Another 3200 miles, Overcrest Rally '22 trip report Options

[Optimusglen]

The trip has come and gone and as promised here is a trip report. It was, in a word, wonderful.

My report for last year's OC Rally is here if you're interested, it sets the stage a bit for my, my car, the rally, etc.

Of course, my build thread here with some updates and fixes before I left.


After the success of last year's OC Rally, I was excited to find out what they had in store for this year. It had all the ingredients of a great time: the spirit of adventure, a limited group size, non-snobbery of driver/vehicle selection, and time spent with friends old and new.

The location shifted north, and was now in early September to better avoid potential snow or cold weather. Our starting point: Challis Idaho.

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Just like last year, getting to the start was a battle of it's own. Sure, the car was "proven" now, 3400 miles to Utah was likely to work out most of the bugs, but there were some things I had done in the interim, and old cars are always a mystery it seems.

Now, my schedule the week before was a little hairy too. That Tuesday was my daughter's first day of kindergarten and I wasn't about to miss getting her off the bus. So Tuesday evening I hit the road. Destination: the middle of nowhere North Dakota.

[Optimusglen]

Tuesday, September 6th


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The drive went smoothly until at one point, shortly past Fargo, I pulled into a service station. My windshield was caked with bug guts and as I rounded the corner at the top of the offramp I hit a very large pothole. It rocked the whole car and immediately I thought the tire was done for. I rolled into the gas station as the tire breathed its last and completely deflated.

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At that moment I was a little upset, but happy that I had a full size matching spare. The wheel is different, as you'll see, but the tire matches all the others. I rolled the car over to the air pump and put as much air into the tire as I could to raise it and fit my jack underneath. Then it was a straightforward task of unloading my entire front trunk and swapping the wheel. After that, and a windshield clean, I was back on the road. My lodging was in Jamestown, ND which was still about an hour away.

[Optimusglen]

Wednesday, September 7th

The next morning I called a few tire places ahead of me on my route. My tire size isn't rare, but fairly uncommon. Fortunately, I found a place near my stop for the following night, made an appointment, then hit the road. This time keeping a closer eye, I didn't need another flat...

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This was the hottest day of the drive with a peak of 104 F, flying through the flats of North Dakota and Eastern Montanna was just a dry hot tornado inside the car.

I pulled into Billings, Montana and found my tire shop and had a new tire mounted.

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Yes, I could have had the matching tire swapped to the Fuchs, and the new spare put on the other wheel, but at this point, I kind of liked the mismatched wheel, and I wanted all 4 tires to match.

After this, I found my AirBnB for the night and got settled in, then went out to grab some food. The place I was staying had street parking only, and periodically through the evening I would move the car closer to the front of the place. On my final move I got out, shut the door, and realized that I was now locked out of the car, with the key in the ignition...

As you can see, the lock tab was just barely engaged...
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I walked around the car a few times thinking about it, then sent Eric (PMB) a message to see if he knew of any super secret methods of getting into a 914. Eric was kind enough to walk me through a method that maybe just might work, it did involve taking a knife from my AirBnB and bending it up a bit though... I grabbed one, and tried to bend it, but these people had some nice expensive utensils and without a vice it was proving to be difficult. I also didn't want to slip and cut my hand open, or worse. So I called AAA.

AAA (not a sponsor) is the best tool to bring on a road trip. They had a guy show up 5 minutes later, and it took him all of 45 seconds to get in. Go figure.

With the keys now in my hand, I locked it up and went in to go to bed.

[Optimusglen]

Thursday, September 8th.

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I was up long before the sun. I had about 7 hours ahead of me on the road and check-in started at 1pm. On top of that, I didn't know if it was going to be another boiling day, and early running is cool running.

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The 914Rubber LED headlight inserts in H4 housings. maybe not ideal for other drivers, but it meant I could see.

Once the sun came up I was happy to see some scenery, actual hills, and mountains!

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On this day I had to plan my route a little differently than the map above shows. There were some wildfires in an area adjacent to my route into Challis and Google maps sent me winding through some alternate routes.

One stretch, I would come to find out, was about 25 miles of a single-lane gravel road.

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On the bright side, it was giving me some beautiful views.

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Over the next hour and a half (roughly), I came across around 8 trucks that came flying up in front of me and pinned their brakes. The single lane meant that both vehicles needed to hug the side to get around each other unless there was a turnoff nearby. In an effort to make my car more visible I had the headlights on.

