Solo Euro Hoon. Car, Guitar, Drone!!!
Discussion
Inkasmum said:
Are you a member of secret facebook Mclaren group?
No. Edited by Inkasmum on Saturday 2nd June 22:35
I'm not on Facebook or any social media. I realise as a serial McLaren owner I am probably missing out on loads of important info but I just don't want a facebook account or anything like that.
Huge apologies ladies and gents, I just got completely distracted by having a bloody good time!
I've driven some amazing passes, cant remember the names but all recognisable stuff.
Had a superb "race" (careful!) after the Maloja pass. This is a proper cliff hanging twister which I haven't seen mentioned anywhere before but makes your head spin.
Going up I had a few cars in front of me but everybody was getting on with it. At one point
3 Ferrari 599's came the other way, 2 red and 1 grey, must have been touring.
In the mirrors was a woman in a souped up range rover, she was really pushing me but I had nowhere to go.
When we came over the top I had a van in front of me and she was really pushing, I thought she must know the route so I'll let her get in front. The second I dropped back and left a gap she roared passed! She tried to take the van too but it was still really twisty and I slammed on and let her pull in front of me just before she hit any oncoming car!
She gave me a wave out of the window and I thought f
k she's in a hurry!
Literally the next tiny bit of straight road she blasted passed the van. I thought well for pistonheads sake I've got to stay with her so thrashed round behind her. Not going to lie, it wasn't sensible.
Once free of the van she absolutely hammered it. This is Switzerland, the land of the car crushers so I'm very nervous but I thought fk it, she must know what she's doing.
She drove like a fking lunatic down the long winding stretch to the lake. We kept coming up behind 1 or 2 cars and she just blasted passed them with no fear or apparent regard for blind bends. I was just hanging on, it was fking superb!
Once the straights got a little more sensible I waited for her to pass a couple of cars then stamped the throttle and passed her too.
Obviously I had loads more brute acceleration than her (although it was a very quick rangie! ) so I just powered away but quickly realised this wasnt any fun so held back for get to catch up.
She was well into it and came hammering passed me again as soon as she caught up!
We kept this overtake and switch fun up all the way to St Morritz and then she turned off at a roundabout.
The car was on German plates and I'm sure shell never read this but if she ever does is like to thank her for the best alpine fun I've had!
I've driven some amazing passes, cant remember the names but all recognisable stuff.
Had a superb "race" (careful!) after the Maloja pass. This is a proper cliff hanging twister which I haven't seen mentioned anywhere before but makes your head spin.
Going up I had a few cars in front of me but everybody was getting on with it. At one point
3 Ferrari 599's came the other way, 2 red and 1 grey, must have been touring.
In the mirrors was a woman in a souped up range rover, she was really pushing me but I had nowhere to go.
When we came over the top I had a van in front of me and she was really pushing, I thought she must know the route so I'll let her get in front. The second I dropped back and left a gap she roared passed! She tried to take the van too but it was still really twisty and I slammed on and let her pull in front of me just before she hit any oncoming car!
She gave me a wave out of the window and I thought f
k she's in a hurry! Literally the next tiny bit of straight road she blasted passed the van. I thought well for pistonheads sake I've got to stay with her so thrashed round behind her. Not going to lie, it wasn't sensible.
Once free of the van she absolutely hammered it. This is Switzerland, the land of the car crushers so I'm very nervous but I thought f
k it, she must know what she's doing. She drove like a f
king lunatic down the long winding stretch to the lake. We kept coming up behind 1 or 2 cars and she just blasted passed them with no fear or apparent regard for blind bends. I was just hanging on, it was fking superb! Once the straights got a little more sensible I waited for her to pass a couple of cars then stamped the throttle and passed her too.
Obviously I had loads more brute acceleration than her (although it was a very quick rangie! ) so I just powered away but quickly realised this wasnt any fun so held back for get to catch up.
She was well into it and came hammering passed me again as soon as she caught up!
