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Central Coast & Bay Area Tour: October 2004 Day 3 Continued.....

The Final Leg
The final 100 miles home went by without incident. Just a lot of boring slabbing. And since I was so careful, I couldn�t really pick up much speed to make time. We did run into some traffic by LA International Airport where we had to split. But since the summer crowds were gone, traffic wasn�t so bad. Once again, I hit another SUV mirror with my right hand mirror as I split lanes. Those SUV mirrors have been getting bigger and bigger lately!

As I neared my home, I was cruising in the carpool lane behind a couple of cages. I was matching their speed of around 80. A sportbike came up behind me so I pulled to the left to let the bike pass. It was an R6. The R6 went by with a wave and split lanes at around 85 mph and disappeared into the distance. Later, another sportbike came up behind me, which I let by again. It was an older CBR1000F. It too went by with a wave and split lanes around 85 then disappeared into the distance. So there I was helplessly stuck behind the cages. This is what irritates me so much about US traffic laws. Just about everyone breaks the speed limit, and I�ve even seen CHP motorcyclists split lanes at 80+ mph, yet they continue to enforce such silly laws! I fail to understand why, when as soon as an officer disappears, motorists go back to business as usual. Why not make more REALISTIC traffic laws that everyone can obey and the highway patrolman can enforce them without looking ridiculous? They know everyone speeds and motorcyclist will split lanes at high speed. So why not just bust those that are reckless, drunk, stupid, vehicles that are out of DOT compliance, etc., etc., as opposed to going after motorists that violate traffic laws that everyone else breaks when the highway patrolman isn�t looking! It is the dumbest system that obviously does only one thing: generate revenue. Okay. I think that's enough whining about the CHP, which I've devoted too much space to already.

Conclusion
This trip was a mixed bag. I enjoyed the riding and the company. I didn�t even mind the rain at all. However, the tickets nearly ruined it for me, and devastated Jackie. Yeah. Sure. I guess we had it coming. I don�t think I deserved that ticket to be honest. However, I�m still glad I made the trip. Any time I get to ride my lovely VFR is a fun time.

Left: My VFR800 and me in Santa Barbara.

I really love this little bike for what it is. A great sportbike that doubles as a sport-tourer. Along with its lovely exhaust note and engine whine, it also has a comfortable riding position that makes for a great sport-touring bike. That single-sided swingarm makes chain adjustment a breeze.

Again, I have to give my VFR high marks for its performance. Great wind and weather protection for a sportbike. At one point, I got caught in light rain AFTER I had removed my rain covers off my tankbag and tailbag. Neither got wet since the VFR�s fairing did such a great job of protecting at speed.

Another high mark would have to go to my Tourmaster Winter Elite gloves. They remained waterproof AND warm even after hours of cold and rain.

Amazingly, my Joe Rocket Alter Ego Jacket and Ballistic 3.0 pants kept me warm and dry.
Definitely a big thumbs down to the CHP. Enforcing silly traffic laws that are rarely obeyed. It�s time for me to get a Valentine One to help even the odds.

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Right: Picture of me taken by Carl somewhere in Pfieffer Burns State Park, along Pacific Coast Highway. That's the outfit that kept me warm and dry even with all the wet weather.