Women Riders World Relay

Getting there= 348 miles of pure yuck

The ride to San Francisco is never fun.  The 101 is a boring slog but once you hit Oakland its a lane splitting nightmare.  Though the drivers seem to be aware of motorcycling lane splitting and about 40% of them move over which is a blessing.

Once at the hotel I went over a list of things that Dash will need fixed before he is 100%–but more on that later.

The actual miles= 412 miles via PCH 1

The day started out with a ride to Pacifica…at 6am…in the dark!  Now anyone who knows me knows I do not ride at dusk, dawn, or during the night.  Regardless of the motorcycle I have only ridden in the dark literally 3 times.  Once when SOHC-4 boys insisted on going out to eat in San Luis Obispo and we rode to the  hotel after.   A second time when I planned poorly a fun ride to Jolen and misjudged the amount of time it would take on the ride back.  The third time with Rick and Laura riding in Colorado when for the life of us we couldn’t figure out why Laura’s bike kept stopping.

The fourth time-

My Bay Bridge at night

And this is the last time I will ever ride across the Bay Bridge at night.  Thirty miles to Pacifica to meet up with the other riders.  Here were about half of them (the rest were at Santa Cruz waiting).

Dark and cold

There was a film crew there to document the event and Dash was of course a hit.  Here is a photographer taking pictures of Dash.  They were swarming around and I think they got a picture from every angle.  I am going to have to figure out how to get my hands on one of them or where the film will be posted.

And here is the cutest thing ever.  These 2 Corgi’s (the other one was out on a walk) travel around on the bike.  What?!  They are really well behaved and adorable.

We left at 7:30 am to get to Santa Cruz, CA for the rest of the riders and here is a long shot (not all bikes are in the picture).  There were a lot of bikes there–I think about 50.

We literally took over the parking lot.  There I am in the bottom right corner–a shadow trying to get the shot

At the ride meeting it was decided that there was no way the entire group could all ride PCH 1 and get to Los Angeles in time for the party.  The organizers asked who wanted to go the 101 (What?  Oh hell no) or who wanted to take PCH.  My hand shot up first for PCH (I would go alone if need be).  About 10 others chose PCH and alas my dream of riding down the 1 with 50 other bikes, a group of women never to be seen again,  immediately ended.  Done.

Our small group huddled together and made plans for lead and sweep, trip route, gas stops, lunch, etc…But before we left Santa Cruz the entire group met at the Santa Cruz Surf Museum for photos by the film crew

We took over this parking lot too.

Have you ever watched women getting their photos taken?  It takes a really long time-ha ha.  The PCH crew didn’t have patience for this so after a tentative question, “Do any of you want to stay for the picture?” which was met with utter silence.  Question asked again.  One brave soul said, “Not really.”

Off we went.

Some pictures from the road…

Love my tunnels.  This was from the initial ride to Pacifica, CA

PCH 1

Once home I made a list of what Dash needs to be 100%.  Though his engine is so much stronger.  Every gear pulls amazingly well and he loves running along at high RPMs which I am being more tolerant of.

Here is the list:

1. I need new fork springs and to change the fork oil.  I don’t recall when I did it last (but know I did it) or how often that is supposed to be done.  Ugh.  I could feel it starting to bottom out.  My arms and shoulders are paying the price today!  That’s a job for Jeff.

2. For some reason I have Gorilla tape on the clutch lever.  Why?  I cannot recall.  Well in the heat the glue melts to it and that darned tape keeps sticking to my gloves    Not fun.  Was actually shocking the first time it happened.  LOL

3. I need to move the shifter rod down a spline or two.  What was I thinking

4. My rear brake lever spring is shot.  Guess it only has a 42 year life span.

5. I need to hook up my transistorized ignition.  Though Dash did really well with the Honda points he will be so much smoother without them

6. and last but not least my idle is off.  After the engine warms I have to adjust it back to 1000 RPM.  Don’t know what that is about as it never did it before the engine rebuild and the carb cleaning.  Easy fix just wonder why.

So that was my WRWR ride.  Not what I imagined but what really is?  So fortunate I could be a part of this historic event…maybe sometime I can ride down PCH with 50 bikes…one can only dream.