Off-Roading in my Speedster

Nice handstand!

Ryan, thanks for sharing those AWESOME pics & videos! 

Way cool Ryan, way cool!!

So awesome!

What a beautiful part of the country. I'm loving it here.

That trail was probably over the top. If I scouted it first in my truck I would've said, "No way!"

It could've went so wrong. Getting down was hard enough. But what if going up just didn't work? I was as excited as I was thankful to get up that last hill.

Here are a few more fun ways I'm remembering this adventure. Plus the full video of the final climb. The last bit was hairy. But the whole climb isn't what you'd call friendly.

I did Yankee Jim's several years ago. I'm still cleaning the dust out of Penny. Beautiful scenery and great photo ops. But a cleaner and more spectacular run is just up a bit off Canyon in Colfax. Take the Iowa Hill road up to Sugar Pine park. One of my favorites.

I just added some of those redone photos to my library to use as desktops. I'm assuming some type of template in Photoshop??

@Terry Nuckels nice! I'll have to check that out. Is this where you mean: https://goo.gl/maps/Y1YHwZDPFnA2? I'd love to know all your favorite drives up this way. I could spend a lifetime of weekends up here. For the record, here is where all of the above took place: https://goo.gl/maps/9xLnbPCWYeN2

There were some serious pot holes on the Yankee Jim's road just a couple weeks ago. But after this hill climb I think I could manage. You're probably right about the dust though.

Thankfully the Speedster cleaned up just fine from this adventure. It could've went so wrong. But it's as good as new. I knew Matt had his 356 up there, so I knew it was possible. But for all I knew he could've had a pickup stocked with lumber and shovels to make certain he made it. I suspect he did it straight. But I wouldn't be surprised if he shared a scar or two caused by the trip.

@Robert M, I used an app called Prisma (http://prisma-ai.com). It leverages AI to emulate the characteristics of famous paintings or artists. The AI "paints" your photo again in the chosen style. Really amazing stuff.

I stumbled upon Yankee Jim's by accident and, as much as I loved the adventure, I realized I preferred the pavement for Penny over the off-road experience. The drive up Iowa Hill Rd. is nicely paved and has all the hairpins, bridges and elevation changes you'll find on Yankee Jim's. Personally, it's more about the speed and the apex. You'll be amazed just how fast 35mph can feel.

Give me a shout and I'll be happy to point you towards my favorite journeys.

A Thing might have been more appropriate for that adventure!

Terry, use to own 5 acres up in iowa hill area, like 30 years ago, barely dirt roads, no reservoir, no electricity, no nothing...use to go in from Foresthill side. One time I went out of Colfax(same road?) switchbacks all way down canyon, cross the 150' iron one lane bridge, UP the other side of canyon, im guessing 45 degrees.

Yeah, Bob. Iowa Hill is still without public power. They finally got phone service in 2010. The old cemeteries are interesting to wander through. Here are a couple pics of Penny on Yankee Jim's bridge and by the American River. Go for it, Ryan!

...and I'm considering not taking Santa Rosa Creek Road anymore...

Kathy and I hit bottom on what the local bicyclists call The Wall. We were coasting, engine off (it's how I augment my gas mileage) down from the top near Cypress Mountain Drive and went over 3 humps/bumps when oscillation and momentum took over and we hit the road hard enough to loosen the drain-plug bolt (what a lame design!)

I've built Jeep CJ's and Cherokees with air-lockers, lifts and rocker skids, taken trails in the Sierras that would make Grizzly Adams weep, but from now on, my back-roads will be somewhat more...groomed...than those trails!

Ryan, you're an animal!

Will

Will Hesch posted:

...and I'm considering not taking Santa Rosa Creek Road anymore...

Kathy and I hit bottom on what the local bicyclists call The Wall. We were coasting, engine off (it's how I augment my gas mileage) down from the top near Cypress Mountain Drive and went over 3 humps/bumps when oscillation and momentum took over and we hit the road hard enough to loosen the drain-plug bolt (what a lame design!)

I've built Jeep CJ's and Cherokees with air-lockers, lifts and rocker skids, taken trails in the Sierras that would make Grizzly Adams weep, but from now on, my back-roads will be somewhat more...groomed...than those trails!

Ryan, you're an animal!

Will

@WILL

The drain plug on the speedster?

It looks like Matt Hummel doesn't care too much about 'a scar or two'.

Here's another, longer video:

Umm I'm new here:

Ryan!!!!         What the Sam hill Sammy Hager are you doing ?  That was awesome!!!

  You must have read  Terry Nuckles Mega Smash Guide Book "BEEP, BEEP, THAT AIN'T NO JEEP", taking your 356 off the pavement.  This book sold millions in Canada.

I think Al. B has a copy ..

Tebs

It's personally signed and I'm not letting it out of my sight...

I've driven on a few of Terry's roads. I'm pretty sure if I could live anywhere in the world, and drive on any roads, in any car-- I'd pick the I80 corridor from Truckee down to the bottom. Fan-freakin-tastic roads.

Stan Galat, '05 IM, 2276, Nowhere, USA posted:

I've driven on a few of Terry's roads. I'm pretty sure if I could live anywhere in the world, and drive on any roads, in any car-- I'd pick the I80 corridor from Truckee down to the bottom. Fan-freakin-tastic roads.

The main difference I've seen between these trails and Bay Area roads is the traffic. I made it down and back on Yankee Jims Rd and only saw one other car. Same with the Euchre Bar Trailhead rock above. In the Bay Area, if by chance you happen to squeak through without a train of cars, you'd at least see a couple Lycra-clad pelotons on your way. In gold country the back roads are nearly empty.

"...In gold country the back roads are nearly empty..."

And I'd like to keep it that way. 

Terry Nuckels posted:

"...In gold country the back roads are nearly empty..."

And I'd like to keep it that way. 

Shhhh

meanwhile in gold country south of Terry backroads are light but the main Hwy #50 heading to Tahoe  running thru Hangtown is CHOKEDwith Bay Area yups heading up hill to gamble Tahoe, apple pies in Apple Hill and Xmas trees  and the ski resorts are all open..locals don't even venture into town..

Quick update: I went back here the other day with my kids in the truck. I didn't have the guts to go back down this trail in my 4x4. That's 1 point for the Speedster and 0 points for the truck.

Here's a pic of my Suburban parked way up on the peak, all in one piece.

Amazing, those roads are exactly the same as when I was growing up in Auburn. It is still the boonies after all these years. You brought a few tears to my eyes.