tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55031196070628533742024-02-20T17:59:24.983-08:00Tales Of The Bonneville Boys IIIGrumblerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02003774128193899393noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503119607062853374.post-52025417320224702232009-11-27T11:23:00.000-08:002009-12-20T11:14:30.711-08:00Boonevilles to Arroyo Seco by Jack Jensen<br>Grumbler's note: <em>It was during the 70s when Jack and I happened to own </em><br />
<em>a </em><em>pair of identical 1973 Triumph 750 Bonnevilles. Mine was bought in </em><br />
<em>Salinas </em><em>and his in Santa Cruz. One of our favorite day rides were to </em><br />
<em>Arroyo Seco.</em><br />
<br />
We're sitting on a bench seat outside of the store, scoping out the bikes <br />
that were parked haphazardly all over the lot at Millers Ranch Campground, <br />
the Northeast "Gateway" to the Los Padres National Park.<br />
<br />
You and I have been here many times before. Only once that I had ventured <br />
into the Natl. Forest with Tom and Teresa and their friends in their VW Bus <br />
while we we're in my '54 GMC PU a few years back. <br />
<br />
Almost an hour passed since we've motored in Millers from Carmel Valley <br />
with three other Harley riders. Brian, which he has a stripped down stock <br />
wide glide Panhead could easily be the nominee for the "Rattiest Bike of <br />
the Month" the Easy Rider Mag... The other two called themselves "Lemon" <br />
and "Lime." HEH, HEH, one has his bike painted yellow and the other is <br />
lime-green. Both have hardtails, custom molded frames, raked necks, <br />
extended forks and "Panheads" sitting the cradles. Very righteous rides I <br />
thought. <br />
<br />
The "Three Musketeers" moved to Santa Cruz from the East coast* a couple <br />
of years back and we "buddied" up with them since. *Baltimore, MD<br />
<br />
I know, you're thinking, they're "Easy Rider" wannabes. These guys were <br />
no slouch on the pavement. They got Balls! <br />
<br />
They've always managed to keep up with us on the straights and loping <br />
S-curves but couldn't pass. Although their exhaust pipes and pegs are <br />
ground off to the brackets trying to keep up with us Bonnys. Only time <br />
we could shake them loose is when we get into the "twisties" and the<br />
tight S-curves. <br />
<br />
Once we quenched our thirst we were eager to hit the road. The Bonnys <br />
started on the first kick as usual, the others had to kick theirs a few more <br />
times. One by one each started. <br />
<br />
Brian's was blowing blue smoke at first but as it got warmer it would smoke <br />
somewhat less. He had to add another quart of oil and pull the plugs out <br />
to clean them at the campground. That's make it his second quart since we <br />
left Santa Cruz. Time for an overhaul. <br />
<br />
Next stop, Tassajara Hot Springs in Los Padres Nat'l Park about 5-6 miles <br />
down the dirt road. Then follow the arroyo, work our way up to the mountain <br />
pass, Camp Hunter-Liggett and then exit on Highway #1 somewhere between <br />
San Simon and Lucas then head north on the Coast Highway.<br />
<br />
As we're riding towards the ranger's guard house there was a huge sign <br />
stating that, "Spark arrestors on vehicles are required pass this point." <br />
<br />
Our Bonnys were still factory stock but the "Hogs" weren't... The Ranger <br />
let us pass but stopped the others. After talking their way in they pulled <br />
along aside of us and said that they can only go as far as the Hot Springs. <br />
<br />
We fished tailed out there. The dirt road was graded and packed all the way <br />
to the Springs. So, all of us were clipping along pretty good and viola, <br />
we're there. The Park service didn't have space available in the parking <br />
area for the trailhead to the Springs. There were vehicles double parked up <br />
and down the side of the dirt road. <br />
<br />
Since having two wheels we were able to maneuver around a few boulders <br />
nearby the trail. Then parked the bikes and chained them together. That <br />
way we could see them from the swimming area. <br />
<br />
As the afternoon summer sun was moving across the sky the "Bonneville <br />
