Bea and I figured the roads would be empty on New Year's morning and went down to Staunton, VA to run this route we found here.


Quote:
Location: Western Virgina
Driving Distance: 106 miles

Having traveling a lot around Virginia's nooks and crannies, I don't think you'll find a better locale for Miata-ing than the Shenandoah Valley. The combination of great scenery, amazing backroads, and a glimpse into the country's history is unbeatable. The Blue Ridge Parkway/Skyline Drive along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, arguably one of the most beautiful roads in America, forms the eastern edge while the Alleghenies form the western boundary. Follow Rt 250 west out of Staunton across mountainous Highland County, aka Little Switzerland, where the sheep outnumber the people. Take Rt 220 south out of Highland to Warm Springs/Hot Springs, and be sure to take Rt 39 through Goshen Pass where the Maury River has carved a path through the Alleghenies. Plan to stay in Staunton or Lexington. Have fun!
End Quote:

You can find the maps and links on the miatadrives.com site. Great site and one we could emulate. I have been down to the Tail of the Dragon. That is a very nice run, but I would pick this course over that. No traffic, beautiful roads, good assortment of terrains. Closer too, but still a hike for a day trip.

And you can put the que sheet onto a business card, write large and never miss the turns. We modded the return and cut north on 42 and came up to Harrisonburg, VA. Smooth asphalt, great weather, seldom a car---would have been better with some DCMM company.

Vince and Bea

 

Question: were you in a MINI or a Miata for your jaunt? If you haven't run the Dragon in your MINI, it's a very different experience than in a Miata! Hope you will come to the big MOTD3 meet at the Dragon in May! (Check out all the threads in the National Events Forum.)

Clover

 

Opps,

I guess I imagined that I would inherit the DCMM properties. We use an MCS named ChiliBit. First run with the stock shifter action back in place. Works better for me. With the stock flywheel (and v36 software) I can match RPMs better with the longer throw.

Yes, we were there next door to KOOl MINI at Fontana {Spring 04}. I think that the Dragon is a "must do" but it is not 106 miles long. There are three or four sections reminiscent of the Dragon, but not quite. The Miata club posted the routes, we merely borrowed one for the day. And we packed out our trash and left it like we found it.

Yo yo seemed worse with the 19% reduction pulley this time, I think I may take the plunge on the ECU upgrade since I need an inspection this month. Or maybe it was because I was under 5k on the counter more since we were not pushing hard. But it was pronounced at times.

Clover, you have more posts than I have MINI miles. But I am closing in on you.

Keep your revs up,

Vince

 

Were you at the Fontana in May, July, or October? LMAO! I was there each time, as well! And sweetie, I have more posts than just about everyone, I guess! Yakkety, yakkety, yak! LOL!


Clover

 

May, bagged it early because of the weather on Saturday. I think we are going to be in the Blue Grass of Kentucky this coming May.

And this single post increased my total by two percent. Eat your heart out. Smile. Thanks for all your hospitality on the forum, it really helps to make this a great place. Indeed it does.

Ciao,

Vince

 

Hahahahahaha!!! YAY for percentage increases! Thanks, Vince....it is my pleasure to be the semi-unofficial site hostess!


Clover

 

We could use an early February driving event and we haven't been in ole VA for a while.


Can we adapt your route and pull together something? Maybe look at the weekend of the 12th - little Love my MINI Valentine's Run?