My upcoming ride to San Diego, CA

[Michael]

This isn't a group ride announcement; however, everyone who wants to come is welcome.

I have a business trip coming up, and I thought it would be fun to ride my beautiful motorcycle. I'm leaving at the end of April and hopefully riding conditions will be perfect.

The trick is to go through the town of Maricopa and take Dead Cow Road (aka HWY 238) to Gila Bend.

Here is my planned route.

Click for map

[Monster Dave]

Be VERY careful going through the mountains just outside of San Diego - it gets REALLY windy through there.

[Michael]

Be VERY careful going through the mountains just outside of San Diego - it gets REALLY windy through there.

That is good advice.

There's that last border patrol stop (the one at the top of the mountain), and then after that there's about 20 miles of westerly-exposed mountain roads before you get to the city outskirts. Is that the area you mean?

I'll be sure to check the weather forecast for that area. If it's stormy, that'll be a deal-breaker. And it'll be the minivan for me.

... the awesome minivan.

[DCXCV]

I made that trip from Tucson the very beginning of May two years ago and had a fine time.  Just when you think you can't take any more highway on the way out there, you hit the mountains and start having fun.  Of course, on the way back it's a bit of fun mountains to start and then the bitter knowledge of hours of endless flat slab to get back home.  Have fun.

[Monster Dave]

... the awesome minivan.

Is it like this:



That would be awesome!

[DG]

now that IS an awesome van! 

[Michael]

I made that trip from Tucson the very beginning of May two years ago and had a fine time.  Just when you think you can't take any more highway on the way out there, you hit the mountains and start having fun.  Of course, on the way back it's a bit of fun mountains to start and then the bitter knowledge of hours of endless flat slab to get back home.  Have fun.

How long did it take you?

My plan for enduring the flat boring parts is good music.

I'm not sure what I want to listen to though.

I'm thinking Beatles, Led Zepplin, and Jimmy Hendrix for the straight aways. And then maybe trance or techno for the twisties.

Any suggestions?

[DG]

Bombs & Butterflies....by Widespread Panic
Like something "jazzy"...anything by Urban Grooves.
How about some really good blues?   Luther Allison!

[DCXCV]

How long did it take you?

My plan for enduring the flat boring parts is good music.

I honestly don't recall how long it took.  On the way out I went through Ajo so that added some time as I was trying to skip as much interstate as possible.  On the way back I just wanted off the bike so I ran the interstate all the way. 

My comment about enduring the slab was more about the hours in the same seat position on, let's face it, not the most comfy bike in the world.  Unfolding when you gas up is very refreshing, but after 6 hours it doesn't even help much.  Of course, by then you're there so you can grab a beer. 

[Michael]

I'm excited for this trip, but I feel like the more I prepare for it the more I need to fix on my bike. Do you know what I mean? It's like trying to fix one small things, opens up a huge box of problems that also need fixing.

After trying to replace my light bulb, I spent an additional week and half diagnosing electrical problems.

That's solved now, but I'm about to change my oil and I'm nervous about it.

I also want to change my brake pads and bleed the lines, but I might not with my current luck.

[DCXCV]

If your current luck is that bad then definitely change your brake pads. 

[Michael]

So, I got a new iPod for my trip.

It's so cool.

[pennyrobber]

So, I got a new iPod for my trip.

It's so cool.

It's only as cool as the music it plays. Choose wisely.

[Michael]

Here's a sample of my playlist:
Rob Zombie - Dragula
Audioslave - Like a Stone
Beastie Boys - Sure Shot
Beastie Boys - Whatchya Want
Beastie Boys - Sabotage
Gorillaz - 19-2000
Fat Boy Slim - Weapon of Choice
Nirvana - In Bloom
Underworld - Cowgirl
Run DMC - It's like that
Mason vs. Princess - Perfect
Massive Attack - Karmacoma
009 Sound System - Trinity
Sound Garden - Black Hole Sun
Weezer - Beverly Hills
Superman Lovers - Starlight

I also bought an album (through iTunes) that has 30 dance/trance/techno songs like Porn Kings & DJ Supreme - Up to Tha Wildstyle.

I also have a vast collection of Beatles and Jimi Hendrix for when I'm in the mood for some classics.

Porn Kings & DJ Supreme - Up to Tha Wildstyle
Porn Kings Vs. Dj Supreme - Up To Tha Wildstyle(S&H Radio)

Run DMC - It's like that
(this is a great video)
RUN-DMC vs. Jason Nevins - It's Like That

[Michael]

I just got back

About 790 miles total. ( )

 [moto]

It was very windy, but a really fun ride.

In Arizona, hwy 238 was the best part. Towards the end (towards Gila Bend) it has some nice curves and it's very scenic.

On the way there, I was freezing through those mountains (after El Centro) in California, but on the way back they were fantastic (the time of day being the difference). Very fun. No traffic, no cops, no construction. No sharp turns, just a lot of nice, well-paved curves.

I rode up on Thursday, and came back today (Sunday).

This picture was taken on the way back, before Yuma, where the highway is closest to the U.S/Mexican border. You can see the border fence in the background (a tiny dark line in the way back, along the horizon; I believe the white fence that is right next to the road is just to keep people from driving their sand rails on the sand dunes there).