Ducati Monster Forum

Several years ago I took part in a Vampires scavenger hunt that is part of their annual Dampened Spirits Ride.  The theme was coffee.  Our team rode all over in crap weather in search of coffee-related things in order to win, and as a coup de grace I bared my bosom in front of a bunch of coffee beans and had a picture taken.  With bated breath I waited for the announcement, but alas, a bunch of punks who had merely made a trip to some out of the way coffee hut in the hills managed to snag the victory that should have been mine.  I was assured that my chesticular region was up to par, but that that cup of joe was a taste of heaven.  The coffee's origin was a place called Nepenthe in Big Sur, and I told myself that one day I'd have a mug of the stuff that had put my ta tas to shame.

And here we are in 2010...  The boy and I had fallen on some difficult financial times last year.  We managed to have work most of the time, but together we had five different jobs and a short bout of unemployment.  Making ends meet was tough, let alone saving for trackdays like we normally do.  Instead of tear-assin' around T-hill this Spring we decided to take the few extra dollars we'd managed to squirrel away to take a brief moto tour of this gorgeous state of ours.  Naturally we made Big Sur our destination.  We only wanted to take a couple of days and that was about as far as we thought we could go if we avoided freeways.  And I had a cup of coffee with my name on it waiting for me.  

On Saturday morning we loaded up.  Walking shoes, some clean skivvies and socks, and my girlie things were all we packed. (http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o131/etoile_polaire/031310%20Big%20Sur/2010_0314Big_Sur0152.jpg)

I put together a little picnic lunch for us, too.  Homemade cookies, sandwiches on rye bread that I'd made myself, some dried and fresh fruit.. (http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o131/etoile_polaire/031310%20Big%20Sur/2010_0314Big_Sur0150.jpg)

Our first leg of the trip was Redwood Rd.  It's about 10 minutes from the tenement, and it's gorgeous right now.  
(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o131/etoile_polaire/031310%20Big%20Sur/2010_0314Big_Sur0154.jpg)

The old Duc and me...
(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o131/etoile_polaire/031310%20Big%20Sur/2010_0314Big_Sur0155.jpg)

Redwood spat us out in San Leandro, land of stop lights and strip malls...I swear it took us 30 minutes to get to the next section of road and most of it was spent waiting at red lights.  We kept going and wound our way down Palomares.  I stopped on Niles Canyon Road to put more clothes on...it was a tad chillier than I'd expected.  A theme that would stay with me for the entire trip.  But I'm tough.  Sort of.  
(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o131/etoile_polaire/031310%20Big%20Sur/2010_0314Big_Sur0158.jpg)

Onto Calaveres Road...little did I know it, but we passed a couple of BARFers on their push-bikes battling up the hill.  I discovered that later on when they both texted me.  A short jaunt on a couple of freeways got us to the mouth of the fabled Highway 9.  I've ridden this road quite a bit, but it's always different.  We had a bit of luggage and a loooong ways ahead of us.  I kept our pace pretty mellow and decided to save my legs for the rest of the trip.  I got us seriously lost at one point, but it was a "good lost".  Eventually I hooked up with Bonnie Doon after cruising Empire Grade, Jamison Creek and a few other goaty trails.  Bonnie Doon spit us out onto 1 South just after Davenport and I finally felt like our trip had officially begun.  So naturally it was time to stop. And eat.  We pulled up to a nice looking beach where the park ranger demanded $10 to park per motorcycle.  We turned around, parked 100 yards up the street with everyone else and found a picnic bench with this view instead.  Not too bad for "free".

(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o131/etoile_polaire/031310%20Big%20Sur/2010_0314Big_Sur0165.jpg)

Looking at my written down route, I figured that we didn't have a whole lot more riding to do that day.  Big Sur and Nepenthe were an easy hour or so away and we still had plenty of day left.  We took our time winding down the coast.  People were great about pulling over for us so we didn't have to do a lot of sketchy passes and we managed to keep sort of close to the speed limit.  

We came up to Big Sur and Nepenthe after a while, but we wanted to get checked into our overnight accommodations and get cleaned up for dinner.  We rode past the restaurant that housed the coffee that had belittled my boobs years ago and kept riding.  And riding and riding.  Past the last remnants of civilization we rode and past a gas station that said "Last gas for 40 miles".  I looked at my tripometer and noted that we'd gone about 75 miles.  For most bikes that's not a big deal...but I'd gone a little mod-crazy several years ago and put a big bore kit on the big red beast.  She was already inefficient, but adding another 44 cc's to her made her suck gas like an alcoholic slurps gin at last call.  Nervous and noting the fading daylight we pulled over to check a map and make a phone call.  

