| Author | Message | ||
     Racerboy |
Ferris...John and I took a look at the mapping program this evening and it's 205 miles from the track to the hotel in SD...I'm guessing that's a 3 1/2 to 4+ hour ride depending on traffic on a Saturday afternoon on the 5 thru LA...Hmmmm...We want to be in SD by noon on Saturday to have a bit of time to unwind from the trip out, grab a nap and get ready for the festivities that evening...Les said the group photo is at 6:30 and the party at the dealer is also then...John remarked that it's also one of the high points of any rally as everyone is arriving...All things considered, and we really do appreciate your offer and it's real tempting, we had better pass and just take our time getting into SD on Saturday...We're big boyz and after showing us the sights on Friday don't feel any obligation on your part to stay with us Saturday...You and any one else that wants to, please go on to Willow... Thanks again, Bob | ||
| Ebear |
Ferris!!! Looks like I will be headed to Kernville Thursday night/Friday morning.Will get a better Idea as we get closer.Lets formulate itinerary as the GP nears  So if anyone else is interested you can post.Will be headed to Laughlin Mad Street party at 7:00am tomorrow to test new Top end on the Screaming Yellow.Will E-mail on return!Gotta go charge up the Digital Camera for the weather will be hot and this causes a lack of clothing in the desert(or is that dessert??  Talk to ya next week!! | ||
| Ferris |
Racerboy, no worries, your Saturday plans are cool with me  i had figured on getting you guys to SD by about 3 pm-ish on Saturday, but can certainly understand why you want to get there earlier. and...........by the time i get done with you on Friday, you'll be needing a break from me anyway  maybe someone who knows LA better than me can jump in here, but i'm not sure that I-5 thru LA is your best option. if it were me i'd consider grabbing 215 on your way south, as you kinda get to go around LA-LA Land, as opposed to plowing right thru the middle of it. can someone from down there let the boys know the most logical (i.e. time and traffic-friendly) way to get from Kernville to San Diego? EBear, glad to hear you're in for the GP! let me know as soon as you can when you plan on hitting Kernville (Thursday or Friday), as this will factor in to when i/we launch to intercept RBoy and V2Win in/near Death Valley. temps are going up again, mid-to-high 80's and climbing. the Western Divide Highway above Lake Isabella is still snow-closed, but all the locals are still betting it's open by 4/30. rode the other end of it on Sunday (near Porterville/Springville), what a frikkin' roller coaster!  ride to tan, Ferris | ||
| S3dave |
Any body going from Western Canada??? Maybe we can get hooked up. I am in Southern B.C. | ||
| Ferris |
favourite bumper sticker seen today while out doing recon: "Paris New York London Tokyo Kernville" ride to Ferris | ||
| V2win |
Ferris, Where and when do you want to meet? I finaly got my bike back together. Breaking the engine in this Wed and Thur. Get'n ready to rumble. | ||
| Ferris |
two questions for you first: --you guys are staying Thursday night at Furnace Creek, right? --what time Friday morning do ya wanna roll? FB | ||
| Racerboy |
Ferris, we'll be at Furnace Creek RANCH Thursday evening...5/14 Childress TX - 691 miles, 5/15 Flagstaff AZ - 724 miles, 5/16 Death Valley - 646 miles...I expect us to be tired when we get to the Valley so a bit of a late start may be a good idea for Friday...John is just seeing the mileage for the first time now so he can jump in here and comment...Please call me during the afternoon at my oriface 314.821.0776 or post or email me your phone number and a time to call...Thanks, again for all your help and it's getting real anxious to be on the road... See Ya! Bob | ||
| Sparky |
Rb and friends, FYI, there are two campgrounds at Furnace Creek, one behind the Ranger Station and another called Texas Springs about 1/4 mile east of Furnace Creek. Texas Springs is used for groups & RV/tent camping overflow, so shoot for the one behind the Ranger Station. From there it's walking distance to the general store, cafe, Chevron station & swimming pool. BTW, free hot showers are at the pool. Did you make a reservation for the 16th? If not call 800-365-CAMP or check DVNP camping for more info. Have fun guys. Be seeing ya on the 18th, Sparky 96S1, 98S3 | ||
