Just looking for some feedback on the past gatherings. Any suggestions, things you enjoyed , etc... Post up. I want to make these outings enjoyable and safe :wiggle:
First, I just want to say thanks again for setting everything up. I enjoyed every second of it. Definitely a great way to spend a Saturday and get to know some fellow Subaru enthusiasts. The only thing I would change is to maybe have a slightly longer route. Maybe increase the driving time an hour or so and cut back on the cook-out, but maybe that's just because I don't get to drive my car nearly as much as I'd like to here at Tech. Definitely not a make or break factor though, like I said, I really enjoyed everything. I already can't wait for the next one.
I thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon riding. I think it could be neat if we setup a few areas to shoot photos from before the crowd of cars arrives. For example, if I had setup a camera around a bend about 1/4 - 1/2 mile before everyone made it to that bend, I could have snapped some neat shots. That didnt even occur to me at the time. This applies to all photographers obviously. This could be something to consider next time if we are looking for some neat photographs. The distance to me felt reasonable. It was nice to ride in the car for a certain period of time, and then have a chance to stand up and talk. Overall, I think we had more than enough grill power to feed everyone w/o using the provided grills. Maybe next time though, instead of burgers and dogs, we could do a pot luck? Everyone brings a dish, period. Also, do you think it would be advantageous to have a small group run up before everyone else to check the road conditions? Just do a quick pass up and down to make sure everything looks clear to send 30+ cars up? More to come,
I also think it may be a great idea to do an extended route and actually spend some time at like Vogel or Unicoi. The mountain cruise was off the chain, Keith. That was a lot of fun. How about a trip to Deal's Gap?. Just a thought... Mark
my first g2g was a mtn run last year (march i think) and i was totally stock as far as suspension,brakes and tires.....so it was kinda too fast of a pace for me but i tried my best to keep up....I love my car (worked too hard to get finally get it) and to push it to a certain limit, i would rather do it in a controlled environment ie: auto-x or an SS teaching session where if you mess up, damage is to a minimum.....as for the mtns I would rather have fun and bond with members and enjoy the environment at hand....that being said I realize that there are amazing cars that are far superior than mine (as drivers that are way more skilled than me) and for them to take an increased mph curve would be well within their mechanical means and driving prowess......I would definitely be in favor for separate group undertakings....I personally feel our last mtn run pace was somewhat slower but not like 5mph over post speed limits like previously spec'd.....maybe the "novice" group should go first accompanied by a terrain expert to assess the situation....but the meshing of both goups at a cookout would be ideal as well....a CLEAR headed approach within our environment, and a greater appreciation for our fellowship should be a paradigm for our goals during mtn runs....but that's just my ...$.02
very well said! i totally agree Scott. next time ill come out and bring the lanche so the pot luck doesnt spill in everyones cars. :rofl: and i could go ahead and set up camp for lunch!
yea i think a few of us have done it stock and decided that just wont cut it haha.....i think sways would make for a more enjoyable experience. Overall i enjoy them thoroughly.
to tell you the truth, i had a better time on the ride back from the top of the mountain, than on the way up. the drive was more relaxed and the group was smaller. I guess I like just caravaning with people and riding, not pushing my car to the limits constantly. I did however enjoy having a place to kick back and take it easy for a little while. After seeing what happened to milo, i'm not sure if I will ever go back to a full speed mountain run again. just my 2 cents
The cruise last weekend was awesome. I've made that trip many times but none of them seem to just fly by like that one did. I loved that we hit all the good Mtn roads and the only other thing I think we could have done would have been to go through Helen and maybe stop at a few other places just to take pit stops and stretch out legs.
I am just going to say this, and I may be the only one that feels this way, but Mountain Runs/Cruises are bad. The last two events have had incidents that are just plain not worth the risk. I personally will not participate in one of these events. I am not willing to risk any type of traffic violation, which occurred 2 runs ago, with a reckless driving ticket. And I definitely do not want to risk an occurrence like what happened to Milo on this last run. In my opinion, that should be considered a lesson to all of the dangers of these Mountain runs, especially when you consider that this was within the speed limit. Again, this is my opinion, and I felt that it needed to be said. If you guys choose to continue with the Mountain Run G2Gs that is your perogative, but I just don't want to have to say "I told you so", next time something bad happens.
I agree to some extent. Shit can happen anywhere on the road. However, there is a higher potential for damage on the mountains. Anytime you have more fun with your vehicle, you assume a higher risk, with the exception of autocross.
Thanks for the feedback. I guess one thing goes with the mountains. i dont care how much someone autox's, how many track days you do, the mountain are a different world. If your not up in the mountains every weekend or just not use to driving on them you need to realize that and drive accordingly. Hence why this last one was a drive/picnic and ALL of the future ones will be drives/picnics (very relaxed) In regards to the mountains being a bad thing, my opinion is that there is a higher risk for damage / incidents driving down 400 or on 285. The choices people make behind the wheel are out of our control, therefore it us up to those driving to act responsible. Those same incidents could have happened at anytime on any other roads, and it just so happens it was on a mountain drive. I know around the area I live in there are twisty roads then some of the mountain ones. Scott I like some of ur ideas to about the groups again, but that requires another person who knows the area fairly well. Well keep the feedback coming.
I certainly hope that it did not take the last two events for people attending the rides/crusies to understand that the Mountains are dangerous. I feel we sometimes underestimate them. If we respect the dangers that simply visiting the mountains offers, then we should be substantially better off.
Agreed Alex, I had the Best time Saturday I wish It had been longer but "time flys when you havin fun" I did not underestimate what or where I was going because I never been there before. I thought we drove at a very safe pace. We werent being stupid up there just cruzin caravan style. I enjoyed it a lot and can't wait to do it again :wiggle:
I personally think that mountain runs can be fun as long as you are constantly aware of your surroundings and your speed. You truly have to think about safety every minute up there. It is also a great idea to get in a group of drivers that you feel most comfortable with and you know that you can stay focused with and also feel that you are not always trying to catch up with. That was the only problem I had on my first mtn. run. I felt very rushed by people behind me and I also did not feel comfortable going that fast up there. You have to really, truly know your vehicle inside and out....I also think that skid pad time would be a great idea as Scotty B once told me. But, overall, mountain runs can be as SAFE or UNSAFE as you want them to be and you really want to make sure that you never go beyond your limitations..... Just my .02 cents
Hmm. After reading the first page of replies, it looks like I missed something. Gotta start reading the GtG thread.