(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o131/etoile_polaire/031310%20Big%20Sur/2010_0314Big_Sur0168.jpg)

I suppose there are worse places to be stranded...

(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o131/etoile_polaire/031310%20Big%20Sur/2010_0314Big_Sur0174.jpg)

The boy's phone had died...I guess having it search for service all day had worn down the battery.  We had mine, but no one answered.  We had an address and a whole lotta nuthin looking up and down the coast.  We got back on the bikes and half-figured we'd be in Santa Barbara before we'd see anything that resembled civilization.  We crossed old mudslides that had left potholed gravel and went around cliffs that had dumped large rocks in the middle of the road.  It was still some of the best riding of the day and I picked up the pace to try to beat the sun going down.  Just as I'd nearly given up hope, we found it...a place called Treebones that overlooks the water.  We'd rented a yurt (something like a really nice tent) for the night.  It had a bed and an oil stove in it.  There were hot showers in the main lodge, a hot tub, and a restaurant.  We decided to "make camp" for the night and save the coffee-tasting for the next day.  

Here's a view from the 'tub.  

(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o131/etoile_polaire/031310%20Big%20Sur/2010_0314Big_Sur0180.jpg)

Here's one of the best photos I've ever taken in my life--I was trying to take one of those cute shots while holding the camera myself.  I don't know how the MySpace kids do it.  All I got was this IZ_ picture of my eyes with my skull cap that I wore in the hot tub.  Sexxxayyyy, I know.  

(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o131/etoile_polaire/031310%20Big%20Sur/2010_0314Big_Sur0182.jpg)

After a big meal, too much wine, and a soak in the tub we crashed at about 9:30.  We woke up at dawn-ish.  Here's what our yurt looked like.  

(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o131/etoile_polaire/031310%20Big%20Sur/2010_0314Big_Sur0186.jpg)

More yurts.

(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o131/etoile_polaire/031310%20Big%20Sur/2010_0314Big_Sur0187.jpg)

The view from our yurt.  
(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o131/etoile_polaire/031310%20Big%20Sur/2010_0314Big_Sur0185.jpg)

A person can also stay in this stick structure called "The Nest".  Looked kinda pokey and uncomfy to me, but there were a couple of bodies in it, so I took a couple of quick shots and bolted.  

(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o131/etoile_polaire/031310%20Big%20Sur/2010_0314Big_Sur0189.jpg)

There were horses and a garden there, too.  Say, "Hi Horsey."

(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o131/etoile_polaire/031310%20Big%20Sur/2010_0314Big_Sur0191.jpg)

After too many waffles smothered in peanut butter we took off a little further down the coast to Hearst Castle.  We couldn't come all this way and not see it.

The outdoor pool.  I have one just like it at home.

(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o131/etoile_polaire/031310%20Big%20Sur/2010_0314Big_Sur0195.jpg)

The indoor pool.  Yep, got one of those too.

(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o131/etoile_polaire/031310%20Big%20Sur/2010_0314Big_Sur0207.jpg)

Mr. Hearst's office--funny, mine looks *just* like this.  
(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o131/etoile_polaire/031310%20Big%20Sur/2010_0314Big_Sur0201.jpg)

A view from inside one of the bedrooms.  Kinky...

(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o131/etoile_polaire/031310%20Big%20Sur/2010_0314Big_Sur0202.jpg)

No well-decorated home should be without a stag light.  

(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o131/etoile_polaire/031310%20Big%20Sur/2010_0314Big_Sur0200.jpg)

His personal architect's office--now this is something that I can relate to as an architect myself--a shabby shack tacked onto the jobsite. 

(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o131/etoile_polaire/031310%20Big%20Sur/2010_0314Big_Sur0206.jpg)

From here we hopping back on the bikes and started making our way back home and to NEPENTHE!!!!  But not before we stopped again.  Just your average bridge...
(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o131/etoile_polaire/031310%20Big%20Sur/2010_0314Big_Sur0213.jpg)

I like to title this one, "Should I jump or let her push me?"

(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o131/etoile_polaire/031310%20Big%20Sur/2010_0314Big_Sur0210.jpg)

More sun, sea and bikes.

(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o131/etoile_polaire/031310%20Big%20Sur/2010_0314Big_Sur0216.jpg)

Flowers...

(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o131/etoile_polaire/031310%20Big%20Sur/2010_0314Big_Sur0218.jpg)

Succulents...
(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o131/etoile_polaire/031310%20Big%20Sur/2010_0314Big_Sur0219.jpg)

More flowers...I'm a girl.  We like flowers. 
(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o131/etoile_polaire/031310%20Big%20Sur/2010_0314Big_Sur0220.jpg)


And finally... Nepenthe!
(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o131/etoile_polaire/031310%20Big%20Sur/2010_0314Big_Sur0221.jpg)

Believe it or not, I didn't bother with the coffee.  I don't drink the stuff.  Never have.  Instead I took in all of this that I could get...

