by "Eric @ opposite-lock.com" (theyrerolling)
Published 08/21/2017 at 16:50
by "Eric @ opposite-lock.com" (theyrerolling)
Published 08/21/2017 at 16:50
Tags: Seattle Cruise 2017
; Seattle oppo
STARS: 3
I’ve been planning to do this for a bit, but I had yet to see people actually meet, so I questioned whether anyone would show up... Note that all posts will be tagged “ Seattle Cruise 2017 ”, if you want to track this. [ Next in the series: Route Planning ]
I’m looking for opinions on where to go & when to do it. I think the first should probably be a shorter trip, hence the first option.
Where do you want to go?
1) High Bridge Road (strong leader). Start somewhere around downtown Woodinville, drive to High Bridge, bomb it, then cruise down some fun back roads. My initial idea is to run down further roads in the Snoqualmie River valley area to a city along I-90. (Additional possibility: Go east and bomb some roads on the east side of the valley. Ex: Cherry Valley & Kelly Rd, Ben Howard Rd, etc.)
2) The Mountain Loop. Start near Lake Stevens, head to Granite Falls, bomb the Mountain Loop Highway to Darrington, then return to I-5 on Highway 530. Likely hang out somewhere along the route. (Alternatively, we can go to Rockport and head back on Highway 20. This could also start a crazy long cruise over 20 for a massive loop back through Chelan, but this would likely need to be a two-day trip.)
3) The Rainier Loop. Start in Tacoma, then proceed to Paradise (requires NP entry), then continue to Highway 123 and return to roughly Puyallup. We could also do a loop out to Naches and back via Highway 12 and Highway 410.
4) Hurricane Ridge. Meet in Port Angeles and drive up/down Hurricane Ridge (requires NP entry and that it be open; we might be a little late in the year).
5) Olympic Peninsula Loop. This is probably a two-day trip and probably should start in Tacoma or Olympia, with an overnight stop in La Push or Forks, then finish the loop the second day.
When?
The next seven Saturdays (hopefully before the weather gets bad): 08/26, 09/02, 09/09, 09/16, 09/23, 09/30, 10/07
Sundays: 08/27, 09/03, 09/10, 09/17, 09/24, 10/01, 10/08
If you’d be interested in going on one, please respond with:
- Dates that would work best for you.
- Which of the above cruises you’d prefer to do and any changes you would make, or feel free to recommend one not on this list.
- Where you’d want to “chill” near the end or along the route.
Please get the word out to anyone you know as soon as possible so we can get this going before summer runs out...
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
08/20/2017 at 18:34, STARS: 1
I’m in for any of them. Would love to do hurricane ridge or Rainier again but highbridge road might be the best since it’s a pretty short trip compared to the others.
Highway 2 to Leavenworth is a good one too. Fun drive, and an interesting destination at the end. I know some pretty cool stops along the way.
Rainier is probably the only one I’d do in heavy rain, but other than that willing to go any weekend.
"Eric @ opposite-lock.com" (theyrerolling)
08/20/2017 at 18:37, STARS: 0
I didn’t list Leavenworth because I was there last weekend. That said, it’s a good drive, but the return trip is absolutely brutal due to the traffic you encounter at the bottom or along I-90 (due to construction)...
"fintail" (fintail)
08/20/2017 at 19:04, STARS: 1
I like the first one as if I attended, I would take the fintail (I don’t feel like lugging it up mountains or 200+ mile daily drives this year). Otherwise, it will be a grandfatherly W212 diesel, but at least I would be comfortable.
Weekend of 9/17 and 10/7 are out for me, but don’t mind that, as I have yet to show up for any local meet.
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
08/20/2017 at 19:32, STARS: 1
High bridge would be most convenient at first glance, but if you do mountain loop, do NOT do it on a Sunday!!! Other options sound new and fun.
I am attending a wedding this Saturday, but the weather is supposed to be amazing that day and Sunday.
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
08/20/2017 at 19:45, STARS: 2
I find the drive through Whidbey quite enjoyable, lots of places to stop too.
"RPM esq." (rpm3)
08/20/2017 at 20:09, STARS: 0
I vote High Bridge Road etc., or something else on the (relatively) shorter side like Zoidberg’s Whidbey idea. I definitely could not swing a two-day trip but a half-day or most of one day would be fun.
8/26-27 is out for me as I’ll be out of town, and 10/7 is out due to Husky football. Any of the other days would probably work.
"Eric @ opposite-lock.com" (theyrerolling)
08/20/2017 at 20:48, STARS: 0
Good to know. I don’t know much about traffic patterns on that road, but it looks interesting and has been on my list for a while.
"NojustNo" (front24200)
08/20/2017 at 22:06, STARS: 1
I’d prefer 1 or 2 and weekends are open at least the next month.
"NojustNo" (front24200)
08/20/2017 at 22:08, STARS: 1
But I’m open to all routes since I dont get out of eastside much. Can really exercise the g35
"Eric @ opposite-lock.com" (theyrerolling)
08/20/2017 at 23:02, STARS: 0
Next 4 weeks or in September?
"Svart Smart, traded in his Smart" (svartsmart)
08/21/2017 at 02:50, STARS: 1
#1 and #2 (the first part, Granite Falls to Darrington and back to I-5) look good to me. Also intrigued by Zoidberg’s suggestion of Fort Casey. I’m out of town for a wedding on 09-23, and I’m working Sundays. Also, just wanted to mention that despite my interest, I worry about holding the group back: My car is slow to begin with, and I’m fairly cautious on public roads, especially unfamiliar ones.
"Eric @ opposite-lock.com" (theyrerolling)
08/21/2017 at 11:03, STARS: 0
We will need all types for the cruise. I’m going to set out rules with an aim of everyone having fun, nobody getting arrested/ticketed, and nobody getting hurt. We will bomb the corners; the lead car’s job is to keep the speed within reason (that is, hoping that nobody gets a speeding ticket), and we will sort by cornering ability. The tail car will be a critical member of the team as well, as they will let the leader know when we can resume from pause points and will run interference so the group can get back on the road as a group.
Since it looks like #1 is the clear winner, most of it will be on smooth roads with fun curves/corners, with a few more demanding sections along the way. This route isn’t about super high speed, it’s about fun and scenery, which is true for everything I gave as options.
I like Zoidberg’s suggestion and think we should heavily consider it for next Spring. I didn’t include a couple up that way that required ferry rides (specifically this one and a loop that takes us out to Port Townsend, but requires 2 ferry rides and advance ticketing).
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
08/21/2017 at 19:37, STARS: 1
September 16th and 17th I’ll be at Rainier again so that’s a no go for me!
"Eric @ opposite-lock.com" (theyrerolling)
08/21/2017 at 19:39, STARS: 1
After reviewing all the comments, 09/09 is probably the date. I have a post mostly ready for once I am fairly sure we have the interested group nailed down. I think everyone in here that has commented would be able to do a Saturday and nobody seems to have anything conflicting that day.
"NojustNo" (front24200)
08/21/2017 at 19:56, STARS: 1
All through September. The 9th sounds good !