This ride is 2-up friendly, but it doesn't mean that you have to have a passenger. The point is to devote the ride to a pace that might be a bit more appealing to that special person in your life that thinks that you ride around with your hair on fire all the time. This ride is a good one for newbies or people that want a nice cruise, too.
Safety stuff: OK, in case you don't get it, this isn't a "balls out" type of ride unless your passenger is down wit' it, and even then I'd suggest that you try to do most of the thinking above the belt--this goes for the chicks, too. Crashing your own sorry butt is one thing--taking someone down with you is beyond uncool and it's twice the slippery blood and guts for the rest of us to ride through. Get your bike in shape suspension-wise for taking two people, too. I'd like to emphasize riding "The Pace."
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/flashback/122_0911_the_pace_nick_ienatsch/index.html For those of you who want the Cliff Notes it means that you ride within your limits, your lane and the speed limit for the most part. Wick it up in the corners, but keep it reasonable in the straights. We do this to allow folks to catch up and to avoid tickets. And PLEASE try to get your passengers geared up for safety and warmth as best you can. I have an extra Aerostich that I can lend out, gloves, and a few other armor odds and ends. And if anyone else has gear that they're willing to lend out please post up and I'll put your name on a list.
Who's in:
1. 'Belle (lead if alone, sweep if with passenger)**
2. Enzo/Jocelyn* (lead or sweep?)
3.
Nick/Kelly (friends of Belle/Enzo- tentative)4. Tigre/Beckie
5. Spidey**
6. Mr. I (Somegirl can lend helmet)**
7.
Desmoquattro/BikerGoddess 8. Michael Moore - can take a pillion and I can personally vouch for the smiles-per-mile goodness of the scoot.
9. smducman/his woman
10. PhoenixS4R
11. Desmostro**
12. Thunderpuppy/Pam
13. Rafa
14. Sally101
15. Meltz
* needs gear
** has gear to lend
MEET SPOT: Tam Junction: 247 Shoreline Hwy., Mill Valley
7:45 MEET, 8:15 DEPART I know it's early, but trust me, it's worth it. The fewer the cars the better, and the less DY passing we have to do with pillions on board.
Brief safety speech, dividing into groups as necessary and identifying of leads and sweeps done here.
This is the basic route (the normal North Bay Loop):
Over Panoramic into Stinson Beach
BRIEF STOP Bakery just past Pt. Reyes/Petaluma Rd. (don't know the name of it, but it ain't the Bovine Bakery in Pt. Reyes. Bathroom here.)
R at Tomales-Petaluma Rd.
R on Chileno Vly.
R on Wilson Hill.
L onto Hicks Vly Rd.
R onto Pt Reyes-Petaluma Rd.
L at Nicasio Vly.
LUNCH STOP: The Cheese Factory, Nicasio (Bathroom here.)
L onto Lucas Vly. Rd to 101 and home... 101S back to SF and S. Bay. E. Bay folks can hook up with 580E to the Richmond Bridge.
Total loop is about 100 miles, not including travel to get there--very doable for passengers.