| Author | Message | ||
     Ezblast |
California is a darn big state and although there are a lot of Blasterds here - hardly any of us have met in person! I was talking with Gearheaderiko/Eric on the phone and we mentioned how great it would be if we could all put some faces to the names! So I got together with Eric and James and decided that San Luis Obospo would be a great half way point and that we should start organizing a meet/rides - this is the result! So how about it? April third the North and South groups, and any others who wish to meet head for San Luis Obispo - either with a group or by yourself - rooms will be reserved by various folk (I will reserve several also) - and you can share or get your own. A night of meeting fellow Blastards and tale swapping and then crashing in preperation for an area ride the next day. I figure we can get a nice day of riding in together, followed by dinner and Eric mentioned getting some folks together for a nite ride - it being a college town - I'm sure there is plenty of trouble to get into if you tried! Monday morning we all head off for home! A simple, fun idea! So far - private reception of the idea has been great! I'm posting here to get feed back and ideas and to see who all wants to come! I did a ride down the Coast yesterday - from the start of the Monteray area to (as far as I went and then turned back) Carmel was nothing but fog - so I'm thinking a different route - lol - anyway I'm also posting this here so that feedback and updates can be found on the trip as well! So What do you think folks? Me - I'm thinking - Road Trip! Sounds like fun to me! Keep an eye on this Board for any and all updates, ideas, and just plain getting things organized - lol Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ  | ||
| Sarodude |
Loli and I have been known to ride to SLO for lunch.  -Saro | ||
| Ezblast |
Totally cool Saro! - you've got mail! GT - JBOTDS! EZ  | ||
| Newblaster |
April 3rd? I'm in. Just let me know which hotel you guys are planning on booking in, whenever the plans are at that stage. Scott | ||
| Ironiceberg |
Let me know more. If you dont mind a guy with an extra cylinder showing up. I have a house in Atascadero about 15 min from SLO. And your right lots of trouble to get into in SLO, college girls and all.  | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Sounds like the party is at your house! No, I don't think we mind if you 'tag' along.I'm sure with significant others and such we are bound to have a few non-Blasts with us anyway.Just remember, we have much slower bikes (technically) and you probably wont be leading the pack.....And you have to promise to at least try and bring a Blasterd with you  Erik | ||
| Ezblast |
LOL - I posted a disclaimer up top will be adding info to it as I get it organized - I think there is a lot of fun to be had here and I'm looking forward to it! Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ  | ||
| Ezblast |
Woo Woo! - just finished reservations for a core of four rooms at the Travel Lodge - 1825 Monterey street - San Luis Obispo - ph. (805) 543 - 5110. 1 smoking and 3 non - double oc. ;0) - Least expensive I could find that doesn't also sponser roach wrestling contests - lol - if anyone else has Ideas for lodging - please let me know! Looks like the North is getting it together pretty well - lol - how ya doing down south there? Looking foward to seeing all of you! Will be doing more route info gathering this weekend, and Saro says he knows a killer area ride in the SLO area! Fun! Fun! Fun! - Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ | ||
| Newblaster |
1 smoking room... How many smokers we got going? Informal poll time, I guess. lol... There's me, that's one so far. I also don't mind reserving my own room, willing to share, etc. if we need more space.  I know that's Rocketman's usual icon, but it seemed to fit here. lol... Scott | ||
| Ezblast |
Gee - I'd be a smoking! - lol - if you want to room mate it let me know, also if you want one of the rooms I booked please let me know. Also if you want your own room I'd sugest booking a room soon - as some other events are happening as well - spring break, etc. and rooms are going to be scarse by that time. GT - JBOTDS! EZ  edited by ezblast on January 22, 2004 | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
I am underwhelmed by the response from SoCal Blasturds! Only Saro apparently. My last posting on the Yahoo sight got zip(again). I thought at least I'd piss off a few people. By the way-its okay to get your own room, I think we just want to make sure we have enough rooms. Also-for those dont-I'll be the non-smoking & non drinking Blaster! Erik | ||
| Ezblast |
I've got a solid core of 6, and I've yet to anounce it to American Sport Bikenite, or post Flyers with certain dealers. Talking with James - he said he'd probably go, new job and all - he's a busy guy! I think I've found a great route - it will take a few more hours to get there but I think I can promise a really nice ride! Road trip details for the Northernly routes will be posted soon enough! A few or a lot - the rides the thing and even the chance to put faces to the names of a few will be fun! Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ  | ||
| Newblaster |
I'm cool to roommate it if you are, EZ. If there are more, we could probably even split it further. I'm an old hand at sleeping 5 or 6 to a hotel room. lol... | ||
| Jprovo |
I'll do my best to make it. So that makes Socal: James Erik O. Saro I'll see if I can wrangle up a few more. James | ||
| Kaese |
