Topic: St. Patrick's Day Santa Maria GTG (Read 5218 times)

JCZ · « **on:** March 17, 2017, 09:58:12 PM »

Alan, Mike, Babe & I left San Diego about 8:00 a.m. this morning and headed north out of San Diego on I-5. A quick stop in Santa Ana at Danny Gray seats to replace a rider's backrest on Alan's seat and we were back on the road.

Lane split most of the way through Los Angeles over the next two or three hours but even with that, traffic was about as good as it gets in LA. We stopped at the old stage coach stop, Cold Springs Tavern to get lunch and to hook up with Van.

Alan's 17 CVO Street Glide that he's already had the motor bumped up, stereo mods, saddle bag liners tricked out and a few other mods.....

and Van finally rolled in......

JCZ · « **Reply #1 on:** March 17, 2017, 10:31:13 PM »

And since this is Van's back yard, he's going to lead and take us a more scenic route than Hwy. 101....and he did!

Leaving Cold Springs Tavern we ride under the 2nd tallest bridge in California....that means this is a very deep canyon next to us, as we leave and pass under the bridge since we're also near the top.....

JCZ · « **Reply #2 on:** March 17, 2017, 10:33:09 PM »

Cold Springs Tavern was a stage stop and hotel back in the 1800s, a place to stop and eat, rest or even get a room for the night. Next stop on the stage line was also the last stop. At Mattie's Tavern is where people got off the stage and got on the train....

JCZ · « **Reply #3 on:** March 17, 2017, 10:33:54 PM »

Not the stage.......just a few saddle broken broncs....

JCZ · « **Reply #4 on:** March 17, 2017, 10:34:50 PM »

Van leads out again, taking us down Foxen Canyon Rd. It may be a surprise to some but Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch is located in the next valley over. You will also notice that with all the rain that we've gotten here in California that everything is so green. Alan commented that it felt like we were riding the green fields of Ireland. Well, since it is St. Patrick's Day it was easy to imagine......

This sign tells us this is going to be a very nice ride.....let's do it!

JCZ · « **Reply #5 on:** March 17, 2017, 10:35:48 PM »

Erin Go Braugh!........

JCZ · « **Reply #6 on:** March 17, 2017, 10:36:23 PM »

With all the bright colors.....not hard to imagine this place being off in Ireland.......

We arrived at the Best Western Plus here in Santa Maria at 4:00 p.m. We registered and then stood in the parking lot talking for about an hour. Van, being true to his reputation disappeared......nobody saw him again, once we turned in to the motel parking lot.

Looking forward to our ride tomorrow. It was great t-shirt riding weather today and more of the same for tomorrow.

CAmike · « **Reply #7 on:** March 17, 2017, 11:13:52 PM »

Great pics! I ride through the central coast all the time and was on Foxen Canyon Road last week. Love the area and so many great canyon roads to explore and get lost.

ptnlinda · « **Reply #8 on:** March 18, 2017, 02:40:41 AM »

loved the pic's. Great day for it by the look of it.

JCZ · « **Reply #9 on:** March 18, 2017, 08:48:52 AM »

Yep, I spent the day in my t-shirt. Plan to do the same on our ride today. More pics will be posted tonight.

Grizzly · « **Reply #10 on:** March 18, 2017, 09:50:09 AM »

Thanks JC for another great ride report.

Even though it was hovering around 40°f here on St. Paddy's Day, there is still too much sand & chit on the road to take my "Green Dream Machine" ('91 Heritage) for a ride, but we felt like we were riding right along with you through the dales!

Thanks for sharing.

Joel · « **Reply #11 on:** March 18, 2017, 09:54:40 AM »

Thanks for the report and pics.
We have gone from almost daily snow to daily rain. But whats new.
We are in the wash the de icer off the road season. And your post and pics help me look forward to riding season.
Ride safe.

FLH91 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 18, 2017, 10:06:08 AM »

Wish I would have paid attention to this gtg... My wife and I spent the night in Port Hueneme at the Holiday Inn Express. We are going to be riding the mountains near Malibu today and then head back east towards Savannah tomorrow.... Rode in from 29 Palms yesterday to Santa Monica Pier, then to Ventura HD for a new tire. I little foggy near the water but nice up top. Great riding once out of the traffic....

JCZ · « **Reply #13 on:** March 18, 2017, 11:28:57 PM »

This Best Western Plus has one of the nicest breakfasts of any BW that I've ever stayed in.

Marty (110 mofo) showed up as we were finishing breakfast. It was more foggy as we headed back to our rooms to get ready to roll than it was when we walked over for breakfast. Of course the bikes were soaked so we wiped them down and got ready to roll....

JCZ · « **Reply #14 on:** March 18, 2017, 11:29:48 PM »

There were more wild flowers in bloom that I've ever saw in my 66 yrs. The news says that the wild flowers are blooming at a record rate due to all the rain that we've had.....

