Mar012016March 1, 2016May 9, 20161 Commentby Brian DeFrees

The 100K Bucketlist Racetrack Roadtrip Adventure

Posted in Travel

In what has become a tradition of taking a major trip in between jobs like I did in 2011 and 2012, I continued the trend this year when I left my first full-time in Austin after three years and had already secured a new one starting a month later. So there I was with a gap in between positions and a laundry list of trips I wanted to take in 2016. I was originally going to jump on motorcycle and do a quick trip around Texas when I was suddenly able to leave my then current job earlier than originally planned.

With this extra time gifted me I quickly scanned my potential plans for 2016 and realized I might be able to obliterate two birds with one stone if dates happened to work out. These trips were a bucket list track I’ve always wanted to drive since I was a kid and a motorcycle school I kept hearing about over and over that got the Keanu Reeves thumbs up approval. When I checked both schedules there happened to be an open track day at Laguna Seca on February 20th and a rare Monday school at Socal Supermoto on the 22nd. When the stars align you do not think twice, you pack your trunk full of camping gear, track day tools, spare tires and parts and all your motorcycle helmets and protective equipment.

Now both my car and I are no strangers to track days nor road trips…but never have I ever combined two of my favorite things into a 4,000 mile adrenaline freedom ole fashion ‘murican adventure!

Speaking of my car, at the time this trip was planned it had just hit 96,000 miles and I knew a decent sized road trip would put me in 6 digit territory. So what better way to hit a huge milestone than combining the two things that have made some of the most memorable moments with my car and with my life in general? I looked at 100,000K as an achievement for both me and the car and it’s “birthday” milestone celebration for all the crazy things I’ve done to this poor machine in its first 9 years of life.

SPOILER ALERT:

100,000 miles! a few things we did in the first 100K: • Tracks: Watkins Glen, CIrcuit of the Americas, Texas World Speedway, Laguna Seca • Southwest SCCA National Challenge Rallycross Champ – 2014, 2015 • LoneStar Rallycross Champion 2014 • SCCA Rallycross National Champion 2014, Nebraska – We drove it there and back from Texas! • Every mile of Route 66 from Chicago to LA, Tail of the Dragon, Pikes Peak (highest point), Death Valley (lowest point). 12,000, 9,000, 5,000, 4,000 and 2,000 mile roadtrips, combining for all 48 continental states. Besides some simple bolt-ons the car still maintains most of it’s stock components including engine and suspension! What will it do in the next 100,000? 🚙💨

A photo posted by Brian DeFrees (@defrees) on Feb 23, 2016 at 9:17am PST

So without further ado, here’s everything that happened on my way to and from Laguna Seca.

Click on the tabs to expand details and media for each day.

Day 1: Austin, TX - Quitaque, TX

The adventure begins…Laguna Seca here we come

A photo posted by Brian DeFrees (@defrees) on Feb 11, 2016 at 5:11am PST

Day 1: Austin, TX – Quitaque, TX. Suspended bridge in the middle of nowhere, brewery in Abilene, Whiteflat ghost town, pulled over for tinted back plate and no front plate. let go with a warning. camped at caprock and had entire park to myself…minus the coyotes.

A photo posted by Brian DeFrees (@defrees) on Feb 12, 2016 at 6:10am PST

I ❤️ ghost towns

A photo posted by Triplapser (@triplapser) on Feb 12, 2016 at 6:31am PST

Day 2: Quitaque, TX - Texline, TX

Day 2: Traveled the Texas Plains trail to Amarillo. Painted a few Cadillacs and had an 18 oz steak and my favorite Pecan Porter at The Big Texan. Headed north and almost made it out of Texas before losing daylight. Will wake up and hit 3 states almost immediately to finally leave Texas.

A photo posted by Brian DeFrees (@defrees) on Feb 12, 2016 at 9:18pm PST

Y U NO LIKE MY VTEC???? hope the sound police at Laguna Seca don’t have the same reaction

A video posted by Brian DeFrees (@defrees) on Feb 12, 2016 at 11:26am PST

have you painted a cadillac lately?

A photo posted by Triplapser (@triplapser) on Feb 12, 2016 at 9:35pm PST

Day 3: TX-OK-NM

Day 3: TX-OK-NM: Finally drove out of Texas into OK for a brief period and then deep into New Mexico. Lot’s of huge snow drifts up in the mountains but the roads are clear.

