I'm on two wheels
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Destination Durango, CO - A dream trip.
This morning, Tuesday June 9,2009 I woke up and it seemed as if I had a very vivid, colorful and realistic dream that I got on the Road Star last Wednesday afternoon June 3, 2009 and rode out to NewBerry Springs to met for the first time a Pashnit Forum member named Ken with the online name of SKIBOLD. The dream was about a trip from my home to Ken's, to stay overnight and then head out to Durango, Colorado and meet with members of www.BEGINNERBIKERS.ORG to then ride a road known as the Million Dollar Highway into the mountains.
After checking my credit card balances, plus the fact I could hardly move, I realized it was no dream but a real trip that I not only imagined or dreamed but it actually happened. Here's the story. Every year for the past 3-4 years some Beginner Bikers forum members meet at the home of Jo and Gregg in Durango Colorado and it has become known as the Potato Ranch Westside Rally. Ken and I are the only Californians and I'm the only California forum member to ever make it. This year it took place with about 15 members and guests showing up for the festivities including a day long ride into the mountains and a Bar-B-Que beef brisket, potato salad and beans dinner back at the ranch. There are lots of details and some of it covered in the pictures with labels of explanation. Map shows all the stops on the way there and we took the same route back but spread the stops out a bit longer.
View Larger Map
A first stroke of good luck was finding my riding partner Ken, through the Pashnit Motorcycle Roads forum, where on reading my forum write up of the trip he decided to come along for the ride.
Ken turns out to be a former water skiing National Champion, excellent motorcycle rider and all around multi-talented person that really helped make the trip as successful as it was.
He even has his own nearly 1/2 mile water skiing lake in his back yard. Without Ken this trip would never have happened as I was not going to do that alone. This is Diesel, a big gentle dog.
Thursday, June 4,2009 Our first day on the road heading for Flagstaff, AZ as our over night stay of a 2 day ride. Ken is on a 2007 Suzuki C90T (1,500 cc)and is carrying all the usual stuff plus several pieces of camping gear including a good size tent, camp stove, sleeping bag, small ice chest, and a folding camp chair. He is really ready for two nights of camping at the Potato Ranch. There are 4 pounds of bungee cords holding all this together it seems. I have my sissy-bar bag stuffed with clothing and things plus bottles of water and Gatorade, but brought along a green duffel bag with my winter jacket, extra pair of jeans and room for dirty clothes on the way back. For this trip I wore my Australian Draggin Jeans with some hip inserts and the knee armor just in case.
Arriving in Kingman we are both getting low on fuel since we did not stop after filling up in Ludlow. Gas up and stop for lunch at the Cracker Barrel Restaurant I ate at on the Laughlin trip. I live for their turkey lunch special. Back on the road stop in Seligman for gas.
and then on to Flagstaff. The views along the road are of wide open stretches of desert and rolling hills and mostly uninteresting vistas. The road is good, traffic fairly light with trucks the main obstacle course to deal with. I'm in front and the pace is about 75 mph or so. Arriving in Flagstaff I had mapped out where the motel is but still never know if I will spot it and follow the correct road, but we hit it dead bang right on.
We stayed at the Econolodge in Flagstaff and Ken made dinner on his camp stove. Ken's dietary requirements are a bit limited but dinner was good. Next morning Friday and Durango lies ahead.
Friday, June 5, 2009We head out of Flagstaff and the sweeping views just open up and we stopped for a couple pictures.
Before getting to Kayenta we stopped to take a few pictures of this canyon view, it's even more spectacular further on but the wind started to pick up a bit and we press on.
Heading up route 89 to connect to Route 160 we hit some breezes but no real wind and it's somewhat cloudy keeping the heat level down. Did I say no wind? When we hit Kayenta, the gateway to Monument Valley, we both start to question our sanity.
There is a lot of dust in the air due to wind pushing across the road, not severe but up at least a notch or two. We decide to push on with no sightseeing into Monument Valley. We do stop at 4 Corners and cover Utah, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico.
The wind and dust both diminish in intensity and the trip just gets a bit warmer. Then we hit Colorado and the roads disappear. A stretch of construction with no pavement, just hard pack gravel. From here it's into Cortez and next stop Durango, CO and the Potato Ranch, (at the end of a gravel road).
On arriving we see a couple members already here with more to arrive over the next few hours. Several members show up and I notice there are only three cruisers, mine, Ken's and Bob on a 2004 Suzuki C50 the rest are various sport or sport tour models.
Suddenly the wind picks up and Ken's now set up tent is really getting whipped around.
Just as I ask him how much wind can it stand a corner comes loose and we have the answer. Derick, my roommate in town finally arrives and the whole group heads into town for dinner at Francisco's.
I ordered enchiladas for some dumb reason, like I need spicy food, am I losing my mind.
After a very nice dinner and in the dark he and I head to the Quality Inn just a few miles up the main road. Ken and the other campers came in a vehicle and are now back at the ranch with all his camping gear and tent plus the facilities in Jo and Greg's home. I never really asked him how it went but doubt he had any problems. Camping is not on my list of things to do or try so the motel was fine.
Where did I get the idea for this trip?From the very start of the ride I was questioning how in the world did I wind up doing this. It's way beyond my comfort zone, doing something I have never even thought about, going somewhere with no idea of success and not a clue if we can make it back. Will the weather hold up, will it rain, what about wind, my stamina, flat tire, crazy drivers on and on. The only thing I could relate it to was how early explorers trying to reach the North Pole heading out into the unknown must have felt. Even now I am in awe of the fact that this trip really happened. Plus there is this ride into the mountains and several 10,000-11,000 ft. high passes, what was I thinking.
