Thanksgiving Day Canyon Run

"Bird" (Bird) 12/15/2013 at 14:16 • Filed to: Turkey Run

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I spent this past Thanksgiving with a few good friends enjoying one of California's amazing roads. The whole trip was inspired by Magnus Walker's !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! blog post. It was a pretty simple post, a photo of some two lane blacktop and the tagline "Sometimes you just have to find and open road and go for a drive.."

That struck a chord with my friend who planned the drive. He has a new to him 1988 M5 that was purchased at the very beginning of the year, but he didn't get to see in person until just a couple months ago. That's a whole other story, but the short version is, he was out of town for work for several months, so I flew out to finalize the purchase and get the car sent back to California. Now that's the kind of favor you can only ask of another car guy! So needless to say, he has some catching up to do when it comes to enjoying that car!

We had three cars in our group, and they couldn't have been more different. A 1988 M5, 2005 STI, and a 2012 Abarth (driven by Ferrero1911). I was riding shotgun in my girlfriends Abarth, so my job was to document the run. We set out shortly after sunrise, and surprisingly weren't the only 'car people' out that morning.

After we got out of town and up into the hills we were practically alone. After about an hour we started seeing more bicycles, but still very little traffic for such an epic Southern California canyon road. At one stop, I stood in the middle of the road taking pictures for 20 minutes and we didn't see a single other car.

We made our way through the canyon, and with the sun fully out now, our drive finally reached it's summit. From here you can just barely make out the Downtown LA skyline. (The tiny black dot in the distance.) We took a nice break here, and as you'll see below, witnessed some first class asshattery.

Ok, it's Oppo PSA time now. Share the road!

At this point the number of bicyclists had been picking up steadily. We didn't have any issues, because we weren't crossing the double yellow, or doing anything crazy. These guys however were. We heard the screeching tires first as they approached a blind corner. The Integra crossed the double yellow right in the middle of the corner, almost hitting a group of bicyclists in the oncoming lane. They then proceeded to speed away, continuing to drive like assholes, obviously unfazed by the fact they narrowly missed killing people.

By the time we pulled out the bike traffic was pretty heavy. We took it a little slower after witnessing that close call. It was still very enjoyable, and the slower pace gave Ferrero1911 and I a perfect opportunity to talk about, and practice her braking zones.

All in all it was a great run. Since we all live away from our families, I couldn't think of a better way to have spent the holiday.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Bird 12/15/2013 at 14:24

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Dat E28

For Sweden > Bird 12/15/2013 at 14:37

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Angel's Crest?

Burrito de EJ25 > Bird 12/15/2013 at 14:39

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Dat hood scoop.

EDIT: Fuck you, Kinja.

Vandelay Industries > Bird 12/15/2013 at 15:00

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nice crew guys...

really like.

cody > Bird 12/15/2013 at 15:02

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Beautiful pics, what were you shooting with?

Bird > For Sweden 12/15/2013 at 15:03

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Oops...I meant to mention that. Glendora Mountain Highway.

Bird > cody 12/15/2013 at 15:05

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Canon T4i with just the kit lens. Processed with Lightroom.

I just got a Sigma 17-50, so I'm really excited for the next opportunity to go out and shoot!

Burrito de EJ25 > For Sweden 12/15/2013 at 15:09

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<3 the 2

THOMAS5 > Vandelay Industries 12/15/2013 at 15:29

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and girl

Vandelay Industries > THOMAS5 12/15/2013 at 15:41

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she single? lol

THOMAS5 > Vandelay Industries 12/15/2013 at 16:32

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no no no. Read the post

a 2012 Abarth (driven by Ferrero1911). I was riding shotgun in my girlfriends Abarth

Ferrero1911=Bird's girlfriend

Vandelay Industries > THOMAS5 12/15/2013 at 16:38

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Ha! ok just read the post now...basically just got caught staring at the cars and the scenery.

Great holiday.

Bird > Vandelay Industries 12/15/2013 at 16:41

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I'll forgive you...this time.

But she's mine!

Bird > Burrito de EJ25 12/15/2013 at 16:42

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Angeles Crest was the last road we did. I love them both...

Ferrero1911 > Bird 12/15/2013 at 16:54

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Such a fun day. The pictures came out great!

Luken10 > Bird 12/16/2013 at 00:36

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I don't understand how bicyclists can ride these types of roads. I totally get it is their legal right to do so, but it is just so damn dangerous with all the speeding cars and tight blind corners. Plus, it puts drivers in a really awkward position while passing them, especially if there is a group riding together. There usually isn't enough room to pass in your own lane, so you end up slowing the pace of traffic because you are stuck behind them.