Ezblast: I have a XB9 and am tenative as to the date. Sounds like fun to me. Took Hwy 1 once before on a Yamaha XS-1100. Drove me crazy with the amount of RV's on the road. A few years ago when there was one yellow dashed line. I don't push roads that are unfamiliar to me. I am 75% sure I can do it. Another for the Smoking section. Kepp me informed. Thanks edited by kaese on January 23, 2004 | ||
| Ezblast |
I was thinking of starting coastal and then to 35 to 25 ,etc. - make a longer ride but should be worth it - no riding this weekend - at least for distance - am working out the route a bit each week end I can - so far so good - at least for me - I love any excuse for a road trip and this is one I can use every good weekend for a while;0) - but still have to reserve wife time in return for the bike time - weathers not so hot here this weekend anyway - not that it matters - that much - lol - different from the wine country - lol - Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ | ||
| Evaddave |
Hey EZ, If you get your wife to ride, then ride time IS wife time. | ||
| Ezblast |
LOL - I'm working on it! GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Ezblast |
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/20164/20311.html?1075597789 So the three different routes so far - the main one isn't finished 1) Hwy 1 almost all the way - not likely - would need a perfect coastal day all the way down - not likely in April, however, it could happen - lol - 2) Hwy 1 to Hwy 35 (Skyline) to Hwy 9E to Hwy 85S to Hwy 101 to 25 (the second half to be explored soon!) - a little over 30 min. of Freeway time with 3 1/2hrs of great riding so far - the second half looks even more promising - and is considered one of the best rides in Cali - the first part is also highly recommended - we'll be passing a lot of different famous side roads as well as the ones we'll be on. Even on a cold day all I could think about was how really cool the road was - I kept expecting some things gotta happen, but no, each turn was more fun than the last and the scenery was very nice indeed. I stopped along the side of the road to take in the woods and the clearings - nice - If totally Inclement Weather - 101S all the way down - yawn but safe considering - will not take this wispers to the back of my mind constantly. Fun so far! You guys in the South have a meet up point, time table, poker game? - lol - just curious - Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ  | ||
| Sarodude |
EZ- In going to Paso Robles to pick up Zooka (the other Blast is named Thor) I took the opportunity to check out some more pavement. I believe life will truly be good. Only problem is gonna be range. There's one REALLY GOOD ride I'm not sure a Blast will be able to make due to fuel capacity. Given that, I'd like to get a survey of those attending the ride regarding best cruising range (before reserve) and typical carving range (also before reserve). -Saro | ||
| Newblaster |
Saro--That's a good idea. Wouldn't want anyone running out of gas in the middle of the fun. I usually get around 90 miles before reserve, but most of that's highway. Milage is better when I've been doing fun stuff, but I've never run out a tank on twisties. Usually gas up around 80 to 85, just because that's the way it happens (and I try not to gas up in SF. lol...) | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
I hit reserve about 95-100 & get nervous running past that.(that tank is so small).It's about the same as my old Sportster. We Southern boys are much more laid back,no route, no meeting point,no time. Really, there aren't that many different ways to go, and I dont want to stretch the 230 miles getting there to 300+ miles and an all day ride. 33 to 166 ? | ||
| Sarodude |
The 166 can almost be taken WFO the whole way on a Blast. Personal experience. It's almost TOO open but it is fun nontheless. Problem with the 166 is LEO presence. I just plain got lucky my first couple of times on that road. Nice thing about it is that there's actually a Mobil in New Cuyama - a nice place to fuell up a Blast. Where do the SoCal folks live? I know James lives in Chino Hills. Loli and I are in the San Fernando Valley. -Saro | ||
| Ezblast |
I guess we're just different up here in the North - everyone I talked to so far wants the ride there to be a ride! So I'm organizing accordingly, we will see though - I still have to map out the second half of the trip, and then ride the whole trip! Fun, fun, fun! Heck - 101 would be a straight shot but what fun is that? Hwy 1 would also be a no brainer, but the chances of fog that time of year are really too good - and these would be long stretches of fog. So we shall see - it just depends on the second half - I want to leave and arrive in sun light - so that leaves only so many hours - lol Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ | ||
| Sarodude |
FWIW, I want the travel to be a ride, too. Just need to strike some sort of balance. -Saro | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
I live in Orange (just minutes from Disneyland)! It takes about 1 1/2 hours just to get somewhere towards SLO where the good roads start.At about 100 miles of freeway my legs are locked up on the Blast and makes the rest of the ride grueling.Still trying out alternate seating arrangements(Corbin,rearsets,handlebars)but 'highway bars' are the ideal solution but I'm not gonna have time to make some up. So if it were twisties first, then freeway, I'd be fine, but the other way around, its just hell. | ||
| Ezblast |
