So far July has been a great month for some fun riding. I need to back up to July 4th. Berta came over early in the day and we got the bikes out before the parade and our crowded streets blocked us in. Our plans were to get the bikes and get back to her place to cook a good breakfast with friends and family and enjoy all that our little town offers on July 4th. We had to stop along the way and get our coffee though...we thought we had enough time to sit a little and enjoy our morning ride coffee, but... As we sat and enjoyed the taste of our morning coffee, we realized the parade had started as we watched the runners go by us. We threw down our coffee and got on the bikes. We needed to get to her place as the parade route is directly on it. We found ourselves riding through the barriers to get in the driveway. I got stuck in between the marathon runners and waited for a break. Luckily, I found one right before the police rode up---whewwww! So we parked and enjoyed the morning parade til early afternoon. We had a great time eating, goofing around and viewing the parade.

There's something to say and love about small town goings on. It was "green" themed. I don't think I ever saw so many eco friendly cars and even a truck followed by huge Cadillacs and diesel trucks... sorta didn't make sense.


After a long morning, we got our feet on the pegs and got out of the driveway with the bikes decorated with flags. We rode the rest of the afternoon enjoying the City's July 4th givings. Of course, we went to the USS Hornet. They had a full day of bands, food and fireworks. With the fires in Northern California only a few had fireworks display. We saw a few people there who enjoyed my bikes, including security, and then we went on to eat again. Berta is very comfy now in the saddle and it was a beautiful day out to ride.



Riding in town is always nice, but I was burning to get out and really ride someplace else, so when Hollister weekend came up I was eager to go. I met up with a couple of the girlz in Santa Cruz and met a few more of their riding circle also. So it was an adventure of sorts with new people and new places to ride. I loved every moment of it. The weekend went too fast.



I left Thursday mid-afternoon after packing the Sporty up. I wanted to put some miles on her and I thought I would have more fun going through the Santa Cruz mountains riding the Sportster. I did. Took about an hour and a half or so... not long I love that bike! Little jackhammerish, but a lot of fun. Since the windshield has been on I don't have the watery eyes either---much more comfy when I can see. It was 3 digit heat on 880S going until the 17S hills, then it was nice and cool. I had put a long sleeved T on with my mesh jacket and it was perfect. I said thank you to the weather God for keeping me comfy.


When I arrived at the Babbling Brook Inn in Santa Cruz I discovered I was the first to get there. I checked in and had a nice little walk around. It's very peaceful and actually has a brook running through the property. I notice the parking being a little tight and called Tamalyn (who I now called Tamalom--she's very esoteric and wears beautiful silver jewelry with the symbol OM on them). She and Linda trailed their bikes with a couple of others. They like to be refreshed for the rides at the rallys. They also like the fact that they can bring food, drink, and lots and lots of clothes.



Lori rode up with Jackie on her new yellow Road King. She just bought it and it is her first bike and they rode up together from Orange County for ? first ride on the yellow beauty and a grand entrance to the road of riding. So after everyone arrived and got settled, we walked into town to John & Roxanne's friend's Restaurant: Vida located on Pacific Ave. in Santa Cruz. What a great place. We hit it one night before official restaurant opening, but were served like Kings & Queens with appetizers and a wonderful souffle for my birthday to top off the evening there. Its a great place and the cuisine is great. I will be back.




Friday was an 8:30 meet up in the breakfast room of the B&B. John was our "ride guide". He has ridden up here before and I was happy to have him show me Hwy 9 when he mentioned it. We wiped down our bikes, as the dew from the ocean mountain atmosphere was almost rain like overnight. Yep, we had wet butts. The girlz are not used to the weather up here either. Tamalyn looked like she was going skiing...ha! We all had great laughs at the gearing up. After putting on layers, scarves, and wiping down the bikes, we were ready to hit the road.



Our First Morning Fill-Up. The dew was like a light rain in the mornings.


In the parking lot our bikes were awaiting....including Roxanne's. OMG! What a great bike for a great lady. Hot. No other words...but hot. Every one's head turned to check her out when we were riding. Her bike was built by Exile Cycles. Has a suicide shift... the girl has it all. I felt like a weeny on my Sporty next to her. Oh well... another lifetime for me. In any case, she looks perfect and has a great ride to top it off. The women I rode with are just amazing.

Roxanne on her Russell Mitchell



Tamalyn Sending Kisses to the Road God



Hwy 9 is a beautiful ride full of lovely smells of pine and eucalyptus. A lot of curves and few hairpins. Nice and easy. Beautiful woods everywhere. Northern California is full of this scenery. Our plan was to ride 9 to Hwy 35 (Skyline Dr.) to Alices Restaurant (the corner fixture at Hwy 84 & Hwy 35). From there the group would go to San Francisco for shopping and Golden Gate Bridge pics. After getting my zen into the mountain roads, and even though I loved every bit of riding with this wonderful group of people, who hugged and loved every turn, I decided I wanted more curves and mountains and chose to stay in the mountains a bit longer and ride back on Hwy 35 to the Coast Hwy 1. I had never done it and wanted to.