A photo posted by Brian DeFrees (@defrees) on Feb 13, 2016 at 10:38pm PST

Goooooooood morning New Mexico

A video posted by Brian DeFrees (@defrees) on Feb 13, 2016 at 6:58am PST

👻-ranch-🌅

A photo posted by Triplapser (@triplapser) on Feb 13, 2016 at 10:45pm PST

Day 4: NM - CO - UT

Day 4: NM – CO – UT

A photo posted by Brian DeFrees (@defrees) on Feb 14, 2016 at 10:16pm PST

Sightseeing with my significant other. Happy Valentine’s Day 💙🚙💩

A photo posted by Brian DeFrees (@defrees) on Feb 14, 2016 at 2:51pm PST

not a bad place to quit runnin’

A photo posted by Brian DeFrees (@defrees) on Feb 14, 2016 at 10:21pm PST

Run Forest Run!

A photo posted by Triplapser (@triplapser) on Feb 14, 2016 at 10:29pm PST

Day 5: Utah - Arizona

Day 5: Utah – Arizona

A photo posted by Brian DeFrees (@defrees) on Feb 15, 2016 at 10:04pm PST

Monday morning jog…Forest Gump style.

A photo posted by Brian DeFrees (@defrees) on Feb 15, 2016 at 8:31am PST

would ya look at that?

A photo posted by Triplapser (@triplapser) on Feb 15, 2016 at 10:08pm PST

Day 6: AZ ↔️ UT

Day 6: AZ ↔️ UT – Stopped to take photos of the Navajo bridge and ended up photographing and learning all about California Condors from one of the people who tags them (only 200 in the wild). Got a little muddy trying to find The Wave ( video coming soon) but after getting lost in both car and on foot I finally found it. It was worth the struggle to have it all to myself.

A photo posted by Brian DeFrees (@defrees) on Feb 16, 2016 at 10:14pm PST

Yes, yes it is. #buffalobills

A photo posted by Brian DeFrees (@defrees) on Feb 16, 2016 at 9:38am PST

How to park properly at abandoned historic markers.

A video posted by Brian DeFrees (@defrees) on Feb 16, 2016 at 10:45pm PST

when you don’t have a truck, jeep or AWD you just floor it and hope for the best #yeehaw

A video posted by Brian DeFrees (@defrees) on Feb 16, 2016 at 10:52pm PST

Ride the wave 🏄🏻

A photo posted by Triplapser (@triplapser) on Feb 16, 2016 at 10:24pm PST

looks good any time of year

A photo posted by Triplapser (@triplapser) on Feb 15, 2016 at 10:17pm PST

Day 7: UT - AZ - NV

Day 7: UT – AZ – NV: It’s been a week?? feels like a month. Explored Zion for the first time and enjoyed the best chocolate ho-made pie from Thunderbird Restaurant. Decided to check out Vegas in a new light and went downtown instead of the strip. A lot less bros and more to see beyond casinos and buffets. Still touristy though, there has to be a locals area in this city somewhere and I will find it next time. Luckily I didn’t get eaten by SlotZilla, a Billy Fucillo HUGE slot machine.

A photo posted by Brian DeFrees (@defrees) on Feb 18, 2016 at 7:21am PST

by special request from @crptoff #slowmo

A video posted by Brian DeFrees (@defrees) on Feb 17, 2016 at 11:56am PST

THE canyon overlook.

A photo posted by Triplapser (@triplapser) on Feb 20, 2016 at 12:28am PST

Day 8 NV - CA

Day 8 NV – CA: Stopped by the Pawn Stars shop but none of the dudes were there. Explored Red Rock Canyon, thanks @andrewreichel for the tip. Made it to California as the sun was setting and camped at a cool place called The Pads. First time I’ve shared a campground this entire trip.

A photo posted by Brian DeFrees (@defrees) on Feb 19, 2016 at 8:56am PST

Day 9: CALI - Death Valley - San Jose

Day 9: CALI – Death Valley – San Jose: Brought the car below sea level (it’s been on top of the mountain at Pikes Peak too) and explored various terrains of white snow capped mountains and green river gorges in Sequoia National Park. Met up with @rohde88 in San Jose as we prepare for Laguna Seca tomorrow…crossing my fingers I will be able to run below the 90db level…if I can get at least a lap I will be happy.

A photo posted by Brian DeFrees (@defrees) on Feb 20, 2016 at 12:06am PST

Switching from Rally mode to Track mode.

