BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke, AG) was founded in 1916. During the Great War BMW built aircraft engines. After WWI Germany was not allowed to manufacture aircraft, so the company branched out into other fields making industrial engines, agricultural machinery and in 1921 began the first flat twin engine. This engine was largely used as a portable industrial engine. The first successful BMW motorcycle was introduced in 1923 - R32. During World War II the Wehrmacht used the R75 in all the theaters of combat. From North Africa to the Frozen steppes of Russia. The R75 was a proven war horse and performed well in all environments. When I was a fine art publisher I published ANCIENT WARRIOR and still have a few copies available. It depicts an R75 with a sidecar abandoned by the Wiking Division in Russia. Go to the link above to purchase - KARL H. JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHY Print cost is only $30.00 and includes shipping to US addresses. International please add $15.00.  HERMY'S BMW schedules a few great get togethers, the next one will be the October Fest on October 1st. Should you find yourself in the area be sure to stop in. The 100th Anniversary of BMW was a good turn out. They always do a fine job on keeping us fed and entertained.  s As you would expect there were some fine rides there too. This is an exquisite example of the R90S in Daytona Orange. My first bike was a 1976 R90S in Smoke. Selling it was one of the dumbest things I've ever done.  Few more that showed up:
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 Last year I came across what I thought would be a fun ride. Located in Huntingdon.PA amongst the beautiful hills and farms a short 250 mile ride. The event is held on a 220 acre working farm and truly is a wonderful spot to hold an event. The Mid Atlantic Overland Festival caters to both the Dual Sport motorcycle and 4x4 communities. Well, two things hit me square in the face as I was about to depart; the heat and the humidity! This time of year - Summer - we on the East often get slapped with some horrid humidity. Lucky us the event was slapped with high heat and humidity. I don't like riding in a bowl of steaming soup! So I took the 4 Runner. I mean, after all it is an event for both dual sport and 4x4's. Sights along the way I love to ride; but there are times when being in dry and in air conditioned comfort is the better choice. Oh, and did I mention the weather forecast was for heavy rain? Thursday seamed the best day to go. Looked as if Friday and Saturday were going to be a washout. I drove the 4 Runner - dry and very cool. I got there early hoping to speak with the vendors. Guess it is true - "Be fashionibly late"; only two were there when I arrived. What had arrived at 10:30 was the heat and humidity. Heat index was to reach 106. Friday, forecast heat index to reach 108. Saturday heat forecast was higher still. Some heavy thunderstorms too. Although not many vendors were set up I did have the good fortune to find two that offer exciting products. FLEXOPOWER Energy Solutions offering solar kits that are unbreakable. User friendly and you can place them anywhere, over a tent, on the vehicle or on the ground. Unlike other similar products these panels are flexible and therefore unbreakable . The other is PURPLE LIZARD MAPS, to get the most out of your adventure take a look at these maps. At this time there are but a few and more on the way; aside from the Rincon Puerto Rico Map and Guide, there are a couple of Pennsylvania and a couple of others. These are fine maps and look forward to a larger selection. Here on the East be nice to see the Blue Ridge, Shenandoah, Smoky Mountains, up north the Adirondack Region. Hopefully both will send us samples for a full review. Why is it here on the East BMWMOA, BMWRA, Mid Atlantic Overland Festival and many others don't move the dates to the Fall?! I did call BMWMOA a couple of years ago and suggested the move to a Fall date and was told "It gets cold' Gosh, I have a jacket. Do you? On a bike you can get warm a lot easier then you can get cool! Those attendees at this years "festival" are tough! On Thursday there was no food for the vendors, No shower facilities. Done my share of living in a tent in high heat and rain. So like the witch said in the WIZARD OF OZ: "I'm melting". I left in the early afternoon and ran into some very heavy rain just outside the event. I am sure they must have been drenched. Nothing like standing around in the heat and humidity and no showers! You can't control the weather. It is a beautiful site, and perhaps next year will be more comfortable. I plan on returning. This weekend is the Touratech Rally EAST. Weather forecast is temps around 90 and humid. At least there will be showers! Check out Touratech's website for complete info. See You Down The Road  Morro Bay, California. Pictured above is Morro Rock. Aside from the Chumash, the indigious people of the area, it was discovered by a Franciscan missionary named Juan Crespi in 1769. Since those days of long ago, Morro Bay has grown to become one of the Central Coasts must see destinations. Sport fishing and whale watching are just two of the many things to do. Also kayaking in the Bay is a great activity.  