ice cream grade?
thats after the ride surely?
No....https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place...0cb836ae36f516!8m2!3d37.059697!4d-122.1357039
Time to travel again...
- Thread starter MikeO
- Start date
No....https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place...0cb836ae36f516!8m2!3d37.059697!4d-122.1357039
Monday 12th September 2022
A fitful night's sleep - the swelling from the insect bite has closed my right eye almost completely and spread down my cheek to my throat, where the glands on the right side are swollen. The one thing to be thankful for is that it doesn't hurt or itch. I keep dosing myself with Benadryl, and eventually surface, still feeling exhausted, at about 1030.
I took the precaution of booking another night here last night - as it was clear to me that I wouldn't be in a fit state to ride - more of this story later...
I decide to go in search of food. Jorge suggests a couple of Mexican restaurants within walking distance, but on the way to one I notice this...
...and, having not tried Vietnamese food before, decide to try it.
I order sliced pork and spring rolls over noodle salad - delicious...
...plus sweet potato fries, you know - because...
On the way to lunch I stopped at a filling station looking for a litre/quart of dino 20/50, but everything they stocked was either fully or semi-synthetic...
Across the road is a BMW car dealership. I drop into their parts department, but four wheel BMWs don't use 20/50 Dino.
This pretty Alpina was in the showroom awaiting delivery...
Opposite the hotel is a motorcycle dealer. Traditionally, motorbike shops are closed on Mondays, and this is the case here. I'll pop over in the morning to see if they have any.
I'm feeling better for being up and about, but this soon changes when I drop into reception at the hotel to get my keycard updated for tonight's stay.
The lady behind the counter (the mother of the polite and helpful chap who booked me in yesterday, I'm guessing) told me I must pay $20 more because I have two queen beds. I ask if they're fully booked and therefore need the room, but she ignores the question and tells me I must pay $20 or move rooms. I point out that if I didn't move rooms, they'd not need to pay a cleaner to clean it and change bedding today. She's intransigent.
Fuck her.
So, in 88F in full sun, I've just dragged all my gear to a new room with a single queen bed in it. What a silly way to screw up your review...
A fitful night's sleep - the swelling from the insect bite has closed my right eye almost completely and spread down my cheek to my throat, where the glands on the right side are swollen. The one thing to be thankful for is that it doesn't hurt or itch. I keep dosing myself with Benadryl, and eventually surface, still feeling exhausted, at about 1030.
I took the precaution of booking another night here last night - as it was clear to me that I wouldn't be in a fit state to ride - more of this story later...
I decide to go in search of food. Jorge suggests a couple of Mexican restaurants within walking distance, but on the way to one I notice this...
...and, having not tried Vietnamese food before, decide to try it.
I order sliced pork and spring rolls over noodle salad - delicious...
...plus sweet potato fries, you know - because...
On the way to lunch I stopped at a filling station looking for a litre/quart of dino 20/50, but everything they stocked was either fully or semi-synthetic...
Across the road is a BMW car dealership. I drop into their parts department, but four wheel BMWs don't use 20/50 Dino.
This pretty Alpina was in the showroom awaiting delivery...
Opposite the hotel is a motorcycle dealer. Traditionally, motorbike shops are closed on Mondays, and this is the case here. I'll pop over in the morning to see if they have any.
I'm feeling better for being up and about, but this soon changes when I drop into reception at the hotel to get my keycard updated for tonight's stay.
The lady behind the counter (the mother of the polite and helpful chap who booked me in yesterday, I'm guessing) told me I must pay $20 more because I have two queen beds. I ask if they're fully booked and therefore need the room, but she ignores the question and tells me I must pay $20 or move rooms. I point out that if I didn't move rooms, they'd not need to pay a cleaner to clean it and change bedding today. She's intransigent.
Fuck her.
So, in 88F in full sun, I've just dragged all my gear to a new room with a single queen bed in it. What a silly way to screw up your review...
Tuesday 13th September 2022
I wake after a good night's sleep to a beautiful sunny morning. I did most of my packing last night, so - after a quick shower and shave - I'm setting off into the morning sunshine, being guided by Betty towards Monterey...
I stop and buy a litre/quart of 20/50 Dino oil at an AutoZone store, and fill the bike in their parking lot. After running the engine for a minute or so, I am pleased to see the sight glass is now right at the top, with just a bit of air showing.
Betty steers me onto the freeway for about three miles, but this soon becomes the two-lane Pacific Coast Highway I am expecting...
I can see that there's a fog bank out to sea, but the coast seems to be clear...
As a morning ride - I recommend it...
There's a light onshore breeze, and the temperature is in the low 80sF...
I'm noticing it is becoming difficult to change gears up. Looking down at the footrest, it's clear that the sidestand is not fully retracted, and is fouling on the footrest assembly...
I had noticed that the bike seemed to be leant over a long way when I stopped at AutoZone, but put it down to an uneven bit of tarmac. It took quite a heave to get the bike upright, rather than the flex of the legs and hips it usually takes. I'll have to take some pics later to see if I can work out what is going on.
The sidestand is a weak point on both the Adv and the GS Lite. The lean angle is quite low from new and - because of bad design - gets worse as the threads in the pivot bolt crush over time. A favourite mod for the GS Lite is to fit an Adv sidestand, as it is longer. I have lengthened my Adv's sidestand by screwing an ice hockey puck to the base.