| Ferris |
Racerboy, great to chat with you on the phone this afternoon and put a voice to the name so to confirm, i'll see you guys at Furnace Creek the afternoon/evening of Thursday 5/16. you've got my home and cell #'s in case something comes up while you guys are inbound. and like i mentioned on the phone, what i'e got planned for you for Friday in the way of pavement pounding is pretty loose and can be modified as the day goes by depending on our whim. Sparky, thanks for the info above! FMJ, do you know yet what day and about what time you plan on being in the area? Thursday? Friday? EBear, how 'bout you sir? getting close now dudes! scoped out the Kings Canyon/Sequoia-to-Fresno chunk of Day Three on Sunday, only the second time on some of these roads, and my virginal visit on others. boy howdy are you guys gonna be stoked by the scenery. and Fresno Buell is WAY ready, gorgeous new facility, great location and exposure, TONS of Buell stuff hanging EVERYWHERE (including hard parts--gasp!), and a gorgeous blue Firebolt greeting customers just inside the front door. ride to ride, FB | ||
| Ferris |
well damn you lucky bastards! just perusing buell.com, checking some details on the BRAG Tour, and see where Mr. Buell himself will be doing the ride from San Diego to Bakersfield. *&^%$#@!!! why am so pissed?  'cause i can't join the ride UNTIL Bakersfield! well, i'm gonna PRETEND to be happy for you guys and gals that get to get Erik on ya for a couple of days, it's a treat you won't soon forget POP QUIZ: how many motorcycle company founders regularly go riding with the unwashed masses? ride to make a little bit of history, FB | ||
| Bobby |
California adventure tour. I am going on the California Buell Adventure Tour and will be leaving from the Fresno, CA. Was trying to find out if anyone in the central or northern California is going and plan to ride down to San Diego Saturday AM or part of the way Friday night. Email me at bobby@hdfresno.com if you have plans to ride down and would like to go as a group. Thank you, Bobby. | ||
| Ferris |
Bobby, i take it you work at Fresno Buell, right? great looking place from what i could see peeking in the windows last Sunday, lotsa Buells and Buell stuff you're not that far from me (i'm at Lake Isabella), you're sure welcome to come hang with us during the GP on 5/17 on your way down to San Diego. S3Dave, sounds like you might be riding down solo, eh? i wonder if anyone's coming down from Washington or Oregon that you might be able to hook up with. regardless, you'll love it down here and i promise we'll treat you like family. (in fact, notice how i spelled "favourite" in my post above? that was for you) Sparky, the Forest Service today told me that the Western Divide Highway will officially open on Sunday 5/12, just in time for the BRAG Tour--yikes! they're up there already, i was told, clearing all the rocks and boulders from the roadway, and altho we've gotten a little more snow of late, apparently it hasn't been significant. see y'all soon, FB | ||
| Sparky |
FB, that's good news on the WD Hwy. So I presume it's gonna be on the official/unofficial trek thru your neck of the woods? This weekend (while enroute to the Songdog Spring Rally) I'm gonna checkout the go/nogo status of the rebuilt Balcom Canyon Rd as a bitchin' shortcut from Ventura Buell to Santa Paula. From what I recall it used to be a nice steep curvy downhill, that is before El Nino from several years ago washed it away. Sparky 96S1, 98S3 | ||
| Ferris |
hi Sparky yep, it's part of Day Three's official "Long Route". Tuesday the BRAG gang will leave Bakersfield and head up-canyon on 178 to Lake Isabella, then along the north shore of the lake to Kernville, then up M99 and M50 to the Western Divide Hwy and then north toward Springville and Sequoia/Kings Canyon. so far i've scoped the entire route (with the exception of the WDH), and it will be a day of riding to remember for a long time to come ride, um, to remember, FB | ||
| Ferris |
