Archive for May 2012

Imagine our surprise when for the zillionth time on our way north from San Francisco to Oregon we stop to take a walk in 110 degree heat (sometimes ya just gotta get off the bike) on the back streets of abandoned Williams and find a line of people outside La Fortuna Bakery waiting for their burritos, chili rellenos, and tacos. If you're hungry when you go by, it's definitely worth a stop and a lot better than the fast food places. Here's the 411 and reviews of other Highway 5 eateries.

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My own version of a health insurance policy is to escape from the details of life to soak in hot mineral water. I always feel light and loose in my joints for weeks after. One of my favorite retreats is Wilbur Hot Springs about two hours north of San Francisco, or more, if you wind through wine country and other scenic routes.

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CityBike Editor-in-Chief Gabe Ets-Hokin joins KQED TV's popular Check, Please! program to review his favorite Pt. Reyes Spot, the Station House Cafe, an hour's motorcycle ride north of San Francisco.

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The Kawasaki folks came up from sunny Orange County to show off their Vulcan 1700 family to journalists in the San Francisco Bay Area, and were stunned by the quality of rides in our part of the state. It's always nice to have out-of-towners around to remind us not to get complacent! Sure, they get 300 days of warm weather and sunshine even at the coast, where we get summer fog, but we've got a seemingly endless variety of country and coast roads, with not too much freeway angst. I find myself on these roads again and again, and share them with you here.

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Pack the kitchen sink! Here's some serious soft luggage for long motorcycle trips. RevPack Motorcycle Soft Luggage: Excursion Pack is based on RevPack's Tour Pack, with the same dimensions of 26" across, 12" thick and 16" high, including the legs. This pack however, has the zipper running all the way from the base of one side, up and over, then down to the base of the other side, with four sliders to position for desired access at any point. The ends fully separate for easy access to the doglegs, which hold the ditty bags that are included. It comes with a weather cover housed in an external slot pocket until needed. There are two external pockets on the front to accommodate 1/2 gallons of water or fuel bottles. In addition to all this, it offers a versatile pack, which snuggles in the crotch when the whole affair is not on the bike or attaches on top when it is. For safety, it has reflective stripes in the rear. Carry it with you using the adjustable shoulder strap, and tie it securely to the bike with a pair of adjustable tie down straps with snap hooks.

Motorcycle travelers have very little space to pack all that camera equipment we want to capture and share our experience. Thankfully, devices have become tiny, in fact, experts can't tell if I have taken a photo with my iPhone or my Canon digital SLR. Now there are so many apps that help you take great photos to remember your trip and share them with your family, friends, and fans. Keryn Means of walkingon travels has tried a lot of them and has this final roundup of favorites to share in her Favorite Photo Apps for Travel post.

Sample Histomatic Images

Riding in wine country? Here's 7x7 Magazine's report on what's new for 2012 in Napa, from new to redos in dining, hotels, and wineries. Check it out in this 7x7 magazine article.

Riding two-up? Then take special note of The Top 7 Most Romantic Things to Do in Napa -- a great little roundup of hotels, picnic supplies, and fine dining, including Milliken Creek Hotel and Spa, shown above.

Tela Lewis reports on biker-friendly bars and saloons in Napa in this article by Tela Lewis: Biker Bars in Napa Valley.

Is this the year you’re finally going? Have you heard all the stories, enjoyed all the photos, researched and planned how to make your trip to Daytona, Arizona Bike Week, Americade or Sturgis as much fun as possible? Any big bike rally has so much going on it can be easy to get overwhelmed. See Haul Bikes' tips tips to help you get the most out of any rally...

As the northern California fog gave way to sunshine we donned our gear for a jaunt to Bolinas; a city located just 30 miles north of San Francisco on the Marin County coast. We chose the longest of three possible routes, following Fairfax-Bolinas Road twisting over golden hills, through the dense redwood forest, and sweeping vistas of mountain and sea.

Bolinas' eclectic residents have so consistently removed all signs to their town that authorities have stopped replacing them. However, determined epicureans headed for the Coast Café and ardent appreciators of eclectica will undoubtedly find it.

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Yosemite National Park is just four or five hours from the San Francisco Bay Area, but if you’re based in South Lake Tahoe it’s just a little over two hours to the Tioga Pass entry gate. Whether your base for exploration is in Tahoe, or you're just motoring through on your way south, save your appetite for Whoa Nellie Deli, a one of a kind gourmet restaurant located in the Mobil Gas Station. That's right. In the Mobil station. I live in South Lake Tahoe, and find it a great ride-to-eat excursion--just over two hours on my BMW 1200GS. Not that I need an excuse to ride in one of the most beautiful places in the world!

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