We kept this overtake and switch fun up all the way to St Morritz and then she turned off at a roundabout.
The car was on German plates and I'm sure shell never read this but if she ever does is like to thank her for the best alpine fun I've had!
Left Lake Como and took a long roundabout Alp pass route to Lichenstien. The owner of the hotel Tullio gave me the route and it was a great drive. Unfortunately after climbing for an hour one of the passes was shut, rock fall or something so I had to sit for a couple of hours waiting. The car was completely swarmed with people in the queue taking pictures so I just let them all at it! Kids in and out of the car and proud dads standing pretending to open the doors. I could have charged!
Then I caught a stand still traffic jam on a motorway and sat there for an hour too. Time I got to Lichenstien I was knackered, the hotel was boring and business like so I just basically crashed out for a couple of days and did bugger all.
Ive given up on taking pics cos my potato is so crap but honestly when you're in the alps you could take a stunning pic every hundred yards. Everything is amazing. rivers running loudly next to the road, huge spanning bridges, rivers pouring out thousands of feet up on sheet cliffs. At one point I was in a huge tunnel with openings against the mountain side. Every now and then there were openings with waterfalls cascading down the rock face feet from the road, ridiculous.
You have to go there, really.
The main issue with Alpine driving is that you start to get used to it, you find yourself carrying way too much speed into the bends and you have to really concentrate on not being a cock. No room for error here.
I came over eventually via somewhere called Montespluga or something, the Swiss side descent was scary as fk, they had roadworks on the pass and it was hairpins on a 10 foot wide road with no barriers and vertiginous drops. Frankly, I st myself!
As I pulled into the hotel I got flashed by a camera. 56 in 50 which is pretty ironic considering the fking insane speeds I have been hitting in the alps for the past week. Hotel manager said it will be 60 Francs.
Then I caught a stand still traffic jam on a motorway and sat there for an hour too. Time I got to Lichenstien I was knackered, the hotel was boring and business like so I just basically crashed out for a couple of days and did bugger all.
Ive given up on taking pics cos my potato is so crap but honestly when you're in the alps you could take a stunning pic every hundred yards. Everything is amazing. rivers running loudly next to the road, huge spanning bridges, rivers pouring out thousands of feet up on sheet cliffs. At one point I was in a huge tunnel with openings against the mountain side. Every now and then there were openings with waterfalls cascading down the rock face feet from the road, ridiculous.
You have to go there, really.
The main issue with Alpine driving is that you start to get used to it, you find yourself carrying way too much speed into the bends and you have to really concentrate on not being a cock. No room for error here.
I came over eventually via somewhere called Montespluga or something, the Swiss side descent was scary as f
k, they had roadworks on the pass and it was hairpins on a 10 foot wide road with no barriers and vertiginous drops. Frankly, I st myself!As I pulled into the hotel I got flashed by a camera. 56 in 50 which is pretty ironic considering the f
king insane speeds I have been hitting in the alps for the past week. Hotel manager said it will be 60 Francs.Edited by br d on Thursday 7th June 20:23
Arrived at the Romantik Hotel in Neumühle which is my favourite hotel anywhere, and I've stayed at some good ones.
The Bavarian countryside is a dream for fast driving, just empty and warm and bright at this time of year. The reason I take these trips is because this stuff can't last, sooner or later we'll be monitored by fking satellite or something and all driving pleasure will cease.
Got to get in while we can.
Whenever I stay here I hire a mountain bike and head up into the woods and hills. It's beautiful here and you really can get a sense of being lost in the wilds.
So I remembered Dave.
The plan was to take him up to the top of the hills and have him follow me down on the bike.
Btw, thanks to the poster who gave me so much brilliant info on flying Dave on this thread, can't see the name while I'm in here but it was invaluable stuff!
The day before the bike ride it suddenly occurred to me that I wouldn't be able to fix the fking controller thingy to the bike. I went into town and bought a few clamps but couldn't find anything better at short notice.
