The Red Zone 9-24-11

There is a stretch of 280 north that climbs out of Palo Alto - starting at Sand Hill Road and climbs north to the junction with highway 92. Long sweeping curves of four lane interstate. Picturesque landscape and you are surrounded by fast company. Drivers up there have fast cars and they do not care to travel on the more fuel economic straight and crowded 101.

I take my time going through this section of 280. Back in 2006 on my FZ6 Yamaha i was pulled over with the Toyota i was following. Guilty - 85mph. We both got tickets and the CHP was a young guy that informed me that he knows that on a bike it is easy to get above 80 mph; safely. He probably would let me go if I would have been closer to 75. So, after traffic school i made a mental note of this area. Take it down a notch and take a slower lane. Let the cowboys run up or down the hill.

Today, 2pm I was returning from the city and so were a number of people. Southbound as you approach 92 CHP will sometimes sit with a radar gun under one of the 92 ramps. I will usually ride one of the two middle lanes. No CHP  today at 92; just lots of traffic going south into San Jose. Some drivers feel there is safety traveling in packs three abreast just like what they see in NASCAR. Do not allow them into your safety bubble. Go around when safe to do so. Do not sit on their rear bumper trying to intimidate them into getting out of the way. They do not use mirrors or turn their heads to check the lane they are moving into. Does it seem that anyone who would run door to door, side by side or tea party style with another car has issues? Either they are oblivious to what can happen or they want the other guy to lift - back off - this is my road and i say back off on my highway. Passive aggressive or just aggressive aggressive.

I do not like to pass on the right - very dangerous - but sometimes the tea party crowd likes to hold hands as they run down the hill. I will wait a bit until they get staggered a bit just to make the odds of one or two cars getting wild and wiping us all out, a lower number. There must have been 3 - 4 of these small packs. I get around and then get ahead and then back to a 75 mph range.

Then on my left in the fast lane a brand new black 5 series BMW shoots past me. As he does this we pass a CHP on the Sand Hill shoulder - he was getting back in his cruiser - must have had radar out and the engine running. It all looked like one smooth motion - we all knew he was after the BMW - so we gave him room to merge in and sweep past us all to the fast lane and then... "GOT HEEM!" The beemer saw the CHP  - but, too late and tried to weasel back into the pack.

Why does that make you smile or laugh or fist bump? Is it because so many times they shoot down the road and there are no CHP around? Well, if you get the CHP at your window chances are you cross the line. Happy trails and be careful out there.

Labor Day Run

Run up Hwy 9 about 10am - traffic light for a holiday. Weather started cloudy and marine layer burned off by 9:30. North on 35 skyline to Alices to meet Chuck for breakfast. We came down the mountain to Hwy 1 then south to Davenport just 11 miles north of Santa Cruz. Then up Bonny Doon road into the Santa Cruz mountains - never took that road before - i usually go up Western Dr to UCSC and then up Empire Grade then down into Felton. This may be my new favorite - clean new asphalt - smooth sweeping curves.

Connects to the northern section of Empire Grade and you climb north and then down into Boulder Creek at Hwy 9. Red Bull stop and then we decided to drop into Santa Cruz for lunch.

Stopped at my friend Ed's Wing Stop near the old neighborhood. Like salmon returning to where you used to live. Almar Ave. - Garfield Park Gang - good times. Always good to be in the old town.

Then a run up 17 with the beach traffic and into San Jose. Split some lanes in Los Gatos. Chuck splits off at 85 for the city and i went home after a quick stop on Stevens Creek Blvd for a battery. Nobody got hurt and no tickets and great roads and weather and what more could you ask for?

MotoGP 2011 Laguna Seca

Once again Chuck and i roll into Monterey. Friday night it is drizzling in Pacific Grove. Dinner at Fishwife, Asilomar. Had the Mahi Mahi Bowl. Saturday morning breakfast at the Breakfast Club Seaside. Waffle combo. overcast with 70s forecast for the day. Ducati Island and am i going too fast?


Rev Limiter Passes
Allows you access to stand next to Pit Exit. No videos..... how could they tell? Repsol brought 3 riders - gone is the Repsol hospitality tent. Budgets.

Rossi
Millions in salary and his leathers have a fitment problem. Or is this a new U.S. ritual? He is the obvious crowd favorite. Though the Honda and Yamaha Teams have more grunt for some reason.
Back on the Island
Ducati Island is a fun spot. Old and new bikes - people from all over. We were in the tent watching qualifying on the monitors. Sitting at a table drinking espresso and eating muffins and fruit. A guy did not sit down and stood in front of the monitor eating his grapes. I asked him discretely and kindly to please sit down so we could see the screen. He acted like i just insulted his whole family. I pointed to an open seat in front of him. He didn't say a word just took his grapes and walked away. Woah. Sorry, for not having xray vision. His friends sat at the table and asked him to come sit and he just said no. Otherwise most people on two wheels are just like other people. They have their bad days and good days.





