Going to Westoc 2005! Help me plan...

[clmixon]

Ok, I made my reservations in San Luis Obispo and have started laying out my route. The only thing I can find anywhere is the stuff Joe linked to. Is there any other signup list for the disorganizers or is it good to go like this?

Looking forward to the trip, looks like I will be going down the 10 from Louisianana into San Deigo before the event and visit my Dad, then planning a loop away from LA to the east then north as I head up to SLO for the 6th. Trip back from the 9th on is a big roundabout with a leg to Tahoe, then an across Utah leg into Colorado. I want to ride up from Grand Junction into the mountains, then back down and around into Montrose, million dollar highway to Durango then cut home across New Mexico and North Texas to Dallas then Home.

Time to help me with a list of must ride type stuff. :bow1: Looks like about 4650 miles without any loops at San Diego, Taho or Montrose. I am slabbing west with a new IBA ride in there somewhere but I want to get lots of blue roads or green dot scenic routes Eastbound.

This is my first big vacation in years so my usual pick a direction attitude has been superceded by a fear of "Man, you could have ..." type comments as I find out what I missed.

Lets get an I'm going list started so we can share information and road routes.

Chris :04biker:

[ricallen]

Chris, I am north of Los Angeles. While in California, let me know if there is anything I can assist you with!

[STPilot]

Chris, I'm also planning on going to WesTOC. I can give you some pretty good info on California roads, but outside of that I'm fairly useless. I have spent a little time in the Reno/Tahoe area but don't have to much knowledge of Nevada riding opportunities. I'm hoping to get some of the NORCAL area ST'ers togther for the ride down and/or back. I'd love to do the SLO to Tahoe leg with you on the way back, maybe we can get some others to join us. There are several routes to choose from, depending on how much time you have. The coastal run (HWY 1) from SLO to San Francisco is a really awesome ride, it takes quite a bit longer but the scenery is increadible. It takes you past Hearst Castle, thru Monterey, Santa Cruz, over the Golden Gate Bridge etc. Can even detour abit to go thru the Napa Wine Country. So there's lot's to see and some twisty roads to see it from. Let me know if I can help. :D

[clmixon]

Thanks for the early input. It is amazing how much other people will offer and I am truly touched.

While I don't have the resources to put people up here, I wanted to reciprocate and tell all of you , you got a friend in South Louisiana who knows all the good eatin spots and roads.

Chris

[AZST]

Chris,

I too am planning on going to WESTOC, however, I am working on taking a different route from Phoenix through Lake Havasu then I-40 across Cali. I may have a vacation conflict at work for that week which I am trying to work out.

Let me know when you plan on buzzing through the Phoenix area. I can offer a meal/refreshments and a hose etc for bike cleaning if needed. I-10 is about 10 miles from my house. San Diego is about 6 hours from here by car--probably quicker on ST.

The Tahoe portion of your ride is tempting. I will look into this also to see if I can maybe swing it somehow. Haven't been up that way in about 10 years...great scenery.

--Bryan
04ST1300A
STOC# 5197
:04biker:

[ST_Jim]

Check out Pahsnit's California Motorcycle Roads (http://www.pashnit.com) for ideas.

If you want to try crossing the Sierra's, I would suggest Sonora Pass, Highway 108, rather than Tioga Pass in Yosemite Nat. Park, but that's just me. You could head up to Lake Tahoe on 395. These were some of the routes planned for WeSToc IX (http://www.st-riders.com/westoc_ix/rides.cfm) .

But if you want Northern California I would probably go up 1 or 101 on the coast to Highway 299, then cut east for a loop through Lassen Volcanic National Park. Never been on either with my bike, but I was pinching myself thinking about it!

I'll leave it to others to chime in about Utah and Colorado ideas.

Jim

[Killtimer]

Ok, I made my reservations in San Luis Obispo and have started laying out my route. The only thing I can find anywhere is the stuff Joe linked to. Is there any other signup list for the disorganizers or is it good to go like this?Chris :04biker:

Chris

There's a website in the works that will have all the signup stuff etc. There'll be an announcement on the STOwners mail list that will make it here quickly, as many of us are on that list. Soon..... patience, it'll be worth the wait. :)The hotel reservations are the most important detail anyway IMHO. I'm going and then spending about 10 days in South/Central Cali with the wife before heading home. (She's flying in and out)

[Putt]

STPilot,

Take him on the Vacaville, Berryessa, Clear Lake, Napa, Fairfield loop..
I guess the Berryessa to Clear Lake road is hard surfaced now?
Wuz a gravel road when I used to ride it back in the late 60's...

