Share your favorite driving roads

[scottRDX]

Hey Acura Forum Members,

I thought it would be cool if everyone shared their favorite driving routes. You know, a drive you take just for the hell of it. It might be a scenic drive, or maybe it has the best set of swithbacks to test your cars abilities. So lets hear it, what's your favorite drive?:cool: Directions on how to get there would be helpful too.

One of my favorite drives is on the way to Winter Park ski area in Colorado. More specifically, from the town of Empire, up and over Berthoud Pass and down into the town of Winter Park.

What I love about this road is it has about a dozen switchbacks and a grade of about 6% to 12%. It also has several passing lanes so you don't have to get stuck behind that tour bus. Several of the switchbacks even have some serious banking to them, so you can take them pretty fast. The elevation goes from about 8000 feet to well over 11,000 feet above sea-level. The scenery is breathtaking. I can't figure out how to link the mapqwest directions, but if you put Empire, CO. in the start box and Winter Park, CO in the end box.

If your in the Denver area, just take I-70 west to the US-40 exit towards Empire and Winter Park. Stay on US-40 until you get to Winter Park.

Thanks for reading!

Scott R.

[nsxt2000]

We in the Atlanta area are fortunate to be within striking distance of a great driving raod - Tail of the Dragon. This roughly 11 mile stretch of pavement on U.S. 129 between North Crolina and Tennessee is unbelievable. The 11 miles contains 318 curves with lots of scenery...if anyone takes the time to look.

However in recent years due to accidents and complaints from citizens not attune to the finer points of "late apexing", law enforcement has cracked down on those trying to stretch the limit. It is still a super drive enjoyed by many.
-Mike S.

[scottRDX]

318 curves in 11 miles is insane! That's like 3x more curves than the famous Nurburgring in Germany! If I'm ever in your neck of the woods Mike, I'm there.

Scott

[nsxt2000]

Actually I never counted, but that was the figure from several web sites. It is an amazing stretch of road that is especially enjoyed by bikers. There is no development along that section so no vehicles pull out in front of you.

This time of the year with the changing leaves it gets crowed, but driving it anytime is a joy. However, as indicated, due to the inordinate number of accidents and deaths on the "Tail", enforcement has greatly increased as of late.

On the Nurburgring - The guest speaker at October's NSXPO in Ohio is the R&D head for Honda's Marysville facility and former racer. He said that if you only had one track to drive, make it the Nurburgring. What an amazing road and so unlike the engineered modern tracks.

Last year my son-in-law and very much the car person had an opportunity to drive the Nurburgring and said it was a never to be forgotten experience. He brought me this silver cut-out-back decal that I have on the rear window of my silver NSX. Here is a shot of it with the reflections of the changing leaves in the yard. ( I guess you could say..."he went to the Nurburgring and all I got was this lousy decal + a cap". Actually I thank him for thinking about me and the decal looks sharp on my car).
-Mike S.

[scottRDX]

One of my goals in life is to drive on 'The Ring'. Or at least be a passenger. You tube has some amazing videos of all kinds of cars driving the Nurburgring.

Regards,
Scott R.

[nsxt2000]

Yesterday four local Atlanta area NSX'ers spent an enjoyable day cruising the roads of North Georgia. Check out a related post today including a shot from the mountain top.

The drive was instigated by our new member Paul, and for that I thank him. The route included many curves - sweaping & sharp - and we enjoyed them all! Should other members want to make the run, the primary roads were:

A. Highway 60, especially where it vears off U.S. 19 towards Suches.
B. From Suches take 180 north past Lake Winfield Scott until it dead ends back at U.S. 19.
C. Take U.S. 19 North briefly to 180 on the right. Shortly look for 348 on the right and turn South for a curvey ride until it ends at 75.
D. We also circled back to pick up U.S. 19 at the intersection of U.S. 129 heading North for the nice trip to Neals Gap.

Thanks again Paul for getting us together and establishing the route.

Those of us in the Atlanta area are fortunate to have these driving roads in our back yard.
-Mike S.

