Post by mike932 on Sept 8, 2015 18:37:47 GMT -6
I just completed my first scooter road trip.
It was awesome.
DAY ONE:
Left from the Fresno area at dawn. It was 55 degrees so I froze my butt off. Stopped an hour later at Starbucks to warm up. Continued to Chevron at 46330 W Panoche Road in Firebaugh, CA. Filled up gas tank and extra gas can in case I were to run out of gas during my climb over the mountains.
I rode from Chevron to Panoche, CA. I picked this route because my 125cc scooter is not allowed on freeways. I did not realize the first 13 miles would turn out to be a dirt road. I assumed it would only be a dirt road for a little while but I was wrong. The dirt road was VERY bumpy. My previous bicycle racing skills really came in handy. I was able to keep the scooter up the whole time.
Then I hit a roadblock. Literally. The road was flooded. The water was too deep for me to get through. I considered walking my scooter through it, but I decided to keep my legs dry. In retrospect, I could had took off my jeans and boots to keep them dry, but the water look dirty and stale.
I decided to outflank the flooded road. There were barbed wire fences in all directions. I managed to find an open gate. I rode the scooter off road (which was not much different than riding on the dirt road. This was a job for a dual sport motorcycle, not a 125cc scooter, but my 1988 Yamaha scooter shined. I am so impressed by its performance. This trip really taught me that my scooter is much more capable than I had assumed.
I rode off road for about a half hour. I realized that this was very foolish. If I were to hurt myself, nobody would know for days. I was in the middle of nowhere. There was no cell phone signal in this area.
I did my best. I avoid cliffs, I rode through a small stream, and I managed to keep the scooter up. I arrived at a farm house. I rode onto their property, which probably was not a good idea especially after I noticed the no trespassing sign. I realized I could be shot to death, but I was desperate and needed to find the main road. The front of the farm had a gate to the main road, but it was locked. Nobody was home, so I was crap out of luck.
I exited the farm from where I entered. I continued my flanking maneuvers. I FINALLY found an open gate to the main road on the other side of the flood. I WAS SO HAPPY AND RELIEVED.
I continued west toward Hollister. The road was paved but had a lot of potholes. The road improved as I progressed. The road is Panoche Road and is very popular among motorcyclists. They all avoid the dirt road though. I learned my lesson the hard way.
My GPS guided me through Hollister where I got gas. I took Highway 156 west to San Juan Grade Road which is a narrow local road with lots of traffic. It was pretty hairy, but I negotiated it well. Road through Salinas to Laguna Seca which was my destination.
The 200 mile trip took almost 8 hours due to the dirt road, getting lost, and mountain climbs.
I set up camp at Laguna Seca. I picked a campsite with electricity and water hookups. All I had was a small tent, but I wanted to be able to charge my electronic devices.
My tent was a kid's tent with dinosaurs on it. I bought it because it was the lightest tent that would fit my 5'11" body. It was $18. I don't care that it has dinosaurs on it. I kinda like it actually.
I ate my sandwich and chips from 7 Eleven at my campsite picnic table with a view of the racetrack. No cars or motorcycles were racing today, but I still enjoy the view of the track.
Sleeping was a challenge. My sleeping pad was not soft enough, and there was a huge family nearby playing loud music until 1am despite the campsite rule of no noise allowed after 10pm.
DAY TWO:
Woke up at dawn. Rode toward Monterey. Froze again. Warmed up at Starbucks. Rode around Cannery Row and the coast. Rode to Fort Ord where I was stationed in the Army in 1988, which is the same year that my scooter was built. Scooter meet Fort Ord. Fort Ord meet scooter.
Shopped for a better sleeping pad. None is stock. Bought three pillows for $3 each to add padding to my current sleeping pad.
Rode back to camp. The noisy neighbors were GONE. They went home. I was a happy camper. Pun intended.
Slept much better tonight. More comfortable and no loud music.
DAY THREE:
Woke at dawn. Broke camp. Packed my scooter. Decided to take a completely different route back home. Rode to city of Gonzales where I ate breakfast at McDonalds and warmed up. Since I am not allowed on the 101 freeway, I rode the parallel road of River Road. It was gorgeous.
Filled gas tank at King City. Also filled gas can because it is time to cross back over the mountains again, this time over highway 198, which is a narrow 2-lane road with no shoulder. This is another gorgeous road with very little traffic. A car passed me about every five minutes.
Then the most dangerous part of the trip occurred. I was decending a twisty mountain road at 40mph when a big rig quickly caught up to me and tailgated me. Being tailgated by a car while riding a scooter is very dangerous. Being tailgated by a big rig is 10 times more dangerous. Being tailgated by a big rig on a twist decent with no shoulder is one of the most dangerous scenarios possible. I hugged the right side of the road, and the asshole finally passed me. What would you do in such a situation?
Arrived in Coalinga. Filled gas tank. Rode the straight flat roads to home. I got home exhausted but very satisfied.
After I change my scooter's transmission belt, I will try a road trip to Los Angeles via Old Ridge Route which is deserted.
TOTAL MILES COVERED FOR THIS TRIP: 540
FINAL THOUGHTS:
1. My scooter kicks arse. It climbs mountains well, rides off-road well, and is very reliable.
2. If you are decending a twisty mountain road with no shoulder, stop your scooter and get off the road before any big rig catches up to you.
3. Laguna Seca camping is awesome. Just go on a weekday to avoid crowds and noise.
4. Sleeping in a tent next my scooter is an awesome way to make sure it is not stolen.
5. Being stranded is better than being run over by a big rig. Seek out deserted roads, and bring survival gear.
VIDEO OF MY TRIP.......
