Stirling
Tuned and Synch'ed
I took my first "trip" on the V100 Mandello earlier this week. A 3 day trial run to see what's good and what else I may need to take a longer trip. And, just because I like to tour! I started from home which is south of LA in Orange county and headed up to the central coast. I had planned several possible routes leading up to the trip, but since the summer heat had arrived, I opted for the coast. Got through LA early Sunday morning before traffic, a 100 mile freeway trek to Moorpark, my launching off point. Back road twists and turns, and I avoided main hwys as much as I could. Loved it. Stayed in Atascadero (old Carlton Hotel) and used that as home base for the day ride the next day. The side cases came off fine and I took them to the room. They went back on fairly easily, so I dont think I need liners. As luck would have it the front desk lady was a rider told me to park out front instead of around the side across the street - a great ammenity!
The next morning I did an "inland" ride before it got too hot. Headed down what I think was a paved over dirt road for many miles to a place call Pozo. The ride made me smile as I thought of my adventure bike friend who would not have liked the road. Was great to me and the V100, but another 10 miles on it would have put me over the limit! Once in Pozo the return loop was smooth and fast.
Knowing the heat was coming, I headed through some twisty vineyard roads to the coast and then up the Big Sur hwy 1. It is still closed 46 miles up and cant get through, but that actually made it an amazing ride. Hardly anyone was on it! Made it back to the hotel somewhat early, so changed and visited a nearby winery.
End of the road
The trip home I stayed as close to the coast as I could. The last leg was from Goleta (north Santa Barbara) to home, through Malibu. 160 miles in one sitting, not all freeway, and I was ready to break at 120 miles but pressed on. Not too hard to do. I am used to a bigger seat and stretched out legs, but the V100 seat and position was not an issue at any time during the trip. A couple of 320 mile days and a 280 mile day. I rode most of the way with the (standard) screen all the way down, putting it up for the cold foggy section on hwy 1. I am happy.
Where to next?
The next morning I did an "inland" ride before it got too hot. Headed down what I think was a paved over dirt road for many miles to a place call Pozo. The ride made me smile as I thought of my adventure bike friend who would not have liked the road. Was great to me and the V100, but another 10 miles on it would have put me over the limit! Once in Pozo the return loop was smooth and fast.
Knowing the heat was coming, I headed through some twisty vineyard roads to the coast and then up the Big Sur hwy 1. It is still closed 46 miles up and cant get through, but that actually made it an amazing ride. Hardly anyone was on it! Made it back to the hotel somewhat early, so changed and visited a nearby winery.
End of the road
The trip home I stayed as close to the coast as I could. The last leg was from Goleta (north Santa Barbara) to home, through Malibu. 160 miles in one sitting, not all freeway, and I was ready to break at 120 miles but pressed on. Not too hard to do. I am used to a bigger seat and stretched out legs, but the V100 seat and position was not an issue at any time during the trip. A couple of 320 mile days and a 280 mile day. I rode most of the way with the (standard) screen all the way down, putting it up for the cold foggy section on hwy 1. I am happy.
Where to next?
