Another Epic Ride

If you want to see a truly epic ride, go here to check one of my favorite blogs, James and his "Tales of a Duc Rider" . He also made it to the GP, but took a much longer and extended route. He always includes great photos. And the best part is, he rides a Multistrada as well.

MotoGP Part III - Racing and the road home

On Saturday we hung out at the famous "Cork Screw" part of the track. After seeing on tv and watching riders fly down it, I couldn't wait to see it in person. And it is even more beautiful in person. Yup I said it, asphalt turning left then right while going down hill is beauty in a simple form. It is also the best place to get close up shots of the riders and their lean angle. So we hung out there for practice and qualifying. I really wish I had a telephoto lens, but my little 18-55 had to do.






And of course the stars of the show

Stoner!


The Doctor


Caparossi


As I mentioned earlier before there were only 3 races all weekend. And without a doubt the best race of the weekend was the SuperSport race on Saturday with Hayden making a pass on the last corner of the track and winning. For the main race, the big boys. We watched from the top of the hill, just on the other side of the cork screw and from here we could see most of the track. And just watch Stoner run away with it since lap one. It was amazing to watch the little Australian absolutely just school everyone.



The Road Home -

On Sunday on the way to the track we were taking G16 for the last time, and we were flying on it. Really having fun and enjoying every inch of that road. When we stopped for gas and breakfast, I look down at my back tire and see this.


DOH!




The tire looked fine before we started our journey, but I guess the 800 miles we had done since then took more of its toll than expected. Needless to say I limped the rest of the way to Laguna Seca and once inside, I started asking around hoping to find a place I could buy a tire on Monday so we could get home. I ran into Nino from the OCDC and Rob and Greg from Spectrum Ducati. Greg got me in touch with a guy from the Ducati Shop in Santa Cruz, where are hotel was for the night. But they didnt have a tire for my bike in stock. So it was yellow pages to the rescue. Randy found Jims Motorcycle Shop in Santa Cruz. They were open at 9am on Monday, so that was my best shot. Mike left at some unholy hour of 4 or 5am and headed north to his new home in Oregon. Randy and I got to sleep in and get to Jims by 9am. Jim's was a little smaller than I had pictured. It was basically Jim and his garage, not your typical Duc Shop. But he had a tire in stock for my bike and by 9:30 we were on the road headed home.

Once we got on the road, we were on a mission to get home. From Santa Cruz to Orange County we only stopped twice for gas. We covered 1200 miles in 4 days, my back and ass were sore more than I thought I was possible. But it was a great trip and I cant wait for next year.

MotoGP Part II

Saturday morning we woke up early because we had a 40 mile ride to Laguna Seca and we wanted to catch the MotoGP practice. Since no fires were allowed at Arroyo Seco due to everything being so dry and we didn't bring any camping stoves, I thought ahead and brought the next best thing. Pancakes with apple toppings and bacon in a box. It was just like an Army MRE, except better.

After a not quite so filling, yet surprisingly good breakfast, we hit the road. This was our daily commute each day to and from the GP. G-16 was a great road. Most of it was just a lane and a half wide with no stripping. But great corners, awesome scenery and hardly anyone else on it. Expect the deer. Everyday we saw a bunch of deer. Some on the road some running for the hills as we came barrelling down on them.

Since Mike and I didn't feel like leaving Randy out in the general population amongst the non-Duc riders, we didn't sign up for the Preferred Ducati Parking and parked with everyone else.

Once we got inside Laguna Seca, Mike and I headed to the best island this side of Catalina, Ducati Island. After showing proof of registration, we were treated with a Ducati lanyard, Ducati Water, and snacks. Poor Randy had to look and envy us from outside the Ducati Hospitality tent. Mike and I agreed that the Ducati water not only makes you walk faster but also makes you sexier.

After D.I. we walked around and looked at all the booths.

And of course I could not pass up a photo op with the umbrella girls. I think the Ducati water was paying off.

The biggest downside of this years GP was the lack of races. There was only 1 race on Saturday and 2 on Sunday. Other than that there wasn't a whole lot going on the track, aside from qualify and practice, which was fairly spread apart. But one thing I thought was really cool, was the track crossing. A couple of times a day when nothing was going on the track, they allowed everyone to walk across the track at two places. The start/finish line and by the Dunlop bridge. It was cool to look down the track and picture what it must look like at 200mph.

To be continued....