JCZ · « **Reply #15 on:** March 18, 2017, 11:30:33 PM »

Soon we arrive in McKittrick. The only thing about this town (besides the oil wells) is the Penny Bar in the McKittrick Hotel. Everything in the bar, including the bar, is covered in pennies even the floor....

Even the floor is covered in pennies.....

JCZ · « **Reply #16 on:** March 19, 2017, 01:05:11 AM »

We're rolling back west on a very scenic and beautiful Ca. 58......

and we rode by quite a number of these kind of signs today......

JCZ · « **Reply #17 on:** March 19, 2017, 01:06:00 AM »

and wild flowers in all directions for as far as the eye can see.....

JCZ · « **Reply #18 on:** March 19, 2017, 01:06:54 AM »

and again, more of these kind of signs.....just to make it a bit more interesting ride....

JCZ · « **Reply #19 on:** March 19, 2017, 01:08:20 AM »

Orange, yellows and purples......

JCZ · « **Reply #20 on:** March 19, 2017, 01:09:02 AM »

We see a sign that says "Pozo 20 Mi." which is where we were headed. As we turned off, Marty said it turns in to a dirt road eventually so they all went straight while Miguel and I followed the road. Yep, sure enough about 4-5 miles in to it, it turned to a dirt road but nice enough. Eventually it got rougher and rougher but we were to far in now......so we kept on.....

and this sign......really? Street licensed motorcycles only past this point?

JCZ · « **Reply #21 on:** March 19, 2017, 01:09:55 AM »

You guys know that I ride with my Nikon hanging around my neck and shoot most of my pics on the fly. I was still able to shoot a few on this dirt road as it got progressively worse and worse.....

Babe wasn't trusting my dirt riding skills on an Ultra Classic so she walked across each of the creeks and rivers that we crossed......there were many.

Shooting over my shoulder......

and some California hillbillies......yep, we got em too...

JCZ · « **Reply #22 on:** March 19, 2017, 01:10:46 AM »

Hot and dirty.....time for a break after an hour or so of this......

JCZ · « **Reply #23 on:** March 19, 2017, 01:11:14 AM »

We were getting some very strange looks as we'd pass by the dirt bike riders and the four wheelers. They'd always come to a complete stop and just stare at us. They would give us the right of way as we'd slip and slide pass them. These photos are taken on the easier parts of the roads.....where it got really rough and really tricky or where the water got much deeper, I had to keep both hands on the bars at all times.....

Eventually, 23 miles in to it, we made it to the top of the pass.....it's all down hill from here baby..... We're told it's 7 1/2 miles down to the asphalt road but it should be much better than the goat trail we'd just rode up....

The 4 wheelers all agreed that we're friggen nuts.....

We made it back to the hotel safe and no scratched paint but we did spend a big part of the day in pucker mode......don't want to do that again.

luc.who · « **Reply #24 on:** March 19, 2017, 08:34:09 AM »

Great pics thanks for sharing. Wish I could find some of those twist i.e. Signs in Nebraska. The dirt roads reminded me of my trip to Yellowstone a few years back. Snow ice and mud.. Lol

Harvey Mushman · « **Reply #25 on:** March 19, 2017, 11:50:16 AM »

I don't know if I've ever seen CVO off road pics before. Looks lush down there. Thanks for sharing.

Yellow09SERG · « **Reply #26 on:** March 19, 2017, 09:51:18 PM »

Thank you for sharing JC. Looks like some beautiful country. Hope to see it someday dirt roads and all

PatrickP · « **Reply #27 on:** March 19, 2017, 10:43:11 PM »

Looks like a fantastic memorable ride you all had.. Thanks for sharing!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

JCZ · « **Reply #28 on:** March 19, 2017, 11:50:37 PM »

Oh it was certainly a "memorable" weekend!

As we were riding home Miguel got excited and made a wrong turn......and he doesn't have a GPS. After wasting a couple hours trying to find him, we hooked back up 50 miles down the highway.

Then, as we were heading through LA my bike started doing some weird stuff. Felt like a grinding in the rear wheel....the rear tire lost some pressure and lost the rear brake completly. Nothing obvious, no odor or smell, just nothing we could see sitting on the side of the road. Pulled up the Harley dealership list on the gps and hobbled on the shoulder 3.8 miles. We arrive and it's no longer a Harley dealership but instead it's an Indian dealership of Westminister.

These guys were incredable! The salesman comes and inquires and we explain things and tell him that I'm calling Road America for a tow to the Harley dealership. No problem.....a few minutes later he walks out with a bottle of cold water for each of us. Then Alan, me and Miguel are talking about removing the trailer hitch right quick.....before it gets to the dealership. Next thing I know, this guy comes out with a hand full of wrenches, sockets and ratchet and he's on the ground removing the bolts from my trailer hitch.

