I got back from a great 6 day motorcycle trip to the US Red Bull Moto GP race at Laguna Seca.
We left Valencia (Santa Clarita Valley, not Spain) for Pismo Beach on Wednesday. My friend Mark and I arrive at "The Cliffs Hotel" in Pismo. There were about 10 California Highway Patrol cars and motorcycles and about 5 Secret Service Suburbans. There were also 6 guys on Harleys and a convertible Mustang. We asked everyone in sight "who's here?". No one would say who it was. Mums the word. We found out days later that it was the King of Jordan with his family. Apparently they were visiting the beautiful California Coast.
Next day Mark and I head out on Highway 1 North to Cambria, Big Sur, and Carmel. Very lovely coastline.
We check in to our hotel in beautiful (just kidding) Salinas. The Best Western Salinas would be our home for the next 4 days. There were already motorcycles in the parking lot and there would be more to come.
Thursday was our first day at the track. The Moto GP bikes hit the track for first practice at 11am. It was awe inspiring to finally see Valentino Rossi, Casey Stoner, Nicky Hayden, and the rest of the motorcycle gods in person for the first time. I was weeping tears of joy. Beethoven's 5th Symphony playing in my head.
Mark and I spent the day walking and walking all around looking at all the great motorcycle vendors and there wares. This was heaven on earth!
After the days activities Mark and I headed over to Monterey's Canary Row. There were thousands of motorcyles from all over the country lining the "Row". We walked and talked to a lot of motorcyclists. I hung out with Johnny from Spectrum Ducati and his freinds. His freind Terri owns TEK-9 Motorcycles, a custom shop for Sport Bikes. 28 years old and very succesful. He's also a nice guy.
Saturday we were back at the track. My favorite rider, Casey Stoner, set the track record and got pole position for Sunday's race.
Saturday night, back to the festivites at Cannery Row.
Sunday's the big day. I'm hoping my boy, Casey Stoner, aboard his red Ducati Desmodici GP7 can win the race. Well he did win the race. In fact the 21 year old kid from Australia dominated the weekend!
To celebrate Mark and I ate at "The Outback" in Salinas.
It was a great weekend. I had great seats in section A, turn 4. Spent a good deal of time in the "Flagroom" Hospitality tent eating fine food.
Met a father and son from England who were at Laguna with their families. Very nice and interesting people. They suggested I attend the "Isle of Man" time trials. Maybe I will one day.
We left Salinas Monday for our over night stay in Pismo Beach. We traveled through beautiful Carmel Valley. Stopped at a wonderful coffee shop that had some heavenly cakes and coffee.
We also stopped in at "Johnny's Bar and Grill" home of the famous motorcycle bar fight in Hollister, Ca. Hollister is an interesting town. When riding through Hollister you can't help but notice how the whole town looks like something from the late '40s or 50's. It looks like a movie set. Mark and I had a delicious burger at Johnny's and listened to the locals tell us the history of Hollister. They love their town.
I must say how absolutely beautiful a lot of California is. I'm stuck in overcrowded Southern Cal so it's easy to forget how nice it is in much less populated areas. I'm sorry to say that were there are a lot of people, the surrounding landscape sucks!
Anyway I had a great time! I'm riding back to Laguna Seca by my self in September for thr final AMA Superbike race.
Above are some photos of the winner, Cassey Stoner (great name, eh), me with my new friend, and my buddy Mark, meditating under a tree.
We left Valencia (Santa Clarita Valley, not Spain) for Pismo Beach on Wednesday. My friend Mark and I arrive at "The Cliffs Hotel" in Pismo. There were about 10 California Highway Patrol cars and motorcycles and about 5 Secret Service Suburbans. There were also 6 guys on Harleys and a convertible Mustang. We asked everyone in sight "who's here?". No one would say who it was. Mums the word. We found out days later that it was the King of Jordan with his family. Apparently they were visiting the beautiful California Coast.
Next day Mark and I head out on Highway 1 North to Cambria, Big Sur, and Carmel. Very lovely coastline.
We check in to our hotel in beautiful (just kidding) Salinas. The Best Western Salinas would be our home for the next 4 days. There were already motorcycles in the parking lot and there would be more to come.
Thursday was our first day at the track. The Moto GP bikes hit the track for first practice at 11am. It was awe inspiring to finally see Valentino Rossi, Casey Stoner, Nicky Hayden, and the rest of the motorcycle gods in person for the first time. I was weeping tears of joy. Beethoven's 5th Symphony playing in my head.
Mark and I spent the day walking and walking all around looking at all the great motorcycle vendors and there wares. This was heaven on earth!
After the days activities Mark and I headed over to Monterey's Canary Row. There were thousands of motorcyles from all over the country lining the "Row". We walked and talked to a lot of motorcyclists. I hung out with Johnny from Spectrum Ducati and his freinds. His freind Terri owns TEK-9 Motorcycles, a custom shop for Sport Bikes. 28 years old and very succesful. He's also a nice guy.
Saturday we were back at the track. My favorite rider, Casey Stoner, set the track record and got pole position for Sunday's race.
Saturday night, back to the festivites at Cannery Row.
Sunday's the big day. I'm hoping my boy, Casey Stoner, aboard his red Ducati Desmodici GP7 can win the race. Well he did win the race. In fact the 21 year old kid from Australia dominated the weekend!
To celebrate Mark and I ate at "The Outback" in Salinas.
It was a great weekend. I had great seats in section A, turn 4. Spent a good deal of time in the "Flagroom" Hospitality tent eating fine food.
Met a father and son from England who were at Laguna with their families. Very nice and interesting people. They suggested I attend the "Isle of Man" time trials. Maybe I will one day.
We left Salinas Monday for our over night stay in Pismo Beach. We traveled through beautiful Carmel Valley. Stopped at a wonderful coffee shop that had some heavenly cakes and coffee.
We also stopped in at "Johnny's Bar and Grill" home of the famous motorcycle bar fight in Hollister, Ca. Hollister is an interesting town. When riding through Hollister you can't help but notice how the whole town looks like something from the late '40s or 50's. It looks like a movie set. Mark and I had a delicious burger at Johnny's and listened to the locals tell us the history of Hollister. They love their town.
I must say how absolutely beautiful a lot of California is. I'm stuck in overcrowded Southern Cal so it's easy to forget how nice it is in much less populated areas. I'm sorry to say that were there are a lot of people, the surrounding landscape sucks!
Anyway I had a great time! I'm riding back to Laguna Seca by my self in September for thr final AMA Superbike race.
Above are some photos of the winner, Cassey Stoner (great name, eh), me with my new friend, and my buddy Mark, meditating under a tree.
