Still hanging in sunny Thousand Oaks and trying to remove myself from this very comfortable bed after a full day that started with an Irish Cream coffee into a workout at 24hr fitness and continued with plenty of very good and tasty drinks and food - Happy Hour All Day!!!
A hang with Ray is always a great high-end party experience. When I arrived Thursday we had lasagna (thanks Bret!) for dinner along with the best wines I've ever tasted. I am getting an education in wines - another friend Brad stopped by for the blind tasting last night. I probably have about 40 bottles of wine at home and do enjoy a good bottle, but Ray & Brad are on another level - they do crazy Napa tastings and are great people to hang with if you can hang! I can taste some differences and do like the interactions of good wine and food - and during my first blind tasting with them we seemed to all agree that Bogle had the flava of the evening!
After 'Ray's Bloody-Mary' lunch onto some pre dinner Beam & Cokes (PKS Wkend 2010) then the Santa Barbara sirloin - grilled with onions and portabella mushrooms and let's not forget the Polish Perogies & asparagus - while snacking shrimp, cheese & crackers discussing the blind tasting. All the delicious food, partying & wine were AMAZING - should be against the law to consume that much goodness all at once :-p
All this great food & drink with the 75th NFL Draft going on in the background on the 58" plasma and somehow Brad threw out some stat that had us all ripping out a quick 40+ pushups...yeah all this fun hangin and partying in the perfect sunny weather and no beer all day :D
Did I mention Ray is a party master? We have history that goes back and connects NY to FLA to CA and plenty of great musical and interesting experiences....and today is recovery day - sit around in the sun at the deck bar, take pictures of flowers and get a little "Ray-Squonk Jam" with the six-string and his Roland kit :D
"Here I'm allowed, everything all of the time
Here I'm allowed, everything all of the time"
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Left Coast PKS Weekend
So far the shortest and most congested leg of the ride - the Los Angeles traffic was there and a few stops on the mighty I-5 (runs to/thru 3 different countries) and the Uly with the fresh oil and filter is smooth and purring like a kitten with tons of torque and response everywhere :D
I think I've always been talking about the comfort at speed of the Uly, but after the filter and fresh oil it seems to have a better feel at lower speeds as I figured out in the jammin' at 80 - down to STOP on the freeway. Running much smoother and a little cooler. I was hoping to try some lane splitting, but never really had a chance in the HOV lane - that also turned what was estimated at a 4 to 5hr trip into a 2 1/2 hr ride with time to drop onto Hollywood Blvd for a cruise. Always a super mellow revealing experience to get off the main route and just cruise some sections wherever you go & stop for whatever ;-p
It seems the riding out here is pretty chill - with lane sharing/splitting rides seems to flow in traffic - no turn signals, but riding for open space always close to the lines and establishing a place in the traffic. Two riders on gixxers probably saw my WA tags and shared a lane with me on both sides north of LA where traffic thinned and flowed. I tagged them for about 6 miles easily with the Uly torque and horsepower and watched how they flowed close to the line - really chill relaxed but really aware riding - You really have to be alert when riding like that and just let go to have fun to enjoy the moto and ride :D
With the decreased ETA time I was at my destination ahead of time and used the GPS to find a Starbucks to use my card for the second time this trip for lunch and a snack. It's been an experience sitting outside having lunch near my moto relaxing - people approach me and asked about my trip and give me the warmest most HAPPY feelings - the only thing I can do is smile and experience the moment :D
Now hangin with my bro Ray in Thousand Oaks about to start the wkend early with some wines - i'm sure there will be damage and it will be worth the fun :D
Happy Earth Day!!
"Blackened is the end winter it will send
throwing all you see into obscurity
Death of mother earth - never a rebirth
Evolution's end - never will it mend
Never!"
