Gorgeous Autumn Day! - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Topless · 12-01-2008, 07:50 AM

Yesterday was amazing. 75-80F with clear blue skies and calm winds. I had just finished my annual service and the Box needed a good shakedown. I took her up to my little test road and wound her up a bit. Whew, what a blast! I love this time of year.

Those of you in SoCal probably know this road... Glendora Ridge Road. It's our own little "Tail of the Dragon" west. It starts at Mt. Baldy village at about 4500' elevation and winds tightly west towards Glendora/Azusa for about 1.5 hours. All 2nd and 3rd gear stuff with top speeds around 60 or so. Big fun. If you take a passenger who suffers from motion sickness watch out! This road will get them. I took it at a moderately spirited pace and stopped at the lookouts for views of downtown LA, Catalina Island and San Clemente Island. Gorgeous views!

I saw lots of crotch rockets, Mustangs, WRXs, and Evos, up there but no other Porsche. As I came down into Azusa I was pretty spent. I have enjoyed this road since I was 18 and it has never been better than top down in my Boxster on a warm, clear, Autumn day. Good times.

A few words of advice: If you want to do this road take it easy the first time. There are lots of tight blind corners. Three things to watch out for are sudden traction loss from sand and rocks in the corners, deer in headlights, and a hot hatch or a crotch rocket crossing the center line on a blind corner and creating a nice little head-on opportunity. Over the years I have encountered all three without incident but a change of underwear was in order. Enjoy!

Here is a link to the road with some pics:
http://www.motofoto.cc/glendora_ridge_road.htm

TriGem2k · 12-01-2008, 02:12 PM

Topless I lived in Glendora for 13 years. I used to ride my bike as a kid 2 miles up the hill just for the downhill rush.

Recenly a fellow I went to high school with took his Moto Bike up and never came back down :ah:

Very dangerous road but soo much fun.

I've only run my Boxster there once and I was being honked at like crazy by motorist. Propbably wouldnt do that again.

Topless · 12-02-2008, 06:13 AM

Yes.
As with any tight twisting mountain road it can be dangerous. It all depends on the wisdom of the driver/rider. I also lost some friends up on Highway 74 in my youth. They were driving foolishly and paid the ultimate price. GRR is still a great drivers road if you respect it. On a clear Autumn day it is breathtaking.

Anyone else get in an amazing drive last weekend??