This problem seems different, somehow, though. More later...
Here I am missing being at work...
Oh no! Hills and Curves for the next 40 miles...
The weather is perfect and the road sublime...
Even my right eye feels better - it's just a bit uncomfortable putting my helmet on and taking it off...
I am, however, feeling a bit peckish, and I'm on the lookout for a café...
Pretty soon I spot...
...the Big Sur River Inn...
I have a vague memory of eating here once before - during my 2004 trip...
...and my table on the veranda is very familiar. It's a lovely, peaceful spot...
I meet Lolly, a Golden Retriever / Poodle Cross - imagine, a retriever that doesn't shed...
I order Huevos Rancheros, with chorizo and sour dough toast...
In common with much Mexican food, it appears to have hit the plate at high velocity...
As soon as my food arrives, so do a pair of Blue Jays - I can remember this from my last visit, when they were stealing the sachets of sugar from the bowls on the table. I note that the owners have scotched this by putting them in mini Kilner jars...
It is an excellent meal, but the price was extortionate - over $30...
I go back out to the bike and have a major heave to get it up off the sidestand
.
I'll need to address this today. I resolve to choose 'up camber' spots to stop at in the meantime. The last thing I need is for this to go over whilst fully laden...
I ride on south, and almost immediately come across another store and café - this one on the left side of the road, with this beauty parked in front of it...
Isn't that gorgeous?
Onward!
Heading off back onto the PCH, I notice that the onshore breeze has started to blow part of the fogbank ashore...
Weirdly, it rolls off the ocean and up the hill, but leaves the road clear - I have just about perfect visibility in front, but none at all of the Pacific to my right...
Occasionally it will clear - and you get a good view of what you're missing...
...but the day has definitely got greyer...
There's also some type of cycling time trial or race taking place on the PCH. I pass hundreds of cyclists over the next hour and a half. This normally wouldn’t be a problem, but for the clutch of SUVs and vans ahead of me. Their automatic reaction on seeing a cyclist is to brake hard (no matter how slow they were already going), causing everyone following to do the same, then move over the double-yellow central lines to pass.
I tell you; it became bloody tedious...
The PCH is almost entirely restricted by double yellow lines. In the end I decided to treat these as advisory and, one and two at a time, I overtook all the vehicles. I'm convinced the van at the front was a safety vehicle for the riders or something, but had - wisely - decided not to put any markings up saying this...
The ride then became fun again.
We came to the end of the hilly area and the road dropped down to just above sea level. The fog had meant I'd not been able to get to Big Sur or Julia Pfeiffer State Park. Hey-ho...
The fuel light came on when I was about 16 miles out from Cambria...
...which is fine - I'll fill up there before setting off for my hotel in Paso Robles, about half an hour further on...
There are a couple of spots along here where you can stop and see Elephant Seals - I did so last time I was here. Today, however, the pull-outs were rammed with vehicles and people were queuing up to get to the viewing point, so I gave it a miss without regret...
I fill up with Supreme at a Shell station in Cambria - at a new record of $6 per gallon...
Once again, I had to heave the bike upright. Never mind, Betty tells me we'll be at the hotel at about 1330...
Not before taking a pic of this little beauty, though...
...and, just over the road, another one...
Betty now turns me east toward Paso Robles, where I have a room booked at the Melody Ranch Motel...
The road carries me up into soft rolling hills - virtually no traffic and a great surface...
In no time I've been checked into my old, but functional room, with an asthmatic AC doing its best to cool me down from the 88F temperature outside.
I take some pics of the sidestand, trying to work out what has failed, but they're not too much help. I have a chat with Jorge and he suggests getting more pics when the temperature drops a bit.
Which is what I'm going to do now...
I wake after a good night's sleep to a beautiful sunny morning. I did most of my packing last night, so - after a quick shower and shave - I'm setting off into the morning sunshine, being guided by Betty towards Monterey...
I stop and buy a litre/quart of 20/50 Dino oil at an AutoZone store, and fill the bike in their parking lot. After running the engine for a minute or so, I am pleased to see the sight glass is now right at the top, with just a bit of air showing.
Betty steers me onto the freeway for about three miles, but this soon becomes the two-lane Pacific Coast Highway I am expecting...
I can see that there's a fog bank out to sea, but the coast seems to be clear...
As a morning ride - I recommend it...
There's a light onshore breeze, and the temperature is in the low 80sF...
I'm noticing it is becoming difficult to change gears up. Looking down at the footrest, it's clear that the sidestand is not fully retracted, and is fouling on the footrest assembly...
I had noticed that the bike seemed to be leant over a long way when I stopped at AutoZone, but put it down to an uneven bit of tarmac. It took quite a heave to get the bike upright, rather than the flex of the legs and hips it usually takes. I'll have to take some pics later to see if I can work out what is going on.
The sidestand is a weak point on both the Adv and the GS Lite. The lean angle is quite low from new and - because of bad design - gets worse as the threads in the pivot bolt crush over time. A favourite mod for the GS Lite is to fit an Adv sidestand, as it is longer. I have lengthened my Adv's sidestand by screwing an ice hockey puck to the base.
This problem seems different, somehow, though. More later...
Here I am missing being at work...
Oh no! Hills and Curves for the next 40 miles...
The weather is perfect and the road sublime...
Even my right eye feels better - it's just a bit uncomfortable putting my helmet on and taking it off...
