UPDATE: Sunday Driver's Edition

[CCooley@SOWO]

Due to severe winter damage, the Richard Russell Scenic Byway (SR 348) will be closed for the rest of the season. So we've had to find an alternative route to avoid cancelling this popular SOWO event. On a tip from some motorcyclists and the Helendorf owner, I went to Helen yesterday to drive and map out the new route. DAMN! It's about 10mi longer, but well worth the extra time. Much wider and faster with lots of midturn elevation drop. This year we'll return to one group format with some H2O members mixed in to help keep everyone on course. Once again we'll provide turn by turn directions and distances before the event begins. Best bet is to have a passenger read the directions. We will try to provide as much Police assistance as we can to make the neccessary turns.

It is possible (liability never ends!) the drive will be at speeds above the posted speed limits. Although it is unlikely an individual will be pulled over within such a large group, the possibility exists of a citation. THIS IS NOT A SLOW SPEED ACTIVITY.

We're very happy to be able to continue this part of SOWO, and depending on the feedback, this may be become the permanent route. We will have a map up as soon as we can.

Thanks again,
Chris

Modified by 91cabster at 11:42 AM 4-16-2010

Modified by 91cabster at 8:21 PM 4-16-2010

Modified by 91cabster at 2:25 AM 4-23-2010


Modified by 91cabster at 2:26 AM 4-23-2010

[reynolds9000]

For those who have low cars, or slow car cars:

1. Speeds are guaranteed to be much higher than the posted speed limit.

2. There is nothing leisurely about this cruise, it is a straight up "time attack", no matter how carefully it's coordinated. Responsible driving is nonexistant.

3. You'll likely have some teen wolf, boy racer trying to emulate Mario Andretti behind you.

4. It is highly likely you'll be separated from the group and will spend the rest of the time white-knuckling it to catch up.

I am speaking from 3 years experience. This year i'm going to sleep off the hangover instead of risk my life.

BUT!

If your car is not "sub-frame smacking low" and you enjoy hauling ass through country roads with cyclists around every corner, i'm sure you'll love it!!!

Just a fair warning. No offense to Mr. Cooley who takes great pride in planning and mapping this portion of SoWo.


Modified by reynolds9000 at 8:55 PM 4-16-2010

[CCooley@SOWO]

Quote, originally posted by reynolds9000 »

No offense to Mr. Cooley who takes great pride in planning and mapping this portion of SoWo.

None taken! I think everyone involved takes great pride in every facet of SOWO. If there's enough people who want a more casual drive, I don't see any reason why another group of like minded drivers can't follow the group at a more comfortable pace. I think everyone should have an opportunity to enjoy the incredible roads around Helen. The new map will be offered to everyone so they can enjoy it whenever they want. It's definitely a challenge finding the right pace for everyone. I've been in caravans at normal highway speeds where people get seperated and I completely understand what your talking about. One main reason for the printed directions is to make sure if someone does get seperated they don't have to sprint to the group to avoid getting lost. I know the mountain drive has been one of your favorite activities, so I hope you'll reconsider and get another group together!

[reynolds9000]

I just logged back on to say what you just said..

It's a very nice drive and if you don't want to drive at a highly spirited pace, leave a few minutes after the caravan does. It's worth driving on your own or with a couple of buddies. I personally like to cruise with one hand on the wheel and one out the window so i'll probably go on it by myself about an hour after the main group goes.

[1lojet1281]

I'd be down for a "cruising speed" mountain run that leaves after the main group. my heavy ass car with stretched tires and a suspension near the end of it's travel just isn't any fun to drive at those speeds in on roads like the ones up there.

[cactu4r]

Quote, originally posted by 1lojet1281 »

I'd be down for a "cruising speed" mountain run that leaves after the main group. my heavy ass car with stretched tires and a suspension near the end of it's travel just isn't any fun to drive at those speeds in on roads like the ones up there.

ditto. i'd probably end up a grease spot on the bottom of the mountain if i really tried any spirited driving...

[glices]

now i wish i didn't have a subframe smacking low car...

[reynolds9000]

Anyone that's interested in a slower speed cruise IM me, i'll start a new thread if there's enough interest.

[mountainabuserJETTA3]

is the new route over Blood Mountain (129)? if so, great fun

[BklynMKV]

note: corner-balance accuair e-level prior to helen departure.

check

[ohiodub_99.5]

Quote, originally posted by reynolds9000 »

Anyone that's interested in a slower speed cruise IM me, i'll start a new thread if there's enough interest.

im sub-frame smacking, front sway lacking low... id love to do a nice gentle cruise...

plus if we leave later we could sleep in a little longer

[C.S Bishop]

Quote, originally posted by reynolds9000 »

Anyone that's interested in a slower speed cruise IM me, i'll start a new thread if there's enough interest.

Interested, mostly because of point #3 listed above.

[nemo1ner]

Is the route's road in good condition at least? My car is not low, but there is no suspension travel, so my tires may be in mid air from time to time.

[coachvtt]

Far out I can't wait. I missed last year but was at the first. I did not do the run but this year i'm all in. I love the country roads. I'm a good ole boy from the mountains of Pa.