Rode and pushed the bike to the top of the local hills in 32 fking degrees and could barely breath when I got up there!
Set Dave up for a test flight and had all the usual crap with compass not calibrating and flight space warnings, also couldn't see the screen again cos of the sun. I'm telling you if you're thinking of buying one of these don't watch YouTube, it is four fifths of bugger all like the reality of these things.
Tried to set it up on the bike handlebars with the clamps but it was hopeless so I just gave up.
Then I thought, well I really want to try this tracking thing so why not just run around and see if it will lock on?
Now, I'm not on any social media, I never take selfies, and barely even look in the mirror these days so I'm not very conscious of how I look.
But fk me this was a shock!
I'd like to say that my knees are shot so I have to run on the balls of my feet.
I'd like to say the ground was hard and pitted so I was being careful.
I'd like to say I'd just ridden 30k in blistering temparatures so I was floundering somewhat.
But really nothing can excuse it.
I run like a girl.
I've been running all my life and if I'd realised this is how I look I probably wouldn't have bothered.
Anyway, it worked. Dave followed me.
I walk off into the bushes at the end because the sunlight was on the screen and I couldn't see, but it worked!
I have 4 days left to try to get Dave to follow the car.
Dave wasn't a total waste of money.
https://youtu.be/-G4tf_pWTN8
The Bavarian countryside is a dream for fast driving, just empty and warm and bright at this time of year. The reason I take these trips is because this stuff can't last, sooner or later we'll be monitored by f
king satellite or something and all driving pleasure will cease. Got to get in while we can.
Whenever I stay here I hire a mountain bike and head up into the woods and hills. It's beautiful here and you really can get a sense of being lost in the wilds.
So I remembered Dave.
The plan was to take him up to the top of the hills and have him follow me down on the bike.
Btw, thanks to the poster who gave me so much brilliant info on flying Dave on this thread, can't see the name while I'm in here but it was invaluable stuff!
The day before the bike ride it suddenly occurred to me that I wouldn't be able to fix the f
king controller thingy to the bike. I went into town and bought a few clamps but couldn't find anything better at short notice. Rode and pushed the bike to the top of the local hills in 32 f
king degrees and could barely breath when I got up there! Set Dave up for a test flight and had all the usual crap with compass not calibrating and flight space warnings, also couldn't see the screen again cos of the sun. I'm telling you if you're thinking of buying one of these don't watch YouTube, it is four fifths of bugger all like the reality of these things.
Tried to set it up on the bike handlebars with the clamps but it was hopeless so I just gave up.
Then I thought, well I really want to try this tracking thing so why not just run around and see if it will lock on?
Now, I'm not on any social media, I never take selfies, and barely even look in the mirror these days so I'm not very conscious of how I look.
But f
k me this was a shock!I'd like to say that my knees are shot so I have to run on the balls of my feet.
I'd like to say the ground was hard and pitted so I was being careful.
I'd like to say I'd just ridden 30k in blistering temparatures so I was floundering somewhat.
But really nothing can excuse it.
I run like a girl.
I've been running all my life and if I'd realised this is how I look I probably wouldn't have bothered.
Anyway, it worked. Dave followed me.
I walk off into the bushes at the end because the sunlight was on the screen and I couldn't see, but it worked!
I have 4 days left to try to get Dave to follow the car.
Dave wasn't a total waste of money.
https://youtu.be/-G4tf_pWTN8
johnwilliams77 said:
amazing that the rangie was pushing so hard - surprised it was even remotely difficult to keep with her though but regardless - sounds like amazing fun and kudos for blasting right past her. You probably don’t know what would have happened if you were caught....sc0tt said:
Hi brad, hope you are having a great time. Long time no speak.
Scott
Hi Scott, hope you are well mate. Scott
I Think you've emmigrated or something haven't you?
If you are still around give me a shout, would love to meet up for a beer, been too long, and you still have the record for the best pic on pistonheads!
