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Amish Jager

4/21/2016

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Been living amongst the Amish for a few years now.  Wonderful people the Amish, with an incredible work ethic.  We all should be up before dawn and work in the field until sundown. Just think how more productive we would be. All without the "modern" conveniences " we enjoy; although I would miss air conditioning on the hot and humid days...and nights!  

Please note:  unless permission is granted the Amish do not want to be photographed.  Please show respect.

Riding around Lancaster, PA is a joy. Often I will go out for a putt around the farms early in the morning having stopped at Starbucks to grab a cup of coffee to go.  Find a wide spot in the road pull over sipping the brew. Listening to the birds chirping. Perhaps watch an Amish man working his team in the field.   Rather then the roar of an engine the stench of diesel, you hear the horse or mule harness and the turning of the wheels.
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COSTCO, bet yours doesn't have this sign

Short Film:  A Buggy encounter
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Amish start working at an early age
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Fall corn harvest
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Rumspringa - For a craft beer
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One of the many homemade farm treats
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Sometimes you should drive then ride
There are farms thoughout Lancaster County numbering in the hundreds I suppose,  I know that  Lancaster is the oldest Amish settlement in the country with thousands living here since the eighteenth century.  Riding, or driving, around allows you to be transported back to a simpler and slower lifestyle in the Pennsylvania   Dutch country you have to be aware that  almost anywhere you will encounter the horse and buggy,

Anywhere is good riding. The closest you will find is east and north of town off Old Philadelphia Highway. If you leave town and drive east, about ten minutes,  you will see the farms turn and wander around.  And yes, they do exist - the townships of Blue Ball and Intercourse.

​ As you ride about be sure to stop in 
to visit some of the home businesses to enjoy homemade Root Beer, bakery goods, buy a quilt or birdhouse, perhaps a painting on a saw blade. 
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Winter at Rock Ford Plantation
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​Riding in Wither is like riding in a Norman Rockwell painting,  I am amazed how fast the roads are passible after a snowfall. Nice thing about having three wheels on the ground is you aren't going to fall over! Admittedly, I am riding with a heated vest and have a lot more speed to get somewhere; that young man in the photo above was going to work and had about three miles to travel - tough kid!  Yes I do ride in the Winter because I can.  In Winter I have seen horse drawn sleighs.  Anytime is a good time to visit.    A sidecar affords you year round riding - just dress for it.  Like most of us, I do prefer to ride in dry weather with temperatures in the 60/70's.  Have had far to many days in rain, or heat in the century mark!

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Strasburg Railroad 

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                                  Covered bridge near Rock Ford Plantation
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If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know I am a "foodie". The problem is around here there is a cornucopia of fine dining.  Sure you have all the national chains - Outback Steak House, Olive Garden, Longhorns, etc; but why not try the local fare. If you are a big buffet person I'd recommend Shady Maple located in New Holland on Highway 23, offering a great assortment of local favorites.  Try Plain and Fancy, again very good.  For the fine dining I recommend the Belvedere Inn located downtown Lancaster.  Route 30, east of town in the historic Revere Tavern; if its a chilly day not to worry for the Revere has seven original fireplaces.  Lots of places to grab a meal on the run or to sit back and enjoy a fine meal.  
After the dinner, time for ice cream and I recommend the Strasburg Country Store and Creamery  for some wonderful homemade ice cream.  Located on Main St at the corner of Highway 896,
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Don't miss a ride on the Strasburg Railroad. Only about a 50 minute ride but will take you back a century.
For the child in all of us Thomas offers rides on specific dates.  

​Across the road from the station is the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.  Large collection of locomotives and rolling stock.
  
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Shady Maple

Shady Maple  Buffet 
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Historic Revere Tavern
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Strasburg Country Store and Creamery
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If you are here in June don't miss the Mid Atlantic Air Museum.  This year is the 26th Annual World War II Gathering of Warbirds.  June 3 -  6th.  Returning this year is FiFi the only flying B-29,   Look for more information as we get closer.
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Along with the aircraft are the re-enactors and these people are amazing in their presentations of the war years.
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As you can see, whether it is a day ride from Philly or Virginia or a cross country adventure, don't miss Lancaster County.  Lots of great rides around the Amish farms to Gettysburg Battleground.  The history, architecture, food  will not disappoint!

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See You Down The Road
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Ride Into History

4/13/2016

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Got my ticket to ride to: 
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These re-enactors bring you back to the war with the uniforms, the weapons .   Be sure to take time to speak with them for they have a wealth of knowledge.  

On Saturday stay for the dinner and dance to the great big band music of the era.