Saturday June 6, 2009 We all meet for breakfast at 9 AM, gas up and get ready to head north out of Durango into the mountains.
It gets steep but not really difficult so far, and we wind up at our first pass over 10,000 feet.
Red Mountain pass pic: Clockwise from Mrs Taterhead.. (no, not Jo, look closely for plastic potato head)
El Jefe (asp), Bobthearch, Ken (from Pashnit.com), Richard66, Josh (morgydan), Charlie (expatbrit), Mike (Bull), Jo (MsPPH), Brian (beveritt), Jeff#2 (wraith), Derick, Todd (rmrr), Ruthann (wonderbunny)keeping track of all the mountain pictures is getting jumbled
We continue on toward Silverton nestled in the bottom of a valley. Along the way wecame to the stretch in the road that could only be described as a South American Road of Death with no margin for error.
Once through all that and more we came into the Town of Ouray, another town surrounded by imposing mountain on almost all sides. 
I wonder who lives here and why. A lady in a store where I bought a couple pins was from Long Beach and said the came to Ouray a couple times and decided to live there.
After lunch we saddle up and continue on with just one real photo stop and supposedly a sighting of an Elk...never saw it my self. Our group of cruisers fell behind except for Ken who got caught up with the fast group and stuck with them the whole way back. We wound up getting back to the ranch before them as they stopped in Telluride but we just turned a corner and kept on going.
The evening wound down with a great BBQ Brisket, potato salad and bean dinner mentioned at the beginning, I headed back to the motel and packed up.
Sunday and the trip home Our two day trip back starts with continental breakfast at the quality Inn and then off we go. We hit the stretch of no pavement beyond Cortez and made that OK but I never saw the turn-off for 4 Corners where we stopped on the way up. I think I was having a bit of trouble with altitude adjustment as I was not the sharpest and our pace was much slower. After we passed Kingman and it warmed up a bit I started to wake up and let Ken take the lead and the pace picked up. We deciced to head for Seligman, AZ
and stayed at a cozy older courtyard motel (THAT'S NOT IT) and ate at the Road Kill Cafe (see all the pics on Picasa) Monday and we take off for Newberry Springs and for me, on to Placentia.
Our last gas stop in Arizona for cheap gas. One thing that I noticed along the way is the openness of the area. The views on the desert just seemed to go on and on, plus there were no windows or door pillars to block the view.
Total miles from door to door for all 6 days was 1,872 miles. A record for me on several levels. Most one day miles, longest total trip, Highest altitude on a motorcycle, and most unbelieveable trip ever. CLICK THE PICTURE BELOW TO SEE ALL THE PICTURES!
After checking my credit card balances, plus the fact I could hardly move, I realized it was no dream but a real trip that I not only imagined or dreamed but it actually happened. Here's the story. Every year for the past 3-4 years some Beginner Bikers forum members meet at the home of Jo and Gregg in Durango Colorado and it has become known as the Potato Ranch Westside Rally. Ken and I are the only Californians and I'm the only California forum member to ever make it. This year it took place with about 15 members and guests showing up for the festivities including a day long ride into the mountains and a Bar-B-Que beef brisket, potato salad and beans dinner back at the ranch. There are lots of details and some of it covered in the pictures with labels of explanation. Map shows all the stops on the way there and we took the same route back but spread the stops out a bit longer.
View Larger Map
A first stroke of good luck was finding my riding partner Ken, through the Pashnit Motorcycle Roads forum, where on reading my forum write up of the trip he decided to come along for the ride.
Ken turns out to be a former water skiing National Champion, excellent motorcycle rider and all around multi-talented person that really helped make the trip as successful as it was.
He even has his own nearly 1/2 mile water skiing lake in his back yard. Without Ken this trip would never have happened as I was not going to do that alone. This is Diesel, a big gentle dog.
Thursday, June 4,2009 Our first day on the road heading for Flagstaff, AZ as our over night stay of a 2 day ride. Ken is on a 2007 Suzuki C90T (1,500 cc)and is carrying all the usual stuff plus several pieces of camping gear including a good size tent, camp stove, sleeping bag, small ice chest, and a folding camp chair. He is really ready for two nights of camping at the Potato Ranch. There are 4 pounds of bungee cords holding all this together it seems. I have my sissy-bar bag stuffed with clothing and things plus bottles of water and Gatorade, but brought along a green duffel bag with my winter jacket, extra pair of jeans and room for dirty clothes on the way back. For this trip I wore my Australian Draggin Jeans with some hip inserts and the knee armor just in case.
Arriving in Kingman we are both getting low on fuel since we did not stop after filling up in Ludlow. Gas up and stop for lunch at the Cracker Barrel Restaurant I ate at on the Laughlin trip. I live for their turkey lunch special. Back on the road stop in Seligman for gas.
and then on to Flagstaff. The views along the road are of wide open stretches of desert and rolling hills and mostly uninteresting vistas. The road is good, traffic fairly light with trucks the main obstacle course to deal with. I'm in front and the pace is about 75 mph or so. Arriving in Flagstaff I had mapped out where the motel is but still never know if I will spot it and follow the correct road, but we hit it dead bang right on.
We stayed at the Econolodge in Flagstaff and Ken made dinner on his camp stove. Ken's dietary requirements are a bit limited but dinner was good. Next morning Friday and Durango lies ahead.
Friday, June 5, 2009We head out of Flagstaff and the sweeping views just open up and we stopped for a couple pictures.
