my695

68.7 Miles of Twisties

Hey Everybody. Long time, no see. I'm back though with 68.7 miles of twisties under my belt and some cool winter pics on the Treo.

I had planned to ride more during the winter as there had been good weather but an ear problem and other ambitions took me on another path.

I took off yesterday om a mild and warm Saturday afternoon to just do some city riding, hit some cafe's and come back in a few hours. Little did i know a literal detour would take me onto the freeway and up the road a piece to the junction of Highway 2 and the Angeles Crest. I saw the riders gassing up and decided to stop off and partake in the anticipatory revelry. I gassed up and waved to a few riders.

As I pulled out of the station a wheel turned, a light bulb went off, I had a revelation...I must go up the crest... if only for a few miles.

Those few miles turned into 8 and those 8 turned into 34 and  7,140 ft Elevation,... snow and ice nipping at the edges of the road! Needless to say I was happy to be there. I stopped for a few photo ops, reached Mt. Waterman and then turned back and finally went to Newcombs Ranch - a great roadside stop usually filled with bikers and mountain lovers of all sorts.

It was a place I had often heard about in motorcycle lore. Now I was a part of it and nothing could be better then that. When my memory jarred me I realized I had been there years ago after a long days snowboarding at the local peak. A group of us had waited to hear the news of lost friend and boarder who had decided to ride off the backside of Mt. Waterman with his friend at sunset. The story ended happily enough. The boarders returned covered in snow as they had hiked there way out in no time.

The new wood and remodeled interior had covered those memories seemingly forgot.

I drank down my third cup of Joe and talked with some of the riders. A old Norton, a Suzuki and a few Multistradas sat out front.

Tony, a young but seasoned vet, was excited to hear I was a new rider and had rode the crest on a 695. "Good for you" he said, "way to go". "Just be careful". I wouldn't tell him I sometimes road like a little old lady form Pasadena but then again I didn't board double black diamonds in Jackson Hole my first season either.

After a much needed break I headed back down. Light and shadow peppered the pines. I said to myself what a world, what a life, it was ours to have if only for a time.

68.7 miles of twisties.

 

Night Riding

Well I had a chance to do some twilight rides and wound up riding home in the dark.
Yes I have become a "night rider" if only in moderation.

I cruised out into the extreme glare of the sun headed west. At this time of year the sun is in a direct line with most west facing streets so the glare is extraordianry. One more reason to ride extra safe and stay within limits.

I should have tilted my head down a bit as I found out on my next sunset ride. That would have kept me from seeing sunspots for a couple days.

I made my way down the open boulevards and my favorite cafe. You can see why like it so much, below.

****

The day quickly dipped into night. I finsished off my snack and mounted my "trusty steed" in the evaporating twilight. The night beckoned and the full glow of things in the city reminded me of walking down the strip in Vegas, Times Square or the Champs Ellesse at night for the first time it was WOW.

 

 

 

 

Now with the traffic at a minimum I really zoned into my riding. Feeling every nuance and taking in the night breeze, open air bar-b-ques and late summer scents.  I got off the main drag and breezed through a simple route of local neighborhoods.

I flicked my high beams at cars turning at intersections. This really helped draw their attenetion and they proceeded more cautiously.

As I neared my destination I could not help but think how quickly it had all gone by.

Yes oh yes, my first Night Ride.

Should I go?

Well, I wanted to follow up that great Saturday ride with a Sunday Ride. I was "jonzing" to get back on the trusty steed once again.

But that little voice said, check the waves, check the surf. You should into the water today. I wasn't really up for the "auto" drive after that wonderful Saturday but I just followed my inner voice, beside there was a great summer swell in so that pushed me over the edge.

The weather was perfect. As my body skidded out into the surf on my bodyboard I was immediately glad I had made the trip. The surf was about 6', warm water with long rollers that made their way to tube filled shorbreak. When you could connect the outside and inside sections you had 100 to 150 yard rides.

I snowboard, have skated and surfed but body boarding is my true love. It is one of the purest ocean sports, easy to learn but takes a lifetime to master. The greats thing is that you can have fun in any type of conditions.

After about an hour I noticed a bodysurfer in the line-up. He was catching large left handers and riding them just as well and as far as all the surfers and bodyboarders. I thought wow, who is this guy? As I focused in from about 25 yards away I knew it was "Mike Stewart".

For those of you unfamiliar with Mike Stewart, he was the undisputed number one bodyboarder before the World Tour was established. He is a 9 time World Champion and has won the Banzai Pipeline Pro a record 11 times. He is also a 10 time Pipeline Bodysurfing Classic champion. He's also was awarded "Mister Pipeline" for being the best wave rider of any kind and the only non-surfer to achieve that title.

Best of all he is really down to earth and all around "cool guy"!
http://www.mikestewart.com

Needless to say it was pleasure to meet him again as we had met years ago. A coincidence had brought us together and I was glad I had listened to that 'little voice".

We talked in between waves and I pushed myself harder on the waves to to do better. The best moment came when an exceptionally "high roller" came in and he pleasantly said "do you want to share this one?" Heck yeah!

He took off cutting the top of the wave working the quickness of the thrusting lip as I dropped in and bottom turned looking at him about five feet above and over me. He was skimming the top of the wave so lightly, he looked as dolphin does leading the bow of a boat - amazing. I kept up with him giving him space and continuing my "drive down the line". The wave was a avery long ride.

We kept up for a few more and then he was off.

California days as they were meant to be lived. All in those moments. For all time.

Now back to the Ducati.