If you are anywhere within a two day ride, or indeed in Los Angeles - kick the tires, light the fire and ride on over for a great weekend!
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WARBIRDS OVER THE BEACH
May 20 -22

Virginia Beach, VA 

​One of the finest private collections of military aircraft in the world.  This year the Messerschmidt Bf-109 hopefully will be certified in time for the show.  Confirmed is the Me 262, first operational jet fighter made famous by General Adolf Galland and JV44. Also scheduled to fly is theDeHaviland Mosquito, P-51, JU-52,  Spitfire, Hurricane, PBY Catalina, many more.

​Plus the re-enactors.  Stroll through the  WWII camps from both the Allied and Axis forces.

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If you don't make it; I'll have photos of this years Air Show.  Be sure to stop back!
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See You Down The Road
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Let's Take a Break and Go To the Movies

4/9/2016

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Although we ride for pleasure and adventure; sometimes it's great to take a break.  And today it's snowing.  What is up with that - its Spring!  So a good day to go to the  movies.

FALL RIDE LANCASTER,PA


WORKING ON THE STRASBURG RAILROAD


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CHASING THE TRAIN
​If the playback is slow on buffeting go here:  
Click Here


QVC SHOOTS AT STRASBURG RAILROAD STATION
If playback is slow on buffeting go here:
Click here


​Short Film:  DUDLEY DO-RIGHT SAVES NELL...AGAIN


​See You Down The Road
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Bought a P-51 Mustang

4/4/2016

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Ohhh, that would be a great corporate ride!   Sadly without winning the Lotto, not going to happen.   Bought another Mustang.
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Here is the Mustang I did buy:
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The internet can cost you money. Don't know where I saw reference to California Scooter Company. May have been in the Overland Expo site a year ago. At any rate saw the Mustang and thought it just the coolest little bike around. So I contracted them to build me one. Turns out, one of the last ones to be had. They are no longer available. It's a very cool little bike.

This one differs from most of the bikes they offered since I customized it as a "Bobber". Beautiful little putt and loud as heck with the straight pipes. Blast to ride too. Tops out around 65. Not bad for a 150cc engine. And very frugal on gas at 90mpg.

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It Rides like a "big" bike and yes, you can spend all day in the saddle.  

​Had to drive out to pick it up about, 2,800 miles  and no I didn't ride it across country. 
Could tough.  There is a guy touring the world on a 50cc Honda Ruckus.  Several people have 
​gone cross country on 125cc bikes.   I guess you just go a bit slower then with 1200cc!
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Drove out to La Verne, CA to pick it up at the factory May of 2015.  ​From there back to San Luis Obispo and .... wait for it... Highway One.

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Bit of thumbnail history on the Mustang.  Original manufacture of the Mustang, was the Mustang Motorcycle Corporation,  got the name from The P-51 Mustang fighter plane.  First production bikes hit the streets of Glendale, CA in 1946.  In 1965 production stopped.

When you can find an original Mustang the price for a pristine bike can exceed $10,000.00 and even a beater will cost around $5,000.  

Ed Seidner, owner of Pro-One Performance Manufacturing started California Scooter Company.
Started manufacturing the Mustang.  Ed held true to the original in design but  had to upgrade to meet the demands of EPA and CARB.  Powered by 150cc engine, four speed transmission, both a kick start and electric start, 12 inch wheels and although a hard tail, with the big springs on the seat make it a comfortable ride.  
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Original Mustang, in green and the CSC Mustang behind (photo Curtesy of CSC)
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​Last June took it to Americade and it was a big hit.  Could not stop without drawing a crowd.  One day was in the saddle for around hundred miles, of course with stops to see the sights.


These photos taken on the grounds of Silver Bay YMCA.
The site is on the National Historic Registry.  Beautiful area with many buildings to see.
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Thinking of attending Americade this year.  If 
I do, think I'll pack a lunch and spend an hour or two here.  Very relaxing and far from the
​maddening crowd.
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 Americade.  I have been to Stugis and Daytona, to
Reno for Hot August Nights;  I like Americade.
Very nice venue with a more genteel crowd. Billed
as the largest motorcycle rally and it might be.  I don't know.  I do know it is beautiful at Lake George.  Additionally you  can tour over to Vermont and 
encounter again the beauty of the area.  Indeed
Ameracade has many escorted tours.  I have been
on several and if you are  a reader of this blog you
know I am a member of: Ride to Eat, Eat to Ride
club and many of the guided tours include some very fine lunch stops.  

Speaking of dining here are a  few  gastronomic delights I hit  each time I attend.
Located right in the middle of the action on Canada Street is Montana's.  

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Make sure to get an outside table so you can dine, wine, and watch the bikes cruise by.​

Another place for lunch or dinner is the Olde Log Cabin located on State Route 9

and is about five miles from "town" center.   
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This evenings meal was a simple one of Fish and Chips. 