Before getting to Kayenta we stopped to take a few pictures of this canyon view, it's even more spectacular further on but the wind started to pick up a bit and we press on.
Heading up route 89 to connect to Route 160 we hit some breezes but no real wind and it's somewhat cloudy keeping the heat level down. Did I say no wind? When we hit Kayenta, the gateway to Monument Valley, we both start to question our sanity.
There is a lot of dust in the air due to wind pushing across the road, not severe but up at least a notch or two. We decide to push on with no sightseeing into Monument Valley. We do stop at 4 Corners and cover Utah, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico.
The wind and dust both diminish in intensity and the trip just gets a bit warmer. Then we hit Colorado and the roads disappear. A stretch of construction with no pavement, just hard pack gravel. From here it's into Cortez and next stop Durango, CO and the Potato Ranch, (at the end of a gravel road).
On arriving we see a couple members already here with more to arrive over the next few hours. Several members show up and I notice there are only three cruisers, mine, Ken's and Bob on a 2004 Suzuki C50 the rest are various sport or sport tour models.
Suddenly the wind picks up and Ken's now set up tent is really getting whipped around.
Just as I ask him how much wind can it stand a corner comes loose and we have the answer. Derick, my roommate in town finally arrives and the whole group heads into town for dinner at Francisco's.
I ordered enchiladas for some dumb reason, like I need spicy food, am I losing my mind.After a very nice dinner and in the dark he and I head to the Quality Inn just a few miles up the main road. Ken and the other campers came in a vehicle and are now back at the ranch with all his camping gear and tent plus the facilities in Jo and Greg's home. I never really asked him how it went but doubt he had any problems. Camping is not on my list of things to do or try so the motel was fine.
Where did I get the idea for this trip?From the very start of the ride I was questioning how in the world did I wind up doing this. It's way beyond my comfort zone, doing something I have never even thought about, going somewhere with no idea of success and not a clue if we can make it back. Will the weather hold up, will it rain, what about wind, my stamina, flat tire, crazy drivers on and on. The only thing I could relate it to was how early explorers trying to reach the North Pole heading out into the unknown must have felt. Even now I am in awe of the fact that this trip really happened. Plus there is this ride into the mountains and several 10,000-11,000 ft. high passes, what was I thinking.
Saturday June 6, 2009 We all meet for breakfast at 9 AM, gas up and get ready to head north out of Durango into the mountains.
It gets steep but not really difficult so far, and we wind up at our first pass over 10,000 feet.
Red Mountain pass pic: Clockwise from Mrs Taterhead.. (no, not Jo, look closely for plastic potato head)El Jefe (asp), Bobthearch, Ken (from Pashnit.com), Richard66, Josh (morgydan), Charlie (expatbrit), Mike (Bull), Jo (MsPPH), Brian (beveritt), Jeff#2 (wraith), Derick, Todd (rmrr), Ruthann (wonderbunny)keeping track of all the mountain pictures is getting jumbled
We continue on toward Silverton nestled in the bottom of a valley. Along the way wecame to the stretch in the road that could only be described as a South American Road of Death with no margin for error.
Once through all that and more we came into the Town of Ouray, another town surrounded by imposing mountain on almost all sides. 
I wonder who lives here and why. A lady in a store where I bought a couple pins was from Long Beach and said the came to Ouray a couple times and decided to live there.
After lunch we saddle up and continue on with just one real photo stop and supposedly a sighting of an Elk...never saw it my self. Our group of cruisers fell behind except for Ken who got caught up with the fast group and stuck with them the whole way back. We wound up getting back to the ranch before them as they stopped in Telluride but we just turned a corner and kept on going.
The evening wound down with a great BBQ Brisket, potato salad and bean dinner mentioned at the beginning, I headed back to the motel and packed up.
Sunday and the trip home Our two day trip back starts with continental breakfast at the quality Inn and then off we go. We hit the stretch of no pavement beyond Cortez and made that OK but I never saw the turn-off for 4 Corners where we stopped on the way up. I think I was having a bit of trouble with altitude adjustment as I was not the sharpest and our pace was much slower. After we passed Kingman and it warmed up a bit I started to wake up and let Ken take the lead and the pace picked up. We deciced to head for Seligman, AZ
and stayed at a cozy older courtyard motel (THAT'S NOT IT) and ate at the Road Kill Cafe (see all the pics on Picasa) Monday and we take off for Newberry Springs and for me, on to Placentia.
Our last gas stop in Arizona for cheap gas. One thing that I noticed along the way is the openness of the area. The views on the desert just seemed to go on and on, plus there were no windows or door pillars to block the view.
Total miles from door to door for all 6 days was 1,872 miles. A record for me on several levels. Most one day miles, longest total trip, Highest altitude on a motorcycle, and most unbelieveable trip ever. CLICK THE PICTURE BELOW TO SEE ALL THE PICTURES!
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| DURANGO 06-05 |
Labels: Durango Colorado and the San Juan Mountains
¶ 6:51 AM 1 comments
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
SCRC-First ride and I bail!
This is ALMOST the route for the May 2 SCRC ride through Anza-Borrego and beyond. I MADE IT AS FAR AS JULIAN AND BAILED OUT!
View Larger Map
Turns out the ride became a twisty road festival, but not for me.
We met up at 74 and the 5 Fwy at 8 am with Gregg, Lim, Bill (Rhino) and me. We take off and I'm following Gregg on his new SV 650. He generously offered to show me what he had learned at the Road Skills school. I gain a new appreciation for Gregg and his friendship on this ride, thanks Gregg! I did fine going up to Hell's Kitchen on Ortega, but then Gregg took off at his more normal speed as we headed down to Lake Elsinore. We were joined by 5 other riders from Southern Cruisers Riding Club with 3 lady riders and 2 other guys. Well I started falling back as we headed down into Lake elsinore and while they were patient in waiting for me, it never got better.
Our route took every side road you could think of with all kinds of turns and switchbacks. Getting on the 15 fwy we raced to keep up with the leader (Rhino) who seemed to forget that there was a string of motorcycles behind him. No such thing as back fill lane changes, hand signals or staggered riding to speak of. Turning off at Rainbow Valley we hit another stretch of back country twisting roads that led us to Hwy 76 and Pala Casino where we stopped for gas. One lady rider did drop her motorcycle in the station but no damage to speak of.
Ahead of us was our first BIG part of the ride, the trip up to Mt. Palomar via the South Grade road-a real spaghetti road if ever there was one. Absolutely unbelieveable and I could not even attempt to keep up. They waited for me and the two other riders I was holding up behind me and we got to the a stop near the top. It's definitely getting colder but I left the wind breaker on so no problems.
This is just a sample...decreasing radius turns, switch backs all up hill.
From our stop at about 5200+ ft elevation we head down via the East Grade road.
A little less steep but still a doozy! Once we get back to Rte. 76, do we head for Julian? Not on your life. Instead we go through Mesa Grande Indian Reservation. The Indians purposely made these roads crazy just to keep the early settlers out and here we are riding through this. I am definitely getting tired.
Back on the Road to Julian and AGAIN we find another back country road to zip around on. I am about done. At least I made it with no real incident, no near miss or anything like that so I'm happy with the result but not the trip.
Arriving at Julian, parking is tight but we all head for the Rongbranch Restaurant and lunch. I am done and decide this is not for me. Ahead the route was going down into the Anza Borrego Desert and then back up some really tight uphill grades. I give my notice after lunch and surprised to learn that another rider, Charlie from Corona decides to go with me and just bail. I know the way back and he follows. He and the other Harley cruiser riders all did quite well and I realize my skill level is below what it might be. Gregg recommend the StreetMasters School and I might consider it, but following him from one side of the road to the other to anticipate a turn made me nervous.
The ride back was going well and we stop in Warner Springs for a quick rest break. Getting back on 79 we go 50 yards and traffic is stopped. A hay truck overturned and there is no estimate of how long it will be before it opens except "20 minutes to 4 hours" so we turn around and head back on Hwy. 76 past Pala Casino. The trip back is actually enjoyable after all the twisting, and I appreciate Charlie coming along. No idea how many miles, but enough.
It has me thinking about my skills on these group rides and I can see there will be fewer groups rides with STAR or others, although it did make me more appreciative of how STAR operates on the road. I still don't like the nit picking and over emphasis to detail by some in STAR leadership. CLICK THE PICTURE TO SEE THE ALBUM...
¶ 9:45 PM 0 comments
View Larger Map
Turns out the ride became a twisty road festival, but not for me.
We met up at 74 and the 5 Fwy at 8 am with Gregg, Lim, Bill (Rhino) and me. We take off and I'm following Gregg on his new SV 650. He generously offered to show me what he had learned at the Road Skills school. I gain a new appreciation for Gregg and his friendship on this ride, thanks Gregg! I did fine going up to Hell's Kitchen on Ortega, but then Gregg took off at his more normal speed as we headed down to Lake Elsinore. We were joined by 5 other riders from Southern Cruisers Riding Club with 3 lady riders and 2 other guys. Well I started falling back as we headed down into Lake elsinore and while they were patient in waiting for me, it never got better.
Our route took every side road you could think of with all kinds of turns and switchbacks. Getting on the 15 fwy we raced to keep up with the leader (Rhino) who seemed to forget that there was a string of motorcycles behind him. No such thing as back fill lane changes, hand signals or staggered riding to speak of. Turning off at Rainbow Valley we hit another stretch of back country twisting roads that led us to Hwy 76 and Pala Casino where we stopped for gas. One lady rider did drop her motorcycle in the station but no damage to speak of.
Ahead of us was our first BIG part of the ride, the trip up to Mt. Palomar via the South Grade road-a real spaghetti road if ever there was one. Absolutely unbelieveable and I could not even attempt to keep up. They waited for me and the two other riders I was holding up behind me and we got to the a stop near the top. It's definitely getting colder but I left the wind breaker on so no problems.
This is just a sample...decreasing radius turns, switch backs all up hill.
From our stop at about 5200+ ft elevation we head down via the East Grade road.A little less steep but still a doozy! Once we get back to Rte. 76, do we head for Julian? Not on your life. Instead we go through Mesa Grande Indian Reservation. The Indians purposely made these roads crazy just to keep the early settlers out and here we are riding through this. I am definitely getting tired.
Back on the Road to Julian and AGAIN we find another back country road to zip around on. I am about done. At least I made it with no real incident, no near miss or anything like that so I'm happy with the result but not the trip.
Arriving at Julian, parking is tight but we all head for the Rongbranch Restaurant and lunch. I am done and decide this is not for me. Ahead the route was going down into the Anza Borrego Desert and then back up some really tight uphill grades. I give my notice after lunch and surprised to learn that another rider, Charlie from Corona decides to go with me and just bail. I know the way back and he follows. He and the other Harley cruiser riders all did quite well and I realize my skill level is below what it might be. Gregg recommend the StreetMasters School and I might consider it, but following him from one side of the road to the other to anticipate a turn made me nervous.
