March Drive - Shamrock Shuffle
#54
sojourner Was good to meet you, loved your RX, Great combination. If I'd of thought of it we should have pulled off on Chuckanut, I didn't even think about the lengths you went through to get all the way over here.
Next time we'll make a point of photo-oping a little more. Especially when it's as pretty as that stretch is.
Kristopher, good route, better directions available for download, and maybe a couple of backup sets printed would be extremely handy. I kind of agree with you regarding the Nuvi's and some of the other GPS units out there but I'll tell you having a rolling map showing exactly where we are and what roads are coming is really handy, way points or not. Was a fun drive though.
I was thinking the half page flip books with each corner on it's own page with mileage to the next turn would be the bomb... Laborious but extremely handy, and a step above if you're organizing these drives, something like that would be a huge comfort for first timers, and they wouldn't have that pressure to keep up. It's a real hazard, and could result in an accident. Happens in the Sport bike community all the time. Need to make the route clear, and wait at each change in road. I think you'd find yourself with a growing group of regulars soon enough.
Fluffy, Was good to meet you, sorry bout' the oil line. We were all concerned about what you were going to do, hoping you made it home OK. Glad everything worked out.
Was good to meet everyone.
Next time we'll make a point of photo-oping a little more. Especially when it's as pretty as that stretch is.
Kristopher, good route, better directions available for download, and maybe a couple of backup sets printed would be extremely handy. I kind of agree with you regarding the Nuvi's and some of the other GPS units out there but I'll tell you having a rolling map showing exactly where we are and what roads are coming is really handy, way points or not. Was a fun drive though.
I was thinking the half page flip books with each corner on it's own page with mileage to the next turn would be the bomb... Laborious but extremely handy, and a step above if you're organizing these drives, something like that would be a huge comfort for first timers, and they wouldn't have that pressure to keep up. It's a real hazard, and could result in an accident. Happens in the Sport bike community all the time. Need to make the route clear, and wait at each change in road. I think you'd find yourself with a growing group of regulars soon enough.
Fluffy, Was good to meet you, sorry bout' the oil line. We were all concerned about what you were going to do, hoping you made it home OK. Glad everything worked out.
Was good to meet everyone.
#55
05TiGr8Lady, Was good riding with you. I was truly impressed, not just saying it. Take all my chatter, and commentary with a grain of salt, everyone has different habits and style. BUT Managing the weight transfer of your RX in the corners better, will make you smoother, faster, safer, and be SMOOOoooOooOOOTH....
OH and both hands on the wheel.
Was a pleasure though and really exciting for me, I've not been a passenger in an aggressively driven sports car since I was a kid, so don't feel bad or begrudge me some white knuckles, and gasps... That was more me than a commentary on your driving ability.
Was fun, and I'd do it again.
OH and both hands on the wheel.
Was a pleasure though and really exciting for me, I've not been a passenger in an aggressively driven sports car since I was a kid, so don't feel bad or begrudge me some white knuckles, and gasps... That was more me than a commentary on your driving ability.
Was fun, and I'd do it again.
#60
Thanks for the advice Revlis, I'll see what I can do next time. I made the jump from Windows to Linux a few months ago and mapping has been the one thing I really haven't figured out yet.
Oh, and yes, both hands on the wheel!
Oh, and yes, both hands on the wheel!
#61
Those are some fun pictures red. I liked them.
Revlis, I agree with the printed directions with mileage and such. One of the drivers had a list like that, and was crossing off the list when we would go through another junction, which made it nice to know approximately where you were. I think if there were a leader, someone mid pack, and a tailgunner, and possibly some FRS radios or something like that, it would be a great help. I am already getting jazzed about the next one.
Revlis, I agree with the printed directions with mileage and such. One of the drivers had a list like that, and was crossing off the list when we would go through another junction, which made it nice to know approximately where you were. I think if there were a leader, someone mid pack, and a tailgunner, and possibly some FRS radios or something like that, it would be a great help. I am already getting jazzed about the next one.
#62
Jingle Ballzzzz!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,358
Likes: 15
From: Renton, WA, USA, No. Am, Planet Earth
Originally Posted by Revlis
05TiGr8Lady, Was good riding with you. I was truly impressed, not just saying it. Take all my chatter, and commentary with a grain of salt, everyone has different habits and style. BUT Managing the weight transfer of your RX in the corners better, will make you smoother, faster, safer, and be SMOOOoooOooOOOTH....
OH and both hands on the wheel.
Was a pleasure though and really exciting for me, I've not been a passenger in an aggressively driven sports car since I was a kid, so don't feel bad or begrudge me some white knuckles, and gasps... That was more me than a commentary on your driving ability.
Was fun, and I'd do it again.
OH and both hands on the wheel.
Was a pleasure though and really exciting for me, I've not been a passenger in an aggressively driven sports car since I was a kid, so don't feel bad or begrudge me some white knuckles, and gasps... That was more me than a commentary on your driving ability.
Was fun, and I'd do it again.
Actually there were times where I was sorta trying to make you gasp (me thinking "OK, how can I scare the sh*t out of Keith??! Hmmm... maybe doing 100mph would help...!")
#64
He he he Remember, I'm a Member of the 192mph (GPS) club in Tampa... OK OK I never could get to the magical 200mph... Anyhoo, that's on two wheels, so 100mph in a car isn't going to get my pressure up much.
Although with the conditions the roads were in, we were all moving faster than I would have been on my bike in the twisties. Especially at the beginning, Too fast for conditions.
Glad I didn't annoy you, I could have chittered the whole time. It was interesting and fun.
sojourner, I had a set of instructions Linda had blown up and provided boxes for, that I was checking and circling each road and the next. All the Drivers should have co-drivers, makes it much easier to navigate.