[All VW All the time]

Suggestion. Start the cars by:

Wiz bang turbos > stock turbos > Normally aspirated > Diesels

My car moves OK, but its not 300+ HP Don't want to hold people up

[littlenr]

I'm down for what ever. Just hope the person who ends up behind me stays back a ways.....

[CCooley@SOWO]

Quote, originally posted by mountainabuserJETTA3 »

is the new route over Blood Mountain (129)? if so, great fun

That is the route. And no one should feel like they have to stay on the car in front of them...a little space is def recommended.

[littlenr]

well I'm just sayin.... Some people think following is touching bumpers.

[Vdubin_423]

im goin to do this run but about 3/4 of the way pulling over and taking some pictures and video ;-)

[CCooley@SOWO]

Quote, originally posted by littlenr »

well I'm just sayin.... Some people think following is touching bumpers.

I know, it's like every other component of an event like this... no matter how much you plan and prepare, at the end of the day you have to count on people behaving responsibly and being courteous to everyone around them. The Mountain Drive has gone for three years without incident and as long as everyone pays attention and is patient, we'll have another fun outing!

[CCooley@SOWO]

A second group has been formed to offer drivers who want a more moderate pace on the Sunday cruise. We thank Mike Myers (reynolds9000) and everyone whose participating. If you've never been on the Mountain Cruise I'd encourage you to join their group and then if want to run it again do so afterward. View the details here:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=4862332

For those of you joining the Driver's Edition, here are a few things to help you get the most out of it without becoming a permanent addition to the Appalachian Foothills:

DO NOT PASS! Unless the car in front of you pulls off the road, stay behind them. It is impossible in many parts of this drive to see what's down the road.

LEAVE A SAFE SPACE. You need to allow the drivers in front and behind space to make corrections...they'll need it! We go as group to enjoy it, not compete. You will have written turn by turn directions with distance so you don't have to "keep up" with the car in front to avoid getting lost. All of the required turns are preceded by long enough straights you don't have to worry about over shooting one.

THINK! The best driving is proactive, not reactive. Most VW/Audi cars are top heavy and nose heavy. Even though it may be lowered or stiffened, you still have to think about what all that weight is gonna do when you try to make it change directions quickly.
Whether you brake early or late, get it done in a straight line. YOU DON'T WANT TO BRAKE ROLLING THROUGH THE APEX OF THE CORNER. Remember, slow in...fast out. It's human nature to brake when you've gone in too fast, but if it happens...be prepared to touch the gas, not the brake. If you ever had a sit and spin (or a 911) you know what's like to get the weight transferred hard to on side of a stiffly sprung vehicle with virtually no weight in the back (or in the case of the 911, too much) and then abruptly left of the gas and touch the brakes. My favorite example happened in 2008 @ at SOWO2...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YDH1SJjeSk

TURN IN MORE. Many of the stages of the Mountain feature blind decreasing radius (tightens) turns which can find you in oncoming traffic if your not ready. It's much easier to turn in more than you think you need and then unwind it as you drive through the apex (the point at which the curve changes directions). If you don't turn in enough and then find yourself off the apex needing to turn in more you'll either understeer or you'll instinctively lift and snap throttle oversteer. Either way you'll be unhappy and probably go home with a GSXR or Ninja hood ornament. Many of the curves are compound apex. Point is...think about what your car WANTS to do, before you ask it to do something it dosen't.

I'm sure I'm missing something, but these simple tips will help no matter what your level of car preparation or driver skill. The most important thing is for you to stay within your limits. No one is timing you and there is NO PRESSURE to keep up. If none of this has made any sense, please take the moderate cruise first to familiarize yourself with you and your cars abilities.

Thanks again and be safe!

Chris

Modified by 91cabster at 2:03 PM 4-24-2010


Modified by 91cabster at 2:09 PM 4-24-2010

[MichaelB30]

Good info Chris.

[CCooley@SOWO]

Here is the map of the new route. We will have the handouts updated for you prior to the drive, but you should be able to print this if you want to drive it before Sunday.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=...&z=12

[reynolds9000]

What time is everyone meeting up for this?

[CCooley@SOWO]

We'll meet in the parking lot across from Cool River Tubing at 10:45 and will roll out by 11:00. For those leaving on Sunday, you can request a late checkout to ensure you'll have time to get back and pack your things.

[CCooley@SOWO]

Quote, originally posted by All VW All the time »

Suggestion. Start the cars by: Wiz bang turbos > stock turbos > Normally aspirated > Diesels My car moves OK, but its not 300+ HP Don't want to hold people up

It's funny you say that. I think the sporting nature of the roads gives everyone the impression they are going faster than they are. The first year WAS paced by a diesel...a MkV Jetta TDi! The second year was my wife, two kids and me in a Jetta 2.5 Automatic. Last year I paced it in my 90hp Cabriolet..in the rain. I know a lot of people like to cruise, and now we have an option for them (thanks reynolds9000)....but I like to DRIVE!

[jhardy06]

looks like the drive is going to be sweet. i loved driving the mountain roads down from robbinsville when i stayed up there last year