650 miles in an MGB, a drive report

[drooartz]

Jenny and I took a road trip down to Torrey Utah with my local car club this past weekend. Thought y'all might like a little report on it...

<span style="font-weight: bold">Day 1, Saturday: 250 Miles</span>

Memorial Day, the traditional start of the summer season, a great weekend to head into southern Utah for a road trip. So on a beautiful sunny and warm Saturday we headed out...

Okay, it really was 45 degrees and overcast, with rain and maybe snow forecast throughout the weekend. We were headed out with the British Motor Club of Utah for a weekend trip to Torrey, Utah, which is just outside of Capitol Reef National Park. This would be our first road trip in the MGB, and our first time on this annual outing with the club. An MGB doesn’t have lots of space, but we’re used to traveling light. Too light as it turned out, but more on that later.

<span style="font-style: italic">MGB packed and ready</span>

The group met up in a mall parking lot on the south end of the Salt Lake valley. We were a mix of folks doing the full weekend tour, a few who were along for a day, and some just there for the morning send off. In the truest spirit of adventure one group had tried and failed to get a room reservation, so they packed up their RV, hooked up their MINI, and came along. That’s the spirit!

<span style="font-style: italic">Getting ready to head off</span>

We’re normally not the most organized club, but tour master Roger Davis provided just enough structure to make the tour safe and functional. We don’t try and keep the group together while we’re traveling, but Roger had set up some nicely planned stops to regroup and make sure that everyone was still running well. Our overdrive-equipped MGB wound up spending most of the time up with the fast group. The first leg was the only interstate section of the day, and included a long stretch of construction through Provo. Traffic was still moving smoothly and we all made it to the first stop with no issues, other than Rob leading David off on a slightly more scenic tour of greater Springville due to a missed exit.

Our next leg was a pleasant run down to Fairview via Rt 6 and Rt 89. The weather was holding nicely and all the cars were running well. The Memorial Day weekend traffic wasn’t too bad, and though cool (yes, we had the top up) the wet weather we’ve been having was nowhere to be seen. Everyone made it to the gas stop in Fairview, and we prepared for the run up the canyon.

Fairview Canyon is a lovely but steep drive, with a summit around 9600 feet. Even in the cool spring air we had some cars getting hot on the way up, but everyone made it to the summit where we enjoyed the view and the crisp air. From there it was down through Huntington Canyon to our lunch stop in Castledale at Big Momma’s. The group would split at Castledale, with some folks looping back up to Salt Lake and the rest continuing on down to Torrey. We had a nice lunch and enjoyed the warm sunshine.

<span style="font-style: italic">On the pass between Fairview and Huntington Canyons</span>

From Castledale down to Torrey our MGB wound up leading Rob and Nan’s Mini and Pugs and Diane in their Crossfire on a truly stupendous stretch of driving. A bit of cruising from Castledale down to the crossing with I70, then a magnificent run over route 72 through the Fishlake National Forrest. Smooth pavement, flowing curves, great cars, and no traffic -- the sort of day we live for.

We arrived at the hotel to find that the manager was temporarily out, with only the cleaning staff (who spoke no English, and we spoke no Spanish) available. The guy was very helpful, though, and went over to the store next door and got someone to help us out. We got our rooms sorted out and started to get settled in -- which was where we realized that we were sharing the hotel with a group of bikers from the Mongol motorcycle gang who were in town along with a police presence pulled from all over the state. At least we wouldn’t be keeping the other guests up at night.

Soon the rest of the group started to arrive, as did the hotel manager and owner. Rooms were arranged and the serious business of standing around with drink in hand talking cars got started. Various dinner plans were made and the group split off to enjoy the town and the evening.

 

[drooartz]

<span style="font-weight: bold">Day 2, Sunday: 200 Miles</span>

Before I get to the day’s events, I need to explain a bit about the club as we’re not your average car club. We have just two founding principals: we will never have a judged car show, and every drive will include food. That’s it. We have just enough organization to make things happen, but only ever just as much as we need. Sunday was a great example of this philosophy, with nothing officially planned. We wound up joining a group that was heading down Route 12 through Escalante -- one of the best drives in the entire state.

Before we headed south we decided to swing into the park to see a waterfall that Roger had noticed when he was down scouting out the location. The morning started cool (top still up on the MGB) as we headed into Capitol Reef National Park. Visibility out of the MGB isn’t great with the top up, but the scenery was still something to behold. If you’ve never been to the park, you owe it to yourself to add it to your list. Utah has an abundance of parks, and Capitol Reef is my favorite.

