Righto then. After a rather messy night at 'Angels', it was time to carry on through Mammoth Lakes on the # 395...and the roads!! Perfect surface with sweepers that just kept on going. NO potholes, no corners that tighten...without doubt the best riding roads I've EVER ridden.
Got to the entrance to Yosemite National Park (the # 120), and thought "This can't get any better". WRONG.
If there is life after death, our lost biker friends will be riding this road back and forth all day every day! The pictures I've taken simply don't do it any justice. If I'd had the time, I would've gone back and forth over it several times!
The only bummer was coming out the other side and realizing it was (for now) all over.
The ride through to San Jose (where I was staying for Laguna weekend) was pretty uneventful, but there as far more in store!
I had a couple of days to kill before race weekend, so did a bit of tootlin round. I rode down to Big Sur on the # 1 along the Pacific Coast...and once again was simply BLOWN AWAY by it's beauty!
The fog was constantly rolling in off the sea as thick as a blanket, and it made for an eerie and at the same time gorgeous riding experience.
The second time I did this road (on my way back to LA after Laguna Seca), I had no time to take in it's beauty, as I came across a guy on a Ducati Multistrada who simply DID NOT want to get left behind!
We had a fantastic and spirited ride that lasted a whole tank of gas, and only ended when we came across a CHP officer. Once we realized the fun was over, we both pulled over for a look at the senery with a cigarette, and had a good laff at our 'ride'!
We'd carved up dozens of 'Squids' on their GSXR's and 1098's etc, and loved every minute of it. Turns out he's done quite a bit of road racing over the years, and it showed!
It was on this ride that I saw an indicated 140 mph on the mighty Buell!
I must add now (and not because I sell them!), that the Buell was a fantastic choice for this ride. Being 'upright' doing the miles I did was fantastic (3200 miles in total I think), and it never missed a beat. It's handling on this hard out bit was planted and quick, with not even a head shake. It's roll on power from 70-90 mph was easy to use and effective, and it's roomy and comfy seat was the best I've parked my bony arse on.
I stayed the night in Santa Barbara (which I must say, is one of THE most beautiful cities I've had the pleasure of staying in), before making my way back to the HD demo fleet cntr in LA.
The Freeways of LA were now a piece of piss.
End of story.
Oh except this...anyone that gets the chance to ride that part of the world, DO IT!! The weather, the people, the roads...f*cking unreal!!
I'm already planning a trip back with some mates.
Pete
The pictures here are the Mammoth Lakes area, and Yosemite National Park.
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Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback
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