We have been having
a great time. We left LA and headed to Moorpark where we stayed with Don and Paddy Madden, members of the AJS MOR. They made us very welcome and we had a great time with them. Don was one of the organizers of an all British Bike Day so we tagged along on the BMW. The route took us thru canyons, and National Parks and the roads were a bikers dream. We were riding with Dick Symonds, a Vincent owner who has a bike shop in Sylmar. As we lost Don (he went home without us) Dick took us to the shop. What an Aladdin’s Cave. What didn’t he have would be the question. It was jam packed. It was similar to Jack Inch’s old shed. Marty was like a kid in a candy shop. Hours later, and with directions from Dick we found our way back to Don’s making only one small error.
This stretch Hummer was parked across the road from Don’s one morning. Belongs to a boxer of some renown who is dating the daughter of the house it was parked in front of. Apparently, he
a great time. We left LA and headed to Moorpark where we stayed with Don and Paddy Madden, members of the AJS MOR. They made us very welcome and we had a great time with them. Don was one of the organizers of an all British Bike Day so we tagged along on the BMW. The route took us thru canyons, and National Parks and the roads were a bikers dream. We were riding with Dick Symonds, a Vincent owner who has a bike shop in Sylmar. As we lost Don (he went home without us) Dick took us to the shop. What an Aladdin’s Cave. What didn’t he have would be the question. It was jam packed. It was similar to Jack Inch’s old shed. Marty was like a kid in a candy shop. Hours later, and with directions from Dick we found our way back to Don’s making only one small error.This stretch Hummer was parked across the road from Don’s one morning. Belongs to a boxer of some renown who is dating the daughter of the house it was parked in front of. Apparently, he
earned $6million for losing a fight. I would have let Marty lose for much less!! 
We then went onto Jim and Jess Holbrook, also AJS MOR members. Marty fell in love with Jim’s AJS TCS 600 comp and is now wondering how he can get hold of one and bring it back to NZ.
We then went onto Jim and Jess Holbrook, also AJS MOR members. Marty fell in love with Jim’s AJS TCS 600 comp and is now wondering how he can get hold of one and bring it back to NZ.
Next day we headed on up the coast, traveling up the Ventura Highway. Pulled into an RV park by the ocean only to be approached by the ranger and asked to move on as the area was closed for the day. “Be careful of the new paint on the lines”, he said as he drove off. I looked at them and couldn’t tell they had been painted. Don’t know how he expected us to get the camper over them without driving!! We ended up at Marty Dickerson’s place that night. He lives in heaven. The bird and wildlife is amazing, 
not to mention the views. The first night here I saw a coyote, squirrels, deer, a road runner , humming birds and turkey buzzards. I still haven’t seen a rattlesnake, bobcat or a gopher which also reside here. It is very easy just to sit on the deck all day and watch the wildlife.
Last Thursday we set out for Sequoia National Park on the bike. We stopped for the night at a small town called Three Rivers about 10 miles from the park. Had a good chat with our neighbours, a Belgian couple, Erwin and Nicole, 
who were touring for a few weeks in a new Mustang. He has a BSA at home which has been under restoration for 20 years, which sounds about right. It was raining when we woke in the morning so we didn’t rush to get up. Had breaky up the road in a local bakery – what a feast. Got introduced to biscuits and gravy- a tack on to the main feed which was too big on its own. Lasted us all day. There was an old bloke in the bakery, complete with oxygen bottle enjoying a coffee with his mate. When he heard that the Queen was coming for the Kentucky Derby at the weekend he asked if she had a Green Card. He said he thought she should have one and that George W. should give her one on the 
weekend (that’s a green card if you were wondering). We finally left there at 10.30 and headed into the park. The weather was ok but the higher we climbed the worse it became. By the time we had reached the top of the park it was cold and foggy - and then (7000 feet) it started to snow. While we couldn’t enjoy the views it was still beautiful. Thank God for my possum down gloves. We both took turns at wearing them under our gloves to thaw our fingers out.
not to mention the views. The first night here I saw a coyote, squirrels, deer, a road runner , humming birds and turkey buzzards. I still haven’t seen a rattlesnake, bobcat or a gopher which also reside here. It is very easy just to sit on the deck all day and watch the wildlife.
