I’m late for work at least once a week, and it’s my car’s fault.
This cannot be ascribed to any mechanical malady or intolerance of cold or inactivity. Rather, it is due to a simple duality. There are two ways to get from my apartment to my office – the direct route or, to paraphrase Robert Frost, the road less traveled.
The direct route takes less than ten minutes, most of that waiting at a succession of traffic lights which, in best California tradition, are inevitably red. It’s a frustrating exercise in not rear-ending the Prius in front as it creeps off the line, while simultaneously ignoring the lifted pickup six inches behind (and three feet above) my bumper.
The alternate route traverses a series of small office parks. It has stop signs instead of lights, gently curving roads, and almost no traffic. This alone would be reason enough to use it, a chance to enjoy the sun and cool morning breeze before I’m unceremoniously stuffed back into my cubicle.
Halfway along though is the real reason for my occasional tardiness. A brief straight tightens into a moderate left then sweeps right before a short and exceedingly bumpy braking zone for yet another stop sign. If no one else is around and you’re feeling brave, a tap of the brakes before the first corner suffices, and the left/right can be taken at full throttle and at what may be considered an eye-widening speed for the aforementioned Prius. The approach to the stop sign is the sternest test for both man and machine; a textbook exercise in threshold braking and suspension control.
Forget coffee, forget energy drinks; if you want to feel alive in the morning, you need an S2000.
Has your car ever inspired you to take the road less traveled, even to the most lackluster destinations?
Photo courtesy of Nate03
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on May 25th, 2011 at 3:41 am
MAN I KNOW WHRE YOUR COMING FROM! Well done !
on May 25th, 2011 at 4:28 am
On my way to work, I can extend my commute by 3 minutes and take a windy country road with blind hairpin turns, one-lane bridges, and a mix of forest, horse farms and fields.
I am usually a few minutes late to work
on May 25th, 2011 at 4:35 am
Every single day I have the same inspirations!
on May 25th, 2011 at 5:38 am
The S is definitely the reason why I arrive to work late and want to leave early. Especially when it’s parked outside the office window, staring at you all day long!
on May 25th, 2011 at 6:05 am
I’ve got a couple routes to/from work as well…I never take the direct route home. After a long day of sittin’, I like to see some trees whizz by.
on May 25th, 2011 at 6:12 am
My S2000 wakes me up every morning, i start my morning commute with about 20% highway then 80% country back road (Harford Road in Maryland) that is well maintained and groomed. I love my commute every morning even though it’s a 40 minute drive, especially with my top down. Great right up.
on May 25th, 2011 at 6:37 am
My s2k used to be the only reason why I even wanted to get up and actually go to work and also the reason I couldn’t wait to leave. For me it was all about the drive and even on the worst days driving the s still some how manages to change all that
on May 25th, 2011 at 10:36 am
I take the long way, 6 miles of back country windy roads. When I could get there in 2.4 miles of “normal roads”.
on May 25th, 2011 at 12:45 pm
My twisty road is the shortest way to work. Damn!
on May 25th, 2011 at 1:38 pm
I swear my co-workers will never understand this feeling.my travel is 7 miles to work. the second mile is where i wake up. coming from the main road doing 50, down shift into 5th skip 4 into 3 heel toe braking into 2nd into an inclined right hand on ramp, hit top of 2nd into 3rd hard brake for a long left hander jug, exit into underpass hit vtec in 2nd and 3 left hand exit to on ramp for NJ Garden State parkway. adrenaline pumped then cool back down to speed limit.
ahh what a great start to a day indeed.
on May 25th, 2011 at 2:59 pm
I believe every s2k owner has a internal map of backroads they love to travel. and if theyre good, they kno how to link them all on any given sunday. lol and if you dont, well wat are u waiting for?!?
on May 26th, 2011 at 5:14 am
Yes indeed sir: I enjoy going to work simply because of My S2000, Although, On my way to work I dnt have as many winding roads worthy of my s2000 handling abilities, there are a few spots I take full advantage of my honda Handling to its fullest. I often use interstate 70 east going to work and west going home,. But one of the biggest thrills out side of attacking curves would be driving with the top down, and quite often I look out the corner of my eye and see people pointing at my car as I play it off looking as cool as I can be with my Rx sun glasses. That my friend is what its about. So yes I enjoy my ride to work and definetly the drive home, Well I guess I should get back to work now……………..To all U s2000 owners theirs nothing like Sweat curves and going topless.
on May 27th, 2011 at 4:50 am
On my way home from work everyday… I pass home and continue towards a road I love driving on. I’m always asked why it takes me so long to get home. “Traffic…”
on May 27th, 2011 at 5:30 am
Very well written and on point article. I love the reference to the prius in front and the lifted 4×4 behind. Anyone who has ever driven an S should understand the reference.
If I am feeling tired or need a boost, there is a particular S bend that I take in the AM that opens up into a 1 mile straight. The S bend does not allow the straight to get crowded since most people take it at 20-25. If I slow before taking the corner to allow the car ahead time to wallow through, and then hit it in 2nd-3rd, I can wrap the first corner, and then slide up into the outside lane of the second bend where there is never any traffic, on a really good day, I can open it up for a good mile before slowing down to normal interstate speeds as I merge into traffic. Who needs red bull, not me.
on May 29th, 2011 at 8:16 pm
I routinely go for drives alone with pretty much no destination. Most of the time I’m out in the boonies executing mosquitoes with the OEM lip, but occasionally I’ll just cruise on the freeway for miles. Something to look forward to while in the office.
on Oct 26th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
on occasion ill drive about 15min to get to this one beautify curved road that leads far away from anywhere i usually travel. (its a teaser for the nurbergring hehe- one day!)