Northern California/North Central Valley Meet

nouseferaname90 · April 25th, 2009, 11:19 PM

I was driving down the 5 freeway from Tracy, and stopped in Patterson for gas. I looked across from where I exited, and there was a perfect driving road, and looked at it on google maps. It has access from both the bay area and the central valley.

Essentially, the road is a useless bypass from Patterson to San Jose with some parks along the way. The freeway is much faster (around half the time), so from my deduction, I think it is not a very crowded road.

here is a map of the route (the actual road to be used)

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/8217/fiatpanda.png

Not sure about elevation changes on it, but there are plenty of twisties.

And here is a map of the freeway version

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/8520/americano.png

So, there are options for this route. People need to decide from which side to start, as we will most likely take the freeway going one way, and the road the other way (in order to save time, and so it is not a 5 hour drive). The options are starting at the San Jose Country Club or starting in Patterson. remember though, it will be the same distance.
On the san jose side, there may be some traffic up to the Grant Park from people going camping or eating a lunch. after that, it should be clear. the other way should be clear until the park.

Timing
It will take place on a saturday or sunday during the summer to try to get the most amount of people on the drive. I'm thinking ~~June~~ or July.

Please post or vote to express your interest. I'm not sure about restaurants, but if people want to, we can arrange to bring our own food and eat at one of the two parks along the way.

nouseferaname90 · May 13th, 2009, 4:13 AM

For those of you interested, I'm moving the date to July. I've suddenly gotten swamped with stuff in June.

Steve Levin · May 13th, 2009, 5:06 PM

That's the road that goes past the Observatory, yes?

It's interesting, but do keep in mind it is really, really slow and tight from the Observatory down into the San Jose area. It was built as a path for horses to pull equipment up to the Observatory, so a low climb gradient was critical, but making it "fast" was not...it's a series of very tight turns.

In short, despite the looks, it's not one of the great driving roads in the area.

Steve

Jacobfox · May 13th, 2009, 6:18 PM

May I suggest an alternative route?

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Lucas+Valley+Rd&daddr=Nicasio+Valley+Rd+to:-Point+Reyes+Petaluma+Rd+to:CA-1%2FShoreline+Hwy+to:37.902626,-122.519188&hl=en&geocode=FTAqRAIdni-y-A%3BFYBRRQIdTjyv-A%3BFejzRAIdCDOu-A%3BFZB5RAIdVGSu-A%3B&mra=dme&mrcr=3&mrsp=4&sz=13&sll=37.919826,-122.563992&sspn=0.097095,0.209427&ie=UTF8&ll=37.954485,-122.613602&spn=0.388196,0.837708&t=h&z=11

nouseferaname90 · May 13th, 2009, 8:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacobfox

May I suggest an alternative route?

That one actually seems to work better. Its closer to my house and would be less driving distance. What is the traffic like on it?

Jacobfox · May 20th, 2009, 4:44 AM

Not huge if you time it well. I know that many other drivers enjoy driving "spiritedly" on this track, but you do occasionally run into some doddering old fool towing around a kayak with his Priapism. Last time I was there I did see a team of audis running the lucas valley rd though, 2 tuned Ur-quattros and an RS2.

chaos386 · June 25th, 2009, 9:38 AM

I'm going to be visiting family in the East Bay this July, so I'd be up for this, assuming I can get a ride with someone. images/smilies/smile.gif

Zuhaib · July 8th, 2009, 5:18 AM

Pick sometime in late July and I should make it.. Just need new tired on the GTI and I am ready go run!

nouseferaname90 · July 13th, 2009, 11:16 PM

Can someone else take over? I just enrolled in classes, and i'm now not sure I can make it

View Poll Results: Interested in the idea
Yes	4	44.44%
No	0	0%
OMG I wish I lived in California for that road!!!	1	11.11%
Road? I've got the Autobahn.	4	44.44%
Voters: 9. You must log in to vote in this poll.

