The Original GL1800 Owners Group

Day 8 – Monterey, CA to Thousand Oaks, CA – 315 miles

We’ve done this route many times, but I gotta say it was the most relaxing of all. It’s 57 degrees with some marine layer when we leave Monterey. There was even a hint of drizzle. First we gas up and buy a couple bottles of water. The station setup was kinda weird – the water was locked up in a cooler outside, no prices shown. I see why. $1.49 for a 20 oz bottle along with $3.40/gal for gas. Talking as an ex-Californian – you current Californians need to….well, I won’t get political here…the ride is too good.

We headed south on Hwy 1. For those that have never done it, this ride should be up near the top of your list. It never gets old for us. Your’re riding thru rolling hills to the east and the ocean down below to the west, with thick clusters of trees thrown into the mix. A perfect combination of straights and curves. Though it’s a 55 MPH road we just decided to do a nice, leisurely pace. Very seldom even approached 55 and oddly enough, very few of the cars behind seemed to be in any hurry, though I would pull off when safe and let them go.

25 miles down the road the sun came out as we approached Big Sur. We stopped for breakfast – in no hurry to leave. Once we did head on down the road the weather would alternate between marine layer and bright sunshine. Temps stayed pretty much in the 60’s for this part. Great run.

A few miles north of San Simeon there is a parking area where you can watch dozens of Elephant Seals laying on the beach sunning themselves. Once in a while one would throw sand on himself and another would slither out to/from the water. They’re fun to watch.

Once you get to San Luis Obispo where Hwy 1 intersects with Hwy 101 you’re more inland. It’s considerably warmer and the view of the ocean is gone. We found a little expresso shop which doubled as a bicycle store – or maybe it was the other way around – and hung out a bit. It’s easy to see this is a college town. Another gas fill up and we proceeded south on Hwy 101 toward Santa Barbara. The highway runs thru a canyon then finds the ocean again and turns east. The temps usually are down considerably once you get to the ocean again but it’s been exceptionally hot around here – temps are close to 80.

Now we’re getting into my old stomping, ‘er, riding grounds. As a teenager I rode all over these roads on a huge variety of bikes. Once we get to Santa Barbara we make a short jaunt northward to catch Hwy 192. This runs thru the north end of Santa Barbara. It’s a fairly slow but beautiful ride thru trees, foothills, and expensive homes – some of which have been burned to the ground and rebuilt again due to recent brush fires. Tattoo this road on your brain…

Out of the Santa Barbara area we switch to Hwy 150 east and head northeast through fast sweepers to Lake Casitas, then south again on Hwy 33 to Ventura and Hwy 101 again. From there we make the finishing 25 mile shot to Thousand Oaks for the evening – where it’s back up close to 100 degrees again. TGIF is across the street so that’s the dinner choice. Did you know they show the calories for each meal on the menu – or is that just another California requirement?

More Day 8 pics...

...and more Day 8

Day 9 – Thousand Oaks, CA to Banning, CA - 200 miles

This will be another relaxed riding and visiting day. We’ll head back to Oxnard – yes, Oxnard, that’s the name of the place, believe it or not – to visit a friend since childhood in town visiting his mother (that’s a mouthful)…

Before leaving Thousand Oaks we swing by a gas station to fill up and add a couple pounds of air to the rear tire (yes, I do check tire pressures). It’s about 8:00AM and it’s already 80 degrees – but the humidity is up as well. I pull around back where the air is. Now, I’m sure the last time I was in CA there were signs posted at all gas station air pumps that by law the station must provide free air. I remember thinking I completely disagree with this law since if they have to pay to provide the service, the consumer should be charged accordingly. So, this time I was surprised I needed to insert 4 quarters to get my air. Of course the nozzle required 3 hands to use…

Sufficiently drenched in perspiration and grime, I go in to clean up and away we go. We head a little south and find Porchero Rd., a really cool 2-lane road that drops out of the hills down to the agricultural area behind Camarillo. This is another nostalgic road. It’s improved greatly since I first rode my Honda 90 on it. We’re close to the ocean so it’s cooled down nicely.

On into Oxnard, pass a few old haunts and on to the harbor for growing-up memories. Oops! Lanes are blocked for a bicycle race and there is a boat show going on. Lots of sitting in traffic but we eventually get where we want to go. From there we head over to visit my friend and his mother for a couple hours, then we’re off to Banning via the Pacific Coast Hwy 1.

Again, another road I grew up riding. South of Oxnard just past Point Mugu Naval Base – where my dad was stationed before retirement – you’re on the ocean again. Water on one side, mountain on the other. Temps are in the 70’s and this being Sunday the herds are out. But, as many times as I have ridden and driven this road I have never seen the crowds so thick. Parking areas are all full so cars line the road for miles. We watch for cars that are stopped in the right lane looking to parallel park so we hang out in the left lane.

Approaching Malibu it’s really getting thick, except the cars are a few steps classier. We’re in the right lane at one point behind a black Accord or something. Behind us is a BMW convertible with 4 people in it. Up ahead is a Neon stopped in the right lane waiting for someone to pull out so he can take the spot. We move over to avoid it all, the Accord comes to a controlled stop, and the BMW plows into the back of it, sending it plowing into the Neon. This all happens as we are passing directly by. Close one. And the on-board photographer didn't get a shot.