Boys" were getting restless and wanted to ride. Since the "Three Musket-<br />
eers" couldn't continue the "Arroyo Seco Ride" they decided to stay for the <br />
rest of the afternoon and then back track home. Besides they were really <br />
having a ball swimming with the girls. Hmmmm... <br />
<br />
We agreed that we would "recon" at one of Carmel's eateries around sunset. <br />
Sounds like we have a plan. <br />
<br />
The graded dirt road was deteriorating as clocked on the miles. Soon the <br />
forest service road had more "twists" to them and can't bank as much as one <br />
normally could do on pavement. Now it's second and third gear powering in <br />
and out the curves, spinning and bouncing the rear tires but keeping the <br />
front wheel pointed at the intended direction as we maneuver around the <br />
curves. Lots of fun thinking that we were dirt bike pros. I admit I had to <br />
"muscled" my bike. <br />
<br />
I don't know about you but I was seriously thinking about backing off and <br />
slowing down cause I getting real tired fast. I couldn't tell how you felt <br />
by looking back to you cause your face was covered with sweat and grime. <br />
<br />
Laughing I pulled to the shoulder and stopped and we were abreast of each <br />
other and you were laughing also, saying, "Look at your face in the side <br />
mirror." Heck! I didn't recognized my ugly mug in the mirror. HA! HA! <br />
<br />
"Smoke Break!" We exclaimed together. We walked down the embankment <br />
and had a smoke, went into a dream. Hmmmm.Where did I hear that before? <br />
<br />
As we finished we saw some big league dirt bikes buzzed by. Then a few <br />
more fly by as we started our bikes. Ahh... " The race is on!" So we <br />
chased after them. <br />
<br />
Yeah, right! All we did is eat their dust. We never had the chance. By <br />
the time the dust dissipated they are already turned off. We were <br />
outclassed by far. My hat's off for them. I'm not saying I'm the top dirt <br />
bike rider but I know enough. Our Bonnys doesn't fit into their element. <br />
<br />
A few more miles down, the forest service road suddenly had 30 degrees <br />
uphill grades with hair pin curves winding on the side of the mountain. We <br />
definitely had to use first gear. We would have either spun out or stalled <br />
our bikes going around the uphill curves if we had used higher gears. <br />
<br />
We crisscrossed up the side of this mountain for better than an hour. No <br />
place to pull over except in the middle of the road and we dared not to, <br />
cause the dirt bikes were passing us like banshees too darn close for my <br />
comfort. <br />
<br />
Finally, we made it to the mountain pass and somewhat went into a level <br />
terrain. It was great to cruise in third and fourth gear again. <br />
<br />
We spotted a BLM (pack in-pack out) campground about 20-30 minutes <br />
later and pulled in there to check it out. There was a message/introduction <br />
board at the entrance and we looked at the local map of the area. Seems <br />
that we only traveled 20 miles since we left the Hot Springs and we have <br />
another 40-45 miles till we see the Coast Highway. The sun is already <br />
settling atop of the trees in the West. <br />
<br />
I don't believe taking time pieces on our runs. I left them at work. <br />
The Sun, Moon and the Stars rules. Light and day are the only indications <br />
of time for me on these runs. <br />
<br />
So, we finished our smoke and blasted out of the park. Still sweating and <br />
grimy since there no water to wash up. We're cruising through the easy <br />
going curves enjoying the scenery, waiting for the "high" of riding to <br />
mellow out. <br />
<br />
We had entered and crossed several creeks or brooks, once a small rock <br />
dam that had water flowing across the span. The water didn't rise above <br />
our rims. If we went fast enough the spray from the wheels cools us off. <br />
<br />
That's where we finally clean our faces. I would taste the dirt in my mouth <br />
all the way here and it got to me when my teeth got to gritty. <br />
<br />
Lots of wild life out here. Spotted some boars running down the hills about <br />
