive in the East Bay, shrouded in tall redwood trees and unlike most other roads you'll encounter in your everyday driving. You'll think you're up by Yosemite or somewhere far up north, it's hard to believe that you are still just 20 min from Oakland and 15 min from Castro Valley or Moraga. The area is so thick with trees you feel like you are deep in the forest. I stopped about midway on Pinehurst, this area is actually called Canyon, CA and there is a small post office hidden amongst the trees. I can't help but think of the Endor forest in Return of the Jedi and wonder if there are Ewoks hiding out here in the greenery.

[PandaBRZ]

Originally Posted by PMok

Took another short drive today. A familiar road to many of you, Redwood Rd and then part way up Pinehurst. The road is still damp in some spots as you near Pinehurst, as there are some spots that barely get any sun during the day. So you have to be a little careful here. Pinehurst is one of the most picturesque spots you can drive in the East Bay, shrouded in tall redwood trees and unlike most other roads you'll encounter in your everyday driving. You'll think you're up by Yosemite or somewhere far up north, it's hard to believe that you are still just 20 min from Oakland and 15 min from Castro Valley or Moraga. The area is so thick with trees you feel like you are deep in the forest. I stopped about midway on Pinehurst, this area is actually called Canyon, CA and there is a small post office hidden amongst the trees. I can't help but think of the Endor forest in Return of the Jedi and wonder if there are Ewoks hiding out here in the greenery.

OH MAN. I live in Castro Valley and had no idea a road like this existed. Totally going to take girlfriend for a drive up there. Thanks for the heads up!

[PMok]

Originally Posted by PandaBRZ

OH MAN. I live in Castro Valley and had no idea a road like this existed. Totally going to take girlfriend for a drive up there. Thanks for the heads up!

if you're going to take the gf, then take Redwood rd all the way up to Skyline and then Grizzly Peak. The view up above Berkeley is fantastic, on a clear day you'll see SF and the GG Bridge from there.

[PandaBRZ]

Originally Posted by PMok

if you're going to take the gf, then take Redwood rd all the way up to Skyline and then Grizzly Peak. The view up above Berkeley is fantastic, on a clear day you'll see SF and the GG Bridge from there.

Sounds awesome. Thanks for the heads up, PMok.

[redGSRguy]

Originally Posted by B2FiNiTY

finally got my wheels on and an alignment done. in the driving mood!

Did you get a FR-S/BRZ?