OK, let’s get off this train wreck of a road. We were originally going to follow Hwy 1 and catch I-10 east at Santa Monica. Forget it. I found Malibu Canyon Road up ahead and head north to the heat of the valley.

This is a sport biker’s dream. It runs thru canyons – thus the name – and in about 15 miles or so you’re in Calabasas and Hwy 101. It’s another don’t-miss road.

Stop in Calabasas for gas, water, soak the vests, then it’s a direct shot thru Southern California’s wonderful freeway system to Banning for the night. For dinner, try Grandma’s there in Banning. Country style, home-cooking, etc. Been there a few times while passing thru.

More Day 9 pics...

...and still more for Day 9...

Day 10 – Banning, CA to Phoenix, AZ – 300 miles

This is only a get-home-and-try-to-avoid-the-heat day, so no pics. So why would anyone make Banning they’re destination anyway? Well, it’s about as close as you can get to the desert without actually being in it and experiencing the heat. Yesterday it was 116 in Palm Springs only a few short miles down the road but 102 when we got to Banning.

We left Banning at 4:45 AM. There are people I ride with that would be extremely proud of us. It’s only in the 70’s and dark. I love riding this early in the morning – when I can get up. We get right on I-10 and point east.

These kinds of trips require some give and take to keep everyone sane. There is a requirement that has been secretly imbedded into my brain by She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed (SWMBO). Whenever we pass the Brighton Jewelry Outlet just a few miles down the road from here we must stop and allow SWMBO to shop there. Bummer – not open. Wonder if I’ll pay dearly for this infraction…

It’s now about 90 degrees as we pass by Palm Springs and Indio. Still dark and pleasant, though. We climb the grade outside Indio passing trucks like they’re standing still – since they practically are. We approach Chiriaco Summit – just about the only service in the 90 miles between Indio and Blythe (or, my definition – “Blight”) on the CA/AZ border. Ready to put on the vests yet? Nope, keep going.

The sun is coming up and you can feel it. But, there are clouds keeping it at bay. Very nice! I long ago decided I'm not stopping in Blythe for anything if I can help it. Gas stations are dumps so we cross into Arizona and stop at the Texaco Truck Stop about 10 miles in. This is our normal stop heading east or west. Gas, water, soak the vests, eat a polish sausage for breakfast (oh, boy), and move on.

140 miles to home. The sun is winning the battle so set the cruise to 80 (by the GPS) and get it over with. We’re home by 9:30, in the pool by 10:00.

Only one thing to do now….PLAN THE NEXT TRIP!

AZ,
I got a little more serious into your ride when you started heading for Ca. Our trip last year went as far south as Fortuna, then eastward. You just did what we would like to add to a future ride. But it's definitly "heads-up" riding the furthur south you go, especially as you near L. A.
Riding through L. A. wouldn't bother me, but the heat would definitly be a concern.
Some of the pictures you posted of the coast brought back some fond memories. It's a beautiful coast.
Overall, it looks like you had a great trip. How many miles did you cover in those 10 days?
And letting SWMBO, shortened to SO, buy jewellry, is a good idea. Just don't try telling her there's no room in the bike like I did!

BB,

It's not too often it's that hot in the valleys around LA, and when it is the coast is always cool. From Monterey south on Hwy 1 will also never be too hot to enjoy.

As far as the jewelry dilemma - I was without excuse. She likes to pack the trunk because she's so organized and because I took a borrowed laptop this time - which is way smaller than mine - there was plenty of room for her trinkets. Of course, my professional skills in planning the route and times had us safely rolling by the outlet with no chance of a stop...

Total miles was 3732 by the GPS.

That is called "prior proper planning". Hehehe. Good job!!

That doesn't work for mine. She reacts the moment she sees a sign that says SALE, regardless of what they're selling.

In 2008, we didn't get to run CA-1 near Big Sur - too much fire & the road was closed; ended up on US-101 instead (yawn). That's one ride I need to do again.

Nice write-up as well; thanks for letting us ride along. Oxnard?! Lived there in the early 70's; dad's last duty station was right next door CBC Port Hueneme! The trip in '08 we stayed in Camarillo on night one; drove all over the area as we rode up CA-1 starting from Santa Monica Pier.

It seems that we've been on a every-other-year long trip ('08, '10) thus far, so time to consider what might happen in '12.

My wife's job has a natural lull in late June/early July, so that's when these types of trips are taken.

Don't get me wrong, California is a great place to ride, but Idaho, Montana and Wyoming....wow!!

I remember a while back you mentioned you lived there. I did my time from 1965 to 1978. Are you old enough to remember the "What's an Oxnard" bumper stickers? I had one...

Nope. We lived off base for less than a year, then moved into base housing for a little over a year and a half.

Being on-base meant that the only time we went into town was to go to the beach, to school, or to someplace like Sears. The base commissary was literally blocks away at that time; same with the movie theater.

Riding on Bard Rd on my bicycle, heading toward E O Green Jr. High on C st. That was one big shot of motorcycle bug right there.

Bard Rd was for racing before high school classes. I look at it now and it seems so short and narrow...