The Corkscrew
This is a climb up the hill - sit in the shade of the old oaks and watch the racers fall off the top of the world into an asphalt pit. Chuck and i watched the Daytona Sport Bikes race and one guy slid thru the dirt and back onto the track with his bike and stopped in the middle of the road. That red flagged the race.
So, we crest the hill and order up some California Kitchen Pizzas. Back behind the beer tent we pulled up some empty kegs and sat down. Look at that view. You see the tower with big screens and most of the turns on the track. Plus you have the cool ocean breeze. Some guys were sitting over to our left mixing a lethal cocktail of Corona beer and tomato juice. What is the deal with that?
River Road
Reservation Road goes under 68 and turns to River Road. It heads south through farm land and vineyards. Kind of dusty and sandy out there. Returned to Salinas and a huge italian dinner at Ginos. Of course there was leftovers and we bagged them and i balanced them on my tank. Since i did not bring the saddlebags and tank bag. Pasta for breakfast. Sunday run home - up highway 1 to Santa Cruz - avoiding the beach traffic on 17 we took 9 to Ben Lomond and ate dinner at the Tyrollean Inn. When we left it was dark. Real dark. Riding in the mountains at night is not easy. When you get into a tight turn your head turns to see what is on the exit of the turn but all you see is black. Thank God made it home without an accident.




July 30 Breakfast at Alices
Met Chuck for breakfast - ran up 9 to 35 and it was sunny and dry until about a couple miles from Woodside. Fog and wet trees dripping on the road. But, a ride is more enjoyable when you can see where you are going. It all burned off - great ride.

Ducati Fest in LaHonda Oct 2008 12/13/08 12:06 AM

MotoGP Laguna Seca

Since MotoGP returned to Laguna Seca in 2005 i have been trackside.


2010 Chuck and i walked the track. That was a hike but you get a detailed look at every turn.
This lap of the track gives you the rider POV.




We walked by the Ducati garage on pit lane and they fired up a bike.





Best part of the race weekend is the big race but, there is alot going on out at Ducati Island.

Mines Road

The run up to Mount Hamilton - i can see the white observatory buildings from my living room.
My least favorite climb is the approach from San Jose heading east up to the summit. It is the bumpiest uneven road after the first ridge. After you reach the top you rest and enjoy the view of the valley and then descend into the valley to Mines Road which cuts thru the remote valley on the backside into Livermore. Bring a full tank.

The road out east is smooth with long stretches and plenty of sweeping curves. Next time i will go into Livermore and venture in from the eastern side.

Your cell phone is useless out there. Be careful. No real traffic either. If you fall off the road into a ditch - no one will be by for what could be hours. There are helicopter landing markings on the road. 75 mile run.

Highway 9 out of Saratoga to Ben Lomond

Yesterday Chuck and i rode Hwy 9 to Ben Lomond - ate lunch at the Tyrolean Inn - Schnitzel! Then back on 9 return to Saratoga Starbucks. Monumental day - some wet turns where water was seeping out of the mountain and it was a drop in temp once you rose out of the valley and into the shade of the redwoods. Sitting in the sun drinking coffee and eating cake - talking about the ride and life as we know it.

When you ride southbound visibility is tough - the sun is in your face and you are in and out of the dark shadows of the forest. Best part is the northern route with the sun at your back - but, i still suggest a clear or light smoked face shield.

This video is of the southbound run chasing John W out of Saratoga 2010 - his favorite part is the descent after the summit at 35. There is a series of right and lefts that flow and you can see i have trouble keeping him in the frame just before the end.

Coming up - MotoGP at Laguna Seca, Highway 17 Santa Cruz to Los Gatos, Alices and misc Bike Shows......

1098 Chase up to Twin Peaks and Down

Chasing Chuck up to Twin Peaks. Soundtrack by Scott Rolf "Espresso"

2009 - one of many trips through the city. There are twisty roads all around the neighborhoods of SF. Get out to the coast and wind down into Pacifica and out to Half Moon Bay - run up to 35 on Skyline and slip in and out of the redwoods. North over the Golden Gate you climb into the marin headlands and up to Mount Tam. My favorite quick run is over 17 to Santa Cruz - when it is crowded with summer traffic i jump onto Hwy 9 out of Saratoga and down through Boulder Creek and Felton. My first MotoGP bus ride into the track i sat and talked with people who came from all over the US and the world - they would borrow or rent bikes to ride over 17 and 9 and down 1 into Big Sur...... the world knows about our scenic roads and we live right here.

