So today was the day I went to see Nick.
Lemme just say this first: Its freaking HOT in the valley!!!
I think I lost 5 pounds through sweat!
My bike was pegged at 4 bars starting from the 10 freeway (where the traffic got totally PACKED) to nicks shop. I'm surprised I didn't hit 5 bars in this heat and traffic! I think I checked my temp gauage more today than I did my whole time owning the bike. Oil cooler is my next mod for sure.
Nick is a great guy. Very friendly and seems a genuine and honest guy so I immediately felt I made a good choice in commuting all the way up here from Irvine.
Total trip time: 1 hour 5 minutes (excluding a gas stop and a visit to the atm machine). I thought it would be a 2 hour+ ride with the traffic.
Around the 10 freeway is where I also saw, and eventually followed, another monster owner (red S4Rs?). It was a pleasure following him and watching people in cars react to the growl of his exhaust.
I think following him through traffic made the trip more enjoyable and a lot quicker than if I were by myself. Who ever that guy was, it was a pleasure riding with ya!
Anyways, about the bike. I'm looking forward to finding out if I can tell a difference after a valve adjustment. I'm not sure if its supposed to be a subtle or significant difference. I guess I'll find out tomorrow. I'm also picking up a Pilot Road 2 rear tire so I'm curious to see how that feels as well.
As for the valley... Its like one giant Santa Ana! No no no, not because of the demographics but of how the area looks. It reminds me a lot of Santa Ana, visually. Lots of buildings and people but nothing to see or do. Kinda old and dirty, too.
So far I met a woman who was sitting outside her apartment due to the heat. Had small talk with her then next thing I know, I got invited over for dinner! Thanks for the tacos, Val!
Hope my luck continues tomorrow!
Now I'm stuck in a hotel catching up on email and plotting what to visit/see/experience/eat while I'm all the way up here. The hotel I'm in is next to a busy street and my window is broken so it doesn't close all the way.
I tried calling the front desk but they aren't answering. I'm too lazy to go down to the front desk so I guess I can just sleep with the AC on full blast. The drone of the fan drowns out the traffic noise and strangely lulls me to sleep.... or maybe it was all that wine during dinner?
Either way, I'm going to call it a early night. I'm exhausted from a long day at work, the long hot commute, the 5 miles I walked to this hotel, and all the wine. What a strange day. I think I like the valley...
