I'm on two wheels
Sunday, December 27, 2009
RIDE TO BORREGO & JULIAN 12/27/09
Early Sunday morning just after Christmas and it's rather cold & nippy out so why not head into some really cold areas like Warner Springs at over 3,000 ft., and the town of Julian in North San Diego county at over 4,000 foot level with the desert town of Borrego in the middle. First thing to do is meet Ken at Denny's for breakfast and when he arrives learn that he totally missed Chapman Ave. and headed out to the 55 Fwy somewhere. No problem, we were still the first to arrive at the meeting point in the Best Buy Parking lot. Looks like it's Ken on his V-Star 1300, Luis & Minita on their V-Star 1300 and me on the white Road Star.
I made sure I would not be cold on this outing and put on the Tourmaster Sabre Jacket with liner, a fleece jacket under that, neoprene face mask, Cold-tex gloves with liners and base layer leg liners. Hands got only a little chilly but no where near freezing cold as in the past. I'm finally figuring what gear works and when.
We head out up the 57 Fwy to the 91 east and then turn south on the 15 Fwy toward Temecula. At route 79 we exit toward Warner Springs and the turn off to Montezuma Valley Road
View Larger Map
Montezuma Valley Road gets rather steep and twisty as you drop down into the Anza Borrego desert area, with a spectacular view of the desert floor.
On arriving in Borrego it's about 11:30 and we stop for gas, but I need less than 2 gallons.
This is the traffic circle.
There's even a mall in town-"The Mall"
Road heading out of Borrego
After a break it's off toward the mountain town of Julian via the Banner Grade and hopefully lunch.
The Banner Grade has it's share of tight turns and uphill grades
In town it's really jammed with Sunday sightseers. After circling the block we find a spot in front of the Rongbranch restaurant. I thought we were lucky to find a spot right in front to park but after eating the food, I'm not so sure. A review of the Rongbranch would justify the name of "WrongBranch". I ordered a hamburger, it was OK.
We head back toward Warner Springs on the 79 but first stop at an Indian Casino that is fairly new off the road to Warner. They have a Sunday buffet and maybe we should have tried that, but we can always come back at some other time.
Out the back patio at the casino looking over Lake Henshaw (what's left of it) and over to Mt. Palomar
I was in front for most of the ride and after questioning both Ken and Luis find that they are very happy with the pace I set while in the really curvy parts of the road, both down into Borrego and going up the Banner Grade to Julian. I hope they really mean it as I was happy with how I handled the turns and curves and only once did we have to pull over and let a couple cars zip past us. There is always someone that wants to go faster. Oh yes, we did get a fly-by along the way from two sport bike riders that just flew past over a double yellow. It's amazing how much straighter the road gets when you know how to take the curves by pushing down on the handlebars and using counter-steering, although I am still slower than other more experienced riders. I believe in "ride your own ride".
We stopped at the same Mobil station in Temecula and after a quick $6 worth of gas, it's up the 15 to the 91 and then home. Total distance for me 295 miles start to finish, and about 8 1/2 hours total time. ¶ 9:12 PM 0 comments
Early Sunday morning just after Christmas and it's rather cold & nippy out so why not head into some really cold areas like Warner Springs at over 3,000 ft., and the town of Julian in North San Diego county at over 4,000 foot level with the desert town of Borrego in the middle. First thing to do is meet Ken at Denny's for breakfast and when he arrives learn that he totally missed Chapman Ave. and headed out to the 55 Fwy somewhere. No problem, we were still the first to arrive at the meeting point in the Best Buy Parking lot. Looks like it's Ken on his V-Star 1300, Luis & Minita on their V-Star 1300 and me on the white Road Star.
I made sure I would not be cold on this outing and put on the Tourmaster Sabre Jacket with liner, a fleece jacket under that, neoprene face mask, Cold-tex gloves with liners and base layer leg liners. Hands got only a little chilly but no where near freezing cold as in the past. I'm finally figuring what gear works and when.
