Today was quite the day! We were supposed to hit the road at 6am to make it up in time before the start of the ride with enough time to meet a couple friends for breakfast in Laguna Beach. We got a late start. I'm not blaming anyone but let's just say someone felt it necessary to do their makeup and hair before hitting the road. Hint: I have very little hair and my makeup days are long behind me. We did meet up for breakfast with a friend from the VFR forum and his wife at the Penguin Café. Why it's named the Penguin Café remains a mystery but their egg sandwich and potatoes were pretty good. The coffee warmed us up too. Here in Southern California we're not quite used to temps in the 40's! After breakfast, we said our goodbyes and as I looked at the clock on the CB (and subtracted an hour) I realized it was going to be really tight to get to Hansen Dam in time.
The CB had plenty of power even with two up. I almost couldn't tell my wife was behind me except for the fact that we had some Scala Rider communication devices attached to our helmets that kept us busy. For the most part, my wife listened to her music and I listened to the road. We actually made pretty good time and just after 10 were exiting off the 210 anxiously looking for the Dam and all the bikes I was so looking forward to seeing. Just off the freeway, in a parking lot, was a gathering of about 60 to 70 bikes. That seemed awfully small considering the fact that hundreds were expected. I thought maybe groups of them had already left seeing how we were late. I didn't even realize that the parking lot I was pulling into wasn't Hansen Dam at all. As I followed the signs that read, "Event Parking" I was greeted by a young lady who asked, "Are you here for the ride?" I smiled in my helmet thinking we weren't too late after all and said, "You bet we are!" She pointed me in the direction I was to go park and register.
As we rode towards the back of the lot and parked I had this sinking feeling in my gut. Harley, Harley, Harley, Harley Three Wheeler, a couple of old Triumph Thruxtons and a Bonnie. A few sport touring bikes... No other CB1100s. We were definitely in the wrong spot. Oh well, by then, we were really late. I didn't want to risk leaving where we were to go find the All British Ride only to not find it or find it too late. We decided to ride with this group. It was a charity ride for homeless outreach. We registered and paid our donations then joined the group. I was disappointed that we had missed the All British Ride but decided to make the most of it. The ride along the Angeles Crest Highway was amazing! With the number of riders, it was at a relaxed pace that allowed us to really appreciate the breath taking views. There was a stop at Newcomb's Ranch where a band was playing and a BBQ was going. We stayed for just a bit then made our way back down through the canyons.
Determined to find that dam, I took out my phone, studied the map and off we went. It was shortly after 3pm by the time we got to the right spot and sadly, most of the bikes were gone. Still, we very much needed to stretch our legs and give our bums a rest so we walked through the parking lot and checked out the few bikes that remained. I took a few pics and after about 15 minutes or so, we began our long ride home. It's so much longer coming home! All in all, a 370 mile day. My wife is a trooper. She did tell me the seat wasn't very comfortable and her knee is bothering her from the ride and she would really like a back rest (I wish she hadn't seen all those Harleys with their big sofa cushions for seats). I told her this this company called Corbin that makes a seat that I can add a back rest to when she rides with me but take it off when I'm alone. She said that sounds perfect. She didn't ask how much they cost and I didn't volunteer. I'm feeling surprisingly good for that much time in the saddle.
So, next year, I'll know where it's at and I'll get there early. My wife is undecided if she'll be going again. I think this was quite a trip to be her first ride on the CB and hopefully, a new seat will convince her that it's something she'd like to do again. If not, I'll fly solo which is how I normally ride anyway. Thanks TINK for posting about this ride. I'm bummed I "missed" it but happy for the experience nonetheless. Here are some of the photos I was able to take:
Can you spot the CB in this sea of cruisers?
Okay, so they weren't all Harleys. That's a Ducati in the background and I don't remember what that is in the very foreground, an FJR?
Here we are trying to play it off like this was always our plan. "Of course we'd like to help the homeless!" (Thinking to myself, "I can't believe I'm such a bafoon!")
And then a few of all that remained when we finally found what we had ridden all that way to find...
And the last one - some real horsepower came riding through the parking lot.
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Hansen Dam ALL British Ride... and So Cal CB Gathering
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