2023-06-30 NorCal Ride - "Steve's Sissies" - Day 5 - Petaluma to Home

Day 5
2023-06-30
Petaluma to Home

Day 1 - Home to Jackson
Day 2 - Jackson to Red Bluff
Day 3 - Red Bluff to Fortuna
Day 4 - Fortuna to Petaluma
Day 5 - Petaluma to Home
Relive - Entire Ride

Well, last day. It's gonna be 'a hot one in the barrio' per Carlos Santana. 103F in Paso.
The other sissies seem ready to go home.
Not me. I'd like to be out another 2 weeks. Maybe 3.

Leaving Petaluma, west bound. The houses are spectacular.

Haven't done research, but Petaluma should be spelled $etaluma!

The houses look older, incredible shape.

We clear the city and find countryside, complete with old barns.

The racetrack was great. Err, newly paved road that is...

Does it get any better than this? Wowzers!

Enjoying the nice cool moments.. knowing the heat is coming..

Right about here, thinking "Enjoy the green, Don. Soon it will be gone and you'll hot and brown."

Hit the cool fog and coastline.

Tunnels are always fun. Beep Beep!

I needed to pee. Steve found this parking lot just north of Golden Gate bridge.
But the porta-potties were LOCKED. WTFO? So I scampered into the weed and whupped it out.
Shortly thereafter, a Sheriff pulled into the lot and just sat there. Glad I got the job done first!

Used to be had to slow, stop, pay the fee.
Now they simply take a pic of your plate and send a bill via US Mail.
No stopping, much better!

Steve's route was a new path for me. Basically, cross the bridge, hang a RHT by Presidio to "The Great Highway', which parallels the coast running north-south.
Until it doesn't. Apparently, the rich fat cats don't like traffic in the hood, so they close TGH on weekends, holidays too.

Winding our way to 'The Great Highway'.

This route was much better than slogging through downtown San Francisco.

I've never lived in a 'big' city, housing density is shocking to this country bumpkin.

How is fire insurance handled? If one building goes up, the whole block burns down? How are premiums acessed?

Steve had researched The Great Highway was open on the Friday before July 4th.
All indicators said 'open', yet it was closed.
GPS hilarity ensued - Steve and Brian run Garmin XT's, which were very confused.
My Garmin 590LM must have a different processor, it knew where it was!

DOT traffic maps indicated the 280 was flowing, which it was.
One minor incident though.
I was leading, forgot to set GPS to 'Faster Time' other than 'Curvy Route'.
Meaning it missed the first 280 on ramp.
..And the Sissies left me fast as stink on shit, they took the on-ramp.
GREAT. Now I have no real clue as to where I'm going, AND now the 590LM is confused too.
Phone rings, it's Steve, I can hear him but he not me. Even the Comms are going south.
Call Steve. Tell them to press on, arrange a meet up point at 101 and 92. Sure thing, AssHoles!

Imagine my suprise when, while riding the 280 on ramp, I see the gang motoring below, just ahead.
WooHoo, the "Band's back together!"

I think it's better to 'follow the leader' even if the leader makes a bone-headed routing error. Unless such a decision puts the pack at physical risk,
like riding wrong way on a one way road. That was my decision sevearal times when following Steve on this trip.

Must be urban roads, it's a Zero electric motorcycle.

Traffic at typical spots. Morgan Hill, etc. so we 'Shared Lanes' with the cages for miles. Jim said he'd never split lanes for that long of time.
Stopped in Gilroy for hydration and snacks. It's now officially hot.

Brian said he new a good place to eat, Erik's DeliCafe, in Salinas.
While we sat here, the traffic was starting to backup..
A no-brainer decision to head to Erik's, get through the rapidly deteriorating traffic situation ASAP.

Brian did wonderful, led us right to the cafe, and yes, the food was really good too.

There is a new Tesla charging station in San Ardo. It's also home to an Olive Oil company.
Try as I might, could NOT find where to plug the stupid electricity cord to my FJR!

That's basically it. We shook hands then split for home.
We all got along great, only a couple of stupid-human-riding tricks (including mine!).
No drops, no spills, no tears, lots of thrills.

Let's do it again, Gentlemen!

According to Basecamp Tracks..

1. 1,286 miles
2. Area of 37,326 square miles
3. Speed average - 12.2 mph
4. Moving average - 48.7 mph
5. Max speed - 106 mph
6. Min Elevation - 83 ft
7. Max Elecation - 6,553 ft