Friday drove from Winters, CA to Chico on a relocation. FLAT like you wouldn't believe... Makes FL look like a roller coaster. Fortunately the scenery and small towns were lovely to see, and traffic wasn't crazy.
From Winters: Rt 505n, 10E, 113N, 99N. 90+ miles total.
Video:
Monday, December 30, 2013
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Winters to Chico, CA
Happy Holidays from Chico, CA! The last week has been train to Reno for Christmas with cousin and her family... and generally just hanging around Winters, Ca.
Yesterday I relocated the bike and equipment to Chico to spend time with a new friend and see what's up this way for travels. The roads north 90+ miles from Vacaville were flatter than anything I had seen yet in CA. Will post a video later after editing,
505N - 10E (Woodland) - 113N - 99N. The tar strips are about the tallest thing on the highway... no hills at all... as flat as FL roads. This was a very comfortable drive on a quiet Friday afternoon.
Yesterday I relocated the bike and equipment to Chico to spend time with a new friend and see what's up this way for travels. The roads north 90+ miles from Vacaville were flatter than anything I had seen yet in CA. Will post a video later after editing,
505N - 10E (Woodland) - 113N - 99N. The tar strips are about the tallest thing on the highway... no hills at all... as flat as FL roads. This was a very comfortable drive on a quiet Friday afternoon.
Now to spend a few days going back thru phot and video files from the year and see what all hadn't even reached the cutting room yet.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
2014 Motorcycle Travel Events
Working on my 2014 calendar of motorcycle adventures. Several landmark events will hold down major dates and I will fill in the spaces with BMW Rallies, ADV rider events and general discovery of twisty roads on Google Maps.
Here are a few, and I will add to the list in this post as things come together:
FL Jan 10 11 12 - Polar bear adv - not going - http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=920957
March 27 March Moto Madness, Telico Plains, TN
May 29 BMW RA Rally, Barbers Motorcycle Museum, AL
July 24 BMW MOA Rally MN
Sept 11 Horizons Unlimited, Ontario, CA
Here are a few, and I will add to the list in this post as things come together:
FL Jan 10 11 12 - Polar bear adv - not going - http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=920957
March 27 March Moto Madness, Telico Plains, TN
May 29 BMW RA Rally, Barbers Motorcycle Museum, AL
July 24 BMW MOA Rally MN
Sept 11 Horizons Unlimited, Ontario, CA
Friday, December 20, 2013
hikers at Berryessa
Hiked up the west side of the trails at Lake Berressa. Met a couple hiking downhill and took some snaps. Enjoy!
MOTORRAD Year of 2013
One riders 2013 recap... we all need to do something like this!! One week or roads still in the pipeline.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Rt 128 Winters C to Rutherford, 29 to Napa, 121 and 128 back to Winters.
What a lovely ride! 128 is sweeping through the mountains and around the lake. 121 twists its way north from Napa toward Lake Berryessa where ht rejoins 128 and I headed east back to Winters.
Not to be missed!
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Why We Ride - Is the trailer better than the movie?
It was fun and had some emotional moments. I was underimpressed. 99.999% of the footage
was in California, .0001% Daytona, .0001% Sturgis. Lots of history in CA but much of why we ride is because there is so much more than CA. Included lots of different brands. On Any Sunday was more inspirational. I won my tickets in a raffle and it was worth about that.
was in California, .0001% Daytona, .0001% Sturgis. Lots of history in CA but much of why we ride is because there is so much more than CA. Included lots of different brands. On Any Sunday was more inspirational. I won my tickets in a raffle and it was worth about that.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
1o Reasons To Date a Motrcyclist
This is not my original...but it tells our story.
Here’s ten great reasons why motorcyclists make better lovers and significant others to follow up RideApart’s article, “10 Reasons You Shouldn’t Date A Motorcyclist”.
Ready? Here we go.
1. We have a greater sense of adventure.
You know the old adage about enjoying long walks on the beach? We like long rides to the beach, mountains, canyons, desert… there will always be something to enjoy about almost any travel locale. Give us a good road and a nice destination, and we’re set. Forget expensive plane tickets, hotels and five star restaurants… we’re just as happy eating at a good diner after a full day of riding.
You know the old adage about enjoying long walks on the beach? We like long rides to the beach, mountains, canyons, desert… there will always be something to enjoy about almost any travel locale. Give us a good road and a nice destination, and we’re set. Forget expensive plane tickets, hotels and five star restaurants… we’re just as happy eating at a good diner after a full day of riding.
2. We’re not terrified of the world around us.
Motorcyclist’s are constantly reminded of our mortality- “my parent/sibling/friends/friend’s friend died riding a motorcycle” or “those things are dangerous you know”. Yeah, we know. We also know you can die walking down the street, getting on an airplane, or from some random disease or virus. This takes us back to #1- we want to have a good time and try new things.
Motorcyclist’s are constantly reminded of our mortality- “my parent/sibling/friends/friend’s friend died riding a motorcycle” or “those things are dangerous you know”. Yeah, we know. We also know you can die walking down the street, getting on an airplane, or from some random disease or virus. This takes us back to #1- we want to have a good time and try new things.
3. We’re good at budgeting.
Sure, we all have different ways of doing so… but we all know how to budget. That fancy bike upgrade might be $400, but we’ll give up buying new clothes and going out to dinner for a few weeks in order to afford it. We’ll understand when you don’t want to go out and blow $100 at a Michelin-Star-having-restaurant, and we’ll be stoked when you’d rather BBQ some grub and get down on an oil change in the garage instead.
Sure, we all have different ways of doing so… but we all know how to budget. That fancy bike upgrade might be $400, but we’ll give up buying new clothes and going out to dinner for a few weeks in order to afford it. We’ll understand when you don’t want to go out and blow $100 at a Michelin-Star-having-restaurant, and we’ll be stoked when you’d rather BBQ some grub and get down on an oil change in the garage instead.
4. We enjoy the little things.
The sun setting behind snowy mountain tops, little tornado of dust on the distant horizon, a low bank of fog creeping across a field- these are all moments that capture our hearts. The transition from a snow damaged asphalt road to fresh new pavement brings us great happiness. Forget constant complaints- we know how to look on the bright side of life.
The sun setting behind snowy mountain tops, little tornado of dust on the distant horizon, a low bank of fog creeping across a field- these are all moments that capture our hearts. The transition from a snow damaged asphalt road to fresh new pavement brings us great happiness. Forget constant complaints- we know how to look on the bright side of life.
5. We’re dedicated.
For most, riding a motorcycle isn’t just a way to get to work… it’s a way of life. One that just gets better the more time you put into it and generally isn’t easy. It’s not something that can just be given up at the drop of the hat, and that kind of determination translates well into other areas of life. When the going gets tough, motorcyclists get going. We’re always willing to help out other motorcyclists, and generally have an elevated sense of the world around us. What the hell does that even mean, you ask? It means we look out for and help each other. Don’t mess with the motofam.
For most, riding a motorcycle isn’t just a way to get to work… it’s a way of life. One that just gets better the more time you put into it and generally isn’t easy. It’s not something that can just be given up at the drop of the hat, and that kind of determination translates well into other areas of life. When the going gets tough, motorcyclists get going. We’re always willing to help out other motorcyclists, and generally have an elevated sense of the world around us. What the hell does that even mean, you ask? It means we look out for and help each other. Don’t mess with the motofam.
6. We’re observant.
Our lives depend on looking all around us and seeing what we look at- so you’re going to be safer around us too. If we ever chauffeur you around in a car, you can rest assured we DO see that jerk trying to merge over into us. We’ll always remember to look both ways, do our pre-flight safety checks, and we’ll always remember that random item that needs to be picked up on the way home (we might take the long way though).
Our lives depend on looking all around us and seeing what we look at- so you’re going to be safer around us too. If we ever chauffeur you around in a car, you can rest assured we DO see that jerk trying to merge over into us. We’ll always remember to look both ways, do our pre-flight safety checks, and we’ll always remember that random item that needs to be picked up on the way home (we might take the long way though).
7. We’re adaptable.
Something came up? No big deal. Have to cancel plans? That’s cool, we’ll go have a date with our first love… our motorbike. When you’re familiar with being on the road you develop an ability to go with the flow. Flat tires and dead batteries happen, so we know all about set backs and making things work.
Something came up? No big deal. Have to cancel plans? That’s cool, we’ll go have a date with our first love… our motorbike. When you’re familiar with being on the road you develop an ability to go with the flow. Flat tires and dead batteries happen, so we know all about set backs and making things work.
8. We’re not the clingy type.
Text messages every couple hours? Probably not- we’re too busy riding and then working so we can pay for our next service/road trip/bike upgrade. Being a motorcyclist gives you a certain level of independence which allows you to have your own lives within a relationship.
Text messages every couple hours? Probably not- we’re too busy riding and then working so we can pay for our next service/road trip/bike upgrade. Being a motorcyclist gives you a certain level of independence which allows you to have your own lives within a relationship.
9. We give better massages.
For the most part, a motorcyclist’s hands are not going to be overly dainty, soft, and weak. Between long trips grippin’ the bars and wrenching, they’ll have a good strong paws which means better, longer back rubs. Furthermore, after hours on the road, we’ll know just where that knot is in your shoulder. You’re welcome.
For the most part, a motorcyclist’s hands are not going to be overly dainty, soft, and weak. Between long trips grippin’ the bars and wrenching, they’ll have a good strong paws which means better, longer back rubs. Furthermore, after hours on the road, we’ll know just where that knot is in your shoulder. You’re welcome.
10. Our romantic gestures kick ass.
Going with some stereotypical examples here (fair warning). Yeah, a girl baking you cookies is freaking awesome. But her showing up on her motorbike with those in her backback is that much better. And sure, a guy showing up with roses is adorable. But a guy knocking on your front door in his helmet with a rose that he carried in his teeth for miles to your front door is even cuter. Point, set, match.
Going with some stereotypical examples here (fair warning). Yeah, a girl baking you cookies is freaking awesome. But her showing up on her motorbike with those in her backback is that much better. And sure, a guy showing up with roses is adorable. But a guy knocking on your front door in his helmet with a rose that he carried in his teeth for miles to your front door is even cuter. Point, set, match.
Have another reason you should (or shouldn’t) date a motorcyclist? Leave it in the comments below!
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Winter on ice - a facebook conversation... For best results read from bottom to top.
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I rode and camped in my tent a few short years ago in Feb., TX in Van Horn and Marathon and it was 15 and 19 those two nights. Gsa1200 and thank goodness it was clear weather:). No ice. Cross country riding in Winter is a weather gamble! I still do it, but altering a route plan or sitting still a day plus is common. Happy Trails:).
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Jeff:
There will be plenty of other Saturdays. I am driving to the meeting.
There will be plenty of other Saturdays. I am driving to the meeting.
Cheers,
Gordy
Original Post
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I would like to thank my friend Bob Fallia for attempting to cross the country in freezing weather for reminding me that it's not the best idea. (He's safe but his Beemer is in a garage in TX while he is back in CA.
I was invited to River City BMW Riders breakfast today at 8:00, 25 miles away. Forecast last night was 36 deg but rain... I decided that was warm enough... Now I'm standing here at 7:00 AM looking at 32 on the thermometer and ice on the road... oh well... Maybe will wait an hour and if it improves will try to make the 9:00 meeting... |
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Moved off course to horse farm.
WOW! What a difference a day makes... Went to coffee shop to check internet and walked out with a job at a horse farm with housing! The lady who owns this is an ex motorcycle track racer, eventer, pentathalon champ... Her husband is pharma rep. Will be doing farm chores and fixing internet issues few hours per week and getting housing until end of January...
Join the GS Giants!!!!!! <<< TODAY! (This means YOU!)
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Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Just looked at the clock and it's 1:45 in the afternoon... I would have guessed it was almost 5...
Got up this morning to temps in 40's and overcast, but not windy. Had a short shopping list that Ace Hardware would probably have... space heater and flood lamp. $50 net... not bad for winterizing the tent.
On the way out of ace the guy beside me wanted to talk about dual sport bikes and lighting.
