So I decided this week, I need to take my new scooter out for a long ride. I figured a great place to go would be Julian. For those not familiar with San Diego, Julian is in the mountains north-east of San Diego. It sits about 4000′ elevation and is a great place to go to enjoy the scenery and get a nice slice of apple pie.
I planed a route that would avoid the freeways. I don’t have my motorcycle permit yet. I have an appointment with the DMV next weds to turn in my DL389 form and then all my restrictions go away.
I got up early and made a good breakfast. I wanted to make sure I had plenty of energy in my body tank. I cooked some eggs, bacon and toast with jam and a glass of OJ. I packed my camera and stand (although I never got around to using it). I geared up and gave Angie a goodbye kiss.
I pulled out of the driveway and headed down my usual path I commute to work on. I looked at the sky and noticed a few dark clouds in the sky. I mentally thought to myself, I sure hope it stays away, but I can always cut my route short and head back to the coast if it starts raining. As I headed up Kearny Villa Road I noticed how nice it was to finally ride without a backpack on. (I learned last week why you don’t ride with loose straps in the front of your body… OUCH!)
When I got to Miramar Road, I had to do a mental check as I turned right instead of going north. I have not been down this road in over 10 years. While I waited at the light to cross the I15, I noticed a few people checking my bike out. I smiled and thought “yea, it’s a blast to ride!”
I headed out of the higher traffic areas and out to the east county. As I rode, I noticed how much I enjoyed being able to feel the experience of riding. The feeling of the wind, the smell of the open air and even the moisture in the air all made me giddy with excitement. I rode up Pomerado Road and decided to take Scripps Poway Parkway instead of Poway road. I didn’t want to deal with the lights and traffic and really wanted to see how the bike would get up the hills. I had nothing to worry about. The speed limit was 65mph and I had no trouble reaching it.
As I got out to the end of the road to the 67, the temperature dropped suddenly. I was very thankful that I wore a sweater and scarf under my jacket but I still need to get some warmer pants. I need to do some clothing shopping soon 😉
I road up the 67 and noticed all the hikers and mountain bikers parked on the side of the road. As I passed them, a few people waved and pointed. Another smile inside my helmet. I came over the hill and noticed a few rain drops on my helmet visor. I looked at the sky and tried to judge if this was the start of another rain storm or just a light drizzle. It was not too bad, so I decided to press on. As I moved through the country side, I got an opportunity to practice what I have learned in the MSF class.
As I wound through the turns I practiced my counter steering and outside-inside-outside lines in the turns. I reached Romona as it started to rain a little more, but seem to stop right after I came over the mountain. Although the rain stopped, it was really cold and my teeth started to chatter. As I rode through Romona, I noticed how they maintained the older style building fronts. I have driven through this town a few dozen times but never really took the time to take in the town.
As I rolled out of Romona, I noticed the sign that says 22miles to Julian. This part of the ride was the most scenic part of the trip. Lots of pine trees and the air smelled of winter fires burning. As I made my way through the turns I looked forward to what would unfold around the next turn. The one thing I noticed as I rode was how friendly other riders are. If I passed them, they waved. If I was at a light with another rider, they nodded hello. I am still uncomfortable at speed taking my hand off the handlebar, so I just raise my left hand in a short wave. I am not sure of the protocol, but I hope it’s not a negative gesture 😉
I reached Julian and found a place to park. I planned to grab a slice of pie and some hot chocolate. It was really cold, so I needed to get some warmth inside me. While I rode around for a spot, I got a lot of stares and people commenting on my bike. More smiles in my helmet. I parked and went in to get a nice warm slice of pie and some hot chocolate. There were not many people in the cafe so I was able to stretch out and relaxed at a table and ate my pie reflexting on the first leg of my ride.
After I finished, I saddled up and decided how to tackle the next leg of my ride. I wanted to ride to Vespa of Oceanside and Google wanted to send me up the 79 past Pala. I thought that would be a lovely drive, but I only had about a gallon of gas left, and didn’t want to chance not running into a gas station. So I headed back to Romona and decded to take the 78 into Escondido instead. I would hate to have to call my wife to come bring me gas 😉
As I rode back to Romona, I had one small incident. I was coming around a left turn and was going a bit too fast and started my turn a little late. I remember lookng at the road and realizing I was going to miss the turn. I crossed over the white line, and then my MSF training kicked in. I have to tell you, with the many years of experience of riding a bicycle I would have instantly grabbed the breaks and turned the wheel/leaned. In this case, that would have been a disaster. My brain said “push” and I pressed on the left handle bar and I instantly go back on track and was able to save the turn.