It was awesome.
DAY ONE:
Left from the Fresno area at dawn. It was 55 degrees so I froze my butt off. Stopped an hour later at Starbucks to warm up. Continued to Chevron at 46330 W Panoche Road in Firebaugh, CA. Filled up gas tank and extra gas can in case I were to run out of gas during my climb over the mountains.
I rode from Chevron to Panoche, CA. I picked this route because my 125cc scooter is not allowed on freeways. I did not realize the first 13 miles would turn out to be a dirt road. I assumed it would only be a dirt road for a little while but I was wrong. The dirt road was VERY bumpy. My previous bicycle racing skills really came in handy. I was able to keep the scooter up the whole time.
Then I hit a roadblock. Literally. The road was flooded. The water was too deep for me to get through. I considered walking my scooter through it, but I decided to keep my legs dry. In retrospect, I could had took off my jeans and boots to keep them dry, but the water look dirty and stale.
I decided to outflank the flooded road. There were barbed wire fences in all directions. I managed to find an open gate. I rode the scooter off road (which was not much different than riding on the dirt road. This was a job for a dual sport motorcycle, not a 125cc scooter, but my 1988 Yamaha scooter shined. I am so impressed by its performance. This trip really taught me that my scooter is much more capable than I had assumed.
I rode off road for about a half hour. I realized that this was very foolish. If I were to hurt myself, nobody would know for days. I was in the middle of nowhere. There was no cell phone signal in this area.
I did my best. I avoid cliffs, I rode through a small stream, and I managed to keep the scooter up. I arrived at a farm house. I rode onto their property, which probably was not a good idea especially after I noticed the no trespassing sign. I realized I could be shot to death, but I was desperate and needed to find the main road. The front of the farm had a gate to the main road, but it was locked. Nobody was home, so I was crap out of luck.
I exited the farm from where I entered. I continued my flanking maneuvers. I FINALLY found an open gate to the main road on the other side of the flood. I WAS SO HAPPY AND RELIEVED.
I continued west toward Hollister. The road was paved but had a lot of potholes. The road improved as I progressed. The road is Panoche Road and is very popular among motorcyclists. They all avoid the dirt road though. I learned my lesson the hard way.
My GPS guided me through Hollister where I got gas. I took Highway 156 west to San Juan Grade Road which is a narrow local road with lots of traffic. It was pretty hairy, but I negotiated it well. Road through Salinas to Laguna Seca which was my destination.
The 200 mile trip took almost 8 hours due to the dirt road, getting lost, and mountain climbs.
I set up camp at Laguna Seca. I picked a campsite with electricity and water hookups. All I had was a small tent, but I wanted to be able to charge my electronic devices.
My tent was a kid's tent with dinosaurs on it. I bought it because it was the lightest tent that would fit my 5'11" body. It was $18. I don't care that it has dinosaurs on it. I kinda like it actually.
I ate my sandwich and chips from 7 Eleven at my campsite picnic table with a view of the racetrack. No cars or motorcycles were racing today, but I still enjoy the view of the track.
Sleeping was a challenge. My sleeping pad was not soft enough, and there was a huge family nearby playing loud music until 1am despite the campsite rule of no noise allowed after 10pm.
DAY TWO:
Woke up at dawn. Rode toward Monterey. Froze again. Warmed up at Starbucks. Rode around Cannery Row and the coast. Rode to Fort Ord where I was stationed in the Army in 1988, which is the same year that my scooter was built. Scooter meet Fort Ord. Fort Ord meet scooter.
Shopped for a better sleeping pad. None is stock. Bought three pillows for $3 each to add padding to my current sleeping pad.
Rode back to camp. The noisy neighbors were GONE. They went home. I was a happy camper. Pun intended.
Slept much better tonight. More comfortable and no loud music.
DAY THREE:
Woke at dawn. Broke camp. Packed my scooter. Decided to take a completely different route back home. Rode to city of Gonzales where I ate breakfast at McDonalds and warmed up. Since I am not allowed on the 101 freeway, I rode the parallel road of River Road. It was gorgeous.
Filled gas tank at King City. Also filled gas can because it is time to cross back over the mountains again, this time over highway 198, which is a narrow 2-lane road with no shoulder. This is another gorgeous road with very little traffic. A car passed me about every five minutes.
Then the most dangerous part of the trip occurred. I was decending a twisty mountain road at 40mph when a big rig quickly caught up to me and tailgated me. Being tailgated by a car while riding a scooter is very dangerous. Being tailgated by a big rig is 10 times more dangerous. Being tailgated by a big rig on a twist decent with no shoulder is one of the most dangerous scenarios possible. I hugged the right side of the road, and the asshole finally passed me. What would you do in such a situation?
Arrived in Coalinga. Filled gas tank. Rode the straight flat roads to home. I got home exhausted but very satisfied.
After I change my scooter's transmission belt, I will try a road trip to Los Angeles via Old Ridge Route which is deserted.
TOTAL MILES COVERED FOR THIS TRIP: 540
FINAL THOUGHTS:
1. My scooter kicks arse. It climbs mountains well, rides off-road well, and is very reliable.
2. If you are decending a twisty mountain road with no shoulder, stop your scooter and get off the road before any big rig catches up to you.
3. Laguna Seca camping is awesome. Just go on a weekday to avoid crowds and noise.
4. Sleeping in a tent next my scooter is an awesome way to make sure it is not stolen.
5. Being stranded is better than being run over by a big rig. Seek out deserted roads, and bring survival gear.
VIDEO OF MY TRIP.......
..BAD TO THE BONE..
