3001 miles and counting. I rode 301 miles today from Morro Bay to Oceanside California. This brings my total mileage to 3001. The RX3 performed admirably. It's handling in the twisties is at par if not better against my other bikes with bigger cc's. It is only in the interstates where the faster cars average 80mph that I wish the RX3 had a little more CCs, say 350cc? Having said that, the 250cc is ample for my purpose.
I was going to ride all of California highway 1(PCH) from Morro Bay all the way to Dana Point. Alas, my allergies got the better of me so I decide to go PCH only up to Santa Monica. It was I-5 all the way to Oceanside from Santa monica. Baja bound early tomorrow. I will be resting early tonight and dreaming Baja dreams! Southern California bound and I am excited! Not only will the ride through the Pacific Coast be beautiful, I am also south bound to join a group ride with other RX3 riders to Baja, Mexico.
The Pacific Coast is all I anticipated it to be, beautiful views and Vistas coupled with great riding weather. I have ridden this route before on a Yamaha FJR 1300 with my wife on the pillion. I was reminded of how things were then vs. my world of today. I contemplated once more on how life is short and how one needs to find life's meaning. I probably will not pass this way again but I am glad I am fulfilling one more item in my bucket list. I was again reminded on why I embarked on this trip. The Yamaha of yore had more power than the RX3 but today's ride was no less pleasurable. The RX3 handled the twisties superbly and easily kept up with traffic. I thank CSC for being the catalyst and making this ride a reality. The shortest way from Ashland, Oregon to Contra Costa County California is thru I-5 and 505. That was the Route we took. The cold which Vladimir could no longer tolerate drove us south bound.
The view was no less beautiful on the interstate. Mt Shasta with its snow covered top was as sight. The peaks and valleys from the highway was inspiring. I was pushing the RX3 to its 9k rev limit since cars were moving north of 80 mph. I found out that the RX3 has an engine oil overflow valve. The outlet tube as beginning to accumulate excess engine oil as the revs increased to the red line and engine temp increased. Apparently, I added a tad more oil during the Last oil change. For those riders using a bungee cord to tie down stuff on their pillion, take a lesson from Vlad. He dropped and lost his tied down luggage bag. He back tracked 15 miles and tried to recover the bag but could not find it. Lesson learned! Baja Mexico Next... What a Life! From coastline beaches and bays to rivers, lakes and small town USA. From Coos Bay to Ashland, Oregon. Sometimes the winds of change divert us from our intended course. This time it was more than wind, it came with cold rain and cloudy skies. Where we intended to go to Glacier park the cold drove vlad and I to Ashland, Oregon in search of warmer clime. Serendipity brought us to the Shakespeare Theater that is Ashland. We ended watching Prericles by William Shakespeare. A show that I will remember for a long time. What a Life. The Oregon Coastline is beautiful! The surf was up, the wind blowing and the air bone chilling. It was a great ride notwithstanding. I am glad we went the coastline route instead of cutting to the interstate and getting to Portland sooner.
This is my first and probably the last time I will be passing this way. I feel a bit sad as a wrote the sentence :) Tomorrow it is to Portland then Glacier Park, Montana. That's all for now folks. What a Life! After a 3 day hiatus, Vladimir Shubov and I commenced our Northwest USA trip. 1st leg is to go northern California and hit the Oregon coast towards Portland. Since our itinerary is fluid, for now we are riding towards Portland, however, plans can change as we go along.
It was a 300 mile ride today through Northern California thru route 101. We took a detour from 101 and took the Avenue of the Giants to see some of the giant redwood trees. I am still amazed how big the redwoods are! Giant is an appropriate word. We ended the day in Eureka, California and checked in at a Travelodge Hotel managed by an Indian couple transplanted from San Jose. Weatherwise, it was another cold day for riding. Aha, but this time I was prepared and bundled up. I cannot say the same for Vlad though. As I am writing this in the hotel room, vlad is out to the mall to get some warmer gear for tomorrow. RX3: The bike performed great today. It easily kept up with Vlad's Suzuki SV650. It was happy running between 8-9k rpm (9k rpm is redline). on steep climbs, I was able to maintain >65 mph on 5th gear. One small niggly stuff though, hitting the front brake at slow speed produces a knocking sound and I could also feel it on the handle bars. I am guessing that this is caused by the contact between brake pads and rotor. I am not too worried about this. I am hoping the knocking will go away after awhile. So far, the trip is as I imagined it to be. I am constantly reminded of how beautiful this planet is and how I find the need to travel and WANDER about in earth of ours for life is short. WHAT A LIFE. 570 miles 12 hours - that is what I did today on the trip from Las Vegas to Antioch, California.
The first 300 miles to Bakersfield was COLD! My hands and legs were freezing. The second half all the way to Antioch was warm. I need to get a good pair of winter gloves and warm riding pants in lieu of my blue jeans. I will need to have warm gear especially with the forth coming ride to Oregon and the northwest. The RX3 performed very well and I was able to push it to the limit (85 mph) given that I have done the first oil change. except that the dealer installed center stand came lose. The retaining spring's hook broke and the assembly was dragging, for how many miles I don't know. I guess I will be calling the dealer and see how we can address this. Otherwise, I am satisfied with the RX3's performance so far. Yes top speed is 85 mph and most cars on the interstate overtook me, but that is ok, I am in no rush. Will be taking the next 2 days easy and will start the northwest trip on 4/20. I will be riding with my friend from cebu Vladimir Shubov. Tata for now...What a Life!
Took a needed day off from riding. Spent the day with my childhood friend Jonick Esporas.
Took the opportunity to get a Las Vegas drivers license. It was not that difficult once you have all the needed documents. Also put in a bet on Manny Pacquiao. My $100 will win 170. Will rest early tonite. I have a long ride to Antioch, Ca. - 526 Miles. It will be a 10-12 hour ride! What a Life!
One would think that the ride to Las Vegas would be on the hot side. Wrong! I was bundled-up due to the cold even at 11am. I could feel the cold wind in my legs even with tights on. I will need to find warmer pants, gloves and under shirt. Taking a break in Barstow for lunch (del taco) will gas up and continue on. 160 of the 303 miles so far. Half way and it took 4 hours. eta Vegas 4pm. What a life!
Packing for Vegas trip. Need to travel light so I am leaving non-essential items in a box for my daughter, Jeselle, to ship to Philippines for me.
What I am packing: a) 1 pair blue jeans. I am wearing the other. b) 5 shirts c) 2 swimming trunks (in place of underwear) d) 1 rain gear e) 1 pair of very light sneakers f) 2 pairs of socks and tights g) ipad, electrical charger w/ 4 USB cables, battery bank. h) water bottle and mixed nuts i) meds j) motorcycle tire repair kit including inner tube k) bicycle tire pump l) wrenches and tools I will be wearing motorcycle jacket with 3 layers of shirt underneath; blue jeans with knee protector underneath; stretchable tights; leather gloves with thin rubber gloves underneath to fight the early morning cold; blaclava underneath my helmet; riding boots; and fanny pack to hold various items; backpack to hold water, meds and small personal item. The ride to Vegas will be @ 303 miles and I plan to cover 50 miles per hour or 6 hours travel time. leaving 8am will get me to Vegas at 2pm. Will be staying at my friend Jonick Esporas' house. What a life! |
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