We head out up the 57 Fwy to the 91 east and then turn south on the 15 Fwy toward Temecula. At route 79 we exit toward Warner Springs and the turn off to Montezuma Valley Road
View Larger Map
Montezuma Valley Road gets rather steep and twisty as you drop down into the Anza Borrego desert area, with a spectacular view of the desert floor.
On arriving in Borrego it's about 11:30 and we stop for gas, but I need less than 2 gallons.
This is the traffic circle.
There's even a mall in town-"The Mall"
Road heading out of Borrego
After a break it's off toward the mountain town of Julian via the Banner Grade and hopefully lunch.
The Banner Grade has it's share of tight turns and uphill grades
In town it's really jammed with Sunday sightseers. After circling the block we find a spot in front of the Rongbranch restaurant. I thought we were lucky to find a spot right in front to park but after eating the food, I'm not so sure. A review of the Rongbranch would justify the name of "WrongBranch". I ordered a hamburger, it was OK.
We head back toward Warner Springs on the 79 but first stop at an Indian Casino that is fairly new off the road to Warner. They have a Sunday buffet and maybe we should have tried that, but we can always come back at some other time.
Out the back patio at the casino looking over Lake Henshaw (what's left of it) and over to Mt. PalomarI was in front for most of the ride and after questioning both Ken and Luis find that they are very happy with the pace I set while in the really curvy parts of the road, both down into Borrego and going up the Banner Grade to Julian. I hope they really mean it as I was happy with how I handled the turns and curves and only once did we have to pull over and let a couple cars zip past us. There is always someone that wants to go faster. Oh yes, we did get a fly-by along the way from two sport bike riders that just flew past over a double yellow. It's amazing how much straighter the road gets when you know how to take the curves by pushing down on the handlebars and using counter-steering, although I am still slower than other more experienced riders. I believe in "ride your own ride".
We stopped at the same Mobil station in Temecula and after a quick $6 worth of gas, it's up the 15 to the 91 and then home. Total distance for me 295 miles start to finish, and about 8 1/2 hours total time. ¶ 9:12 PM 0 comments
Saturday, December 19, 2009
No-Pork ride 12-19
We ride to No-Pork. What kind of name is No-Pork for a motorcycle repair shop? It means no HOGs or no Harleys. They just work on metric motorcycles and sell metric motorcycle parts and service. The one time I had them replace a rear tire, I wound up with a broken muffler bracket and had to buy a replacement, the original was scratched previously anyway.
I took Lynne, Barry, Chuck and Stan on a long scenic ride out La Palma Ave. all the way to Gypsum Canyon road and then on the 91 Freeway. I think they enjoyed the diversion instead of going on the slow moving 91.
Stan wanted a couple publicity photos for his many fans so we did a photo shoot while waiting for Barry, Lynne and Chuck to arrive. Notice the subtle differences is his classic motorcycle rider looks.
No-Pork is a motorcycle business in need of a total makeover in my opinion. It's in back of another business and was basically a garage behind the business in front and not easy to see. They took the garage, added some store space and have a two car garage size repair area.
This is the world-wide headquarters for No-Pork, it could take all of 3 minutes to take in the entire inventory and building.
Lynne and Barry scored several fleece jackets for $20 each plus some other goodies, so it turns out to be a shopping experience for Lynne and we were just her escorts to help Barry load up his saddlebags to bursting limits with stuff.
We all had burritos at Miguel's in Corona and ready to ride off in several different directions.
While on the freeway heading back home, a driver in the car on my right rolls his window down and gives me a thumbs up pointing at my motorcycle as if to say "nice looking motorcycle" now that is just amazing. I give a wave back and off we go. ¶ 5:16 PM 0 comments
I took Lynne, Barry, Chuck and Stan on a long scenic ride out La Palma Ave. all the way to Gypsum Canyon road and then on the 91 Freeway. I think they enjoyed the diversion instead of going on the slow moving 91.
Stan wanted a couple publicity photos for his many fans so we did a photo shoot while waiting for Barry, Lynne and Chuck to arrive. Notice the subtle differences is his classic motorcycle rider looks.
No-Pork is a motorcycle business in need of a total makeover in my opinion. It's in back of another business and was basically a garage behind the business in front and not easy to see. They took the garage, added some store space and have a two car garage size repair area.