The ride back was going well and we stop in Warner Springs for a quick rest break. Getting back on 79 we go 50 yards and traffic is stopped. A hay truck overturned and there is no estimate of how long it will be before it opens except "20 minutes to 4 hours" so we turn around and head back on Hwy. 76 past Pala Casino. The trip back is actually enjoyable after all the twisting, and I appreciate Charlie coming along. No idea how many miles, but enough.
It has me thinking about my skills on these group rides and I can see there will be fewer groups rides with STAR or others, although it did make me more appreciative of how STAR operates on the road. I still don't like the nit picking and over emphasis to detail by some in STAR leadership. CLICK THE PICTURE TO SEE THE ALBUM...
 |
| From PALOMAR-JULIANSCRC |
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Trip to 2009 Laughlin River Run with STAR 230
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PICTURES, YOU WANT PICTURES??? YOU WILL HAVE TO CLICK A LINK TO GO TO PICASA...YOU CAN SEE ALL OF THEM WITH NOTES ON MOST PICTURES. Something different for this edition.
when you reach the end of this article, click the picture to open the Picasa album for the slide show. Just click the slide show option....
DAY ONE: 6:00 am Thursday, it's chilly and dark out but I'm all packed up and ready to go. The Sissybar bag is loaded with clothes, there's lots of bottles of water and Cranergy drinks stuffed in the side pockets and some in the saddlebags, a pair of Nike sneakers, my STAR vest, and everything else I could think of. My riding gear for this trip include my mesh jacket with liner, the yellow and black rain/wind breaker and a sweater, plus the under armour type base layer under my jeans and knee/shin guards. Planning for cold to warm weather is difficult, but with the wind breaker, heavy winter gloves and liner I can stay fairly warm down into the 40 deg. range. My room-mate Ken and I meet up at Denny's for breakfast while the rest of the crew meets at Coco's. Coco's does not open til 6 am so they are not ready until after 6, where Denny's is open 24 hours and always ready. Who ever picks these, please take notes.
It's Kick-Stands-Up at 7 am but since their breakfast was slow we left a few minutes late. The cast of this crew includes Dan our Pres. Terry-VP, Scott, Don, Ken, Myself, a couple on an FJR-Michelle, Larry and Lela on that green and yellow shiny Harley, Keith, and off we go. Our route will take us through Yucca Valley to a tiny town called Amboy on the old route 66
and then to I-40 for the rest of the trip to Kingman, AZ and the Days Inn motel where our lavishly appointed suites await. I can't really describe the towels, but lint on sandpaper would do the same job. Coming in to Kingman I realize that I had been here before on a trip with another couple in their van and we stopped at the Cracker-Barrel restaurant and that's right where we are heading for late lunch before checking in. There are no Cracker-Barrel's in California for some reason.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Let me explain my take on group riding as practised by STAR and Chapter 230. In a group ride everyone rides in a staggered formation with about a one second separation between you and the rider on your left or right and about 2-3 seconds separation with the rider directly in front. On this ride I thought I was observing that separation but on arriving at our first stop was told to back off a bit from the couple on the Harley off to the side of me. OK, no problem, then at the next stop I was told that I was staying too far back and to keep it tighter. What the heck was that about? Further on I then heard that I was not staying in my portion of the lane which generally is either the right or left 1/2 of the vehicle lane. I strongly disagreed with that assessment as I make a point of trying to observe lane integrity, but for some reason was getting these comments when I thought I had been doing reasonably well. There is more to this story but will leave it to another discussion. Suffice to say I later decide not to attend the STAR trip to Billings.
It occurred to me later on that some of the best rides I have been on were the ones with just 2 to maybe 5 riders where there was no hard and fast rules about lanes, separation, and making unscheduled stops along the way. Structured rides are designed to take a bigger group to it's destination safely but it's tiring to observe all the rules. It made me more aware that STAR rides are quite structured, and if you don't fit their pattern of riding can get you some static or helpful advice, but other riders back up my impression that I do reasonably to quite well in these group situations and have increased and improved my riding skills over the past year. It's my Blog so I figure I can rant any way I want to.
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Now back to the trip. Arrived at the hotel, checked in, Ken and I decided to go somewhere for dinner and wound up at Kentucky Colonel's for chicken. Friday morning we are leaving at 7 am to Laughlin for the STAR meeting and breakfast at the Aquarius Casino and Hotel (formerly the Flamingo).
FRIDAY: We start out and pick up additional STAR groups from other motels and suddenly we are in a group of maybe 70-80 motorcycles 2 abreast heading down the road. I was blown away with the spectacle and wished there could be video or pictures of this "rolling thunder" group on the road. It was thrilling and made the trip worth it right there. Breakfast was entertaining, I won a key chain but gave it to Dan for a drawing prize. This is where to meet up with old friends and new including Joe Dagley from Yamaha.
The parking lot of the Aquarius is filling up with motorcycles of all kinds and Ken and I decide to take in the sights and exhibitors. The Laughlin River Run is a BIG motorcycle event with thousands of motorcycles and riders, poker runs, contests, exhibitors, sellers of all kinds of merchandise and who knows what else. We are just observers basically. We eventually head back to the motel in Kingman but on the way out just before turning to go across the bridge a car zips out in front of me and I hit the brakes leaving a 4-5 foot skid mark and wonder why isn't this thing stopping. It does and I stay upright "whew". Glad I have the gear on. Also notice a few vehicles towing their motorcycles in rather than ride. I bet they tow it in to the hotel, dress up in all the appropriate vests, jeans and short sleeve T-shirts and go styling into town.
