Central CA Coast Ride - 23 September

[motorrad]

What better way to celebrate the Fall Equinox than to have a spirited ride down the Cali coast from Monterey along Big Sur south then winding inland and back home through some coastal valley sweet spots. My good friend Gary contacted me awhile ago to see if we could retrace a fun group ride experienced near same time last year.

Here's the loop I'm thinking of for next weekend. Let's meet at the Chevron on Rio Rd and Hwy 1 in Carmel at 8:30am. Blast off south promptly at 9:00 am on Hwy 1, with short pit stop at the River Inn for a coffee warm up if needed. Then we'll head on down to Lucia on Hwy 1, pushing a few miles further south to pick up Nacimiento-Ferguson Rd over the coastal range eastward and dropping into Ft Hunter-Liggett. From there I'd like to cruise south on Jolan G18, cross over Hwy 101 into Bradley, pick up Hare Canyon to Indian Valley northeast, to Peachtree Rd, then Hwy 25 north to Gloria (just north of Pinacles, good dirt) across to River Rd, then Hwy 68 back to Monterey, over the Laurless Grade into Carmel Valley and finally west back to Monterey for seafood dinner on Canery Row.

All are welcome, some I know are already primed. Buzz me if you're interested so we can plan the ride departure accordingly. Ciao

[Don Hopkirk]

Originally Posted by motorrad

What better way to celebrate the Fall Equinox than to have a spirited ride down the Cali coast from Monterey along Big Sur south then winding inland and back home through some coastal valley sweet spots. My good friend Gary contacted me awhile ago to see if we could retrace a fun group ride experienced near same time last year.

Here's the loop I'm thinking of for next weekend. Let's meet at the Chevron on Rio Rd and Hwy 1 in Carmel at 8:30am. Blast off south promptly at 9:00 am on Hwy 1, with short stop at the River Inn for a pit stop and some coffee warm up if needed. Then we'll head on down to Lucia on Hwy 1, pushing a few miles further south, picking up Nacimiento-Ferguson Rd over the coastal range eastward and dropping into Ft Hunter-Liggett. From there I'd like to cruise south to Jolan G18, cross over Hwy 101 into Bradley, pick up Hare Canyon to Indian Valley northeast, to Peachtree Rd, then Hwy 25 north to Gloria (just north of Pinacles, good dirt) across to River Rd, then Hwy 68 back to Monterey, over the Laurless Grade to Carmel Valley and finally west on home and seafood dinner on Canery Rd.

All are welcome, some I know are already well primed. Buzz me if you're interested so we can plan the ride departure accordingly. Ciao

Hey Tom, I will be in Monterey this Saturday, not riding though. Perhaps we can meet up with you after the ride. We are staying at the Portola Plaza Hote in Monterey. My cell phone number is 559 903-5251.

Don Hopkirk

[motorrad]

Originally Posted by Don Hopkirk

Hey Tom, I will be in Monterey this Saturday, not riding though. Perhaps we can meet up with you after the ride. We are staying at the Portola Plaza Hote in Monterey.

Don Hopkirk

Hey Don, it would be awesome to hook up with you and Cyndi on Saturday after our ride. I was thinking of having dinner at the Chart House on Canery Row. Lot's of options though. I'll give you a call when we finish up the ride. Tom

[motowriter]

I'm really looking forward to this ride, Tom!! While last year I rode the coast three times I haven't been on Hwy 1 south of Carmel this season. I'm jonesing for those amazing views via the incomparable twisties!

My friend from work, Kevin, is also really stoked for the ride. Did you have a chance to talk to Bruce about riding? I don't think Kevin has any issue with riding his own "C" pace, but would be cool to have a couple of paces running.

Looking forward to seeing you again! Thanks for organizing the ride!

[demenshea]

I guess if i am riding too, Kevin won't be left alone in the rear, he will have a pal to hang with. Sportbike or not, i am still S L O W.

[motorrad]

Originally Posted by demenshea

I guess if i am riding too, Kevin won't be left alone in the rear, he will have a pal to hang with. Sportbike or not, i am still S L O W.

Hey Donna, it would be most excellent if you could join us. Plenty of room for you, Gary, and Kevin to stay at my place in PG. I'm also thinking of a slightly shorter ride option for those who may be interested. This would involve taking the same route south on PCH and over Nacimiento-Ferguson, but then Jolon Rd north (versus south) after exiting Ft Hunter-Liggett up to Arroyo Seco Rd, then picking up Carmel Valley Rd from the top all the way back to Monterey. I still think we can make the longer first option Can't wait to see your new Triumph ride. Looks sweet

[Astroblue]

I won't have time to join you guys for the full ride, but I could meet up wherever you're having lunch. If it's Lucia, that's just a quick blat up the coast for me. I'd love to meet more Pashnit members!

[motorrad]

Originally Posted by Astroblue

I won't have time to join you guys for the full ride, but I could meet up wherever you're having lunch. If it's Lucia, that's just a quick blat up the coast for me. I'd love to meet more Pashnit members!

Hi Ross, meeting up with you in Lucia would be very cool. If we leave Carmel promptly at 9 am, we should be there by 1030-1100 am with exact time depending if we stop in Big Sur for River Inn coffee and how many pix stops we take along the way. I'll PM you my home and cell numbers so we can dial in a meet location and time for Saturday. I'm not sure if we'd be ready for our lunch break in Lucia that early. Probably look for something further along after the Nacimiento-Ferguson Rd crossing. Do you know if there is a hole in the wall place for lunch in Bradley off Hwy 101 Not a whole lot of civilization along the route we're planning. I will research this some more to determine gas and food locations near our route of travel. It would be great to have you along and to meet you Tom

[calikatoom]

Okay, I am getting pretty fed up with having to post "I am soooo jealous but I can't go because I work on Saturday's"!!!!

I though working in the moto industry was going to be cool, but didn't realize how many rides I'd miss because of it!

Last years ride was incredible and anyone that goes this year will notbe disappointed!

Donna - Glad to see you found yourself a bike that has as much pizazz as you do!

Gary and Tom - Be sure to keep an eye out for tarantulas!

Don and Cyndi - I still have no voice since Delta Weekend. Almost 4 weeks with this flu crud and I'm pissed! hahahaha (I am sooo ready to be healthy again)

Chart House - Oh Yeah baby! Good food and hot chicks!

How come Markus hasn't posted yet? Has anyone seen that guy recently? We need to ride!

Oh well, I should probably stay home anyway. I got another ticket this weekend. ... 92 in a 55. What can I say. I drive mellow but I like to ride fast! What were the cops doing on hwy88 at midnight anyway?

Have fun everyone! I'll be thinking about ya!

-Gail

[Cyndi]

Originally Posted by motorrad

If we leave Carmel promptly at 9 am,

Tom I have only been to a few preride gatherings but I have not seen one that has actually left on schedule.
Cyndi