Sometimes I wonder if there could be special days where only one mode of transportation is allowed on the road. I think having all bicyclists or all motorists would make the road much safer and more enjoyable for both parties.

Bird > Luken10 12/16/2013 at 10:14

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I don't think shutting down the road to cars or bicycles on any given day would go over very well with either party. The way to make it safer is for people in cars to stop driving like that Integra. It really is just a matter of sharing the road. The bikes don't make it unsafe, the cars do.

Saabaru > Luken10 12/16/2013 at 11:47

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As a devoted cyclist and car guy, it is pretty simple. I get out of the way when I can, you get out of the way when you can. I accept the risks of not having a box to protect me, you do what you can to avoid me.

Capt. Janeway's Imaginary Cat > Bird 12/16/2013 at 21:41

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So many great things about this run: the black M5 (the color it should be), the variety of representation (An American muscle car, let's say a Pontiac GTO), the sharing the road, great photographs, and so on. Also you are a lucky person to have a gf who appreciates an Abarth! ;)

FireSpittingV12 > Bird 12/16/2013 at 23:44

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Light out?

EDIT - DAMMIT KINJA

Left rear tailight of the M5 looks like its out

kenhitch > Bird 12/17/2013 at 00:04

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I'm jealous. All my friends either don't understand you can drive for fun or don't have a car that runs. All my drives are spent solo :/

Bird > FireSpittingV12 12/17/2013 at 00:26

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Worse...it's dim. It's not in the bulb holder either, so it's something that needs to be chased down.

Bird > Capt. Janeway's Imaginary Cat 12/17/2013 at 00:27

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Thank you...and I am very lucky.

Bird > kenhitch 12/17/2013 at 00:29

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Get on the forums. We've done several runs with people from the Fiat forums. Quite the diverse group there...it's actually really surprising.

Bird > Burrito de EJ25 12/17/2013 at 00:33

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Fuck you Kinja!...because it was the correct placement when I viewed it...until now.

Capt. Janeway's Imaginary Cat > Bird 12/17/2013 at 01:02

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It would be fantastic if you got into more details about all the cars here and how the story behind them especially the E28 M5. I never understood driving dynamics until I test drove and eventually got a E36 M3. From then on, my loyalty has remained with BMWs. :)

yurikaze > Bird 12/17/2013 at 01:51

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I know that feel bro.

(The F150's not with us.)

shpuker > Bird 12/17/2013 at 02:05

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This brings three things to the front of my mind.

1) I need a better camera pronto

2) I need to get the Subie out into the mountains ASAP. Preferably before it snows again.

3) I need to find a girl that can rock an Abarth.

getwell > Bird 12/17/2013 at 03:40

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I often hit up my local canyon for day runs, and knowing that there are cyclist i always stay in my lane, and i dont rip into blind corners carelessly either (even though i know its more fun to). when encountering cyclist going the opposite direction i send them a friendly nod just to let them know that even at a spirited pace, i am aware of them and respect their space. Unfortunately it's amateur hour at night these days, and half the kids in the canyon are all over the road making it actually unsafe if youre not driving in the same direction as their pack.

Ferrero1911 > Bird 12/17/2013 at 04:47

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And...we're back!

Bluecold > Luken10 12/17/2013 at 06:26

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Believe it or not, but to a cyclist, the inclinations, corners and scenery are just as beautiful. Just as driving, cycling in the city sucks balls.

Either way, I don't think you'd solve anything by banning anything. A cyclist who's a jackass to cars will be a jackass to other cyclists too. Same goes for drivers. And since most cyclists are at least a little bit gearheads, most of them will appreciate an M5, STI and Abarth flying by.

112358132134 > Luken10 12/17/2013 at 08:44

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couldnt agree more. Personally it seems like gentle rolling hills in wine country would be much more enjoyable than dangerous mountain roads that obviously get a lot of cyclists killed (both parties are responsible).

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Bird 12/17/2013 at 10:57

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Any time you have vehicles traveling on the same road at far different rates of speed, it's a danger to all involved... A car travelling the speed limit, going around a blind curve, is put in a very precarious situation when there's a bike in the lane going 2 mph. It is the bicyclist's legal right, but it is terribly dangerous (as is driving a car 45 mph on a highway with a 75 mph limit).

I think it's on cities and states to recognize these roads, that are attractive to riders and drivers, and spend the money to widen them so there's an actual bike lane, or provide dedicated bike paths that give the same experience in a far safer environment.

Also, you forgot motorcycles.

Party-vi > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 12/17/2013 at 11:04

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Rnickey Mouse nails it again. How the fuck did that even happen?

