Arizona Ghost Town Tour : day 4

Miles = 356

191>70>60>177>77

So much weather in Arizona 🤣 I was so cold in the morning I made everyone stop so I could put on more layers. Luckily they know I will need to stop for a restroom emergency or to layer.

Jessie and Cathie joined us last night and Jess led the way. He was a good leader. Somewhat conservative, at times, in his riding unless you hit 9000+ in elevation. Then he chooses to stop in the middle of a road. On a curve. All this to point out we were above 9000 feet in elevation. I almost had a heart attack

We then hit the 191 also known as devils highway because it used to be called the 666. But everyone kept stealing the signs so they renamed it. This road was chock full of hair pin turns, safety pins and Bob pins (we named them that when in Europe motorcycling – those are not real things). It was a twisty filled – joy filled ride

This depicts the 191

As we pulled over at a turn out one of us dropped the bike. Now I must add that yesterday another person dropped their bike while trying to get out of the cavern parking area. Anyone who knows me, or reads this blog, knows I am infamous for dropping my bike. so smart money is on me as to who dropped their bike. But alas, it was NOT me. Either time. Luckily no one was hurt (other than their egos taking a hit) and the bikes were fine too. Now, back to the story, when we pulled out at the turn out, on very deep gravel, two guys were there on motorcycles and ran over to help. They were super nice. When they eventually pulled out they had cigarettes in their mouths. Super 60s look. How did those things not fly out at speed?

As we continued on the 191 we rode past the largest gold and copper mine which was so very colorful and exceedingly large. I don’t quite know how to feel about this

We then left the 191 and Jess led us on the side roads to his home. While riding there was a Rick Hall Shooowwew: The Rick Hall Show! —preview all about cotton as one each side of the 70 there were fields and fields of cotton growing. On the Rick Hall Show was a discourse about how crop rotations have saved the farmers farms so that farmers could continue farming. This went on for quite some time until a commercial finally interrupted scheduled programming

What a great day. Tomorrow off to Apache junction for the next ghost town and then to Ricks train museum in Chandler. No more twisties. But hopefully the ghost town will be spectacular.

I cannot upload pictures here so that will be tomorrow.

See you on the road!!!

Arizona Ghost Town Tour: day 3

Miles = 310

U-Turns = 3

Laura sneezing= 5

Lisa sneezing = 1

Smooshed pennies = 3

Hot damn it was cold. Until we hit Winslow AZ.

Standing on the corner in Winslow AZ

Today was the day of failures and mishaps. Other than the rain which Rick kept insisting would occur no matter how many people. (Including strangers who had no investment in the outcome) tried to tell him. The day began with Rick and Laura’s shower clogging and toilet overflowing. Nothing can compare with that but my batteries in my SPOT died and then Laura’s kickstand came apart. That would have been a true disaster if she had lost more than just a bolt.

After Winslow we rode to the Petrified Forest. I had been there in the early 90s with Carolina and the petrified wood was spectacular to look at but it wasn’t quite like I recalled. I can’t put my finger on how I remembered it to how it was now but with time I’m certain I will. I did get a souvenir as I always regretted not having one (and I didn’t even pilfer it).

Rick and Laura lend a helping hand. I told them it was too heavy

At the end of the day we stopped for some much needed alcohol and while Rick and Laura have no room in their saddlebags I had a ton of space. Rick likened it to Mary Poppins purse!

Tomorrow we go to the 191 and finally the twisties with Jess and Cathy who joined us in Springerville

Arizona ghost town tour: day 2

Miles= 326

U-Turns = 2

Laura sneezing = 151 (I’m not kidding)

Smooshed pennies = 1

We left lovely Barstow at a very reasonable hour. Things were looking good. I was feeling good. I was going to find my riding groove. As we left the hotel and turned to get on to the freeway I had my face shield up to greet the day. Breathing in the fresh cold air we made our first left turn and the worlds biggest bug hit me square in the eye.

Maybe I would need to rethink this day.

