California motorcycle rally

(Note: Slide show at bottom. Thanks!)

Once a year I take a long motorcycle trip as a vacation. This year I went to a rally based out of Santa Margarita, California. Santa Margarita is not far from San Louis Obispo and Morro Bay.

 I have been going to rallies since 2000, so know many of the people who show up at these things. Its always a great way to meet and greet friends not seen for a year or more, and meet some new friends along the way.

 This year I stayed at Las Vegas (Circus, Circus) on both the outgoing and return legs of the trip. Price for the room was not bad, about $42.00 per night, but I am not a big city person and I certainly felt out of place on “the strip”. But…it was good to have a nice air-condition room to sleep in (daytime temps in the 90’s) when I got off the bike!

 Day 1 got me as far as Las Vegas. On day 2 (A Thursday) I arrived at the Santa Margarita KOA. I had camp set up by around 5:30 local time, so decided to take off for a ride to the ocean (Morro Bay) and get something to eat.

 It was quite cool at the beach, but I enjoyed the ride, watching the waves break, and watch the antics of the sea gulls. As much as I like my mountains, there is something about a sunset over the ocean that is very satisfying to watch.

 Dinner that night was pizza. I had developed a hunger for one on the ride out, and finally found a local joint in the town of Itascadero. I managed to eat an entire 10-inch Canadian Bacon, and boy it sure tasted good!

 The next morning I called a pair of friends who had also arrived early (Main rally was  scheduled  for Saturday) and we got together for breakfast at Denny’s in Paso Robles. We decided to head up to a national monument named The Pinnacles. Of more interest to people who have an interest in geology, The Pinnacles sits on the edge of the San Andreas Fault. Right on the edge…broken formations are separated by several miles, showing how the fault has slipped over the eons.

 The best part of this trip way California Hwy 25, which is the route to the eastern entrance to the monument. It runs along the edge of a fertile valley, and is great for motorcycle riding. 

 After visiting The Pinnacles, the 3 of us headed north to Hollister, west to 101, then back south to the KOA where the rally host was cooking dinner. A nice evening ensued, with other riders showing up and eating dinner around a fire.

 The Saturday main group ride began after a campground breakfast of French Toast and Sausage. The group leaders set up a route out to the Pacific Coast, taking back roads through valleys and a planned stop for lunch. As with the previous morning, temperatures were a bit on the cool side, 50’s with some morning fog.

 Now, getting a group of bikers to do anything in unison is akin to herding cats. None the less, we finally got going and did some riding. I confess to being part of the problem, as myself and another guy headed out to get supplies and fuel. We met the rest of the group on the way back to the KOA.

 We stopped for lunch in the town of Cambria. It was a very pleasant stop, with good food at reasonable prices. Once everyone was full, we mounted up ant took off north along the coast, stopping for some group riding shots.

 Eventually we headed back to the KOA for dinner. Larry and Kelli, the hosts, did an excellent job of preparing a meal of briskit and trimmings. Lots of talk, a few beers, some wine, and good company made for a very pleasant evening.

 Sunday was departure day for some of the riders. Not me…I had planned to start back on Monday. As it was, a group of 5, including me, formed up to ride north, as the other 4 were heading that direction on their homeward routs. We got on the road after saying our goodbyes to the others, rode up Hwy 101, ate at a genuine Mexican restaurant (I still don’t know exactly what I had) and headed west. Turning north-west on G-16, we were riding through Carmel Valley.

 This is a very nice bike ride. Carmel-by-the-sea is a high-bucks area, and I can see why. Beautiful old houses and ranches, flowers blooming everywhere, and picturesque fields and pastures abound. Eventually we arrived in Monterey Bay, and took in Fisherman’s Warf. After walking around and getting a souvenir for Pam (I had my orders!) it was time for me to head back to camp, and the others to continue their trips home.

 I was able to come back on Hwy 1, the Pacific Coast Highway. Even better, the fog and cloudiness that had been with us for most of the day cleared out on this last leg. I was able to get some good bridge and landscape photos, and stopped at a look out point to watch the sun set over the ocean. It was a very nice way to wrap up the rally.

 Monday morning I packed up and headed home. I stayed in Las Vegas that night, and arrived home at about 6:30 P.M. on Tuesday.

 Over-all, I rode 2,920 miles. Of these, about 990 miles were “local” miles ridden after I arrived at the KOA and before I left to return home. Monterey Bay had the highest gas prices, about $4.60 per gallon for mid-grade, or about $4.50 for regular unleaded. Longest stretch is the home-to-Las Vegas segment, about 548 miles. However, the Barstow to Bakesfield link is probably the ugliest. Best stretch is through western Utah into the St. George area, as the elevation is high enough to be cooler, you can see some snow in the mountain peaks, and the valleys have enough water to stay green.

I do enjoy these outings, and look forward to planning next year’s trip.

 That’s it for now. Thanks for looking in!

Note on photos:  This is a very limited selection. If you are interested in seeing more photos, including the people I rode with, see my CaliRally page. The link is on the Jerry’s Toys page, or you can click on view page.

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