I am, however, feeling a bit peckish, and I'm on the lookout for a café...
Pretty soon I spot...
...the Big Sur River Inn...
I have a vague memory of eating here once before - during my 2004 trip...
...and my table on the veranda is very familiar. It's a lovely, peaceful spot...
I meet Lolly, a Golden Retriever / Poodle Cross - imagine, a retriever that doesn't shed...
I order Huevos Rancheros, with chorizo and sour dough toast...
In common with much Mexican food, it appears to have hit the plate at high velocity...
As soon as my food arrives, so do a pair of Blue Jays - I can remember this from my last visit, when they were stealing the sachets of sugar from the bowls on the table. I note that the owners have scotched this by putting them in mini Kilner jars...
It is an excellent meal, but the price was extortionate - over $30...
I go back out to the bike and have a major heave to get it up off the sidestand
I'll need to address this today. I resolve to choose 'up camber' spots to stop at in the meantime. The last thing I need is for this to go over whilst fully laden...
I ride on south, and almost immediately come across another store and café - this one on the left side of the road, with this beauty parked in front of it...
Isn't that gorgeous?
Onward!
Heading off back onto the PCH, I notice that the onshore breeze has started to blow part of the fogbank ashore...
Weirdly, it rolls off the ocean and up the hill, but leaves the road clear - I have just about perfect visibility in front, but none at all of the Pacific to my right...
Occasionally it will clear - and you get a good view of what you're missing...
...but the day has definitely got greyer...
There's also some type of cycling time trial or race taking place on the PCH. I pass hundreds of cyclists over the next hour and a half. This normally wouldn’t be a problem, but for the clutch of SUVs and vans ahead of me. Their automatic reaction on seeing a cyclist is to brake hard (no matter how slow they were already going), causing everyone following to do the same, then move over the double-yellow central lines to pass.
I tell you; it became bloody tedious...
The PCH is almost entirely restricted by double yellow lines. In the end I decided to treat these as advisory and, one and two at a time, I overtook all the vehicles. I'm convinced the van at the front was a safety vehicle for the riders or something, but had - wisely - decided not to put any markings up saying this...
The ride then became fun again.
We came to the end of the hilly area and the road dropped down to just above sea level. The fog had meant I'd not been able to get to Big Sur or Julia Pfeiffer State Park. Hey-ho...
The fuel light came on when I was about 16 miles out from Cambria...
...which is fine - I'll fill up there before setting off for my hotel in Paso Robles, about half an hour further on...
There are a couple of spots along here where you can stop and see Elephant Seals - I did so last time I was here. Today, however, the pull-outs were rammed with vehicles and people were queuing up to get to the viewing point, so I gave it a miss without regret...
I fill up with Supreme at a Shell station in Cambria - at a new record of $6 per gallon...
Once again, I had to heave the bike upright. Never mind, Betty tells me we'll be at the hotel at about 1330...
Not before taking a pic of this little beauty, though...
...and, just over the road, another one...
Betty now turns me east toward Paso Robles, where I have a room booked at the Melody Ranch Motel...
The road carries me up into soft rolling hills - virtually no traffic and a great surface...
In no time I've been checked into my old, but functional room, with an asthmatic AC doing its best to cool me down from the 88F temperature outside.
I take some pics of the sidestand, trying to work out what has failed, but they're not too much help. I have a chat with Jorge and he suggests getting more pics when the temperature drops a bit.
Which is what I'm going to do now...
OK - that's it in the down position...
...and this is the highest it will go without being held in place...
I can hold it here...
Or, with a bit of jiggery-pokery, tuck it behind the footrest...
So, what's causing it?
There you go - bent as a bloody hatstand...
Now I never put weight on the bike on the sidestand, other than that necessary to get it upright. And although it is fairly heavily laden, it's not excessively so. Jorge is convinced someone has been fucking about with it...
Whatever - what to do. A new part is comedy money ($235), so my plan is to find a welder to repair it. Jorge reckons that cutting it and sleeving it would probably make the strongest repair and I'm inclined to agree.
I have a chat with Rachael at reception, who rings her dad, but neither of them know of welders (not a request you get often as a motel receptionist, I'd think
Rachael Googles up a couple of numbers for me, but they have both closed for the day. I'll be calling them first thing tomorrow to try to get things fixed...
Unless there is an inmate in the Paso Robles area that can help out?
glad to hear the eye has calmed down
early fifties 300s mercedes and pair of porsche 356s
is the stand cos of that breakfast (kidding)
early fifties 300s mercedes and pair of porsche 356s
is the stand cos of that breakfast
(kidding)
Great read so far. 
Couple of observations
What is that random and loose cable tie doing?
What is causing the shiney wear mark?
The whole pivot area could do with some lubrication - WD40/GT85 or similar.
Now the repair could be fiddly. The pivot lug may be brazed to the tube of the leg. Probably going to need more than just a 'welder'.
Raise another flag on ADV?
Couple of observations
What is that random and loose cable tie doing?
What is causing the shiney wear mark?
The whole pivot area could do with some lubrication - WD40/GT85 or similar.
Now the repair could be fiddly. The pivot lug may be brazed to the tube of the leg. Probably going to need more than just a 'welder'.
Raise another flag on ADV?
Great read so far.
Couple of observations
What is that random and loose cable tie doing?
What is causing the shiney wear mark?
The whole pivot area could do with some lubrication - WD40/GT85 or similar.
