Drive Report: Califlorio 2019

"RallyWrench" (rndlitebmw)
10/30/2019 at 21:10 • Filed to: Califlorio 2019, Cuyama Buckhorn, drivereport, getoutanddrive

[M O R N I N G R E P O S T]

California is terrible. Infested with bears, mountain lions, lawmakers, wealthy retirees, pointy mountains, drought, Silicon Valley, earthquakes, hippies, fires, tourists, techbros, traffic, the Los Angeles Dodgers, $3 avocados, HOAs, $5.00 91-octane gas, Tesla zealots and great white sharks, it is a foreboding place. The roads are terrible too, especially when you seek escape from all of the above, which is why we set out to check just how bad they are on the inaugural running of the Califlorio rally!

On the flanks of Mt. Pinos

After some last minute prep after work on Friday night after work, I boogied down to New Cuyama and the Buckhorn, a famed old watering hole and inn to bed down for the night. But not before catching up with the friends already there over beer and fire.

This picture looks better small, I promise

Beer. Fire. Good.

Newly remodeled on the inn side, the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! is really a cool place, with a great old feel. If you need a stop or stay between the valley and the coast om Highway 166, I highly recommend it. There’s now talk of a semi-regular “meet in the middle” for cars & food, which I’ll be sure to share details of here. Starting with solid breakfast burritos and coffee bright and early on Saturday at the cafe, we had a brief driver’s meeting once the same-day arrivals rolled in. This doubled our count of white Mk1 VWs, Datsuns, and E30 M3s.

The totally bitchin’ V8 Z at the Buckhorn. Nice thing to wake up to.

Those M3s! The one in front is a 2.7 stroker, both from SoCal.

Nathan’s minty GTI, owned since new. Love this car.

CaptDale, reflecting how how good the Miata’s answer always is.

‘61 Falcon, sleeper 510, and general morning glory

Following the meeting we set off East on Highway 166 before hanging a right up into the hills towards 8848-foot Mount Pinos, more specifically the small town on its flank, Pine Mountain Club. It was a beautiful, crisp morning and we all enjoyed an open road as it flowed into the mountains. A couple of regroups for photos, coffee, and tire rubbing issues took place along the way (my 911 took on a little freight to reduce the burden on organizer Frank’s Scirocco as his new tires hit). A beautiful place, with ever changing topography and flora as we climbed from desert to foothills and forested mountains.

going up... the central valley and high desert is obscured below.

Smoke visible in background from northern fires hundreds of miles away. Two of my favorite cars.

dat longroof

The view down into the valley we would eventually circle down into, seeking 33.

The 510 is a road trip champion with a solid L20 and 5-speed, the Z an LS beast. Climbing to Pinos.

After the regroup at Pine Mountain Club (see lead photo), we headed down the other side a bit to pickup Lockwood Valley Road, which then winds its way over to the best part of Highway 33, the climb up and over the Transverse Ranges to Ojai.

regroup at the intersection with 33

On the backside of 33, which drops into the canyon below. I paused here and watched the rest of the group descend.

That last shot above was at the gas stop in Ojai, where we all eventually found each other. Except for our own CaptDale, who frigged right off into the hills ahead (wink). You will note, dear reader, that from this point forth there are very few pictures of other people’s cars. This is because I, your intrepid Beetle pilot, got terribly, ridiculously, comically lost. Last to leave the Shell in Ojai after deciding to clean my windshield at the last second, I lost sight of buddy Nathan’s Mk1 GTI, proceeded to catch every red light, and missed a critical turn onto SR-150, the road around Lake Casitas. By the time I recognized my error and found a spot to turn around, I was hosed. Eventually I found 150, and it was great. Apparently there was a green bridge which was to be a regroup point, but I never saw it. Closer to the coast SR-192 was next, which is comprised of various surface streets as it climbs into the Montecito hills. This is where my lostness became complete. It seemed that in millionaire mountain hell, every turn I took led to a dead end. CaptDale valiantly tried to communicate a reroute from his position well ahead, but I blew that between poor service and directional ineptitude. Three more dead ends later, hope was lost and temperatures were rising. Where I was going, there were no roads, because the hillsides were missing and took the roads with them. Turns out, we were running right into the area of the 2018 mudslides. Rather sobering on reflection, though I was more frustrated by my own inability to follow the route at the time. I wish I’d paused for a photo to demonstrate the power of the destruction, but as my car was quite hot at the time, the exhaust very low, and surrounding brush very dry, I didn’t dare pull over on the narrow roads. Life in wildfire country. I did take a picture once on the right path, when I pulled over to cool car and driver well up the mountain towards Camino Cielo. There were parasails in the sky, the Pacific was placid, and there was smoke visible north and south from the still-raging fires. Beautiful, hot and lost...