I think I've always been talking about the comfort at speed of the Uly, but after the filter and fresh oil it seems to have a better feel at lower speeds as I figured out in the jammin' at 80 - down to STOP on the freeway. Running much smoother and a little cooler. I was hoping to try some lane splitting, but never really had a chance in the HOV lane - that also turned what was estimated at a 4 to 5hr trip into a 2 1/2 hr ride with time to drop onto Hollywood Blvd for a cruise. Always a super mellow revealing experience to get off the main route and just cruise some sections wherever you go & stop for whatever ;-p
It seems the riding out here is pretty chill - with lane sharing/splitting rides seems to flow in traffic - no turn signals, but riding for open space always close to the lines and establishing a place in the traffic. Two riders on gixxers probably saw my WA tags and shared a lane with me on both sides north of LA where traffic thinned and flowed. I tagged them for about 6 miles easily with the Uly torque and horsepower and watched how they flowed close to the line - really chill relaxed but really aware riding - You really have to be alert when riding like that and just let go to have fun to enjoy the moto and ride :D
With the decreased ETA time I was at my destination ahead of time and used the GPS to find a Starbucks to use my card for the second time this trip for lunch and a snack. It's been an experience sitting outside having lunch near my moto relaxing - people approach me and asked about my trip and give me the warmest most HAPPY feelings - the only thing I can do is smile and experience the moment :D
Now hangin with my bro Ray in Thousand Oaks about to start the wkend early with some wines - i'm sure there will be damage and it will be worth the fun :D
Happy Earth Day!!
"Blackened is the end winter it will send
throwing all you see into obscurity
Death of mother earth - never a rebirth
Evolution's end - never will it mend
Never!"
Goodbye Oceanside
Happy Earthday Everyday!
Last night a crazy thunderstorm rolled through with lightning and some really severe rain - Ashley was suggesting I stay another day if it rained today. So far I see wet roads and sun - should dry up by the time I pack up and load the Uly...I totally did bring the rains!!
Today I'm crawling about 130 miles north to Thousand Oaks, which is a bit north of Malibu to visit another friend for a few days of NFL draft, wine, music and partying fun. I'm told this 130 miles could take 4 or 5 hours as I have to pass Los Angeles, although I have friends there I want to just roll past on this trip. The first 5 days of this trip I was alone and just drifting and heading south with really no one to see until I got to Phoenix. That was a weird lonely feeling that had the element of surprise mixed with unknown adventure. Now leaving the Gerbs pad and his family I am feeling really sad. Really stoked I got to bond with his kids and hang with his wife and even have their dog happy to see me.
There are so many stories between Gerbs and I - we grew up together from the first day of college, from the same hometown and use to do all sorts of crazy not well advised things - we are brothers that have grown, changed but remained the same . I am really happy to see him and his family doing well and it's great to see that he and Ashley have passed on the crazy adventurous genes to their kids - they will be more than a handful when they're older and crazy fun!
Thanks Kevin and Ashley for the super hospitality - Hayden and Sophie for all the playtime and laughs..and Kaya for the doggie time!!
"We are the people that rule the world.
A force running in every boy and girl.
All rejoicing in the world.
Take me now - We can try."
Last night a crazy thunderstorm rolled through with lightning and some really severe rain - Ashley was suggesting I stay another day if it rained today. So far I see wet roads and sun - should dry up by the time I pack up and load the Uly...I totally did bring the rains!!
Today I'm crawling about 130 miles north to Thousand Oaks, which is a bit north of Malibu to visit another friend for a few days of NFL draft, wine, music and partying fun. I'm told this 130 miles could take 4 or 5 hours as I have to pass Los Angeles, although I have friends there I want to just roll past on this trip. The first 5 days of this trip I was alone and just drifting and heading south with really no one to see until I got to Phoenix. That was a weird lonely feeling that had the element of surprise mixed with unknown adventure. Now leaving the Gerbs pad and his family I am feeling really sad. Really stoked I got to bond with his kids and hang with his wife and even have their dog happy to see me.
There are so many stories between Gerbs and I - we grew up together from the first day of college, from the same hometown and use to do all sorts of crazy not well advised things - we are brothers that have grown, changed but remained the same . I am really happy to see him and his family doing well and it's great to see that he and Ashley have passed on the crazy adventurous genes to their kids - they will be more than a handful when they're older and crazy fun!
Thanks Kevin and Ashley for the super hospitality - Hayden and Sophie for all the playtime and laughs..and Kaya for the doggie time!!
"We are the people that rule the world.
A force running in every boy and girl.
All rejoicing in the world.
Take me now - We can try."