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It was on this stretch that my driver's door window shattered. Just blew up into a million pieces. The window was up only a few inches from the sill when it went, so most of the glass bits were thrown into the inner workings of my door. I've heard of the window regulators failing on the early 914's and sending the window down into the door to blow apart, but it seemed like mine just went on it's own.

That changed things a little, I rolled the passenger side all the way down and continued my journey.

At 1:00, after one more small stint on a gravel road, I pulled into the kickoff checkpoint for the rally and checked in.

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[Optimusglen]

Friday, September 9th - Rally day 1

Another early morning, just as the previous year the day 1 drivers meeting was set before dawn, to coincide with the rising sun. It was brisk, and I had both of my sweatshirts on, a blanket over my shoulders, a winter hat, and some insulated gloves.

We met at an airport and had a runway dedicated to our group. As we waited for everyone to arrive most of us mulled around and caught up, talked about the drive in, shared stories, and drank coffee.

One particularly interesting story is of Cliff and his co-driver Erik. Cliff has a few interesting rides, a 914, a 911, and this Alfa Romeo Giulia Super to name a few. Early on in their trek to Idaho the windshield, being tempered instead of laminate, completely exploded. Their solution, a trip to Wal-Mart to buy a pair of motorcycle helmets.

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Now, you might be thinking that the air pressure might then push out the rear window as well, and you'd be right. To combat this, they used some straps, and if this doesn't make you giggle then you've got a pretty pure heart.

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These guys set the tone for the rally, just keep on. And together, we formed the broken window club.


Now, as you may have expected, the wildfire smoke kindof put a damper on the Day-1 rally plans. In what surely should have been a beautiful sunrise over a wonderful landscape turned out to be a gentle gradient of gray, slowly becoming brighter, but definitely not warmer.

We had the drivers meeting, cautioned people about the roads, expressed the sense of adventure as people were urged to make their own path. As previous OCRallys this isn't a point-to-point drive. There are some routes laid out on a map and people are encouraged to go at their own pace, not a follow the leader type drive.

I set out with a group, and quickly decided that with how cold and bundled up I was it was better for me to relax a bit, and I was happy to let the rest of the group move on ahead.

I stopped several times during that first stint for photos, some worked out well and others didn't. This spot was pretty solid.

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This one might not display right embedded into the thread.
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so here's a link to a larger size.
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My route was about 280 miles, which included the "out-and-back" section between points 3-4-5 on the map. There were a few other stops on the way, food, fuel, and hot springs mostly. There was also a "hero" gravel route and of course all of the unlisted offshoots.

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And finally the day 1 culmination was at the Warm Lake Lodge.

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Because of the nature of the rally, drivers and cars would trickle in over the course of a few hours. As people arrived we all shared our own personal war and victory stories, sights seen, and lessons learned.

Dinner this night was provided by Overcrest, but since my lodging was in MCCall, a cool hour away, I opted to leave before. I did not want to be freezing cold while driving through the mountains at night.

[Optimusglen]

Saturday, September 10th - Rally day 2

The second day of the rally started in much the same way after a logistics change. The airport we were going to start from had to use the space for emergency vehicles, so we relocated to a nearby park. I was thankful that we had a little sun this morning.


My cockpit, the little bear is my daughters, reminding me that I have a lot to go home to, so don't drive beyond yer means.
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I started my day driving with a nice dude named Kevin and his wife Ashley in their Toyota MR2. We hit a local hole in the wall for what turned out to be not only the best breakfast I'd had on the trip, but the best food overall. *chefs kiss* After we ate we got to driving, and were greeted with some very pleasant roads.

What ended up being a theme for me this year, I jumped in with different groups throughout the day, and this day I spent a lot of time with a few guys from California. Jesse Bohan, a previous 9-four-teener now in a 991 GT3, Ian in an E36 M3, co-piloted by Drew (a.k.a. Cooled Collective), Nick (Weekndr) in a Cayman Gt4, Allan in a 964, Quan in a RSR inspired 911SC, and Tyler in the early 911.

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This day had much nicer weather and was a pure joy. A lot of the drivers that took the gravel routes on day 1 opted to do tarmac on day 2. Day 1 was pretty rough on them (it claimed the life of a 911 motor, JoshyRobots)

The route was about 230 miles including the "out-and-back" at the top. Our group decided to skip that part.

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We got into town early and got our lodging set, then several of us went to a local bowling alley and just had a ball. Old, small-town, bowling alleys are just so neat. We walked around downtown Grangeville, had some pizza, and some ice cream, talked to locals, and explained why there were so many cool cars in town. Fun time.