Now the repair could be fiddly. The pivot lug may be brazed to the tube of the leg. Probably going to need more than just a 'welder'.
Raise another flag on ADV?
Cable tie is, I worked out, the one I snipped off the starter, so not related. Don’t know what caused the shiny wear mark. Just waiting for the welding shops to open at 0830.
Shiny bit is just where it hits the bar
It was a very inadequate way of trying to control the up angle on the side stand
Mike They may need it off the bike, I suspect heat to take that kink out and a bit of something for a little extra strength ask them to keep it up towards the pivot and not go the full way down the stand as extra weight can cause the stand to drop down
Undo that wee circlip
Lift off sidestand switch
Undo Pivot bolt from below It's either a 6mm Allen or a torx 40 I think
Pop off springs and it will slide out There is a bush in the middle of the swivel plate on the bike it may fall out once teh sidestand clears
Wednesday 14th September 2022
This is a lovely little motel. I sleep restlessly - as well as needing to get the sidestand fixed today, I have just read that there is a wildfire near Reno which is causing poor visibility and may affect the air races - I'm due there on Saturday for the day. I have to say that, as a break from stress, this trip hasn't been an all-out winner so far...
I'm on the phone at 0830 to MJ Welding. Yes, the lady says, I'm sure we can help you with that, come on over...
I feed the address into Betty - three miles away. By the time I am through the road closures and detours that seem to surround MJ Welding, I may have travelled double that...
Matt, who is both the M and the J of MJ Welding is immediately likeable, and stops what he is doing and gets to work on the problem. It turns out that both he and his wife are keen riders (both of KTMs), and he admits to breaking three KTM sidestands...
Although the bend is obvious, the Adv sidestand isn't a straight piece of metal from the factory, so Matt has to work out how to remove the bend and, at the same time, ensure it operates correctly and also retracts properly.
We soon have the stand off (after removing the circlip, washer and sidestand switch - then udoing the torx bolt from underneath)...
Matt applies heat until the bend is cherry red...
...before gently bending it straight...
He then cuts it in two at the point where the bend was...
...and finds a steel rod of the right size to fit inside the tube...
Whilst we have the stand off, Jorge has asked if it can be extended, to make the lean angle of the bike better...
Matt tack-welds the rod inside the pivot part of the stand, so that we can extend the length while it is offered up to the bike to come up with the ideal solution...
I reckon that's about right. I check that the stand retracts properly - all good...
Time to tack everything in place. I did ask whether welding on the bike might fry the ECU, but Matt assured me (correctly) that it would be OK.
He tacks the stand, then takes it off again and welds it fully. Afterwards he grinds off the excess weld...
...until it looks like this...
Nice work.
Time for some black paint...
...then the fun job of bolting it back in place and reconnecting the springs...
Job done. Two hours work - $100 - bargain. Matt is a great chap and we had a laugh doing the job. To be fair, my part of 'doing the job' was taking pics and occasionally holding the bike up...
I ride back to the hotel and decide to stay another night. I'm really quite tired and I rather like Paso Robles...
This is a lovely little motel. I sleep restlessly - as well as needing to get the sidestand fixed today, I have just read that there is a wildfire near Reno which is causing poor visibility and may affect the air races - I'm due there on Saturday for the day. I have to say that, as a break from stress, this trip hasn't been an all-out winner so far...
I'm on the phone at 0830 to MJ Welding. Yes, the lady says, I'm sure we can help you with that, come on over...
I feed the address into Betty - three miles away. By the time I am through the road closures and detours that seem to surround MJ Welding, I may have travelled double that...
Matt, who is both the M and the J of MJ Welding is immediately likeable, and stops what he is doing and gets to work on the problem. It turns out that both he and his wife are keen riders (both of KTMs), and he admits to breaking three KTM sidestands...
Although the bend is obvious, the Adv sidestand isn't a straight piece of metal from the factory, so Matt has to work out how to remove the bend and, at the same time, ensure it operates correctly and also retracts properly.
We soon have the stand off (after removing the circlip, washer and sidestand switch - then udoing the torx bolt from underneath)...
Matt applies heat until the bend is cherry red...
...before gently bending it straight...
He then cuts it in two at the point where the bend was...
...and finds a steel rod of the right size to fit inside the tube...
Whilst we have the stand off, Jorge has asked if it can be extended, to make the lean angle of the bike better...
Matt tack-welds the rod inside the pivot part of the stand, so that we can extend the length while it is offered up to the bike to come up with the ideal solution...
I reckon that's about right. I check that the stand retracts properly - all good...
Time to tack everything in place. I did ask whether welding on the bike might fry the ECU, but Matt assured me (correctly) that it would be OK.
He tacks the stand, then takes it off again and welds it fully. Afterwards he grinds off the excess weld...
...until it looks like this...
Nice work.
Time for some black paint...
...then the fun job of bolting it back in place and reconnecting the springs...
Job done. Two hours work - $100 - bargain. Matt is a great chap and we had a laugh doing the job. To be fair, my part of 'doing the job' was taking pics and occasionally holding the bike up...
I ride back to the hotel and decide to stay another night. I'm really quite tired and I rather like Paso Robles...
Good result.
Looks like you struck it lucky with MJ Welding.
Looks like you struck it lucky with MJ Welding.
So, after writing this morning's report, I had a bit of a nap, then woke around 1400 feeling a bit hungry. I walk out onto Spring Street...