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Biggs HD San Marcos
Today I took the Uly for a ride to San Marcos to have a ride in the So-Cal weather and more importantly get an oil change. I did a Google search to find a dealer and made a call this morning to see if I needed to schedule an appointment at Biggs Harley Davidson-Buell http://www.biggsh-d.com/default.asp they said just drop by anytime. Really easy to deal with and 17 miles later I was at their service dept dropping off the Uly. A dude came in to grab my keys and take the Uly into the shop for the service - he came back in after looking at my WA plates and how dirty my moto was and asked if I rode all the way here from WA. I told him I did and he said "you're my kind of person!" We talked about his bagger and I told him my next moto would probably be a RoadKing.
It was early and I needed to find some breakfast grub so I took a walk around the corner, past a Costco and then past a Guitar Center...did someone make this mall area just for me? A Guitar Center right in front of a HD dealership? Way too good to be true - Nordahl Rd you rule!! Not to mention the BK breakfast bowl I found, Starbucks (first coffee of the whole trip) and WalMart in this mall area. I had time to enjoy a walk back to the HD dealership and as I got there the down pouring of rain started - oh yeah I did bring the rain to So-Cal!!
After a call to the folks (have to let them know I've been keeping the sticky side down) I wandered around the HD showroom and saw a few bikes that could someday be part of my collection - then saw some vintage mounts that are part of a nice private collection - really sweet looking rides from 1967 to the 90's - even saw a subtle Grateful Dead HD and an old Buell. The Buell was the only Buell thing they had in the dealership - I asked if they a Buell shirt & they tried to find me a key chain or anything with Buell on it, but no dice. Took a few pics and headed to pick up my freshly lubed Uly. Everyone was so cool in the service dept and whole dealership - they had a pitbull in the service dept that I had to play with and before I left a dude even wiped my windscreen of all the bug colors. I don't care what people say about Harleys being overpriced or lame - I got great service and enjoyed my time in their dealership a thousand miles from home - that's part of what you pay for when you buy a Harley or Buell!
The ride back to the Gerbs pad was great as the sun came back to shine and the Uly was sounding sweeter and riding alot smoother. Some of these So-Cal drivers really shouldn't be on the roads - on the way east I saw a bumper and parts of a quarter panel from what appeared to be a very recent accident in the left lane that was being avoided. Heading back west some cager probably on a cellphone and/or smoking didn't see these things and hit them both - this sent a bunch of parts and debris flying across the highway into the opposing traffic - the explosion of parts looked cool from where I saw it, safely past it and out of the way, but I'm sure this caused some damage to the other cagers that were around it :(
...just past lunch time and I have the Gerb's Estates to myself - a shower, beer, So-Cal sunshine and some guitar to chill with Kaya the Australian Shepard :D
"Let my inspiration flow in token rhyme suggesting rhythm
That will not forsake you, till my tale is told and done
While the firelights aglow, strange shadows from the flames will grow
Till things we've never seen will seem familiar."
It was early and I needed to find some breakfast grub so I took a walk around the corner, past a Costco and then past a Guitar Center...did someone make this mall area just for me? A Guitar Center right in front of a HD dealership? Way too good to be true - Nordahl Rd you rule!! Not to mention the BK breakfast bowl I found, Starbucks (first coffee of the whole trip) and WalMart in this mall area. I had time to enjoy a walk back to the HD dealership and as I got there the down pouring of rain started - oh yeah I did bring the rain to So-Cal!!
After a call to the folks (have to let them know I've been keeping the sticky side down) I wandered around the HD showroom and saw a few bikes that could someday be part of my collection - then saw some vintage mounts that are part of a nice private collection - really sweet looking rides from 1967 to the 90's - even saw a subtle Grateful Dead HD and an old Buell. The Buell was the only Buell thing they had in the dealership - I asked if they a Buell shirt & they tried to find me a key chain or anything with Buell on it, but no dice. Took a few pics and headed to pick up my freshly lubed Uly. Everyone was so cool in the service dept and whole dealership - they had a pitbull in the service dept that I had to play with and before I left a dude even wiped my windscreen of all the bug colors. I don't care what people say about Harleys being overpriced or lame - I got great service and enjoyed my time in their dealership a thousand miles from home - that's part of what you pay for when you buy a Harley or Buell!