Then, that evening was the Overcrest Rally Film Festival where they rent out a drive-in theater and show a bunch of car short films. The arrival time at the drive-in gave pl;entry of opportunity to connect and reconnect with fellow rally-goers and share stories. There were a few mishaps along the way unfortunately.

-JoshyRobots in his 911, sounds like it may have spun a bearing, but this is all second hand.

-Josh in his E36 M3, took a corner too hot and hit a mailbox, some suspension damage, some glass damage, and a very large gouge in his C-pilalr

-Cliff in his Alfa, I'm sad to say that he burned a bearing in the 1.3. He'll be back with a 2.0 maybe next year

-A Volvo 242 that was having engine trouble arrived on a U-haul flatbed but, in the time before the film fest began, they were able to fix it and drive it off!

The Film Fest itself was a great send-off and culmination of the Rally. Next year though, I need to bring an AM/FM radio so I can hear it better.

[Optimusglen]

Sunday, September 11th -Tuesday, September 13th

Sunday morning, a lot to think about and remember. It had been a long time since that day in 2001 but I remembered exactly what I was doing when I heard the news.





This day was day one of my drive home. I loaded up the car, hit the gas station, and then set out towards Bozeman.

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12 going north was sublime, weaving in and out, keeping time with the Lochsa River.

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At the end of that nice road there were several of us that found each other at a fuel stop, just before getting on the expressway. We grouped up and set our course for Bozeman.

On I-90 now, cruising between 80-90mph, we were having a pretty good time. Around a bend near Garrison we saw a friend who wasn't having a good time. Kevin in his MR2 was on the side of the road with what turned out to be a blown motor. We pulled off but it ended up being pretty far ahead. We split the group, a few going down the onramp carefully, the rest going ahead to check on the next nearest U-haul.

Of course, being a Sunday afternoon and the anniversary of 9/11, places weren't typically open. We did a drive-by of one in Anaconda, MT. They had trucks but only a dolly trailer.

The other group did help them get their car off the expressway and helped organize a flatbed.

With all of us back on I-90 we were only about 30 minutes ahead of them when we got to Bozeman. Found a place to connect and had some burgers and beers.

After food and some decompressing, I made my way to my lodging for the night. In the parking lot I found a Porsche and parked next to them.

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I checked into my room, then came back out to unload. While I was at my car the couple with the Cayman S came out and we got to chatting.



Monday morning

Today was the most dreaded of all the days, a lot of nothingness of the road ahead. I got up and started scoping out the local auto parts stores to get my oil and filter. I was going to do a change now when I really should have done it in Grangeville.

At the hotel breakfast, I found my new friends and we talked some more. Turns out Bill has had a few other notable Porsches. A 356, a '69 911T, a 930, and most impressive a 935 that he raced all over the west coast, Sebring, and Daytona. Of course, being from Wisconsin, he was often at Road America as well. It was fascinating hearing all about his adventures. It was with the 935 that he had hung up his hat and (from my understanding) it wasn't until 2014 that he got back into the seat of a Porsche with the Cayman S. They asked about me, and I told them about my now paltry achievements and wrote down links for my website, the Rally, and 000. After breakfast I bid adieu and set out.

Josh (yeah, another Josh) in the 924 is from Bozeman and was kind enough to offer his garage. So after picking up some VR1 and a filter I made my way over.

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With the oil changed and the car running well I set out for the most tedious and boring day on the road.

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This route was made extra special {sarcasm} by all of the wildfire haze. It was just gray on gray the whole way. I was spent on it before I even hit North Dakota, and you can imagine the excitement that driving straight through North Dakota brings...

As the day faded into the evening I found and exit and drove a few miles up a gravel road. I wanted to call the girls and wait for the "sunset"

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And then, ultimately, another hour into Bismark, ND for my lodging.



Tuesday, the final stint

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This was a pretty unremarkable drive. Flat expanses of nothingness were magnified by the haze of emptyness. When I crossed the border into Minnesota everything changed. I saw trees again, and the air was clearing up, it was good to be home.

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A pitstop at a DIY car wash to clean off some bugs and then I pulled into my driveway at 2:30. Kissed my wife, unpacked, and then my daughter got home at 4 off the bus and I lost it.



It had been 7 days and 3200 miles. Most of which without a door window. The low temp was 38 degrees on the morning of day 2 of the rally in McCall Idaho. High temp, 104 degrees in North Dakota and Montanna on the trip out. Thankfully no rain this year.

This year didn't have the emotional impact of last year. Partially because getting the car ready wasn't as big of a hurdle, but also because last year I had a pretty big mental breakthrough, self-diagnosing as I blasted through the plains. The trip also didn't have the breathtaking scenery, fault placed on the wildfire smoke and haze that left everything in an eerie post-apocalyptic dinge.

