GREAT ride!
Saturday:
Work up to a chill dry 58 degree desert weather. Jess and I loaded the bags and I sipped on some coffee while we waited for that flat four to reach operating temperature. We were to meet Paul on his 2008 Triumph Scrambler at 0430 to hit the road. Pull out of the garage into the dry cool air with no wind, I knew I was in for a weekend of what I love....bikes, friends, and time with my wife. We met Paul who was waiting at the mouth of his neighborhood and took off at 70-75 mph on the empty highway to catch Blue Diamond west toward Death Valley and California. With the sun rising at our backs we cruised at 60-70mph, legs up on the highway bars letting the radiator deflector push warm air up to keep my legs nice and toasty. It was quite cold as the sun came up over the quite desert. We turned left toward Death Valley and really hit those nice desolate roads that are dotted with the occasional town that was broke BEFORE the recession and now leaves you to wonder how they are all still making it. Maybe its the $6.20 a gallon gas they sold us
After the over priced petrol we moved on to hit the wide open valleys and endless twists out west. The weather went from cold in the mountain shadows to hot in the sun. We crested and could see the Badwater salt flats in death valley. This is the lowest spot in the United States. We stopped for a bit and walked the flats to stretch and enjoy the desert air.
With the sun over our heads we continued to Panamint Springs which is a bar and off roading camp area. We enjoyed a beer and a break. From there with the GL1000 purring between my legs and power at the twist, we headed toward Trona where we were both on reserve. Of course when you need it, the petrol is not there. We pulled up one of the two gas stations in Trona to find a large group of dirt bikers sitting in the shade waiting on the fuel truck. They were completely out of gas in Trona. We were told that there was Gas in the next town over so we slowed to 50-55 and arrived on fumes in Ridgecrest. I filled up and calculated the 45mpg I was getting, OUTSTANDING! After a fill up and enjoying the finer points of Ridgecrest; loud rap music from many large rimmed SUV's
we headed for lunch in Randsberg. Randsberg is an off road old west town with nice people and a real original feel. The wing got a lot of attention as did Paul's Scrambler as people tend to think his is a nicely restored vintage.
After Burgers and some interesting conversation, we continued south toward Edwards and Willow Springs. Running late we kicked it up to 75-80mph on the highway...knocking my mpg to 36
We arrived at Willow Springs as our friends who were trailerng from Vegas pulled out of the raceway. We met up and decided we would follow them and skip the raceway this year. We continued to highway two and carved up the mountain roads till we reconnected with the trailer group at our hotel in Pasadena. We had a victory beer and unloaded the trailer. I checked in and whipped the excess off the windjammer/bug decimater.
Everyone freshened up and we all mounted to head for dinner at Lucky Baldwins. Fish and chips, bangers and mash and some good conversation. Then it was back to the hotel after 370miles for the day. Jessica stopped me while I was center standing and told me she wanted to take a night ride. Not to turn down an opportunity for some humid night air, we all rode to The Bigfoot Lounge, and hung out for a bit.
After a beautiful ride home though Pasadena on the curvey roads with the cool night air and wonderful smells we headed home for some much needed rest....I would have parked the wing in the room with us if it had fit in the elevator
Sunday:
There is not many better feelings than waking up refreshed and ready to ride a day with vintage bikes on a beautiful course with a high of 82 degrees and no wind. Jess and I grabbed some coffee and breakfast and we all rode out to the meeting point at Hansen Dam for the BSA "All" Brit ride. Pulling into the parking lot there were about 150 Beautiful British motorcycles, 30 Italian, and 25 Beemers, and ONE Honda. My 79' GL1000. We stopped and toured the lot looking at all the outstanding mixed of restorations. I counted 5 Velocettes, 4 Vincents, and one extraordinary 1923 Motoguzzi Single (best in show IMO). I love that cool humid air with the smell of castor oil and the sound of the British twins rumbling in all directions. The GL got its fair share of attention as well and we caught an older gent closely examining the front end. I asked him if he had a GL and he said he had "part of a 75". He had used a 75' GL front end on a resto mod Ariel (pictured below).......
As 1000 rolled around we all mounted for a thrilling ride though the hills about 150 miles. Great banked turns and very exciting. The GL more than held its own following my good friend Bill atop his 998 Ducati. He was blown away at the ease at which I pushed the 33 yr old GL though the tight turns with. With full bags and Jess on the back. We stopped for lunch at a small cafe and gas station in the hills and had a frosty beer and tri-tip sandwich on garlic hogie roll. From there we bolted off for another 50 miles of excellent twist and I was passed by that beautiful 1923 Guzzi flying at blistering speed with his scarf doing all it could to catch him. What a day I thought....how could I ask for more.
After returning and throwing back some water, and loading the trailer, Jess and I mounted for the 5 hour trek back home via the 210 and 15. This is where the GL shows where it shines at a steady 70-75mph and 44-46mpg. Effortless is the word that kept coming to mind. I had a 2004 FJR that we did a full weekend on once, and this bike blew that one away in my opinion. Getting home at 2230, I felt like I was just getting warmed up. What a weekend great food, good friends, beautiful wife, and an amazing bike.
Till next time
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From here we will ride though Death Valley and then on to Willow Springs for the Corsa Vintage Motorcycle show and the races. From there we will ride highway 2 into Pasadena. We are meeting up with some Vegas friends on British Classics (71' and 74' Commando's, and a Neo-Vintage Bonneville) On Sunday we will up and early for the BSA Annual Club ride and vintage British bike get together. I have spent today polishing and tuning in preparation. Should be about 1000miles this weekend. I will post pics as we move along, now to try and get some sleep! 
