bgross
Recusant Infidel
I took the first plane our of John Wayne Airport this morning and flew to PHX. When the pilot landed and told us that the current air temp in Phoenix was 30 degrees, I was glad that I'd brought the electric vest.
Beemerdons picked me up at the North airport curb and we went back to his place for coffee and to toss my gear aboard Miss Lucy Liu, then to the gas station and the bank to get the paperwork funded and notorized.
We said our goodbyes and I hit the road at about 1130.
It had warmed up a little, but I discovered that the electric vest's coax was not going to reach the pigtail on the bike -- short by about 30 inches. Oh, well!
A couple changes of freeway had me on I-10 in about 15 minutes and I headed west. Traffic was lighter than I'd expected for noon, and I made pretty good time to the cutoff for route 85 and headed down to that desert oasis, Gila Bend. (If you've been there, you'll understand.)
I'd originally planned to take i-10 back to SoCal because the predicted temps were about 5 degrees higher than on the I-8, but when I checked before leaving home for the airport at 0430, there was a high wind warning for the Banning Pass -- gusts to 60mph. So I opted for the more southern route on I-8. I stopped in Beautiful Gila Bend and had a snack and head call.
There was a steady, light breeze from the north as evidenced by the increased wind noise off the starboard bow, but it wasn't gusty until about 10-12 miles before Yuma. Being used to the barn door sized windscreen on my Wingabago (and the extra 300 pounds!) I quickly learned to tuck being the Yamaha 'touring' screen, especially when passing through dirty air as I passed big rigs.
I refueled in Yuma and had a hot cup of coffee & head call.
Hit the road again and crossed the Colorado River into California. The gusty cross winds only lasted for about another 15 miles and then it was smooth sailing. Beautiful, crisp clear day!
By the time I reached Ocotillo, the temps had dropped a bit. Then I started climbing the mountain... yup, it was nippily!
Unlike the Hondapotamus, which has an air temp readout so you can brag about what a brave old man you are and tell the your friends the number, the FJR just hums along and reminds you to stop whining -- shrinkage is good for you.
I wasn't looking forward to 'rush hour' traffic headed north from San Diego, and figured I'd just keep going (with my eye on the fuel gauge since this is a different bike) and pull off when it got too bad. As it turned out, there was a crash near the Del Mar Racetrack that blocked 2 or 3 lanes and had everything but the carpool lane backed up for about 5 miles -- and after passing the emergency vehicles, it was smooth sailing. So I just kept going until it was time to get off at home.
I noticed that the fuel gauge started it's flashing countdown about 20 miles from home, so I didn't worry.
The trip (with breaks) took about 7 1/2 hours, about 6.3 hours of actual riding. Moving average speed was +/- 70 mph, though I have to say that the stretch from Gila Bend to Yuma, with the cruise set at 85 was just silly fun and so easy. NOW I understand the disappointment with the 2013 cruise control limit.
First tank, from Chandler to Yuma, with the cruise set an speed limit +10 (with the faster cars as Smokey Bait) yielded 39.9mpg.
The second tank, from Yuma to San Clemente (speed limit +7 with rabbits for the CHP) netted 41mpg.
And now for what you all already know: Whole leash it! This bike is a dream.
Thanks, Don. I'll take good care of her.
Her WitSec name is now 'Lucille'. My fellow B.B. King fans will understand. Tomorrow she'll get new plates.
Then it's time to hit Ortega Hwy and the road to Julian.
Somebody pinch me...
Beemerdons picked me up at the North airport curb and we went back to his place for coffee and to toss my gear aboard Miss Lucy Liu, then to the gas station and the bank to get the paperwork funded and notorized.
We said our goodbyes and I hit the road at about 1130.
It had warmed up a little, but I discovered that the electric vest's coax was not going to reach the pigtail on the bike -- short by about 30 inches. Oh, well!
A couple changes of freeway had me on I-10 in about 15 minutes and I headed west. Traffic was lighter than I'd expected for noon, and I made pretty good time to the cutoff for route 85 and headed down to that desert oasis, Gila Bend. (If you've been there, you'll understand.)
I'd originally planned to take i-10 back to SoCal because the predicted temps were about 5 degrees higher than on the I-8, but when I checked before leaving home for the airport at 0430, there was a high wind warning for the Banning Pass -- gusts to 60mph. So I opted for the more southern route on I-8. I stopped in Beautiful Gila Bend and had a snack and head call.
There was a steady, light breeze from the north as evidenced by the increased wind noise off the starboard bow, but it wasn't gusty until about 10-12 miles before Yuma. Being used to the barn door sized windscreen on my Wingabago (and the extra 300 pounds!) I quickly learned to tuck being the Yamaha 'touring' screen, especially when passing through dirty air as I passed big rigs.
I refueled in Yuma and had a hot cup of coffee & head call.
Hit the road again and crossed the Colorado River into California. The gusty cross winds only lasted for about another 15 miles and then it was smooth sailing. Beautiful, crisp clear day!
By the time I reached Ocotillo, the temps had dropped a bit. Then I started climbing the mountain... yup, it was nippily!
Unlike the Hondapotamus, which has an air temp readout so you can brag about what a brave old man you are and tell the your friends the number, the FJR just hums along and reminds you to stop whining -- shrinkage is good for you.
I wasn't looking forward to 'rush hour' traffic headed north from San Diego, and figured I'd just keep going (with my eye on the fuel gauge since this is a different bike) and pull off when it got too bad. As it turned out, there was a crash near the Del Mar Racetrack that blocked 2 or 3 lanes and had everything but the carpool lane backed up for about 5 miles -- and after passing the emergency vehicles, it was smooth sailing. So I just kept going until it was time to get off at home.
I noticed that the fuel gauge started it's flashing countdown about 20 miles from home, so I didn't worry.
The trip (with breaks) took about 7 1/2 hours, about 6.3 hours of actual riding. Moving average speed was +/- 70 mph, though I have to say that the stretch from Gila Bend to Yuma, with the cruise set at 85 was just silly fun and so easy. NOW I understand the disappointment with the 2013 cruise control limit.
First tank, from Chandler to Yuma, with the cruise set an speed limit +10 (with the faster cars as Smokey Bait) yielded 39.9mpg.
The second tank, from Yuma to San Clemente (speed limit +7 with rabbits for the CHP) netted 41mpg.
And now for what you all already know: Whole leash it! This bike is a dream.
Thanks, Don. I'll take good care of her.
Her WitSec name is now 'Lucille'. My fellow B.B. King fans will understand. Tomorrow she'll get new plates.
Then it's time to hit Ortega Hwy and the road to Julian.
Somebody pinch me...
