Ride Report (pics): Fort Bragg, Noyo Harbor

On 08.28.10, In CA, Mendonoma Coast, Photography, R1200GS-A, Ride Report, Road Trip, By Dan

Those of you who live in the Sacramento Valley know that last week’s 108 degrees was no party. I decided the heck with this and headed for the coast. I left Wednesday around 10 AM heading west on I-80. It was already indicating 102 on the R1200GSA’s onboard thermometer as I went through Vacaville and Fairfield about an hour later.

After a lunch stop in Novato where I was treated to lunch by my twitter pal Motoette (thanks Cindi!), I headed to Petaluma where I gassed up and headed towards Bodega Bay. Through Bodega and up the coast I cruised. My mesh gear was getting cool as temps dropped into the mid 60′s. I wanted to stop and add a layer but didn’t want to have to re-pass all the cars I had gotten around so I pressed on. I reached my overnight destination near Point Arena well  before the sun went down.

When I awoke on day two it was drizzling! Not a real rain but sort of a heavy mist that almost kinda wets the road in places, but doesn’t get you wet while riding. What a contrast! I headed north on CA-1 to visit another twitter pal, Lilredridingliz in Fort Bragg for lunch. Liz and Cindi (Motoette) are alumni from the recent BMW National Rally in Redmond OR.

Liz showed me around Fort Bragg. I was feeling adventurous so we had lunch at a restaurant that serves everything raw. Even the bread is pressed from sunflower sprouts or something. After lunch I enjoyed a scoop of Cowlicks hand made ice cream and was treated to a cappuccino from Headlands Coffeehouse (thanks Liz!).

A few weeks ago I was watching the old movie the Russians Are Coming. I noticed that the fictitious town in New England looked a lot like the Mendocino Coast. It turns out that it was in fact filmed in Mendocino and the surrounding area including Noyo Harbor which is located at the south end of Fort Bragg. So after saying goodbye to Liz, camera in hand I decided to head over to Noyo and take a few pictures.

After Noyo I enjoyed the 40 or so miles back to my lodging. The next morning (Friday) I decided to take the scenic route home. The route was south on 1 to Annapolis Road (south end of Sea Ranch) and left up the hill. At the old bridge (which is still in use) I turned left onto Stewart’s Point-Skaggs Springs Road which takes you to Geyserville.

Are they supposed to be doing this?

From there I went through Calistoga, had lunch at Taylor’s Refresher (now Gott’s) in St. Helena and took CA-128 over Berryessa. With very little traffic it was a quick ride and I was passing “the Corners” before I knew it. Through Winters and onto the freeway in Davis, back to Sacramento and home.

The GSA handles amazing and with that huge gas tank I never even needed gas. OK, well that’s an exaggeration, I did have to fill up a couple of times, but it is incredible having a 300 plus mile range.

It was a great ride.

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First Ride R1200GSA (Plus Pics)

On 08.23.10, In Dual Sport, Photography, R1200GS-A, Ride Report, Sierra Nevada Mountains, By Dan

Took the R1200GSA out for the first time yesterday. First things first, filled the 8 gallon tank. Might as well see what the beast feels like with a full fuel load. After all the range of this motorcycle is one of it’s premier features.

This bike is tall. I am 5’10″ with a 30″ inseam so it’s tippy toes time. A slight depression in the ground next to you could be a tip over if you go to put your foot down and there is nothing there.  When you are already maxed out on reach a bit of extra care is called for but it is manageable and you get used to it quickly.

It was surprising how well the motorcycle handles on the narrow twisty paved roads in the Sierra Foothills. This bike is so planted that you feel like there might be two other wheels hidden somewhere. You lean it over and there is no uneasy feeling. Need a little more, push it over, it won’t complain. Mid corner bumps don’t upset things. The transitions are quick too. Where is all the weight? Chicken strips? Gone. At least on the front tire. Still a little bit left on the back one. That seems strange, but maybe the heavier weight bias to the front is the culprit?

Also got a chance to run it on some of the dirt roads. Make no mistake, it is heavy. It bottomed out on that deep pot hole I didn’t see (LOL). But it is stable as a mountain goat, predictable, well balanced and the standing up riding ergonomics are perfect. I wouldn’t want to take it on single track, but it is fully capable for the thousands of miles of unpaved roads in the National Forests and National Parks.

