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I took a little detour on my way out to Palm Springs today.
There's a stretch of Route 243 that runs from Idyllwild to Banning which has been closed since February when heavy rains and runnoff from a storm created the mother-of-all sink holes on this great two-lane serpentine mountain highway.
What many don't know, and what seems to keep all the traffic away, is that the first 11 miles of Hwy. 243 on the Banning side are still actually open, despite these signs proclaiming the road closed.
Because I think many believe the entire length of 243 is closed, this lovely stretch of tarmac was absolutely deserted today.
I drove 11 miles up to an altitude of close to 5,000 feet, then turned around at the point where the actual road closure begins, and drove 11 miles back down. I did this run three times in total, which added up to 66 glorious traffic-free miles on what is arguably the very best section of Hwy. 243.
Had the whole place to myself. NIRVANA. Doing several up-and-backs breeds familiarity so by the third run there was no hesitation. Full attack mode.
This car continues to astound and with 17.5K miles it feels like it is just now coming into its own.
What an engine this 3.8 is! And the sound. GLORIOUS.
The balance and the way the car remains settled and composed even when encountering drastic variations in road surface mid-corner is remarkable.
Porsche knocked it out of the park with this canyon carver!
Very cool Nick, I need to get out there and scrub off some of the rubber on m tires!
Spyders are truly amazing and a feast for the senses. Enjoying one on these kinds of roads with the weather that we have had these past couple of weeks is truly heaven.
I lived in Colton temporarily (about six months), and access to amazing roads in all directions was one of the few redeeming qualities. 243 to Palms to Pines was by far my favorite: Technical, deserted, with many ecological islands along the way. Such a great drive with a top-down car.
Originally Posted by Suicide Jockey
I took a little detour on my way out to Palm Springs today.
There's a stretch of Route 243 that runs from Idyllwild to Banning which has been closed since February when heavy rains and runnoff from a storm created the mother-of-all sink holes on this great two-lane serpentine mountain highway.
What many don't know, and what seems to keep all the traffic away, is that the first 11 miles of Hwy. 243 on the Banning side are still actually open, despite these signs proclaiming the road closed.
Because I think many believe the entire length of 243 is closed, this lovely stretch of tarmac was absolutely deserted today.
I drove 11 miles up to an altitude of close to 5,000 feet, then turned around at the point where the actual road closure begins, and drove 11 miles back down. I did this run three times in total, which added up to 66 glorious traffic-free miles on what is arguably the very best section of Hwy. 243.
Had the whole place to myself. NIRVANA. Doing several up-and-backs breeds familiarity so by the third run there was no hesitation. Full attack mode.
This car continues to astound and with 17.5K miles it feels like it is just now coming into its own.
What an engine this 3.8 is! And the sound. GLORIOUS.
The balance and the way the car remains settled and composed even when encountering drastic variations in road surface mid-corner is remarkable.
Porsche knocked it out of the park with this canyon carver!
Very nice pics Nick. Love that you are using and enjoying your beautiful Spyder as intended! Noting that you are approaching 20K. That was something I was hoping to see with mine but only got halfway there. Im #1 in line for the next one so we'll see how it goes. Thanks for sharing, pls continue.
The visibility issue is something we also experience here in Cali. The rain can make the roads slick on these higher elevations but that’s not the real issue. the real issue is the very poor visibility and potential for rock slides which can result in serious damage or worse.
Very cool Nick, I need to get out there and scrub off some of the rubber on m tires!
Let me know when you go and we'll meet up!
Originally Posted by mitchellc
I lived in Colton temporarily (about six months), and access to amazing roads in all directions was one of the few redeeming qualities. 243 to Palms to Pines was by far my favorite: Technical, deserted, with many ecological islands along the way. Such a great drive with a top-down car.
+1. Had the top down all the way there, but temps by then were in the mid-90's and I was baking so had to put the top up.
Originally Posted by NelsonF
Very nice pics Nick. Love that you are using and enjoying your beautiful Spyder as intended! Noting that you are approaching 20K. That was something I was hoping to see with mine but only got halfway there. Im #1 in line for the next one so we'll see how it goes. Thanks for sharing, pls continue.
Nelson, hope you are enjoying the GT3 and not suffering any Spyder withdrawal symptoms
FYI, in case you are free on Saturday. Many folks you met from past So Cal Spyder drives will be in attendance.
Porsche Club of America Orange Coast Region presents the 49th Porsche White Glove Concours
Sea Terrace Park Pacific Coast Highway and Niguel Road Dana Point, CA
Saturday, June 15, 2019
Gates open at 7:00 a.m. for judged cars and 8 a.m. for display cars.
DIRECTIONS
Northbound from San Clemente or San Diego Region
Exit "Beach Cities / Pacific Coast Hwy 1"
North approx. 3 miles to Niguel Rd (Right)
2nd traffic light / Stonehill Rd. (Left)
Follow signs
Southbound Coastal Orange County:
PCH to Niguel Rd (Left)
2nd traffic light / Stonehill Rd. (Left)
All others: I-5 or I-405 South to Crown Valley Parkway (Right)
To think I visited the cathedral in Reims and didn't even know about the former GP circuit there and this portion of the pits that has been preserved. Ugh!
So it was back to the driving today.....
leaving my good lady wife at Venice airport.... and collecting my good friend Henry we headed for the Dolomites.
Just for good measure I was overtaken by the only road legal AM Vulcan whilst heading over the bridge from Venice. (I believe it’s been taking part in the Gumball 3000).
(Not my pic.....)
So we headed to Belluno, then up the San Pellegrino Pass and the amazing Passo Rollo.
Again stunning roads and scenery.
Tomorrow we head for Cortina, then across to the base of the Stelvio.
06-03-2019, 09:44 PM