For the reasons mentioned above, I didn’t pull over any more once underway atop the ridge, but focused on driving, managing oil temp, and taking in the incredible views down both sides of the mountains as I wound down towards Stagecoach Road and Highway 154, which was just stunning. Once back in phone service my hand terminal blew up with a pile of “where are you? We’re at XYZ!” messages. When I hit 154, I headed down towards Lake Cachuma and met up with my lifelong friend Shawn, owner of that awesome 1961 Falcon wagon, who graciously waited for me at the first available rest stop on 154 and flagged me down.

We enjoyed some cold waters from his well-stocked and traveled cooler and sat for a bit, deciding to forego the rest of the off-highway route with hopes of catching the rest of the group at Firestone’s Barrelworks in Buellton. This turns out to have been a good plan, as everyone else was already well into post-run beers and conversation by the time we rolled up.

Sweaty backs after a hot day of driving in non-AC machines

Great group of friends, new and old

A great day with great people, cars, and roads, Califlorio 2019 was a great follow-up to the Targa 805, where most of us met earlier this year. It was the first group run I’ve done with the 911, though I’ve been driving it more and farther as I’ve sorted more out. It runs like a champ, and though it still has loads of issues, I’m now confident enough to drive it anywhere. We can’t wait for the next run, and I’m really looking forward to continue piling miles onto the old 911. Next time perhaps we’ll grow the group and get some more Oppos along!

DISCUSSION (52)

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > RallyWrench
10/30/2019 at 21:41

Saw the E55 and was like "that's me! ... Wait, no, I wasn't there"

RallyWrench > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
10/30/2019 at 21:48

He’s even a mountain biker, you'd fit right in ;)

shop-teacher > RallyWrench
10/30/2019 at 21:51

That sounds like a freaking awesome weekend! Hopefully I’ll be able to join the fun someday.

RallyWrench > shop-teacher
10/30/2019 at 22:03

Thanks! We’d love to have ya. It was a great way to take my mind off more important things for awhile, and to be shown new roads. Much of the route was new to me, which I should be ashamed of.

CaptDale - is secretly British > RallyWrench
10/30/2019 at 23:31

Man that was a blast and the guys were awesome! 12/10 would do again. I know a certain man with a Sunchaser that very much wants to go.

RallyWrench > CaptDale - is secretly British
10/30/2019 at 23:55

Totally! Looking forward to the next already, hope you and IM can make it. Planning meeting for the 395 idea soon :)

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > RallyWrench
10/31/2019 at 10:57

Fantastic. Glad you didn’t start a fire. =)

Worth a repost this morning, I think!

RallyWrench > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/31/2019 at 11:46

Thank you sir, me too. It’s spooky dry out there and my exhaust is about 5" off the ground, not taking any risks. Will reshare for the morning crowd :)

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > RallyWrench
10/31/2019 at 11:52

A cousin of mine lives really close to the Tick Fire (only 5 miles away at one point), but thankfully didn’t have to evacuate. Scary stuff.

RallyWrench > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/31/2019 at 12:15

Spooky, indeed. I’m sure t hat’s one of the fires I could see smoke from, over the other side of the ridges. Tough country to fight fire in, glad they’re ok.

dieseldub > RallyWrench
10/31/2019 at 12:16

Whoa! Wish I knew about this! I live in the Bay now, but did for a time live in Santa Maria and drove that stretch of 166 a number of times.

I don’t really miss Santa Maria, but some of the surrounding areas were definitely neato.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > RallyWrench
10/31/2019 at 12:19

gib falkom

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > RallyWrench
10/31/2019 at 12:25

Yeah, definitely.

I like seeing these two together. =)

Kinja'd!!!

RallyWrench > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
10/31/2019 at 12:41

No can hab, Ferdnerd lub.