...which is a comfortably sunny 80F, and make my way down the block.
Almost immediately my attention is drawn to...
...a plethora of Porsche 356s. Apparently, the West Coast 356 Club have a four-day event, called a Holiday, each year, and today is the first day of the one being held in Paso Robles - in an hotel on the next block.
This will explain the two I saw in Cambria yesterday...
There are dozens of 356s here...
...as well as...
...this beautiful 912 - with its original paint!
Most of them have been restored to better condition than when they left the factory, but some have been left as driveable, usable cars...
Craig unfolds his 6'5" frame from this convertible - where he has a surprising amount of room. He works on vintage Porches as his hobby and knows the history of pretty much every car here. His red convertible is for sale if you are in the market - I have his number if you want it...
Well, this isn't getting the inner man fed. I walk into the hotel which is hosting the event and take a seat at the upstairs bar and have a draft Michelob Ultra in a frosted glass...
...after which Lucas brings me a Caesar salad with chicken...
After a while, I walk back through the car park, noticing a couple of new arrivals...
...one of which sticks out - even in this company...
Returning to my hotel, I see I'm not the only GS rider staying here...
...which is a comfortably sunny 80F, and make my way down the block.
Almost immediately my attention is drawn to...
...a plethora of Porsche 356s. Apparently, the West Coast 356 Club have a four-day event, called a Holiday, each year, and today is the first day of the one being held in Paso Robles - in an hotel on the next block.
This will explain the two I saw in Cambria yesterday...
There are dozens of 356s here...
...as well as...
...this beautiful 912 - with its original paint!
Most of them have been restored to better condition than when they left the factory, but some have been left as driveable, usable cars...
Craig unfolds his 6'5" frame from this convertible - where he has a surprising amount of room. He works on vintage Porches as his hobby and knows the history of pretty much every car here. His red convertible is for sale if you are in the market - I have his number if you want it...
Well, this isn't getting the inner man fed. I walk into the hotel which is hosting the event and take a seat at the upstairs bar and have a draft Michelob Ultra in a frosted glass...
...after which Lucas brings me a Caesar salad with chicken...
After a while, I walk back through the car park, noticing a couple of new arrivals...
...one of which sticks out - even in this company...
Returning to my hotel, I see I'm not the only GS rider staying here...
So, I went online to see if I could book my ticket to get into Yosemite online, to save time. To find that, since Covid, you need to book a Permit to travel into/through the Park - and the earliest availability is 18th September. Nothing for tomorrow...
And the hits just keep on coming...
And the hits just keep on coming...
Thursday 15th September 2022
I wake early and quickly get packed and dressed. Today is going to be a long day, and I want to get on the road so I don't finish late this afternoon.
I set off at about 0830, with Betty directing me onto a series of divided highways (dual carriageways) and the occasional freeway...
It's a beautiful cool, clear morning - around 60F and promising to warm to about 78F later in the day - perfect riding weather...
We're very much in wine country and vineyards line the roads for much of the morning...
This is James Dean Memorial Junction, where the young movie star was killed in September 1955. There are a couple of dusty and fly-blown wreathes zip-tied to the fence...
...lonely place to meet your end...
I can't remember what the speed limit was here, but the Adv is comfortable at 70, so I kept it there...
Mr Dean makes an appearance indicating the way to fudge and pistachios...
A little further along (we're heading towards Bakersfield), I come across fields of 'nodding-donkey' oil pumps...
At the junction with Highway 5, I pull in to get some breakfast. I was hoping to find a small café, but every fast-food company seemed to be represented instead.
Deciding to give 'Gizzards and Livers' a miss, I ordered three pieces of chicken and potato wedges, and a 'fountain' drink - my usual lemonade...
I have to say, it was an unusual choice for breakfast, but very tasty...
Betty sends me down Highway 5 for a while, then turns me off heading roughly east towards Bakersfield. The main crops being grown here seem to be pistachios, dates and apples...
My original plan for today (which would still have been a long ride) was to head north from Paso Robles and then cross the Sierras via Yosemite National Park. Since finding out last night that you now need a permit, my route has bad to change.
Routes across the Sierras are limited, hence my having to travel a considerable way south, before heading back north to Mammoth Lakes, my target for tonight. The day will be about 350 miles, which is longer than I have been used to thus far...
As divided highways go, this one is reasonably scenic - and has a speed limit of 65mph. The Adv continues at 70...
We brush the Mojave Desert for a while - populated by scraggly-looking Joshua Trees, and windmills on the skylines...
With 212 miles on the trip meter, I stop at a roadside filling station ($7 per gal) and fill the Adv up. I have calculated we will have sufficient fuel to make it in one hop from here...
Scraggly looking Joshua Tree, as mentioned...
Traffic is light and the bike's running well. We just keep munching the miles at a steady 70mph...
Heading back north now, and the Sierras are just visible on the hazy horizon...
...but in no time, they are there - as beautiful as I remember...
Even though it's only about 75F, it's really easy to get dehydrated in this environment, and I am regularly drinking from my Camelbak...
The occasional stream runs under the road - creating an oasis of eye-watering green after all the browns...
At Lone Pine I decide to stop for a spot of lunch...
I park in the shade next to these two Can-Am trikes, and get a seat where I can keep the bike in view...
Lemonade - excellent...