The ride back to the Gerbs pad was great as the sun came back to shine and the Uly was sounding sweeter and riding alot smoother. Some of these So-Cal drivers really shouldn't be on the roads - on the way east I saw a bumper and parts of a quarter panel from what appeared to be a very recent accident in the left lane that was being avoided. Heading back west some cager probably on a cellphone and/or smoking didn't see these things and hit them both - this sent a bunch of parts and debris flying across the highway into the opposing traffic - the explosion of parts looked cool from where I saw it, safely past it and out of the way, but I'm sure this caused some damage to the other cagers that were around it :(
...just past lunch time and I have the Gerb's Estates to myself - a shower, beer, So-Cal sunshine and some guitar to chill with Kaya the Australian Shepard :D
"Let my inspiration flow in token rhyme suggesting rhythm
That will not forsake you, till my tale is told and done
While the firelights aglow, strange shadows from the flames will grow
Till things we've never seen will seem familiar."
Rain in Southern CA?
"These are the seasons of emotion and like the winds they rise and fall
This is the wonder of devotion - I see the torch we all must hold.
This is the mystery of the quotient - Upon us all a little rain must fall."
I'll take blame for the rain here in southern CA - just spreading the love from Seattle; it seems it has followed me everywhere I've traveled :o
The only riding that has taken place has been in the Ford Edge to pick up a table - probably a good idea as Gerbs' awesome wife Ashley has made sure to keep a full beer in my hand and packed me full of steak and delicious grub :)
The Uly has been getting all sorts of attention sitting in the garage - Hayden & Sophie (4 & 3yrs) love to climb all over the bike and pretend they are riding it or stretch out and try to sleep on it. It was really funny when I pulled up Monday night the Uly totally scared Sophie - the v2 rumble had her running from the garage and she wouldn't even go near it or look at it - now I can't keep them off it! Hayden just learned how to ride a bike the past weekend I'm told...I see a few motorcycles in the future for these energetic kids :D
After talking to Ashley about my two motos (she didn't know I had a second mount at home) she gave the approval for Gerbs to come visit Seattle just to go riding with me! Gerbs use to have a street bike before they had kids, but still has his endorsement. So note to all you married dudes (or ladies) that want a motorcycle - just have me stop-by on the Uly if you need to convince someone - every boy & girl should have a cool moto!
"We are the people that rule the world
A force running in every boy and girl
All rejoicing in the world
Take me now...we can try"
This is the wonder of devotion - I see the torch we all must hold.
This is the mystery of the quotient - Upon us all a little rain must fall."
I'll take blame for the rain here in southern CA - just spreading the love from Seattle; it seems it has followed me everywhere I've traveled :o
The only riding that has taken place has been in the Ford Edge to pick up a table - probably a good idea as Gerbs' awesome wife Ashley has made sure to keep a full beer in my hand and packed me full of steak and delicious grub :)
The Uly has been getting all sorts of attention sitting in the garage - Hayden & Sophie (4 & 3yrs) love to climb all over the bike and pretend they are riding it or stretch out and try to sleep on it. It was really funny when I pulled up Monday night the Uly totally scared Sophie - the v2 rumble had her running from the garage and she wouldn't even go near it or look at it - now I can't keep them off it! Hayden just learned how to ride a bike the past weekend I'm told...I see a few motorcycles in the future for these energetic kids :D
After talking to Ashley about my two motos (she didn't know I had a second mount at home) she gave the approval for Gerbs to come visit Seattle just to go riding with me! Gerbs use to have a street bike before they had kids, but still has his endorsement. So note to all you married dudes (or ladies) that want a motorcycle - just have me stop-by on the Uly if you need to convince someone - every boy & girl should have a cool moto!
"We are the people that rule the world
A force running in every boy and girl
All rejoicing in the world
Take me now...we can try"
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Oceanside
Happy 420 to everyone :D
First I need to revise my mileage numbers I've been quoting...I guess with all the excitement of riding with an odometer that has 3 different readings I was being conservative estimating how far I've ridden....so now that I'm in the sunny perfect weather of Oceanside I have traveled over 2300 miles on the Uly. This is the apex of the trip for me as now I will only be riding north from here to return.
But I am getting ahead of myself....yesterday's ride was simply AMAZING!! I will give credit to the great Gingles-Time in Phoenix, meeting all his MMI friends, the AZ Bike Week and the route selected for the ride from Phoenix to Oceanside. The whole ride it seemed time stood still - like I was moving in slow motion, but easily passing traffic and just flowing with the roads - it was a great feeling.