Putt...

[clmixon]

Cool, The Tahoe part is for my Wife, we are discussing her flying into Reno for that loop, unbelivably cheap to fly round trip out of New Orleans. If she decides not to do it I am still including it cause I really want to ride in on a bike instead of a Dodge.

I have hit Pashnit's site a couple of times already, information and photo overload.

Looking forward to meeting everybody at Westoc

Chris

[sherob]

If you are flying thru here via I-10(Houston area, westside), I'm 3 miles north... can offer you a free meal, clean your ride, etc...

Let me know what I can do for ya!

[STPilot]

STPilot,

Take him on the Vacaville, Berryessa, Clear Lake, Napa, Fairfield loop..
I guess the Berryessa to Clear Lake road is hard surfaced now?
Wuz a gravel road when I used to ride it back in the late 60's...

Putt...

Yes, good idea. That's all paved now and really a nice road. there's lot's of great rides out here, just depends on how much time he can spend out here. :D

[Putt]

Yes, good idea. That's all paved now and really a nice road. there's lot's of great rides out here, just depends on how much time he can spend out here. :D

So many roads... So little time :)

Putt...

[ride-on]

Hi Chris
I to will be at WeSTOC and I'm in Minden Nev right next to Lake Tahoe. Look me up at SLO and we can go over some routs.

Tom

[clmixon]

I am reading every day and am taking note ya'll ! Tom, I will really want to get with you at WStoc to look at my Tahoe loop. I will try to post a list of questions next week so I can nail down the "Must see" list.


With so much help and response it is hard to be organized. WESTOC is gonna rock!

Chris :bow1::bow1::bow1: to all of you!

[STPilot]

Hey Chris, how goes the route planning?? Any fun roads jumping out at ya??:D

[LizardMan]

Does a site for ride info and sign-up this year's WeSTOC exist yet? :confused:

[Don-STOC237]

The WeSTOC X website is in the final testing stages.

We're just trying to get the final prices on shirts and hats to plug into it, then it'll go up, hopefully by this weekend.

STay tuned...

[clmixon]

Thanks for the info, I have decided that Westoc X is my major event for the year.

Chris

[jnsgardner]

Chris,

I'm heading up from San Diego on Sept. 6th to WesSTOC. I hadn't planned any loop around LA, just hit it at non-peak traffic time. I was planning on leaving noonish but that can change. Should you need any recommendations for servicing or a place to stay, just give me a holler.
By the way, I spent time in Morgan City and Fushon (?) driving crew boats out to the rigs. First time I heard Atchafalaya, I thought the fellow had sneezed.

John

[clmixon]

John,


My dad lives in San Diego so the accomodation thing is cool. A native guide through the wilds of So. Cal on the way to SLO would be great.

I will e-mail you some more as plans come together and we can plan on meeting up for the ride north.

I will bring the coffee though, you want Mellow Joy or Community?

Chris :04biker:

[Mark]

Chris,
Chris,

I was looking at the routes that are laid out for WeSTOC X and see that they've covered the great roads... If you lay out your northbound trip through their southern route (hook up with it by going North on I15 from S.D.) you'd have the Hwy 1 segments to ride during WeSTOC.

If you get a chance see if you can fit in Palomar mountain, I don't know how fast your East bound trip will be; but, you could do Palomar and Julian (going thorugh Brawley) and end up in Northern S.D.

When going to Tahoe you could really make a day of it... East through Tioga Pass, West on 108, back on 4 then North to Tahoe by way of Minden. Every one would recognize you cause you be the one with the :D on your face.
(but you'd be tired!)

Mark

[allandry]

Hey Gang,
I'm going to be accompanying Chris on the WeSTOC trip, and I wanted to make another request as to ride suggestions.

It looks like the local Cali guys can really help us out while we're in the state - I'll be checking out some of the suggestions you've already posted.

Maybe some of you other folks can take a look at the routes I've been working on and give some feedback - good, bad, or otherwise. I've done quite a bit of research on Nevada, Utah and Colorado - but any suggestions will be appreciated.