After the short walk out to the waterfall we took the top down for the first time on the trip and had a wonderful drive back through the park. There’s nothing like top-down motoring through a narrow canyon. Truly stunning. A quick fuel stop back in town saw us heading down Route 12. I’ve done this route on a couple of different motorcycle trips, and never tire of it. Twisty, steep in places, and finished up on the southern end with the craziest piece of road I’ve ever been on -- one lane in each direction with steep drops on each side, draped over the white rock of Escalante. Marvelous.

The first half of the drive from Torrey to Boulder was chilly and windy, but still lovely. We stopped for a moment in Boulder to regroup and while we were stopped Larry came up and let me know that my muffler seemed quite low. Sure enough, the rear hanger had snapped in half. Out came the tools and bailing wire (yes, I’ve had this happen before on the Sprite so I’m prepared). With Rich’s help we had the muffler secured again and ready to go. We also had some help from a local dog who figured that we had stopped just to play with him. Very friendly little guy.

At this point the group split off with half heading on towards Escalante and half heading down the paved portion of the Burr Trail. We joined Kevin and Marie in their Healey 100M and Rich and his friend in his TR250 on the road down to Escalante. The views did not disappoint, though the wind was getting to all of us. When we stopped at a little cafe for lunch (slow, but decent with a great view) the top went back up on the MGB.

On the way back to Torrey we ran into our friends at the restaurant in Boulder, and they let us know that the Burr Trail road was well worth doing. It proved to be a 15 mile stretch of decent pavement through some stunning red rock canyons. Magnificent views, and well worth the diversion. After this side trip it was time to head back to Torrey. We got stuck behind a couple cars that did not understand proper mountain road etiquette -- the Triumph and Healey were able to get around them but the MGB didn’t have quite enough grunt to pass safely in the few short stretches where passing was safe. We relaxed a bit and enjoyed the view at a slower pace.

<span style="font-style: italic">Stopped for lunch</span>

<span style="font-style: italic">MGB on the Burr Trail</span>

<span style="font-style: italic">Southern Utah at its best</span>

Dinner with a view followed, a nice ending to a great if windy day.

 

[drooartz]

<span style="font-weight: bold">Day 3, Monday: 200 Miles</span>

Monday dawned cold but dry. Did I mention it was cold? 38F according to the Weather Channel. Torrey is at 6500’ in elevation, so even though it is further south that elevation does cool things off. Makes it quite lovely in July, but a bit chilly during a cool, damp May.

<span style="font-style: italic">Cold but ready in the hotel parking lot</span>

The trip home was not going to be a group drive -- some folks would caravan together, and others would make their way home by themselves. Jenny and I are early risers and wound up deciding to head off on our own, trusting to the MGB’s toughness and the fact that we’d be in cell phone/AAA range for most of the drive if we had any issues. So car packed and top up we headed off.

Our route would be the most direct home, 200 miles that included a longer stretch of I15 but would take the least time. The roads were wet in places but otherwise clear and smooth. We saw plenty of snow on the fields next to the road, and were glad of the MGB’s top -- though the draft coming in from the back of the side windows was a bit much during the colder stretches. A strategically placed towel took the edge off the chill as the heater struggled to provide actual heat. We both made mental notes to pack more warm clothes on the next trip. Lots more clothes, in fact. The MGB’s trunk had plenty more space, and some gloves and an extra jacket or sweater would have been welcome.

<span style="font-style: italic">Snow in the passes, warm-ish in the MGB</span>

We tried to top off the fuel tank in Scipio, but we were thwarted by what we later learned was a wide-spread power outage. Luckily the MGB’s tank gives us plenty of range so we jumped onto I15 for the blast north. The car settled into a comfortable cruise at 3500 RPM (72 mph as per iPhone GPS), plenty fast enough even with the 80mph speed limit on some stretches. No trouble keeping up with traffic, and we were reasonably snug in our little mobile tent. The MGB’s top may not be the simplest to set up but it does do the job.

Other than a nasty stretch of construction-narrowed road through Provo the drive home was uneventful. We rolled into the garage at 11:30 am, after just a touch under 4 hours on the road. The MGB didn’t miss a beat all day, and cruised comfortably even in the unpleasant weather.

