-
There were many reasons for the change of the site software, the biggest was security. The age of the old software also meant no server updates for certain programs. There are many benefits to the new software, one of the biggest is the mobile functionality. Ill fix up some stuff in the coming days, we'll also try to get some of the old addons back or the data imported back into the site like the garage. To create a thread or to reply with a post is basically the same as it was in the prior software. The default style of the site is light colored, but i temporarily added a darker colored style, to change you can find a link at the bottom of the site.
LA Trip Travel Blog
- Thread starter dltang
- Start date
dltang
Very Handy Member
6/24/09
I am writing to you from the Clubhouse of the KOA in Pomona. For those of you that were concerned, this is a very nice campground. Anyway, I am waiting for the CA video to load so I may as well finish out the day's blog.
I woke up early today, about 7:00 EST but it was on 4:00am here. So I went on to SpyderLovers and posted a few things and uploaded some more of my photos to my computer. About 6:15 am or so, I received a call from Lamont. He wondered when we were leaving. Brian was still snoring so I wasn't really sure and didn't want to wake him up. He started to stir while I was talking with Lamont on the phone. Baja Ron had already taken off earlier in the AM to get a good start across the desert before it got too hot. It was almost 7:15am before we actually hit the road. Just under 500 mile to go today, this would seem like a cake walk. Everything went very smoothly. We had great riding weather and great roads and very little construction. Neither Brian nor I had ever been thru New Mexico and or Arizona. It is breath taking. But I will say, I now understand "dry" heat. At 104 degrees, it still wasn't as bad as the 97 degree with humidity in MO. But, and this is a big but, it was still 104 degrees. That is just too hot. The spyder's handled it beautifully though. I only hit 5 bars on the heat gauge a few times and most rode with 4 bars. It was a pretty uneventful and relaxing day for the most part. At our last fuel stop, we knew Lamont we be headed to the Sheraton and we were on our way to the KOA for 2 nights. We split off while on the highway and we'll meet up again Friday. I am posting my ride videos for you and photos of our little KOA cabin that will be home for the next two nights.
KOA Cabin
I am writing to you from the Clubhouse of the KOA in Pomona. For those of you that were concerned, this is a very nice campground. Anyway, I am waiting for the CA video to load so I may as well finish out the day's blog.
I woke up early today, about 7:00 EST but it was on 4:00am here. So I went on to SpyderLovers and posted a few things and uploaded some more of my photos to my computer. About 6:15 am or so, I received a call from Lamont. He wondered when we were leaving. Brian was still snoring so I wasn't really sure and didn't want to wake him up. He started to stir while I was talking with Lamont on the phone. Baja Ron had already taken off earlier in the AM to get a good start across the desert before it got too hot. It was almost 7:15am before we actually hit the road. Just under 500 mile to go today, this would seem like a cake walk. Everything went very smoothly. We had great riding weather and great roads and very little construction. Neither Brian nor I had ever been thru New Mexico and or Arizona. It is breath taking. But I will say, I now understand "dry" heat. At 104 degrees, it still wasn't as bad as the 97 degree with humidity in MO. But, and this is a big but, it was still 104 degrees. That is just too hot. The spyder's handled it beautifully though. I only hit 5 bars on the heat gauge a few times and most rode with 4 bars. It was a pretty uneventful and relaxing day for the most part. At our last fuel stop, we knew Lamont we be headed to the Sheraton and we were on our way to the KOA for 2 nights. We split off while on the highway and we'll meet up again Friday. I am posting my ride videos for you and photos of our little KOA cabin that will be home for the next two nights.
KOA Cabin
Mo Lee
MOgang Member
Glad to hear everyone arrived safe, now go have fun for the rest of us who couldn't make the trip. Then have a safe trip home and keep us posted. You're right about the Missouri heat that day my thermometer never dropped below 95. Years ago when I was stationed in southern AZ. I came home for the 4th of July and was miserable. The temps in AZ were well over 100 and only in the upper 80s here but with the humidity it was miserable.
Great meeting you
Lee
Great meeting you
Lee
Why, I believe you might just be correct. :bowdown:
Pete
On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitas, rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance, I saw a shimmering light
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim
I had to stop for the night
There she stood in the doorway;
I heard the mission bell
And I was thinking to myself,
this could be heaven or this could be hell
Then she lit up a candle and she showed me the way
There were voices down the corridor,
I thought I heard them say...
Welcome to the hotel california
Such a lovely place
Such a lovely face
Plenty of room at the hotel california
Any time of year, you can find it here
....
SpyderGirl
New member
Yes, but did they stand on the corner in Winslow, AZ when they passed through?
I've stood on the corner in Winslow, AZ..... last April and then I will again with my Spyder this September.