There are a few riders here already, their Gold Wings and Harleys in the car park. I notice they are wearing 'cuts' (waistcoats with badges) with the insignia of the Blue Knights. This is a bike club made up of policemen - I don't know if you have to be a traffic motorcyclist to join. Simon, a mate of mine down in Somerset, is a member...
I notice they have badges such as 'Safety Officer' and 'Road Captain' on their waistcoats - as well as their official police badges...
To each his own...
My Cobb salad arrives - with more lemonade. The Blue Knights are leaving so I bid them farewell and start on lunch...
Well - strawberry and rhubarb pie - what's not to like?
I have about a hundred miles to run before getting to the hotel - just around the corner in West Coast terms...
I ride out through Lost Pine, and I'm soon back in the 65mph limit...
Although the thermometer is showing over 90F, it's in direct sun, and it doesn't feel anything like that warm...
Betty develops an odd problem. She's convinced that we are about 200m left of where we are. I reset and recalculate the route on the hoof, but the snag persists. Thankfully it's a simple route from here so it's not going to affect anything.
After a while I ride through Bishop...
...where this old chap catches my eye, sporting a For Sale sign. I expect that there will be a few enthusiasts in the UK that would love to source a car here, far from road salt and other corrosive elements...
I notice that all buildings for the last few days have had their flags at half-mast (half-staff) - I originally thought it was for the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, but I wonder if it might be a government edict to mark the passing of the Queen?
The air has cooled considerably, and I'm about to start climbing towards Mammoth Lakes, which is a year-round resort - in the winter it is a ski-centre...
Everything is looking greener, as we leave the scrub desert behind...
That's just not cricket, is it? Incidentally, has anyone ever experienced being nicked for speeding by an aircraft? I have a sneaking suspicion that they just put the signs up and that's as far as it goes...
Late afternoon barn!
I take a steady climb up to the 6000' summit of a hill I can't remember the name of and shortly afterwards...
...I am checking in to my room at the Ventura Grand Inn.
The check-in was really weird. The receptionist said I had 20 minutes to say I didn't like the room, before then they would try to accommodate me somewhere else in the hotel, but after that you had to keep the room. She told the couple checking in before me the same thing. Bit strange. Huge bed, AC that works and a parking space outside the door - I'm happy.
Oh, and she mentioned not to leave food in the vehicle overnight as they have bears wandering around the place...
I'm knackered...
I wake early and quickly get packed and dressed. Today is going to be a long day, and I want to get on the road so I don't finish late this afternoon.
I set off at about 0830, with Betty directing me onto a series of divided highways (dual carriageways) and the occasional freeway...
It's a beautiful cool, clear morning - around 60F and promising to warm to about 78F later in the day - perfect riding weather...
We're very much in wine country and vineyards line the roads for much of the morning...
This is James Dean Memorial Junction, where the young movie star was killed in September 1955. There are a couple of dusty and fly-blown wreathes zip-tied to the fence...
...lonely place to meet your end...
I can't remember what the speed limit was here, but the Adv is comfortable at 70, so I kept it there...
Mr Dean makes an appearance indicating the way to fudge and pistachios...
A little further along (we're heading towards Bakersfield), I come across fields of 'nodding-donkey' oil pumps...
At the junction with Highway 5, I pull in to get some breakfast. I was hoping to find a small café, but every fast-food company seemed to be represented instead.
Deciding to give 'Gizzards and Livers' a miss, I ordered three pieces of chicken and potato wedges, and a 'fountain' drink - my usual lemonade...
I have to say, it was an unusual choice for breakfast, but very tasty...
Betty sends me down Highway 5 for a while, then turns me off heading roughly east towards Bakersfield. The main crops being grown here seem to be pistachios, dates and apples...
My original plan for today (which would still have been a long ride) was to head north from Paso Robles and then cross the Sierras via Yosemite National Park. Since finding out last night that you now need a permit, my route has bad to change.
Routes across the Sierras are limited, hence my having to travel a considerable way south, before heading back north to Mammoth Lakes, my target for tonight. The day will be about 350 miles, which is longer than I have been used to thus far...
As divided highways go, this one is reasonably scenic - and has a speed limit of 65mph. The Adv continues at 70...
We brush the Mojave Desert for a while - populated by scraggly-looking Joshua Trees, and windmills on the skylines...
With 212 miles on the trip meter, I stop at a roadside filling station ($7 per gal) and fill the Adv up. I have calculated we will have sufficient fuel to make it in one hop from here...
Scraggly looking Joshua Tree, as mentioned...
Traffic is light and the bike's running well. We just keep munching the miles at a steady 70mph...
Heading back north now, and the Sierras are just visible on the hazy horizon...
...but in no time, they are there - as beautiful as I remember...
Even though it's only about 75F, it's really easy to get dehydrated in this environment, and I am regularly drinking from my Camelbak...
The occasional stream runs under the road - creating an oasis of eye-watering green after all the browns...
At Lone Pine I decide to stop for a spot of lunch...
I park in the shade next to these two Can-Am trikes, and get a seat where I can keep the bike in view...
Lemonade - excellent...
There are a few riders here already, their Gold Wings and Harleys in the car park. I notice they are wearing 'cuts' (waistcoats with badges) with the insignia of the Blue Knights. This is a bike club made up of policemen - I don't know if you have to be a traffic motorcyclist to join. Simon, a mate of mine down in Somerset, is a member...