Simply having a Nuvi on the dash even without a destination entered was a big help, just having that rolling map right there showing whats coming up and showing you where you were. Not to mention tracking speed, max speed, avg speed etc...
Tail gunner is a good idea, or at least a designated catcher. Some one to wait and be certain everyone makes the corner before continuing on. Also a pre-drive Name/Cell Number exchange should be conducted, that way anyone can call anyone based on the car. For instance I can call Fluffie and find out WTF happened to Nuzzle? Whats up with NUZZLE?
Was entertaining.
Although with the conditions the roads were in, we were all moving faster than I would have been on my bike in the twisties. Especially at the beginning, Too fast for conditions.
Glad I didn't annoy you, I could have chittered the whole time. It was interesting and fun.
sojourner, I had a set of instructions Linda had blown up and provided boxes for, that I was checking and circling each road and the next. All the Drivers should have co-drivers, makes it much easier to navigate.
Simply having a Nuvi on the dash even without a destination entered was a big help, just having that rolling map right there showing whats coming up and showing you where you were. Not to mention tracking speed, max speed, avg speed etc...
Tail gunner is a good idea, or at least a designated catcher. Some one to wait and be certain everyone makes the corner before continuing on. Also a pre-drive Name/Cell Number exchange should be conducted, that way anyone can call anyone based on the car. For instance I can call Fluffie and find out WTF happened to Nuzzle? Whats up with NUZZLE?
Was entertaining.
#65
One of these times you need to get further up in the pack. I keep hearing all the great stories but never get to watch you drive.
I agree. Now that we're consistently drawing more than a few cars, we probably do need a little more prep and organization.
So:
FRS/GMRS radios
Better map
Turn-by-Turn directions (with distance, and navigation diagrams?).
Perhaps a pre-drive meeting (pizza and beer?) a few days in advance so more than 1 person is familiar with the route
And more scheduled regrouping points.
Any other suggestions?
I agree. Now that we're consistently drawing more than a few cars, we probably do need a little more prep and organization.
So:
FRS/GMRS radios
Better map
Turn-by-Turn directions (with distance, and navigation diagrams?).
Perhaps a pre-drive meeting (pizza and beer?) a few days in advance so more than 1 person is familiar with the route
And more scheduled regrouping points.
Any other suggestions?
#66
Jingle Ballzzzz!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,358
Likes: 15
From: Renton, WA, USA, No. Am, Planet Earth
Kristopher, sounds like this could get you into the professional league, like as in maybe charging money for detailed printed instructions with maps. That's a lot of work.
I can bring my radios.
I vote for pizza and beer pre-drive meetings
I can bring my radios.
I vote for pizza and beer pre-drive meetings
#67
Jingle Ballzzzz!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,358
Likes: 15
From: Renton, WA, USA, No. Am, Planet Earth
Originally Posted by Revlis
He he he Remember, I'm a Member of the 192mph (GPS) club in Tampa... OK OK I never could get to the magical 200mph... Anyhoo, that's on two wheels, so 100mph in a car isn't going to get my pressure up much.
#68
Jingle Ballzzzz!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,358
Likes: 15
From: Renton, WA, USA, No. Am, Planet Earth
Originally Posted by kristopher_d
One of these times you need to get further up in the pack. I keep hearing all the great stories but never get to watch you drive.
#71
Jingle Ballzzzz!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,358
Likes: 15
From: Renton, WA, USA, No. Am, Planet Earth
Oh, ha ha. I think you got to already... remember the drive to Whidbey Island? I led the group from the gas station just off I-5 to La Conner and then to Deception Pass.. I was pretty wild around those curves going into La Conner, and getting onto Hwy 20, Darin, who was behind me, said I was doing about 123. Sharkman was amazed.
#73
Originally Posted by kristopher_d
One of these times you need to get further up in the pack. I keep hearing all the great stories but never get to watch you drive.
I agree. Now that we're consistently drawing more than a few cars, we probably do need a little more prep and organization.
So:
FRS/GMRS radios
Better map
Turn-by-Turn directions (with distance, and navigation diagrams?).
Perhaps a pre-drive meeting (pizza and beer?) a few days in advance so more than 1 person is familiar with the route
And more scheduled regrouping points.
Any other suggestions?
I agree. Now that we're consistently drawing more than a few cars, we probably do need a little more prep and organization.
So:
FRS/GMRS radios
Better map
Turn-by-Turn directions (with distance, and navigation diagrams?).
Perhaps a pre-drive meeting (pizza and beer?) a few days in advance so more than 1 person is familiar with the route
And more scheduled regrouping points.
Any other suggestions?
Just one, KISS should apply here. We different folks with different backgrounds, interests and desired levels of involvement. I'd say just keep it simple, no need for radios though they would be handy.
I think th e biggest thing would be turn by turn flip maps, one hole punched on metal rings. Map shot, Miles to next corner and a big arrow showing NEXT TURN.
#74
Here we Go.
Barney Style... Step By Step, 3-6 turns per page, big bold text for solo drivers.
Printed on half pages. No need to do all the printing yourself, could just email them to those that wish to have em'.
Starting point anyway.
Bold text, total mileage at the bottom of each page, and running mileage inline.
Maps with enough detail to re-orient if needed.
Printed on half pages. No need to do all the printing yourself, could just email them to those that wish to have em'.
Starting point anyway.
Bold text, total mileage at the bottom of each page, and running mileage inline.
Maps with enough detail to re-orient if needed.
#75
+1 for pizza and Beer! oh and pre-drive meeting too. I think the radios would be a good idea because many of the routes we take are way out of cellphone coverage. Otherwise I like cellphone so anyone can contact anyone.