SabMalibu 2005

When Milt announced SabMalibu I was not sure I could attend this being an IBR year and having already planned numerous LD type rides. I was sure Linda, my wife, would balk and refuse to allow this kitchen pass.

Just prior to the appointed date I made a couple more mods to my heavily farkled FJR and needed a long ride to make sure they would work as designed. Linda reluctantly agreed.

Wednesday-Thursday

Jim Schlyer had posted that he was headed and did anyone from the PNW want to join him. I responded with the affirmative and we arranged to meet Wednesday evening in Albany after I got off work. Jim was leaving earlier in the day to be in this neck of the woods soon after I got off. After a prearranged call to let me know when he hit Portland I hightailed it for home.

I met Jim just a few minutes late and we headed south at about 6:00pm. The plan was to ride all night to avoid the blistering temps from Redding south and particularly the Sacramento and San Joaquin valley areas. This plan worked well although Jim’s limited range kept us stopping a bit more frequently than I would have liked, but I can adapt. I only bought gas at every other stop. We did use one rest area just south of Tracy for a short power nap that worked like a champ and hit the road again when we could see some light in the eastern sky.

Nothing to describe about riding south on I-5. It is what it is, a fine road for making time and miles. Having ridden it many times in the last few years riding it at night (which I’ve also done many times) can be a welcome change and since the daylight hours were normal southern desert temps it was very welcome.

A few hours later, after full daylight, we started up the Tejon pass and decided to exit the interstate system and take CA-126 to CA-23. This route would put us close to Leo Carillo state beach/park. CA-23 out of Fillmore is one twisty mutha and would have been enjoyable except for the extensive reconstruction still continuing from the wet, winter storms. A convoy of belly dump trailers kicked up dust and kept us at a slow pace. South of Moorpark there is some four-lane freeway but not much and then a very short jaunt on US101 past Thousand Oaks before returning to the twisty CA-23 proper. A corvette followed us for awhile with designs of dusting us I am sure but it just doesn’t work that way on a road this tight.

Once over the crest we could see the marine layer sitting cottony on top of the lower coastal hills. Reaching Decker Canyon road we turned right onto Mulholland Hwy which ran us down right to the edge of Leo Carillo. At the park the marine layer kept temperatures comfortable and the rising heat we had been through was forgotten.

We were the first to arrive at about noon on Thursday. Milt’s reservations were recorded but the entrance workers would not let us in until two o’clock after Milt had arrived. It was not long before Jim Hiler and Rand Mazur rolled in and we all BS’ed until arrangements were completed and we had couple sites picked out.

We all proceeded to set up camp under trees and in the available shade. Milt arrived later to take us all to dinner. We had started the party early so we all caged up for the drive to Paradise Cove for dinner and drinks. Milt and Ken bought dinner and Jim S. ended up paying the bar tab. (I know Jim, I owe you some bucks, thanks!) Great food and conversation followed with a new maggot, Gary (forgot the last name already) and his non-running V4 the subject of some of them.

Rand and Jim, satiated, retired to the beach for a smoke where I joined them minutes later. A good meal and a relaxing sit watching the waves was exactly what we needed. The unsuspecting cutie that flashed us avoiding a larger than expected wave by hiking up her dress was a bonus.

After the return trip to the campground we spent several hours in BS before most hit the hard ground for sleep. Rand and I decided to take a little late night walk on the beach thinking it would be quiet and peaceful to sit and listen to the waves. Not! Camping teens of all descriptions were flitting about the beach and seemed to be congregating in the lifeguard tower. Hmmm… Amazingly family groups were out walking toward the beach well into the wee hours of the morning as we headed back to our tents with balky flashlights.

Friday

Friday we slept in and crawled out about 8:30 or 9:00am. No plans had been made and we were on our own for the day. Friday was similar to Thursday and the marine layer was present keeping conditions cooler than normal.

Rand was going north to Oxnard and we all headed that way with lunch in mind. After a good lunch at a capable and clean little place we went down the block to the local Pep-Boys for some batteries, oil, and other miscellaneous items before heading back to Leo Carillo.

