Up to Ride Pacific Coast Hwy . . . Still Closed with Slide

[donaldcc]

  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.

[fordmano]

Wow! You rolled through my neighborhood and did not even slow down to say hello? I feel shunned.

Glad you had an enjoyable and safe trip.

[alph]

yep.  can't wait.  maybe another month.  cold weather's gotta break sooner or later.......

can't wait till the youngest is done with highschool.  after that, wife or not, i'm OUT-A-HERE!!!

[donaldcc]

Wow! You rolled through my neighborhood and did not even slow down to say hello? I feel shunned.

yeh, quick trip.  I've seen your posts up there fordmano with work on your bike.  I lived up there for about 20 years.  I remembered you posting about Honda shop in Hollister that you like that I would use if any problems.  Will send you a note when I am up that way again and join us if you have time.  

  We were going to head up hwy 35 to Half Moon Bay and then down coast to Santa Cruz, but my friends do that ride all the time and we had not been on Carmel Valley Road.  Good trip.

[Jess from VA]

I'll say it again... cleanest bike I've ever seen.

There must not be any bugs in CA.     

[donaldcc]

I'll say it again... cleanest bike I've ever seen.

There must not be any bugs in CA.     

  LOL, When I got up north after ride through central CA bike was completely covered with bugs.  Told my friend i "had" to wash before our day trip.  Same thing on way back, after 10 hour ride, I had to get 'er clean before I put 'er to bed. 

pretty f .... ing anal, huh. 

[Jess from VA]

pretty f .... ing anal, huh.


No, it's not Don.  Just poking fun.  I am almost the same way.

I will wipe off the worst and leave the bike a bit cruddy for a week or two when I know I'm going right back out.  But soon I can't stand it and it's hot, soapy bath and wax/polish time .  Right now the oak (and other) pollen is so bad, I could not wash the bike quick enough to avoid a heavy yellow haze.