200-300 yards off the dirt road, few deer here and there, birds, rabbits <br />
everywhere and once a California Condor feasting on some carrion in the <br />
middle of the field along side the road. You betcha we killed our motors <br />
and stopped to see that sight. At first we didn't know it was a California <br />
Condor till it spread it's wings and hobbled and ran to take flight. It <br />
took the condor forever to get off the ground. To this day I never saw <br />
another California Condor except in "PBS Special," etc. <br />
<br />
We entered the Fort Hunter-Liggett Govt. property and suddenly we were <br />
on smooth black top. Now we are loping in fifth gear and making fantastic <br />
time. The War Boys were on leave for the weekends, so us tax payers can <br />
use the road but during the week days the non military personal must have a <br />
pass. At the time they had warning signs that undetonated bombs are in the <br />
practice firing range so it's wise to stay on the pavement/shoulder. <br />
Hmmmm... <br />
<br />
As we were cruising down the road a Mazda sport car which had the so <br />
called "Revolutionary Rotary Engine" pulled out from one of the turnouts not <br />
too far ahead of us and we soon were on his ass doing 45-50 mph. We had <br />
planned to pass him on the left, speeding up to 60+ mph. <br />
<br />
The "dang-tootin" Mazda started to play games with us and we had to move <br />
back behind him. Checking ahead of him to see if we had plenty of road left. <br />
"Yes," I yelled into the wind. "Bye-bye, you sucker!" <br />
<br />
At 65 mph from fourth we both downshifted into third and proceeded to pass <br />
him again doing 80 or so but the Mazda just kept making the gap wider ahead <br />
of us. We Upshifted to back to fourth and we're doing 100 mph. <br />
<br />
The Mazda was still slowly pulling away from us! <br />
<br />
We bent over hugging our tanks, heads above the headlights. On a given day <br />
when the conditions are right and plenty of road I can see top end of 117 mph <br />
on my Bonny. Forget about fifth, the combination of the under powered 750cc <br />
engine and the tall gear doesn't cut it. <br />
<br />
We bowed out. The Mazda just "Hummed" away. <br />
<br />
Heck! That's twice that we've been humbled today... <br />
<br />
After about an hour we made a hard right at the Fort and continued <br />
northwest to #1. We ran out of black top as we left the boundaries of the <br />
Fort Hunter-Liggett grounds. We're back on a graded dirt road was beside <br />
the river that led into a canyon. If they called it a creek then it's awful <br />
big creek. Some areas we can see "white waters." <br />
<br />
The salt air from the ocean was getting more intense as we ride through the <br />
canyon. There was very little sun light deep in the bowls of the canyon. As <br />
we break through the bowls, leaving the creek/river and slowly climbing <br />
upward to the hills the trees had thinned out and were replaced with <br />
shoulder height shrubs. <br />
<br />
Then suddenly as we crested the last hill before the decent to the coast <br />
line the red Sun with rays of deep colors splashing all over the sky was <br />
setting right on top of the fog bank that was off the shore a mile or two. <br />
<br />
We were able to look down into this whole spectacular color show as the <br />
sun was disappearing behind the fog. <br />
<br />
If you ever been in plane above the clouds then you would have understood <br />
what we're seeing but add the sun lit green valley panning to the shore <br />
then the aqua ocean bordering the fog bank. Awesome sight! <br />
<br />
Wished we had a camera, huh? <br />
<br />
By the time we headed for Carmel on #1 the fog already rolled in and it <br />
was getting dark and that slowed us down considerably. More than two <br />
and a half hours later we pulled in the designated eatery in Carmel. <br />
<br />
The "Three Musketeers" were gone and who to blame them. It was <br />
almost midnight. <br />
<br />
Tired, hungry and humbled we slowly ate our meal in silence. To each in <br />
one thoughts. Mine was. "Where to, for our next run?" <br />
<br />
I was addicted to ride.Grumblerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02003774128193899393noreply@blogger.com0