Ducati US is in Cupertino - the current president lives in Santa Cruz and commutes 17 to work on a MultiStrada. Living the dream.

Trading Up to The VFR

2008 - Honda VFR
First sat and examined at the 2007 International Motorcycle. I dreamed for almost a year. Only 200 cc more than the FZ6 - but a huge difference in engine design. Tried and true V4 with V-Tec - at 6500 RPM everything kicks in and the exhaust note changes.

MPG best was 52 - got it on a very slow start on my first long trip to San Diego. Thinking about safety first and getting used to the full weight of a loaded bike - i slowly inched my way down to Carmel. Checked the mileage and was impressed at what is possible with self control and almost 2 hours of boredom. Then i filled up for the stretch south thru Big Sur and into San Luis Obispo. On some stretches i tucked in and let loose the hounds. What gets your eyes wide is when a tourist crosses over the line on a turn as they crane to get a glimpse of the beach below.




I would make this trip on Hwy 1 a year later with Chuck on his Ducati 1098. We rode to Ojai and took 33 through the mountains. This solo trip in 08 i wanted to just keep riding. 200 mile range on a full tank but, when it was all done i looked back and realized i did not stop enough and rest to enjoy the scenic views or just rest and take a picture or two.
Saturday morning leaving early from Gary's house in SLO. Stop at Pismo Beach and then gas and breakfast in Santa Barbara at Sambos. This is where a lady waiting with her daughter named Alex went to walk her beagle named Joey. With a full stomach and warm weather ahead i turned in from the coast at Ventura and got a face shield full of bugs. Stopping for gas somewhere in LA two guys stop to ask about the bike. Is it a BMW? No i can't afford one. Where you going?




I lane split in some of the heaviest traffic i have ever been in north of San Diego. Over shoot my exit and end up in National City...... turn around and head north back to San Marcos. Barry, Naila and the boys gave me a great weekend visit and we saw the Red Bull Air Races. On a cloudy monday morning i took the 405 up to 101 and into Montecito. Ate lunch at Peabodys and then over 154 past Lake Cachuma for a nite at casa de Gibson. Then north on 1 home.






I stopped in Pacific Grove for a Red Bull and while sitting on a bench at Lovers Point a camera crew was shooting a trio of models. I was sitting there minding my own business and one of the ladies decides to change her wardrobe. I look around thinking this is candid camera. Then i realize i have the power of invisibility. I smile as she goes topless and slips into a new shirt. Then i look over at my bike and Pacific Groves man in blue is looking over at me from his patrol car. My cloaking device is failing. Time to get on the road.

i forgot to mention there is a twisty two lane road, Prefumo Canyon Road, that rises out of Los Osos Valley and over to See Canyon. Great views. Quiet up there - suspicious cows will chew with eyes on your every move.

2006 - FZ6

Lets take a trip down memory lane. Light half naked Yamaha built around 600cc of high rev fun. It had a quick engine and under tail exhaust. One night in Santa Cruz a 3 inch lip of asphalt caught my tire and sent me and the bike down on our left side. Usually within 6 months of purchase most motorcyclists have an accident. I got away without being run over and only minor injuries. The bike had heavy cosmetic damage but, was not totaled. My insurance skyrocketed.






The Yamaha took me south to SLO via Hwy 1. Went to Laguna Seca for the MotoGP. Got one speeding ticket on 280. Got pulled over twice before and let go with warnings. You would think a little 600 is only a step above a scooter. But, it had the engine from the supersport and easily topped 100. Though it took a couple seconds longer to get there. The repairs brought some upgrades. LED brake light, rear fender eliminator, mini turn signals, steel braided brake lines.



Changing the oil on this bike is really easy. Compared to the current 800 VFR i ride today.
The FZ6 got me 20,ooo miles in two years. Taught me alot about riding and was forgiving on early mistakes. This is the most fun around town - a very light and agile bike with a standard upright position. But, everything had a high rev buzz at long drawn out highway runs.





That is why i decided to trade up to the Honda VFR in 2008. Smoother running and hard saddlebags for the long run. I wish i could have kept this FZ6 - no hassle quick little bike.










These shots were early on taken at Uvas near Morgan Hill. The following are the changes made to the bike prior to trading it in for the VFR.








































One of the last rides on the FZ6 - up to Mount Diablo. Ducati sandwich. Pair of 1098s and a new 848.