April 25th, 2009, 11:19 PM	#1
nouseferaname90 Joined: May 28th, 2008 Last Online: Yesterday Posts: 2,382 Rep Power: 39	Northern California/North Central Valley Meet I was driving down the 5 freeway from Tracy, and stopped in Patterson for gas. I looked across from where I exited, and there was a perfect driving road, and looked at it on google maps. It has access from both the bay area and the central valley. Essentially, the road is a useless bypass from Patterson to San Jose with some parks along the way. The freeway is much faster (around half the time), so from my deduction, I think it is not a very crowded road. here is a map of the route (the actual road to be used) Not sure about elevation changes on it, but there are plenty of twisties. And here is a map of the freeway version So, there are options for this route. People need to decide from which side to start, as we will most likely take the freeway going one way, and the road the other way (in order to save time, and so it is not a 5 hour drive). The options are starting at the San Jose Country Club or starting in Patterson. remember though, it will be the same distance. On the san jose side, there may be some traffic up to the Grant Park from people going camping or eating a lunch. after that, it should be clear. the other way should be clear until the park. Timing It will take place on a saturday or sunday during the summer to try to get the most amount of people on the drive. I'm thinking ~~June~~ or July. Please post or vote to express your interest. I'm not sure about restaurants, but if people want to, we can arrange to bring our own food and eat at one of the two parks along the way. __________________ ~~I want to own a Saab one day...but not if Saab is bought by the Chinese~~ I support Koenegsaab GM, An American RE:TARDATION Last edited by nouseferaname90; May 13th, 2009 at 4:14 AM.

May 13th, 2009, 4:13 AM	#2
nouseferaname90 Joined: May 28th, 2008 Last Online: Yesterday Posts: 2,382 Rep Power: 39	For those of you interested, I'm moving the date to July. I've suddenly gotten swamped with stuff in June. __________________ ~~I want to own a Saab one day...but not if Saab is bought by the Chinese~~ I support Koenegsaab GM, An American RE:TARDATION

May 13th, 2009, 6:18 PM	#4
Jacobfox Joined: May 24th, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Sacramento, CA/Chicago, IL Age: 20 Posts: 3,174 Car: Audi S6, Armada, F430, BMW M3 Rep Power: 79	May I suggest an alternative route? __________________ 2007 Ferrari F430 (Rosso Rubino Micalizzato, Cuoio Interior, Carbon Upper Dash & wheel, Stradale Rims) Jake- Priest of the Prancing Horse, Archbishop of the four rings. Blaro, No Boss and Jacobfox- RickRolling since 1989. Last edited by Jacobfox; May 13th, 2009 at 7:43 PM.

May 20th, 2009, 4:44 AM	#6
Jacobfox Joined: May 24th, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Sacramento, CA/Chicago, IL Age: 20 Posts: 3,174 Car: Audi S6, Armada, F430, BMW M3 Rep Power: 79	Not huge if you time it well. I know that many other drivers enjoy driving "spiritedly" on this track, but you do occasionally run into some doddering old fool towing around a kayak with his Priapism. Last time I was there I did see a team of audis running the lucas valley rd though, 2 tuned Ur-quattros and an RS2. __________________ 2007 Ferrari F430 (Rosso Rubino Micalizzato, Cuoio Interior, Carbon Upper Dash & wheel, Stradale Rims) Jake- Priest of the Prancing Horse, Archbishop of the four rings. Blaro, No Boss and Jacobfox- RickRolling since 1989.

May 13th, 2009, 5:06 PM	#3
Steve Levin Master of Disaster Joined: Jun 7th, 2006 Last Online: 5:16 AM Location: Sunnyvale, California Posts: 1,077 Car: Spec Racer Ford! Rep Power: 52	That's the road that goes past the Observatory, yes? It's interesting, but do keep in mind it is really, really slow and tight from the Observatory down into the San Jose area. It was built as a path for horses to pull equipment up to the Observatory, so a low climb gradient was critical, but making it "fast" was not...it's a series of very tight turns. In short, despite the looks, it's not one of the great driving roads in the area. Steve

June 25th, 2009, 9:38 AM	#7
chaos386 .sa = bad driver! Joined: Nov 8th, 2004 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia Age: 23 Posts: 4,609 Car: 2009 Seat Leon FR LFS Status: Rep Power: 144	I'm going to be visiting family in the East Bay this July, so I'd be up for this, assuming I can get a ride with someone. __________________ "Shit, that's a busy table cloth." -matt2000

July 8th, 2009, 5:18 AM	#8
Zuhaib Joined: Dec 11th, 2003 Last Online: 12:03 AM Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 777 Car: 07 VW GTI, 06 S500, 05 HD Softail Rep Power: 40	Pick sometime in late July and I should make it.. Just need new tired on the GTI and I am ready go run! __________________ I am Pakistani And No! I do not own a 7/11! And my NAME is not Apu! "MPG describes riding like biology describes Sex" -- Harley Davidson Ad Zuhaib's Blog

July 13th, 2009, 11:16 PM	#9
nouseferaname90 Joined: May 28th, 2008 Last Online: Yesterday Posts: 2,382 Rep Power: 39	Can someone else take over? I just enrolled in classes, and i'm now not sure I can make it __________________ ~~I want to own a Saab one day...but not if Saab is bought by the Chinese~~ I support Koenegsaab GM, An American RE:TARDATION

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