I notice they have badges such as 'Safety Officer' and 'Road Captain' on their waistcoats - as well as their official police badges...
To each his own...
My Cobb salad arrives - with more lemonade. The Blue Knights are leaving so I bid them farewell and start on lunch...
Well - strawberry and rhubarb pie - what's not to like?
I have about a hundred miles to run before getting to the hotel - just around the corner in West Coast terms...
I ride out through Lost Pine, and I'm soon back in the 65mph limit...
Although the thermometer is showing over 90F, it's in direct sun, and it doesn't feel anything like that warm...
Betty develops an odd problem. She's convinced that we are about 200m left of where we are. I reset and recalculate the route on the hoof, but the snag persists. Thankfully it's a simple route from here so it's not going to affect anything.
After a while I ride through Bishop...
...where this old chap catches my eye, sporting a For Sale sign. I expect that there will be a few enthusiasts in the UK that would love to source a car here, far from road salt and other corrosive elements...
I notice that all buildings for the last few days have had their flags at half-mast (half-staff) - I originally thought it was for the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, but I wonder if it might be a government edict to mark the passing of the Queen?
The air has cooled considerably, and I'm about to start climbing towards Mammoth Lakes, which is a year-round resort - in the winter it is a ski-centre...
Everything is looking greener, as we leave the scrub desert behind...
That's just not cricket, is it? Incidentally, has anyone ever experienced being nicked for speeding by an aircraft? I have a sneaking suspicion that they just put the signs up and that's as far as it goes...
Late afternoon barn!
I take a steady climb up to the 6000' summit of a hill I can't remember the name of and shortly afterwards...
...I am checking in to my room at the Ventura Grand Inn.
The check-in was really weird. The receptionist said I had 20 minutes to say I didn't like the room, before then they would try to accommodate me somewhere else in the hotel, but after that you had to keep the room. She told the couple checking in before me the same thing. Bit strange. Huge bed, AC that works and a parking space outside the door - I'm happy.
Oh, and she mentioned not to leave food in the vehicle overnight as they have bears wandering around the place...
I'm knackered...
bears eep
in usa the aircraft speeding might happen - size etc
only place here ive seen that is wales and apart from RAF on anglesey never seen anything other than heddlu in cars
in usa the aircraft speeding might happen - size etc
only place here ive seen that is wales and apart from RAF on anglesey never seen anything other than heddlu in cars
Great RR, reminding me of a trip we took in a hired Mustang, also stayed at Mammoth lakes (the Westin?) snow all around but warm, using the pool and driving to some hot springs nearby. Also noted the "speed checked by aircraft" sign, tended to cruise between 70-80mph and still waiting for the plane to catch up!. Cheers
John B
John B
Friday 16th September 2022
Another bit of weirdness about my hotel room - no bedside lights...
You had to turn the light off by the door and then do a Frankenstein's monster impersonation before finding the bed...
I sleep relatively well. I seem to ache all over. This trip has demonstrated to me clearly that I need to get fitter, or else give this up. What a bloody dilemma...
I get up at around 0900 and have a long shower before getting all my gear packed up. Today is going to be a short one - about 160 miles north to Sparks (a suburb of Reno, Nevada). I am currently booked in for two nights at the hotel, but most of the last 12 hours have been me stressing that, in order to get back to Jorge's house in Portland on Sunday evening, Sunday is going to be a hard day's riding - eight and a half hours not including stops.
I can't stop on Sunday night on the way back, because I am flying home on Tuesday, and need to build in contingency time (who knows, a breakdown?)...
I kit up and pop next door to refuel at what now seems like a reasonable $6.40 per gallon of Supreme. It's a cool morning (we are at about 7k ft), but a glorious day in all other respects...
I ride out of Mammoth Lakes...
...and Betty pretty soon has me re-joining US395 north...
The road has more traffic on it than yesterday, and this will be the case for the rest of the day...
I saw plenty of riders heading south...
...but it is the visibility north that is holding my attention. It is way murkier than yesterday, and seems to get worse the further I travel north...
REAL motorcyclists do 200 miles before breakfast. At 39 miles, I stop at Nicely's restaurant in Lee Vining - a town that seems to exist purely because it is at the end of Tioga Pass, probably the prettiest route into Yosemite.
A Denver omelette and sourdough toast, together with strong coffee, perk up the inner man...
Were it later in the day, I may have researched the Colossal Sundae...
I'm soon back on the road, passing Lake Mono, an ancient saline lake, the coastline of which is lined with odd mineral growths...
Blimey - that visibility is dreadful. I begin to wonder if they'll be racing at all at Reno tomorrow...
...which gets me thinking about a plan...
I don't actually follow the racing at Reno - I just love seeing warbirds racing at low level. In the current visibility, I'm betting I'd not have a clear view of the aircraft on the far side of the circuit...
Look! A barn converted to an artist's studio...
Where was I? Ah yes, visibility. If I just spent the morning at the races, wandering around the 'pits', which is always my favourite part, I could cancel my Saturday night reservation at Sparks, and book somewhere on the way to Portland...
The road follows a stream for a while...
In Bridgeport (I think), I spot this old girl at the roadside - any guesses for make/model/year?
As often happens, in my experience, a little further down the road I find this muscle car, parked in the shade (and apparently for sale)...
If you're interested, I'd give Aaron a ring...
