Spring is right around the corner - Ducati Monster Forums: Ducati Monster Motorcycle Forum

Vintagerider · 02-02-2012, 04:01 PM

Any fellow California Riders planning a trip or event?

Laguna Seca is a must for me. I also hit Highway 1 every year, sometimes twice.

Vintagerider · 02-03-2012, 01:54 AM

I love that there are several views, but no one chiming in.

So let me be less specific. If you are out of state and looking. What rides are good in your neck of the America?

I live close to Yosemite so we head up there. Also since we are close to Kings Canyon National Park also, there are several really fun roads to ride in the foothills.

Vintagerider · 02-14-2012, 11:22 PM

I know there are some locals around that are waiting to hit the streets and the hills around here. I'm hopeful that I am not the only Central Valley Monster rider on this forum.

One of you will chime in here, I know it.

NoCal Tom · 02-15-2012, 11:02 PM

I'm up in Sacto, but I'm about 3 hrs from Fresno. I usually ride in the foothills on weekends. Rode out to Bodega Bay last year on my old bike, looking to do a longer coast ride this summer. Where do you go to when you head out to the coast?

Vintagerider · 02-15-2012, 11:10 PM

Bodega Bay is awesome!! I love them parts of Cali.

I would typically head down to Morro Bay or that area and head up Hwy 1 until I reach Monterey for lunch. I also like the hills of Santa Cruz and riding around that area a bit. I am hoping to do 'the loop' as I call it from here in Fresno and down and around and back home. I would like to head up to Tahoe and that region this summer for a nice ride. I hear the canyons up there are fun.

Dr. Freak · 02-15-2012, 11:19 PM

And our local, as well as the mountain roads are awesome. I can put a couple of hundred miles on my 2011 M696 just staying at home and riding the local roads for a day. Not to mention all the other options such as going up north to SF, South to SLO, or East through the valley as far as I want. Truly, Santa Cruz is a riding dream and staging area for other rides.

I'm enjoying it so much I sold my truck. My M696 is the only form of transport I have now. Braving the rain a couple blocks to work is totally worth the sacrifice in this unsure season. And the icing on the cake is I can still get better gas mileage than a Prius and blow a Porsche out of the water!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vintagerider

Bodega Bay is awesome!! I love them parts of Cali.

I would typically head down to Morro Bay or that area and head up Hwy 1 until I reach Monterey for lunch. I also like the hills of Santa Cruz and riding around that area a bit. I am hoping to do 'the loop' as I call it from here in Fresno and down and around and back home. I would like to head up to Tahoe and that region this summer for a nice ride. I hear the canyons up there are fun.

Vintagerider · 02-26-2012, 02:17 AM

Riding to Phil's Fish Market March 3rd a Saturday, if I actually get my bike back Tuesday.

Dr. Freak · 02-26-2012, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vintagerider

Riding to Phil's Fish Market March 3rd a Saturday, if I actually get my bike back Tuesday.

I just went there with my Wife and daughter last weekend for a Birthday lunch. They took the car while I followed on the bike. Parking is never hard for a bike, but still challenging at Phil's. They lucked out and found a place in the lot before me!

I'd offer to meet up with you for a ride but that is the first Saturday of the MSP course I signed up for. I've already passed the skills test for my M1 endorsement but still think after not having ridden in over 15 years I still have much to learn. The insurance discount doesn't hurt either.

Vintagerider · 02-26-2012, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Freak

I just went there with my Wife and daughter last weekend for a Birthday lunch. They took the car while I followed on the bike. Parking is never hard for a bike, but still challenging at Phil's. They lucked out and found a place in the lot before me!

I'd offer to meet up with you for a ride but that is the first Saturday of the MSP course I signed up for. I've already passed the skills test for my M1 endorsement but still think after not having ridden in over 15 years I still have much to learn. The insurance discount doesn't hurt either.

That's cool. We were there last Friday night for dinner. Halibut tacos are delicious and the 6 blue points weren't enough. But I am taking a buddy that has been wanting fish and chips. I did post a visitor message about last weekend. We just kicked around since my baby was still in the shop. Cruised the swap meet and rode a couple rides on the boardwalk. But we mostly hung out with the in-laws in the Village in Capitola. I was hoping to check out the concrete ship. Didn't get a chance to this time around.

Dr. Freak · 02-27-2012, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vintagerider

That's cool. We were there last Friday night for dinner. Halibut tacos are delicious and the 6 blue points weren't enough. But I am taking a buddy that has been wanting fish and chips. I did post a visitor message about last weekend. We just kicked around since my baby was still in the shop. Cruised the swap meet and rode a couple rides on the boardwalk. But we mostly hung out with the in-laws in the Village in Capitola. I was hoping to check out the concrete ship. Didn't get a chance to this time around.

I normally like to stop in Rio Del Mar, about a 1/4 mile from the concrete ship. It is a great little side-road that offers access to the beach and has a public bathroom and drinking fountain; the main reasons it is my favorite stop in town here.

As for the ship at Seacliff, it is still cool. I grew up looking at it and spending many days walking it. Lots of parts are no longer accessible but the fact a concrete ship floated at all is a marvel of engineering.