Riding the V

Summer of 2005
Started checking bikes out at lunch for short 1 hour rides in the hills around Morgan Hill. Sportsters, Road Kings, custom Harley's, company bikes with new equipment bolted on for testing. My favorite has to be the "V". Designed by John Reed, it has a 110 cubic inch v twin RevTech engine, 6 speed RevTech transmission sitting in a Santee frame, Italian wheels, forks and Brembo disc brakes. Pulled in for gas one day and this guy walks over and looks over the bike. He first asks "what the heck is that?" Then he asks "what kind of gas mileage do you get?" I say "if you are real easy on the throttle you might get around 25 miles to the gallon." The guy steps back and says "what good is that?" ...so i explain; It's not an economical scooter, it's a hot rod show bike. The D&D exhaust is loud - so, loud sometimes when you rev that motor in stop and go traffic in the city it sets off some car alarms. I've been lucky so far, no tickets. I also wear ear plugs.



Sears Pt (infinion Raceway)

this was the first trip over the Golden Gate on the V. Took the Red V - we stoped by SBC park so Chuck could drop off some Giants tickets he sold on line. Gased up and we were off to see the IRL cars qualify at Sears Pt. We got there and we were late so we turned around and went into Sauselito for dinner. Chuck led me thru a bunch of 2 lane twisty bits and then it got dark. Heading home on 280 after dark is a real fun rush. You tear away from traffic and you try to see beyond your lights. The mirrors on the bike are almost useless - but, at night you get a better feeling about what is around you from how bright their lights are around you.



Get the bike in the garage and pull the gloves, helmet and jacket off. Wipe off any crud that happen to get in the way of the bike and just look at it. I like the paint. And the black pipes crackle as they cool off. That was fun.






2nd trip over the Golden Gate

This time on the Yellow V. I leave saratoga early saturday morning and it is sunny and warm down here in the valley. I run up 280 north to Chucks house in the city. I sputter to a slow stop after after Bunker Hill on the shoulder of the centeer divide! What! I should have enough gas! Oh. Yeah, the reserve....throw it over hit the starter...boom I'm off again at freeway speeds. I see a few bikes going south... and they look over like i must be lost. As i clear the hill just below serramonte....i see big clouds. Rain? Heavy drizzle and I pull off and into a Shell station to gas up and wipe off....I think about turning back and cancel that idea - too close to the city and it could clear up. Nervous times riding in the wet with cars and trucks around you. I get to Chucks and we sit and talk in front of his stove with the oven on to dry me out. Chilly out there and even more when you are wet. It eventually clears after noon and we head out over the bridge to ride the curvey roads up to and around Mt Tam and Marin.

We come off the mountain heading north on the ridge overlooking Stinson Beach. The swell was up and you could see the sets of waves wrap the point into the bay. We ride on the road used for many car commercials. Pristine blacktop with green grass on either side. The fog is rolling in but some parts of the coast are still clear. The motorcycle is like surfing. You carve your turns, you balance and move your weight around to get this metal beast in and around traffic or obstacles. We descend into redwood forests where the turns are sometimes wet from dripping trees and the light of the sun can barely peek thru the canopy. Finally just above sea level we tank up our tanks to make it back to the city. And jump on Lucas Valley Road back to 101 south.




It is summer and the sun takes it's time going down. It is almost dinner time and after Chuck leads us over the bridge and around the persidio we head for the wharf. Chucks friend has a band and they are performing at a bar. We pull up in the midst of a tourist swarm and because the bikes are small enough we park right across the street from the bar and we can hear the band doing covers of classic KFOG rock. I can't even get both gloves off when this guy walks up with his camcorder and his baby and asks if he can take a picture of the baby on the bike! I don't know what he wants really but, i say yes and next thing i know i am holding a one year old on the gas tank as the dad goes into the street and stops traffic to get his shots. The music was great and it was nice to relax and kick back with my friend and a beer and talk about the ride. Leaving was another thing. First we walk down to In & Out burger and wolf down some burgers and fires....this is where i learn about fires well done....very crispy and not soggy. It is dark now and the crowds are still walking the wharf. We unlock the helmets and bikes and get set for a ride thru the city. This old biker walks up and recognizes the custom chrome engine....talks to me about it and tries to talk me into doing a wheelie down the street. Yeah right. When we start up the V Twin comes to life like an M80 going off in a sewer pipe. We idle for a bit just letting it blip along. Now some teenage kid jumps off the sidewalk and taps me on the shoulder and yells over the engine "Yeah!!!!!!!" and gives me the thumbs up.... A show bike is just that. For the show.... i don't like the attention. Makes me nervous. I put my face sheild down and watch the on coming traffic for a break so we can leave. I glance over to the sidewalk diners who scornfully look at the noise that is ruining their dinner in romantic SF. Oh well... Chuck nods that we go.....so we go and Our pipes roar down the street and reverb off the buildings and i can still hear some people on the sidewalk whooping it up. We turn up a street and head out into the dark.




The SARATOGA CAR SHOW



The blue V was one of the original prototypes built in 2003. Now street legal (barely) with all it's lights etc. I was going to bring the yellow V but, someone dropped it and craked the fairing. Ouch.