It’s a 200 with 3 on the tree, it actually picks its skirts up pretty well!

I’ve known him since we were about 3, he has a ‘66 Mustang that he’s had since we were in high school that we spent a lot of time under , Dodge Travco motorhome, and ‘71 F250 crewcab 360 with a manual that I found for him as well . Dyed in the wool.

RallyWrench > dieseldub
10/31/2019 at 12:43

It’s just beautiful out there. The V8Z is from the Bay area, you wouldn’t be alone in making the trek down next time ;) I can forward your email to the organizer if you want?

RallyWrench > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/31/2019 at 12:45

I dearly love E39 M5s, such awesome cars. Kindred spirits with yours :) We had a really nice M5 in yesterday, carbon black, runs like a train with well over 150k miles.

dieseldub > RallyWrench
10/31/2019 at 12:51

Sure! Too bad I don’t really have a good canyon carver in my possession, but you’d be surprised at how well a Touareg on air suspension can do ;)

matt.gtr @ gmail dawt com

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > RallyWrench
10/31/2019 at 12:52

What I’m reading is that I need to find a way to reduce work stress to the point of having time and brain left after work to get my own falkom done. Also, that your buddy is now the target of my Envy Beams.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > RallyWrench
10/31/2019 at 12:55

I’d definitely join next time! Seems like a fun time. I have driven all of those roads and always enjoy the views and getting away from the crowds there. And getting lost is probably the best part of adventure so you did it right.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > RallyWrench
10/31/2019 at 12:58

Where are you planning on going via 395? Its beautiful once you get up to Lone Pine and only gets better as you go. Ive done the drive from Tahoe to Mammoth before through Reno and then down 395, that was other worldly even if it was far as hell. Took like ~11 hours to drive from Tahoe to LA via that route haha.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
10/31/2019 at 12:59

That was 100% my thought also. Im like shiiiit AMG tech drove a far way!

RallyWrench > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
10/31/2019 at 13:00

Hell yes, you do. As I need to, in order to do anything at all to my Lancia. Often the last thing I want to do after work is more cars. Also kids and no dollars prevent cars, but still..

He would envy beam you for the falkomchero, Galaxie and Rovers as well, no question.

CaptDale - is secretly British > RallyWrench
10/31/2019 at 13:01

I am certainly down. I was invited to that meeting, but Frank didn’t realize I don’t live up there anymore. I would definatley try to do a 395 rally. I personally think starting in the South Lake Tahoe area would be best, but that said if we started on the North Side not only would the start get to drive around that lake, but there is a pizza place on the north shore called Mofo’s that is just as good as their name is hilarious.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > RallyWrench
10/31/2019 at 13:08

It wouldn’t be so bad if Every. Single. Project. at work didn’t turn into some kind of holding pattern juggling ball/chainsaw that I can’t progress on and keeps coming back and I keep having to churn out more and more and more paper on. Which, on the one hand, it’s understandable because the things we sell are entirely custom things worth tens of thousands, but on the other hand I’m getting tired of saying “why, no, I don’t have a technical document like that because we have literally never had need of that *kind* of document”. Add to that that my time in between is taken up with generating instructions to how to do things on the fabricating floor that we’ve done without instructions for decades because they’re simple...

WHEEEE

RallyWrench > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/31/2019 at 13:09

No idea yet, the idea was only just hatched in the aftermath of this drive. Frank, the organizer, has called a “planning meeting” (drinking beer and talking about driving) soon so we’ll see. Lots of options, but as I’m on that CA Oppo email list now I’ll ping you guys with more info .

RallyWrench > CaptDale - is secretly British
10/31/2019 at 13:11

I’ve also never been to Tahoe... I’ve seen it from afar, but never to the lake itself. Needs to change.

RallyWrench > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/31/2019 at 13:16

Part of the adventure, for sure. Just wish it didn’t come with high oil temps, my Luft wasn’t so Gekuhlt ;) The route is the goal, after all!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > RallyWrench
10/31/2019 at 13:17

Sweet sounds good, looking forward to the updates! Curious if theres anything interesting to drive on as its generally been more about the scenery and just getting to Mammoth to ski any time ive driven up there. But have always wanted to detour off to Alabama hills near lone pine, panamint springs in death valley (among other places in DV), and a few others. The road up to Tioga Pass is excellent when that is open and I absolutely have to go back there at some point.