RBoy, great to hang witcha on the phone again today; per your request, here's what i envision for Saturday: --Kernville to the town of Lake Isabella on 155 --LI to Caliente/58 on Cal-Bodfish Rd (Lion's Trail) --58 east to Tehachapi --south from Teh on Willow Springs Rd to Willow Springs Raceway --south on 14 thru Lancaster and Palmdale --east for just a skosh on 138 --then SE on Fort Tejon/Big Pines to 2/Angeles Crest --then east (across 15) on 138 and 18/Rim of the World Hwy, past Big Bear Lake --then south on 38 to San Bernardino --then south via 215 and 15 to San Diego let me know if your mapping program thinks i'm being too optimistic (i am known to have a problem in that regard). some time/mileage could be saved by by-passing Rim of the World and Big Bear and heading due south when we hit 15 after the short stint on Angeles Crest. soon to ride, FB | ||
| Sparky |
If'n you shoot thru Wrightwood on 138, by all means, don't forget to take the Lone Pine Canyon shortcut. 6 long steep straight downhill miles before rejoining 138. YeeeHaw! Sparky | ||
| Ferris |
Sparky, i never miss that road when i'm near, and i find it's a riot either up OR downhill! say, do ya know..........it was the illustrious (and very scarce of late) dr. Steve who first turned me on to this road. anyway, he says it exactly follows for it's much-too-short length the San Andreas fault--any truth to that? just got back from a ride up to Kernville and back, enjoying a delish double-mocha grande at my favorite watering hole (hi Michelle :-), it's a very pleasant 77 degrees at 7 o'clock along the northern shore of Lake Isabella tonite. ride to tan, FB | ||
| Ferris |
good news Sparky and all other CA BRAG'ers, the Western Divide Highway above Kernville is NOW OPEN! (not sure what particular flavor of gonja the aforementioned ranger was on who told me it wouldn't open 'til the 12th...) took the truck up there today, half expecting snow, but the road is clear and dry. it's dirty in spots, as it almost always is, but still a treat to ride by the monster Sequoias at Trail of 100 Giants. so, Day Three in it's entirety is a "Go!" ride to rock 'n roll, FB | ||
| Sparky |
FB, dr. Steve speaketh the truth. Where Lone Pine Cyn meets 138, Mormon Rocks, that massive convoluted upthrust range of white rounded rock, is primo San Andreas aftermath. That's cool on the WD, no pun intended. Day 3 is going to be a great day for California Buellin'. Hey! That'd be a good name for a song!  Songdog Road Report: The good news -- Hwy 33, as you probably already found out, is in excellent shape from Ojai to Hwy 166. The road construction is finished and the surface is clean & smooth. 33 is a joy to ride with its predictable properly transitioned, banked and confidence inspiring sweepers. The S3 surprised me with how well it handled riding double w/camping gear. I nearly wore out the sides of the Dunlops. I'll vouch for heavy duty fork springs and properly preloaded suspension. Gonna hafta run Metzler Sportecs for the Tour. The bad news -- I saw firsthand the damage to Balcom Canyon Rd. El Nino did the same thing to Balcom as it did to Hwy 33 back in '98: the whole side of a mountain got supersaturated and did a gigantic mudslide washing away the road. The road crew is currently grading the mountainside and clearing out the roadway. I'm sure it won't be paved by the 18th but I'll check again next week. Sparky 96S1, 98S3 | ||
| Steveb |
I called Brag today and found about 65 are now registered for the California Touring Adventure. With all the "drop in along the way riders" we should have a pretty good sized group. | ||
| Ferris |
Steve, when this deal is over and the ride reports start coming in, there'll be ten times that many Buellers kickin' themselves in the hindquarters for not taking part in this historic ride Racerboy, i'm figuring you and V2Win are doing some last-minute road-worthiness work this weekend on V2Win's machine, how's it looking for your Tuesday morning 5/14 departure from St. Louis? FMJ, what's the scoop, Jackson? the S2 gonna be ready? what day are you meeting us? remember that i've got a room snagged for you 'n me Friday night 5/17 in Kernville. EBear, sorry your work is getting in the way of the GP, i'll see you Tuesday morning 5/21 in Bakersfield. Sparky, any chance you 'n Jen can meet up with us GP'ers at Willow early Saturday morning 5/18? last call: me 'n Dino Dave will be riding out to Death Valley early afternoon on Thursday 5/16 to meet up with RBoy and V2win, anyone willing and able to tag along is welcome, and i'm sure we can find a spot in our room at the Furnace Creek Ranch (760/786-2345) for you to call home that night. Friday 5/17 we ride the Sierra foothills all day, ending up in Kernville Friday night at the Pine Cone Inn (760/376-6669). again, you wanna join in you're welcome to bunk with us. Saturday 5/18 we launch early for Willow Springs and then south to San Diego. my home # is 760/379-2218, cell 760/379-7883. rock and effin' roll, dudes and dudettes! Ferris | ||