Mapping out the route I had 3 options - route 8, route 10 or a combination of route 10 & 78. Route 10 looked to be the quickest easiest route, but I was warned of high crosswinds and a pretty straight ride with lots of traffic - route 8 was advised as the best way for riding, but that was also the longest route to my destination - so it was the route 10 to 78 combo that happened. Indeed route 10 was boring - straight lots of traffic and kind of numbing.
After jumping off 10 in Blythe (there is a Blythe story during this trip, but you'll have to ask me about that..let's just say Blythe is also the name of a former American Gladiator) I stopped for a standing lunch break at a Chevron. As I was eating at the bike an older woman looked at me from a large truck and smiled while she was eating. A few minutes later she comes over and says "it looks like you've been on the road for quite some time" I tell her I started off 8 days ago in WA & then tell her of the 6 states I've visited - she seemed really excited for me and wishes me a safe ride on my journey. It has made this trip so worth the journey when complete strangers in small towns approach me and give their well wishes - makes one realize the universe is a great place that will show you respect if you only approach it with good intentions and a smile :)
Crossing into California and getting a quick look over from border patrol - not at all sure what would get someone pulled over - I was jamming on miles of straight roads through what looked like farm country. Two-laned roads where I was going about 80mph when there was no posted speed and it was plenty straight. The scenery and smells where awesome - miles of farm country where it was just fresh and clean country roads. Then these signs that say "Dips next 5 miles" start appearing - WOW!! I was on a roller-coaster that was going straight and feeling all the G's going up and down - felt so fun on the Uly. The suspension compressing and feeling the forces push everything down - then the decompression and getting that light feeling in my stomach - I had a perma-grin from this at 80mph :D
Still jamming on 78 I start to see sand dunes everywhere - windblown shapes and just the colors of sun reflected sand everywhere. There were only a few trucks that needed to be passed on this stretch and the Uly was more than happy to do so. Trucks coming the opposite direction were not as fun - all that sand coming off the road was interesting - felt it slap anywhere my skin was exposed with pinch every time. I stopped for pics and video at this one really cool sand dune lookout - this part of CA looked so very cool as it went from farm country to desert.
As I got about 100 miles from Oceanside all the roller-coaster hills and sand dunes were replaced by serious mountains and cliffs. I was getting into the Ariza-Borrego Desert State Wilderness area - there were no straight roads on this piece of riding. Signs read things like "Dangerous Curves next 9 miles", "Danger Fallen Rock Zone" and posted speeds went from 25 to 40mph with those arrows that are just a squiggly line on a yellow sign. This part of the trip was the most intense of the trip so far! From Banner to Julian was no joke at all - these roads are intense and dangerous! Serious leaning to negotiate the turns, down shiftng, upshifting, short shifting and flipping the Uly aggressively from one side to the other. This was a Zen moment with myself, bike and road after a few scary sections (i crossed the yellow line twice, lucky there was no traffic) - it required full attention. I was riding on/thru a mountain and the temps dropped - the sun was in and out of vision and there was sometimes a rock or two in the apex along with dirt/sand. So happy the one purchase I made at the Bike Week show were transitional sunglasses - for a few miles it would be cold and dark, the next few miles would be direct sun in my eyes. I recommend everyone at some point ride or drive this section of road. Being 100% engaged in negotiating this road I was blown away by the beauty that was all around me during this - yeah the cliffs were steep, the rocks were hanging over head, but it seemed like everything was standing still and I was just witness to all this danger and beauty all at once.
My ETA was pushed back riding this road but so worth getting to the Gerbs pad around 8pm in the dark. After riding those intense roads blasting 95mph (traffic moves fast around San Diego & Oceanside) was nothing - I was so relaxed and aware of the cagers making their random lane changes.
Of course the best part of the trip was arriving at my destination and seeing the Gerbs and his family - it's only been 4+ years - way too long to see one of my best buddies :D
Here's to Gerbs, his family and sunny southern California!!!
First I need to revise my mileage numbers I've been quoting...I guess with all the excitement of riding with an odometer that has 3 different readings I was being conservative estimating how far I've ridden....so now that I'm in the sunny perfect weather of Oceanside I have traveled over 2300 miles on the Uly. This is the apex of the trip for me as now I will only be riding north from here to return.
