KLR: 04/18/2009

I got an email from John last week that he didn't get enough DS action in Big Bear last weekend, so he decided to "organize" a San Diego ride. I met the guys at the Eastlake Mobile 1 gas station...

Apparently Todd invited some friends but forgot to tell them to mount the knobbies...

Squid alert!!

So we hit the open road...

And so did this guy...



This was a first. I've never seen someone wipe out on a straight road. Obviously, this cat is an over achiever!

Not one to waste a good segway...I appologize for skipping ahead a bit...

So on we went to one of Todd's favorite breakfast spots...



The bikes...



The food...



More food!


Apparently they also serve seafood...

After breakfast we started the ascent...



Nice!



The colonel wouldn't stop complaining...he was really having a bad day...he probably should have stayed home...

A bit farther up the hill we encountered our first challenge. John obviously forgot his tri-focals...

The older members of the group wanted to turn around...



But with a little encouragement...

We continued the climb into julian...



And met up with some guys on a 5 month hiking tour from California to Washington...



After a nice rest (and some entertainment with the squid crash...) it was time to hit the trail again!



And hit the trail we did!





We rode for another few miles until John needed to feed his habit...





Given the current economic situation, Todd finds it necessary to get every last millimeter of tread out of his $36 tires...





And a little farther up the trail is "The Oak"...



And then it was back to Todd's place for some after ride Scotch and some routine BS'ing...



Ever notice that Todd sits like a girl?



It was a great day with great friends!

Crestline ADV Riding! (04/10/2009 - 04/12/2009)

I sent an email out to some friends earlier in the week to see what the interest level was in a trail ride near my place in Crestline. Needless to say, interest was high!

The group decided that we would meet at my place on Friday evening, spend the night, and start the trail ride sometime after 9am on Saturday morning. We would normally try to get going earlier, but a rumor about improved weather after 10am persisted and was the major influence for the decision.

John and Mac met me at my work in the afternoon on Friday and the three of us set out for Crestline. (The more perceptive readers will note a strange sight in this picture...



Yes.... it's a motorcycle towing a motorcycle...



What can I say...I have cool friends!

Traffic was relatively light so we were able to make a stop at Chaparral Motorsports. Mac had never been there, so I thought it would be a nice treat:


Spotted this guy's load... Looks almost as unique as Mac's...


The store is quite impressive:





Yum!!


Should I add one to the stable??


We made it to the cabin safe and sound...





But the weather was shite!


So we decided to pile into my Jeep and grab a bite to eat..









Then it was back to the cabin for a movie...(Ripley!!!)


Saturday started off cold...


And foggy...


The bikes weren't awake yet...


So we took the "shuttle" down to The Loose Caboose Cafe for breakfast...




Yum!!!




When we got back, the bikes were ready to go!




It was damned cold and foggy still!




Mac and I made the trail head (1N09) a little ahead of Byron and John...


Here they come...




And here we are...


It was still cold and foggy...


John adding to the fog...


Mellow ADV Wave...


The road we just traveled...


Apparently, John's contagious....


And then we hit the mud and Mac's bike got tired and needed a nap...


Mac trying to wake the DRZ up...Mr. DRZ isn't having any of it...


And there was more mud...


And it was deep!




Mac's DRZ finally woke up...


Mud wasn't going to stop our adventure!


Mr. DRZ is getting his second wind...


And then we hit more mud!!


And John's KLR decided to take a bit of a rest...




Water crossing...


John's street cred....


And we hit even more mud!!




And then there were blue skies...


Time to air up the tires for the pavement...


And then it got damned cold again!




...and foggy!


We shot back to my place for the perfect ending to a good day....


...a little Long Way Round....and a cameo by Adam (SolototoCoyote)


Sunday was an uneventful 100 mile ride back to San Diego...but before we leave town....I needed to get my favorite breakfast at TLCC...


The perfect ending to a great weekend of adventure riding!
-D