Modern Vespa

Most of us traveled far just to get to Amerivespa. You might have some stories to share from your return trip.

Rev, Gitta, Bobo, Suji and I rode together after the last event on Sunday. Suji broke off at the 152. Bobo kept riding South with us on Highway 1 just because he's Bobo and he likes to ride! I didn't program my state-of-the-art programmable GPS correctly.



Instead of writing 183, I wrote down 18 so on Hwy 1, we kept looking for Hwy 18. Never found it. We ended up south of Monterey. Bobo had to head back and suggested we take Carmel Valley Rd. (Sometimes the best things in life happen spontaneously.) OMG it was awesome! Rev, Gitta and I had enough space and distance between us so we just tore up the canyons. It was our playground!



We got to Hwy 101 and we ran into fellow San Diegan Scooter Daddy! We thought about just continuing down 101 until we get to SoCal but instead, we've decided to take I-5 via 198. OMG! Hwy 198 is awesome! You just have to try when you're in that area. There are long stretches and extra wide turns to corner at exhilirating high speeds. The view is just breath-taking (to me, at least...LOL).



So, after 1,100+ miles on my Vespa this weekend, after spending the night in good 'ol Buttonwillow, I went straight to work. My Vespa, parked in a shady corner, with my weekend gear. Everyone else got home safely. I'm back in San Diego.

Hey Rex, Congrats on finding Carmel Valley Road - that is one of the little known Norcal gems. It was great to meet you (and Gitta). Glad to see you got back to SD safe and sound.

Looking forward to Scooter Royale big time!

Really great to meet the San Diego contingent in person at last! Thanks yet again to you and Gitta for blocking on the way back from SJB.

Sounds like a great route home...I've driven Carmel Valley Road but never scooted it...I think I've found my next weekend trip!

Damn, is the weekend really over?

Yes, unfortunatley it is...

man that sounds like a blast, Rex. Super jealous.

Wow sounds like a nice ride! Bodacious, Speedy, Toad'l & Renee, Wes and I traveled 680-84-Vasco Rd-160 back to Sac. HIGH winds like crazy from Vasco all the way home......sucked! Sounds like you had a better ride! 8)

Great to see you all again and glad to hear you all made it back OK.

It was so nice to meet all of you! It's nice to finally put a face to the name. I saw so many people over the weekend. I too can't believe it's over.

But yeah, I really enjoyed getting lost on the way home (this time) and coming up with a new plan. It all worked out.

I believe the Tsunami riders of NoHo are still en route. We should hear from them soon.

More stories!!!

Hey Rex,

Wish I could of rode all the way down to SD, but you know how it goes.
You and Gitta did an awesome job at blocking for SJB. I heard you even blocked a patrol car!

Looking forward to Lake Tahoe in August!

And I'm glad you all made it home safe.

See you all on the next ride!


Suji

Suji, hope your ride home went well. It was windy on Hwy 101 but we got the tailwind. When we turned around because we had past the last gas stop and headed north again, it was so bad (northbound). SIC mentioned how windy it was on their ride back up to Sac. It was chili until we got to Coalinga. We started to peel off some layers.

I would definitely repeat this ride. Carmel Valley Rd and CA-183!

We busted ass down the 101 out of Santa Cruz Sunday-just put the smallest scoot (Buddy 150) in front and let him keep pace all the way to San Luis Obispo. I was pretty surprised to learn the next morning we'd made it further than you guys. Sounds like you had a much nicer route back, though. There was a lot of discussion about whether to take it easy the rest of the way or just get back ASAP. There's something to be said for traveling in smaller groups...

Let's just say if one group member had gotten his way, it would have taken us a week to get back but we would have been to Neverland Ranch, the motorcycle museum in Solvang, a couple wineries, and the World's Biggest Ball of Twine.

We wound up somewhere in the middle, getting off the 101 and taking Foxen Cyn. and 154, then getting back on the 101 to the PCH, then cutting in and south to the SFV.

By Monday afternoon, around the time we hit Ventura County, we were all dragging. Our last little stretch of the San Fernando Valley was rough-we were all exhausted, sore and it was pretty damn hot outside.

Don't know how you managed to go to work, Rex. Two days later and I can barely get motivated!

We were all just laughing at ourselves and at how one little digit missing from my nav (okay, paper and pencil navigation) got us to where we were. You had gone farther south that we did. We were like the Tortoise and the Hare. Even though we have the speed you all managed to get farther (and quicker). But we had a great time going on the road less traveled.

I felt weird showing up to work especially sharing an elevator full of execs in their suits while I was in my full rally gear. LOL! I was in work mode the minute I saw how much work I had to do but I blew through them quickly. Now that it has slowed down, I'm feeling the sadness set in. I miss you guys already. What a great weekend!!!

Really wish I could make the Tahoe rally. All my travel moolah went to Amerivespa, though.

But just a week after Tahoe...