Gray Beard Monday

Alas, Sturgis 2018 is now history.  Speaking of the annual biker migration with a fellow rider earlier today (neither of us joined the festivities this year), the shortest route from San Diego to the Black Hills is riding up I-15 through the desert.

It might look picturesque to some, but it definitely isn't when the triple digit temperatures make it feel like riding through a blast furnace.  Mile after mile in the heat isn't ideal by any circumstances.  It actually sucks big time.  And riding at night is risky, due to the critters out on the pavement.  But I drift off topic.  Sturgis has passed and the annual summer road trip has yet to be accomplished, so some serious planning is in order.

Maybe up one of the perennial favorites, the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) into Oregon?

Now that's more like it!  A truly marvelous ride, heading north or south, particularly with a buddy.

Maybe with a stop for a bite at the Whale Watcher Inn.

Wait a minute, though.  I haven't checked, but the wildfires might exclude large sections of this near perfect route.

Keerapp!  Guess I shouldn't plan on riding the PCH this year.

Back to the map to plan something adventurous for this year's ride.  Stay tuned for updates.

Before finishing this post, it's only appropriate to offer a bit of humor to fellow bikers, with a big shout out to the V-twin crowd.  Check out this link, turn up the speakers, and prepare to chuckle.

Summer road trip

Wahoo, we received rain overnight and it has been cold by San Diego standards.  Heck, around here, if it is in the 40s and 50s, people break out the parkas, gloves, and watch caps.  Might be wearing long johns too.  Having lived around the world, including areas suffering from snow and frigid temps, as well as cold rain, this really ain't that bad.  But as an old and wise biker, riding in the rain is something to be avoided.

Consequently, the Harley remained in the garage today.  Not a wasted day, because it was time to tackle the taxes.

But, all day, in the back of my mind were thoughts of the summer road trip.




My buddy and I have been talking about the options for this summer for the past several months.  

Due to a variety of factors, we weren't able to hit the road for anything by short day rides over the past year, when he and his bride were in the area.  So the need for a new adventure has been uppermost in our minds.

We've done Sturgis.

We've done Hollister.

We've done back roads in Oregon.

And we've done the PCH, including stopping at the ubiquitous Whale Watcher Inn.

At the dinner table, over a beer, with our brides listening, we last discussed doing some of the less traveled roads in Oregon.  That's a good destination for a variety of reasons, not the least of which being it is the state between the two of us.  I'm in the San Diego region and he is on the Washington coast.  Furthermore, we grew up together in Oregon and are partial to the terrain and natural beauty.

In years past, we have met in northern California to begin an adventure.  Doing the same this year, we could head up the PCH from Eureka to Newport and then head east on Route 20, maybe as far as Ontario.  Maybe hooking south at Bend on Route 97 to Klamath Falls, with a side trip to Crater Lake.  Unparalleled beauty.

 

Sitting here at the computer, it is very easy to envision rolling along those roads, side-by-side with my buddy of 60 years.  Two grey beards in the prime of their lives, enjoying the freedom and independence of the open road.

Ah, yes, the summer road trip.