[observer]

A number of years ago I took delivery of a BMW K1 from the factory and headed straight to the Ring to give it a go. AMAZING, absolutely amazing. The fact I lived still surprises me!!

As an aside, don't know if you can see the BBC's Top Gear show in the US (I live in Canada). There have been two episodes wherein they try to get around the Ring in under 10 minutes. One in a Jag X-Type diesel, and another wherein they attempt it in a Ford Transit van. Check them out on Youtube. They are both a lot of fun to watch.

[nsxt2000]

Yes, we get the BBC program "Top Gear" here and it is really good. They come up with the strangest auto related topics...such as making a stretch limo out of ordinary cars, converting a car to a rocket and making their own convertible to name but a few.

Those wacky Brits -
-Mike S.

[scottRDX]

Hey Observer,

I saw that episode where Jeremy Clarkson keeps trying over and over in the Jag to do 'The Ring' in under 10 minutes and he really struggles with it. Then Sabine Schmitz gets in and smokes him! She made it look so easy! I really admire the Brits for their passion and love of all things automotive.

Scott

[nsxt2000]

In addition to the British accent, I love the venacular. When I owned the Lotus I had a soft top problem. In talking with the service advisor he said "...no problem, we will repair it whilst you wait."
-Mike S.

[dope!]

cali has got some roads of its own. gotta rep em! lol..malibu canyons! catch all kinds of curves and staighaways in the canyons..bikes, muscle, some rice here and there, supras, nsx..you find em all up there..even the expensive stuff. sad thing is..chp issued "operation safe canyon" they are cracking down on canyons driving..but if you're careful not to speed before you get up there..the drive is amazing.

you get views of the ocean as well as the scenery..chek it out! hit me up for more info if you're in cali, ill try to get some pics up.

[observer]

Hey Observer,

I saw that episode where Jeremy Clarkson keeps trying over and over in the Jag to do 'The Ring' in under 10 minutes and he really struggles with it. Then Sabine Schmitz gets in and smokes him! She made it look so easy! I really admire the Brits for their passion and love of all things automotive.

Scott

Have you seen the episode wherein Sabine tries to beat her Jag time in a Ford Transit van???? On her first run Hampster was riding with her and she scared the **** out of him. She then dumped him and all the excess weight in an effort to beat her time. She even scared herself!!!!

The best episode of all time???? The one wherein the 3 "lads" go camping in a caravan only to set fire to it and the tents nearby.

[scottRDX]

No, observer, I have not seen that episode of Top Gear, but it sounds like a riot!:)

Scott

[observer]

Here is a short clip from said episode. The entire thing is available on Youtube in 3 segments.

Well worth watching.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=bAgptNEZ7vg

[nsxt2000]

I haven't had a chance to check them out yet, but we just arrived in Stowe Vermont yesterday and there are many excellent mountain roads to traverse in the area...provided the snow is plowed.

The other problem is that our rental vehicle is a Ford Explorer, not exactly made for hugging the corners. It will probably drift pretty well - just before it rolls over...

I will try to post some photos althought some bozo - could have been me - left the good camera at home.
-Mike S.

P.S. - Here is a story related to leaving things at home.

Two fellows from Alabama go hunting. They travel a couple of hours in the woods and finally get settled down in the blind when one says "I wish I had brought the T.V.". The other guy says "now why would you say a stupid thing like that?" He replies "cause I left the shotgun shells on top of it."

[Mr_Pink]

I wish there were any fun driving roads in saskatchewan, aside from city roads everything is pretty much straight, would great for landspeed records, if it wasn't for all of the potholes. i envy anyone who lives near mountains or canyons. i cant imagine having an 11KM stretch with more than 2 curves in it.

[scottRDX]

Hey Mr. Pink,
If you ever make it to Colorado, I'll take you on a road trip to remember! We've got untold amounts of canyon carving roads and mountain passes that will take you over 12,000 ft. in elevation. Cheers!:D

Scott R.