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We started our day at Starbucks on a cool, slightly overcast morning, supping on coffee and goodies and catching up on our “other” lives. Arriving this lovely morn was Todd, Audrey, Wendy, Aussie Rob, Doug (a friend of Wendy’s), Tyler, and DC first timer, Larie (like Marie but with an “L”) on her Honda Shadow. We hit the road and got the worst part of the ride out of the way – slabbing it down 101 (Audrey got a kick out of people pointing and laughing at Wendy’s tiger tail/ears that are attached to her helmet) to San Juan Bautista where Patrick, Stevie, and Nancy met up with us at the first gas stop of the day. From there we headed out Hwy. 25, always a fun ride especially early in the morning when there’s pretty much no traffic to hinder those who might have a heavy throttle wrist! A right turn onto King City Rd. and into King City for our next gas stop before venturing into the wilderness of the foothills. We took a bit longer of a break so everyone could power up with a snack or two and also so we could get to know Larie and Doug a little bit better, since they were the new kids on the block. From King City we headed out to Jolon Rd., about 24 miles of beautifully paved, gently sweeping road leading to Ft. Hunter-Liggett, where we were all signaled over to the side of the road to prove we were who we were and rode what we owned (if you don’t have CDL, proof of insurance, and registration, don’t even bother trying to get through the gate). Finally, all the paperwork taken care of (Papers? We don’t need no stinking papers!), we directed our attention to finding Naciemento-Ferguson Rd. I got a good note from www.pashnit.com (which, btw, if you’re ever looking for a new route, is a great place to find one) that notes if you cross over the steel bridge, you’re on the right track – that helped us steer everyone in the right direction! Since this is a military base, the posted speed limit signs are, well, pretty much ridiculous. Excuse me… 20 mph on open, well-paved, curving roadway?!? You have got to be kidding! But with the warning of a ticket from a federal agency, some of us tried (not very successfully but better than others) to keep the speedometer down to, what we felt, was a reasonable speed (notice I ain’t admitting to nuthin!). For the first ½ of the ride through the base, there were gently rolling hills of golden dried grass as far as the eye could see. The temperature was definitely on the rise as we found a moment while waiting to cross through the gate at the other side, to drop some layers before continuing on. We stopped at the side of the road at one point to take a break and came across a couple who were enjoying the day with a few beers (maybe one too many as we watched the female half of the couple teeter around in spiked heels… we were glad they took off before we did and were in front of us!) and chatted about riding. Todd showed off his prowess for rock throwing (hopefully not taking out any small forest animals in his wake), Aussie Rob and Todd did their impression of male models from the Sears catalog (you gotta check out the pictures!), and we waited and waited and waited for Patrick & Stevie, whom we had passed awhile back as they pulled over to shed a layer or two. Just as we were getting a wee bit worried, they pulled up having had a near incident with a family of bicyclists who decided that riding four abreast and taking up the entire road was a good thing… narrowly averting taking out one of the younger members of the family, they were able to catch up to us. The 2nd half of the road descends into lovely, lush green forested areas as you come nearer to the coast, and the temperature begins to drop. The road narrows into a wide, one-lane trip with lots of twists and turns… oh yeah, and LOTS of gravel and dirt in those twists and turns. As you descend over the backside toward the coast, even the friskiest riders of the group found that the 10-15 mph posted speed limit was not an overstatement given the turns, gravel, and the views which fought with your concentration as you rounded a corner and were hit with the spectacle that is the California coast. I never seem to tire of the ocean… the smell, the sound of the waves, the energy, the sun… it is just a spiritual kind of place to behold and experience. Heading south, we journeyed along the twisting ribbon that is Hwy. 1, managing to pass most of the motor homes but getting jacked up by other motorists along the tight, twisting passes. Honestly, I think they should do a refresher course for motorists on what turnouts are supposed to be used for! We arrived at Ragged Point Inn, exhilarated and starving, ready for lunch (especially Todd who has an amazing capacity for packing it in but not on!). After a few minutes, we got our table and eagerly viewed our menus in anticipation of sustenance. Once sated, we just kicked back and relaxed, taking in the sun, Audrey did her Flying Nun impression with a napkin over her head to keep the sun off her face, Nancy, not to be outdone, followed suit, everyone shooed bees away from their plates, and Todd ordered cheese cake, only to be faked out when he got up from the table for a moment, and Aussie Rob decided to hide his beloved dessert… I don’t think I ever want to be on the bad side of Todd and a missing dessert! Doug had to head for home at this point so we bid him a fond adieu as he made his way to 46 and Hwy. 5 (ick!). We mosied out to admire the view at Ragged Point, beautiful coastline, with a beach far below (none of us were quite up to the challenge this particular day of the climb down and back up), and an exhilarating ocean wind blowing across our faces. We also took a moment to pay homage to CC, who was unable to be with us on this particular ride due to previous vacation plans, and arranged ourselves on the lawn for an impromptu group power nap. It very well may become a DC tradition! We found a kind passerby who graciously agreed to snap a group photo for us, jokingly calling us “the bad ass bikers”, which we found to be quite amusing. Us? Bad? Nah… we just ride that way! J After gassing up (I think so far Ragged Point wins for the most expensive gas prices), we turned north and headed back up Hwy. 1, stopping in Big Sur at the River Inn, a great restaurant and inn with a river (what a surprise!) in the back. They’ve placed big wicker chairs so you are actually sitting right in the water, and the staff brings you beverages so you can sip as you soak. Aussie Rob (who wins for the longest trip for the day – about 400 miles once he got back home to Sausalito!) and Nancy high tailed it out as the rest of us languished about the area, taking in the relaxing energy, the amazing plethora of gorgeous flowers, and getting ready for the final haul. Continuing up Hwy. 1, getting ample opportunity to practice our passing skills, we made our final stop in Carmel for gas and dallied as long as we could before heading up Hwy. 1, crossing over via 156 to 101, and the long slab home. As I wearily sank into my living room couch, I stopped for a moment and gave thanks for the blessings that motorcycle riding has brought into my life – beautiful views, amazing roads, adventures galore, and best of all, great people.
Views from the Pillion
Peace,
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Wow!
What a great day and route – the coast was in all its glory today!