What a fun weekend. Sure, the weather could have been better (I’d take a bunch less wind next time) but given the cold wet spring we’ve been having no one was complaining. We put around 650 miles on the car with only our broken muffler bracket to slow us down. I believe that was the worst issue of the group, with a few carb issues as the only other slowdowns. We saw beautiful natural scenery, and drove through some of the more remote areas of the continental United States, all in a 40 year old British sports car with the steering wheel on the other side. We also got to relax and enjoy the company of some fine folks, proof that the old car hobby brings together the best of people.

<span style="font-style: italic">Home at last, safe and sound</span>

 

[elrey]

Thank you for the trip! Glad you made it. I stayed nice and warm while I read it. Well done.

 

[aeronca65t]

<span style="font-weight: bold">Day 2, Sunday: 200 Miles</span>

Before I get to the day’s events, I need to explain a bit about the club as we’re not your average car club. We have just two founding principals: we will never have a judged car show, and every drive will include food. That’s it........

I like those rules!

Great story. I've only driven mine about 50 miles this year. I have some catching up to do!

 

[JPSmit]

Great trip report - thanks

 

[drooartz]

I've only driven mine about 50 miles this year. I have some catching up to do!

I've got about 1000 miles on the MGB since it arrived in April. Lots more to do!

 

[judow]

Bully for you and Jenny! I think when driver and companion can enjoy such an event they are truly made for each other! This, of course, is a lady's point of view.

Can I join your club? Sounds like our Healey Club, our meetings do NOT follow Robert's Rules and we like to eat and drive. Somehow we manage to have events and so far not one of the events have failed to materialized.

:thumbsup:

 

[DNK]

Very Nice , Drew

 

[drooartz]

Can I join your club?

Anyone can join, so come on up! Don't have to have a car and there are no dues anyways, just a tin passed around to cover the few expenses we have. Heck, I've been to more events on a motorcycle or in my hatchback than in a British car. We're a casual bunch, good folks all around.

 

[Steve_S]

Looks like a nice run despite the cold. I'm glad you're enjoying your new B!

 

[BabaKahawa]

Great story and trip....
It's always nice to end up in your garage with no real problems.

 

[DNK]

Drew, I heard it all the way in Seattle.
At first I wasn't sure what it was .
My wife said it sounded like a Sprite with a broken heart.
Aha.
Poor Tunebug

 

[drooartz]

Drew, I heard it all the way in Seattle.
At first I wasn't sure what it was .
My wife said it sounded like a Sprite with a broken heart.
Aha.
Poor Tunebug

Nope, proper horses for proper courses, that's all. I'm going to be swapping cars this week so I can get the Tunebug back to the house for some more work. No worries, the little car is doing just fine.

 

[TRDejaVu]

650 miles in a weekend; that's more miles than some trailer queens do in 10 years!!! It sounds like you had a great time.

 

[drooartz]

So I went to swap the cars tonight so I could get the Tunebug out of my rented garage to work on it. Fired up the MGB and the sound was straight-pipe loud. Shut it off and looked underneath -- the pipe had separated at one of the joints. Car made it all the way home with the bodged hanger, and must have come all the way apart when I shut it off in the garage. That's one tough little car!

 

[Deleted member 8987]

Question.....did you get any "flack" from your co-pilot?
Mine doesn't like riding on the left, doesn't like the seats, doesn't like the "firm" ride...etc.
Biggest is the riding so close to on-coming traffic....I keep threatening to load a spare steering wheel in the back seat, so I can drag it out and hand it to her.

15K in 3 years......

 

[Basil]

Jealous am I.

 

[drooartz]

Question.....did you get any "flack" from your co-pilot?

Jenny did really well. Only one stretch on the Burr Trail road where it was *very* narrow and there were a couple of oncoming pickup trucks -- very close there, made her nervous. Otherwise she is pretty used to the left hand passenger seat. We both found the MGB remarkably comfy for the trip, just a bit noisy and drafty, both of which are eventually fixable.

She was having fun putting both hands up in the air every now and then, wondering what the other drivers thought.

One more shot from the trip, taken while I was sorting out the broken exhaust mount.

 

[DrEntropy]

mehheh. We always travel with wire coat-hangers!! Dual use gear, y'see. :wink:

After the first time that happened, we stocked up on those rubber/cloth bits and made up "quick change" rear and central hangers. ANSA or Stebro hangers are adaptable for the task.