I enter Nevada, with the normal slew of signs explaining what you can and can't do here...
That haze/smoke/whatever is getting worse all the time...
Apologies for the pic quality - saw this old beauty at the junction and did a quick draw with my camera...
Ultimately, I enter Carson City, which is a huge urban freeway surrounded by casinos (everywhere in Nevada is a casino - if you stop for a coffee, there will be slot machines available)...
I'm then directed towards downtown Reno. The walls (presumably protecting traffic from side winds) have these artistic murals baked into them...
The thermometer suggests that it is 90F plus - it doesn't feel like it - I'm convinced the instrument is just baking in direct sun...
This pic probably shows the smoke problem best...
OK...
At about 1420, I arrive at my hotel, which obviously used to be a Super 8 (they haven't even changed the Wi-Fi name
). Check-in starts at 1600, but I use my English accent on Gail, the receptionist and, not only does she agree to not charge me for Sunday night (in theory it was non-refundable), but changes my room to one with a King-Sized bed at no extra charge - top lady
I park the Adv on the pavement right outside the Manager's office, which is staffed 24/7 - as well as being under CCTV view. I use a luggage trolley to carry all my stuff to my first-floor room in one go (and steal the trolley so I can use it in the morning)...
Lovely room, clean and well equipped - although the finish is still a work-in-progress, judging by the bathroom door...
I quickly go online and have a look at the route between here and Portland. The mid-point is Klamath Falls, where I have stayed several times in the past. I book a room using my 'free night' coupon, that Hotels.com give you every tenth stay, and start uploading pictures...
Another bit of weirdness about my hotel room - no bedside lights...
I sleep relatively well. I seem to ache all over. This trip has demonstrated to me clearly that I need to get fitter, or else give this up. What a bloody dilemma...
I get up at around 0900 and have a long shower before getting all my gear packed up. Today is going to be a short one - about 160 miles north to Sparks (a suburb of Reno, Nevada). I am currently booked in for two nights at the hotel, but most of the last 12 hours have been me stressing that, in order to get back to Jorge's house in Portland on Sunday evening, Sunday is going to be a hard day's riding - eight and a half hours not including stops.
I can't stop on Sunday night on the way back, because I am flying home on Tuesday, and need to build in contingency time (who knows, a breakdown?)...
I kit up and pop next door to refuel at what now seems like a reasonable $6.40 per gallon of Supreme. It's a cool morning (we are at about 7k ft), but a glorious day in all other respects...
I ride out of Mammoth Lakes...
...and Betty pretty soon has me re-joining US395 north...
The road has more traffic on it than yesterday, and this will be the case for the rest of the day...
I saw plenty of riders heading south...
...but it is the visibility north that is holding my attention. It is way murkier than yesterday, and seems to get worse the further I travel north...
REAL motorcyclists do 200 miles before breakfast. At 39 miles, I stop at Nicely's restaurant in Lee Vining - a town that seems to exist purely because it is at the end of Tioga Pass, probably the prettiest route into Yosemite.
A Denver omelette and sourdough toast, together with strong coffee, perk up the inner man...
Were it later in the day, I may have researched the Colossal Sundae...
I'm soon back on the road, passing Lake Mono, an ancient saline lake, the coastline of which is lined with odd mineral growths...
Blimey - that visibility is dreadful. I begin to wonder if they'll be racing at all at Reno tomorrow...
...which gets me thinking about a plan...
I don't actually follow the racing at Reno - I just love seeing warbirds racing at low level. In the current visibility, I'm betting I'd not have a clear view of the aircraft on the far side of the circuit...
Look! A barn converted to an artist's studio...
Where was I? Ah yes, visibility. If I just spent the morning at the races, wandering around the 'pits', which is always my favourite part, I could cancel my Saturday night reservation at Sparks, and book somewhere on the way to Portland...
The road follows a stream for a while...
In Bridgeport (I think), I spot this old girl at the roadside - any guesses for make/model/year?
As often happens, in my experience, a little further down the road I find this muscle car, parked in the shade (and apparently for sale)...
If you're interested, I'd give Aaron a ring...
I enter Nevada, with the normal slew of signs explaining what you can and can't do here...
That haze/smoke/whatever is getting worse all the time...
Apologies for the pic quality - saw this old beauty at the junction and did a quick draw with my camera...
Ultimately, I enter Carson City, which is a huge urban freeway surrounded by casinos (everywhere in Nevada is a casino - if you stop for a coffee, there will be slot machines available)...
I'm then directed towards downtown Reno. The walls (presumably protecting traffic from side winds) have these artistic murals baked into them...
The thermometer suggests that it is 90F plus - it doesn't feel like it - I'm convinced the instrument is just baking in direct sun...
This pic probably shows the smoke problem best...
OK...
At about 1420, I arrive at my hotel, which obviously used to be a Super 8 (they haven't even changed the Wi-Fi name
I park the Adv on the pavement right outside the Manager's office, which is staffed 24/7 - as well as being under CCTV view. I use a luggage trolley to carry all my stuff to my first-floor room in one go (and steal the trolley so I can use it in the morning)...
Lovely room, clean and well equipped - although the finish is still a work-in-progress, judging by the bathroom door...
I quickly go online and have a look at the route between here and Portland. The mid-point is Klamath Falls, where I have stayed several times in the past. I book a room using my 'free night' coupon, that Hotels.com give you every tenth stay, and start uploading pictures...
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