Some time has passed since our last longer tour in Sept.2002. The rainy season is now almost gone, but the way to the east and north is still not prepared for motorcycle touring due to snow, cold and road closures over the mountains. But we are fortunate having the sunny south west and the beautiful coastline at this time of the year.

So before our both PMS (Parked Motorcycle Syndrome) was growing too high and some short rides about 300mi don't help in this case, I planned a ride for 4 days.

The last years at this time of the year, back in Germany, we packed our winter stuff and went for 1 week skiing in the French Alps. The fact that at the end of this January Reiner's 40's birthday came up, I thought about a really special tour to the South. I planned the tour with the help of PASHNIT and a topographic map of South CA. The only problem was, how to program it into the GPS, because I had no idea how to do this. At the end Reiner programmed it and could imagine what the tour will look like. But at least I decided to lead. We can do it this way now because the "Christkindl" (Santa for Americans) brought me, respectively the 1800, a CB and so Reiner is able to give directions as a tailgater.

Our friends Dave and Kourtni wanted to join us, but because of work schedules they decided to meet us 2 days later in the L.A. area. So we started in the morning of the 30 Jan., Reiner's birthday, at 8AM. It was a bit chilly, only around 48°F, but the sun promised already a nice warm day. We drove on I680 in the commuter lane down to I101, passing all the traffic in the other lanes, a great feeling at this time of a normal weekday. On Hwy1 south the first motorcycle heaven was coming up. If you know the traffic on this Hwy on a weekend day, you can't imagine how you can play with the throttle and the curves on an early morning weekday.We didn't have to pass one vehicle until Cambria.We went on from there on Hwy1 to Morro Bay and made a turn onto Hwy41, then short on 229 and took the Panza Rd towards Hwy58 and 33south. The only thing I can say about Hwy58 is, that there is a nice twisty stretch in the beginning, if you go east. The long straight part was only remarkable because of the big dips. If you are going with a high speed over them, it might be you loose traction.

The first part of Hwy33 is just boring, but if one likes flat land and oilfields around Taft that's the road. The really interesting part on this Highway is coming. But short before this part, we made a turn onto Lookwood Valley Rd East. It was a partial rough twisty road with a gorgeous surrounding and we remembered, that we have been on this road some time ago, but the other way coming from I5. We passed the Interstate and went on Hwy138, before we took the N2 or Pine Canyon Rd. This road made a sharp left turn, but the street which went straight on looked very interesting. It was some historic route (Ridge RTE), I forgot the exact details, but we will return another time to drive it. So we decided to go on as planned and this meant until we arrive on Hwy138 again, then 18 towards I15 and Victorville. It was already dark at 5:30PM, the biggest disadvantage, when traveling at this time of the year. In Apple Valley where we wanted to stop for this day, we had been told, that we had to go back to Victorville for a good Motel. As we had in mind driving through Joshua Tree NP the next day, we decided to go on to Yucca Valley, where we finally found a Motel. The restaurant nearby still was open for 30min, enough time to celebrate my husband's birthday.......not exactly what I had in mind. But he was happy riding again, about the roads I had chosen so far and my present of new motorcycle gloves for him. We will have a good dinner another time.

The next day started again with sun and temperatures already in the 60's. That was the time for packing the warm stuff in the trunk and putting on the sunscreen, because it would reach nearly 80°F that day. We decided not to go through the Joshua Tree NP, because we knew the rough road and the speedlimit through the park will cost us to much time. We wanted to ride new roads and see new areas. We were looking forward to play with our bikes on the twisty roads of Hwy74 west, then 243 north and 79 south. But before we had to take off one more layer, because coming through Palm Dessert at 10AM, we hit already 80 degrees. Finally on the right road, we haven't been disappointed and my riding skills had been improving more and more. I didn't scratch in the turns with the 1800, but at least I impressed my husband. (I have to tell, I did scratch before and it scared me like hell, but at least I know what I did wrong that time). He told me afterwards, that he can now drive behind me and not just walk through the turns with his bike.....what a compliment. Hwy79 went into R3, or Sage Road, before it became again 79 south. Our goal was Borrego Springs, so we took S22 East. I can tell you, this was the first tour we did day long only turns and curves. The few straight stretches were really some kind of recovery and this was only the second day. From Borrego Springs we took S3 South to Hwy78 and then 76North. The problem is with all this kind of road that you don't cover lots of miles all day long. When we came to Hwy76, we had already doubts about going to Palomar Mtn. Better said I had doubts, not Reiner as usual. He told me, we will have enough time to drive down from there in daylight. So we made the right turn on Hwy76 into S7 or East Grade Road. When we reached almost the highest point, we got one of the finest view of the San Diego Valley in the sunset we ever experienced. To make this moment perfect, from one of our soundsystems came a nice Waltz from Johann Strauss.