In general its definitely not a Miata route though lol. Wayyy too many straight roads for that.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > RallyWrench
10/31/2019 at 13:19

Is that just a factor of air cooling and how that fundamentally works, or is that something wrong with the beetle?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > RallyWrench
10/31/2019 at 13:32

Love it. I nearly bought an E39 M5 before buying my car, but decided buying a 4 year old car with a little remaining warranty may be the better decision than taking the risk of buying a 10 year old German performance car. Still not 100% if I made the right choice, but it was the right one for me. I love my car and have taken it to the track much more often than I probably would’ve taken an E39... =)

E39 would have a bigger back seat for the kids, though!

diplodicus forgot his password > RallyWrench
10/31/2019 at 13:34

I love your 911 so much

RallyWrench > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
10/31/2019 at 13:46

Sounds awfully familiar, if a completely different industry.

RallyWrench > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/31/2019 at 13:54

We’ll have to dig into the maps to look for some side roads, I’m sure. I’ve never driven 395 at all or been to Mammoth , so it’d all be new to me. I have a goal to drive every pass over the Sierras in the 911. On different trips, of course, but if I can knock out 2 or 3 on the same drive, all the better!

RallyWrench > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/31/2019 at 14:05

Both, really. I’ve been chasing high oil temps on this car as long as I’ve had it . It hadn’t been serviced in some time when I got it so the oil was in very poor shape, and I’ve been doing 500 mile oil changes to flush it out. It also had crushed & cracked oil lines to the cooler in the right front fender, and the 21-row brass cooler there was covered in leaked oil, accumulated debris stuck to that, and overspray from the old repaint. Finally, there was a mouse house atop the engine under the shroud, completely blocking airflow across two cylinders and some to the engine oil cooler . I vacuumed that out not too long ago, but I suspect there’s still some junk up there in the cylinder fins that I can’t see or get to with the engine in the car, and the engine oil cooler leaks and has accumulated crap too, which cuts its efficiency way back. When I have a free weekend I’m dropping the engine to take the intake and shroud off, fix some leaks and clean the cooling surfaces. It was much better on this drive all the way over to Ojai , but later when I got lost things got hot. A t low speeds on a hot day the front cooler doesn’t do much, and high ambient temp affects cooling notice ably.

RallyWrench > diplodicus forgot his password
10/31/2019 at 14:12

Thank you! It’s been so much work so far, more time spent wrenching than driving, but affirming to go out and hammer on it like this. It’s finally reaching a point where I can just use it. Thanks again!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > RallyWrench
10/31/2019 at 14:13

Oh excellent, you will enjoy it then, its a very very different world than the central coast or anywhere else in california for that matter. Just the scale of driving along up 395 as the Sierras unfold to the left is breathtaking. And then actually going up into the Sierras is always great as well but being down in the valley is its own special thing. Im usually in too much of a rush to really appreciate it so I really need to take a trip where im not trying to get to anywhere in particular up there and actually stop in some of the cool small towns up there. The history of the area is also fascinating to me, I had just learned about one of the japanese internment camps near Independence and how much los angeles water rights have impacted the whole region too.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > RallyWrench
10/31/2019 at 14:19

Sounds like a fun project. Unfortunate to have to remove the engine but makes sense considering the layout and how everything is accessed. I imagine winter time will be a pretty nice time to drive though with much cooler air. And eventually you will have it well sorted through pure effort so thats gotta be way cooler than just buying a perfectly sorted example from the start.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > RallyWrench
10/31/2019 at 14:21

I have a meeting at 3 with the guys who bought something that they’d bought before, and said “we want the exact same thing except it needs to not do a thing”. We examine ways to make sure it won’t do that thing.

Customer: “can you convert the units of measurement , so we can make sure it’s in the correct range for us to test not doing the thing?”

Us: wut

Customer: we need it to do the thing so we can test

Us: the thing >as you now describe it< is impossible for the unit. Under that condition, it has been impossible the whole time

Customer: oh

Us: *furiously trying to come up with a way to make it do The Thing*

CaptDale - is secretly British > RallyWrench
10/31/2019 at 14:25

How? It is a great place. That really needs to change.