When I was a full time resident of the area I kayaked the Bay and up and down the coast. Both Morro Bay and Avila to the south offer mostly protected water and kayak rentals are available should you wish. During the summer you can rent kayaks at Avila Beach. Some great fun is surfing the kayak. In Morro Bay you can rent kayaks down at the Embarcadero. Stroll the entire Embarcadero and visit the many shops. Dine at one of the many restaurants. If early in the morning grab a homemade cinnamon roll and a cup of coffee and watch the seals or the Sea Otters that often are seen at the waters edge.  If you are looking for a great lunch that is not one of the fine sea food eateries, I would recommend the Hofbrau for a Beef Dip sandwich. Be sure to grab a spoon full of the stone ground mustard or perhaps some of the fresh horseradish too!  Morro Bay located just a twenty minute ride from San Luis Obispo is an easy hub to visit Montana de Oro or up the coast to Cambria and the Big Sur. If seeking a cool shelter from the hot temperatures of Paso Robles and the "interior" Morro Bay is a "cool" place to spend the day or the weekend. Later in this blog we will ride some of the great roads in the area. Highway 46 and 41 just north of the Bay, Indeed Highway One which is how you get to Morro Bay. We will ride out to Montana de Oro. A pleasent ride across the estuary to Los Osos and out to Moontana de Oro a spectacular area to see - especially during a Winter storm! See You Down The Road
 Always a great place to eat and a great, albeit short, roughly 45 minutes, ride from San Luis Obispo. The Pozo Saloon was established in 1858. It was Ynocente Garcia that originally established the Rancho San Jose which included today's Pozo. When in 1878 gold was discovered in La Panza and Pozo grew into the hub of the area. Back then there were three saloons, general stores, two hotels and all the amenities of a small town. Today all that stands are the few homes and ranches and of course the Pozo Saloon offering up some fine food, and on the weekends fine entertainment. Willie Nelson, Dwight amenities, Snoop Dogg and this August 21st Trace Adkins will be there. Now it gets a might warm there in the summer as you can see from the photo below; but the beer is cold and the food is great!
 So how do you get there? Pozo is about a 40 minute ride from San Luis Obispo. Where is San Luis Obispo? Half way between Los Angeles and San Francisco on the Central Coast - 202 miles north of LA. From SLO take highway 101 north to Highway 58 pass through the small town of Santa Margarita and on to Pozo. Some good twisties and sweepers on the way between Santa Margarita and Pozo. Scenes along the way: above the Mission in San Luis Obispo and below Hwy 58 on the way to Pozo  The early years in downtown Pozo PRODUCT REVIEW: RED OXX MFG  Established in 1986 and hand made in Montana perhaps the premier manufacture of the best travel gear period! I have been using Red Oxx bags for years now. For the 4Runner adventures I have the Red Oxx Expedition Series. Now some may balk at the price; but these are the last bags you will ever purchase. Jim has designed just about anything you might require in soft luggage from SAFARI TRAVEL LUGGAGE, BRIEFCASES, BACKPACKS, AIRLINE CARRY-ON LUGGAGE AND RIFLE CASES; plus a wide array of accessories.  Above: Red Oxx Large Expedition Series $295.00
 Above is the Extra Small Aviator Bag. On the left is the full line of AVIATOR BAGS, the Extra Small on the right. As you can see from the "stuffed" photo above it holds a lot! As Red Oxx says, this series was developed for the budget minded; but don't let that fool you there is nothing "cheap" in this bag. Same sturdy materials are used as in the other bags from 1000 weight CORDURA Brand Nylon to the heavy duty hardware, YKK sippers Other uses for this bag range from Highway Emergency kit, CPAP carry bag, Helmet storage;. Folds flat so you can carry it with you and fill it with souvenirs on the return. Should you be in the market for travel bags take the time to scroll through the pages at Red Oxx. Lots of gear and some great reading as well. Visit Red Oxx Mfg website for the full catalog: www.redoxx.com See You Down The Road |