Check out the website - http://members.cox.net/worm3590

I'm planning on posting some day reports here for friends back home when we take the trip. But, for now I thought I'd get you guys to inspect the plan so far. This old boy from Louisiana has never done anything like this before.

Thanks in advance,
Al

[clmixon]

Ok, Folks....

Click the link to Al's planning page and begin the Eastbound and down suggestions. BTW, My navigation plan west is simple....

I-10, turn left go until highway ends and water begins.......

Tim, John, Steve, and Tom have all made suggestions. Tom lives in Minden so he qualifys as Native Guide for NV. John is in San Diego and can get us past the wilds of LA and Tim is planning to sidetrip to NV with us. Putt posted one really cool looking route but I am gonna leave it up to the left coasters when we get there.

Chris :04biker:

[Mark]

From San Diego:
Up 15 to 138, left on 138 to turn off for Wrightwood, find Sierra Hwy, it ends at 14.
WeST on 14 to 5, North on 5 to CaSTaic, West on 125 to 101.
North on 101.

[clmixon]

From San Diego:
Up 15 to 138, left on 138 to turn off for Wrightwood, find Sierra Hwy, it ends at 14.
WeST on 14 to 5, North on 5 to CaSTaic, West on 125 to 101.
North on 101.

Thanks Mark.... You going this year?

[Don-STOC237]

Al,

There are about a million better ways to get to Carson City from SLO than taking I-5 and US50. Start by getting across the central valley asap and then going north. Finish by taking any of the more fun passes than 50 over the mountains.

The rides I did for last year's WeSTOC IX in Minden NV are still up and available at www.st-riders.com/westoc_ix

Use them for planning routes across the Sierras and also for your sightseeing guide as you're staying in the area.

Oh, and give me a shout if you want some company, or an extra guide. I only live about 45 minutes from Carson.

Don...

[Don-STOC237]

Oh, and all you guys that have made hotel reservations for WeSTOC X but have not registered at the website and made your banquet ticket and gear purchases:

Times' a wastin'!

Get thee to the WeSTOC website: www.stocrallies.com/westocx and do both now!!!

Don -- WEC, WDT

[clmixon]

Oh, and all you guys that have made hotel reservations for WeSTOC X but have not registered at the website and made your banquet ticket and gear purchases:

Times' a wastin'!

Get thee to the WeSTOC website: www.stocrallies.com/westocx (http://www.stocrallies.com/westocx) and do both now!!!

Don -- WEC, WDT

Don,

You just got added to the Native Guide list...... and I am a good boy, I have registered for everything including the NFL draft if my e-mail is to be belived :D

Chris

[allandry]

Mark - thanks, I'll sit down with DeLorme and lay this out.

Don - very excellent - the maps will be most helpful.

Later folks - I'm off to Destin, FL tomorrow morning for the family vacation. But, I can't wait until September for the Big Boy's Road Trip.

Be safe,
Al

[Don-STOC237]

Chris and Al, If you can manage to spend an extra day or two in our area, I'll make sure you don't regret it. There are dozens of great rides around here, and a lot of great sightseeing as well.

I've got a bit of a job before WeSTOC. Just determined that the wife's PC800 needs a new stator. Replacing that should be fun. As far as I can figure out from the book, first you need to disassemble the bike. :confused:

[Mark]

Thanks Mark.... You going this year?

Oh Yeah... I'm even going to register and get tickets for the banquet soon! :D

Mark

[allandry]

I've finally managed to sit down and update my routes/mapping to include the feedback from Don and Mark - thanks guys :bow1:

I've also updated the webpage ( http://members.cox.net/worm3590 ) - so if anyone has any other suggestions on routing, we'd really appreciate it.

Al

[clmixon]

OK, T-9 and counting for the Louisiana departure. Al has been planning up a storm and I have been loafing along but I finally washed the ST and started cleaning a lot O' stuff out of the bags. (No wonder my gas milage was down).

See http://members.cox.net/worm3590 for our trip report and itenerary courtesy of Al.

Mark(Mark), Tom(RideON),Bryan(AZST), John(JNSGardner), Tim (STPilot), Don(DONSTOC237), Steve(Killtimer) and Ray(NM6R) are the members I know of right now. Any others for the group picture and Brewery QA/QI assessment team?