SATURDAY- A new day looms ahead and after getting some directions and good advice from several members, Ken and I take off north on Route 66 in front of the hotel and head for Grand Canyon Caverns. At the caverns we run into Art from Chapter 415 (L.A.) and he and I head down the elevator with another couple and the guide. After the tour of the caverns which is interesting, all three of us continue on Rte 66 toward Seligman, AZ and lunch. At Seligman, Rte 66 connects back to Interstate 40 further east from Kingman, but we decide to return via the way we came on good old 66. By the way, I came to California in 1952 with my parents and brother on this very highway and they got as far as Pasadena and said that's far enough. This marks my furthest point east on a motorcycle up to now.
After returning to the room, Ken was talking about getting a commemorative pin like the one I found in Laughlin so we geared up and headed out the 40 miles or so into Laughlin. On arriving at the Colorado River before we turn onto Casino Drive the temperature zooms up about 15 deg and it's hot. Traffic is now a moderate nightmare but we make it to the hotel and can't find the pin anywhere. I take off while Ken is busy feeding a slot machine and eventually find the pin. We stay for dinner at the Aquarius but the wait for Outback restaurant is 85 minutes so we head for the coffee shop. It's getting dark by the time we arrive back in Kingman. Ken tells me in passing a truck on I-40 I hit over 90 mph-good grief. Later that night I take his V-Star 1300 out on the highway for a 10 mile or so test ride.
IT'S SUNDAY. That's it for Laughlin and Kingman in the morning we leave bright and early for So. California and home. It is however 330 miles or so before we get there. Going back we encounter a number of other motorcycle riders returning home as well. Some are just plain nuts. Two riders on Harleys (not that it's important) zip past us doing maybe 80 mph and they are side by side in a side wind with gusts that can cause a swerve possibly leaving no margin for error. Other riders just zip in and out of our group with no respect for the fact we are in a formation. Takes all kinds. We make it back with just a breakfast stop in Needles (Need-less?) CA and a couple gas stops. Total 988 miles for the 4 days. I am beyond tired when I get home. I can't imagine there were any complaints on my riding in formation on the return trip even though I thought it was similar to how I rode going up there. Oh well that's it. Click the picture to go the the album on Picasa...
¶ 9:44 PM 0 comments
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PICTURES, YOU WANT PICTURES??? YOU WILL HAVE TO CLICK A LINK TO GO TO PICASA...YOU CAN SEE ALL OF THEM WITH NOTES ON MOST PICTURES. Something different for this edition.
when you reach the end of this article, click the picture to open the Picasa album for the slide show. Just click the slide show option....
DAY ONE: 6:00 am Thursday, it's chilly and dark out but I'm all packed up and ready to go. The Sissybar bag is loaded with clothes, there's lots of bottles of water and Cranergy drinks stuffed in the side pockets and some in the saddlebags, a pair of Nike sneakers, my STAR vest, and everything else I could think of. My riding gear for this trip include my mesh jacket with liner, the yellow and black rain/wind breaker and a sweater, plus the under armour type base layer under my jeans and knee/shin guards. Planning for cold to warm weather is difficult, but with the wind breaker, heavy winter gloves and liner I can stay fairly warm down into the 40 deg. range. My room-mate Ken and I meet up at Denny's for breakfast while the rest of the crew meets at Coco's. Coco's does not open til 6 am so they are not ready until after 6, where Denny's is open 24 hours and always ready. Who ever picks these, please take notes.
It's Kick-Stands-Up at 7 am but since their breakfast was slow we left a few minutes late. The cast of this crew includes Dan our Pres. Terry-VP, Scott, Don, Ken, Myself, a couple on an FJR-Michelle, Larry and Lela on that green and yellow shiny Harley, Keith, and off we go. Our route will take us through Yucca Valley to a tiny town called Amboy on the old route 66
and then to I-40 for the rest of the trip to Kingman, AZ and the Days Inn motel where our lavishly appointed suites await. I can't really describe the towels, but lint on sandpaper would do the same job. Coming in to Kingman I realize that I had been here before on a trip with another couple in their van and we stopped at the Cracker-Barrel restaurant and that's right where we are heading for late lunch before checking in. There are no Cracker-Barrel's in California for some reason.
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Let me explain my take on group riding as practised by STAR and Chapter 230. In a group ride everyone rides in a staggered formation with about a one second separation between you and the rider on your left or right and about 2-3 seconds separation with the rider directly in front. On this ride I thought I was observing that separation but on arriving at our first stop was told to back off a bit from the couple on the Harley off to the side of me. OK, no problem, then at the next stop I was told that I was staying too far back and to keep it tighter. What the heck was that about? Further on I then heard that I was not staying in my portion of the lane which generally is either the right or left 1/2 of the vehicle lane. I strongly disagreed with that assessment as I make a point of trying to observe lane integrity, but for some reason was getting these comments when I thought I had been doing reasonably well. There is more to this story but will leave it to another discussion. Suffice to say I later decide not to attend the STAR trip to Billings.
It occurred to me later on that some of the best rides I have been on were the ones with just 2 to maybe 5 riders where there was no hard and fast rules about lanes, separation, and making unscheduled stops along the way. Structured rides are designed to take a bigger group to it's destination safely but it's tiring to observe all the rules. It made me more aware that STAR rides are quite structured, and if you don't fit their pattern of riding can get you some static or helpful advice, but other riders back up my impression that I do reasonably to quite well in these group situations and have increased and improved my riding skills over the past year. It's my Blog so I figure I can rant any way I want to.
