| Author | Message | ||
     Nocompromise |
I only started riding again a few months ago, but I've now ridden 3 of the famous CA roads that are within striking range: Skaggs, Hwy 36, and Hwy 1. Today I rode the freeway out to the coast, then rode Hwy 1 North to Skaggs, then 128 out to Berryessa and back to Vacaville. It was about 9 hours of riding (some backtracking and side roads, plus Skaggs International Raceway 3 times), with about half an hour off the bike. Aside from a numb rear end the S1 has treated me very well on long days (6.5, 8.5, and now 9 hours of riding). Although 36 and 1 are great (aside from all the traffic on 1), they really don't compare to Skaggs imo. Both 36 and 1 were a little disappointing to me. 1 has spectacular scenery, but the traffic is a major buzzkill. 36 is nice because it is so long, but I didn't think any stretch was spectacular from a riding perspective. Skaggs, on the other hand, is like motorcycle Nirvana. I know there are books written on 'flow', but I only know what I've read in moto mags. I do know that it's virtually impossible to ride Skaggs without experiencing a euphoric state of 'flow'. My only complaint is that a couple of those downhill runs can bite you in the ass. More level turns would be nice. Today was the first day that I finally felt like I recovered the vast majority of my old mojo. I know many of you can identify when you've been out of something for so long that you can't perform to the same standard... BUT you still remember how it felt, so it pisses you off! Well, it felt good to finally start looking at the correct visual cues and take good lines regardless of speed. I still have many things to work on, but I'm happy that the basics are coming back.  Incidentally, I think I may have figured out where she is leaking oil... It looks like it might be coming from the rear pushrod base! On the front cylinder one of the NRHS pushrod seals had a tear - the SE seals have been working great. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that new seals will fix the leak.    | ||
| Anthonye |
Nice ride! Ever go south on 1? HMB, SCruz or Monterey? Highway 9 is nice from Saratoga to SCruz. Skyline Blvd too (Hwy 35) as is La Honda Rd (Hwy 84). 9 hours is just to much for me but then I am a bit older than you are -- just turned 60. If you see a '97 Red S3 Thunderbolt on the road, that will be me. Flag me down and we can bullshit. Tony | ||
| Brokeneck |
Nice pics -- I especially like the dinosaurs. Sounds like you had a great time. Take some advice from an old guy -- don't bother taking time to beat yourself up about fading skills -- embrace the fact that you are still willing to try. I like your idea about flow. I just returned from a 4 day 1200 mile trip to the black hills. It seems the harder I tried in the canyons the more I lost the flow. Finally when I decided to just relax slow down and enjoy the ride it must have clicked. I got pulled over for 62 in a 35 just flowing with the curves in the canyon that leads to Nemo. I kept explaining to the officer that I really wasn't trying to speed and I really was the slow one of the bunch. He must have bought it -- I got off with a written warning. But it is true when I had stopped thinking and started flowing I was riding much better. | ||
| Nocompromise |
Tony - It's been 10 years since I went South on 1. In 1997 my wife and I rode 1 South from the Bay Area down to San Luis Obispo on my GSX-R750. I guess I have a history of long rides on uncomfortable bikes. I have a FZ1, but I haven't gotten around to getting her up and running again. The S1 is just too dang addicting! I've read about a lot of great South Bay Area roads like the ones you mention, but I don't relish the thought of droning on the freeway for a couple hours to get there. I'll definitely flag you down if I see you! Broke - good advice! I definitely force myself to take it easier on street rides (although Skaggs is an exception). I didn't have kids when I rode before, so I have to keep reminding myself that they're counting on me to come home. I doubt there are many activities out there that can induce a state of flow more frequently than riding! I saw a t-shirt online that says "You never see a motorcycle parked outside a psychiatrist's office."  (Message edited by nocompromise on October 14, 2007) | ||
| Igneroid |
Nice bike and great pics. Tell me more about this "Flow" thing. I've picked up some very helpful riding tips here but this is the first mention of 'Flow" that I've come across.. |
