BD...I think I understand the low miles now.

[schoeney]

Hey Brad,

I just spent a few days in Palm Desert/Palm Springs but drove (rental car) into Long Beach and Orange a couple times.

The traffic was insane. It wasn't really slow but so many cars just hauling *ss. The weather was great and I got to thinking if I lived in L.A. (which I won't but did as a kid) and had a bike that it may not have many miles on it either.

The problem seems to be you have to ride forever (100+ miles) just to get away from all the people and traffic to get some scenery without so many cars. I enjoy the one day 2-300 miler with a food stop....

I guess I am kind of spoiled that I can ride 10 miles in a couple different directions and be in the rural twisties along rivers, lakes, forests, etc. and keep riding for hours without much traffic. The trade off of course is the weather. We only have about 6 solid months of good riding weather then it gets spotty.

I saw a few bikes (not as many as I thought) on the freeways (10,91,55,405) and it didn't look like anyone was having much fun...I would have to be on high alert all the time....no time for taking in the scenery. Even the coast highway seemed packed.

If I lived down there I would probably just ride on the streets once in awhile and whenever I would go on a decent ride it would have to be a minimum of 4-500 miles just so I could enjoy some peace and quiet on the bike away from the population.

The Palm Desert area was nice (and the weather was killer...85 every day) and I could easily see riding just a few miles to get away from traffic....but not much water or green to see in the desert. I know the Joshua Tree area has some nice rocks...

I thought about renting a bike...but at $200 a day when I had a better bike sitting at home just didn't seem right. So I sat by the pool and drank margaritas.

Do you find that you have to ride along ways before you can relax and enjoy your rides? Or was I just missing the "secret" roads?

[cactusjack]

It's the same way here in Phoenix. I live on the southern border of Maricopa County. I'm two miles from a highway that heads South across a large Indian Reservation - ie: open desert. There's very little population between my house and Tucson, roughly 70 miles away.

If I want to go North towards Prescott, Sedona, and Flagstaff, I have to ride an hour and a half of heavily traveled urban freeway before I get out of the Phoenix city limits.

Guess where I do most of my riding?

BTW, visit the Coachella Valley in the summer - you'll have a different opinion of the area. That's one of the few places where it's hotter than here in Phoenix. Most of it is below sea level, which contributes to the heat.

[blowndodge]

schoeney:

Thats the way it is in Southern Cal. All my riding is on the weekends only. I don't think many will doubt except Todd, CJ and SWB, that if I lived out in a rural area and good weather most of the times with beautiful roads I'd be riding everyday. It is what it is in Southern Cal and I try to keep off the freeways during rush hour. I don't plan on retiring here thats for sure. I will look over the countryside this National Rally trip to get a good "snapshot" of whats out there!

I have friends in St. George Utah that love it there.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

schoeney:

Thats the way it is in Southern Cal. All my riding is on the weekends only. I don't think many will doubt except Todd, CJ and SWB, that if I lived out in a rural area and good weather most of the times with beautiful roads I'd be riding everyday. It is what it is in Southern Cal and I try to keep off the freeways during rush hour. I don't plan on retiring here thats for sure. I will look over the countryside this National Rally trip to get a good "snapshot" of whats out there!

I have friends in St. George Utah that love it there.

No man, I understand. I've driven and ridden in SoCal. I know what you have to deal with over there. When I was stationed at El Toro I used to ride all over Orange and LA counties. I would not ride the bike on the freeway back then. I stuck to surface streets.

[glwilson]

I am fortunate in my area whereby I am 2 minutes from riding the back-county-twisty-roads with lots of hills and valleys; and beautiful scenery.

The advantage you have in CA and AZ (and the like) is that at least you can ride somewhere year-round.

I have a very short season up here -- maybe six months at the very best of comfortable riding weather. And if it is a rainy season (which has happened many years) your season is cut even shorter.

All in all... I envy the year-round riding capabilities.

[ryancooksey]

I live in a town of a 1000 population and can drive 2 blocks in either direction to open road and bigger town ie 25,000 (still a smaller town) 60 miles east or west. I am one of those people that drives to the city and cusses from the time I get there to the time I get back. Got a gps a few months ago and I tell you that thing pays for itself every time I use it and keeps my blood pressure down!!

[jamiep24]

I can drive 10 miles in any direction before hitting a town, and they are small towns. Closest city is over 20 miles away and I love it. Feel for you city slickers, I lived in one myself years ago, and would never live there again. Gotta love the country.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by jamiep24

I can drive 10 miles in any direction before hitting a town, and they are small towns. Closest city is over 20 miles away and I love it. Feel for you city slickers, I lived in one myself years ago, and would never live there again. Gotta love the country.

I, on the other hand have never lived anywhere but in cities. Wouldn't know what to do if I lived in the country.

[taranis]

schoeney, thanks for making me homesick. Man, I had some good rides planned up there for this year, but fate had me moving to DFW here in TX. We were lucky to find a house south and central to the metroplex, so it's only about 20 minutes to get outta town. Still... *sigh*

I have a trip planned to visit WA in late August for a wedding. I've toyed with the idea of riding to and from, but that's a lotta miles - over 4000.

[schoeney]

Taranis...If you ride up let us know....we will try to keep you company!

[landman]

and then there is wyoming,no pepple ,no traffic,nothing but the
open road.