He's on a 50 horse farm with his ex-eventer wife. They board and mostly have dressage students. He invited me to visit so we swapped contact info and I will head that way in a couple days.
Then off to coffee at local
crapoLA.... It's raining!!! BRB
15 minutes later... not raining... it's HAIL! cripes... Oh well... at least I am back from town and off the bike until breakfast tomorrow.
Back to the story: Went next to Steady Eddie's Coffee Bar for energy boost.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/47472397625/(<<< like on FB!)
Didn't even get seated and guy named Bill cornered me to swap Bultaco and trials bike stories. He's Canadian, ex airforce, world traveler... and talks even more that I do! The next guy thru the door (Larry from Napa) was wearing a moto style jacket so I invited him over... 3 hours later we had outlasted all the other customers and the lunch crowd was coming in... We all agreed it was time to get on with out day so we broke from there. Larry and I talked at the curb for another 30 minutes (at least) and he headed west on his Vstrom. I expect we will tag up again to go for some rides. He had lots of suggestions of places to ride.
Interesting comment from one of the customers sitting nearby. She can tell the motorcycle travelers because out posture is so upright and vertical... She told us the the other prime visitors to the place are bicyclers who can't get straightened up from their riding position.
Last stop was True Value for black oil sunflower seeds for a bird feeder... found a pie tin that I will get busy and fashion into a tray feeder.
More tomorrow... I need to get my camera unpacked and start shooting things!
Happy Day, Jeff
Got up this morning to temps in 40's and overcast, but not windy. Had a short shopping list that Ace Hardware would probably have... space heater and flood lamp. $50 net... not bad for winterizing the tent.
On the way out of ace the guy beside me wanted to talk about dual sport bikes and lighting.
Then off to coffee at local
crapoLA.... It's raining!!! BRB
15 minutes later... not raining... it's HAIL! cripes... Oh well... at least I am back from town and off the bike until breakfast tomorrow.
Back to the story: Went next to Steady Eddie's Coffee Bar for energy boost.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/47472397625/(<<< like on FB!)
Didn't even get seated and guy named Bill cornered me to swap Bultaco and trials bike stories. He's Canadian, ex airforce, world traveler... and talks even more that I do! The next guy thru the door (Larry from Napa) was wearing a moto style jacket so I invited him over... 3 hours later we had outlasted all the other customers and the lunch crowd was coming in... We all agreed it was time to get on with out day so we broke from there. Larry and I talked at the curb for another 30 minutes (at least) and he headed west on his Vstrom. I expect we will tag up again to go for some rides. He had lots of suggestions of places to ride.
Interesting comment from one of the customers sitting nearby. She can tell the motorcycle travelers because out posture is so upright and vertical... She told us the the other prime visitors to the place are bicyclers who can't get straightened up from their riding position.
Last stop was True Value for black oil sunflower seeds for a bird feeder... found a pie tin that I will get busy and fashion into a tray feeder.
More tomorrow... I need to get my camera unpacked and start shooting things!
Happy Day, Jeff
Monday, December 2, 2013
Arrived Canyon Creek RV Resort
The power plug for my tent site is 20 ft further away than my extension cord... ugh... and I don't have a lamp or space heater. I was planning to go to town to buy one of each to use while here.
The other guy who does evening security has an alternate that I am not going to disclose.
Will still buy the items so I can get along if something messes up the plan.
Laundry is running. not bad price on the loads in the machines. Wifi seems a bit spotty.
Got to Verizon online and having phone exchanged. Will be nice to have a new phone... still not cheap even with their stupid insurance plan... Obama musta gotten to them.
Not a big deal with the phone... no service here. Will try to use Skype. Their wifi blocks some sites. Will see what I can manage.
Met a couple other camp volunteers. All are really nice.
Winters is a spiffy little town. Will find out where peeps go for breakfast and lunch and hang out there day time. Should be interesting.
Have a good evening.
Jeff
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Is Rt 395 boring? 217 miles, 11 curves.
I am going to give this Rt the Thumbs-Up for a quality road tour. For a mid-westerner who has never seen the Rockies, it's a nice introduction and a very relaxing out-there-by-yourself drive. Today I drove north from Adelanto on Rt 395... 250 miles starting a move to Winters, CA. 395 originates just south of there. so I can say that I drove that previously. Locally it is just a commuter route from the Victor suburbs to Rt 15, heading south to LA. A Friend told me that she loved this road. Cousin said it was boring. This evening I tried to reassemble 6 hours of video clips... boring... But the ride was not.
The first 50 miles was straight (well, it's all straight) with local traffic until getting past Barstow
and away from holiday travelers. Once I was about 100 miles north of there I was usually driving alone and the pavement is in great shape. Signs start welcoming travels to the Eastern Sierras and the mountains quickly become snow-capped and towering on either side of a wide desert valley. As I drove further north a few cattle ranches appeared, mostly angus. I don't know what they feed these guys... they certainly weren't in prime pasture... But they looked beefy and well fed. The day started at 3,000 ft elevation. The first sign I saw for elevation was 4,000 and that stayed the same all day.
Death Valley is about 100 miles east of 395. Will have to keep that in mind as a possible route when eventually heading south.
Not much green grass until way up toward toward Bishop, 200+ miles. Gas stops are about 50 miles apart and there were NO fast food or franchise hotels until reaching Lone Pine. That was the first town on Rt 395 and had plenty of local color and tourist appeal. Being this far away from metros makes a nice drive, all in itself.
Most of the afternoon I drove alone and often there were no vehicles to be seen on the northbound side. No tractor trailers at all... perhaps because it's the middle of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. At one fuel stop I met a group of Harley bikers from Bakersfield. Otherwise I think I only passed 5 bikes all day.
The drive was helped by favorable weather. Temps in the low 60's most of the day and calm winds. I had to stay but no struggling with any highway details.
Bishop is a colorful town with lots of unique shops and the first of the snow ski equipment outlets that I have seen here. The signs look like ski areas begin here and will continue as I head north toward Tahoe. The tourist map pegs about 20 tourist destinations from here north, so Sunday should include some stops and photos along the way.
The video was def boring... I will eventually post it but there's not much to see. The helmet cam doesn't do a good job on scenery so it's mostly white lines and fence posts. The video didn't capture the wind... the smells, the feeling of the pavement. The looks of the drivers who passed me when there was space. Didn't show the looks of the drivers who shouldered their way past in double yellows. I didn't click a single frame with the camera... This was a day to ignore everything except the wheels... My plan was to enjoy the ride... and that I did.
Jeff
The first 50 miles was straight (well, it's all straight) with local traffic until getting past Barstow
Death Valley is about 100 miles east of 395. Will have to keep that in mind as a possible route when eventually heading south.
Not much green grass until way up toward toward Bishop, 200+ miles. Gas stops are about 50 miles apart and there were NO fast food or franchise hotels until reaching Lone Pine. That was the first town on Rt 395 and had plenty of local color and tourist appeal. Being this far away from metros makes a nice drive, all in itself.
Most of the afternoon I drove alone and often there were no vehicles to be seen on the northbound side. No tractor trailers at all... perhaps because it's the middle of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. At one fuel stop I met a group of Harley bikers from Bakersfield. Otherwise I think I only passed 5 bikes all day.
The drive was helped by favorable weather. Temps in the low 60's most of the day and calm winds. I had to stay but no struggling with any highway details.
Bishop is a colorful town with lots of unique shops and the first of the snow ski equipment outlets that I have seen here. The signs look like ski areas begin here and will continue as I head north toward Tahoe. The tourist map pegs about 20 tourist destinations from here north, so Sunday should include some stops and photos along the way.
The video was def boring... I will eventually post it but there's not much to see. The helmet cam doesn't do a good job on scenery so it's mostly white lines and fence posts. The video didn't capture the wind... the smells, the feeling of the pavement. The looks of the drivers who passed me when there was space. Didn't show the looks of the drivers who shouldered their way past in double yellows. I didn't click a single frame with the camera... This was a day to ignore everything except the wheels... My plan was to enjoy the ride... and that I did.
Jeff
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