Day 9
June 10, 2001
Redwood City, California
I got to sleep late. I don't often eat breakfast (prefer early lunch) and
I don't drink coffee, but I do like to sleep late when I can. The bed in Dennis'
guest room felt oooooh so good.
I was really looking forward to this day. Easy day mileage wise, and more
time to spend with my new Bay area friends. A number of the Bay Area ST
riders were coming in to ride with me down to Big Sur.
While waiting for the other riders to arrive, Dennis and I went out to the
garage to check our matching STs. Early in the trip I was checking the STs
oil level everyday. It never changed, and I got tired on getting on my
knees with a flashlight. It had been a hard 2000 miles since I checked, so
now seemed like a good time. Again no change. I never checked it
again. Home, 8000 miles later, when I changed oil, the level stood at the
same spot as the day I left.
Riders began arriving at 9am, and by 10 I had a nice entourage to escort me
south. I felt like Elvis.
STs of every color took me through the Redwood City streets to the coast.
The weather was PERFECT. Cool, not a cloud in the sky.
Martin took the lead and led our troops on back roads only local riders get to
ride. I took my place in the rear. My loaded ST was handicapped, and
I did not want to slow anybody down. Besides, I wanted to enjoy the ride,
and was not into leaning this day.
I have no idea about the roads Martin led us on . I just followed. I do
know they were narrow and twisty. We stopped at Alice's for gas. The area
was already getting jammed with bikes. Anybody who owned one was out
today, and I didn't blame them. I took a few more pics around this
motorcycle icon. What a great place to be. I could have stayed and
chatted with the area riders for hours, but alas I had to get south.
Gas tank fulls, our group moved out. We traveled roads to the coast I
could never find again or name. I just followed the ST in front.
We soon found ourselves on PCH, heading south. No mist or fog today.
I could see far out into the Pacific. I do recall we are near Half Moon
Bay. I love that name. Martin rides off in the distance, to get in a
few good leans, I loped along at 50 mph or so, just soaking things in.
I was on this road last year, but in my Prelude. A good ride for sure,
only a good sport bike with a good rider can challenge it in the twisties, but
it is still not the same as a bike.
Cool ocean breezes made me stop, and zip up the vents on the Roadcrafter.
This is June? I think of home and the 90+ temp and humidity they are
"enjoying" right now.
We stop at Davenport and stretch out legs, and soak in the scenery. I know
we are approaching the Carmel area and congestion is going to pick up, but I
tell myself Big Sur lies at the other side.
Monterey, Carmel and Salina are a mess. I follow Dennis and after what
seems like hours we escape the traffic and head into Big Sur.
Last year when I came through Big Sur, it was shrouded in fog and mist.
Not today. I had a clear view of how the mountains drop down to meet the
ocean. The surrounding area awash in colors I have only seen in Big Sur.
I lean and carve the ST on Highway 1. Traffic is moderate, but they are
ditching to the turnout when I appear in their rearview mirrors. Thank you
very much.
We are approaching my number one spot in the country to be on a bike. The
Bixby Bridge. From the time I was 14, and a fan of the 1969 TV show (Then
Came Bronson) I dreamed of riding across the Bixby Bridge. Back then, I
use to ride my Honda 70 across the county pretending to be on a long trip.
Today I am. The last time I rode across the Bixby was over 25 years
ago. I feel the same as I did that day so long ago.
The Bixby Creek Bridge
Entering the Bixby from the north, the bridge makes a slight
turn to the right, then straightens, and turns again as you exit to the south
side. I was in Nirvana. I cross to the south side, turn around and
go back across. Last year in my cage, The Bixby was under earthquake
renovation and down to one lane. It was not very scenic. Today it looks
imposing and scholarly. When I got back to the north side I took the
turnout, and took pictures of the ST with the bridge in the background. Today, I
have that pic in my office, and in my study, 8x10.
Riding through Big Sur, on a day such as this, can not fully be measured as it
happens. I think you have to distance yourself for a few days. Works
for me.
We arrive at Nepenthe and eat lunch. What a beautiful place. I am
surrounded by great company and good friends. We ate on the deck
overlooking the bluffs. Noway, it can get any better then that.
Our waitress has worked at Nepenthe for 35 years. We make small talk with
her, find out she owns a significant amount of property nearby. Needless to say
she bought it long ago for a cheap price. She tells me no amount of money
could ever get it from her, and has mail from developers to prove it.
After lunch, we stroll down to the gift shop, but I refrain from buying any
trinkets. I have all the memories I need of this day, up in my head.
We shuffled back to the parking lot, and as I moun my ST I find a post card pic
of the Bixby on my instrument cluster. I am not sure who in the group
placed it there, but it means a lot to me. Thanks.
It was now time for me to leave my new friends. We shook hands and hugged,
then mounted our bikes. When we got to the edge of the parking lot, they
turned left, and headed north, and I went right for San Luis Obispo. I
waved one last time as I entered the highway.
I was back on Highway 1. The ocean to my right and the mountains to my
left. I was riding slowly, enjoying the day, so much so I had to take a
turnout and let a Porsche by.
I noticed a man and lady painting, so I pulled off to check it out. She
told me they came here often to paint the rocks below as water crashes around
them. They sold many of them to a gallery up in San Francisco. She
went on to tell me this has been the prettiest day in many months for Big Sur.
The ride south was nothing short of once in a lifetime. I was very
fortunate to be here riding this road, at this time.
I rode past Hearst Castle, and for some reason thought of Patty and the SLA
robbing banks.
I entered Morro Bay, and stopped for a snack., I took pictures of the famous
rock in the harbor.
All too quickly, I was in San Luis. I searched for the Motel 6 I stayed in last
year, but my memory fails me. I could not find it. I went up and
down 101. I finally located it and checked in room 140.
I chatted with a couple from Washington State in the parking lot, on their way
to San Diego to visit their son.
It was still early, and I wanted to ride and see what else I could
discover. I tried talking myself out of it, reminding myself the next day
would be a long one, and I needed to be off the bike for awhile. But, damn I
love riding and exploring, so I got back out anyway, and rode to the coast to
witness and a awesome sunset.
On the way back I stopped for tacos in a local place I can't remember.
They were very good. Good chips and salsa too. As I was eating a
young man approached me-
"that is your bike out front?"
"yes it is"
"don't see many STs around"
"yeah, it only appeals to a certain type of rider, but Honda sells everyone
they make. Just don't make very many"
I found the Texaco Food Mart I remembered from last year. I made use of
their ATM, filled up, and bought Twinkies and Mountain Dew for later, again
duplicating last years motions. The ST also takes me 300 miles to the
tank, just like the Prelude, but the ST is a 7 gallon tank, and the VTEC Prelude
is a 15. It can also run on 87 whereas VTEC demands 92 or better.
I grimaced as I rode by the intersection where I witnessed a rear end crash take
place last year.
I rode 271 miles for the day. Not many miles, but HIGH quality.
I made it back to the room and called my 21 yr old son's a apartment. He is a
away in school on a baseball scholarship, and playing ball in a local amateur
league for the summer. A wispy female voice answered-
"hello"
"hey sweetie lemme talk to Chris for a min"
"he's in the shower"
"this is his dad"
"just a sec"
"hey"
"I thought you were in the shower??"
"well"
"never mind, did y'all win today?"
I called home, and my wife told me the cat was shedding BADLY. I
also asked her to start the Prelude sometime the next day, to charge the
battery.
I set my clock, and fell asleep watching a story about the Pyramids on the
Discovery Channel.
