Ever have one of those days where everything clicks? You, the bike, the road, the weather, and it’s all just zen? Well, last Friday was not one of those days! We left the GG Bridge vista point at about 2 p.m., winding our way through the Marin backroads before popping out just south of Jenner. I do not have one photo from the afternoon’s ride as I felt as though I was fighting for my very life along the twisty coast section of Hwy 1 in 30-40 mph winds that would buffet me and the bike from side to side all over the road. I’d say to myself, relax, Tyler, relax, and I’d take a deep breath and start to go into a turn and WHOOSH!! The wheels felt like they were gonna be blown right out from underneath me as we moved sideways toward the edge of the road. I couldn’t get anything to “click”… it was one of those days that I was glad to have behind me when we safely reached Manchester.
Scott’s evening started off exceptionally well, however, when he found his beloved Cheez-Its at the local store.
So arrive we did, stopping off in the town store for dinner supplies and then heading for the KOA just on down the road. It’s a lovely spot for anyone who’s looking for a place to stay… you can camp or stay in one of their Kabins, which I opted for this time around. Here is our little home away from home and Dona, my roomie for the weekend.
We arrived a day early from most of the group, which was mish mash of folks from different forums, social groups, work cohorts, etc., so we could get a good day ride in on Saturday up in the area. We pretty much had the place to ourselves.
We got our breakfast tickets when we checked in and found out that we were a group, a club, a menagerie.
Motorcyclists who camp are always finding creative ways to bring their supplies with them. Hence, Sue brought her popular Bag O’ Wine.
Audrey and Clint showed up to bunk up with us in the Kabin for Friday night.
Scott was showing off some of his high-fashion camping attire much to the glee of the ladies.
He said this was a cover for a camping stove… riiiiiiight.
Tents set up, bikes unpacked, gear shed and comfy clothes on… time to catch up with friends (that’s Patrick over there on the right in the green jacket).
We sat around the fire after dinner and shared stories and lots of laughter. The next day dawned cool but with clear skies and sunshine through the trees.
Stevie and Patrick were our saviors, brewing fresh coffee for those who needed it (that would definitely be ME!!).
We decided to take a walk out to the beach before heading out for the day’s ride. As we walked down the road, all the cows started following us down the way… I think they thought we were going to feed them or something. Stevie tried to make a new friend.
Mooooooove on over here!
We finally reached the beach and found the lupine to be in full bloom both here and all over the countryside we would be traveling through… purple was the color of the weekend.
Shadow play at the beach.
Look out for the snowy plover!! I don’t think we squished any.
Scott for some reason had a desire to take a nap in the middle of the road… I have no idea why… that’s just Scott and we roll with it.
Self portrait.
Scott and Dona played with each other’s dangly bits… there was a lot of that going on over the weekend.
Michael showed up all the way from Sacramento because he didn’t want Steve to feel lonely being the only yellow-helmet guy for the day.
Yes, yes he is.
And so without further ado, we hit the road… up Hwy. 1 to our first treat of the day, Philo-Greenwood Rd.
Mike 2-up with his son, Erik.
We then headed west for Mendocino via the lovely 128, through the redwoods.
Someone decided he wanted to play hide and go seek.
We arrived in Mendocino for lunch and met another rider, Eddie, who found us when he saw this big line of bikes.
If you’ve never been to the idyllic town of Mendocino, you owe it to yourself to take the turn into the downtown area. Lovely houses, shops, restaurants abound… great place to take that special person in your life!
Sated we sallied forth and headed for Comptche-Ukiah Rd. which was recently repaved and is as smooth and creamy as buttah!
Continuing on straight, you come onto Orr Springs which has a little bit of everything… goat, goatier, smooth, bumpy, straight, twisty, and a set of switchbacks at the end that are just a hoot! A few images from Orr Springs…
I loved the mushroom cloud tree at the top of the hill here.
You can see the road that we came up on the middle left over there.
Absolutely stunning views.
And then it was on to the sweepers of 253…
Oh
My
GAWD!!
No picture could do these justice… just fun, fun, fun, perfect pavement, no traffic, loooonnnnng sweeper after sweeper, leaning into one turn and coming out of it to dive into the next one… feeling that moment in the middle of the transition where you feel almost weightless and the thrill of the anticipation of that next lean coming up… pure joy.
Upon arrival in Boonville, we found a couple more folks from the FJR forum… Brodie, Dillan, Brian (Dillan’s dad) meeting up with forum brethren, Michael.
Michael was so ecstatic to see his fellow FJR friends that he welled up with emotion and had to leave for fear of embarrassing himself.
Brodie was ready to gooooo on his AE (now that I understand what that’s all about)!!!
We repeated our romp down 128, south on 1, and back to camp for the big bbq.