But I am getting ahead of myself....yesterday's ride was simply AMAZING!! I will give credit to the great Gingles-Time in Phoenix, meeting all his MMI friends, the AZ Bike Week and the route selected for the ride from Phoenix to Oceanside. The whole ride it seemed time stood still - like I was moving in slow motion, but easily passing traffic and just flowing with the roads - it was a great feeling.
Mapping out the route I had 3 options - route 8, route 10 or a combination of route 10 & 78. Route 10 looked to be the quickest easiest route, but I was warned of high crosswinds and a pretty straight ride with lots of traffic - route 8 was advised as the best way for riding, but that was also the longest route to my destination - so it was the route 10 to 78 combo that happened. Indeed route 10 was boring - straight lots of traffic and kind of numbing.
After jumping off 10 in Blythe (there is a Blythe story during this trip, but you'll have to ask me about that..let's just say Blythe is also the name of a former American Gladiator) I stopped for a standing lunch break at a Chevron. As I was eating at the bike an older woman looked at me from a large truck and smiled while she was eating. A few minutes later she comes over and says "it looks like you've been on the road for quite some time" I tell her I started off 8 days ago in WA & then tell her of the 6 states I've visited - she seemed really excited for me and wishes me a safe ride on my journey. It has made this trip so worth the journey when complete strangers in small towns approach me and give their well wishes - makes one realize the universe is a great place that will show you respect if you only approach it with good intentions and a smile :)
Crossing into California and getting a quick look over from border patrol - not at all sure what would get someone pulled over - I was jamming on miles of straight roads through what looked like farm country. Two-laned roads where I was going about 80mph when there was no posted speed and it was plenty straight. The scenery and smells where awesome - miles of farm country where it was just fresh and clean country roads. Then these signs that say "Dips next 5 miles" start appearing - WOW!! I was on a roller-coaster that was going straight and feeling all the G's going up and down - felt so fun on the Uly. The suspension compressing and feeling the forces push everything down - then the decompression and getting that light feeling in my stomach - I had a perma-grin from this at 80mph :D
Still jamming on 78 I start to see sand dunes everywhere - windblown shapes and just the colors of sun reflected sand everywhere. There were only a few trucks that needed to be passed on this stretch and the Uly was more than happy to do so. Trucks coming the opposite direction were not as fun - all that sand coming off the road was interesting - felt it slap anywhere my skin was exposed with pinch every time. I stopped for pics and video at this one really cool sand dune lookout - this part of CA looked so very cool as it went from farm country to desert.
As I got about 100 miles from Oceanside all the roller-coaster hills and sand dunes were replaced by serious mountains and cliffs. I was getting into the Ariza-Borrego Desert State Wilderness area - there were no straight roads on this piece of riding. Signs read things like "Dangerous Curves next 9 miles", "Danger Fallen Rock Zone" and posted speeds went from 25 to 40mph with those arrows that are just a squiggly line on a yellow sign. This part of the trip was the most intense of the trip so far! From Banner to Julian was no joke at all - these roads are intense and dangerous! Serious leaning to negotiate the turns, down shiftng, upshifting, short shifting and flipping the Uly aggressively from one side to the other. This was a Zen moment with myself, bike and road after a few scary sections (i crossed the yellow line twice, lucky there was no traffic) - it required full attention. I was riding on/thru a mountain and the temps dropped - the sun was in and out of vision and there was sometimes a rock or two in the apex along with dirt/sand. So happy the one purchase I made at the Bike Week show were transitional sunglasses - for a few miles it would be cold and dark, the next few miles would be direct sun in my eyes. I recommend everyone at some point ride or drive this section of road. Being 100% engaged in negotiating this road I was blown away by the beauty that was all around me during this - yeah the cliffs were steep, the rocks were hanging over head, but it seemed like everything was standing still and I was just witness to all this danger and beauty all at once.
My ETA was pushed back riding this road but so worth getting to the Gerbs pad around 8pm in the dark. After riding those intense roads blasting 95mph (traffic moves fast around San Diego & Oceanside) was nothing - I was so relaxed and aware of the cagers making their random lane changes.
Of course the best part of the trip was arriving at my destination and seeing the Gerbs and his family - it's only been 4+ years - way too long to see one of my best buddies :D
Here's to Gerbs, his family and sunny southern California!!!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Miles Monday
Major thanks and props to Gingles for the over the top hospitality and time in Phoenix! Still slowly recovering from the weekend and getting ready to laydown some miles and enter the great state of California at some point today.