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Now back to the trip. Arrived at the hotel, checked in, Ken and I decided to go somewhere for dinner and wound up at Kentucky Colonel's for chicken. Friday morning we are leaving at 7 am to Laughlin for the STAR meeting and breakfast at the Aquarius Casino and Hotel (formerly the Flamingo).
FRIDAY: We start out and pick up additional STAR groups from other motels and suddenly we are in a group of maybe 70-80 motorcycles 2 abreast heading down the road. I was blown away with the spectacle and wished there could be video or pictures of this "rolling thunder" group on the road. It was thrilling and made the trip worth it right there. Breakfast was entertaining, I won a key chain but gave it to Dan for a drawing prize. This is where to meet up with old friends and new including Joe Dagley from Yamaha.
The parking lot of the Aquarius is filling up with motorcycles of all kinds and Ken and I decide to take in the sights and exhibitors. The Laughlin River Run is a BIG motorcycle event with thousands of motorcycles and riders, poker runs, contests, exhibitors, sellers of all kinds of merchandise and who knows what else. We are just observers basically. We eventually head back to the motel in Kingman but on the way out just before turning to go across the bridge a car zips out in front of me and I hit the brakes leaving a 4-5 foot skid mark and wonder why isn't this thing stopping. It does and I stay upright "whew". Glad I have the gear on. Also notice a few vehicles towing their motorcycles in rather than ride. I bet they tow it in to the hotel, dress up in all the appropriate vests, jeans and short sleeve T-shirts and go styling into town.
SATURDAY- A new day looms ahead and after getting some directions and good advice from several members, Ken and I take off north on Route 66 in front of the hotel and head for Grand Canyon Caverns. At the caverns we run into Art from Chapter 415 (L.A.) and he and I head down the elevator with another couple and the guide. After the tour of the caverns which is interesting, all three of us continue on Rte 66 toward Seligman, AZ and lunch. At Seligman, Rte 66 connects back to Interstate 40 further east from Kingman, but we decide to return via the way we came on good old 66. By the way, I came to California in 1952 with my parents and brother on this very highway and they got as far as Pasadena and said that's far enough. This marks my furthest point east on a motorcycle up to now.
After returning to the room, Ken was talking about getting a commemorative pin like the one I found in Laughlin so we geared up and headed out the 40 miles or so into Laughlin. On arriving at the Colorado River before we turn onto Casino Drive the temperature zooms up about 15 deg and it's hot. Traffic is now a moderate nightmare but we make it to the hotel and can't find the pin anywhere. I take off while Ken is busy feeding a slot machine and eventually find the pin. We stay for dinner at the Aquarius but the wait for Outback restaurant is 85 minutes so we head for the coffee shop. It's getting dark by the time we arrive back in Kingman. Ken tells me in passing a truck on I-40 I hit over 90 mph-good grief. Later that night I take his V-Star 1300 out on the highway for a 10 mile or so test ride.
IT'S SUNDAY. That's it for Laughlin and Kingman in the morning we leave bright and early for So. California and home. It is however 330 miles or so before we get there. Going back we encounter a number of other motorcycle riders returning home as well. Some are just plain nuts. Two riders on Harleys (not that it's important) zip past us doing maybe 80 mph and they are side by side in a side wind with gusts that can cause a swerve possibly leaving no margin for error. Other riders just zip in and out of our group with no respect for the fact we are in a formation. Takes all kinds. We make it back with just a breakfast stop in Needles (Need-less?) CA and a couple gas stops. Total 988 miles for the 4 days. I am beyond tired when I get home. I can't imagine there were any complaints on my riding in formation on the return trip even though I thought it was similar to how I rode going up there. Oh well that's it. Click the picture to go the the album on Picasa...
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| LAUGHLIN-RIVERRUN |
Sunday, April 19, 2009
RIVERSIDE VETERANS PARADE -SATURDAY
Group Picture by Lynne Shapiro
11 Riders from STAR chapter 230 including one guest head out to Riverside as part of a Veterans Appreciation Parade in downtown Riverside. We arrive and the staging area is nearly full. Lots of motorcycles, bands, trucks, tanks, cars, dancers, military people and floats.
>
Is that a gorilla sitting on my motorcycle? A gift from Jenny.
There's Lynne taking more great pictures.
Flirty and Cin two girls from Lynne's entourage. Lynne found these 2 volunteers from another group to carry our Chapter 230 banner. 
Pins and rockers and patches!
¶ 2:00 PM 0 comments
Group Picture by Lynne Shapiro
11 Riders from STAR chapter 230 including one guest head out to Riverside as part of a Veterans Appreciation Parade in downtown Riverside. We arrive and the staging area is nearly full. Lots of motorcycles, bands, trucks, tanks, cars, dancers, military people and floats.
>
Is that a gorilla sitting on my motorcycle? A gift from Jenny.
There's Lynne taking more great pictures.
Flirty and Cin two girls from Lynne's entourage. Lynne found these 2 volunteers from another group to carry our Chapter 230 banner. 
Pins and rockers and patches!
¶ 2:00 PM 0 comments
Friday, April 17, 2009
A very ambitious ride-Meet BBO members in Durango Colorado
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This would be THE most ambitious ride/trip I have considered so far, especially if I wind up doing it on my own. Time will tell. Scheduled departure would be June 3, 2009, not too far off actually.
From Placentia to DURANGO, COLORADO, a trip of 770 miles one way! Will I be able to do it and then what about the trip to CANCELED!***STAR days in Billings Montana? Not even sure about that trip either. At least that will be with a very seasoned group of riders, and it's 1200 miles one way.
