April Ride Re-Cap – The "Big 8"
Another trip that makes riding an experience you only understand if you ride. Our annual ride, dubbed “The Big 8”, once again failed to disappoint anyone that came along on this cruise. With minimal freeway riding, and lots of twists and turns along the way, there are plenty of reminders of why this is a favorite of many riders in California’s Oldest Chapter.
With over 120 miles to cover, and lunch reservations waiting on the other side, the group had kickstands up as soon as possible after all meeting at YOC. Once we fought our way through some typical Saturday morning traffic in Temecula, we continued out toward Warner Springs on Highway 79. We experienced a brief slow-down around the Warner Springs area as we navigated around a couple of wrecked cars – but were soon on our way, and continued onto San Felipe Road for a fairly straight-run before turning on Montezuma Valley Road.
Montezuma offers a tree-lined road before passing through the small town of Ranchita. Then the fun begins as we enter Anza-Borrego State Park, and start winding our way down into Borrego Valley. After some introductory turns as we rode down the hill, we took a very brief moment to admire the view of the valley below. Despite being less than completely clear, the view is still uncommonly serene, showing a unique side of California.
Anxious to get back on the road and down the hill to a much anticipated luncheon, we quickly hopped back on the bikes. If not for a Hayabusa keeping some riders from their preferred pace, we would have zipped through the rest of the twists and turns which cover the remainder of the tour into Borrego Springs. Despite the slower than desired riding tempo (for some), we enjoyed the scenery below as we leaned in and out of each curve, and finally entered Palm Canyon Resort.
While at the Big Horn Restaurant, we enjoyed lunch and each other’s company as we discussed upcoming events for the chapter including beginning Debi’s Ride plans, upcoming West Coast Thunder on Memorial Day weekend, and Laughlin River Run. After some time of watching other bikes pass by as we sat on the patio, with perfect patio-sitting-weather, we finished up with drawings for 50/50, and other prizes before walking back out to start the trip home.
The
weather had warmed up while we enjoyed lunch, so many of us shed some
morning layers of riding gear before heading out of Borrego Springs toward
Julian. This stretch allowed some final picturesque views of Anza-Borrego
along Borrego Springs Rd., and Yaqui Pass Road before heading back into
green tree-lined streets of Highway 78 leading into Julian. While being a
great place to stop and hang-out, we passed through Julian, slowing down
just enough to see just how popular this town is, and to glide past their
one stop-sign.With still nearly 120 miles ahead of us, we continued along Highway 79 toward Lake Henshaw where we diverted to Highway 76. This stretch offers more curvy paths heading into the Pauma Valley, and Pala. Coming out of the Pala area, we headed straight north toward
Temecula winding through a favorite path of the chapter’s. One final break
was taken at Pechanga to fill-up for the remaining section of this ride. All
that lay ahead now was the well known I-15 to take us back to YOC, where
we’ll meet up again next time.