We rode from the 40>93>125 (which was Chloride and our first ghost town). 93>40>66

Chloride was quite small

The town

The original jail

A lazy day

I look like I tumbled into them. Ha ha

Inside the jail

After Chloride we rode on to the Grand Canyon caverns which also has a hotel. Pre COVID you could literally stay in a room in the cavern (wait for the picture) but now you cannot. So we opted for the regular hotel (and it’s crappy WiFi and large sloth like bugs) but took the tour.

Now about the tour. Dino was the tour guide and it was all,I could do to manage my irritation. Dino REALLY liked puns. And I mean REALLY LIKED PUNS. I hate puns with a passion. So for one hour I had to listen to his spiel while Laura was absolutely engaged in everything he said. it was as if nuggets of gold and love were dropping from his lips. They became a duo. Two peas in a pod. I wanted to jump into the cavern just to escape the banter.

But let’s see a picture of where we could have stayed if not for COVID

We would have stayed here. Can you imagine?

Tomorrow we are off to the Petrified Forest. Cannot wait. I was there in the early 1990s so it will be a real treat to revisit it once again.

But before that back to talk with Rick and Laura -who is grilling me about all sorts of things. It’s like an interview with Oprah or Barbara Walters. Maybe I can get her to drink more of those tiny rum bottles she brought with her and she will pass out. Ha ha

Love you Laura ❤️

A freight train for Rick!

Arizona Ghost Town tour: day 1

Miles= 248

U-Turn = 2

As with all trips to Rick and Laura’s house the ride begins as a slog. 101>118>210blah blah > something else Blah blah …

Until you arrive at Rick’s Evel Knieval jump ramp of a driveway. Why must all of his houses have this? After reconnecting we had (my favorite lunch) of hotdogs and jalapeño cheese dip (which by the way is bright orange).

In an attempt to get a jump on the next day we decided to drive to lovely Barstow. Rick made certain that we rode Route 66 at every chance. We then visited the Blue Bottle ranch or Bottle town or something with a bottle (I asked Rick 3x and don’t want to ask again him again. I’m certain he will correct me in the comments section)

Here are some pictures. It really is amazing the commitment this guy had to creating this. Truly remarkable

I thought this typified our trip rather well…

A ghost of a bike starting out our ghost town tour

And just in case Rick’s love of trains surpasses the tour this is for him

And a few more views

Tomorrow we go to Arizona and see a ghost town and finish out with a well planned (by Rick) cave tour!!!!

July 4th-Social Distancing run

Well it would appear that COVID has canceled my 2020 trip to Blue Ridge Parkway on Dash.  Thus, Rick took pity on me and decided to come to me for a short (mileage wise) long (day in the saddle) ride.

He had heard that Gibraltar Road was a scenic road and not far from me so off we went.  I had never been on the road.

183 miles and 5 hours later we made a twisty loop without any freeway.

As we were trying to find Gibraltar Road some nice socially distant walkers informed us we had passed it 50 yards back.  U-turns.  I hate them.  This one I was not feeling very comfortable about as I kept seeing myself dropping the bike, and, of course, due to my lack of confidence drop the bike I did.  So embarrassing.

While Rick took his sweet time sauntering toward me to assist he of course said, and I quote, “Time to go back to StreetMasters.”  Yeah, yeah, pick up the pace Rickina.  Luckily the kind hiker rushed over to help and we popped Raquel upright, checked out my bike (all good) and I tucked my tail between my legs and off to Gibraltar Road we went. It just isn’t a ride if I am not falling over at least once!

The road was quite nice.  Not too many cars, lots of bicyclists, and fairly nice pavement.  We stopped to take a picture and the asphalt was so soft that our bikes started to sink into it.  I pointed this out to Rick and we decided to find a less scenic place to stop.  No one wanted to be picking up 2 bikes.  Again.

Here are some pictures of the Vista.  We were up almost 4,000 feet in elevation.  That fog bank never lifted but provided some nice heat relief as we rode along.

