Triumphrat

ruger · 06-03-2009, 12:26 AM

This past Monday I headed out from Los Angeles in a dirty, gray mist.
Here's the Pacific Coast Highway looking north just below Port Hueneme. (why-KNEE-me):

The trip up highways 1 and 101 was beautiful even with wet windscreen and soggy gloves. It's about 188 miles each way but I put almost 500 miles on the clock. Here's the Ocho set up for touring:

Pismo Beach is a nice, laid back, surfer town.

ruger · 06-03-2009, 12:29 AM

I inhaled the 188 miles by noon so I checked into a dive motel and went out exploring on the Bonneville. Have you ever noticed that it's OK to sit around a campsite relaxing but sitting around a motel room is just - - - - wrong?!

Heading inland from Pismo Bach I found...
farmlands,

Grasslands,

And vineyards:

San Luis Obispo County is FULL of wineries.

ruger · 06-03-2009, 12:37 AM

I also encountered small stands of Eucalyptus trees. These trees, not native to California were brought in years ago for building the railroads, or so I have heard. We had a house with one of these trees out front - ("Widowmakers" some types are called) - and it would lose large boughs in the wind. CRASH! It would shake the ground.

As you can see, the weather improved greatly. This time of year there's a "June Gloom" which is coastal morning and evening fogs and mists. The stuff I ran into was also due to a rare June low pressure system hanging about the area.

Saw lots of cattle and horses. Lots of breeders in the area. This fella was running back and forth at this fence and seemed to be very agitated. Springtime romance?

Have I shown a bike photo recently?

Down at the Pier, Pismo Beach:

ruger · 06-03-2009, 12:54 AM

Well, all good things must come to an end on this world so Tuesday morning I set out on the ride south. It was about 59 degrees F (15C) and very moist so I was very glad I had worn me long johns and electric vest. I can't say enough good things about my Tourmaster Synergy vest. So simple and a real treasure on a cool day.

Once again, things brightened and warmed up later in the morning. By the time I hit Malibu it was very nice out.

Here I stop at my usual Porta-Potty on P.C.H.
I use a mnemonic rhyming device which includes a local eatery to remember where it is:

"Just past the Charthouse
You'll find the wee F@r+house!"

Look! Here it is now!

Santa Monica coastline along the PCH:

And soon I was back to my good old daily stomping ground on the Palos Verdes Penninsula. A good two-day jaunt up the coast in which the Bonneville ran strongly and smoothly without so much as a hiccup. Great trip. Great motorbike!

-end-

propforward · 06-03-2009, 08:43 AM

Great pics ruger, looks like a great day!

DaveB · 06-03-2009, 04:57 PM

I've said it before & I hope I'll say it many more times; one of the great pleasures in my life is viewing well written & well illustrated reports in this forum of places I'll never see. Terrific stuff! Thanks for posting.

DaveB.

Catenaccio · 06-03-2009, 05:13 PM

A beautiful ride nicely written and pictured.

ruger · 06-06-2009, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by propforward

Great pics ruger, looks like a great day!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveB

I've said it before & I hope I'll say it many more times; one of the great pleasures in my life is viewing well written & well illustrated reports in this forum of places I'll never see. Terrific stuff! Thanks for posting.

DaveB.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catenaccio

A beautiful ride nicely written and pictured.

Thanks for the nice words, gents. And props to Prop for plopping this plot in the proper slot.

:

duaned · 11-09-2011, 04:22 PM

Looks like a great ride Ruger. I've been considering riding down to Pismo from the north. You've inspired me to do it the next nice weekend I do it.

Thanks,
Duane

ruger · 11-10-2011, 02:47 AM

Pismo is a fun place. Looking back now at the way I had my bike set up makes me cringe a bit but then I'd only had it for nine months and 28 days.

BTW, I had a great breakfast burrito at Tio Albertos Mexican Restaurant on another trip passing through through Pismo. The owner was very cool and told me about a park where I could go and catch a nap. Even told me what to say if the constables should give me a poke with a night-stick.
Highly recommended:
Tio Alberto's Restaurant
841 Dolliver Street, Pismo Beach, CA 93449-2503
(805) 773-5996 ‎

I would not recommend staying at the Blue Seal motel. Have you ever heard the first verse of Paul Simon's Lincoln Duncan?

Lincoln Duncan

Cheers,
-Ruger