"Chuckles" (chucklesw37)
03/27/2019 at 18:44 • Filed to: Miata
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"Chuckles" (chucklesw37)
03/27/2019 at 18:44 • Filed to: Miata | 6
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Milky
> Chuckles
03/27/2019 at 19:05 |
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What’s the temp? I’ve been dropping the top at 45-50 the last 2 days. The heater works well!
BeaterGT
> Chuckles
03/27/2019 at 19:08 |
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Friday and Saturday looking real nice for top down.
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Chuckles
> Milky
03/27/2019 at 19:11 |
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It was 50 when I left work but it was definitely colder than that when I got to the top of that mountain. I used to drop the top at 40 (recommended minimum according to Mazda) , but that vinyl top is getting old and it shrinks a bit when it’s really cold. Once, I parked it in my parent's garage for a few days with the top down. Went out to a bar with my friend and it was in the 20s. Tried to close the top but there was a 4 inch gap from the top to the windshield. Had to blast the heater for a while to get it closed. So these days, 50 is my cutoff for operating the top.
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Chuckles
> BeaterGT
03/27/2019 at 19:12 |
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Slight chance of rain here but I'll risk it.
Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
> Chuckles
03/27/2019 at 19:26 |
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Might explain why the top on my Miata has a small hole and never shuts quite right , even though it was a brand new top from the previous owner 5 years ago.
The amount of times I opened the top in weather in the teens or less... I mean every single day in the winter, if it wasnt raining the top went down on the way home from work. I just couldnt imagine having to drive home with a stupid roof in the way of my enjoyment.
Its funny i say that though since ive definitely gone soft. In Socal, I feel mighty cold at night if I am driving in sub 60 degree weather lol. And I am happy to use the heat in my Subaru on those 50 degree nights.
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Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
> Chuckles
03/27/2019 at 19:31 |
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Warmth is always relative. I’ve been “I am going to sweat to death” with heat headaches at 30 degrees. I’ve also been “I am going to freeze to death” with chattering teeth and slurring speech at 55 degrees. I dont really have seasons anymore but when I lived in a place with those (lol) it definitely always struck me how I’d be excited to put on shorts and a t shirt on the first 60 degree day in the spring time. And how midsummer, that would feel like a really chilly night.
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Chuckles
> Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
03/27/2019 at 19:41 |
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When I lived in NC, even in the winter time it was usually warm enough to drop the top. But I’m trying to make it last because I can’t afford to replace it right now. You can definitely feel how stiff it is in the winter vs how easily it opens in the summer heat.
My Miata has always been a second vehicle, so when it isn’t top down weather I just drive my other car. And these days, I really enjoy that car too:
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Chuckles
> Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
03/27/2019 at 19:44 |
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I went to college in PA, and you'd see people out sunbathing in swimsuits as soon as the temps reached "not cold."
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Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
> Chuckles
03/27/2019 at 20:56 |
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I always found it obnoxious as hell when I lived in Hoboken though. Out of the ordinary warm days were always terrible days to try and do anything outdoors. For some reason everyone freaks out and has to “go enjoy the weather”. Meanwhile I just want to bike through the park like any other day and its a shit show. Its why I like just having mild weather all the time. Although I get super confused when people say “its such a nice day”. And I think, well every day is nice so what makes today special???
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Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
> Chuckles
03/27/2019 at 20:58 |
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This is why I find it a downside that my Miata isnt my only vehicle anymore. Even when it wasnt broken, I was not driving it all that much because the Subaru was more comfortable in the summer with AC and better in the winter because of it being dark at night and ocassionally rainy. I was going to try and change that since I missed driving the Miata but then it broke at about the same time!
Anyways, now I totally get that concept!
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Chuckles
> Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
03/27/2019 at 21:04 |
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See, that’s honestly part of why I bought an automatic non-abarth fiat. I was worried that if I bought a manual Abarth, I might just stop driving the Miata. Also it was cheaper and I like having an auto for my commute, but my Fiat a nd Miata are 2 very different cars with different purposes.
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Chuckles
> BeaterGT
03/30/2019 at 09:57 |
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I’m heading out towards Harrisburg to check out a road that’s been mentioned on a few websites as the tail of the dragon of the northeast. I’ll let you know if it’s any good.
From one motorcycle-centric website:
Gold Mine Road to Route 125
Many motorcycle riders refer to Gold Mine Road to Route 125 as Pennsylvania’s Tail of the Dragon, and for a good reason. The road comes very close to the gold standard of ultimate motorcycle roads. The combination of Goldmine Road and PA125 makes for a roller-coaster type of a ride featuring a series of steep climbs and descents with sharp corners, a few sneaky turns, blind crests and tight switchbacks, with some wide open spaces, rolling hills and gentle corners thrown in for good measure. Not a ride for the beginner, there are sections of the road that will challenge your skill and give your motor, brakes and tires a good work out. Many 15 mph corners at the top and bottom of steep climbs, ”S” turns and twisties to add to the peg-scraping action.
Gold Mine Road runs between Rt. 443 and Tower City, PA. Start off Rt. 443 and take Gold Mine Road for 7 miles up to PA 325. Make a right on PA 325 eastbound into Tower City and go 1.5 miles to US 209. Turn right on US 209 heading east and go 4.8 miles to Main Street and turn left. Go 1.7 miles to the stop sign and go straight through. That’s where you pick up Route 125. Stay on Rt. 125 for 15 miles to Shamokin - the end point. The ride is around 32 (challenging) miles. You can continue north on Rt. 61 to Shamokin Dam.
Traveling on Gold Mine Road to Route 125 is all about the road itself. Don’t expect any roadside attractions or noteworthy places to stop along the way. The route is very scenic nonetheless. You can take it easy and enjoy the scenery as the road takes you through forested areas, farmlands and open valleys. And when you’re ready to give your brakes and tires some rest, there are places to stop and enjoy beautiful views from mountaintops.
The roads are all smooth, well maintained and well marked. Food and gas are available in the only town on the route, which is Tower City. In Shamokin at the ride’s end point, you’ll find many restaurants and stores. One of the best places to eat is Skeeter’s BBQ, located on the hill at the intersection of routes 15 and 11. Another place you might want to stop for lunch at is Harry’s on Market Street. It’s a great place serving great food at great prices.
Gold Mine Road to Route 125 is fun dragging the pegs on and is probably the best road to test your alertness, leaning skills and braking. It’s a great half day ride for anyone in Eastern Pennsylvania.
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BeaterGT
> Chuckles
03/30/2019 at 10:04 |
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That sounds awesome, definitely let me know how it goes.
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Chuckles
> BeaterGT
03/30/2019 at 18:18 |
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It’s good. Not sure if it’s worth it for you to make that drive but it’s good. I’ll do a post about it in a little while but I just got home. You go up and over like 4 mountains and there are some seriously tight turns but it’s pretty fun . A lot of motorcycles out today.
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BeaterGT
> Chuckles
03/30/2019 at 22:21 |
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Did you take the Miata? Did it feel better for bikes than it would for something like the Z?
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Chuckles
> BeaterGT
03/30/2019 at 23:08 |
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I did take the Miata. I am sure that the Z could handle it. There is some kind of car rally there. This guy posted videos of his run in a 911:
It has some nice segments with a chance to breathe in between. You go up and over like 4 mountains but you get short breaks when you're in the valleys. Some of the corners have pretty serious elevation changes in addition to being sharp.