When at Amercade be sure to see the commercial exhibits. Lots of vendors there to separate you from your money.  And my favorite place to eat there is The German Wurst Haus.
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Again simple fair, but so good. -  Bratwurst and hot German Potato salad.

​So last year my Mustang buzzed the Americade.  Great rides, good food and good times.

See You Down The Road
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Lemonade  and Building the Sidecar

4/1/2016

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As it is said: " When Life gives you lemons, make lemonade".  After many years of alpine  skiing  with
some injuries, my knees failed and the idea of riding the outback without firm support could get
you killed.  I mean slip on the sand, rock, leafs, whatever in the boonies alone and you could die
of exposure.  I mostly ride alone in some rather inhospitable areas -SW Colorado is my favorite.
Around Silverton and Ouray.  There You find some of the roughest and most remote areas in the
Country.  Many of the trails can be easily handled by a road bike or car.  Ophir Pass is one.  Most 
have a little pucker power when up there.  You will encounter sheer drop offs and very tight hairpins.  Start to lose the bike on the unstable soil with a bum knee or two and your day may have just turned sour.

So, I made "lemonade"  had the hack built.  With three wheels ain't like you will fall over!  Another advantage should you live in the snow country is you can ride all year long.  If you do love in a cold area; for fun go find a large parking lot with a bit of ice and do donuts - just hang on!

Contacted Claude Stanley at Freedom Sidecars and we discussed what I would like to build.  Claude is a custom fabricator and will build anything you wish.
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Now since I don't know a trail reducer from a bowl of strawberries, I was very grateful for the time and knowledge Claude has.  He certainly has forgotten more about sidecars then most of us will ever know. He and his crew build the best darn hack in the world.  Bar none!  Well, that's my story and I do love my rig.  Had it built in 2010 and although it has seen some rough country, not an issue ever.  Plus it tracks true and straight at a "century" plus; altough I usually cruis at around 70 -75 mph.

Oh, as a side bar I installed a ceramic clutch and had custom Olin shocks made to handle the additional weight.
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All hand made. here is the bullit proof frame
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The boat is hand fabricated out of aluminum then powder coated in the color of your choice.  The seat is made of high density foam and is removable for increased storage.  Sometimes when camping and and wanting the comforts of home I have carried a Honda 2000i genset here.  Just bought a 41 quart refrigerator for the Toyota 4Runner, but drop it in the hack and it is cold beer or ice where ever you roam.  I also carry a Goal Zero solar battery and panels.
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Added the light bar and bash plate. Mounted PIAA lights later.

                                           

​Above and here you see the skid plate installed








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Trunk 




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Did the 12volt conversion
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​Converted to a car wheel

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​Added tie down racks

Spetsnaz Shovel
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Not only for digging out or digging the "cat hole"
but isa great weapon.  Watch a video and see
how the Russian Spetsnaz can use it

Rotopax Gas Containers
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In 2011 entered the rig for judging at 
AMERICADE
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Thanks Claude and the crew at Freedom Sidecars, job well done!
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See You Down The Road
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Ride Along Highway One

4/1/2016

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​You know the trouble with starting a Blog is you say things and your mind returns to that time.  In this case my first post I mused about the "good early days of riding" - In The Beginning - particularly Highway One.  So here we go, for those that have ridden it and for those that wish to put it on your bucket list.

​As I stated, I lived in San Luis Obispo for many years, 1976 -2000.
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         Mission in San Luis Obispo, Established in 1772

​I guess you could say really from the early sixties since that is when as a teenager would go up often with my parents from Sherman Oaks.  San Luis Obispo at that time was a wonderful place to live.  Being on the Central Coast the weather was almost always perfect for riding and my other interests - kayaking, flying and diving
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Kayaking off Avila

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"Our" Cessna 177.  Dad's , but he wasn't a pilot

​Flying out of San Luis Obispo was always a plesasure for rarely did you have any weather issues.  Other then the family plane, lot of time in 182, 210T and some P210.   Even a B52H.  More on flying "down the road" for it is a passion too.
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Aerobatics in a Citabria.

​Sometimes  - often - had a problem finding the right side up!  Love aerobatics.  Stick time in Decathlon and Pitts S2 as well.  Straight and level is for the "bus drivers" of the sky.
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Diving off the Chanel Islands

​Living anywhere on the Central Coast is good, but as here in the Channel Islands, just off Ventura is great!  Nothing like the kelp beds.  Like being in a underwater forest.   
Good to catch a "whale watching
boat" when the whales are migrating.
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But I digress, lets get back to riding Highway One.  I will highlight a few of the stops along the way.  So as we leave San Luis Obispo, for those that have never been there, start by riding North on Highway 101.  This will take through Morro Bay.  Morro Bay is only a twenty minute ride and depending on you departure time; this is a great place for breakfast or lunch.  One of my favorite lunch stops is the Hofbrau.  Located on the Embarcadero best bet for lunch is the prime beef dip sandwich.  Sit on the outside deck and enjoy the view of Morro Rock.

