blakew15

Sometime today ill find the time to add everybodys board name over them so we all know who is who...

kristopher_d

Chuckanut drive is awesome (if you can hit it without RV's or sedans) but a little on the short side considering the distance from seattle-metro.

If you have a navigator, you can string together a great set of roads to traverse the length of Whidbey Island. I tried it without a navigator (nav software on the laptop just doesn't cut it) and missed way too many road changes, and spent too much attention on keeping on track to enjoy the driving.

Mt Baker Highway is good, but the RX-8's suspension is a little too sophisticated for it. The road quality makes it better for bouncing around curves than carving them.

High Bridge Road is about the best local run on the north-end, though there are some great twisty's Ben Howard (South of Monroe to the west end of Sultan).

Jones Rd - Sweeny Rd between Issaquah and Renton is fun, but there are some residential areas that make you behave.

Now that I'm almost caught up on my bills I'll be dumping way too much money into my gas tank so I can go out exploring, logging the GPS Track Files, and doing write ups like you'll find at the link in my Sig.

I've actually got quite a bit to upload, but I'm reworking my site and want to launch the new format all at once.

Skinless

The only problem with High Bridge Road is that there is often a cop hiding somewhere. On a nice day the road is full of motorcycles and fast cars. The last little blast on Elliot road between Connelly Road and Broadway Ave is a great place to show people how the 8 handles, and there's really not really anyplace for a speed trap. It's only about 2 miles from my house, so I like to run over and do a quick run on my way home from work.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...11406,0.038924

Ducky

anyone watch channel 7 news about the cops cracking down alki point? I saw a black RX8 drive by the camera...

05TiGr8Lady

Just got back from another trip up to my boat in Anacortes. If you take what I call the back way - exit 221 off I-5 toward Conway - and head to La Conner, then shoot out to the road that goes to Anacortes, but turn left onto 20 and head to Deception Pass and Whidbey Island, there are some good twisty sections.

We did that today, but then went back to Stanwood for pizza (Jimmy J's - VERY good pizza), did the Camano Island loop and came home. Unfortunately we were in my brother's Fusion, not my 8! Saw a couple of cops, but not many. There was a herd of about 15 Miata's heading into La Conner again today on the twisty part, so must be a popular cruise route (same place I saw all the other car clubs a couple of weekends ago).

Oh yeah, saw a silver 8 in the marina parking lot - license plate "SAIL N".

sharkman

Awesome, if you all decide to do a meet in whidbey, i'm totally for it (since i live in WI)

05TiGr8Lady

I think Sopheak is in Oak Harbor too. Let 's see what kind of response we get. Hopefully some of the southenders can make it too.

We could start the trip from Alderwood, then meet up with you guys someplace up north, do the twisty route, eat, and head back.

Anyone interested?

FABRO

Im in, depending on what date and time we do this...

1. Fabro
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Skinless

So are you making GPS routes of good drives available for download? That could come in handy. I don't have a built in Nav in my 8, but we do have a Garmin 2610 that we can use for routing.

kristopher_d

I hadn't thought of making the track files themselves available, but that's a great idea. It means a little more coding to merge with the rest of the layout, but I'll do it.

fishnhard

Hey all, just got home a bit ago from Wenatchee. It was a pretty good time. Only my 8 and 2 others but it was fun. Lots of Gen I.II, and some nice III. Got a speeding ticket on the way in. 72 in a 60. That reall sucks! The price I pay for the look and speed of the RX-8. Had lots of people lookn at the 8's. I will keep watching to see what you all put together for around Western WA. I am in Gig Harbor. Later all

FABRO

Anyone feel like having a meet soon? The weather is so nice for pictures.

05TiGr8Lady

FABRO - You were reading my mind! Do you still have to work all of May? When were you thinking you could do it?

I proposed a Whidbey-area trip back on the 6th... Any other ideas?

FABRO

Yup, I don't got any weekend days off in May. I guess we could try for early June or maybe on a random monday or tuesday since those will be my days off. Whidbey sounds like fun, let me know when and where to meet and I'll check my schedule.

Sopheak.Reach

YEAH!! Whidbey!! Only cause I live right there. There is about 9 RX8 on this island alone, but I only talk to one of them. I'm sure sharkman can make it this time if it's in whidbey.

I say we have it on June 11. I have a project in the making that I want to get done first. =)

Sopheak.Reach

I have work on Tuesdays so I won't be able to make if we have it on that day.

05TiGr8Lady

Yeah, I was thinking the 10th or 11th, so the 11th works for me...!

Do you think you and Sharkman (if he sees this) and/or kristopher d could put a route together? I threw out a few ideas earlier based on what I've done, but since you and Sharkman live up there, I'm sure you know the best roads and places to eat (if people want to do that too - I know I would). Kristopher has his maps and stuff... Whaddya think?

Howz June 11th for others?

Sopheak.Reach

I don't think we'll be able to find good parking at deception pass if we decide to take pictures there. Especially on a Sunny Sunday. I'll try to scope out some good places for us to take pics.

There is an Applebees in Oak Harbor that we can probably eat at. Unless everyone wants to meet somewhere in Burlington or Mt.Vernon to eat first before the drive.

FABRO

oh, I can't wait. I got first dibs driving your car I'll put in my request form to get June 11 off.

Nemesis8

iTrader: (3)

I can make June 11th maybe...

Sopheak.Reach

Haha..sure..I'll have to have a full tank cause I know everyone is going to want to drive it.

kristopher_d

Like I've said before, the Whidbey run really requires a navigator, but I'm down for any drive nearly any time.

05TiGr8Lady

If you're talking about a nav in one of our 8's - I don't know if any of us has one. But if Sopheak and Sharkman participate, they know the area and I know some of it, so we should be ok.

Nemesis8

iTrader: (3)

Mods-R-Us speaking - I have the navi screen

05TiGr8Lady

Cool... Hope you can make it Nemesis