Chris :04biker:

[AZST]

9 days.....URGGHHHH, I am jealous!! I can't leave until 9/6.

Hope you guys get great weather-- ride safe. :yes:

See you in SLO :capwin:

"Big Dog" awaits !!!

--Bryan
04ST1300A
STOC# 5197
:04biker:

[STPilot]

Mark(Mark), Tom(RideON),Bryan(AZST), John(JNSGardner), Tim (STPilot), Don(DONSTOC237), Steve(Killtimer) and Ray(NM6R) are the members I know of right now. Any others for the group picture and Brewery QA/QI assessment team?

Chris :04biker:

Brewery Assessment team member STP checking in for duty sir, ready to evaluate!!!!:D :beer8: I've been training hard, getting ready.....
:weights1: :weights2:

[Killtimer]

uuuuuuuuuuurp..... 'scuse me......practice? :shrug2: well ok, if you insist.

[Mark]

uuuuuuuuuuurp..... 'scuse me......practice? :shrug2: well ok, if you insist.

Practice! We're supposed to practice?
Okay... let me see what to practice with for a microbrewery...

Hoppy beers...
Pale ales will be:
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Stone Brewing, San Diego area: ******* and Double ******* (awesomely bitter ales), as well as their Levitation, and Vertical Epic (brewed only once on 5/5/05 and good!) and if it is near the Christmas season, Sierra Nevada's Celebration Ale

Non-hoppy
Kiltlifter from 4 Peaks in Tempe AZ, most other microbrewery Pale Ales.

I would recommend NOT trying to ride after consuming any of the above beers, they range from a 'low' of 5% to about 12 or 13 (I think).

Note:
There was a discussion that you can not brew beer with higher than about 11%: this is incorrect. To brew beer up into the 18% range start with a specific gravity (OG) of 1200+. To bump up your wort's OG gravity you can use dry malt, liquid malt or if you don't mind the 'non-malt' adulteration, honey. When the beer yeast goes to sleep (original yeast ought to be from a previous batch of say double bock and you pitch your wort right on top of the yeast cake) pitch an active yeast slurry of champagne yeast. This yeast will take the SG down to either 0 or below, and you'll have rocket fuel.

This ends the beer brewing lesson for today and we return to our regular broadcasting...

Go RIDE!

Mark

[clmixon]

Mark,
You mah Hero.....:bow1:

Huh Huh Huh....Mark said Specific gravity...Huh Huh Huh

Steve, Even professionals, Hic....Pratish.....

Chris :04biker:

[sherob]

Sierra Nevada's Celebration Ale

Mark

Mark... my brewing friend! Make sure and get your hands on an Anchor Christmas too.... can still taste the nutmeg... mmmmmm.

Nothing like killing the yeast with to much alchohol... :rolleyes:

[Mark]

Mark,
You mah Hero.....:bow1:

Huh Huh Huh....Mark said Specific gravity...Huh Huh Huh

Steve, Even professionals, Hic....Pratish.....

Chris :04biker:

No adoration please... just throw money... ;-)
The problem with brewing your own now is there are so many good microbrews available and brewing *really* takes time away from riding...
I figure the only why I will brew regularly ever again is if I take a job as a brewmaster! Try and hold you weight down while holding that job! :(

Ride Safe,
Mark

[clmixon]

T-8 and counting......:04biker:

Did the average weather and temps for the waypoints today..... Predicted high is over 114 and the reported low for today was 38. I know for some of you that is a non event but we only have two seasons here. Wet/Hot and Wet/Cool.

All the westbound and coastal rides look real comfortable but SLO was 52 this AM with a high predicted at 82....Sounds like paradise compared to Lafayette's 79 with 90% humidity when I pulled out this AM and 98 for the high today.
Eastbound should generate some extremes. Minden showed 38 this AM and Dallas is expecting 104 this afternoon.:eek:

I have entered the "no work on the bike" exclusion zone and actually almost did not ride today cause "I might Eff up the bike this close to vacation" Finally got over that and glad I did.

Arriving on the west coast afternoon of the 4th. Probably drop off at my Dads and then just sightsee in San Diego. 5th I am thinking that a Palomar ride at a sane pace ( slow) would be cool. I have looked at the stuff on Pashnit and Google earthed that area and it looks cool. Am of 6th is SLO Bound.

Chris :04biker: