It started five months ago when we were losing weight after the holidays. Thinking the exercise trend would continue, doing the Mountain Warfare Challenge
10K race at the beginning of summer would be a nice exercise goal. Work and life meant we lost focus until three weeks to go when we were madly trying to get in shape. Yes, this is the part we realized we were way in over our head.
Friday before the race we piled our stuff into the CX-9's ample cargo room but had to double back to grab the forgotten running shoes of one of the editors. I won't point the finger at whom, but his name starts with a "J" ends with an "n" and has and "oh" in the middle. Due to our extra travel time we were swamped in traffic near Glendale. The CX-9's AC was pumping to keep up with the oven-like heat. Thankfully controls and vents in the back meant the lone back seat passenger wasn't melting away.
Once we got out of LA, we were flying up the 395 to June Lake. All of us travelers were enamored with the comfortable seats during the lone drive. No "dead leg", "numb butt" or any other typical travel malady was reported.
Long drives necessitate driver changes. Each time someone got behind the wheel, the first thing mentioned was the light, nimble and responsive feel of the steering. This was no Tahoe or Rendezvous, my friend. Once the driver hit the pedal to pass, the next comment was the ample power available, even with three fat editors, their stuff, and a loaded cooler.
Yes, we all finished the race albeit sore, tired, dirty, and bloody. Nothing a nice long soak in local hot springs can't cure. On the drive back home to LA, there was a bit of a tussle as to who would drive. Everyone loved driving this thing so much on the way up we all wanted the next five hours behind the wheel all to ourselves.
Editors of Inside Line
Friday before the race we piled our stuff into the CX-9's ample cargo room but had to double back to grab the forgotten running shoes of one of the editors. I won't point the finger at whom, but his name starts with a "J" ends with an "n" and has and "oh" in the middle. Due to our extra travel time we were swamped in traffic near Glendale. The CX-9's AC was pumping to keep up with the oven-like heat. Thankfully controls and vents in the back meant the lone back seat passenger wasn't melting away.
Once we got out of LA, we were flying up the 395 to June Lake. All of us travelers were enamored with the comfortable seats during the lone drive. No "dead leg", "numb butt" or any other typical travel malady was reported.
Long drives necessitate driver changes. Each time someone got behind the wheel, the first thing mentioned was the light, nimble and responsive feel of the steering. This was no Tahoe or Rendezvous, my friend. Once the driver hit the pedal to pass, the next comment was the ample power available, even with three fat editors, their stuff, and a loaded cooler.
Yes, we all finished the race albeit sore, tired, dirty, and bloody. Nothing a nice long soak in local hot springs can't cure. On the drive back home to LA, there was a bit of a tussle as to who would drive. Everyone loved driving this thing so much on the way up we all wanted the next five hours behind the wheel all to ourselves.
Editors of Inside Line
dougtheeng says:
11:40 AM, 05/21/08
Why the blurry pics? lol
altimadude00 says:
12:24 PM, 05/21/08
The altitude will do that.
estreka says:
01:51 PM, 05/21/08
It's a sporty suspension. Rough ride.
So you guys trained 3 weeks for a 10K?
7driver says:
03:01 PM, 05/21/08
Looks more like someone set too long of an exposure.
altimadude00 says:
06:57 PM, 05/21/08
They also have something called "Artistic License."
zoomzoom22 says:
07:17 PM, 05/21/08
In your opinion, how does this compare to the Enclave? I'm comparing the two for my next vehicle and something tells me that you guys would want to be the passengers in the Enclave, not the driver.
daytona_500 says:
04:59 AM, 05/22/08
That middle pic would have looked pretty cool if it hadnt come out blurry.
cx7lover says:
06:38 AM, 05/22/08
The Enclave is a nice crusier with mini-van like hauling capability.
The CX-9 has a commendable third row, but not as much space with the third row up or as much headroom in the third row - the Enclave has nearly double the space behind the third row.
If you value driving, and don't need that little bit extra space, go with the CX-9. The steering effort, and how quickly it will downshift really makes it easy to drive, but in a more fun manner.
If you don't really care about fun driving satisfaction, you also put a soft ride higher on the list and need those extra inches of space, with more luxury, and don't mind paying a little extra, Go with the Enclave.
blankfocus says:
07:58 AM, 05/22/08
reminds me of my training regimen before a 175 mile bicycle ride i did last year for the MS society. I rode my bike to work for 3 weeks (it's a 4-mile round trip.) yep, i was hurting after the ride. good on you for finishing.