WCKCC So Cal Drive Sunday May 20: Ontario BBQ & Big Bear Loop

[Fakebil]

One thing about SoCal, there are a lot of great places to go for a drive. The decision of where will be tough. Now people have mentioned Angeles Crest, Rim of the World, Pines to Palms, PCH, St Francis Dam, & Rte 66. (Okay, I haven't forgotten Ortega Highway, but the lane closures don't seem to be beneficial to a tour.) Each one of these runs has it beauty, places to stop, and twisty fun.

I'm just happy to drive in my Sol. Any number more than just myself is pretty cool, as long as we're having a good time. The purpose of having an event like this is to get as many people together as possible. What I want to know is, who wants to get together for a drive in SoCal?

[Cpt_kludge]

I do, I do
Joe in Corona

Edit mode....Would it make since to combine it with the Irvine Cars & Coffee?
Maybe meet their untill 9am, go grab Breakfast and meet up with late bloomers, then do a run?

Just a thought.
Joe

[Crimson Avenger]

Originally Posted by Cpt_kludge I do, I do Joe in Corona Edit mode....Would it make since to combine it with the Irvine Cars & Coffee? Maybe meet their untill 9am, go grab Breakfast and meet up with late bloomers, then do a run? Just a thought. Joe

Well, several of us: FakeBil, Cerberus, and myself will be up at WillowSprings (15 miles North of Lancaster) for the day on Saturday the 19th for a high performance driving school. It turns out that most High Performance Driving Events [HPDEs] and driving schools require either a 4 point roll bar, or Factory roll hoops/pop-ups for open top cars. This one's with a Miata club, and most Miata owners don't have roll bars yet, so that requirement seems to have been relaxed.

I'll be there with my Saturn SL2 that's behind me in my profile pic, and Cerberus and FakeBil will be bringing their Kappas.

That's why we moved the WCKCC drive to Sunday.

I don't see any reason that we can't include the Irvine Cars & Coffee in one of the upcoming Southern California events July 14, August 11, October 20, November 10, or December 1.

Actually, the timing for that might work out quite well since you correctly characterized the problem... 09:00 can be too early on Saturday for some. Others are up and raring to go at dawn! It sounds like a great way to kick off a drive. July 14 might just be the perfect choice. Don't be surprised if I ask you to take the helm for planning that meet.

For this one, we're looking at Sunday the 20th, and a meet further South in Southern California is certainly possible....

[Carpe Diem]

Originally Posted by Fakebil One thing about SoCal, there are a lot of great places to go for a drive. . . . (Okay, I haven't forgotten Ortega Highway, but the lane closures don't seem to be beneficial to a tour.) Each one of these runs has it beauty, places to stop, and twisty fun.

Just in case the work on Hwy 74 (The Ortega) ceased on Sundays, or might have been done, I checked the CALTRANS site on road closures. Here is what I found:

This highway information is the latest reported as of Friday, May 4, 2007 at 11:10 .


SR 74
[ORANGE CO]
IS CLOSED FROM 4.2 MI WEST OF THE ORANGE/RIVERSIDE CO LINE TO THE
ORANGE/RIVERSIDE CO LINE FROM 2030 HRS EACH NIGHT TO 0500 HRS EACH MORNING
7 DAYS A WEEK THRU 6/30/07 - DUE TO CONSTRUCTION - A DETOUR IS AVAILABLE

1-WAY CONTROLLED TRAFFIC AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS FROM 4.2 MI WEST OF
THE ORANGE/RIVERSIDE CO LINE TO THE ORANGE/RIVERSIDE CO LINE FROM 0500 HRS TO
2030 HRS 7 DAYS A WEEK THRU 6/30/07 - DUE TO CONSTRUCTION - MOTORISTS ARE
SUBJECT TO 30 MINUTE DELAYS


Let's keep The Ortega in mind for mid-Summer and Fall rides.

