Ducati Monster Forum

A group (Michael Moore, mostrobelle, enzo, me, Drunken Monkey) of us did a Northbay loop Sun morn (Tam, Fairfax Bolinas, Sir Francis Drake, Nicaso, Pt. Reyes, Tomales, back to Pt. Reyes, PCH back to Mill Valley).  I know the cameras were rolling for the less-fun part of the ride, but I still wanna see the footage.  A coupla ride highlights--

1)  Cops.  Man, they weren't kidding about stepped-up CHP enforcement.  In a stretch where there are usually few cops, there were many.  One saw us when we were going the speed limit behind two cars, turned around and chased us for 25 miles until he caught up.   Olema all the way to Stinson.  There was no reason for him to turn around 'cept that we were motorcyclists.   >:(  Drunkenmonkey got a fix-it ticket for registration, but the LEO didn't nab the rest of us (DM slowed when he saw the LEO and we had already put a couple cars in between us and him).  We got a stern warning by a very serious-looking 12 y/o with a gun and a CHP cruiser.  [roll]  It looks like we'll all have to be extra careful and be prepared for fix-it tickets for things like rear reflectors, turn signals, etc.  I thought they were just enforcing at Four Corners, but apparently, it's not that geographically limited.  Or maybe they're just drawn to shiny things.   ;D

2)  We chased down a Subaru group in the Racetrack leading to Tomales.  Man, they were movin'.  We got around the back of the group, but their leader just took off, leaving his buddies in the dust.  We tucked in behind and went at it.  It took some work to pass him.  But it was a blast.  Thanks for leading the charge, MM.  [thumbsup]

3)  Fairfax-Bolinas is an absolute ball crusher.  I hate that f'n road and hate that Michael likes to go on it just so that I curse at him afterwards.  And getting there from the top of Tam sucks just as much -- foggy, wet and covered in pine needles.  Screw you, Michael.   ;D

4)  Watch out for cyclists.  Some of them are seriously retarded.  They like to ride 17 abrest through tight twisties.  One particular group of them on Sir Francisco Drake got a driveby and some exhaust fumes ("Negative, Ghostrider, the pattern is full"  ;D).  And (as I said the other week) watch for cars coming over the DY to avoid cyclists (even the non-retarded, single file ones). 

5)  Don't be surprised when mostrobelle reaches down to stroke the asphalt with her inside arm in the middle of a turn.  I guess she's just being friendly.  It seems like an unconvential, but promising, way of saying a prayer to the asphalt gods.

6)  There was a TON of traffic on Tam.  I think the Mountain play was going on.  And there was some sort of a race.  Does anyone know of a website where to check if there are Tam goings-on?

Thanks for the report. I'm inclined to avoid riding until things quiet down.

Good call. Save the $$ you would have paid on fix-it tickets and spend it on your track day. [moto]

Makes me kinda glad I ride an innocuous scooter. The most attention I've received from  [leo] on that beauty so far is a friendly wave from a moto cop. ;D

Do things ever quiet down fo you? 

Thanks for the heads up Spidey.  What time did you notice said LEOs?

I liked how the cop said, "We're not messin' around..." at the end of his little lecture.  I kept waiting for the finger wag, but he's got a few years to go before perfecting a condescending speech with hand gestures.  Whatev--as long as he's not reading me my rights I'm a happy girl.   

Next time we try to hide out from a patrol car I'm movin' my bike away from you hosers.  Or maybe I'll just start to tear up a little and tell him the bad men made me ride fast and it's scary.   [cheeky] 

Next time we ride, let's make him work to catch us.  [evil]  (I kid, I kid!)

Enzo and I saw them all over 101 (between the Richmond Bridge and Tam Junction we saw 2 or 3 at a bit after 8.)  The group of us riding then passed the two CHP's going the opposite direction around noon.  I think we just happened to be caught behind a car or in town or something, because I specifically remember thinking "Whew!" Like Spidey said--the guy had no reason to come after us except that we were a group of mc's.  I know from my high school days that when people are calling your ass in, the officer pulling you over lets you know.  And then the officer usually says he's not writing you up a ticket this time, and you think you're off with just a warning, but then he tells you that he's told your dad.  Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Technically I think I'm still grounded for that one.  And I'm forbidden from seeing Colin Huff ever again.   [cheeky]

Any time amigo.

Actually, had I known that cop was behind us I'd have ducked up BoFax again!  ;D


I really should have gotten a ticket for chasing those damn Subarus. That was naughty.

AHHHHHHHHH NOOOOOOOOOO IT LOOKS LIKE THE CANADIAN SITE. MAKE IT STOP...MY EYES ARE BLEEDING!
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3617/3590659297_1f89960499.jpg?v=0)

They're just screwin' with ya man. Looks the same as it ever did.

I like Bo-Fax. At the top the 7 sisters are breath taking. It's good to know where the bumps are though - there's one a 1/4 miles north of the lake that'll take your baby-maker right off. It's like a curb in the middle of the road  [laugh]

When you say, "Subarus," you mean the little go fast kind with the CF hood? or the Lesbaru/soccar-mom wagon kind, Top speed 47mph?

Actually these were not the WRX kind, but a bunch of wagons that had been pimped-out and heavily modified.  Which is what surprised me - I figured they'd be an easy pass, but once the slow car ahead of them pulled off they started hauling ass.

Well, I wouldn't get super paranoid. Since I was "tail end charlie" the cop ran my plate and the reg came up expired, hence the fix-it.

There's plenty else non-legal about my bike so I'm happy to just have to get my reg in order.

Mind you, I did hit him with a big dose of "Aw shucks, I haven't ridden in months. With a wife and two kids I don't get out riding much. Did I mention my wife and two kids?"

It's the middle aged guy version of chicks flashing some cleavage to get out of a ticket  ;D

So...stay ahead of John and you're fine... [evil]

And we see how well that works...  ;)

Some of the wagons are of the WRX variety, I own one. A Lot of guys like to play around with the motors in them. The stock engine is a dumbed down version of the one Subaru uses in the rally car. If you spend the money to put the rally parts on it you can easily get 500hp and about 400ft.lbs of torque.

My friend Matt manufactures and sells parts to hop up Subarus:
http://www.kstech.biz/ (http://www.kstech.biz/)

Subaru owners go nuts on mods and mapping. The ECUs are apparently programmable out of the box.

I have heard of them. Never was interested in doing any performance stuff to the car. 250hp is just fine by me.

It's not for everyone.

Matt was at Thunderhill the other day with a customer mappin/monitoring his ECU while on the track. He called me between sessions and sounded giddy. That must be a blast.

Can you say 0-60 in 3 seconds flat   [evil]

No wonder they were so freakin' hard to pass!  [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]

Great ride, but it was the last weekend of the month.  I wonder if the chippies found that group of Kawi's draggin' knee...