A photo posted by Brian DeFrees (@defrees) on Feb 19, 2016 at 3:58pm PST

💀🏜

A photo posted by Triplapser (@triplapser) on Feb 20, 2016 at 12:39am PST

Day 10: Salinas CA - Big Sur CA

Day 10: Salinas CA – Big Sur CA: Laguna Seca Trackday!!! The struggle is real when you have gear for road-tripping, camping, motorcycle and car track days all in one car…glad I went with the sedan. Coasted down Big Sur on PCH 1, camped at my favorite hidden spot then cooked steaks on the campfire and ate then with our hands. #NOMNOM

A photo posted by Brian DeFrees (@defrees) on Feb 21, 2016 at 10:40am PST

Bucket list track unlocked! The Corkscrew (and whole downhill section) is way more fun than any roller coaster I’ve ever been on. All those of Gran Turismo paid off, I was comfortable with the track by the end of the first session. Amazingly, I only failed the 90db level once when I used 4th gear in turn 5 instead of 5th and hit 98db….if I used 3rd I could have gotten over 100db I bet.

A photo posted by Brian DeFrees (@defrees) on Feb 21, 2016 at 10:29am PST

Day 11: Big Sur CA - Los Angeles CA

Day 11: Big Sur CA – Los Angeles CA: Avoided killer waves and elephant seals to make it to LA. Relaxed and prepared for @socalsupermoto tomorrow!

A photo posted by Brian DeFrees (@defrees) on Feb 21, 2016 at 10:35pm PST

Big Sur + 🏕= 😃

A photo posted by Triplapser (@triplapser) on Feb 21, 2016 at 10:46pm PST

Day 12: Cali (LA - Joshua Tree)

Day 12: Cali (LA – Joshua Tree) Rode motards @socalsupermoto until my hands were numb. Dropped @rohde88 off at the airport and started the journey back east, just outside LA my car hit a very important milestone…

A photo posted by Brian DeFrees (@defrees) on Feb 23, 2016 at 9:15am PST

Amazing day @socalsupermoto. Learned how to lean a bike over far enough to scrape the pegs and won my first motorcycle race (with lemans style running start) against 16 other racers! The kart/dirt track was supermoto heaven, really need to figure out how to get this going in central Texas, it’s the best way to ride these bikes

A video posted by Brian DeFrees (@defrees) on Feb 23, 2016 at 8:28am PST

100,000 miles! a few things we did in the first 100K: • Tracks: Watkins Glen, CIrcuit of the Americas, Texas World Speedway, Laguna Seca • Southwest SCCA National Challenge Rallycross Champ – 2014, 2015 • LoneStar Rallycross Champion 2014 • SCCA Rallycross National Champion 2014, Nebraska – We drove it there and back from Texas! • Every mile of Route 66 from Chicago to LA, Tail of the Dragon, Pikes Peak (highest point), Death Valley (lowest point). 12,000, 9,000, 5,000, 4,000 and 2,000 mile roadtrips, combining for all 48 continental states. Besides some simple bolt-ons the car still maintains most of it’s stock components including engine and suspension! What will it do in the next 100,000? 🚙💨

A photo posted by Brian DeFrees (@defrees) on Feb 23, 2016 at 9:17am PST

Day 13: Joshua Tree, CA - Steins, NM

Day 13: Joshua Tree, CA – Steins, NM: Drove through Joshua Tree National Park and broke my streak of bad luck in the Mojave desert (Got a flat in the Mojave in 2011 and stuck on a sand bank in 2012 which AAA refused to help me out. I had to call 10+ tow truck companies until one took pity on me and came in the middle of the night to save us). Took interstate 10 and 8 east which are 95% truckers at night. Got some shuteye on the side of the road at a random exit parked on the dirt while all the truckers are on pavement. I taped my headights half shut last night so my HID’s wouldn’t piss anyone off. Car looks angry but no one flashed me or tried to run me off the road because they thought I had my brights on. Back to Texas soon!

A photo posted by Brian DeFrees (@defrees) on Feb 24, 2016 at 3:43am PST

always wander off the beaten path

A photo posted by Triplapser (@triplapser) on Mar 8, 2016 at 9:52pm PST

Day 14: Steins, NM - Austin, TX: Trip complete!

Day 14: Steins, NM – Austin, TX: Trip complete! 14 Days, 8 States, 4,600 Miles….and according to AT&T I even went to another country. Thanks for following along, lots more photos and videos to sort through and post eventually!

A photo posted by Brian DeFrees (@defrees) on Feb 24, 2016 at 7:15pm PST

You’ve reached the finish line!

Another road trip and new track in the books for myself and the Si. Stay tuned for a more detailed post about what the car and I have done in it’s first 100,000 miles. Enjoy night timelapse and some more photos from the trip below.