[Crimson Avenger]

Originally Posted by Carpe Diem 1-WAY CONTROLLED TRAFFIC AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS FROM 4.2 MI WEST OF THE ORANGE/RIVERSIDE CO LINE TO THE ORANGE/RIVERSIDE CO LINE FROM 0500 HRS TO 2030 HRS 7 DAYS A WEEK THRU 6/30/07 - DUE TO CONSTRUCTION - MOTORISTS ARE SUBJECT TO 30 MINUTE DELAYS Let's keep The Ortega in mind for mid-Summer and Fall rides.

You know, July 14th, or August 11 might work for that....

[Carpe Diem]

Originally Posted by Crimson Avenger Well, several of us: FakeBil, Cerberus, and myself will be up at WillowSprings (15 miles North of Lancaster) for the day on Saturday the 19th for a high performance driving school. . . . I'll be there with my Saturn SL2 that's behind me in my profile pic, and Cerberus and FakeBil will be bringing their Kappas.....

I've been registered for Willow for weeks now, and was thinking of cancelling. But now, inasmuch as I will not be the sole Kappa amongst a gaggle of Miatas, I see you there. I'll be driving Mysti. Where is each of you staying Friday nite?

Originally Posted by Crimson Avenger I don't see any reason that we can't include the Irvine Cars & Coffee in one of the upcoming Southern California events July 14, August 11, October 20, November 10, or December 1. Actually, the timing for that might work out quite well since you correctly characterized the problem... 09:00 can be too early on Saturday for some. Others are up and raring to go at dawn! It sounds like a great way to kick off a drive. . .

A note of caution - The parking lot for partipating cars at Cars and Coffee usually fills to overflowing by 7:30. I've never counted, but I would guess at least 200 cars participate each Saturday maybe more. The most desireable places to park are pretty much gone by 7:15 - I believe some hyper enthusiasts and those who come from afar to show their cars start showing up as early as 6:00 or 6:15. If the Kappas want to line us together as a group, I think we should plan on arriving not later than 6:40 or so. JMHO.

[Cpt_kludge]

Originally Posted by Crimson Avenger Well, several of us: FakeBil, Cerberus, and myself will be up at WillowSprings (15 miles North of Lancaster) for the day on Saturday the 19th for a high performance driving school. It turns out that most High Performance Driving Events [HPDEs] and driving schools require either a 4 point roll bar, or Factory roll hoops/pop-ups for open top cars. This one's with a Miata club, and most Miata owners don't have roll bars yet, so that requirement seems to have been relaxed. I'll be there with my Saturn SL2 that's behind me in my profile pic, and Cerberus and FakeBil will be bringing their Kappas. That's why we moved the WCKCC drive to Sunday. I don't see any reason that we can't include the Irvine Cars & Coffee in one of the upcoming Southern California events July 14, August 11, October 20, November 10, or December 1. Actually, the timing for that might work out quite well since you correctly characterized the problem... 09:00 can be too early on Saturday for some. Others are up and raring to go at dawn! It sounds like a great way to kick off a drive. July 14 might just be the perfect choice. Don't be surprised if I ask you to take the helm for planning that meet. For this one, we're looking at Sunday the 20th, and a meet further South in Southern California is certainly possible....

Ive been thinking of signing up for this as well Where's a good place to stay?
And I'll certainly help out all I can

I'm planning on getting to Irvine by around 6:30 and, if I know how many are coming, I'll try to save a few spaces together.
So far there is me, JGene and Fakebil. Im2damnsexy expressed an interest. Anyone else?
Thanks
Joe

[CADREAMIN]

The Oxford Inn or Holiday in express are off HWY 14 at Ave. K. My dad stayed at the Oxford and loved the Free and cheap cocktail hour and free breakfast in the morning. Cost was resonable and the rooms were what you would expect for the price but clean.

[Mikio]

Originally Posted by Cpt_kludge Not to hijack this thread, but I'm trying to see if I can get a bunch of SoCal Sol's to the Irving car show on Sat Morning. More info at Orange County Car Meet Joe

I'd love to go to the Irvine car show, but I work on saturdays. Maybe I can sneek away for a few...