Last Thursday we set out for Sequoia National Park on the bike. We stopped for the night at a small town called Three Rivers about 10 miles from the park. Had a good chat with our neighbours, a Belgian couple, Erwin and Nicole, 
who were touring for a few weeks in a new Mustang. He has a BSA at home which has been under restoration for 20 years, which sounds about right. It was raining when we woke in the morning so we didn’t rush to get up. Had breaky up the road in a local bakery – what a feast. Got introduced to biscuits and gravy- a tack on to the main feed which was too big on its own. Lasted us all day. There was an old bloke in the bakery, complete with oxygen bottle enjoying a coffee with his mate. When he heard that the Queen was coming for the Kentucky Derby at the weekend he asked if she had a Green Card. He said he thought she should have one and that George W. should give her one on the 
weekend (that’s a green card if you were wondering). We finally left there at 10.30 and headed into the park. The weather was ok but the higher we climbed the worse it became. By the time we had reached the top of the park it was cold and foggy - and then (7000 feet) it started to snow. While we couldn’t enjoy the views it was still beautiful. Thank God for my possum down gloves. We both took turns at wearing them under our gloves to thaw our fingers out.We ended the day at Oakhurst about 40 miles from Yosemite National Park. Guess who was at the motel-the Belgians. Another big brekkie again in the morning and off. The roads into and out of this park are just awesome on a bike. Sweeping corners and beautiful roads. Banked to perfection – although one Harley rider found it
a bit tricky and hit a kerb and took out a road 
sign when he was trying to turn into a layby. It was not a tricky turn at all, in fact the road was almost straight ! The rescue truck was something else. The whole tray of the ute came off and down complete with another hydraulic ramp. Sure puts the 6x2 plank that we use to shame. We set off just after these guys but had to pass them as they almost came to a halt at the corners then they would speed up on the straights. They were preventing us from getting maximum enjoyment from the glorious winding road.
The views were spectacular. Unlike the day before we had brilliant sunshine and we had to take the liners out of our jackets. It is also a far more popular park than Sequioa. There are large camping grounds and a small shopping village in the valley. There were people everywhere and it’s not even summer yet. Apparently in summer it can take at least an hour to get into the park,
the queues at the gate are that long.
Next day was San Franciso. We avoided the area where the freeway had collapsed and had an uneventful trip down to the marina. We eventually found our way to the Golden Gate and rode across. It is not Golden at all, but a reddish colour. You can walk across but as we had nowhere to leave our jackets and helmets – and it was too hot to carry them for ages so we opted out of that experience. We had a stroll along the waterfront and drove around the streets and Fishermans Wharf. Really touristy but the seafood has to be seen. Unfortunately our brekkie was still with us. Guess who was there- yep, those bloody Belgians. By 4pm we had both had enough and decided it was time to leave. The 10min trip from the freeway to the marina took us nearly 45mins on the way out. Once on the freeway the traffic thinned and we opted to take Hwy 1 (PCH to the locals - Pacific Coast Highway) down towards Monterey. Once on the coast the temp dropped and it was lovely. The views and roads were again awesome. At Marina we met up with our Belgian neighbours again and we all decided to spend the night in Monterey. Had dinner and a couple of drinks with them before calling it a night.
We were up early (for us) and went into Monterey for a look around. We were too early for the aquarium. We would go to Hearst Castle instead. The ride down through the Big Sur was an experience not to be missed. I would have loved to have had my own bike but as pillion I got to just sit back and enjoy the scenery. We stopped at Carmel, (where Clint Eastwood used to be mayor) and had a stroll on the beach. Wished we had our togs. Well I did anyway. The beaches at San Simeon were covered in what I thought was huge bits of driftwood, but it turned out to be elephant seals. (Yes, I do have glasses). As we were about to leave a squirrel came right up to Marty and begged for food. He soon ran off when none was forthcoming.
We arrived at Hearst Castle at 3.15. Just in time to miss the last tour of the day. Oh well just another thing we haven’t been able to cross of the do and see list.
Arrived back at Marty Ds about 6pm. I rode the last few miles as we wanted to see if I could manage the bike with luggage and us on it. No problem for me,but it wasn’t a happening thing for Marty. He didn’t have enough room as pillion and was very uncomfortable. I had to pull up by a post at Marty’s house so he could get off. Don’t think we will be repeating that exercise to often. Marty D was quite impressed that I got up the driveway without falling off!