(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o131/etoile_polaire/031310%20Big%20Sur/2010_0314Big_Sur0215.jpg)

The ride home was brisk, but beautiful.  The boy and I rolled up the driveway just as the last bit of sun disappeared behind the hills.  We came in, dumped our stuff on the floor, showered and slept like our last name was Van Winkle.  We awoke to another Monday morning--which was just a bit more bearable knowing where I'd been for the last two days. 

(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o131/etoile_polaire/031310%20Big%20Sur/2010_0314Big_Sur0214.jpg)

Big Sur FTW! Looks like yous guys had a good time. Nice write-up and pics too.

Thank you for the great ta tas write up! [coffee]

Awesome trip, 'Belle. And an excellent write-up as usual. BikerGoddess and I were thinking of doing something similar up north...involving Skaggs Springs Rd, of course ;D

Cool trip! Planning a similar one in the cage with kid in tow this month.. Nice pix too!

Sounds like a fun time, thanks for sharing! [thumbsup]

Really nice..!

Gawwd that's so nice. Sun blue water bikes asses, what could be better?

I just got back from snow and wind and long nights over seas. The Spring creeping up slowly is absolutely intoxicating here. This post is such a perfect manifestation of all that. It makes me shead a little tear of joy. 

Thanks for sharing!

As always, great write-up.  Makes me wish even more that my boobie laden s.o. rode & shared that passion.

It was a great trip.  Enzo and I keep telling one another how lucky we are to have this hobby to share.  We do pretty much everything together and are best buddies first--husband and wife second.  The trip was a real adventure for us and we're looking forward to the next one.  We might head North next time. 

Nice trip, that.

Jealous  >:(

Yep.  I was thinking of heading down there in early April.  

Oh, and looks like a great trip. 

Cool write up, kiddo.
Making a run down to SLO in two weekends.  My thread will end up picture-lite as usual.  Good for you two for taking the time to take photos.

Yeah - it actually takes some effort to stop and snap.  The stops were critical to our ability to keep riding.  The first day was fine, but the return trip started to get a little tough at about Santa Cruz.  We stopped for gas right at the bottom of 9 and then again at the mouth of 35 before hopping onto 280.  There's no way that I could have ridden all that way otherwise.  If we'd gone any further I would have needed a stop for the night.  My riding was getting a little sloppy at the end, too.  I guess I'm only good for about 250 miles a day.  A touring maniac I am not. 

Being in Texas we never get to see things like these rides so it's extra special to catch this thread. Hope you West-coasters keep feeding our desire with more of these posts! Thanks so much.  [thumbsup]

Great pics Belle, looks like you guys had an amazing time, you've inspired me to start planning a long distance trip too  [thumbsup], but knowing me, there will only be memories and no pics  ;D

Thank you for sharing you're trip with us. All these years riding I've never gone on an official overnight. Hearing about them has inspired me in the past, but seeing this write up makes me feel like I've been seriously deprived!   

How's the driveway up to Hearst Castle? When I become filthy rich I'm gonna buy that place and invite you all to come and do "trackdays" up and down my driveway!

big (Oh, and the coffee at Nepenthe isn't all that special...)

Well, that just makes the thread even more insulting to Heather's chest.

Awesome right up and photos!

Did you guys get to see his mistress room as well? It houses the 1 item that the parks service has actually had appraised...

Oh yeah I got to swim in the outdoor pool :D There used to be a class instructed by the guy that was the head cheese there and would let all the students swim once a year in the pool...


It's got zebras :P

It's pretty narrow...hard to apex it correctly, especially when there's traffic coming the other way. 

 [coffee] 


Yeah, that was on the tour we took--I didn't get to see the main hall and all that, but we saw his bedroom, hers, and some of the servants' quarters.  I'd love to go back.   [thumbsup]

Happy to oblige!  You'll just have to come on over and take a trip yourself. 

For the record, I'd happily ride a few hundred miles to stare at Heathers boobies, but I wouldn't walk 10 minutes out of my way for Nepenthe's coffee...

 [cheeky]

big

As always, a great write-up.

Nice write-up and sounds like an awesome trip.  [thumbsup]

Maybe we can convince the Mods to allow her to post as her avatar the now famous picture? just sayin... ;D  [popcorn]

I have to say that the mention of the picture is one of the best teases I've run across. It's like "I've got a new car you might be able to ride in...someday...NOT" kind of thing y'know?  ???

I would certainly like to take a trip out to Cali with the bike. I've been on pleasure trips sans Duc but never with Duc. Isn't that what retirement is for?  [laugh]

I did the PCH, Laurel Canyon/Mulholland in 3/07 in rented Pontiac but me thinks it might be a tad more fun on two wheels.

