Ashland to Crater Lake to Ashland
I’m back in Ashland after a night at the Crater Lake Lodge with the Atom. I’ll be here until Saturday as Brammo makes some tweaks to the car to better accomodate my oversize frame. I’ll post some pictures on Friday – I left my adapter with the rest of my trip supplies at Brammo.
First impression – this car is very easy to drive. The transmission / clutch feel is incredible, particularly as this is a new car, which tends to be tempermental. The car feels like it is glued to the road – I was hearing tire squeal from the cars that were following me as they tried to keep up in the curves.
I’ve made a few suggestions to the folks at Brammo for new options, which may or may not appear in time.
I’ll be getting a helmet intercom fitted here in Ashland so I can follow my GPS directions (from the PC I have with me). I got lost on the way to Crater Lake, but it was the most fun I’ve ever had getting lost.
The car gets lots of attention wherever it goes. People are surprised to hear it is made right here in Oregon.
By the way, DMV was a breeze – with my out-of-state driver’s license, an insurance card, and the Certificate of Origin from Brammo, I was on my way with 2 temporary trip plates (21 days each) for $40 total in less than 20 minutes, a lot of which was taken up by talking about the car.
The car, facing the Crater Lake Lodge:
Wizard Island in Crater Lake:
An ancient evergreen clinging to the crater rim:
August 3rd, 2006 20:44
Sounds exciting Terri! I can’t wait to meet you and see the car on the 15th of August. It’s great you have a computer with you with Internet access. And I can certainly imagine it was the most fun you’ve had getting lost…
August 3rd, 2006 21:22
Ashland to Crater Lake to Ashland
nice..
August 3rd, 2006 22:38
Very nice idea for a trip. I am very interested to see how the Atom holds up mechanically to such a long trip.
BTW the car is extremely nice- especially like the color and the microdash.
Let us know how you feel about the 300hp. Seems very powerful for a road car. Do you find it useable.? I drove the 205hp version and that was incredibly fast 🙂
August 4th, 2006 00:23
Well, I’ve been trying to avoid having a lead foot. The 300 has great get-up-and-go. I’d probably be satisfied with one of the lesser engines at this point, but I hope to grow into the 300.
August 4th, 2006 20:18
Where will you be in New York City. Its my home town and I will definitely get you a drink when you get here 🙂
August 4th, 2006 21:16
Sounds good. I should be back on September 5th if all goes well. I’ll be taking a break and then I’ll be showing the car around the NY area.
September 10th, 2011 18:52
[…] On the 14th, I’ll be driving the Atom up to Crater Lake for two days as a shakedown, just as I did on my very first Atom trip. […]
September 17th, 2011 23:22
[…] is the same evergreen from my visit 5 years ago. It has lost some more living pieces. I suspect that it is being harmed by people […]