RallyWrench > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/31/2019 at 14:26

I’ve been dreaming of it for awhile, looking forward to the chance to drive there. I absolutely love gold country, I’ve done the length of 49, and I’ve been over and around Donner several times. The history is indeed fascinating, especially as I’m becoming a bit of a geology dork so the entire Sierra is just a big funhouse for interesting rock, beyond the good and bad human history .

RallyWrench > CaptDale - is secretly British
10/31/2019 at 14:29

Parents never took us there, and my annual summer trip always gets close, I’ve just never made or had the time to detour closer to the lake.

CaptDale - is secretly British > RallyWrench
10/31/2019 at 14:31

Fair enough. Seriously though if we do 395 we need to go to that Pizza place. parking may be a bit of an issue, but I am sure we could find a way around that

RallyWrench > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/31/2019 at 14:38

It is fun, to me! I enjoy working on this car almost as much as driving it, always loved these that way. Fortunately getting the engine out isn’t difficult at all. It’s definitely part of the reward and my journey with the car to do all this myself, it feels more like every mile is earned. Built not bought, right? Absolutely looking forward to some fall and winter drives, I’m taking it to Thunderhill to work at the 25 hour in December, and hopefully up to the Yosemite area at some point as well.

RallyWrench > CaptDale - is secretly British
10/31/2019 at 14:41

Mmm pizza. I will park on the highest mountain, swim the ocean, walk the desert, drive to the moon for pizza. I have a Tahoe brewing growler that my sister just fills for me when she goes, I’ve never set foot in the place haha

CaptDale - is secretly British > RallyWrench
10/31/2019 at 14:44

I have not been in there either. Sounds like we have 2 places to stop at there XD

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > RallyWrench
10/31/2019 at 15:50

You ever follow Dirt Sunrise on youtube at all? Tim posts on overland and expedition as well so those videos have made it on here. But he has a 911 as well and I very much enjoy the few adventures he has posted with that car. Makes me envious of adventuring in a car like that and why I enjoy taking my Miata on trips. As unpractical and relatively unreliable as it can be, something about taking a car that is genuinely not made for the adventure makes it even better. I guess my Subaru isnt any more meant for long distances but it certainly feels easier in that car with all of the trunk/cabin space and AWD.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > RallyWrench
10/31/2019 at 15:54

The only drawback is so much boring bit before you get up there. Just cruising up the 14 and the first 50 miles or so of 395 are a whole lot of nothing. And most of the time ive done all of the cool parts in the dark so its even less exciting. But I bet there is cool stuff that I have never even known about if you take a good look at a map. Someone on here was telling me about a rally from Ridgecrest to Mammoth they did and I sure hope they didnt just drive on 395 the whole way.

RallyWrench > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/31/2019 at 18:18

Good excuse for me to look at paper maps while drinking beer :) There is some promising looking stuff off to the sides, but I have no idea what loops and connects where. That’s the planning to come!

RallyWrench > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/31/2019 at 18:25

Yes! Love their south American adventure, and Condor the 911 is so cool. They passed through here going up highway 1 awhile back but I missed them. I’ve taken mine over Nacimiento Ferguson road where they went, too. Such a great drive! Love using it unconventionally, I had it fully packed with camp & bike gear at Laguna Seca last month, and loaded with two bikes and a trail-a-bike for my youngest, plus both kids and all their stuff for the day at our little Oktoberfest last Sunday too. People loved it.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > RallyWrench
10/31/2019 at 19:27

Nacimiento in my Miata was definitely an experience. I think its gotta be way better when the PCH is open though since it would be a lot less crowded and therefore not nearly as sketchy. Even with the crowds though I enjoyed the experience since it was different than anything else I had seen in that area.

Also my favorite youtube channel because of that adventure. Really captures the vibe well of truly being on an adventure and not just some rigorously planned out vacation to a touristy place. Feels a lot more real than any other travel blogs or videos I have tried watching.

RallyWrench > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
11/01/2019 at 00:30

I only did it last July, and I was the only car going from the coast inland, it was really lightly trafficked. Yeah, Tim & Kelsey’s channel is really cool and refreshing from that perspective. I’m not one for overly planned trips and tourist bullshit, so their style is perfect.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > RallyWrench
12/17/2019 at 11:57

Hey, you:

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/hey-you-aspiring-automotive-writer-1840483152