The weather today is overcast and it seems very cool compared to the 90+ we had over the weekend. All that sun was really relaxing and HOT! The AZ hot of this time of the year was really comfy compared to the hot & humid weather I grew up with in the northeast. I'll take the dry heat anytime!
So all that is left to do is reattach the cases and bags to the Uly & pack it up. It seems like I've been here for at least a week & will be strange to get back on the road. Today's ride should cover about 380 miles to Oceanside, CA. Really looking forward to seeing the Gerbs & hanging with his family - been a really long time. From Gingles to Gerbs - keeping it in the G's for now!
"You will see light in the darkness
You will make some sense of this
You will see joy in this sadness
You will find this love you miss
And when you've made your secret journey
You will be a holy man"
The weather today is overcast and it seems very cool compared to the 90+ we had over the weekend. All that sun was really relaxing and HOT! The AZ hot of this time of the year was really comfy compared to the hot & humid weather I grew up with in the northeast. I'll take the dry heat anytime!
So all that is left to do is reattach the cases and bags to the Uly & pack it up. It seems like I've been here for at least a week & will be strange to get back on the road. Today's ride should cover about 380 miles to Oceanside, CA. Really looking forward to seeing the Gerbs & hanging with his family - been a really long time. From Gingles to Gerbs - keeping it in the G's for now!
"You will see light in the darkness
You will make some sense of this
You will see joy in this sadness
You will find this love you miss
And when you've made your secret journey
You will be a holy man"
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Sober Sunday
"Sometimes I get overcharged
That's when you see sparks
You ask me where the hell I'm going
At a thousand feet per second"
Totally spaced last night or earlier this morning on dropping some musical words if you haven't figured that out, so I'll start with some - think you can name all the bands and songs I'm quoting from?
Last night, err earlier today after being safely back at the Gingles pad a bottle of Wild Turkey 101 was pulled out of the freezer and consumed...it went down so fast after a full day of being in the sun. I think earlier in the day Gingles said let's have sober Sunday so you can have Miles Monday. All I know is that it hurts to move my eyes or any part of my body today :o
Still thinking about all the sweet rides we saw yesterday and just the whole Bike Week event. I will post plenty of pics of all the bikes and the whole event. I am so blown away by the bike culture down here - I guess no helmet laws, sunshine and being able to put just about anything on the road with an engine in it makes it apparently obvious why there are so many amazingly talented people here that put their art into motorcycles. I met so many people that are so passionate about riding and building bikes; it's so inspiring to me on so many different levels. When you're admiring a moto and someone next to you is looking at the same work of art seeing different things and communicating that to you as a total stranger you really can appreciate what life is about and how important it is to get out there and really live your life!
The parallels of motos and guitars to me are even more understandable after yesterday. I've been playing guitar since I was an angry, confused teenager, but only a few years ago purchased my dream guitars (Les Paul Standard & Strat Deluxe) at the same time I bought my first street legal moto (2008 KLR650) - I wouldn't call that a coincident :) The guitar has been a healthy addiction to me that I will never stop playing because it makes me feel however I feel and then somehow it makes other people feel something as well. People spend insane amounts of money on guitars and they all are basically the same - metal and wood combined into art. Motorcycles are the same - I had the opportunity see some crazy bikes and talk with the people that build and ride them. People will spend insane amounts of money to have a bike that they will only ride on sunny weekends that makes them feel something. It's all the same!
Probably the thing I realized the most from yesterday was the amount of respect all riders have for one another. I met war veterans from all eras that were always happy to talk about riding and tell you about where they've been in life as well bike builders that were excited to hear that I rode down to Phoenix from Seattle on my XB12X. I'm looking at them in total awe of where they've been and what they've done and they were all like "if you're ever in my neck of the woods you have a place to stay and someone to ride with" total mad respect from all the people that ride or appreciate riders.
...so back to sober Sunday - the search for monte cristos, possibly look at a Buell for Gingles and did someone mention discharging firearms? :D
"In the mornin you go gunnin'
For the man who stole your water
And you fire till he is done in
But they catch you at the border
And the mourners are all singin'
As they drag you by your feet
But the hangman isn't hangin'
And they put you on the street"
That's when you see sparks
You ask me where the hell I'm going
At a thousand feet per second"
Totally spaced last night or earlier this morning on dropping some musical words if you haven't figured that out, so I'll start with some - think you can name all the bands and songs I'm quoting from?