The afternoon was spent in BS, although Jim H. headed south to do laundry and find a Laundromat, and several made trips to the grocery store for supplies. Before long Richard Algie and Jerry Thornton (sic) pulled in from Canada and Atwater, CA respectively. Up to this point not one sabmag had graced the park. Jerry was riding a sweet V65 Magna so finally we had a sabmag at an SME. We now had 2 FJRs, 2 Kawasakis, a Honda GW, and Jerry’s V65. Bill Warner soon arrived to make 3 FJRs

Since we were on our own for dinner we headed out and found an Italian restaurant, Spruzzo’s, where we dined on great food at reasonable prices only because the deli at the local market had closed.

Later the party really started to hop as RTD, Halfway Harry Irvine, and Ed Shea arrived at the campground. Dennis Grace and Pete Springer also arrived a bit later.

BS continued on this night way into the wee hours as tongues were loosened by a variety of liquid methods.

Saturday

Milt and Ken had left Saturday ride route maps at our camp and it all looked excellent. The plan was to meet at the campground at 8:00am for a group ride to the Rock Store for breakfast. Ken arrived on his retro Triumph to lead us in. As 8:30 passed and no Milt we decided to head out. (Unknown to me Milt had left a voicemail message at my cell number. Unknown to Milt my cell phone was having charging problems and was mostly unavailable.)

Jim Schlyer had decided to head back north to arrive home on Sunday. We could not convince him to stay so we saw him off before leaving for the Rock Store.

Ken led a quick run up very twisty Mulholland and we arrived at the Rock Store to find Milt and more waiting for us. All varieties of motorcycle were parked out front and after much sniffing we gravitated to the restaurant and a long table for breakfast.

With breakfast consumed, brains and bodies refreshed, we watched the activity at the store while some went for gas. Before long we were gearing up to continue the ride. Not having a route sheet at hand I quickly got lost following the group behind Ken T. but kept them in sight easily. We rode up and over and around and around the twisty Santa Monica mountain roads for most of the morning and early afternoon. We stopped once just below a hill where some lucky folks were para-sailing or para-gliding. Eventually we wound our way back down to the PCH and stopped for lunch along at a well attended seafood restaurant. After a large breakfast I opted to head back to camp and found like company in Rand, and Jim H.

The rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing. I elected to tear down my camp and stow it away planning to leave Saturday evening after the party to once again avoid the heat on I-5. I needed to work Monday so a Sunday arrival at home would be fortuitous.

Milt and the cage armada showed up at six to ferry us to his place. Milt had reserved the clubhouse where he lived for us to use as party central. Planning to leave after the party I rode the FJR down.

What a setup! When I arrived Milt was mixing his famous margaritas and had laid a fire in what looked like an 8 foot long by 2 foot wide open grill. Snacks and appetizers were out and libations flowed freely. A pool and hot tub were available as were showers. A larger deck and open porch provided scenic views of the coastline hampered only by the haze accompanying the ever present marine layer.

Soon the reason for the larger fire became apparent. Mass quantities of brats, steak, marinated chicken, corn-on-the-cob, and ciabatta bread were delivered and we were directed to grill our own. Maggots began quickly carving out space on the grill as the sound of sizzling meat grew louder. Tables were waiting complete with large bowls of salad for those the could stuff in more.

The crowd quickly moved from the grill to the table and sounds became subdued as maggots chowed down amidst small talk. The sun continued to play hide and seek with the clouds as it moved toward the horizon before setting for the night. I wish I could have stayed longer but by nine pm I said my thanks and good-byes and headed for my parked FJR.

I punched in a route on my gps for home and followed it to I-405 and I-5. Descending the eastern side of Tejon pass the evident residual heat combined with lack of sleep and a full belly gave me the nods. I decided to pull up in Buttonwillow at about 11:00pm. I gassed up, bought a bag of ice, most of which went in my jug, and grabbed a room at a nearby Motel 6.

5:30am came quickly but I was up and felt rested hitting the road north hoping to still miss the majority of the hot day. The valley had cooled tremendously since stopping and miles fell away quickly. By the time I reached Redding it was still before noon and as I climbed toward Shasta the slow heating turned into slow cooling.

Across the Oregon border and home-itis set in propelling me to a 4:20pm arrival.

Great SME! Thanks Milt for the planning and food. Thanks Ken T for leading us around the countryside. Thanks to Rand and Jim and Jim and Richard and Bill and Dennis and Harry and Ed and Pete, etc for being there. See you again next time.

dougc

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