Nanook, um, I mean Dorothy greeted us with her new head gear.
The place was getting full with all the Saturday arrivals… lots of catching up to do!
Val’s pup, Bounce was gettin’ some lovin’…
And then some!
We ate quite well for “roughing it”
And then it was time to retire to bonfire and just enjoy the moment. You could hear the sound of tales and laughter drift through the trees on the evening breeze. And it was good.
Scott’s evening started off exceptionally well, however, when he found his beloved Cheez-Its at the local store.
So arrive we did, stopping off in the town store for dinner supplies and then heading for the KOA just on down the road. It’s a lovely spot for anyone who’s looking for a place to stay… you can camp or stay in one of their Kabins, which I opted for this time around. Here is our little home away from home and Dona, my roomie for the weekend.
We arrived a day early from most of the group, which was mish mash of folks from different forums, social groups, work cohorts, etc., so we could get a good day ride in on Saturday up in the area. We pretty much had the place to ourselves.
We got our breakfast tickets when we checked in and found out that we were a group, a club, a menagerie.
Motorcyclists who camp are always finding creative ways to bring their supplies with them. Hence, Sue brought her popular Bag O’ Wine.
Audrey and Clint showed up to bunk up with us in the Kabin for Friday night.
Scott was showing off some of his high-fashion camping attire much to the glee of the ladies.
He said this was a cover for a camping stove… riiiiiiight.
Tents set up, bikes unpacked, gear shed and comfy clothes on… time to catch up with friends (that’s Patrick over there on the right in the green jacket).
We sat around the fire after dinner and shared stories and lots of laughter. The next day dawned cool but with clear skies and sunshine through the trees.
Stevie and Patrick were our saviors, brewing fresh coffee for those who needed it (that would definitely be ME!!).
We decided to take a walk out to the beach before heading out for the day’s ride. As we walked down the road, all the cows started following us down the way… I think they thought we were going to feed them or something. Stevie tried to make a new friend.
Mooooooove on over here!
We finally reached the beach and found the lupine to be in full bloom both here and all over the countryside we would be traveling through… purple was the color of the weekend.
Shadow play at the beach.
Look out for the snowy plover!! I don’t think we squished any.
Scott for some reason had a desire to take a nap in the middle of the road… I have no idea why… that’s just Scott and we roll with it.
Self portrait.
Scott and Dona played with each other’s dangly bits… there was a lot of that going on over the weekend.
Michael showed up all the way from Sacramento because he didn’t want Steve to feel lonely being the only yellow-helmet guy for the day.
Yes, yes he is.
And so without further ado, we hit the road… up Hwy. 1 to our first treat of the day, Philo-Greenwood Rd.
Mike 2-up with his son, Erik.
We then headed west for Mendocino via the lovely 128, through the redwoods.
Someone decided he wanted to play hide and go seek.
We arrived in Mendocino for lunch and met another rider, Eddie, who found us when he saw this big line of bikes.
If you’ve never been to the idyllic town of Mendocino, you owe it to yourself to take the turn into the downtown area. Lovely houses, shops, restaurants abound… great place to take that special person in your life!
Sated we sallied forth and headed for Comptche-Ukiah Rd. which was recently repaved and is as smooth and creamy as buttah!
Continuing on straight, you come onto Orr Springs which has a little bit of everything… goat, goatier, smooth, bumpy, straight, twisty, and a set of switchbacks at the end that are just a hoot! A few images from Orr Springs…
I loved the mushroom cloud tree at the top of the hill here.
You can see the road that we came up on the middle left over there.
Absolutely stunning views.
And then it was on to the sweepers of 253…
Oh
My
GAWD!!
No picture could do these justice… just fun, fun, fun, perfect pavement, no traffic, loooonnnnng sweeper after sweeper, leaning into one turn and coming out of it to dive into the next one… feeling that moment in the middle of the transition where you feel almost weightless and the thrill of the anticipation of that next lean coming up… pure joy.
Upon arrival in Boonville, we found a couple more folks from the FJR forum… Brodie, Dillan, Brian (Dillan’s dad) meeting up with forum brethren, Michael.
Michael was so ecstatic to see his fellow FJR friends that he welled up with emotion and had to leave for fear of embarrassing himself.
Brodie was ready to gooooo on his AE (now that I understand what that’s all about)!!!
We repeated our romp down 128, south on 1, and back to camp for the big bbq.
Nanook, um, I mean Dorothy greeted us with her new head gear.
The place was getting full with all the Saturday arrivals… lots of catching up to do!
Val’s pup, Bounce was gettin’ some lovin’…
And then some!
We ate quite well for “roughing it”
And then it was time to retire to bonfire and just enjoy the moment. You could hear the sound of tales and laughter drift through the trees on the evening breeze. And it was good.
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