Two days on the road up to Durango and at least two days there in Durango, and two days back unless I do some sightseeing. Stay tuned, and check back to see what happens. More later. ¶ 12:51 AM 0 comments
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This would be THE most ambitious ride/trip I have considered so far, especially if I wind up doing it on my own. Time will tell. Scheduled departure would be June 3, 2009, not too far off actually.
From Placentia to DURANGO, COLORADO, a trip of 770 miles one way! Will I be able to do it and then what about the trip to CANCELED!***STAR days in Billings Montana? Not even sure about that trip either. At least that will be with a very seasoned group of riders, and it's 1200 miles one way.
Two days on the road up to Durango and at least two days there in Durango, and two days back unless I do some sightseeing. Stay tuned, and check back to see what happens. More later. ¶ 12:51 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
PIONEER TOWN TO BIG BEAR
Our regular monthly Saturday ride with STAR and this time it's to Pioneer Town in Yucca Valley (in the middle of nowhere), then on to Big Bear via the back route coming in from the north on Highway 18. As usual we meet in the Best Buy parking lot and go over the route, and conduct a short meeting plus introduce new riders. 
V-Star 1300 with custom brake lights-nice, owner Chuck has done a lot to his V-Star.
Nearly brand new Harley-a retirement gift to himself.
On the left is Tom who had shoulder surgery recently but is back riding-glad to see him on this trip.
Only thing missing are altimeter and flap controls and this would take off.
Our trip will take us out the 10 Freeway to Yucca Valley where we turn off the main road to an old western movie set built out in a place called Pioneer Town.
Our first stop off the 10 Fwy at Cabazon about 100 miles into the trip.
Looking toward the mountains, there's snow up there.
FLAG "B" IS PIONEER TOWN...
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The road from the 10 Fwy, is often windy, but today there is little or no breeze to be concerned with and we arrive at Pioneer Town no concern at all. Our group pretty much fills up the place, Lunch is good and I take a quick sightseeing trip through the old western town.
Not much here except the restaurant and an old western looking street. I ordered a hamburger and it was kinda pink.
Does anybody actually live here?
Lined up and almost ready to go.
This is Chuck with his V-Star 1300
Pictures of the road ahead including a closeup.
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After lunch our three groups take off toward Big Bear where it's going to be colder- probably in the mid 40 degs. via Hiway 18 with some 10 mph posted switch backs. This is on the road to Big Bear-Google Earth is amazing...
Not only that but while I thought we were going to return on Route 38 (the back way) through Redlands we are actually heading back down to San Bernardino on Route 330 a much steeper, twisty road. I was not able to keep up with our group leader in some of the curves and he has a PASSENGER! Jerry our former president on a Stratoliner is really good at handling the curves. I did reasonably well all things considered and we made it down to the 210 Freeway where it was in the high 70's and stopped to take off several layers of gear including jackets, liners and chaps. END OF THIS RIDE...About 300 miles all arrived safe.
¶ 12:03 PM 0 comments
V-Star 1300 with custom brake lights-nice, owner Chuck has done a lot to his V-Star.
Nearly brand new Harley-a retirement gift to himself.
On the left is Tom who had shoulder surgery recently but is back riding-glad to see him on this trip.
Only thing missing are altimeter and flap controls and this would take off.Our trip will take us out the 10 Freeway to Yucca Valley where we turn off the main road to an old western movie set built out in a place called Pioneer Town.
Our first stop off the 10 Fwy at Cabazon about 100 miles into the trip.
Looking toward the mountains, there's snow up there.
FLAG "B" IS PIONEER TOWN...
View Larger Map
The road from the 10 Fwy, is often windy, but today there is little or no breeze to be concerned with and we arrive at Pioneer Town no concern at all. Our group pretty much fills up the place, Lunch is good and I take a quick sightseeing trip through the old western town.
Not much here except the restaurant and an old western looking street. I ordered a hamburger and it was kinda pink.
Does anybody actually live here?
Lined up and almost ready to go.
This is Chuck with his V-Star 1300
Pictures of the road ahead including a closeup.
View Larger Map
After lunch our three groups take off toward Big Bear where it's going to be colder- probably in the mid 40 degs. via Hiway 18 with some 10 mph posted switch backs. This is on the road to Big Bear-Google Earth is amazing...
Not only that but while I thought we were going to return on Route 38 (the back way) through Redlands we are actually heading back down to San Bernardino on Route 330 a much steeper, twisty road. I was not able to keep up with our group leader in some of the curves and he has a PASSENGER! Jerry our former president on a Stratoliner is really good at handling the curves. I did reasonably well all things considered and we made it down to the 210 Freeway where it was in the high 70's and stopped to take off several layers of gear including jackets, liners and chaps. END OF THIS RIDE...About 300 miles all arrived safe.
¶ 12:03 PM 0 comments
Sunday, April 05, 2009
First Gear Mesh Tex jackets
I have owned 2 First Gear Mesh Tex jackets. Owned both series I and II and have crash tested both and can verify they work in slow to moderate spills. The new Mesh Tex III is out and costs about $130 or so. The mesh can and will shred on pavement, but better it than you and it is wearable in 90 deg.+ heat, although it is warmer than wearing no jacket. I feel safer wearing something vs nothing so I wear the MeshTex with no liner on hot California days.
I have given up crash testing as there is very little money in it. ¶ 10:02 PM 1 comments
I have given up crash testing as there is very little money in it. ¶ 10:02 PM 1 comments