Bluecold > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 12/17/2013 at 11:08

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Cyclists don't do 2mph. They do around 20 if they're worth a damn on a flat road. Either way, don't divebomb a blind corner at the speed limit. If the driver chooses to go too fast for the situation, it's the fault of the driver if something bad happens. Just because you expect a clean open road doesn't mean it's there. There could be a big rock in the middle of the corner. You wouldn't see that coming either. It's called limit point. Read up and take responsibility.

http://www.ridedrive.co.uk/driving-tips-0…

It's easy.

bkempert > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 12/17/2013 at 11:09

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That slow-mo shot made me want to wear a helmet sitting at my desk.

94GTratracer > Bird 12/17/2013 at 11:24

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Yes. I like to rip up some canyons, but I never have a problem slowing down and giving a cyclist some room. You can still have fun, it's just all about what you can see. If you can't see around the corner, assume there's a bicyclist and a horse on skateboard on the other side. Stay in your lane and don't go faster than you can brake to a stop quickly if necessary. When you can see all the way around, know your limits and have fun...

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Bluecold 12/17/2013 at 11:38

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We're not talking about flat roads - we're talking about very steep and windy uphill sections. Many modern performance cars can easily take a tight, blind curve at the speed limit with no "divebombing". I agree that drivers need to be aware of routes that will most likely have bikes on them and drive in a safe manner, but the fact is, when you have narrow roads with vehicles travelling at far different rates of speed, it's a recipe for accidents and fatalities. One of the last times I was out for a fun drive on the back roads, I nearly KO'd a horse (and it's rider, and his kid). Thankfully no traffic was oncoming so I was able to swerve and no one was hurt. I was travelling above the speed limit, but who was more in the wrong in that situation? All I'm saying is, if you're making the choice to be nearly stationary on a road whose primary purpose is to carry cars at a legal limit of 55 mph, you're taking on a great deal of personal risk.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Party-vi 12/17/2013 at 11:40

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The guy was clearly not looking ahead at all... probably focused on the photographers when he came to the corner, instead of the road.

Bluecold > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 12/17/2013 at 12:07

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The only one taking a great deal of risk was you. You chose to go faster than the situation would allow, ie. you couldn't see far enough ahead to make an emergency stop. If you want to take corners at speed, get a non-blind corner, and you can still be safe even when traveling way above the speed limit. Have you read the article I linked to?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Bluecold 12/17/2013 at 12:23

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Sorry, but I have to disagree that the rider of the horse, or bike riders travelling at such a slow rate, aren't taking on risk to put themselves in these situations. I read the article, and I can't disagree with the points the author made. Could I have made an emergency stop before hitting the horse? Probably, but my safer course of action at the time was to swerve around them. The article is basically conditioning you to always be ready for the unknown and for an emergency action, and to give yourself room and time to stop of avoid any problems. That's fantastic advice. It's my point that bicyclists, pedestrians, equestrians, etc. should think long and hard about putting themselves in situations where they might very probably force cars to take emergency action to avoid them.

Bird > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 12/17/2013 at 13:26

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While yes it is dangerous, the danger can be minimized by actively choosing to do so. Bike lanes would be great, or wider shoulders, but I haven't really had any issues running up on someone taking up a whole lane. Usually bikes are trying to put themselves into the safest place, and only take the whole lane when at speed.

Bird > Capt. Janeway's Imaginary Cat 12/17/2013 at 13:28

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I may try to shoot a little video about the M5. If the owner is up to it, I'll try to do an interview.

iFap4DaytonaCoupes > Ferrero1911 12/17/2013 at 13:37

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hey bird/ferrero1911 - I'm pretty sure I live close to you guys. How do I get in on one of these epic drives w/you next time? unfortunately my sig-other gets car sick, so no couples dates unless I let her drive - but I want in on the fun!

Ferrero1911 > Bluecold 12/17/2013 at 13:49

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Big rock in the middle of the corner....that happened on this drive. It would have done serious damage to our cars. All three of us were able to stop safely.

volvomoose > Capt. Janeway's Imaginary Cat 12/17/2013 at 17:35

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My wife has a white Abarth, what a fantastic car it is.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Bird 12/17/2013 at 19:32

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Very, very jealous. I must go on a road trip to the coast with some of my mates at some point.

Bird > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 12/17/2013 at 19:56

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Rent a Mustang convertible in San Francisco and head south. It's the American thing to do...

Definitely do it going south. The view's better since you're on the ocean side of the road.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Bird 12/17/2013 at 20:04

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If I ever get back to the States I'll do that. Maybe see if I can time it to coincide with a historics race at Laguna Seca.