On my own. I packed my bags and straddled my motorcycle for another adventure. However, this trip will be shorter than my previous epic. I am heading northbound this time to visit friends, family, and states this motorcycle has not crossed into.
My first stop was to Cycle Gear in Fullerton to acquire a cover and make sure my bags did not immediately fall off. It rained earlier in the morning, but it was sunny when I departed so I was foolishly optimistic. I should clarify this trip was initially planned to be taken by train, but plans changed, obviously. I do plan on taking the train eventually which is about a (2) two day journey as well. So here I am on my motorcycle to get away from things and enjoy the moment. Some of you are aware of why I need this trip and circumstances around it. If you do not know but would like to know then send me a message for some tea. I digress, I was on the road around 1100 PT and looking forward to decent weather. I did not expect anymore rain and I was wrong. Water fell from the sky while in Los Angeles, fine, but it should clear up, right? A friend called between meetings so we chatted for a few minutes about the usual grievances. I attempted to stretch my legs and it turned into a cramp. That was so fun I was laughing in my helmet.
I let my Garmin navigate me to my destination in San Francisco. Remember when I typed rain should clear up? Wrong again. It did until it did not so I just kept riding. I eventually turned onto California State Route 33 and at some point only saw oil derricks. Apparently a stretch in Kern County is known as Petroleum Highway. I may have taken advantage of open road a couple times to really roll on the throttle...for science.
The highway was moving but Garmin did warn me of a slowdown ahead right before King City. It displayed delay X minutes or click here to save Y minutes. I ignored it since the saving was not significant and I could always share the lane. How many times could I possibly be wrong? A lot, apparently. The slow down was due to traffic going from (2) two lanes down to (1) one lane. The single lane was not wide enough to share comfortably so now I was stuck with the rest of the cagers. Traffic was slow moving enough that my clutch hand was over it. Please no cramp. So maybe next time I follow the suggestion from Garmin and detour.
I finally decided to make a stop at McDonald's in Soledad. I typically only make stops for gasoline on a "short" trip like this, but I was too miserable today. It felt like a literal rain cloud following me all day and the reason for this trip is to get away from a metaphorical rain cloud. I ordered lunch from a kiosk while cold, wet, and tired. I ate, sat for a bit to warm up, and catch up on messages while I could still feel my fingers. Someone walked by admiring my motorcycle and let me know in person when they saw me inside. I saddled up again with only a couple hours to go until my first stop on this mission, quest, thing.
I thought I might hit traffic as I approached civilization again, but thankfully it was all on the opposite side. My cousin called me to inquire about dinner when I arrive. Easy! Ramen, please because I am cold. I did want to make any more stops on the way except I needed gas, again. The projected range was within a mile of the remaining distance; however, my range quickly declined. I searched for the nearest station off the highway lest I end up pushing my vehicle. Sometimes I forget how green places can be with trees since Southern California is not. A person at the petrol station in Portola Valley warned me to be careful because people do not look, I waved and nodded to acknowledge. Clearly they are unaware of my fool proof strategy, all black all the time. If you cannot see me then you cannot hit me. Back to the highway.
Finally in the city. Muni transit, homes, and stoplights. I made it. It was not cold considering I was cold the entire day with a low of 46 and a high of maybe 60 Fahrenheit. My motorcycle is so dirty from rain water now and needs a clean wash when I get back. Time to eat, rest, and spend time with family.
p.s. Déjà vu. I fell asleep typing this up on the couch. I am older and my knees were not happy on the ride up. I should stretch more.