This is the world-wide headquarters for No-Pork, it could take all of 3 minutes to take in the entire inventory and building.Lynne and Barry scored several fleece jackets for $20 each plus some other goodies, so it turns out to be a shopping experience for Lynne and we were just her escorts to help Barry load up his saddlebags to bursting limits with stuff.
We all had burritos at Miguel's in Corona and ready to ride off in several different directions.
While on the freeway heading back home, a driver in the car on my right rolls his window down and gives me a thumbs up pointing at my motorcycle as if to say "nice looking motorcycle" now that is just amazing. I give a wave back and off we go. ¶ 5:16 PM 0 comments
Friday, December 18, 2009
Friday ride to Ortega and LaDera Ranch
Friday December 18, 2009 at 9 am we all meet up and head out on a relaxing, relatively short ride. The riders include John R. on his no-windshield Roadliner, Luis & Minita V. on the red V-Star 1300, Charlie on the Stratoliner and Carol on her V-Star 1100, Scott on the big goldwing, Jim R. on a Royal Star 1300 Tour, Johney on his Road Star, Chuck on his back-in-action V-Star 1300, and me on the white Road Star. Stan showed his support by showing up but had to work instead. 
Click the picture to read the text.
Our route starts out in Orange and on to the 57 Fwy north to the 91 east then to the 15 Freeway south, exiting at Central Ave/Rte 74 in Lake Elsinore. The 74 is also known as the Ortega Highway and a favorite fast ride for other members like Pete Black and Jim Mc Clain as well.
I gave Charlie our leader, a bad call on direction after checking with Scott (thanks), and after a quick U-Turn got headed back to the 74 west. Never tell Charlie how to go especially when he has a map.
We start up the hill and into the twisting curvy part right away and all goes quite well with a good pace, not too fast but not too slow either. I'm sure some would have cranked it up a bit if they had a chance but we all kept a good pace. There was a lot of construction on Ortega over the past two years, but most of it is completed and it is a nicer road for sure. Google Earth pictures are taken while some of the construction was still going on.
This is at the first lookout just past a Food Shack on the way up-looking back toward Elsinore.
Lots of curves, both up and down hill.
We came to Antonio Parkway and based on my recommendation we headed for Corky's Cafe in Ladera Ranch for food. Great place to stop for sure, reasonable prices and BIG servings.
We finished lunch/breakfast and headed out in several directions. Luis & Minita headed up Santiago Canyon with me to go to La Palma Ave. and see about a wheel problem. Others went to PCH and up the coast. About 110 miles all together and back home at 1:15pm. ¶ 8:17 PM 0 comments
Click the picture to read the text.
Our route starts out in Orange and on to the 57 Fwy north to the 91 east then to the 15 Freeway south, exiting at Central Ave/Rte 74 in Lake Elsinore. The 74 is also known as the Ortega Highway and a favorite fast ride for other members like Pete Black and Jim Mc Clain as well.
I gave Charlie our leader, a bad call on direction after checking with Scott (thanks), and after a quick U-Turn got headed back to the 74 west. Never tell Charlie how to go especially when he has a map.
We start up the hill and into the twisting curvy part right away and all goes quite well with a good pace, not too fast but not too slow either. I'm sure some would have cranked it up a bit if they had a chance but we all kept a good pace. There was a lot of construction on Ortega over the past two years, but most of it is completed and it is a nicer road for sure. Google Earth pictures are taken while some of the construction was still going on.
This is at the first lookout just past a Food Shack on the way up-looking back toward Elsinore.
Lots of curves, both up and down hill.We came to Antonio Parkway and based on my recommendation we headed for Corky's Cafe in Ladera Ranch for food. Great place to stop for sure, reasonable prices and BIG servings.
We finished lunch/breakfast and headed out in several directions. Luis & Minita headed up Santiago Canyon with me to go to La Palma Ave. and see about a wheel problem. Others went to PCH and up the coast. About 110 miles all together and back home at 1:15pm. ¶ 8:17 PM 0 comments