Long story short, I'm thinking I need to just get back to San Diego and get my truck and trailer and come and get my bike and bring it back to San Diego Harley. Then Babe says "you're this far north why not just take it to Jim's.....at least you'll know who's working on it". Perfect, I go in side and ask the VP of the dealership, Leo Hartog, Executive VP of Indian Motorcycles in Westminister what they'd charge me to keep my bike for a couple of days. He said "nothing....we'll keep it for you right here in the store". Needless to say, I was very surprised......all of us were. Their customer service (even for those of us that aren't actually "spending" customers) and hospitality is second to none!

Miguel talked their clothing dept. lady in to a photo and her smile and attitude reflects the attitude of all the staff at Indian Motorcycles of Westminister.

RoadTrip · « **Reply #29 on:** March 20, 2017, 08:40:30 AM »

That is the way ALL dealers should represent themselves. Kudos to Indian Motorcycles of Westminster.

Ironhorse · « **Reply #30 on:** March 20, 2017, 02:28:02 PM »

JC,

Did you do a Google search? You were about 2.5 miles from the Harley Dealer. I'm wondering if your rear end might have picked up a rock, or mud clod during your ride on the Goat Trail. Since you're still under warranty they might save you a trip to Jims. I once had a rock get wedged between the pulley and the belt and punch a hole through the belt.

Mark

JCZ · « **Reply #31 on:** March 20, 2017, 10:48:16 PM »

As I mentioned when I replied to your facebook post.....I know where the Harley dealership is at. I've been riding many, many years and I've learned that when you take it to a dealership it's always a toss up if it's going to be done right and usually ends up costing way more $$ than what's expected.

I've been taking my bike to Jim for many, many years and when I take it to Jim it gets done right the first time, I'm not upsold into a bunch of crap I don't need or having to rely on somebody's "guess" because they don't have enough experience to "know" and yes, it's under warranty and so Jim will fix it under the warranty.

So the moral of this story.....there are several dealerships that are closer but it's always a roll of the dice and will always cost more than expected.....or take it to Jim and be confident it'll get done right and it's covered by the warranty. A no brainer to me.

SDCVO · « **Reply #32 on:** March 21, 2017, 12:28:06 AM »

Quote from: Ironhorse on March 20, 2017, 02:28:02 PM

JC,

Did you do a Google search? You were about 2.5 miles from the Harley Dealer. I'm wondering if your rear end might have picked up a rock, or mud clod during your ride on the Goat Trail. Since you're still under warranty they might save you a trip to Jims. I once had a rock get wedged between the pulley and the belt and punch a hole through the belt.

Mark

I can tell you following him, I don't think it was a rock or mud. Rear end was shaking around as if the tire was completely flat which obviously it wasn't. Also he had lost his rear brake which could end up being major (or not..). We did know the Harley dealer was only a couple of miles away but not sure that bike would have made it a couple if hundred feet when we got to the Indian store.

muddypaws · « **Reply #33 on:** March 21, 2017, 07:35:44 AM »

Looks like a great ride..

SDCVO · « **Reply #34 on:** March 21, 2017, 11:56:03 PM »

Quote from: JCZ on March 20, 2017, 10:48:16 PM

As I mentioned when I replied to your facebook post.....I know where the Harley dealership is at. I've been riding many, many years and I've learned that when you take it to a dealership it's always a toss up if it's going to be done right and usually ends up costing way more $$ than what's expected.

I've been taking my bike to Jim for many, many years and when I take it to Jim it gets done right the first time, I'm not upsold into a bunch of crap I don't need or having to rely on somebody's "guess" because they don't have enough experience to "know" and yes, it's under warranty and so Jim will fix it under the warranty.

So the moral of this story.....there are several dealerships that are closer but it's always a roll of the dice and will always cost more than expected.....or take it to Jim and be confident it'll get done right and it's covered by the warranty. A no brainer to me.

When are you picking up bike and running it up there?

JCZ · « **Reply #35 on:** March 22, 2017, 08:52:02 AM »

Still working on that Alan. Have to call Leo at Indian today.

JR · « **Reply #36 on:** March 26, 2017, 10:05:22 AM »

Dang JC, another exciting adventure!

So sorry to hear about your bike. I guess your hitch must void warranty, I didn't know that. Always enjoy your ride reports and pictures! Love ya friend and hope you get your bike back soon!

Harleyridernwv · « **Reply #37 on:** April 10, 2017, 01:31:05 PM »

Great pics JC. I am so envious of the great territory you guys have to ride in Cali.
BJ

MadCVORG · « **Reply #38 on:** April 19, 2017, 01:41:44 PM »

Thanks for the great photos! Been a while since I was stationed in CA. Lots of good memories riding through the coastal areas and the hills!

Author Topic: St. Patrick's Day Santa Maria GTG (Read 5218 times)