He had had a busy weekend too. He was an honorary judge at a big motorcycle event in Half Moon Bay. Entry fee for the public was about US$65. There were some pretty exotic bikes there some of which were Marty’s Blue bike (modified Rapide) and Grey Flash (his blown Lightning didn't make it), the Lightning that Rolly Free rode in his bathing suit, and Russell Wrights world record bike. 7 Lightnings in all. All the bikes eligible for judging had to be running – and had to be started in front of the judges. A lot of money there.
Yesterday we decided that we really had to move from Marty’s but it was 11.30 before we pulled out. Time just flies when you sit on his deck and start chatting.
a bit tricky and hit a kerb and took out a road 
sign when he was trying to turn into a layby. It was not a tricky turn at all, in fact the road was almost straight ! The rescue truck was something else. The whole tray of the ute came off and down complete with another hydraulic ramp. Sure puts the 6x2 plank that we use to shame. We set off just after these guys but had to pass them as they almost came to a halt at the corners then they would speed up on the straights. They were preventing us from getting maximum enjoyment from the glorious winding road.
The views were spectacular. Unlike the day before we had brilliant sunshine and we had to take the liners out of our jackets. It is also a far more popular park than Sequioa. There are large camping grounds and a small shopping village in the valley. There were people everywhere and it’s not even summer yet. Apparently in summer it can take at least an hour to get into the park,
the queues at the gate are that long.
Next day was San Franciso. We avoided the area where the freeway had collapsed and had an uneventful trip down to the marina. We eventually found our way to the Golden Gate and rode across. It is not Golden at all, but a reddish colour. You can walk across but as we had nowhere to leave our jackets and helmets – and it was too hot to carry them for ages so we opted out of that experience. We had a stroll along the waterfront and drove around the streets and Fishermans Wharf. Really touristy but the seafood has to be seen. Unfortunately our brekkie was still with us. Guess who was there- yep, those bloody Belgians. By 4pm we had both had enough and decided it was time to leave. The 10min trip from the freeway to the marina took us nearly 45mins on the way out. Once on the freeway the traffic thinned and we opted to take Hwy 1 (PCH to the locals - Pacific Coast Highway) down towards Monterey. Once on the coast the temp dropped and it was lovely. The views and roads were again awesome. At Marina we met up with our Belgian neighbours again and we all decided to spend the night in Monterey. Had dinner and a couple of drinks with them before calling it a night.
We were up early (for us) and went into Monterey for a look around. We were too early for the aquarium. We would go to Hearst Castle instead. The ride down through the Big Sur was an experience not to be missed. I would have loved to have had my own bike but as pillion I got to just sit back and enjoy the scenery. We stopped at Carmel, (where Clint Eastwood used to be mayor) and had a stroll on the beach. Wished we had our togs. Well I did anyway. The beaches at San Simeon were covered in what I thought was huge bits of driftwood, but it turned out to be elephant seals. (Yes, I do have glasses). As we were about to leave a squirrel came right up to Marty and begged for food. He soon ran off when none was forthcoming.
We arrived at Hearst Castle at 3.15. Just in time to miss the last tour of the day. Oh well just another thing we haven’t been able to cross of the do and see list.
Arrived back at Marty Ds about 6pm. I rode the last few miles as we wanted to see if I could manage the bike with luggage and us on it. No problem for me,but it wasn’t a happening thing for Marty. He didn’t have enough room as pillion and was very uncomfortable. I had to pull up by a post at Marty’s house so he could get off. Don’t think we will be repeating that exercise to often. Marty D was quite impressed that I got up the driveway without falling off!
He had had a busy weekend too. He was an honorary judge at a big motorcycle event in Half Moon Bay. Entry fee for the public was about US$65. There were some pretty exotic bikes there some of which were Marty’s Blue bike (modified Rapide) and Grey Flash (his blown Lightning didn't make it), the Lightning that Rolly Free rode in his bathing suit, and Russell Wrights world record bike. 7 Lightnings in all. All the bikes eligible for judging had to be running – and had to be started in front of the judges. A lot of money there.
Yesterday we decided that we really had to move from Marty’s but it was 11.30 before we pulled out. Time just flies when you sit on his deck and start chatting.
