Hi Cos,
I read it that he's going soon, and all those roads are closed(with snow and we could use some more) so he will have to run the boring roads. I like Sherman Pass down south but it to is under snow.

ROD

 

I took a bandana on my road trip and wrapped it around my nose and mouth while going through Odessa. Sometimes the dust can get uncomfortable. I think an essential is bringing oil (if you drive an Ap1)? Can't really say much else...maybe noise canceling head phones and a CD of Taylor Swift?

I like to have a trash bag inside the car.

 

SR 108
[IN THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA AREA & SIERRA NEVADA]
IS CLOSED FROM 7.2 MI EAST OF STRAWBERRY (TUOLUMNE CO) TO 5.3 MI WEST OF
THE JCT OF US 395 (MONO CO) /SONORA PASS/ - FOR THE WINTER - MOTORISTS ARE
ADVISED TO USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE


Yep, Rod, you are correct again. We have had so little snow lately I thought it might be open.
50 east and then 395 south at south Lake Tahoe is a nice drive as it is. Then connect with Mono Lake or head south to Death Valley.

Cosmo

 

May want to consider this: I have both items as I find myself in the middle of no damn where often.


http://www.pashnitmoto.com/stop-n-go-p/sng-1075.htm

http://www.pashnitmoto.com/cycle-pump-p/cp-a.htm

 

If you go east of the mountains via Reno (and avoid all the traffic!) you're in Nevada for the bulk of the trip. Not exactly a 3d world country but even on back roads here in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia there are vast areas with only 87 Octane available and the tank invariably runs dry in those areas. Spare gas tank, even a gallon, can be a life saver but the best routine for me is to refill every 200 miles in back areas even though my car will run over 300 miles on a tank at 85mph on the interstates. No blower on the car.

Hard tops are boring but roof up and AC running take much stress out of the drive. Bose noise cancelling headset works better than ear plugs which just hurt my ears. And the car isn't that noisy with my "gentlemanly" Tanabe Medalion Touring dual exhaust.

When my wife and I drive almost anywhere in the S2000 or her car we typically stop many times at interesting places. I've rarely seen an historical marker I'd not make a U-turn to read. Or a route sign to some scenic or historical site. I carry the Delorme map in the car so I can make sure the detour isn't too long -- or not a dead end into the forest (Ohio) or desert (Nevada).

-- Chuck

 

The drive through Nevada has no shortage of 91 oc. You will want to stop for gas in tonapa (sp). I would take the Reno to Vegas drive over the boring 5. Just watch out for the elevation change and possible snow, if they call for rain it changes fast.

Run radar if you're going to beat the limit and slow down 30 miles outside of any population. NHP will be there or local PD.

 

My mistake last year going for a week to The Dragon was I spent months building a list of everything I wanted to remember to take. I'd bought the car a few months before in Dallas and drove it home with a big suitcase in the passenger side and a small one in the trunk so wasn't considering weight issues. So, I built my tool kits, got together this huge list (I should post it for your amusement) and loaded up the car never thinking about the 400 pound weight limit of passengers and luggage and not thinking about my 42 pound JL Stealthbox in the well in the trunk, heavier amp/speakers, mixed "case" of bourbon, wine, beer for the events in the dry county. Packed GF's small suitcase in trunk, put my new water resistant suitcases I bought for the car on the removable trunk lid rack (Surco DR1005) I bought and put my 30" waterproof duffel on that with the second small duffel from the same kit. It was going to rain much of the trip there (570 miles) so they'd get a test (worked great BTW, but inside mirror useless which sucked).

Spent a week carefully packing the car. Used the package shelf for our two briefcases for three laptops, power supplies and some other stuff, resigned to top up the trip down. Final pack, we got in, rolled about 1/4 of a mile and the rear wheels where dragging on the fenders even before hitting bumps and with coil overs but no time to adjust up. Back home and hours of repacking taking out the subwoofer and most of the tools, half the clothes, most of the shoes, one computer, etc. Woofer has to come out for any real trip now or of course a track day and leaves a totally crappy sounding stereo so phone/ipod with headphones is the way to go.

So, weigh what is going in the car and try to stay near the car's very low weight limit. Pre-pack and test run over bumps, dips. You don't want to "catch" a fender and tear it off.

Finally, I was turbo at the time with a Greddy and noise cancelling headphones are a great idea, earplugs at a minimum. Since you are going with a group do y'all have FSR and use Channel 4? Get the optional headphone from Midland with the Secret Service style coil'y earbud and mic on clip. I also bought a tire plug kit, small cheap inflater, make sure you have a jack and wrench and nuts are torqued by you and not a shop with a gun so you make SURE you can easily remove them, take a longer tube extension if necessary. Use the App "Gas Buddy" to make sure you know where premium is sold on your way and call to see if it is 93+. I stopped in AR in the middle of the night and all they had was 91 and my car was VERY pissed with VSA and Check Engine lights and misfire codes for more than a day and another tank of 93. Pack a hotel sized shampoo and small water bottle in back so you can make a soapy water solution if you can't find the hole in your tire and while you'll try not to use it, get a fix-a-flat too. You must have AAA with 200 mile tow and always demand a rollback.

 

I've been from Chicago to Boston, round triip, 11 times over the last 15 years with the S2000. I've also done Chicago to Atlanta twice.

The car was supercharged for all but one trip. My gas mileage was normal or slightly better than being NA.

I put a 1.5" gel pad on the driver's seat, RainX the windshield, pack window washer spray, mount the iPhone with my Garmin GPS app, insert USB drive loaded with jazz and guitar music, bring a baseball cap, sun screen, a few paper towel sections in the console to apply the sun screen and check oil, my AAA card (no spare tire), credit card, ATM card, $500 in cash, small luggage and then I go. If I have a need along the way, the GPS finds a grocery or Walmart or other shop to fill that need. I typically do 700 miles the first day and 400 on the second and stop as needed for gas (check your oil), food, drink and bladder reduction.

For the few trips to the Dragon that I've done, I use the same approach.

BTW, I've made that "Boston" drive each spring and fall and some other times as needed for the past 18 years to prepare my mother's house for the season. She'll be 98 in August and still kicking.

 

Man, I feel like people are way overthinking this. It's a 600-mile drive, not a transcontinental journey.

Just think of the things you need anywhere - food, water, fluids for the car, sunscreen, sunglasses, music, etc. Add earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones (a lifesaver in the S) and you're ready.

 

Guess you never heard of the Donner party.

Always be prepared. You are heading out into the environment that can be unforgiving. You combine that with some of the best scenery and driving roads that exist in the country and I would want to think it through.

Maybe you won't need everything but if you do need something you thought to take along, it sure is nice.