SoCal Gambler (BajaXL Pre-Run)
While I enjoy sending it, I also like to return from the send. So against the ABG spirit we are testing our the miata prior to our 10 day BajaXL adventure. One test….one day…..not in Mexico. So it really shouldn’t count.
Trip starts by installing upgraded suspension and better off road capabilities. Not. I chose more lights as the best solution to going off in the southern sand. Because I also am racing a pair of shitboxes in the Lucky Dog Racing League I haven’t had any time to actually wire up the miata, therefore day of departure is the time to make it kind of happen.
I was able to TIG weld a pair of Lotus inspired brackets for the second set of spot lights. More on those ‘well fabricated’ brackets later. For now we are ready to roll, two hours later than planned and wiring half complete.
GPX -> Traveling Down to Salton Sea
More Foreshadowing
I thought it would be fun to have the whip on while traveling from the SF bay to San Diego. Little did I, or any local cops, know that this was apparently illegal. None the less it was fun and no one bothered me at this point.
Making great time along the way. Miata’s are apparently always the answer even when overloaded. Were able to still get somewhere near 20 mpg cruising at 75 mph with a fridge on my trunk.
Finally Making it to Camp
One last pit stop at the request of our blatters, the fuel tank and Flynn. He nicely asked for and thus recieved Tincup. While rolling around in the dark we missed camp, but the whip saved us. Flynn messaged we missed the turn, making a quick U-turn got us to the Friday night destination of SD sand. Proceeding to unpack, setup camp and then partake in a bit too much whiskey amongst gambler friends.
Long night to start off the trip, but Colleen survived and we got a little sleep. Flynn was riding passenger, so we parked next to the King (his ride). Using the light saber as camp light while setting up.
Day One
Waking up late as per correct for BajaXL, we stuffed everything into and onto the miata then joined up everyone at the start point. As part of our departure I had to test our the Miata’s rally abilities, drifting to nearest trashcan before finally departing on lava.
At this point we are just finding out who is actually here, getting the route points, and saying hi to old friends.
GPX File -> Let the Gamblin begin
Step One Get Lost
We proceeded to almost immediately get lost, thanks to our hung over navigator. No worries, it let Chad pick up the first piece of trash and gave me a bit of fun in sand. After a little deliberation we resorted back to lava until we could meet up with the group.
Look at this majestic thing!
Once meeting the group, I had to be judged by the scales of gambling gods. Thanks Flynn I hope I passed!
A familiar Scene
Apparently Keith hasn’t fixed his transmission mount. The reminds me of Baja already. A stop to ratchet strap his transmission down and take a bathroom brake an then the group is on its way.
Making Our Way Deeper Into Sand
This is the part of the trip that I’ve been waiting for, testing all the cooling upgrades on my little miata. We are plowing through soft dusty sand and not stopping except for the picturesque set of tracks crossing the river bed. At this point in our trip I’m pushing the hardest on the drivetrain and she is just taking it in stride. Rolling along in third gear spinning rear tires and keeping a cool 200 °F all the way through. maximum temps reached 205 °F. No where near concerns. This portion of the route was one of my favorites. I’d like to come back for a bit more fun.
How often do you get to drive under power lines?
Damn you 1980s safety bumper. Why did I let the King catch me??!?!?
Trying to be funny ended up bending my rear bumper cover, later in the day I took another look and it wasn’t actually damaged aside from a little paint crack. Good to know for future, and I forgive the shenanigans.
It is okay, the next section wasn’t passable without 4x4. Solution with a loaded Miata, apply all hamsters power. #teamnolift both in height and throttle. This portion was a fun high speed section where third gear and fourth gear actually had some traction. Reminding me of rally school.
It was finally starting to get dark and I was having trouble keeping up with Chad’s lead foot. We had a long sprint getting upto 65mph on the gravel. Miata felt solid aside from rear bottoming out. I’ll be fixing this before BajaXL with some longer travel suspension. Two inches of rear travel just isn’t enough.
Night Gambling
First… thank you Keith for pushing to have some night time activities in the dirt. It confirmed my light setup needs adjustment, more should be lower to avoid glare in the dust of your majestic crown vic. Also, this wasn’t fair with your well designed suspension compared against my road course lifted setup. Clearly I’ll need to change that so I can pass you in Baja.
GPX File -> Wandering in the dark to Camp
Shoes???
If you have followed along with this post then congrats and do you remember the foreshadowing? Well here is were it comes into play. We are about to roll across the Arizona border, but first are looking for a place to relieve our bladder. Find an intersection with a dark turn off, proceed to turn off road and see a cop and continue on our way. Then I see the dreaded blue/red flashing lights, being the only one that actually stopped at the stop sign.
Morning Camp Departure
At this point we are further away from home than we started. We started off 10 hours away and so gambling another day potentially further away was not in order. We both had to be home for work on Monday morning. That doesn’t mean we cannot wander a few miles up trail to see the desert cantina.
GPX File - Finding the Watering Hole
Long Road Home
After a good weekend with friends we had to trek home instead of continuing to gamble, we begin our 10 hour drive home…But while we do have to head home, we don’t have to take the most direct route. I’ve heard about Lake Havasu and the London Bridge from a handful of people. We were very close so our first stop is London!
GPX File -> Getting out of Arizona
Overall this was a great trip, a good testing of the Miata pre-baja. Met up with old friends, made some new ones and learned Miata is still always the answer. I do plan on either stiffening the rear springs or replacing it fully with a real long travel kit from Paco Motorsports. Time will tell….and my own impatience.
Good news is that we validated duct tape still fixes many things like the ditch lights. Another mod is to relocate ditch lights down lower for less glare and also finish wiring them to actual switches inside the car.
Thanks LRB!
Yes the miata was 2740 lbs plus 2 passengers…
For those wondering how much shit you can carry in a miata….Here is the break down and CAT confirmed weight without anyone in the car and 1/2 tank of fuel.
64.8 lbs - ARB cooler with some food
26.8 lbs - tool roll
18.8 lbs - grill w/propage
18.0 lbs - fuel jug (2.5 gallons)
17.8 lbs - folding table
16.0 lbs - cooking rolls
15.0 lbs - luggage (hers)
7.5 lbs (x2) - camping chair
14.0 lbs - sand boards
11.0 lbs - airbed & sleeping bag
10.6 lbs - trunk rack
8.4 lbs - luggage (his)
8.2 lbs - air jack
5.8 lbs - tent
4.4 lbs - straps
1.8 lbs - jet boil & fuel
0.8 lbs - small shovel
Until the next off road adventure!
