Paso Robles Mini-Rally

[Capn Ron]

In keeping with the theme of "anything more than two FJ's is a rally", I thought I'd write this one up!

MoparMan and FJMonkey had been talking up a ride for a few weeks...dates uncertain...destination uncertain.  The only thing that *was* certain is the need for a ride!  Well, some ideas were bounced around in emails here and there...San Francisco maybe?  Palomar Mountain maybe?  I then went on a wine tasting weekend in Paso Robles and put my input into the email thread:  "There are roads in Paso that HAVE to be ridden on a motorcycle!"

The conversation started centering on Paso Robles and the dates were shifting around.  We got a couple of days of rain and at some point, I wasn't sure if the ride was still on or not.  Late one Saturday night, I was reading a post by the Monkey and I sent him a PM.  "Aren't you already up in Paso?"  "Nope, we're leaving early in the morning, meeting up near your house!"  Done.  I packed up a few things, readied the bike and met Steve and Mark at the Denny's just down the road.  Over An All-American Slam, we sorted out this route:



Give or take, I did 260 miles...Mark did 290 and Steve at least an extra hundred coming up from Oceanside.  We had spectacular weather!  It was in the mid-70's and total sunshine.

A quick stop off the 33 to decide which route to take up in the mountains:



We then rode some AMAZING roads!  The 58 west towards the coast was spec-effin-tacular!  Lots of twisty sections, elevation changes, great views, then interrupted by straight runs for a nice break and repeat, repeat, repeat!!!



I got into my own rhythm and was riding in probably the best "groove" I have ever been in.  We made quick work of a lot of asphalt on the 58 and I was grinning ear to ear as Steve brought up the rear:



We stopped off in the tiny town of Santa Margarita and got some burgers at "The Porch Cafe"...a most welcome meal...and they even let me bring in some wine I had packed along for the ride!



While we were out riding all day, Steve's wife was busy booking us a room at this place:



We got a suite with two queen beds, a sofa-sleeper, complimentary breakfast and...wait for it...happy hour with an open bar!



Which we took FULL advantage of!  

We had a blast...an excellent day of riding...a great hotel for the night and it was only the first day!

[ribbert]

Cap'n Ron,

Great bikes, fabulous roads, brilliant scenery, good company, perfect weather, great tucker washed down with personally selected wine, a PA to handle your accommodation AND happy hour with an open bar.

Cap'n, for the sake of those of us that are working or snow bound please tell us there was something that wasn't perfect, anything!

Anyway, half your luck, sounds like a great time being had by all.

Ain't that what it's all about.

Noel

[Firehawk068]

Just awesome!
You guys suck!.........................I'm jealous..............

[Steve_in_Florida]

Most excellent!

What a cool group.

I can't wait to ride with you guys again. Soon. Very soon...

Steve

[movenon]

Your killing me, but please keep the posts coming for all of us that can't ride until spring.    Nice to see you guys even if it is just in the pictures.
George

[cclase]

...and unless a lot has changed since the mid 90's, SLO is just a super cool little town to visit!
Chris

[aviationfred]

You guys really know how to rub it in..... 30*F this morning and a wintery mix forcasted for tomorrow. 

Glad the 3 of you had such a great time on your ride.

Next time you are in San Louis Obispo, Have lunch at The Apple Farm, They have incredible Apple Dumplings. Have them in a bowl with some milk and suger. 


Fred

[FeralRdr]

Another great write up by the Capn. 

[racerrad8]

...for the sake of those of us that are working or snow bound please tell us there was something that wasn't perfect, anything!

Noel

The Monkey is on crack...

Randy - RPM

[Capn Ron]

Day 2 - Paso Robles loop - ~200 miles

Our ride was just under 200 miles and looked like this:



Somewhere in the midst of drinking the value of our room in wine at the hotel's open bar the night before, we hatched a plan to go wine tasting!  Go figure.  Hey, we're in Paso Robles!!!  This area is well know for their Rhone varietals and big Zinfandels and we weren't going to pass that up!

Because we were riding, we only made one stop for tasting.  It's so difficult to pick just one, but Justin Vineyards was an easy choice!  The ride there was very foggy along tree-lined roads...it was a bit chilly, but always puts a smile on my face...it's the cold night temperatures, the morning fog and the hot days that make this such a great area for growing grapes!  We had a flight of six wines and we each had a different favorite.



We picked up a couple of bottles and headed on our way!

We then headed up more twisty roads and up around Lake Nacimiento (Nah-See-Me-En-Toe)...say it with me Steve!  I don't know about anyone else, but I think we have our own "Tail of the Dragon!"



