DS Two-up 01 - Dec '07 - Intro

DS TWO-UP 01: CALIENTE HOT SPRINGS
INTRODUCTION

What . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dualsport Ride, short day
When . . . . . . . . . . . . . Meet Saturday, 15 December, 7:30 AM
Where . . . . . . .Meet @ BMW Motorcycles of Ventura County
Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Laine_MacTague

Winter in the Santa Barbara backcountry. Research ride, DST 01

My chain-ring teeth are curling like perfect waves, Paul’s drive shaft is weeping oil, Vadim can’t find the back half of his 1150, Angie can’t find the front half of her Dakar, Laura can’t find her walkie-talkie (I’ve got it, Laura), Ron has a purple ankle, Rachel’s got a burn-hole in her riding pants from when her bike whacked her with its exhaust pipe, the shop is running out of those little bolts that hold the mirrors on (no they’re not!), Keith has to stop every 20 minutes and un-square the bottom of his tire with a bicycle pump…

We need a break. It’s the holidays, for Pete’s sake – and Pete (who, coincidentally, manages BMW Motorcyles of Ventura County) suggested that we quit beating up on man, woman, and machine for a little while. At least ‘til after New Year’s…

Introducing the all-new Two-up rides: Just get your first bike last month? Come along. Got a friend or relative who wants to know what on earth you are smiling about every time you come home from a ride? Bring ‘em on the back. This and all two-ups will be designed to introduce riders and non-riders to the terrain that can be explored on (fairly) local back-roads, and on the most relaxed of unpaved roadways in our area. It may be All About The Ride, but Two-ups will be Mostly About The View. And the people.

Or, in this case, the water. We’re heading into Santa Barbara’s back forty, for some awesome ridgetop views of the city and ocean, followed by a short fire road excursion and a relaxing dip at Caliente Hot Springs. Plan on a cup of coffee at the shop, and a leisurely morning back-road ride up to Santa Barbara, concluded with a re-warming stop at the home of gracious hosts So Cool and Shannon (BMW 1200 GS). Tack on another chunk of scenic byway, this time taking us onto the coastal ridgeline, followed by a graded dirt descent into the Santa Barbara backcountry. A short ride will take us to the hot springs, so bring a suit and a towel – or if you prefer, spend some time exploring the local fire roads. Later, we’ll regroup and head back into town for a late lunch.

To sign up, email ride leader Laine MacTague.