We made it Alice's almost too fast, but we must stop sometime. So we ate. I listened to everyone talk about San Francisco and shopping and, yet, I was still not out of the mountains. I have also been to S.F. many times. Been there... done that. Sooo...... I when I announced my opt out for more of a ride through the mountain it was taken well. I am good at riding alone and actually enjoy it. I had a wonderful ride to Alices and had no desire to even attempt traffic on a Friday afternoon in S.F. So, I got directions to continue my ride through the mountains out to the Coast down Hwy 1S. We took our pics at Alices and off we all went on our different excursions.

Food Frenzy At Allices

I left down Hwy35 and found myself in more wonderful curves. The Sporty took them well and just a push here and a push there on the handlebars got me through the turns quite easily. I had to stop at one point cause I felt I was the only one on the road.... I was. I took the opportunity to pull over and take a pic of the cows and the road. I loved it. I ended up at the end of the road and Highway 1 was upon me. Windy too. A lot of sand on the road, but boy was it beautiful. The fog was rolling in in the distance and the sun was cracking through it and it was just beautiful. I pulled over in the beach parking lot to adjust my jacket and put my pants in my socks. I left my chaps and scarf with Linda who was driving and acting as our "cage carrier". I was surprised at so many people at the beach in cold weather. Must have been from another state. So after tucking my pants into my socks I felt a little warmer and continued the ride back to Santa Cruz.

I virtually had the road to myself on this stretch...except for the cows.

Highway 1 is just beautiful and I am glad I asked at Alice's which way back is best. Ask the locals... they know and they were right. I will do it again in a heartbeat. The blend of the ocean, trees and rock formations are breathtaking.

So I get back to the hotel... and yes, I ate and gelled out. I felt I was on vacation and it was a perfect ride and a perfect day.

The rest of the gang made it back later. They made their excursion through S.F. and went to the Haight. A couple split off and made it to the Golden Gate for pics. They had a wonderful full day and met up with me at the hotel where we had wine and cheese hour then bedtime for the Hollister Rally for Saturday.

The Hollister morning came at 9:00am in the breakfast room. After eating and wiping the dew from the night again on our bikes we were off. We met up with 3 more bikes down the road a bit and the 9 bikes were off to Hollister. I still can't remember the way we went. All I know is we went inland through Watsonville and a few other little farm towns to Hollister. After gassing up just outside of Hollister we went in.

Perfect Parking Spot


Heart Bike...No Shifting

The Red, White & Blue Bike

Hollister is a little town. Hot. Out in the valley. Really, other than the rally, agriculture is the main income. It's a small rally that attracts many from Northern California. Yes, actually, all over, but this is mainly No. California's rally.

Tamalyn knows the Renegade Wheel people and they are such a great group. She has their wheels. I am thinking of tricking out my Sporty's wheels after seeing hers and what they have to offer. They were very nice and hope to see all their people again.

Tamalyn & Good Friend/Owner of Renegade Wheels



Me, Marlon & Friend

We stayed in Hollister for just a few hours. Can't really say too much about Hollister. Don't think I will go back. I wasn't too impressed. Did our shopping. Missed BB of our blogging circle. Sorry BB, I didn't bring my computer so I did not get your message! Hopefully we will meet up on the next central California excursion.

The ride back from Hollister was an adventure. We started riding and then decided to head to the Watsonville Harley. Got lost. Got off the freeway. Got on the freeway. Got off the freeway. Made a couple of u-turns. Hit the gas station for directions. Thought we were going to the Harley. Guess not. Ended up at the Inn. It was fun. We had a few laughs about it. That's all that mattered at the end of the day. A bunch of happy smiles.

This group of people were so awesome to ride with and spend time with. I felt honored to be in their presence.

My 3 roommates were the best anyone could want. Lori McCammon who writes for Quick Throttle was a joy to be with. Her personality kept me laughing til I cried. I love her helmet with braids coming out of it. With 4 women sharing a room a lot of laughter is the thing to have. All 4 of us cracked up from the time we woke up til we fell asleep. Tamalyn (Tamalom) introduced us to her spiritual world, and left us omming for more. She also corrected me that John Adams was the 2nd President... I am still not over that yet. She just finished a photo shoot and video for Harley Davidson. Linda is a joyfull, loving, good person who has fun with just about anyone and constantly had a smile on her face... even after I kicked her out of my side of the bed. She has major apes on her bike and rides like the devil. Each night the whole group, husbands and all, gathered around to have wine and appetizers and talk about the day and our lives. We just seemed to have a good blend from the beginning. The love of the ride hooked us up and I hope to ride with them again if they will have me.

Leaving everyone was bittersweet, but all good things must end to leave room for the next set of good stuff to happen. I packed my bike and rode home Sunday around 11:00 or so. Straight shot, no traffic, a perfect ride home and a perfect ending to a perfect weekend.

Happy Ommmmmmmmzzzzzzz,
KT Did