Miata Mailing List: February 1997, Message #126
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   From: (none)

Subject: Mt. Hamilton - Hyw. 130 - BAMA (long) 

   Date: (none)



Bay Area Miataers:



     I recently had the great opportunity to drive up highway 130

from Patterson to San Jose.  While driving I noted some obstacles

such as unusually sharp turns, and the most notorious of road

hazards: Cattle guards.  My method including zeroing out my trip

odom. at Interstate 5, and counting the miles between obstacles

or hazards. For example, the first hazard came at .7 mile from

the "start" and the next was .3 from that or 1.0 mile from the

"start." I also wanted to find out how clear the road was since

we have had some amazing rain fall that has washed out many roads

and created mudslides.  I took this road solo, so I was able to

make some really good time.  Unlike, say, when my wife is along.

This has got to be one of the best Miata roads anywhere.



     Mile           Hazard                   Gear



      .7       Cattle guard                   2 or 3

      .3        "      "                      2 or 3

     5.8       Sharp turn - Increasing        2

               radius 

     1.4       Ranch House

               (not a haz. but landmark)     4

     2.4       Cattle guard                  2

     4.7       "       "                     3

     1.2       Frank Reins Park

               (not a haz. but landmark      3

               Ranger Station, & Off-road

               park)

      .6       Cattle guard                  2

     2.1       Hard right, then cattle

               guard                         2

     1.4       County Line Stan. -> Santa    3

               Clara

      .3       Cattle guard                  2

      .9       Cattle guard                  2

      .5       Cattle guard                  2

     1.3       3 way yield intersection      1

     5.1       Cattle guard                  3

      .7       Cattle guard                  3

      .5       Cattle guard                  3

     3.9       Cattle guard                  3

     1.2       Cattle guard                  3

     1.5       Cattle guard                  3

     3.9       Cattle guard                  2

     7.5       Lick Observatory



     Total miles from Patterson to summit of Mt. Hamilton - Lick

Observatory is 48.  From Lick Observatory down into San Jose is

17 miles.  So, from Patterson to San Jose is 65 miles.  Total

travel time is approx. 2.5 hours.



Observations:



     Stanislaus County seems to do a poorer job with it's cattle

guards.  Once past the 3 way yield, the guards can be taken in

3rd gear.  Cars that are lowered may want to take all guards in

2nd gear.  Significant bottoming can occur.  I have the stock

suspension, with an Racing Beat rear brace.  The first time I

took this road I was unfamiliar with the cattle guards, and

smacked the brace while going too fast over one of these

notoriously rough hazards.  In addition, the third item on the

list needs some description.  From San Jose down into Patterson,

this is a decreasing radius turn (increasing going from Patterson

to San Jose).  You can easily over-shoot the exit with understeer

if you go in too hot.  Be easy with this turn and pay attention

to the "20 MPH" yellow yield sign.  Go in slow and come out hard

on the gas.  A quick flick of the wrist will catch any oversteer. 

This is a great turn!  From here, it is a few miles to a section

that is taken in 3rd.  From the waterfall on your right, you have

a sharp right-hander followed by a cattle guard (item 9 on the

list).  This section is also a blast as it is foot down, and

flick the wheel to catch each turn.  What is sooo fun is the

rhythm that is easy to set up. Each turn is rapid fire, as soon

as your out of one, you're into another. -- As a side note, I

took my road racing bike down this road, and my Avocet speedo

read 55 mph (I bunny-hopped the cattle guard)!!--  You quickly

come upon the crest of the hill (county line) and over into Santa

Clara county. If you are into left-foot breaking, this is the

perfect road to practice.  Just don't confuse the peddles as some

drop-offs are several hundred feet. There is much more, and I

would explain, but words can't describe this road.  You *must*

drive it.



Enjoy!!!!



Eric Schwarzentraub

'91 Silver Stone

Modesto, CA