| Racerboy |
OKAY!!!...John's beast is breathing great big gulps and we're a GO for Tuesday...I think we both (maybe I should just speak for me) had our doubts if this thing was going to come together...But, now I'm thinking nothing but GOOD thoughts...Just finishing packing and taking a role call...We'll leave EARLY Tuesday morning from Lonedell MO...Watch out Lost Wages, you're only 1,568 miles away...Hell of a way to break in a new engine... See ya Thursday evening, Ferris! Bob | ||
| V2win |
I gave the "Beast" new oil and a filter this evening. It only has a couple of hundred miles on the new engine. I told Racerboy that we can break it in on the way west. I rolled it out of the garage to change the filter since I always get oil everwhere. A damn storm blew in and almost took me and it away. Barring a major disaster, we will be there.  | ||
| V2win |
Oh, and for us, this is a Eureka Mo. to Eureka Ca. ride. Kinda cool. | ||
| Ferris |
coolness V2Win and Racerboy!!! you boys ride like there IS a tomorrow, and the first round (or two, or...) of CDB (Celebratory Dark Beer) at Furnace Creek Thurday night is on me. woo hoo! ride to lean, Ferris | ||
| Firemanjim |
Ferris,I will be on an S-2,just not my LSR racer.I just bought a 1995 S-2 with 5500 miles and hope to pick it up weds,and ready it thurs,Looks like I'll get out of town friday morn and head for Kernville.Best route to get there?I'll be riding whatever happens as the Tri Daytona was allset to go on this trip when I bought the (RED of course) S-2.What time are you set to be at hotel?If you beat me,better have an icecold DARK beer waiting.See ya soon,my friend. | ||
| Ferris |
you frikkin' people with multiple Buells are really startin' to piss me off!  i mean, i'm lucky to own two Buell SHIRTS!!! ok, ok, i'm really happy for you, Fireman, i REALLY am............................ alrighty then, we'll see you Friday afternoon/evening/night sometime, at the Pine Cone Inn in Kernville! go across the bridge the crosses the Kern River in KV, hang a left at the "T" at Sierra Hwy, and the PCI is on your left. best route? hmmmm, quickest would be to work your way east from Vacaville over to 99, then take it south to Bakersfield, then take the "Lake Isabella" exit off of 99 onto 204, then follow the signs to 178E, which will bring you up-canyon to the Lake. once you get up here, take the "155/Kernville/Lake Isabella" exit from 178, turn left at the stop sign, and proceed north on 155. at 6 miles, 155 turns left in Wofford Heights, BUT continue straight ahead on Wofford Blvd. (which changes to Burlando Way) five miles to Kernville. as a tasty option, as you head south on 99, take 155E at Delano, and follow the signs to the Lake. you'll ultimately come out in Wofford Heights, where you'll take a left and head up to Kernville as outlined above. 155 is a sportbiker's delight, but you won't make as good of time. not sure when we'll hit the Pine Cone on Friday, depends a bunch on how the "Show Me" boys are doing. regardless, will try to get there in plenty of time in the afternoon to rest up, fu-fu the bikes, and grab dinner and MCDB (Mucho Celebratory Dark Beer) see you Friday, bud! make a note of my phone numbers above, k? ride to lean, Ferris | ||
| Sparky |
Was out scoping out the backroads in Ventura County last Saturday double checking the BRAG route when I came up on a rather large crow picking on some roadkill. As I was almost on it, it took off... rather slowly at first. That's when I saw it up close -- a bright red face and 6 foot plus wingspan -- that was no crow, it was a condor! Kinda clumsy on the ground but when airborne, absolutely elegant. I felt bad afterwards because as it got into the air, it dropped three chunks of stuff, food I hope. So, keep in mind that this portion of the ride goes through the Sespe condor preserve and if you're luck enough to see one, slow down a little. Don't scare the c r a p out of it. Sparky 96S1, 98S3 | ||
| Ferris |
geez Sparky, you barely missed it? in terms of collision clearances, i'd call that a condor-minimum! sorry, m-u-s-t r-i-d-e s-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-nnnnnn................ Ferris |
