thanks to the cal posse

[KLR650@webtv.net]

I wish to thank the Cal Posse ( Toby, Redondo Ron and everyone else) for the excellent time on Sat. at The Songdog Ranch. I packed up the KLR with the Ortlieb Dry Bags, Aerostitch Tank Panniers, and duffle bag on the rear rack. I found that I could fit a offroad helmet in one of the Ortlieb bags and wore the Doutech for the ride from Fremont CA. to Cuyama Valley. Lanesplitting down Hwy 101 South, a van merged into me. This was not the first time my Acerbis Rally pro guards saved my hands from making contact with a vehicle, and I'm sure it won't be the last. I was traveling about 5-10 mph faster than the other traffic and this van merged into me from the right lane. My 400 lb KLR, with me at 195 lbs, and a full set of luggage slammed into the side of the van with a convincing THUD. The driver let out a string of obscenities and I kept in control not falling, not even putting a foot down. I was lucky it was a van with a nice flat surface to bang against. I merged back into the center of the two lanes and passed the van without any further problems. Must have been quite a thing to witness! The tank panniers and dry bags definitely helped take the blow, and the elbow and shoulder protection of the Motoport Ultra2 jacket was there when I needed it. I got off 101 near Gilroy, and headed to Hollister. From there , I took 25 South through the Pinnacles Nat'l Monument, picking up 198 to Coalinga. Both 25 and 198 are really nice twisty roads with great scenery along the whole route. I then jumped on Hwy 5 south. Boring. 1 mile seems like 10 miles. After 60 miles I got off near Buttonwillow and went through Kern County. Lots of oil drilling rigs out here and not much else. 33 south over the hill to Taft was twisty and scenic. Picked up 166 in Maricopa to go into Cuyama Valley. Cuyama valley is huge, large corporate farms growing carrots, I believe. I wanted a hot shower, so I checked into the Buckhorn Motel in New Cuyama. Next day I met my friend Chet who trailered his DR350 from Anaheim. Songdog Ranch is a great place. Having been to Moab before, I can say Songdog is also a great meeting place for KLRs. There is a bunkhouse on the top of the hill, an adobe style building. Met lots of KLR owners and contributors to the list. Went on a short ride up to the meadow with the Posse. Knowing that Toby was about to lead us up a goat ridge trail that was about 20 inches wide with sheer dropoffs on both sides, I elected not to go to the edge and returned back to the camp with several others. I would have continued but was running the radial Gripsters and wasn't sure if I should. All in all a awesome time and I hope we can do it again, maybe in Sept? The next day I bombed back home on Hwy 101 driving time was 4 hrs. 15 mins. Thanks people, Conall http://www.klr650.com