325 Miles 2-UP

[dstevens58]

Well, after numerous attempts at looking at the schedule, it seemed that every time I had a day off, my wife was working and every time she had a day off, I was working. After this week’s schedule came out for her, we determined that I would take Tuesday off and we would go “somewhere” on the motorcycle. I first trip together that did not involve a short ride to church or a dinner somewhere in the Valley.

We woke around 7:00 AM or so yesterday and SWMBO called an acquaintance and we were off to Atascadero.

Some notes about the trip:

1. Although spontaneous is good, we should realize some basics. Such as bringing the camera.

2. Should have taken into account the coastal weather, as towards the evening, the weather got a little chilly.

3. I still slow way down when I am unfamiliar with the route.


We left Fresno at about 9:30 AM and headed down 41S for the coast.

After a snack/restroom stop in Kettleman City, we started the next leg of the journey. Google had planned us all the way on 41 through Shandon into Atascadero.

I was not prepared, but what a gorgeous road. I was not prepared for the view of the valley to pop into view as it did. I should have turned around and snapped a picture or two with the cell phone.

After visiting with a friend of my wife’s, we continued on 41 into Morro, then turned north on Highway 1 and stopped in Cayucos.

After testing the water (finding that it was way too cold) we decided against changing into swimsuits and diving in.



We walked out onto the pier and took a few shots with the cell phone. This is looking south towards Morro Rock.



There were a few surfers there:



Off in the distance, we could see several dolphins breaching the surface and even had Mr. Otter come by the pier, but my cell phone camera could not produce a usable photograph of them.



My wife is into taking pictures of birds:





All in all, it was a great trip. 325 miles total and I got a cool 51 mpg from my first fill up. We got to remember to take along some comfort items. It got cold in Cayucos and we ended up making an unplanned purchase to get a sweatshirt for the wife.

Wind through the passes and dark nights ended up surprising me a couple of times from on-coming semi-trucks. We got blasted a couple of times.

I also have to remember to watch my positioning in the curves and entry speed when carrying my passenger.

Take frequent breaks (at least every hour to stretch the leg muscles and butt. I am beginning to know why they call 1,000 miles an “Iron Butt”. After 325 miles, I was pretty well stiff and had to work out the lead. I don’t know how anyone can do it without any conditioning rides.

Oh, and BTW, SWMBO (who previously said she would never ride), is now not only talking about taking other rides with me, but is talking about the time when we can take a similar ride on two bikes.

Now to start looking around for something suitable for her.

[Law Dawg]

Nice 2-UP shake down ride. The proof that it was done well is your wife wants to expand the future trips. If she did not enjoy, your first would have been your last.

[CALIF GIRL]

Sounds like you had a good time. Riding 2 up can be fun, I do it alot.

[dstevens58]

It was a great time. We are (well, me at least) mulling over thoughts of where or what we are going to do for our 27th wedding anniversary coming up next month.

[Bandit12]

Good for both of you two! Great to hear she really enjoys riding and is considering getting her own ride. I'm currently planning a ride for my daughter, Dannylle's birthday, around Lake Tahoe. Should be about 275 miles. My wife told me just a day or so ago, she is considering tagging along on her bike.

You've also discovered the principle that a decent sized tank bag is your friend. Couple things you might want to consider adding to your day trip list, a can of Plexxus and a micro fiber cleaning rag to get those pesky bugs off the face shield. I found out the hard way to always pack my cold weather gloves on every ride, even if its 100 degrees when you leave home. On our honeymoon ride in late may, it was nearly 100 when we left Quincy and 5 days later when we left Weed, it was rain mixing with snow. Remember the old axiom: Your bag may not hold everything you want, but it can hold everything you need.

As far as looking for a suitable bike for her, why not start looking for a new(er) bike for you and let her ride the Silverwing? A more forgiving bike for a newbie rider would be hard to find. I had one years ago that I really liked. Easy to ride and maintain, decent road manners and easily set up for either running around town or touring the state.

Ray

[eye.surgeon]

hey Don, nice ride. I've done that a few times myself and it's beautiful. Nice to see lots of Clovis people around Pashnit lately .

[dstevens58]

Originally Posted by Bandit12

........a can of Plexxus and a micro fiber cleaning rag to get those pesky bugs off the face shield.

Good point, although the windshield kept the bugs to a minimum on the helmet face shield, I did encounter a few monster bugs that made quite a decoration on the windshield.

Originally Posted by Bandit12

I found out the hard way to always pack my cold weather gloves on every ride, even if its 100 degrees when you leave home.

Another good point. I have to take off the trunk on the SilverWing in order to carry a passenger. Only thing with that, my disc lock and other gloves are kept there and were sitting in the garage when I needed them the most.

Originally Posted by Bandit12

As far as looking for a suitable bike for her, why not start looking for a new(er) bike for you and let her ride the Silverwing? A more forgiving bike for a newbie rider would be hard to find.

I recently found a parts-bike for my SilverWing. The guy was also selling a 1981 SilverWing (non-Interstate version) also.

I might be trying to negotiate a price for that one also.

[matthewp]

Don, Great to hear you both had a good time. That is a beautiful area. Kristy loved that area when we went through on our honeymoon and has also informed me we need to plan a weekend ride there again! Maybe a Pashnit "Lover's" Ride?

PS: I was not sure what your bike looked like so I Googled it and clicked on [Images]. What comes up as the first pic? Non-other than your avatar! You're famous Don!

[dstevens58]

Originally Posted by eye.surgeon

.......Nice to see lots of Clovis people around Pashnit lately .

Doubly sure. Thanks Rod. One of these days, a Clovis Pashnit ride to the coast.

[Twisted Trader]

For that special wedding aniversary, and motorcycle ride, you might think about one of the hotels in Sequoia or Yosemite. Now that fall is approaching, and the tourist season is slowing down, it is possible to get a room at a reasonible price, and the restaurants assoiated with the hotels are quite nice.

The aspens and maples will be in their fall colors, and photography would capture some great images, should you decide to remember the camera. Ya gotta to remember that at the higher altitudes in the sierras, it gets dam cold when the sun goes down.