My first Goldwing excursion!

nedro · 07-28-2004, 1:30 PM

The wife and I loaded up the wing and headed north to the "Avenue of The Giants".
From Campbell we took 85 to 280. We went through San Francisco across the Golden gate bridge up 101 to Petaluma. From there we headed west till we got to Hwy1 and Bodega Bay where we stayed at the "Inn at The Tides" (remember The Birds?). The next morning we headed north on 1, after wiping all of the water off the seats (it had rained over night) and stopping for breakfast at the sand piper in Bodega Bay. It was so foggy and drizzly that I had about 50' of visibility at best. With that said, we headed up over the pass not knowing where the hell the road will turn next. We came across a series of cattle grates and I spotted most of them. That's right, one got past me and we stepped out quite a bit (let me just say that when a GL1800 decides it's time to step out, it steps out). I'm very grateful that I stayed on two wheels, as I had no idea how far it was to the ocean below. And on this stretch of road, a motor home that is diligently staying as tight to its lane as possible is still over the yellow line so there's no wiggle room. Fortunately or not, there was no one else on this road to speak of till we passed the major fog-out and crossed the Russian River.
We had lunch at a small restaurant/shack at the end of the little road that takes you down to the Noyo Harbor just as you come off the bridge that crosses the river going into Fort Bragg. Awesome beer batter fish and chips. The chips are made on site. They are thick potato chips that are almost like fries.
We headed up 1 till it connected with 101 and continued north and got off on "The Avenue of The Giants". We took that for the next 40 or so miles till it ended up back on 101. We continued to Fortuna where we stayed for two days as a home base. Fortuna is almost right at the corner of 101 and 35. 35 being considered by many as the holy grail of motorcycle roads. Anything off the coast was blistering hot! I didn't even consider riding 35 in that heat! It would've been different if I had the 929 though.
We concentrated on going back to the giant Redwoods and explore the region. I couldn't freakin believe how many trikes I saw! They were all over the place. But there were more Goldwings and HDs than anything else by far.
We did a straight shot going home from Fortuna but we had to try the coast again since we weren't able to see anything on the way up. Again it was about 100 degrees inland but as soon as we got to the coast it was 55 again. And it stayed that way the whole time. It did get colder however since the fog lifted a bit. And by that I mean it lifted up about a hundred feet so that we could actually see the ocean and the road. We stopped in Bodega Bay for a late lunch at the Dog House. Great Burgers and Hot Dogs! As soon as we left the coast it got hot again and I had to deal with Golden gate traffic. I crossed at about 4 pm. Can you say commuter traffic?
All in all, it was a great first adventure on the wing. I look forward to many more.
P.S. I took lots of picks. I'll try to download some tonight. The trees make a person look like a Lilliputian! They really are that big!

figment · 07-28-2004, 2:37 PM

good stuff. how was the pillion experience, handleing loading/etc

nedro · 07-29-2004, 1:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by figment

good stuff. how was the pillion experience, handleing loading/etc

Ah yes, the pillion!
Well after trying various ways of gracefully loading the pillion with mixed success, I enlisted the help of the GL1800 group. I ask all of the significant others to chime in on how they mount the easiest way. There's one technique that works great for us. I put it (the Bike) on the side stand, turn the bars to the left and stand on the side stand for physiological support. She scoots onto the seat facing away from the bike by putting one hand on the elbow rest and the other on my shoulder. Then she simply swings her leg over and I get on.
Handling the bike fully loaded was interesting. I found myself braking all the way to the apex before transitioning to throttle. That's because you just can't carry any speed into the turn (no ground clearance).
The one thing I am upset about is that the ST1300 I had, had WAY more luggage capacity. AND the bags on the ST remove and carry like real luggage. You have to use inner bags on the GL.

Overall, I was very satisfied for our first adventure and both of us can't wait for the next installment.

P.S. I have to change to file type before I can download the pics. I'll try tonight.
__________________

Baketech · 07-29-2004, 3:40 PM

Cool write up....have had lunch in Bodega Bay a couple of times...

We usually stay in Elk...peaceful...

Tell me something....what is the big green peninsula of land just offshore as you are riding up toward Bodega Bay. And what are all the weird structures in the water there...fish farms???

roadracer319 · 07-29-2004, 5:36 PM

Sweet! Goldwings are fun. You got to get that corner speed UP. Just slam it in there and let the sparks fly

Man I wish you were closer, we never get to ride with another Goldwinger! Have fun.

nedro · 07-30-2004, 12:30 PM

Lets try some pics.
Bodega bay. One of the beach, of the Inn at the Tides, and one of a strange looking banana slug the was on the cliffs about 15 feet from the water. I usually only see them in the forrests and they are all yellow and don't have what looks like finns all the way down the body.

nedro · 07-30-2004, 12:33 PM

I wanted to drive throught the redwood tree but this guy got stuck. We helped him out and they let us go for free. Dang it was hot!

nedro · 07-30-2004, 12:35 PM

The first pic of the trail looks like an average trail, nothing special. The next is with me in the pic only about 100 feet farther up the trail.

nedro · 07-30-2004, 12:38 PM

So ya want to see something realy big? O.K.
The pic of me next to the fallen tree? 1/3 of the stump is below ground. No explination needed for the big one. And the third is me in a typical tree we found in the woods.

nedro · 07-30-2004, 12:41 PM

Comimg home along Hwy 1. The fog lifted just enough to take this pic. We had to endure hours of these views. Check out the car.

Chain · 07-30-2004, 12:44 PM

COOL. Ominous, but cool.

Tornado bait · 07-30-2004, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nedro

Lets try some pics.
and one of a strange looking banana slug the was on the cliffs about 15 feet from the water. I usually only see them in the forrests and they are all yellow and don't have what looks like finns all the way down the body.

mmmm....slimy, yet satisfying. I like the little cream filled kind.

nedro · 07-30-2004, 1:40 PM

Sorry, Forgot about Ferndale. Small victorian town.

nedro · 07-30-2004, 1:42 PM

One last pic of Ferndale.

nedro · 07-30-2004, 1:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baketech

Cool write up....have had lunch in Bodega Bay a couple of times...

We usually stay in Elk...peaceful...

Tell me something....what is the big green peninsula of land just offshore as you are riding up toward Bodega Bay. And what are all the weird structures in the water there...fish farms???

You must be refering to Point Rayes National Seashore as you were looking across Tomales Bay. I don't know about the structures you are asking about. I've never ridden/driven on that part of 1. I wanted to but the pass out there was looking mighty grey and nasty when we crossed the Golden Gate.

BTW, I was blown away by Elk. Absolutely beautiful!