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The route north |
December 15th, 2006
© Bill Allen, 2006
My local BMW club had a Christmas party coming up. I decided to go shopping for some chocolate. The only place I could think of was Ghiradelli Square in San Francisco. The party was Saturday night so Friday looked like the opportune time. I watched the weather all week long. At first, the prediction was for a slight chance of rain. I had decided that, if the prediction for rain was less than 50% I would go. On Thursday, the rain was gone but the city was supposed to be windy; 25 MPH winds. I hate riding in the wind! I would rather have rain! No matter. I seldom adjust my riding plans based on weather predictions.
I roll out of the drive way at 4:45 and get gas at 5:00. The day doesn't start off very well. The gas pump isn't printing receipts. I go to the cashier and he prints a duplicate. Fortunately, I look at it and it has no time, date or address. Doesn't this guy know the rules of a SaddleSore 1000? I explain to him, in my most diplomatic style, that I need a receipt with a time, date and address on it. He prints a second receipt with all of the requisite information and I'm on the road. I sail through Los Angeles quickly at this time of day. In fact, where I normally turn off at the I-10 west to Santa Monica, I choose to stay on I-405 north and pick up Hwy 101. The miles are about the same, but it's quicker. There is nothing scenic about the beach when it's pitch black outside. I'm making such good time, I start to get concerned that I will hit the commuter traffic in Santa Barbara. Fortunately, I only hit a couple of patches where I have to lane share and I make my first gas stop in Buellton at 7:43.
I continue north on 101 until I reach San Luis Obispo. While skirting the coast at Pismo Beach, I try to determine if the coast is fogged in. I take the PCH exit and ride through Morro Bay. It is a glorious ride on one of my favorite roads. I can unconditionally say that it's not possible to ride the section of PCH between Morro Bay and Carmel too many times in one lifetime (or one season). Today the ride is even more special. No traffic, no fog, no rain. It's great! It's nearly noon (11:23) when I stop for gas in Carmel. This is the first time I have a chance to call Nancy and give her a report.
I ride north past Monterey and pick up highway 156 to the 101 and follow 101 all the way into San Francisco. This is clearly one of the worst sections of the ride. I HATE the interstate! It makes me change my route. Originally, I had planned to continue north after the chocolate purchase and make a loop around the bay, past Sears Point, and back south eventually picking up 101 all the way home. This no longer sounds appealing to me. I was determined to ride the coast highway back home even if it meant that I wouldn't complete the SaddleSore ride. It's nearly 2 pm (1:59) when I make my purchase. I grab a cup of coffee around the corner and take a moment to stare at The Bridge for a while.
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The route north |
I'm back on the road by 2:30 and heading south. I pick up 101 South to I-280. I just about have my fill of divided highway when, finally, I see the sign for Highway 85 which takes me to Hwy 17. Hwy 17 is a great little twisty road into Santa Cruz. The only problem is that there's always a lot of traffic. Fortunately, the drivers in their cages are quite accommodating in letting me slip through efficiently. I quickly pull into my now familiar Chevron station in Carmel and get gas. I test the fuel range on the RT and find that the fillup requires 6.534 gallons (it's rated at 6.6). Yeah, the yellow low fuel light has been on for a while. My bad. A couple on an Airhead pull in shortly after I do. The bike is interesting in that it appears that the fairing is home made. While I'm having a beverage, the couple also take a break. The male doesn't even take off his helmet. The female does and mentions that they just started their trip, going from Petaluma to Death Valley. I'm not sure about the route they took after the gas stop, but I don't see them again. I change face shields (again) to the clear variety and experience the coast highway at night. Surprisingly, it's a very nice ride. No traffic. Moonlight bouncing off the water. It is a thoroughly enjoyable ride until I reach the tight, twisty section just north of Ragged Point.
I stop for gas once again (and for the last time) in Buellton. While I'm filling up, a young man filling up at the pump on the other side of the island from me asks me if I'm on a long ride. I say "You might say that". I told him that I left San Juan that morning, rode to San Francisco for chocolate and hope to be home before I go to bed." His jaw dropped. He asked "Aren't BMW's the ones with the rotary?" I said "Rotary? No, but they are shaft driven." He says "That's right, I meant shaft drive." He then said, "That chocolate must be special." I said it was Ghiradelli chocolate. He said he had never heard of it. I said I bet your girlfriend has. At that time she walks by and I ask her if she has heard of Ghiradelli chocolate. She says "You bet. It's the best." It's not long before I'm back on the road. I was getting a little tired before the gas stop but the conversation gave me a small boost of energy. Still, I thought it would be a good idea to stop and take a nap. There are a few campsites ahead which would make a good candidate. I first stop at El Capitan, but the campsite is closed and refers me to Refugio. I pull into Refugio and read the sign that the rate is $30 per night and goes to $64 if I try to beat it. I circle the campsite and the host is present and awake. I wave, but decide the place doesn't warrant either price. As I roll south a few miles, I reflect that El Capitan would have been a good place, being abandoned.
I turn off 101 towards PCH at Las Posas Road in Camarillo thinking that I could find a place at Thornhill Broome. I arrive and it's not a very quite place. I'm less than 100 miles from home. I decide to make it home without a break. I ride through Malibu, think briefly about climbing the wall at Zuma Beach (I have no problems getting into the closed parking lot), but I decide I don't want to wake up with a baton tapping on my forehead. I can't believe that there isn't more going on here. Even Starbuck's is closed. I guess that makes sense. After all, it's nearly midnight. I pick up I-10 West then to I-405 south. I'm really more tired than I would like to be. I reflect on the fact that both times I passed one of my favorite campgrounds, Kirk Creek, there was plenty of room. I realize that I probably would have had a better time if I had stopped on my way up and spend the afternoon and evening enjoying the coast from the cliffs in Big Sur. Hmmm, maybe I'm evolving or maybe just my adventures are. I guess I'll find out the next time I plan a trip.
I pull into the driveway nearly 1 am. I'm greeted at the door by my wife and dogs. I remove my riding gear. It's a little difficult because I'm a little stiff and very tired. I'm nearly ready for bed before I realize I had forgotten to get my closing gas receipt. I put my gear back on and take that final two mile ride and fill up the gas tank. The gas receipt says it's 1:10 am. The odometer says it's 1,085 miles. Microsoft's Streets and Trips says 1,039 miles.
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The route south |
I take it easy all day while Nancy puts in a full day of running appointments. We make the party and I believe the chocolate is well received.
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The Prize |
Apparently, this ride even impressed Michael Kneebone, President of the IBA, himself. Click here for his note.