Will I return? You bet.

[Literati914]

I always love documented road trips - thanks for the great pictures too btw !! Your car looks awesome (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)

I don’t mind a gravel road every now and then.. but 25 miles continuous (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) wow, that’s a lot of gravel! Out of curiosity, what speeds did you average during that stretch ?


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[horizontally-opposed]

Loving these reports, Glen, and especially that dusty last pic. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

Keep 'em coming!

[Optimusglen]

I don’t mind a gravel road every now and then.. but 25 miles continuous (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) wow, that’s a lot of gravel! Out of curiosity, what speeds did you average during that stretch ?


.

I didn't record much while on that route, even the length is just an estimation based on a gut feeling. I'd say most of it was 10-15mph or less. some of it was smooth but had seriously blind corners, other sections had large rocks I had to dodge.

[flyer86d]

Great stuff! It’s great to see the 914 being used as we did 40 years ago.

Charlie

[bbrock]

Loving the report! You drove within 3 road miles of my house. I'm trying to pinpoint the 25 mile gravel stretch. Assuming it was south of your marked route since you were at Clark Canyon Reservoir. Was it the road from Clarke Canyon to Leadore? I haven't driven that road much west of the lake. Looks like a good one to explore.

[Optimusglen]

Loving the report! You drove within 3 road miles of my house. I'm trying to pinpoint the 25 mile gravel stretch. Assuming it was south of your marked route since you were at Clark Canyon Reservoir. Was it the road from Clarke Canyon to Leadore? I haven't driven that road much west of the lake. Looks like a good one to explore.

Out of curiosity, I did some searching and found the gravel section I did. I was pretty close in my estimate! 24.3 miles

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Lemhi Pass


What I didn't know, and what Google didn't tell me (probably because I didn't have service, or a road map) is that I could have gone straight and stayed on paved roads. The route would have been longer in distance, but given the speed I was driving, vs the speed I would have been driving, it would have taken less time and kept my glass in one piece.


doh!

[Justinp71]

Thanks for the report! Super cool!

[tygaboy]

Glen - You're a road trippin' madman! I am so proud to see you taking your 914 out, mixing it up and using it in anger. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cheer.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

OK, and a little envious... Keep the updates coming.

[Optimusglen]

Glen - You're a road trippin' madman! I am so proud to see you taking your 914 out, mixing it up and using it in anger. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cheer.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

OK, and a little envious... Keep the updates coming.

thank you sir!!

I believe I'm all caught up with the updates, I may add some small bits and clarifications later but now we should be at 99%

Gotta use these cars to truly appreciate them in my opinion. We have the technology, we can rebuild if necessary.


I'm thinking and plotting for next year. I was really kind of envious of the safari 944 guys (there were like 4 of them) and their ground clearance. I'm thinking about doing something similar to the 914, but it's a fine line, and I want to keep the spirit my car has, at least for now.

[Literati914]

So Glen.. what was your plan for a heavy down pour with that passenger window gone?


.

[85eurocarrera]

Awesome read, thanks. And I don’t read much….

[bbrock]

What I didn't know, and what Google didn't tell me (probably because I didn't have service, or a road map) is that I could have gone straight and stayed on paved roads. The route would have been longer in distance, but given the speed I was driving, vs the speed I would have been driving, it would have taken less time and kept my glass in one piece.


doh!

Interesting route. Having service probably wouldn't have changed things. I've noticed Google has gone from adequate to horrible in these parts over the last year. On almost every trip it tries to route me down some gawdawful rutted dirt roads just to shave a quarter mile off the trip. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif)

The worst example was in a more civilized part of the country though. Last spring the wife and I were headed south out of Des Moines to Kansas City when Google detected a detour on I-35 and tried to reroute us all the way to I-29 to avoid it. I stupidly followed the new route for a few miles before noticing a 2 hour trip had suddenly ballooned to almost 4. Redirected to the original route ignoring Google's protests and the detour turned out to be about a 2 mile section that required getting off the Interstate and dropping speed to about 45 mph. Added 10 minutes at most to the trip.

Too bad I didn't know you were passing through. We could have thrown a window from my stash into your door. At that point, I'm guessing you just wanted to make miles toward home.

[Optimusglen]

So Glen.. what was your plan for a heavy down pour with that passenger window gone?


.

Ya know, good question, but it was the drivers window. I did think about that briefly and I figured I'd cover the open window with a blanket and park and wait out the rain. I'm glad that wasn't tested though.