Yea - thats why i'm trying to use the freeway only to connect to another good road and hopefully when I'm done mapping - there will only total an hours worth max - 1 10 min. leg and 2 25 min. legs. Thats the goal - I'll have to see if I need to cut for more daylight time which would equal more freeway time , but so far so good! Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! | ||
| Ezblast |
If the weather is even 25% decent I'm gone to finish the mapping - Here, There, and Back again! Fun! Fun! Fun! Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ | ||
| Ezblast |
Blasting to SLO - Part Two: At 5:03am the alarm goes off - I turn it off and listen - no rain - from studying the weather for the past week - general consensus was drizzles on and off - I listen a few minutes extra - no water splashing from passing outside traffic - its a go and I'm up putting on clothes and later calling myself stupid for not wearing that second shirt - lol - I'm off before sunrise - 6am. The morning mist isn't thick, just damp and I ignore it, I go to work in it most days. I cruise through the park - cold wet weather is a great way to find out if your bikes ok - Vader sings that wild song - smooth and confident - I smile - I figure I'll be wet (even with the plastic overpants) by days end but that figures to be 14 hours away and there is a whole day to explore in. The Park ends at the Coast and sunrise is only minutes away - I'm so busy watching the sun rise and the waves glow that I miss my turn off and have to double back - lol - back onto 35 the scenery turns green and lush before me - the road is in great condition, however in the early morn it is patched with black ice and is wet - I take it at a leasurely pace - speed limit or just above - nothing too drastic, but still when you have the road to yourself it becomes hard to maintain - I pull into Alices - they won't be open for over 40 minutes - so its stop, stretch, and back to it. Beautifull so far, but I new 9 gets technical, and its still wet with ice - still its a nice piece of nature I'm saying good morning too and it ends in the old town section of Saratoga - I stop here for fuel and to warm up - 2 cups of coffee before the 35 min. of freeway riding to get to Gilroy and 25. The bikes just growling contentedly, and its still just a soft drizzle to live with - the turn off is well marked and every thing is clear - a little cruise through the historic town of Gilroy and then you find yourself cruising down 25. The town's last station has a sign posted just before it - next fuel stop 75 mi. - I stop - gas up - though I had only 40 miles ago and proceed. True Californian landscape - rolling hills - farms, rivers, wineries, rock out cropings, sometimes going 65, sometimes 35, still you couldn't ask for better scenery to ride by. It starts getting wet now and the blue plastic pants come on. Peach Tree appears before me and the road becomes a bit more technical, but the scenery is even more rural - nature still the dominant force for some parts, wineries, and farms the rest, the road is wet and some gravel - I maintain and enjoy the view - every once and a while I'll mutter - '..shoulda put on that other shirt too...' but even though I'm cold and wet, the surroundings more than kept me smiling - of course with the cold - it may have just been frozen on - lol - the last leg before the final freeway stint - Indian Valley - what can I say - more beauty surrounding you as you ride - no pot holes but plenty of repairs - a bit bumpy at times - a narrow stretch of ribbon that keeps you on your toes as you enjoy the scenery. I pull in to San Miguel through the back - ask directions and am headed to a gas station - 80 sweet miles - I pull in - fuel up - and check my map, talk to the attendant - San Luis Obispo is only 45 min. away - I warm up with more coffee - a little tired, but now the hard part is before me - its raining now and 101 plows right into SLO - so do I go deeper into the storm, or follow the tradition of getting chased by the wind all the way home. Its 2:00pm now - so I figure my estimate is right on - 7 hrs and a few min. of some glorious riding will take you to SLO from SF - lol - now to get the time for the ride from SLO to SF via 101 - in the rain - ouch! The rain starts to get hard and so after only 35 miles up the road I'm ready for a time out - I take the next off ramp and it puts me by an open gas station, and a station converted into a pet hospital - closed. I park myself in the middle of their overhang and walk over to the station for more coffee and then over to be with the bike and watch the rain from the dryness of the Vets overhang. 20 minutes go by and its down to the old drizzle I know too well - back on the freeway - homeward bound - it never completely stops, however, 4 1/2 hours from the start - San Miguel - and I'm home an hour and a half after the sun - 730pm. Did the weather spoil the trip - naw just slowed me down, I live in weather like this for 2 thirds the year - fog and drizzle - a San francisco happening - lol - at least we are consistent;0) What a ride! and really only a few hours difference between the direct route and the indirect;0) - since both were taken. Was it worth it? - Hell ya! - That was fun, and the route is mapped!! Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
I'm gonna leave the SoCal route plan up to Saro & James.Otherwise, I'll just look at a map the night before the ride! Great ride story,I would hope it generates some more interest. I'll do my weekly plea for Socal Blasters in a couple of days! Does anybody have any knowledge of a Santa Maria BRAG chapter? That might yield a few more Blasterds. And James, is your bike up & running? |