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View from the deck

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Sea Otters in Morro Bay
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And when in Morro Bay look for the Sea Otters, they are usually found over by the "Rock" in the Bay.  Take time to walk the shops on the Embarcadero too. 

Now if you left San Luis to early for lunch, putt
​up to Cambria.  The ride from San Luis Obispo
direct is about forty minutes; however you will pass Morro Bay, Cayucus, Harmony and then Cambria.

​Harmony is but a bump in the road half a dozen of building and a few shops.





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Harmony Glass Works
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Some of the hand made products
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The architecture of Harmony\
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From Harmony it is a quick ride to Cambria.  Many shops, restaurants and the place to top off your tank.  Either top off here of in San Simeon because gas is going to cost an arm and a leg until you get to Carmel.
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This is the sign for the first turn off.  Take this exit.  There is a short but fun run with a couple of good twesties and it will lead you to the "southern" section of Cambia.

As you have seen, I am a senior member of the "Ride To Eat, Eat to Ride" club.  And in Cambria is a wonderful place for a cup of coffee, pastries or a slice of their famous homemade Olallieberry  pie.  

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With a full belly and a full tank head north to the town of San Simeon.  This is where the Hearst Castle is.  I would recommend taking one of the tours of Castle.
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North from San Simeon is the "real" beginning of Highway One.  Just a few minutes north be sure to look for the turn out to view the colony of Elephant Seals.  Peak season to view is between December and March.
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Elephant Seal duet 

There are some high speed cruising to be had from here to Ragged Point - not that I suggest it,  You will pass Piedras Blancas Light Station, established in 1875.  As you begin to climb you are at Ragged Point
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Ragged Point dinning room.

Leaving Ragged Point and you are immediately in the twesties as you continue to climb, climb, climb.  There are parts of the road that are well above 1,000 feet and often no guard rails.  There are spots for high speed sprints and then gear all the way down for a hairpin and do mind the cliffs.  To much speed can get you killed and the CHP bags a few each year.  Slow down and enjoy the ride!

Another stop for a break and to enjoy the great view is Santa Lucia.  Many a time I/we have stopped for a cup of coffee and a wonderful slice of homemade carrot cake.  You can also spend the night should you wish.  Motel is on the top of the cliffs to the right of the restaurant. Close to the cliffs.  Don't sleepwalk!
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From Santa Lucia enjoy more twisties and stop at many of the turnouts for the world class views
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The next stop  - Nepenthe's.  Located at the south end of Big Sur.   Nepenthe has seen it all from Hollywood stars to the hippies of the sixties.  Truly worthy of a stop. and pick up a memento at the Phoenix Shop.  Lunch and the view is hard to beat.  Lunch served 11:30 to 4:30 dinner from 5 to 10.  I love the salads and the Ambrosia burger.  Top it off with the Three Berry pie.
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One of the best days spent having lunch at the outside lunch bar was when there became a hum in the sky. Over there high and behind the hill.  Soon the hum was recognized as the roar of a Rolls Royce
Merlin as a P-51  came slashing down the canyon. Rolled up on his right wing and dashed to the see 1,000 feet below and banked south along the coast.  That moment was many years ago.  A flash in time; but imbedded forever as a cherished moment
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From Nepenthe north you will find the Big Sur. Great camping and lodging here.  Lots of hiking trails. Good place to spend a night or a week.  If you do stay be sure to pop back down a few miles south to dine at Ventana Inn and Spa.  Fine restaurant and a world class wine cellar
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From Big Sur, the next stop is Carmel.  Only world is -wonderful.  I have spent a lot of time in Carmel over the years. From many, many rides up to the cold and clammy Winter days.  Love Carmel in the
Winter.  Very few tourists.  Time your ride between storms.  Yes, sometimes even a clear day can be cold.  If so, if it is still there, find Witney's Bar on Ocean and have an Irish Coffee.  Carmel and Monterey's Cannery Row, you can have several days of enjoyment.  Plan the trip and take in Laguna Seca, or better yet spend the day at Carmels Concours de Elegance.  You might even bump into Jay Leno showing one of his cars.   When in Monterey be sure to see the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

That's Highway One.   From here you just ride into more of the concrete jungles all the way to 
San Francisco.  Drive over the Golden Gate and north you pick up the ride again.  I don't care for cities.
Give me the wide open roads to roam!

​See You Down The Road
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