After this impressive moment, we had to drive down on S6. If you noticed I already told you about the sunset, when we were still on the highest point and to drive down (serpentines) we needed at least 1hour......so much for Reiner's daylight driving! I was exhausted after this ride down. In Temecula we locked for a Motel, I couldn't go on much more.

On Hwy74 at a view point we met a very nice couple from Kansas, who were travelling by car and not on their GL1100. The next day in the morning we packed our motorcycle, when we noticed that both of them stayed in the same hotel. We exchanged addresses then and maybe we will see them someday in the Bay Area. But in the evening before, we met another couple from Iowa and talked quite some time. They have a 1800 too, but travelling by car as well. We already got an E-mail from them, but unfortunately without their address. So if you are reading this story, please mail with an address again, because otherwise I can't answer you! But anyhow these incidents showed us, that you can really meet the nicest people on a Honda, even if their bike is standing in the garage.

That evening we heard from our friends Dave and Kourtni, that they started to come down at 7PM. I thought this won't work, so I told them to stay in a Motel on I5 North of L.A. and we can meet at Santa Monica Saturday 11AM. Afterwards it was the right decision, because as usual at this time of the year they had to drive through thick fog in the Valley.

We met all together right on time and everybody seemed really happy, that we can drive together at least 2 days. The fact that they are moving back to Maryland in a couple of weeks, made this effort to meet with us for this tour special.

We left the busy Hwy1 behind us and made a turn onto Hwy27 or the Old Topanga Rd. We wanted to drive the Mulholland Hwy North and visit the Rock Store Cafe. We did a almost leisurely ride all the way, because everyone had to look around for the 'poor men' houses up there and the extraordinary view down to the beaches.

After a short drive on 101 again, we went of to Hwy 150, then Hwy192. After some miles looking at even more 'poor men' houses above Santa Barbara and some wonderful landscaping, we made a right turn to Gibralta Rd., which turns in Camino Cielo Rd. This road was a test for the suspension of all bikes, because after awhile we couldn't avoid every pothole there. Sometimes I saw Kourtni behind Dave jumping off the seat, when he picked a real cruel one and drove right through it. In the last part of the Camino Cielo road, thick fog was coming over the hills and neither one of us could see the other one in front or the road. Luckily it was only a few miles before we hit Hwy154 and could go on a smooth road to Solvang, where we wanted to stay that night.

The plan was, celebrating Reiner's birthday all four of us. But after a good day ride on roads which don't see 3 Goldwings that much, everyone was exhausted, esp. if you have a very good dinner and a good beer, an evening doesn't last that long.

The next morning started out with a breakfast in an identical Danish or European Cofeeshop. Then we went first on Hwy154 and then we made a turn into Foxen Canyon Rd. After some nice miles through a springtime like surrounding, we took the Tepusquet Rd, which brought us to Hwy166 West and on 101 again. In Arroyo Grande we went onto 227 North to San Luis Obispo, nothing very exiting. Further on 101 after SLO we were looking for Hwy58 and Hwy229 North. Now here we could play again with our motorcycles. Esp. I felt the last days exercising on the twisty roads very much. I felt like dancing with my bike through this turns on Hwy227, what a feeling. Throttle back, chin high, leaning and throttle again.........

After this kick we went on Hwy41West and Hwy1 North. Our goal was Cambria and our beloved BBQ Fast-food station there. After a good lunch we headed home on 1/101 North. But we had to turn off at one location because of an accident somewhere around Prunedale. So Reiner's GPS had to lead us around and when we were back on 101 there was almost no traffic. Now it was only my intersection still coming up, which I love or hate or even both, because it is always a challenge to drive with 3 bikes in the dark through it. It's the intersection, where we have to go from I101 to I680 and I only have to look that I get into the proper lane. My adrenaline is always at it's highest level here. But I did it again and my speed is improving also, in a safe manner of course.

As usual, when the four of us come home, we have our own garage party, where we discuss the fun, the mistakes and everything else. In this case we had to discuss, how it was possible that Dave did a wheely at the last stoplight before home and got a lot of bumps on his helmet now........I think Kourtni can answer this question.

Again a tour with a lot of fun and a lot of twisty roads. I think Reiner will remember this birthday a long time.

Besides it was the last tour so far with Dave and Kourtni, as they move back to the East Coast. We will miss them, not only because of riding motorcycles together.

But life goes on and let's ride.

Lisa