This incident taught me several valuable lessons:
1) PAY Attention! Don’t get distracted for even a second. This is what prevented me from slowing down and starting my turn on time.
2) Practice countersteering and take the MSF course. Even if you think you are an expert. Nothing beats having it drilled into you so it becomes a habit. It takes about 21 days for it to sink in.
3) Stay calm. I realized I was too wide so I looked for several outs, backed off the throttle, decided if I could stop, that there were no obsticles to hit and then I had plenty of time to correct the turn.
After that turn, I made sure I didn’t take my eyes off the road for more than a second. I have added to my scanning process to always look back at the road before I look at the next item on my scan.
I got back to Romona and filled up my tank. I love only paying $4-$6 per fill up, but I wish I didn’t have to do it so often 😉 My brain is thinking about a way to cary more gas, but it is good to stop about every 100 miles.
While I filled up, someone asked me about my bike. They had heard of them, but never seen it. (Guess they don’t have the Internet where she was from) 🙂 I headed back out on the road and as I was driving down the road, someone next to me was pointing and explaining to the driver how the front wheels worked. Again another smile under the helmet 😉
The ride into Escondido was uneventful. I did find that I was given plenty of room by the cars behind me. Even though I was doing the speed limit (or maybe 5 miles above) they didn’t really try to pass me. It made me feel more comfortable that they treated me as an equal on the road. As I passed the Wild Animal Park the road widened to four lanes. I thought briefly about stopping at the park, but decided Angie would kill me if I didn’t take her with me 😉
Riding through Escondido was fine. They do have some of the longest lights and lousy trash truck drivers in the county though. I reached the 78 (freeway) and decided I would not break the law and turned on Mission Ave. I took a chance it woudl get me where I needed to go (I had not been on this road in over 10 years).
I was pleasently surprised that Mission Ave has been improved ever since the Sprinter was put into service. The street was a 4-6 lane road in many places and a 45 mph speed limit. I was able to ride it all the way to Vista with only a few stop light delays. At one of the lights a guy was three lanes over in the left turn lane yelling at me “Who makes that?” I yelled back “Piaggio!” with a smile.
When I got to Vista I was surprised that Mission was no longer a rural road and that homes and strip malls have popped up all over the place. Along with that, came LIGHTS!!! And I hit just about every one of them. It took me 45 minutes to get from Vista to Oceanside (about 10 miles). sigh
I reached the Vespa dealer about an hour later than I planned. I turned over my keys and they went to work on installing the top case. It does have a back rest, but it’s plastic. What’s up with that Piaggio? I will take it down to UFO fabric and see if I can get them to make me a leather pad for more comfort.
I gave my friend Gail a call and we met up to go grab a late lunch. It only took 20 minutes for them to install the top case. We headed down to Plaza Camino Real in Carlsbad for lunch at Olive Garden (love that all-you-can-eat soup and salad).
After lunch, I headed south and decided not to take the coast as I was a bit behind schedule and needed to get home before 16:30. I headed down El Camino Real all the way down to Lomas Santa Fe, then had to head over to the coast and down through Del Mar. The road doesn’t go all the way through. I swung by the race track and back onto El Camino Real. As I headed down I saw/heard a piece of debris (probably a rock) hit my face shield. I didn’t even feel it, but realized if I was not wearing a face shield it would have hurt like hell, even with goggles.
The rest of the trip home was uneventful and I got home about 4:10. I had a few minutes to clean up and get ready to go out to my appointment.
I have posted the GPS tracks to my Bim Blog.
There is also a google map of the route
Notes From the Ride:
- Interesting Smells: Skunks, Pine Needles burning, Fireplaces burning wood and Fertilizer.
- My butt sure was sore after 5 hours of riding, but not as bad as on my bicycle
- Apple pie is best served warm and in Julian
- Countersteering Works!
- I love getting 54 MPG
- I have recaptured what it felt like the time I drove my first car to school (45 miles)
- Lots of road kill out today
- Where did the rain come from? Glad it only lasted a few miles.
- Need to sew a cloth into my glove so I can wipe the rain off my face shield
- I need a windshield (man it was cold)
- I need warmer pants.
I hope to do another trip real soon and take Angie with me.
