DC Area thread - The District, NoVa, Maryland
I drove part of that route yesterday on my way in to DC. They paved it last fall. It is still in pretty good condition, but there are patches at spots. The tunnel, though short, will sound glorious.
I'm always interested in good routes. If not for the cruises, just for my own personal pleasure driving knowledge. Post it up, or send a PM with some way-points and I can map it.
I'm always interested in good routes. If not for the cruises, just for my own personal pleasure driving knowledge. Post it up, or send a PM with some way-points and I can map it.
Last edited by He's On Toroids; Sep 12, 2012 at 09:45 AM.
DC driving is just painful for me....not a comfortable ride at all.
Heading down to the OBX this year and avoiding 95 south traffic, I decided to take the 301 in MD. There was a nice toll bridge between Newberg and King George and there was a somewhat nice beach area. Some parts of 301 were wide open for the heavy footed. (I actually got real lucky as I avoided a ticket by slowing down on a hill, whereas the guy that followed me zipped pass and got nabbed by a waiting speed trap. So maybe not the best idea.)
Hey....any of you guys heard of First To Win Auto in Sterling? I emailed Ray asking about the Idle Control Valve and he told me that my vacuum leak is probably not from there, which is good as that part is $360. But he recommended that place if I wanted to have it fixed quickly.
Heading down to the OBX this year and avoiding 95 south traffic, I decided to take the 301 in MD. There was a nice toll bridge between Newberg and King George and there was a somewhat nice beach area. Some parts of 301 were wide open for the heavy footed. (I actually got real lucky as I avoided a ticket by slowing down on a hill, whereas the guy that followed me zipped pass and got nabbed by a waiting speed trap. So maybe not the best idea.)
Hey....any of you guys heard of First To Win Auto in Sterling? I emailed Ray asking about the Idle Control Valve and he told me that my vacuum leak is probably not from there, which is good as that part is $360. But he recommended that place if I wanted to have it fixed quickly.
I will have the thread up soon. I am trying to decide whether we do another Shenandoah trip like the spring, or we do the Tour De DC that I've always wanted to do, or get even more adventurous and hit up Rt.33. The date will likely be late October for prime leaf color reasons. Here are the routes I have been considering:
ROUTE A
ROUTE B
ROUTE C
Last year we did a fall 'cruise' down to MIR for Imports vs. Domestics car show. This was good fun, but I think I'd like to separate the two this year. Some people don't have the opportunity to do a whole day affair. And those who can, have no problem getting out to more then one meet.
Look for the Fall-Roadtrip thread. I make no promises but I should be able to get it posted this week.
ROUTE A
ROUTE B
ROUTE C
Last year we did a fall 'cruise' down to MIR for Imports vs. Domestics car show. This was good fun, but I think I'd like to separate the two this year. Some people don't have the opportunity to do a whole day affair. And those who can, have no problem getting out to more then one meet.
Look for the Fall-Roadtrip thread. I make no promises but I should be able to get it posted this week.
The route chosen was done so that there is minimum time spent on actual DC surface roads. If you are truly concerned about your car (or back) I encourage you to take some time and drive the route in another car to inspect the roads condition before you make a decision. You may be surprised.
I will likely be driving the Spec7 that has cut springs and a seat with no cushioning in it, you should be fine.
I have heard of them. But only that, no personal experience with them. If you are sure about it being a vacuum leak have you tried the old starting fluid/propane bottle trick?
I will likely be driving the Spec7 that has cut springs and a seat with no cushioning in it, you should be fine.
Hey....any of you guys heard of First To Win Auto in Sterling? I emailed Ray asking about the Idle Control Valve and he told me that my vacuum leak is probably not from there, which is good as that part is $360. But he recommended that place if I wanted to have it fixed quickly.
Full Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: winchester va
Route ç.... rt33 at the end awesome bit of pavement. Done it on the motorbike a bunch. The backside will call out anybody without brake upgrades in a hurry. The elevation drops quickly with straight sections that lead into cambered hairpins. And has that lookout point on top for photo ops.
I vote not Skyline, although it was good, let's mix it up and try something different.
And for being slow....after some hard testing I found out that I am faster than a FC vert.
And for being slow....after some hard testing I found out that I am faster than a FC vert.
With the new motor for you, I guess I am the low man on the HP ratings right now. I still challenge you all to try and keep up
As for the road conditions on route B, I trust your judgment. I'm also too familiar with the immediate area so would rather venture west. But, if the car is ready to go....I'll go anywhere.
It's not too shabby. I drive it about once a week, I need to do some work to the carb so it can keep up now. That with new suspension and rubber, I'll be happy.
I'm down for the Route B plan but may I also recommend there are some great touring roads out west of Loudon county up to the mountains near the WV border that don't take very long to get to and aren't crowded like Skyline is in the fall. I can map something out if you'd like to see what I'm talking about.
The trick is, you go around the various locations where you think you may have a leak (gaskets, hoses, etc). You spray small spurts of one of these combustible gasses in those areas. If you hear the motor change it's revs then you know that it has pulled some of the vapor into the intake stream and that your vacuum leak is in that vicinity. A couple more localized spurts and you should be able to track down the exact location.
I personally have never tried it but it was suggested by an old hand to me. (I have been thinking about buying a car that has a small vacuum leak in the intake that the owner does not want to track down). It sound's reasonable to me, but I'll make sure that I have a fire extinguisher on the ready and some eye protection just-in-case.
He also commented on pinching some of the vacuum hoses to test them and see if that had any affect, but I don't know if that would work on our car (he was talking about a V8 with a carburetor).
The main thing I am trying for is some good pics in front of Monuments and other points of interest that are DC related. I see pictures like this one below and feel like we gotta represent. This is the MF'ing DC group, lets show it off.
I personally have never tried it but it was suggested by an old hand to me. (I have been thinking about buying a car that has a small vacuum leak in the intake that the owner does not want to track down). It sound's reasonable to me, but I'll make sure that I have a fire extinguisher on the ready and some eye protection just-in-case.
He also commented on pinching some of the vacuum hoses to test them and see if that had any affect, but I don't know if that would work on our car (he was talking about a V8 with a carburetor).
Full Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: winchester va
The main thing I am trying for is some good pics in front of Monuments and other points of interest that are DC related. I see pictures like this one below and feel like we gotta represent. This is the MF'ing DC group, lets show it off.
[/QUOTE]
Hell yeah man, we are pretty fortunate to live within driving range of some very iconic landmarks. Which in turn makes for better picture taking. Im all about this! I love driving some great roads but taking pictures is a close second.
[/QUOTE]
Hell yeah man, we are pretty fortunate to live within driving range of some very iconic landmarks. Which in turn makes for better picture taking. Im all about this! I love driving some great roads but taking pictures is a close second.
Full Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: winchester va
I like your thinking sir.... that would make it on speedhunters for sure... we would all be in jail. We would be immortalized on the internet forever as the crazy s.o.b's who doughnutted..........errr.... sure... dc lol
Full Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: winchester va
Oh maybe you guys read this already but im a fan of this guys work.... http://www.speedhunters.com/2012/09/...our-questions/