Glad to hear you guys made it to California safe and sound. :thumbup:
hyea:very jealous in CT. awsome 
opcorn:
WaltH
Senior Member
Deb, you and Brian are incredible. Even when I was younger I could not have done back-to-back 1,000 mile days and then blogged in my spare time. I would have been comatose on the second day. That is, if I did not fall off of the Spyder on the first day. In that case, the vultures would have cleaned my bones by now.
Please keep on blogging for the benefit of those of us who had to stay home. I could not make the trip because my new Spyder is not yet set-up for long distance travel. It is almost ready to go. I will not miss another event.
By the way, everyone I know has had the same experience with a half-helmet in the rain that you did. It must be part of the initiation rites for motorcyclists. I assume this is your first motorcycle/roadster.
Thanks for the blog.
Please keep on blogging for the benefit of those of us who had to stay home. I could not make the trip because my new Spyder is not yet set-up for long distance travel. It is almost ready to go. I will not miss another event.
By the way, everyone I know has had the same experience with a half-helmet in the rain that you did. It must be part of the initiation rites for motorcyclists. I assume this is your first motorcycle/roadster.
Thanks for the blog.
NancysToy
Motorbike Professor
Yeah, and some of us never learn. I was wearing a Davida halfpot at a vintage event, and got caught a couple of years back. Ouch! Added attraction...You cannot tighten the neck of your rainsuit tight enough to keep out the water when you're wearin a half helmet in the rain.
-Scotty
dltang
Very Handy Member
6/25/09 Our ride with Smokster
Early this morning I put it out there that I wanted to ride the Pacific Coast Highway. Smokster responded that if we got down his way, he would be glad to take us on our own personal guided tour. We started our day actually riding what many would consider the wrong way. We headed east and north to make a stop at Chaparel's. This is an absolutely hugh motorcycle store. I bought some new gloves that fit better than the ones I was using of Brian's. I also had to buy some goggles. The glasses BMWGene got for me broke already, I am so sorry to say. Also, I was noticing that any glasses I wore kind of hurt where the arms were over my ears. So I got goggles with an elastic band and it is so much better. As we were getting ready to leave, we gave Smokster (Greg by the way) a call. He was ready for us. 45 minutes later we were in Newport Beach. A quick stop at Quizno's for lunch and we were ready to ride, so we thought. Brian thought he was starting to have some brake trouble. His brakes started squealing again and getting kind of mushy. A not so quick stop to the motorcycle store for brake fluid quickly fixed the problem. The ocean was so close, I could smell it and I could feel the cool breeze. We were almost to the Pacific Coast Highway. Now let me backtrack a little here. I have never been on the PCH before and I had these romantic idea's of open road and ocean on one side and mountains on the other. I found out only too quickly that those parts of the PCH were either way south or way north. What I was getting was very populated. Although there was some very beautiful scenery, I felt a little let down. I think Greg could sense it as well. I felt so bad as he was trying so hard to show us the beauty of southern California. Here are some of the photos I did take during this part of the ride.
Here is Balboa Island
Finally after heading south to Laguna Beach and Dayna Point and almost loosing Brian in heavy traffic it was time to get some fuel.
I wasn't sure why I needed fuel, I was only down about 60 miles but I was soon to find out. Greg asked us if we would like to try a canyon run since the PCH wasn't quite what I had in mind. Both Brian and I were game, what the heck. We were now headed into Cleveland National Forrest and the Ortega Highway. Oh MY!!!! just breath taking scenery and the riding, well let me say, it would give Deals Gap a run for it's money. We stopped at Hell's Kitchen for a refreshing lemonade and a quick break before we headed onward and upward.
After leaving Hell's Kitchen, we called Spanky and told him we were just leaving and we could be at Cross Corner in about an hour. He said he had to wait for his wife and the spyder, BlackWidow (I think) as she is known here. We headed a bit further up the mountain to LookOut Point. I would love to describe it to you, but let me show you instead.
After such an exhilarating ride, I wasn't sure what could top it. I was about to find out. Going down the mountain at 45-55 mph on some pretty mean turns is quite a rush. This spyder of ours, boy can she handle it all. We pulled over for a couple more photos before heading on to Cross Corner.
Just as we arrived at Cross Corner, I hadn't even gotten my helmet off and here came a silver spyder. It was BlackWidow with Spanky in tow on his two wheeler. I am sorry, I don't have a photo to post of these really nice folks but Brian took that one. We went in and sat down and just chatted. I have said it before and I will say it again. SpyderLovers are the nicest people.
The day was winding down and it was time for Brian and I to head back to our KOA. We took a nice leisurely ride up the 421 to the 91 to the 71 back into Pomona. The scenery is just phenomenal. All in all, it turned out to be a fantastic riding day with great people. We put on about 230 miles today total. After the last few days, that seems like a drop in the bucket. We hardly noticed we had ridden so much.
I did realize one thing though. I forgot my video camera and there is so much I wished I would have captured. You can bet for the BRP Canyon ride, I will have my camera mounted on my Spyder.
I'm off to bed, tomorrow, we will arrive at the Sheraton, I am so looking forward to meeting everyone.
