Day 1- Pasadena to Morro Beach, California - 250 miles
We all felt that we needed to get away for a couple of days, so 6 of us decided to ride to Morro Beach and camp there for a night, getting away from works, family and commitment...
Originally 6 of us committed: myself, Vu, his brother N2, Eugene, Kevin and Mike. Then Veronica might join us too so we'll see... :-)
I didn't even have a tent. The last time I went camping was at least 10 years ago! So I ordered a 2-person tent, figured that I can store my gears and have enough room to sleep... I already bought a brand new 35 degree F sleeping bag and a self-inflating camping air mattress so I guess I'm set. Now I hope that I will receive the tent before I leave...
Day 2 - from Morro Beach back to Los Angeles - 250 miles
We will go through some of the best roads California has to offer: highway 58, highway 33, Cerro Noreste and passing 1 of the rare remaining active California oil town Taft.
April 17, 2008
Fedex delivered the tent I ordered! Great! I did a dry-run to see how long it takes me to set it up so I won't get a surprise on the day I use it. It was only 5 minutes! So now I'm ready...
18-APR-2008
Before the trip - 42334 miles on odometer...
The odometer on my 1997 Honda CBR-1100XX aka Blackbird was 42334 miles...
April 18, 2008, Friday
Ok, last minute Veronica was able to get away from work to join us. So it'll be 7 of us. Since she lives only a few blocks from me, I'll meet her at the gas station on our block then we'll ride together to the Starbucks in Pasadena to meet the rest.
I pretty much packed last night. Tonight I still have a few things to fill in such as battery charger, flash light, pre-charged batteries etc... I was surprised at the amount of luggages I had to carry even for a 2-day motorcycle trip. When Vu called me on the phone, I found out that him too has lots of stuffs to carry and then, we figured, what's the difference between a 2-day trip and a 10-day trip? Not much... we still have to carry similar stuffs...except more underwear...
April 19, 2008 - Saturday
Everyone was so excited yesterday at work that emails were flying back and forth talking about the trip, roads to ride, things to do...
I woke up at 6:05 am this morning. Even though I went to bed around 12:15 am last night, I feel excited, energized and full of adrenaline.
Open roads, here we come!
19-APR-2008
Waiting for Veronica at the 76 gas station in West Covina
19-APR-2008
Kevin, Mike and Nu...
We all meet at Pasadena Starbucks before riding together to Eugene's house, that's about 60 miles and 1 hour ride away...
19-APR-2008
Everybody was here... Vu, Nu, Kevin, Mike and V was in the back...
19-APR-2008
Veronica and her BMW 650CS...
She's a brave girl and was on her 1st long motorcycle trip.
19-APR-2008
Ready to go!
We all met at Eugene's house. Now all 7 motorcycles are ready! Let's roll...
This is a maiden voyage for Eugene's brand spanking new blue 2008 BMW 800ST.
19-APR-2008
Eugene and his brand new 2008 BMW 800ST
Look at that smile. Who said money can't buy happiness?
