Ride to Monterey

[ampm7]

Monterey, Ca that is...not Mexico. I decided to get out because I was itchy and needed to scratch the afflicted areas. I have done this trip several times before on different bikes so it was the longest trip I had done on the 2016 Eldo. The Eldo performed flawlessly except I did have one of the bar end mirrors loosen up near the Cold Springs Tavern on route 154. Quick fix as I carry tools with me. The start of the trip was in rain/drizzle all the way to Santa Barbara and in the Seal Beach area the 6 lane freeway (one side) was down to one lane. This was on a early Sunday morning as in my estimation that is the only time to transit LA on a motorcycle heading north. Needless to say, not a pleasant drive no matter how you slice it. Took 154 out of Santa Barbara to the Cold Springs Tavern and I seriously have to doubt the sanity of taking a 4-6 horse stagecoach up the mountain and down the winding road that they would have had to clear out when there is Lake Cachuma about 3-4 miles away. Anyway, because of my bad leg and hip I just could not stop on the 30+deg incline and the intense amount of people that were there. Maybe some other time during the week. Then up through 154 to Los Olivos and back to 101. The stretch of 101 that is from Goleta to San Luis Obispo is fairly good pavement for some smooth riding. Arrived at San Luis Obispo which I like as it is a college town and there is a "scene" in town but most things were closed up and - rules for everyone. Luckily, Coast Brewing was open on a reduced presence for patrons. I took 46 near Cambria as I always do to 101 and the wind was absolutely vicious! The east wind must have been 50 mph as 12 miles were very dicey and I had to slow to 35mph in a 55 mile zone (the speed limit the whole way) and the temperature dropped to 50deg. After traversing the Green Valley hill (1762 ft) I met up with 101 and went north. I don't know if they are milking it (Caltrans and others) but, the same stretch of highway that was in a state of repair/disrepair 5 years ago is still messed up. The whole highway system in California is in a state of 3rd worldness. A matter of fact, I went into the same gas station in King City as I needed to fuel up and wondered if they had improved the place. The gas was $4.39/gal down from $5.25/gal 2 years ago and they had added a little cement to the atrocious mess that was against the street but they hadn't finished it! Then it was through Salinas to 68 and to Monterey. Laguna Seca is on the right about halfway. Then into Monterey I went as I stay pretty much in the same location on Munras avenue. Monterey is a nice town and the former capital of California when it was held by the Spanish/Mexicans. There is an awesome aquarium in Cannery Row but I didn't go this time as I had been there previously. When we were kids in the late 50's our folks took us there as my parents really liked Steinbeck's books and we saw the Cannery Row as it was, although it was shutting down at the time. Then it was down the Big Sur road that is a 100 plus miles of up and down, 300+ or more turns some slowing to 10mph, old bridges built during the Depression which are still mighty good and some of the worst, I mean the worst asphalt repair jobs I have ever seen. The workers must have been drunk when the repairs took place. Plus, there were 6 flagman one lane road interruptions with a "follow" vehicle leading the way down the whole PCH "1". Luckily, I went to Nepenthe the previous day for lunch before traversing the whole Big Sur route. The trip first heads south through Carmel and Carmel highlands (talk about coastal elites) down to the enclave of Big Sur which is spread out with very small campgrounds and small hotels/restaurants. I had wanted to go to Nepenthe a restaurant as I had ridden by numerous times but never stopped. It is truly a beautiful location. Because these areas are fairly remote, I didn't expect much in the eatery, but was pleasantly surprised. This is the area for remote communes back in the '60s and I would bet that it is still today. There are houses in the most unpredictable cliffs and outcroppings but you really have to look hard for them; something you might not want to do on a motorcycle on switchbacks. Then it was through San Simeon to Morro Bay and back to San Luis Obispo. I'll tell you on thing, the trip back on 101 is OK but once you get onto 405 it is the worst pummeling bump wise that you could imagine. I think I got airborne a couple of times particularly on the joints that the freeway is going over an underpass. Absolutely, bone jarring! Arrived in one piece, with no close calls. I would call that a successful ride.       

 










2014 honda civic si quarter mile

[Perazzimx14]

Could have been Monterey VA.

[fotoguzzi]

You got high on the joints to go over an underpass?

[oldbike54]

 Thanks 

  Dusty

[JJ]

Nice photos...   Monterey is a beautiful place...

[AH Fan]

Wow......... yup I miss that whole area.
Here's hoping borders are open and things get back to normal for next years riding season.

Ciao

[Murray]

I appeciate the effort that goes into writing things up but can I suggest a few double spaced paragraphs would make it a bit easier to read.

[tazio]

Monterey and Carmel. Brought back good memories of my honeymoon 15 yr years ago. Thanks!

[LowRyter]

Great place.  I've done the PCH from as far down as Big Sur to the top in Mini Turbo.  I'd like to try the whole thing at least as far down to Santa Barbara someday.  A motorcycle would be better.

[ampm7]

Yes Murray, I should have put it into paragraphs; my bad for readability. I forgot one picture of the wharf that is touristy and the other fishing wharf of which Lou Lou's eatery is located and was closed. They have some really good down home food (particularly the salads) and instead ate at the Sandab. Weather was perfect as the last time I was there it was foggy.


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[jwinwi]

Thank you for posting

[groundhog105]

That sounds like a fun trip.  Yes California roads are a mess