[JONAT] Road Quality Inquiry

[Fazal Cader]

My feeling is that as long as the conditions are advised to all and there is
an optional route for those unwilling, we should do routes like this.

Fazal Cader
Executive Committee, ISC - Australia
Jaguar Owner's North American Tour - www.jonat.org
April 15, 2004 - July 4, 2004



> Hi, folks,
>
> Well, last week I went out and drove the road I selected between
> Hwy 1 in Big Sur (Norhthern California) and Mission San Antonio
> de Padua.  The mission was wonderful, as always, but the road
> had me wondering.
>
> This is a fully paved road, but a little narrow.  While it's always
> wide enough for 2 SUVs to pass (barely), there is no center line,
> no edge lines.  There are no railings, and often cliffs are steep
> along side.  The surface condition is good, though there can
> be some fallen rocks due to the location.  There is one part
> where we drive over a creek that crosses the road -- on a
> concrete road surface.  I felt no worries at normal speeds
> (35-45) in my Volvo wagon.  One Porsche group I know in
> Southern California looks forward to this road on the way
> north to Laguna Seca.
>
> The road is just a driver's delight, as long as some sense is used.
> While there was very little traffic, there was some, and driving
> on the wrong side on curves could be dangerous.  The road climbs
> up some of the most beautiful steep mountains you can imagine,
> They are covered with redwoods, chaparral, and grass, and every
> precarious curve offers another incredible view of the mountains
> and the ocean below, and glimpses of Hwy 1 fighting through these
> mountains are also very inspiring.  Especially the drive back will be
> beautiful, as the ocean is always visible at the bottom of the valley
> we are clinging to, with surf and rugged rocks in evidence.
> Not a road for high speed driving, but a driver's road for sure.
> It will be a pretty long ride, about an hour, maybe a little more,
> each way.
>
> Does this meet minimum requirements for the tour?  Especially
> referring to the narrow, unmarked condition, and the potential for
> fallen rocks on the road, I have some concern.  As for me, it's
> exactly the kind of road I'd want to go on.  Should I mark this as an
> optional alternate side trip?  Or alternatively, we could drive US101
> up to the mission, and take this road only one way.
>
> BTW, I drove the road out north of Napa Valley toward Mendocino,
> found it to be an absolute delight for touring.  Views and road will
> bring much joy.
>
> Jerry
>
> Jerry Mouton    '64 E Type FHC    "Laissez les bons temps rouler!"
>       Jaguar Owner's North American Tour - http://jonat.org
>       April 15, 2004 - July 4, 2004
>
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