Scottsdale / Springerville / Albuquerque, NM
I did a night run from Scottsdale to Springerville to avoid the last of the heat. By the time I got into the canyons in the Superstition Mountain range, it was downright chilly. But I’d rather be cold than hot. Running the canyons in the dark at speed was quite an adventure – I wish I had some video gear so you could see it.
This morning I did a daytime run from Springerville to Albuquerque, NM. The skies were overcast part of the time, but I only got a brief drizzle. However, I did encounter a flooded part of the highway (the Atom handled it quite well) and got the car wet / dirty. After arriving here in ABQ, I called a mobile detailer to the hotel to clean up the car, which went quite well.
I’m at the Doubletree downtown until Saturday morning – if you’re in the area, give me a call on the hotline to schedule a time / place to meet.
Once I leave here, expect the pictures to start appearing again.
August 18th, 2006 10:56
Can you tell us what tire pressures you are running and how’s the comfort? 15 psi front and 17 rear?
August 18th, 2006 11:02
I’m using the factory-recommended pressures, 18 front and 20 rear. Comfort has been fine, except on some sections of road where the underlying material is short slabs of concrete, which tend to react with the short wheelbase of the Atom and impart a galloping feeling.
August 18th, 2006 13:59
Terri: For at least one day, go to 15 psi at front and 17 at rear. These are the pressures I have mine set to. These are also the pressures I use on the track and there’s never been any hint of the tires coming off the rim. And I’ve been at > 1 G lateral. You might find an improvement / more compliance / more relaxed feel. You will not notice any floppiness in sterring reaction I’m sure. Remember that those tires are designed to hold a car twice (at least) as heavy. So the sidewalls are stiff even is you had 12 psi in them.
August 18th, 2006 17:12
I figure you could probably just imagine the theme music to Bonanza when you’re going over that kind of terrain…
Terri, my friend (who just placed the order for his Atom) and I plan to meet up with you on your way to Westcliffe CO. What are your plans for tomorrow? (Saturday) Is the phone still the best way to reach you?
August 18th, 2006 19:28
Not sure. I won’t be leeving ABQ until perhaps 2 PM, and I might stay here till Sunday if the weather is projected to be bad between here and Westcliffe. Per the schedule, I’d do ABQ / Mora Saturday and Mora / Westcliffe on Sunday. The best thing to do would be to check the hotline on Saturday night to see where I am and what time I’ll be starting on Sunday.
August 19th, 2006 21:29
I have the original CF dash on which yours was based. I had mine made that wide to fit the Garmin GPR 276C. Well I just noticed that with the new model (same form factor) you can attach the XM antenna and if you subscribe to the service, you can see weather on the map. Sotms included. This model is designed for marine and automotive use. For a trip like the one you’re on, sounds like it would be useful. Any oull over by freindly State Patrolmen?