Get out here...you can rent a bike ;D

My chest (or lack thereof) is sort of a running joke among us MOBsters... I'm not exactly the most voluptuous gal you've ever met.  I would describe my body type as aerodynamic, but Spidey just says that I look like a 12 year old boy.  Needless to say, the topless photos wouldn't be anything to get your heart pumping. 

Fixed.  ;)

Yeah Christmas time they decorate it in authentic decorations and put actors in a lot of the rooms as if people were preparing for a Christmas dinner party... I've yet to catch that but it would be cool to see that.

There's a night tour that's about three times the cost of a regular day tour, but they have actors in period costumes for that one too I guess.  They didn't offer it on the date that we wanted to go, but I think that it would be worth it. 

The tour guide said they let the park staff swim in the pool once a year.  Reminded me of Caddyshack.

lol..."DOOOOODY" !

Great pics and write up.
Gives me ideas on how to spend my Saturdays.

Thanks.

I just did this ride on the 11th and back on the 14th (I was dumb enough to go all the way to LA)
I love the pictures, I wish I took the time to stop, but I just kept on rolling all the way to SLO.

Thanks Belle for sharing, your write ups always inspire me to ride =)

Good stuff  [thumbsup] Love the shack.

Awesome pics and write up Belle.   [thumbsup]

I'm so sorry we weren't able to cross paths on the way back. Riding down this last weekend was just spectacular. In the process I did see your yurts up on the hill and figured that's where you must've been.

I took Hwy 1 down to SLO, then 101 to Hwy 154 which goes by Lake Cachuma.

On the way back I took 33 through Ojai and back on Hwy 166 to the coast, and then back up Hwy 1. I thought I should do a different route home, but Hwy 1 is so fantastic I didn't really mind doing the reverse direction.

I just wish I had your discipline to stop and take photos. All I managed were these:

Heading south, just out of Carmel Highlands:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4456692742_3db5b05b04_b.jpg)


Looking back up the coast:
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2708/4455917079_5635f7f724_b.jpg)

The SoCal version of "the racetrack" - Hwy 33 north of Ojai (this picture really doesn't do it justice):
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4055/4455919227_7cc8a07e1f_b.jpg)

It is *very* difficult to stop and snap.  Enzo was a little aggravated, but I knew that we would regret not having the pictures.  We're looking forward to doing another trip (maybe 2) later this summer.  As much as I miss doing trackdays, getting to venture into this world of sport-touring is a decent substitute. 

I swear by my GoPro tank-mounted HD video cam. You have the choice to take pics or video depending on how you want to set it up. You don't have to stop and snap. Hint: get the wide angle HD model just out. ($300)  [thumbsup] [moto]

Can you set it to take a random snap every say, 20 seconds? That would utterly neat.

Afirmative.

It is so very easy to download stuff too because it comes off the SD chip onto the puter in .jpg and .avi formats! Instant YouTubeing at it's best. Here's an example of a track day I did last year...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USDp7KIZmq4

Great pics, DH!

The BF and I have set aside a long weekend next month for a trip down the coast. We're aiming for the Paso Robles area (we like a little wine tasting with our motorcycles).

I never get tired of Big Sur. So gorgeous.

 [thumbsup]  Nice Triptyc; though I don't know if I'd make it a destination JUST for the coffee. You have had Peet's in the Bay Area since 1966 & they do make the best coffee ever.  The view from the terrace at Coffee Kevah below Nepenthe would make up for anything but the worst swill, if thats what they served; and they don't.  Its good coffee, I'm just a Bay Area transplant & I'm partial to Peet's.

If you're down here again, I would recommend Carmel Valley Road.  It goes from Hwy 1 to 10 1 & has a little bit of everything when it comes to road surfaces.  Interesting road & beautiful country.  A Hypermotard would be perfect there!

Then there's Hwy 25 going South out of Hollister.  GREAT ride!  There's a loong straight stretch where you can safely see how fast you can really go w/o any cops or anything else to get in the way.  After that are some of the best twisties & sweepers you will find anywhere in Central CA.  Both of these roads can be made into a nice getaway weekend !


Both

I think bigiain is just spoiled by the excellent coffee in Oz (especially Melbourne). [coffee] ;D

I have a big trip to Oregon planned for May with evil twin steve and his wife and possibly some others, Going up Hwy 1 to 101. After an overnight stop in Arcata, I will proceed, perhaps by myself, thru Del Norte county, Past the lagoons, big trees and elk, and up the Smith river Canyon. I know of a few good swimming spots and maybe a good place or two to eat & drink. Eventually I will make my way to Klamath Falls. That's where I'm moving to.