I got off to a late start. I spent days considering riding my H1 to the event. I've never been on the Freeways with it and never on local rides lasting longer than 30 minutes. Breaking down was my biggest concern. I've never held it at freeway speeds for longer than 5 minutes, along the coast on PCH. I grew some balls, filled the tank and left the house. Figured if I wasn't comfortable on the first Freeway, I'd turn around and come home. It ran fine and I felt okay, so I continued on, keeping as much of a cushion around me as I could. I navigated the three freeways without any issues with any other vehicles. (Even got it to the triple digits in one open stretch
) Reached the exit I was searching for, pulled out the smartphone for a peek at the GPS and rode just a few more miles to the event.
As soon as I pulled in, a familiar face and friend Paul called my name. He was shocked I rode up from Huntington Beach. 56.4 miles, my longest to date.
The event was awesome. Tons to look at with bikes of all makes, models and mods. As I roamed the lot, which was huge I might add, another familiar face came up to me. I've already forgotten his first name, but I believe it's Apexxn from earlier posts. I see him often at our local monthly Vintage Bike Meet here in town. He was telling me they ran out of food and shirts, but my head was spinning from the ride and all the eye candy in front of me, I was in a fog as he was talking to me. We'll have a better conversation at this Sunday's monthly meet.
So here are the photos of my walk through. Not the best, from my iPhone, but there are two quick videos as well, also, not the best quality.
As he mentioned above, the drag bike was a moment away from some disturbance fine I'm sure. Nice save. I think the Rangers just rolled in because of the noise echoing through the Park. How could they not come investigate. They were mellow and no tickets were given to my knowledge. A great event and I look forward to next year to be better prepared with a camera and video for the 12 Noon Smoke Out. The only sensation lacking would be the multiple aromas of oil choices. The Smoke Out did not disappoint.
One last side story. As I was leaving the event, lot almost empty, I peeked in my gas tank and thought, Wow, I burned some fuel getting here. I figured I'd get out of Dodge and grab fuel in an area I was more familiar with closer to home. I did the petcock reach down a few times before getting on the Freeway just in case. The ride home was much more enjoyable with my new found confidence in myself and my H1.
At the 99 mile mark, it sputtered, so I slid over to reserve and made it back to the house. It saved me from sitting on the side of the Freeway. When I parked in my driveway I had ridden 112.8, exactly double to the tenths.
I had completed not only my first long ride, but my first Freeway experience and finally a ride than ran my tank to reserve. It was a good day.
(The two small photo images are the videos, click to view)
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