DamnKraut said:
Second that, Mr Girl-Runner.
My home country may have its flaws but for car enthusiasts it’s one of the if not the best place in the world. That’s why my weekend toy is waiting in its warm garage for me to come over once in a while every few weeks when work allows just to go driving for 2 days straight with destination nowhere. Black Forest is my home turf and if you weren’t passing through it so quickly to mingle with the speed limit obsessed Swiss, you’d find roads there that are the wet dream of any PHer. Enjoy the remaining days in Germany!
Have enjoyed the Black Forest roads often DK. My home country may have its flaws but for car enthusiasts it’s one of the if not the best place in the world. That’s why my weekend toy is waiting in its warm garage for me to come over once in a while every few weeks when work allows just to go driving for 2 days straight with destination nowhere. Black Forest is my home turf and if you weren’t passing through it so quickly to mingle with the speed limit obsessed Swiss, you’d find roads there that are the wet dream of any PHer. Enjoy the remaining days in Germany!
Stayed at Brenners Park in Baden Baden many times and driven through to Frieberg.
Stopped at the dam in the early morning mist and blasted through the back roads before the police get up!
Wonderful part of the world.
How's this for a view out of your hotel window:
https://youtu.be/E4143TN4t5k
And even better, this self cleaning toilet from an Autobahn service station:
https://youtu.be/jZiWHoTafXM
https://youtu.be/E4143TN4t5k
And even better, this self cleaning toilet from an Autobahn service station:
https://youtu.be/jZiWHoTafXM
shortar53 said:
I'm offended by your youtube video title. None of the gayers I work with (their term, not mine) would be offended by the utter lack of style in your run.
And not enough sequins, dahling.
:-D :-D
Minefield. And not enough sequins, dahling.
:-D :-D
No offense meant to any gay runners, I'm sure most of them are far more athletic and manly than I'll ever be.
I mean if they want to be that is, I'm no suggesting they want to be, I mean, perhaps they might be offended at me suggesting that they want to be more manly and athletic...
Ah f
k it. Sorry to everyone for everything! Kewy said:
Ah the Maloja Pass! I stumbled across this beautiful road back in February when I was touring round the lakes in a Skoda Fabia hire care. Incredible road eh? We drove up it on a whim as it looked like a fun road on the map, stopped at the top and took lots of photos, went for a drink in the little town of Maloja and had a bit of a walk.
I noticed that you said you cruised with the Rangey all the way to St Moritz, but then in your next post you talk of leaving Lake Como, which is at the opposite end of the Maloja Pass – did you turn round and drive back to Como down the pass again? Personally I found driving it southbound was better than northbound.
Its a shame you've headed north into Germany now as there are some real treats down by the lakes I could have recommended you. I'm currently in the process of planning a trip in my own car down there in April/May next year. Have you found the roads to be busy at this time of year? I wasn't sure if I should push it much further than May – I want the mountain passes to be open but not busy or full of cyclists!
Right let's have a look. I noticed that you said you cruised with the Rangey all the way to St Moritz, but then in your next post you talk of leaving Lake Como, which is at the opposite end of the Maloja Pass – did you turn round and drive back to Como down the pass again? Personally I found driving it southbound was better than northbound.
Its a shame you've headed north into Germany now as there are some real treats down by the lakes I could have recommended you. I'm currently in the process of planning a trip in my own car down there in April/May next year. Have you found the roads to be busy at this time of year? I wasn't sure if I should push it much further than May – I want the mountain passes to be open but not busy or full of cyclists!
Sorry for any confusion. I was staying at a hotel called Tullio (look for Supercars of Tullio on Facebook) at Lake Como. The guy who owned it is a petrol head and gave me various routes for the best passes so I was heading off on daily runs. That day I went up the Moloja (stunning frankly) then on to St Morritz, right to a little town called Pontrasina then through the Bernina Pass.
