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Inconsiderate Drivers (share your stories, etc.)

21746 messages,  Last post on May 21, 2013 at 7:38 PM

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What is this discussion about? Car Safety

Messages Page 1983 of 2175

#19817 of 21746 Re: Go fast in Texas! [gogogodzilla] by steve_ HOST

Sep 13, 2012 (7:38 pm)

Replying to: gogogodzilla (Sep 13, 2012 5:19 pm)
Wondered if someone was going to mention the Dragon. Got family in Chattanooga and did it a few years back. Had good timing; hardly any traffic the day we drove it. My brother has biked it too. But in that area, there's a lot of fun roads sort of abutting the Smokies that see fewer tourists. Haven't been there for years, but the gravel roads around the Tellico area are good ones.

#19818 of 21746 Re: Go fast in Texas! [andres3] by bobw3

Sep 13, 2012 (7:47 pm)

Replying to: andres3 (Sep 13, 2012 11:55 am)
"I always felt that people that said that kinda thing were always driving underpowered cars"
 
I always felt that people who drove powerful cars were underpowered people.

#19819 of 21746 Re: Go fast in Texas! [victor23] by roadburner

Sep 13, 2012 (8:23 pm)

Replying to: victor23 (Sep 13, 2012 12:58 pm)
It seems that all this discussion just reinforces the thesis that there are drivers and there are users. One can do nothing about it. If someone is born with a different particular proclivity than you, there is no way to convey your feelings or to explain what exactly he is possibly missing.
 
Exactly! I would also say that the power to weight ratio usually isn't a critical factor for driving enjoyment. My three "enthusiast" cars range in horsepower from 98 to 287, and each one is a total blast to drive. That said, on a track with a lot of elevation changes -such as Road Atlanta or Watkins Glen- more power generally does = more fun.

#19820 of 21746 Re: Go fast in Texas! [ruking1] by roadburner

Sep 13, 2012 (8:30 pm)

Replying to: ruking1 (Sep 13, 2012 1:13 pm)
I sent both my daughters to a local race tracks" Highway Survival" Course when each had 1 year of drivers experience past getting their licenses.
 
Great minds think alike; I sent my son to two day teen school at the BMW Performance Center as well as the BMW CCA Foundation's one day Street Survival course(which let him experience how his car handled in extreme situations).
Funny thing; he has proven to be a very responsible driver, so I told him when he went off to college I'd help him buy a 330i ZHP, E36 M3, or similar. He told me he'd rather drive his mom's 2004 X3 2.5 because "If I get something that's even a bit fast I'll get into trouble with it."

#19821 of 21746 Re: Go fast in Texas! [steve_] by roadburner

Sep 13, 2012 (8:45 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (Sep 13, 2012 9:15 am)
My idea of a twisty fun drive is the Dempster Highway or the Cassiar or the Trans-Labrador or the Alcan or Idaho's Highway 12 or the Magruder Corridor or a dozen others.
 
I ran the 2000 ALCAN Winter Rally; from Seattle to Quesnel, Whitehorse, Tok, Valdez, Fairbanks, Prudhoe Bay(all the way to Oliktok Point- on the shores of the Arctic Ocean), back to Fairbanks, and finishing up in Anchorage. We had a new X5 4.4 and I managed to see 120 mph for several minutes on a dry mountain ridge road between Valdez and Fairbanks...
 
My son and I are running the 2014 ALCAN Summer Rally, assuming we can get either BMW to loan us an X1 or Mini to cough up a Countryman ALL4...

#19822 of 21746 Re: Go fast in Texas! [roadburner] by steve_ HOST

Sep 13, 2012 (9:16 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (Sep 13, 2012 8:45 pm)
Got to ride shotgun in a new 4x4 pickup up to the Slope with an oil worker friend to the water's edge years ago. Only made it as far as Atigun Pass in the Quest. Ran out of time that trip. Wouldn't have been able to get through the gates to the water if we'd taken the van all the way up. Some pretty country up that way. And if you break down, no one is going to be inconsiderate and not stop to try to help.
 
Courses like your kiddo took should be required as part of the licensing process. I'd even be willing for my tax dollars to subsidize them. Would save a ton of money in medical bills and damaged sheet metal.

#19823 of 21746 Re: Go fast in Texas! [steve_] by roadburner

Sep 13, 2012 (9:36 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (Sep 13, 2012 9:16 pm)
I ended up driving Atigun Pass in what was humorously described as a 50 mph convoy. With teams boasting drivers with last names like Dallenbach and Unser do you think we stuck to 50 mph? That was a bit tense- what with the roads being dark, snow covered, and people driving like supercharged bats out of Hell...

#19824 of 21746 Re: Go fast in Texas! [roadburner] by steve_ HOST

Sep 14, 2012 (5:08 am)

Replying to: roadburner (Sep 13, 2012 9:36 pm)
Only did it in the high summer. It's funny how dirt/gravel roads in the boonies sometimes will be smoother than most Interstates.
 
Raining in S. Michigan so we're blowing off the Canadian loop and heading for the Soo and home. Wimping out in my old age, not to mention my night vision has gotten lousy. Mid September weather is often dicey but at least snow won't be an issue. There is a little road to WhiteFish Point that looks like a nice detour though if the inconsiderate weather breaks.

#19825 of 21746 Re: Go fast in Texas! [steve_] by imidazol97

Sep 14, 2012 (6:09 am)

Replying to: steve_ (Sep 13, 2012 7:38 pm)
Fontana Lake
 
Twisted but paved. Beautiful scenery, but you won't have time to look. I'd suggest the above-linked Route 28 that runs in Smokeys south of Lake Fontana. Locals commented how many motorcycle riders die riding that road trying to have fun on the turns and twists.
 
For the brave folks loving natural beauty, you can enjoy rafting and kayaking on the Nanatahala River in the controlled outflow from a TVA dam. We just took the train ride from Bryson City along the river and Fontana Lake.
 
Rafting/kayaking once you get there...

#19826 of 21746 Re: Go fast in Texas! [imidazol97] by steve_ HOST

Sep 14, 2012 (6:15 am)

Replying to: imidazol97 (Sep 14, 2012 6:09 am)
Not a fan of NOC? Every time I drove there to paddle (twice), they didn't turn the water on.

Messages Page 1983 of 2175

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