Mikio...

www.carrimaging.com

[Crimson Avenger]

Originally Posted by Cpt_kludge Ive been thinking of signing up for this as well Where's a good place to stay? Thanks Joe

I usually stay at the Essex house. http://www.essexhouse-hotel.com/
Essex Hotel & Racquet Club
44916 North 10th Street West
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 948-0961
(800) 814-7000

Be sure to ask for the Willow Springs rate

Another location that is even closer to the track:
Devonshire Inn http://www.devonshireinn.com/
2076 Rosamond Blvd,
Rosamond, CA 93560. USA.
Tel: (661) 256-3454
Fax: (661) 256-9205

[Fakebil]

Originally Posted by Mikio I'd love to go to the Irvine car show, but I work on saturdays. Maybe I can sneek away for a few...

Of course it'd be great if you could get away from work for a bit & get to Irvine some Saturday, Mikio. Can you join us for this drive on Sunday, the 20th?

It looks like there are more than a half dozen people already talking about going to this event between the Sol & Sky Forums. Let's at least double that number this coming week.

Since there are about as many ideas floating around as there are people talking about going, we should probably have some discussion about where we're going to go. Crimson Avenger has talked about hitting Big Bear. Carpe Diem has done some research into the construction on the Ortega Hwy. CADREAMIN has worked out a route around Castaic & Lake Elizabeth. I like the sounds of the drive from Banning to Idyllwild to Palm Springs; the scenery changes dramatically from the top of the mountain to the desert floor. There are also some beautiful possibilities on PCH (like between Ventura & Santa Monica - @ 90 mins). We could also see some road history along the Mother Road, Rte 66. Where do you want to go?

[Mikio]

Originally Posted by Fakebil Of course it'd be great if you could get away from work for a bit & get to Irvine some Saturday, Mikio. Can you join us for this drive on Sunday, the 20th? It looks like there are more than a half dozen people already talking about going to this event between the Sol & Sky Forums. Let's at least double that number this coming week. Since there are about as many ideas floating around as there are people talking about going, we should probably have some discussion about where we're going to go. Crimson Avenger has talked about hitting Big Bear. Carpe Diem has done some research into the construction on the Ortega Hwy. CADREAMIN has worked out a route around Castaic & Lake Elizabeth. I like the sounds of the drive from Banning to Idyllwild to Palm Springs; the scenery changes dramatically from the top of the mountain to the desert floor. There are also some beautiful possibilities on PCH (like between Ventura & Santa Monica - @ 90 mins). We could also see some road history along the Mother Road, Rte 66. Where do you want to go?

All those places sound great. As for me, my weekends are Tues. and Wed. Since I run a business in Laguna Beach I usally work 24/7 but I try to get away on slower days tues/wed. My wife and I will sometimes take a day trip to PALA casino for lunch and and a few slots and be home by dinner. Think I might go this Tuesday....

Mikio...

[Fakebil]

Originally Posted by Mikio All those places sound great. As for me, my weekends are Tues. and Wed. Since I run a business in Laguna Beach I usally work 24/7 but I try to get away on slower days tues/wed.

It's too bad you can't take off when you want to; that's one of the reasons I started my own business.

I'm pretty excited about doing this. I'm also a little worried about turnout. I want to hear from more people who are planning to go. We've got less than 2 weeks before the event. By the end of this week, I want to be able to test drive the route and make appropriate arrangements for any planned stops.

[Cpt_kludge]

Originally Posted by Fakebil It's too bad you can't take off when you want to; that's one of the reasons I started my own business. I'm pretty excited about doing this. I'm also a little worried about turnout. I want to hear from more people who are planning to go. We've got less than 2 weeks before the event. By the end of this week, I want to be able to test drive the route and make appropriate arrangements for any planned stops.

Man I would love to do it, but I'm planning on going to Willow Springs on the 19th and the Chino "Planes of Fame" airshow is the 20th, so I will hace to pass. maybe another weekend? There seems to be a LOT going on that weekend.
Joe

[Carpe Diem]

Originally Posted by Mikio I'd love to go to the Irvine car show, but I work on saturdays. Maybe I can sneek away for a few... Mikio... www.carrimaging.com

Mikio, people arrive to show before 7:00, and some even start to leave around 8:30. Usually by 9:00, the place as about half empty. Can you go to work late one or two
Saturdays?