Last night, err earlier today after being safely back at the Gingles pad a bottle of Wild Turkey 101 was pulled out of the freezer and consumed...it went down so fast after a full day of being in the sun. I think earlier in the day Gingles said let's have sober Sunday so you can have Miles Monday. All I know is that it hurts to move my eyes or any part of my body today :o
Still thinking about all the sweet rides we saw yesterday and just the whole Bike Week event. I will post plenty of pics of all the bikes and the whole event. I am so blown away by the bike culture down here - I guess no helmet laws, sunshine and being able to put just about anything on the road with an engine in it makes it apparently obvious why there are so many amazingly talented people here that put their art into motorcycles. I met so many people that are so passionate about riding and building bikes; it's so inspiring to me on so many different levels. When you're admiring a moto and someone next to you is looking at the same work of art seeing different things and communicating that to you as a total stranger you really can appreciate what life is about and how important it is to get out there and really live your life!
The parallels of motos and guitars to me are even more understandable after yesterday. I've been playing guitar since I was an angry, confused teenager, but only a few years ago purchased my dream guitars (Les Paul Standard & Strat Deluxe) at the same time I bought my first street legal moto (2008 KLR650) - I wouldn't call that a coincident :) The guitar has been a healthy addiction to me that I will never stop playing because it makes me feel however I feel and then somehow it makes other people feel something as well. People spend insane amounts of money on guitars and they all are basically the same - metal and wood combined into art. Motorcycles are the same - I had the opportunity see some crazy bikes and talk with the people that build and ride them. People will spend insane amounts of money to have a bike that they will only ride on sunny weekends that makes them feel something. It's all the same!
Probably the thing I realized the most from yesterday was the amount of respect all riders have for one another. I met war veterans from all eras that were always happy to talk about riding and tell you about where they've been in life as well bike builders that were excited to hear that I rode down to Phoenix from Seattle on my XB12X. I'm looking at them in total awe of where they've been and what they've done and they were all like "if you're ever in my neck of the woods you have a place to stay and someone to ride with" total mad respect from all the people that ride or appreciate riders.
...so back to sober Sunday - the search for monte cristos, possibly look at a Buell for Gingles and did someone mention discharging firearms? :D
"In the mornin you go gunnin'
For the man who stole your water
And you fire till he is done in
But they catch you at the border
And the mourners are all singin'
As they drag you by your feet
But the hangman isn't hangin'
And they put you on the street"
Phoenix Sun
GINGLES - WOW!!! is all I can say!!
What a great weekend this has been....yeah I guess Friday turned into a ride of Scottsdale and old town at night because I slept most of the day :) Bliss, Westworld, Dirty Dogg, Shotgun Betty's and all points between. The hot sun and warm nights made for some excellent night riding :D
It's really hot down here with the sun all over everywhere! Riding around with a t-shirt in the sun is so awesome!! Flowing on the streets, roads and highways named Bell Rd, Happy Valley, Utopia & Carefree Highway makes me think the sun is a really powerful drug - don't worry I didn't drink and ride.
After all the 90+ degree sun and motorcycles everywhere I need to pass out and count how many pictures I took of crazy, awesomely insane motos over the last few days...i really need to buy a Road King and find a mellow moto Zen girl that can enjoy this whole scene with some fun adventure :)
What a great weekend this has been....yeah I guess Friday turned into a ride of Scottsdale and old town at night because I slept most of the day :) Bliss, Westworld, Dirty Dogg, Shotgun Betty's and all points between. The hot sun and warm nights made for some excellent night riding :D
It's really hot down here with the sun all over everywhere! Riding around with a t-shirt in the sun is so awesome!! Flowing on the streets, roads and highways named Bell Rd, Happy Valley, Utopia & Carefree Highway makes me think the sun is a really powerful drug - don't worry I didn't drink and ride.
After all the 90+ degree sun and motorcycles everywhere I need to pass out and count how many pictures I took of crazy, awesomely insane motos over the last few days...i really need to buy a Road King and find a mellow moto Zen girl that can enjoy this whole scene with some fun adventure :)
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