Early this morning I put it out there that I wanted to ride the Pacific Coast Highway. Smokster responded that if we got down his way, he would be glad to take us on our own personal guided tour. We started our day actually riding what many would consider the wrong way. We headed east and north to make a stop at Chaparel's. This is an absolutely hugh motorcycle store. I bought some new gloves that fit better than the ones I was using of Brian's. I also had to buy some goggles. The glasses BMWGene got for me broke already, I am so sorry to say. Also, I was noticing that any glasses I wore kind of hurt where the arms were over my ears. So I got goggles with an elastic band and it is so much better. As we were getting ready to leave, we gave Smokster (Greg by the way) a call. He was ready for us. 45 minutes later we were in Newport Beach. A quick stop at Quizno's for lunch and we were ready to ride, so we thought. Brian thought he was starting to have some brake trouble. His brakes started squealing again and getting kind of mushy. A not so quick stop to the motorcycle store for brake fluid quickly fixed the problem. The ocean was so close, I could smell it and I could feel the cool breeze. We were almost to the Pacific Coast Highway. Now let me backtrack a little here. I have never been on the PCH before and I had these romantic idea's of open road and ocean on one side and mountains on the other. I found out only too quickly that those parts of the PCH were either way south or way north. What I was getting was very populated. Although there was some very beautiful scenery, I felt a little let down. I think Greg could sense it as well. I felt so bad as he was trying so hard to show us the beauty of southern California. Here are some of the photos I did take during this part of the ride.
Here is Balboa Island
Finally after heading south to Laguna Beach and Dayna Point and almost loosing Brian in heavy traffic it was time to get some fuel.
I wasn't sure why I needed fuel, I was only down about 60 miles but I was soon to find out. Greg asked us if we would like to try a canyon run since the PCH wasn't quite what I had in mind. Both Brian and I were game, what the heck. We were now headed into Cleveland National Forrest and the Ortega Highway. Oh MY!!!! just breath taking scenery and the riding, well let me say, it would give Deals Gap a run for it's money. We stopped at Hell's Kitchen for a refreshing lemonade and a quick break before we headed onward and upward.
After leaving Hell's Kitchen, we called Spanky and told him we were just leaving and we could be at Cross Corner in about an hour. He said he had to wait for his wife and the spyder, BlackWidow (I think) as she is known here. We headed a bit further up the mountain to LookOut Point. I would love to describe it to you, but let me show you instead.
After such an exhilarating ride, I wasn't sure what could top it. I was about to find out. Going down the mountain at 45-55 mph on some pretty mean turns is quite a rush. This spyder of ours, boy can she handle it all. We pulled over for a couple more photos before heading on to Cross Corner.
Just as we arrived at Cross Corner, I hadn't even gotten my helmet off and here came a silver spyder. It was BlackWidow with Spanky in tow on his two wheeler. I am sorry, I don't have a photo to post of these really nice folks but Brian took that one. We went in and sat down and just chatted. I have said it before and I will say it again. SpyderLovers are the nicest people.
The day was winding down and it was time for Brian and I to head back to our KOA. We took a nice leisurely ride up the 421 to the 91 to the 71 back into Pomona. The scenery is just phenomenal. All in all, it turned out to be a fantastic riding day with great people. We put on about 230 miles today total. After the last few days, that seems like a drop in the bucket. We hardly noticed we had ridden so much.
I did realize one thing though. I forgot my video camera and there is so much I wished I would have captured. You can bet for the BRP Canyon ride, I will have my camera mounted on my Spyder.
I'm off to bed, tomorrow, we will arrive at the Sheraton, I am so looking forward to meeting everyone.
dltang
Very Handy Member
A Quick update and a special Thank You
I think I have it wrong, I don't think Spanky's wife is Black Widow, maybe he will jump on here and correct me.
Also I want to give a very special Thank You to 8Legs. I mentioned early on that she had given Brian and I each a Guardian Bell when we picked up the banner in Indy. What I didn't notice until this morning when we were cleaning our spyders is that they are each slightly different. Brian's has an American Flag on it and mine, bless her heart, has a rose. Tina, thank you again and a sending you a big hug.
I think I have it wrong, I don't think Spanky's wife is Black Widow, maybe he will jump on here and correct me.
Also I want to give a very special Thank You to 8Legs. I mentioned early on that she had given Brian and I each a Guardian Bell when we picked up the banner in Indy. What I didn't notice until this morning when we were cleaning our spyders is that they are each slightly different. Brian's has an American Flag on it and mine, bless her heart, has a rose. Tina, thank you again and a sending you a big hug.
spyderrider44
New member
welcome to California Deb& Brian i sure am sorry i can not be there to ride and meet you folks. Am loving reading your blog hope you have a wonderful time out here and a safe ride home. :congrats: on your Iron Butt rides that is awsome :yes: :yes: :yes:
Similar threads