What a great ride this was turning out to be!  We got up to Nacimiento-Fergussen road and headed towards the coast.  Along that route, we got to ride through Fort Liggett...A US Army training facility that was built in the 1940's on land purchased from William Randolph Hearst...If you're ever in the area, I highly recommend a visit to the Hearst Castle in San Simeon!!  The land up there is very serene and we enjoyed riding through Fort Ligget...and even did a stream crossing on the FJ's!  (missed photo op there!)



We started to gain some elevation and the road got twisty again.  We stopped from time to time to take in a nice view:



At some point we started descending towards the coastline and were rewarded with amazing views of the Pacific Ocean:



The road got steep and twisty on the way down to PCH...(you can see Highway one in the distance here):



Steve came up with the idea to just "Coast to the Coast!"  We put the bikes in neutral and coasted nearly 6 miles...it was PERFECT!  No engine noise, just the sound of the breeze and taking in the great views!  I hung back for a bit so I could get a shot of the "coasters!"





We lined the bikes up on PCH and took a few pictures:



As many of you can attest, this is an amazing section of California's Highway 1 along the Big Sur section!  We headed south and being a Monday, nearly had the road to ourselves.  We did our best to treat the next 40 miles like a race-track...sans the felonious speeds!  Our next stop was this place for dinner:



That's the Main Street Grill in Cambria, CA.  It's the same place where Derek, Donna, Skymasteres, the Monkey and I all met to ride up to the WCR last year.  I think Steve will back me up here...order the Tri-Tip sandwich!!!

We then rode another 30 or so miles back to the hotel and turned in for the night.

Who am I kidding?  



We hit happy hour again at the hotel and did our best to keep the bartender busy re-filling our wine glasses!  

After some "campfire" stories up in the suite, THEN we turned in!

Another GREAT day on the bikes...with good friends, good wine, perfect weather and excellent roads!

[Capn Ron]

Cap'n Ron,

Great bikes, fabulous roads, brilliant scenery, good company, perfect weather, great tucker washed down with personally selected wine, a PA to handle your accommodation AND happy hour with an open bar.

Cap'n, for the sake of those of us that are working or snow bound please tell us there was something that wasn't perfect, anything!

Well, one of the wines was poured at slightly lower than proper service temperature.  Ohh, the humanity!   

Anyway, half your luck, sounds like a great time being had by all.

Ain't that what it's all about.

Noel

Thanks Noel...and yes, that IS what it's all about!  Really just that simple.   

[ZOA NOM]

Man, that is EPIC.

Rain, rain, go away, come again another day, or just rain in the mountains for snowpack, or in the reservoirs so we NorCal riders can get a fix!

[Capn Ron]

Day 3 - Homeward bound - ~170 - 270 miles

Well, we chowed down again this morning at the hotel...a very nice offering of breakfast with an excellent omelette station!  Plenty to keep us full for the ride home!  We packed up the luggage and begrudgingly pointed the bikes south on the 101 for the trip home.  This was our ride for the day:



Well, mine anyway.  Mark adds another 30 miles and Steve around another 100 to get home.

We rode the "cutoff" that takes you past Lake Cachuma.  It's a nice road with some elevation gain and nice twisties on the way down to Santa Barbara.  Just when we got over the huge arch-span bridge, Steve led us down a little road on the right...and down to the Cold Spring Tavern.



A hidden little gem that used to be a stage coach stop back in the 1860's!!!  They serve food and beverages and even had their own jail!





While we were stopped there, we took a look at the bikes.  Steve's front tire was starting to show carcass on both sides from all the twisty roads.  Fortunately, the center of the tire had plenty left and it was 90% freeways from then on!   Mark had an oil slick on the right side of his rear tire from his engine crack oil leak, so no hard right corners for him on the way home.  In looking over my bike, I was out of wine, so I made quick work of getting back to Woodland Hills!

We stopped for gas in Ventura and since we were all splitting off at different points, we said our goodbyes there.  We covered over 600 miles in three days that seemed to go by in the blink of an eye!

Thank you Mark and Steve for a most excellent three days of riding...all the laughs...and friendships that last well beyond our little Mini-Rally!  

[Capn Ron]

...for the sake of those of us that are working or snow bound please tell us there was something that wasn't perfect, anything!

Noel

The Monkey is on crack...

Randy - RPM

I'm happy to report that even though Mark was "marking" his territory with oil everywhere we parked...AND we all shared a hotel suite...For the record, I never saw the crack.  Just sayin'.   

[ZOA NOM]

...for the sake of those of us that are working or snow bound please tell us there was something that wasn't perfect, anything!

Noel

The Monkey is on crack...

Randy - RPM

I'm happy to report that even though Mark was "marking" his territory with oil everywhere we parked...AND we all shared a hotel suite...For the record, I never saw the crack.  Just sayin'.   

Does that mean you were the little spoon?