Back into italy at Tirano and then... somewhere, bringing me back to Como.
The Alps can get a bit confusing when you're driving them a lot.
I think late May is a good time. Things havent really got going down there, last year I was late June and everywhere was busy, this year all the skiing places like Chamonix were still pretty quiet. There are the dreaded cyclists but not enough to ruin it (and I've got nothing against them, they've come a long way to enjoy themselves too but I wish they wouldn't sit on the centre f
king line for miles like that!)I climbed the same alp this year as I did last year and there was loads more snow so I can see how some passes might still be shut.
I will welcome your wisdom kewy so do post up a route when you've done planning.
Never know what's out there but if I'm still breathing I will be coming out again next year.
sc0tt said:
I'll drop you a PM and we can sort out a pint santa 
Christ do you remember that? I've still got a pic somewhere.
Bless Lily and Russell, both gone now.
You and your mates did a good thing that day.
I think of him often when I'm out here with a beer and the guitar. As I said above, none of us know what's out there, got to enjoy it while you can.
I've got another effing speeding fine imminent. Flashed at 65 in a 50 coming down into Konigswinter from Petersberg.
The hotel had a fantastic bit of private road, it's up a mountain as you can probably tell from the view and had this lovely winding road down.
I have been absolutely thrashing the bks out of it up and down this road, think I may get told off at some point!
I'm also taking the piss with the parking.
The hotel has a couple of nice parking lots in the trees across from the hotel but I drove up to the main doors to unload my stuff and just left it there. It is reserved for the hotel limos and stuff like that but nobody has moaned at me.
I don't think it's going down well with the German guests who have to leave their thousands of fastback Audis and BMW's in the wooded car park and walk across but fk it. It's not arrogance you understand, I'm just chancing it, if they ask me to move it I'll a apologise and do so immediately.
If they don't I'll pretend I didn't understand.
Everybody drives powerful German fastback here, it's fantastic. Love German drivers, they do not fk about. The Autobahns are an absolute blast.
Everybody is crashing and getting their kidney wrapped round their earhole on a minute by minute basis obviously, just like BRAKE say will happen if we ever put our pitiful speed limits up, but other than that it's great.
Its strangely satisfying to have to get out of the way of a guy with his family in his fastback Merc when you're doing 180 km.
They can really drive.
I have a thing set on my dash that puts up a little speed limit sign for the road you are on, then you hit southern Germany, look down and find it has disappeared! There's no speed limit!
Even though I've done it many times before it still gives you a little frisson!
The hotel had a fantastic bit of private road, it's up a mountain as you can probably tell from the view and had this lovely winding road down.
I have been absolutely thrashing the b
ks out of it up and down this road, think I may get told off at some point!I'm also taking the piss with the parking.
The hotel has a couple of nice parking lots in the trees across from the hotel but I drove up to the main doors to unload my stuff and just left it there. It is reserved for the hotel limos and stuff like that but nobody has moaned at me.
I don't think it's going down well with the German guests who have to leave their thousands of fastback Audis and BMW's in the wooded car park and walk across but f
k it. It's not arrogance you understand, I'm just chancing it, if they ask me to move it I'll a apologise and do so immediately. If they don't I'll pretend I didn't understand.
Everybody drives powerful German fastback here, it's fantastic. Love German drivers, they do not f
k about. The Autobahns are an absolute blast.Everybody is crashing and getting their kidney wrapped round their earhole on a minute by minute basis obviously, just like BRAKE say will happen if we ever put our pitiful speed limits up, but other than that it's great.
Its strangely satisfying to have to get out of the way of a guy with his family in his fastback Merc when you're doing 180 km.
They can really drive.
I have a thing set on my dash that puts up a little speed limit sign for the road you are on, then you hit southern Germany, look down and find it has disappeared! There's no speed limit!
Even though I've done it many times before it still gives you a little frisson!
Edited by br d on Saturday 9th June 17:45
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