Saturday morning in Isla Vista — slept in, got an oil change, a haircut and headed down the coast to the biker friendly Neptune‘s Net near Malibu which features among the fried “anything from the sea” menu, several notices that the only reason they don’t have more motorcycle parking is because the local laws limit them to 30 spaces. You just have to love this place. (Hat tip to Julie White for the recommendation.)

Yes, that’s my bike in the background…

My advice after driving Hwy 1 is to turn in to Interstate 5 after you pass Malibu — I just didn’t find much but traffic through the Huntington Beach area.

A Malibu shot…

Having gotten off to a late start and with all the traffic, I didn’t get to San Diego State until after 10PM. Daniel, my best friend’s middle son (and Josh’s younger brother) was up for a late night dinner at Max’s in the Gaslight District. Too much macaroni and cheese will do that to a freshman: “You’re buying steak? Well of course I’m in!”

After enjoying the best steak on the trip and a great chance to catch up, I hit the sack rather early to get a head start on my trip to Death Valley.

Saturday’s Route (Approximate — my best guess on where I finally got tired of the traffic and turned in to I5).

Yeah, I’m a little late on these, but life comes at you fast and I’ve been busy!

Cold winds, an overcast sky, and drizzling rain greeted me as I left SF at 6:45 AM Friday morning. Having the right gear always pays off! As previously mentioned, around Santa Cruz I realized that I was dangerously un-caffeinated and stopped for Peet’s coffee.*

Shortly after Monterey, the sun burst through and it was time to remove a few layers.

A few of shots from the Big Sur area

Just before I took off the rain gear

Hwy 1 — This is the basic view for miles

But it was getting toward the end of the day and I grew weary of so may stops, so I did what any former Boy Scout would do; break out the mini tri-pod and rig it to the handle bars to get some road shots so I didn’t have to stop!

Here I’m coming out of a nice, easy curve just as Hwy 1 turns inland (This is just for you David.)

After a fine dinner at The Palace Grill in Santa Barbara (hat tip to Jeff Meehan for the referral) with my friend Josh and his roommate Sean, we picked up some microbrews, took a quick tour of campus (complete with a walking tour of DP on a Friday night), and then spent a few hours catch up over beer and cigars.

Today’s Route:

* Official Disclaimer: in the week since my return we were notified that we just won a portion of the Peet’s online business so I’m nowhere near an unbiased source.

And apparently mine start at about 50 MPH crosswinds. Hwy 15 is not a safe place for bikes or big rigs. All the big rigs are pulled over and I saw one turned over. After literaly holding the bike up for over an hour to keep It from blowing over, I drafted a lone, slow moving rig to make it to an exit. I parked on the lee side of a Starbucks and watched two panels blow off the roof. Two hours later there are reportedly two trucks down and on fire. I can see the resulting brush fire from here.

So, with the winds forecasts for well into tomorrow, my Death Valley run may just have to wait for another day.

PCH is a serisously worthy ride and it is a perfect day for it. Everyone is out at Neptune’s Net showin’ off their bikes and tats. Pics to follow.

Had a great time with Josh and his roommate Sean last night. Dinner was on of the best I’ve had in awhile thanks to a recomendation from Jeff M. He sent us to The Palace Grill just off State St. Best Cajun food I’ve had out side of New Orleans.

The night of course ended early on the morning with cigars, adult beverages, and much laughter. And now it’s off to San Diego.

An hour on the road and I suddenly realized that I was operating uncaffinated. And that’s a bad thing. So, a quick stop at Peet’s for a quad shot and a muffin and I should be good till lunch.

Without photos I should just twitter all this, but I suspect that many of you wouldn’t take the time to view both. Perhaps I’ll upload the photo’s tonight.

Hey Pete, wish you were here!