Had 3 days off so took off from SoCal Desert to visit a couple friends of 30+ years to ride in Northern CA. Monday out 495 miles up to stay with buddy & wife in Cupertino (San Jose area). First 200 miles into 30 mph winds with gusts of who knows. Went back way through mtns and Tehachapi pass on CA 58. Really nice except long way between gas and I thought i could make it. Went to reserve and slowed down but wind was tough and i ran out 2 mi from next station.
I had just got a Reda Gas container after reading posts here. I thought it was a little pricey, but it paid for itself first trip. Fits in tourer bag without taking up room, very secure unit and i was on my way in a few minutes.
Tuesday we headed down over mtns on 17 to Santa Cruz, Monterey and Carmel. Traffic, heavy fog and accident.
Went down to beaches in Carmel.
We got lost for a while and since PCH still is blocked from slide just south of Big Sur we thought we would circle around through mtns and come into the coast from the south and ride up north for a while for lunch. We went on Carmel Valley Road through mtns above ocean. Man, it was great!! Once we got up in mtns it was all sun and nice, cool weather. Haven't been that way before but narrow 2 lane road with lots of turns for about 60 miles with no traffic. Beautiful forests, streams and green mtn scenery. We were hauling a$$. MODIFY/ "We were riding swiftly but in control."\MODIFY
Had trouble locating road down to coast and it was getting late so we headed back through Steinbeck country, Salinas, Gilroy, San Juan Batista. About 240 miles. Reminds me of all the great times i had there before moving south.
Our 3 bikes, Triumph, VTX and Valk
My buddies as we decide to head back without making it over to our lunch spot.
And what the heck is the one guy wearing on his legs. did he think we would be hearding cows???
We went out for food and drinks and to catch up after our ride, it was great! 4 of us are going on two week trip this summer ending up in Sturgis for a day, so a chance for us to ride and have some good times.
Back home, 1222 mi door to door in 3 days and watching lakers on their way to a win.
