APRIL 27, 2008
Laughlin, what a hoot... Lots of bikes, lots of people, lots of stuff to buy.
Got a late start on Wed. the 23rd as I waited for the rain to stop and the sky to begin to clear before I set off. Even with a late start I managed to get in 274 miles and got to Santa Nella just at dark. The freeway was running pretty fast between 75 and 80 the whole way. The Motel 6 was accommodating with a ground floor room where I could park the bike just outside the door.
Up early as there were 471 miles to do. The ride was a cool one until I reached Mojave where the jacket finally came off. After a refreshing Dr. Pepper the ride across the desert began. I followed bikes out of Mojave and even more followed me. By the time I reached Barstow for a fuel stop the highway was thick with bikes headed to Laughlin. Most were running pretty fast around 80 mph with some even faster.
After getting to Laughlin I found my friend Mark had not arrived so I got a bite to eat and watched the bikes roll into town until I spotted him and Carlos as they turned into the hotel lot. We got our room and settled in for the night.
The morning sort of sucked for reasons that I will not go into here but in the end it all worked out pretty good. We walked the strip looking at the vendors, bikes and babes. Finally got to the HOG booth were we got our run pins then turned around and worked our way back to the room for a quick nap before dinner.
Saturday morning we got up and went for a quick ride across the river to Bullhead city. Then South and across the river and back up to Laughlin where we took a look at the vendors we missed on Fri. Then it was time for me to get back on the road for the ride home.
For me the ride home was great, I had the road mostly all to myself except for the time spent riding through Vegas. I took a little detour through Pahrump and managed to get as far as Tonopah NV where I spent the night. Then on Sunday it was a nice cool ride up to Fallon, Reno, Susanville and then home to Redding...
Overall a good run....1,496 miles
MARCH 22, 2008
We took our first out of town ride of the season today. Leaving Redding at about 1pm we headed West to Platina then East to Red Bluff where we stopped for a hot dog, ice cream and coffee for Jackie, water for Rufus and a candy bar for me. Then we took the fast ride up the freeway back home to Redding. A very pleasant ride as all the grass is green once again, the spring flowers are in bloom showing colors of yellow, purple, white and pink. The weather could not have been better hovering in the high 70's...
A perfect day for a ride. 122 miles
MARCH 5, 2008
Ah spring, riding weather has finally gotten here with warm afternoons and cold nights. My customers calling asking me to take care of this and take care of that. I find myself torn between riding and working and I'm afraid riding is winning. Although I do take a job now and then to help offset the price of gas, today at $3.40 a gallon. (OUCH)
Laughlin is coming next month and I'm looking forward to a long Iron Butt day ride of 700 plus miles to shake out the cobwebs of winter. Three perhaps make it a four day ride to gain confidence in the new upper end of the bike after the 95 CI upgrade.
Unfortunately Rufus won't be able to make the trip this time as he is needed here at home to provide company while I'm away.