There is plenty of power. With around 105 HP and oodles of torque, you can forget to downshift for a corner without dire consequences. And the motor is smooth. Sometimes you forget to upshift and then realize you were riding in 5th when there was another gear left.

The seat? It’s gotta go. Why they put a mushy unsupportive seat on an otherwise fine motorcycle I do not know.

This is a very capable machine. Load it up with fuel and camping gear and it will cruise with stability and quiet comfort on your choice of two lane highways or interstates thumbing its nose at gas stations along the way. Or hit the dirt roads where it will take you with ease to those out of the way places where you will never see a sport bike, Harley or Gold Wing.

Left Front Nathan's R1200GS, Right rear R1200GS-A

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Today’s Photos: Pics from the Rally Trip

On 07.19.10, In CA, Oregon, Photography, Ride Report, Road Trip, By Dan

Here are some photographs from the trip to the BMW MOA 2010 National Rally in Redmond OR. (click on images to enlarge).

Tent City

Early AM Three and Three

Mt. Shasta

Nathan Photographs the Lava Beds

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PHOTO: Saturday’s Ride, Pics Of The Day (3/20/2010)

On 03.21.10, In Photography, Ride Report, By Dan

The ride report for this ride is here.

Bikes From The Ride (click image to enlarge)

Rio Vista CA Barn (click to enlarge)

Four Corners Cafe Sign (click on image to enlarge)

 
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Road Trip To IWCE: Home Again, Home Again Jigity Jig

On 03.16.10, In Las Vegas, Pahrump NV, Ride Report, Train, By Dan

SUNDAY March 14, O Dark Thirty, UGH! TIRED. Should I get up or try to get some more sleep? I should sleep, but I am restless to go home.

This is one of those days when there doesn’t seem to be enough caffeine on the planet to wake me up. To the hotel coffee shop for breakfast. Pack the car, check out, rolling by 6:30AM, which is really 5:30AM cause the clocks changed overnight for daylight savings time. I don’t see any so they must be saving it for later.

The preferred route is north through the desert through some really beautiful country, but counting the hours I realize that will put me in the Sunday evening Tahoe westbound rush after about 8 hours driving. So back to Las Vegas on the NV 160, south on I-15 to west bound CA 58 and back up CA 99 to Sacramento.

It was a good choice, traffic was pretty light most of the way. Tired? Yes, but not too tired to take pictures. The sun is about to peek over the mountains.

Over the summit on the Las Vegas side the sun is just up. Photographers call this the magic hour. I look left and pull over for this picture.

Apparently there is some history to this area.

Into Las Vegas, Yes, there is a Starbucks right by the 15. I’m gassed up, coffee’d up, let’s roll. At Barstow, switching to 58 west, racing the train.

That’s about it! What a week. The rest of the drive was just a routine drive, except for the trying to stay awake part.

Lucy, I’m home.

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Ride Report: Sacramento to Calistoga via Hiway 128 Lake Berryessa

On 02.20.10, In Calistoga, Harley Davidson, KTM, R1200GS, R1200R, Ride Report, By Dan

We had a pretty decent ride today. Starting out from Deano’s in East Sac, five bikes headed out towards Calistoga for lunch. Clutch out time was 9:30 ish. Temps were in the 50′s with clouds and occasional sun.

  • Deano, KTM 950
  • Johnny, BMW R1200GS
  • John, Harley FatBob
  • Brandon, 2002 Custom Harley Road King
  • Yours truly on my 2007 BMW R1200R

Here is the route roughly as recorded by my SPOT Tracker:

CLick Image To Enlarge

Bar-B-Q lunch at Busters in Calistoga is always good and today was no exception. Tri Tip, yum, followed by an intro to Taylor’s Refresher in St. Helena to Brandon and John who joined us from Dublin and Modesto respectively and had never been there before. Best shakes around are at Taylor’s, made from Double Rainbow ice cream.

I forgot my camera which is a shame because Brandon’s custom Road King was very cool and I would have liked to post some pictures.

At least I remembered my iPhone camera for this one. We stopped at the corners on the way back (where we ran into Steve and Stephanie, and Nathan on his new BMW K1300GT SWEEET!) and an unnamed KTM950 rider (Deano) decided to go up the side of the embankment and didn’t make it and this picture was captured.

Wanna get away? Fly Southwest Airlines

Nuthin’ broken, no one hurt, no harm no foul. A good time was had by all.

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