October 25th - 26th, 2003

© Bill Allen

The original plan for the weekend was much more ambitious than it actually turned out. I was hoping to talk some of my riding buddies in joining me for a ride to the KOA campground at Manchester State Park which is north of Point Arena on the coast, about 140 miles north of San Francisco. I had visited this site in April and found the facilities to be outstanding with roads and scenery unlike anything in Southern California . Also, it was an opportunity to see some of my NorCal colleagues, whom I don’t get to see too often.

Alas, with all the arm-twisting I could muster, I could not talk anyone in joining me for a four day trek to Manchester . Some couldn’t (wouldn’t ?) take the time off from work. Some didn’t want to camp with Airheads. To be accommodating, I conceded to a two day trip to the central coast with Kirk Creek being our destination. This alternative attracted five of us: Mike, Jon, Steve, Doug and I. Later, Jon recruited Rick to join us as he had in past adventures along the coast.

As the weekend approached, the weather got clearer and warmer. The weather along the coast was going to be incredible, possibly the best the weather had been all year long. Day time temps were to be in the mid 70s. Night time temps in the high 40s/low 50s. This was going to be true all the way to Seattle ! In a brief fit of frustration, I briefly thought about taking Thursday and Friday off to go to Manchester solo, but decided against that option (at the last minute) to tend to the dogs and get caught up on some work.

After boarding the dogs Saturday morning I was off and met Mike at Starbuck’s at Trancas Canyon north of Zuma Beach . We followed our regular route north, PCH to Las Posas to 101 in Camarillo to 154 in Santa Barbara , to Foxen Canyon Road (with new pavement!) to Santa Maria . We then decided to take a detour and follow 166 West to Hwy 1 to Guadalupe. I missed an exit and we ended up taking 135 North out of Los Alamos to Hwy 1. No big deal, just more riding. We followed Hwy 1 through Pismo Beach where we picked up Hwy 101 again until we got to San Luis Obispo where we again jumped back onto Hwy 1 to Morro Bay . From Morro Bay north is where the ride gets wonderful in that the road provides a gentle coastal cruise. With the Pacific Ocean on the left and meadows on the right, I could do this all day long. Unfortunately, Kirk Creek is only a couple of hours north of Morro Bay and our bliss is short lived.

Saturday's Route

Mike and I arrive at Kirk Creek only to find a note on the bulletin board. Unfortunately, several others also took advantage of the incredible weather and filled up Kirk Creek, which is a first-come, first-served, no-reservations-taken campsite. We ride south about 5-1/2 miles to find the rest of the crew at Plaskett Creek. They have staked out a very large campsite right at the entrance to the campground. There was plenty of room for us to spread out.

After setting up camp, we walked down to the beach (fortunately it was low tide or this would have been difficult), examined sea urchins and star fish. The small bay provided decent waves for the surfers who frequent the campsite. Upon returning to camp, the next decision was upon us: what to do for dinner. Several had brought either cans of soup or chili for a cookout around the campfire. Others did not. Mike, Steve and Doug popped their cans while Jon, Rick and I decided to go into Gorda for a decent, albeit overpriced, meal.

With dinner out of the way, we return to the campsite for a fireside chat and a brief session of troubleshooting one of Jon’s many inoperable electronic gadgets. After replacing the batteries, we successfully got his radio to work which received the signal from his iPod. We were fortunate to get the device to work because we were then able to entertain the entire campground with classic rock. Jon was taking requests but out of 1,800 selections recorded on his iPod, he did not have any of my four requests. I guess we have different music libraries. We were all asleep or in our tents reading before 10:30 , listening to the waves crashing on the beach nearby.

Some pics from Mike Davis (click on image for larger version)

Sunday's Route

Some pics from the campsite (click on image for larger version)

The next morning we rose with the gift of the extra hour we gained the night before switching back to Pacific Standard Time. We were packed and ready to roll by 8 am . Soon after our departure, we broke into two groups: Mike, Doug and I in front with Rick, Steve and Jon trailing. We ride along the coast through some nice twisties and a brisk morning air as Rick, Steve and Jon disappear from our rear view mirrors. As we leave the twisties and encounter the lower, farmland along the coast, north of Piedras Blancas, we encounter emergency vehicles going the other way. We become concerned and decided to pull over just in case our 2^nd group had been delayed by problems on the road. We also think that Jon decided to stop at Ragged Point for an espresso. After waiting for a few moments, we become more concerned and retrace our route. Just north of Ragged Point, we discover the delay: Rick has gone down and was being attended to by EMTs. Fortunately, Rick is alert and moving all of his extremities. As the ambulance takes Rick to the emergency room in San Luis Obispo , Steve rides Rick’s bike to Ragged Point where the CHP inventories the bike and gear while arranging for a tow truck. Mike and Doug decide (rightfully so) that there is nothing more that they could do, so they continue home. Jon follows the ambulance to SLO while Steve and I coordinate with the CHP over Rick’s bike. Steve and I then meet Jon at the hospital.

Upon arrival, we find Rick in quite a bit of pain, but in good care. Steve and I leave while Jon waits for Rick’s son to arrive. It appears that Rick’s injuries are due to impact with a guardrail post (which kept him from going over a cliff). He had very few abrasions since he was wearing a full face helmet and armored leathers. In fact, the only abrasion I was aware of was a scrape across his knuckles caused by the construction of his glove.

I depart the hospital solo and take Hwy 101, back-tracking my route from the previous day. As I arrive in Oxnard , the skies are dark and red due to the fires. The smoke is so thick; I can look at the sun. I get to Malibu and PCH is blocked off at Kanaan-Dume road, apparently due to an accident ahead for I can see fire trucks ahead. We are re-routed to Hwy 101 via Kanaan-Dume Road . I am in one lane of traffic, bumper to bumper for 10 miles or so. I finally reach Hwy 101 to find FIVE lanes of traffic, moving slowly. The Simi Valley fire is right over the next ridge and the smoke is thick. To make matters worse, there is a high speed pursuit just coming to conclusion on the northbound side of the freeway which is closed off due to the incident. I see the suspect laying face down on the freeway with several officers standing around him with their weapons drawn. No wonder traffic is moving so slowly. Eventually, traffic picks up and I get on the 405 south. I stop in Long Beach after being in the saddle for three hours. I’m tired and sore, but still have to pick up the dogs from the kennel. I get home about 6:30 , drop off the bike, and pick up the dogs. We are all home about 7:30 and I’m out before 9.