"The NEXT" Bay Area Fit Meet
#41
we're all from the bay area...
Alex-n-Co are from San Francisco, I'm from San Carlos, across from the Hayward/San Mateo bridge.
And we seem to go to Meets where we can actually drive our cars (i mean I went all out at the last meet, I had so much fun.) If we are in a city/town, we can't do crazy stuff like we can do out in themiddle of nowhere, which is quite hard to find here in the Bay Area, cause some places are too dead, or too alive (too many rangers for instance)
Alex-n-Co are from San Francisco, I'm from San Carlos, across from the Hayward/San Mateo bridge.
And we seem to go to Meets where we can actually drive our cars (i mean I went all out at the last meet, I had so much fun.) If we are in a city/town, we can't do crazy stuff like we can do out in themiddle of nowhere, which is quite hard to find here in the Bay Area, cause some places are too dead, or too alive (too many rangers for instance)
#42
I see what you are saying. I have been to a few M3 meets where drivers are able to drive how they want on open roads and even then there are alot of people who drive to fast b/c of all the excitement and get into accidents, forexample I saw an M3 took a corner too fast and understeered into the side of a mountian and an S2000, driven by an older man you would think is more responsible then use yonger adults, fell over a small cliff and his car was hanging from some trees upsidedown, he was lucky he came out alive and not hurt. Hope FIT owners are safe drivers.
#44
This sounds fun! I've run at thunderhill a couple times and it's a safe place to go all out. Lots of run offs and minimal walls. I'd be totally down for something like this if we could organize it.
#45
You cant go to Thunderhills website by searching "Thunderhill raceway"..Sorry i dont have the URL at the moment
#46
My friend has an M3 and I was really considering getting an E36 (1995-1999) M3 but then it would be used, alot of miles, and alot of money to maintain so I started to look at WRX, MR2, Supra, Matrix XRS, Corolla XRS, Integra GSR, Prelude SH, Civic SI, but they would be used. So I looked into the YARIS since I had driven it and liked it but then finally decided to get the FIT because it has more room and has more stuff that is standard that isnt on the Yaris...ie body kit and rims.
#53
But solbothers, to be honest these meets we have are worth the drive! They are sooo much fun and all the guys/gals that go are soo down to earth and cool! They are pretty much all day events anyway so the drive really isnt that bad if you think about how long you will be at the meet!
#55
fit meet
I think we should set up a mini meet in the east bay or somewhere between oakland and vallejo and SF since there would be atleast 5-6 of us. We should be more familiar with each other so that when we do go to these bigger meets we can go as a small group and we will atleast know each other instead of going there and not knowing anyone.
There is another guy on the honda-tech forum that just bought a FIT that also wants to meet up as well. This will also give me a chance to see what you guys have done to your FIT, whether it would be a big or small mod.
There is another guy on the honda-tech forum that just bought a FIT that also wants to meet up as well. This will also give me a chance to see what you guys have done to your FIT, whether it would be a big or small mod.
#58
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Boulder Creek, CA, USA
Posts: 3,288
Yes- From Vallejo,
Hwy. 680 South to the last off ramp (Alum Rock Ave.) before 680 becomes Hwy. 101. Go East on Alum Rock about 1 mile to the sign indicating a right turn to Mt. Hamilton/Lick Observatory. It's about 90 minutes for you to the base of the mountain. If you are good at mountain driving and like spirited driving, you'll love this road. If you are not good at this, this road will scare you to death. Regardless of your skills, don't go in bad weather.
Hwy. 680 South to the last off ramp (Alum Rock Ave.) before 680 becomes Hwy. 101. Go East on Alum Rock about 1 mile to the sign indicating a right turn to Mt. Hamilton/Lick Observatory. It's about 90 minutes for you to the base of the mountain. If you are good at mountain driving and like spirited driving, you'll love this road. If you are not good at this, this road will scare you to death. Regardless of your skills, don't go in bad weather.
#59
Yes- From Vallejo,
Hwy. 680 South to the last off ramp (Alum Rock Ave.) before 680 becomes Hwy. 101. Go East on Alum Rock about 1 mile to the sign indicating a right turn to Mt. Hamilton/Lick Observatory. It's about 90 minutes for you to the base of the mountain. If you are good at mountain driving and like spirited driving, you'll love this road. If you are not good at this, this road will scare you to death. Regardless of your skills, don't go in bad weather.
Hwy. 680 South to the last off ramp (Alum Rock Ave.) before 680 becomes Hwy. 101. Go East on Alum Rock about 1 mile to the sign indicating a right turn to Mt. Hamilton/Lick Observatory. It's about 90 minutes for you to the base of the mountain. If you are good at mountain driving and like spirited driving, you'll love this road. If you are not good at this, this road will scare you to death. Regardless of your skills, don't go in bad weather.
#60
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Boulder Creek, CA, USA
Posts: 3,288
I had intended to go up to the top of Mt. Hamilton to check it out as a destination for a Fit Meet, but have not had the time yet. Here is what I know, and my suggestions for a meet in the near future:
The Lick Observatory is at the top of the mountain at 4290 feet elevation. The road to the observatory is 20 miles long from the base of the mountain on Alum Rock Ave. This coming week, the temperature will be in the mid-80's, but when it starts to get cold, it is VERY cold on the mountain. Snow is common during the winter months.
There is a BIG park about 1/2 way up to the observatory, with huge parking lots, water faucets, restrooms and BBQ grills. All of those features will be useful in spring or summer weather, but there are no shelters to keep the rain off your head if the weather suddenly changes.
Rather than spend months organizing a big meet, I suggest that we pick a weekend soon that works for as many people as possible, but just bring a sandwich lunch that would be quick with no fuss. That way we don't have to spend hours with fires and elaborate food prep. There will be plenty of time for pictures at the park and/or at the observatory, but the DRIVE would be the main purpose of this destination during the months where the weather may have a negative effect.
As a staging area for us to meet and form a caravan, there is a large sporting goods store on Alum Rock Ave.- this is Reed's Sport Shop at 3020 Alum Rock on the right (South) side of the street about 1 1/2 miles East of where you got off the 680 South freeway.
Weekends will bring out a lot of people who can't drive and will get in our way for a fast trip up, and most of this road will have absolutely no place to safely pass. But the views of the valley from the observatory are spectacular, and the buildings on the mountain top would make a great backdrop for your cars.
For the Mt. Diablo meet, it took me about 90 minutes to get there from the Santa Cruz mountains. My guess is that for everyone who was there, as well as for "solbrothers" from Vallejo, this would be a 90 minute trip or less to Reed's Sport Shop. I don't remember the time it takes from there to the top of the mountain, but I am guessing at 40 minutes without traffic. The last time I was there, it was for a night time concert in the observatory itself. My wife and I worked as ushers leading people up narrow little stairs to chairs set up on the circular platform where the astronomers move from telescope to telescope during their normal work activities. The builder of the observatory, James Lick, is buried in a tomb under the platform.
So, anyone who is interested in this trip, pick a weekend after this one and start a list. I will come and lead the parade as long as I am not putting on my Skunk2 rear disc brakes whenever this comes together.
Dave
Last edited by manxman; 10-20-2007 at 10:50 PM.