Rick striking a pose for the camera

Mickey decorating the roadside.

Picking up the familiar 154 we headed to lunch and then to Foxen Canyon Road (a perennial motorcycle favorite).   And, I kid you not, not one single car in front of us.  It was magical.  The entire 30+ miles just us.  Turning back around we retraced our steps (but not on Gibraltar Road again) and pulled over (yet another U-turn-come on!) to take a picture of Rick’s favorite car (a 1950 something truck) that he had and it was a red/rust patina  so he painted yellow-insert lots of details here…

Cool truck, but I guess his didn’t have a cactus sticking out of the engine…

Guess this is my 2020 ride of any magnitude.  I will have to plan something epic for 2021 to make up for 2020’s dismal showing.

COVID 19 Quick Trip day 3

178 miles to home

Total for trip= 596 miles

Today’s ride literally back tracked the first day’s ride.  It was a great riding day.  Little to no wind, few cars, and a lot of nice twisty roads.

Here are the Mormon Rocks that I made Rick and Laura stop for…I would have spent more time there trying to get just the right pick but I didn’t think that would be to well received (no one ever takes off their helmets when I stop–that is the universal signal for “lets hurry it up already!”

Lest you think I am exaggerating…

 

Just staring and waiting…ha ha.  Now that I look at it this is actually a more interesting image than the Mormon Rocks!

COVID 19 Quick Trip day 2

240 miles of backroads

Off we went bright and early to meet up with Jess, Cathie, and Rick #2. So nice to see Jess and Cathy again it has been over a year I think. After fussing for literally 15 minutes we gave up on trying to connect to our communicators with 4 people. So 3 was the best we could do. Step aside Rick #2 😂

We left Grand Terrace and rode to Palomar Mountain to have a picnic since restaurants are still few and far between. Laura packed a yummy lunch for us.

The roads were twisty, some were goaty, most were bumpy…I certainly was put to the test today. Some lines were horrid. Others pretty good. It’s always a mixed bag!

Here are some pictures from the road:

This is what we met at the top of the observatory. Our picnic would be on a bench in the woods.

Here is Rick taking a break

From our picnic view. My old Kentucky home, this is exactly the home I want 😉

Hoses scattered all about.

An overlook view

Everyone waiting for me to get done taking an overlook view photo

Some sweet little donkeys by the side of the road as we neared home

Rick just sent this photo of us along the road during a break.

Tomorrow I ride home and Rick and Laura will be accompanying me to Palmdale. I want to capture those Mormon Rocks

COVID 19 Quick Trip Day 1

Home to San Bernardino = 178 miles

The day was a tad overcast and chilly but it was time to get back on the bike. I hadn’t been riding much and this was a good excuse to meet up with Rick and Laura.

I loaded up the bike and nothing. She wouldn’t start. I knew the battery was fine and the starter was whirrrring so…..hmmmmm. After running through everything in my mind I decided to just keep trying to will it to start. And it did . Off I went …

I ended up meeting Rick and Laura in Santa Clarita and had, what else, a burger. As we were connecting our headsets I of course had tried to fix my microphone the day before and basically glued the wrong side to the Velcro (don’t ask). So no talking for me (which I think Rick appreciated) but I could hear them. Luckily Laura understood my hand gestures especially when Rick began talking about crashes ! The funniest moment that I couldn’t even comment on was when I heard a loud thud and Laura squealed that 3 bugs hit her helmet in succession. Too funny. For the rest of the day Rick led us on 100 miles of nice sweepers and S curves.

Once we got home I stole Ricks extra boom microphone for my communication system and now I can talk back and insist on stopping (like at the Mormon Rocks which are amazing or the Estate sale Rick flew by). Thanks Rickina

Lastly my headlight apparently is worthless. Rick and I changed it out with a super bright one so off we go tomorrow on our COVID adventure

Off to Palomar Mountain and to quote Rick “among other places”

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.

Day 13. Grand Terrace CA to Home

Here is the ride from Utah to Montana.

Total miles = 2,402