990 Miles

33 Miles after getting home from Livermore HD

A couple of months ago, I mentioned to J that I thought it was time to trade in my 2008 Sportster for a larger bike. When she commented that a larger bike would be more comfortable, I did not need any additional encouragement.

May 22nd, I brought home a brand-new Heritage Softail Classic.

Classic Heritage details

J helped pick it out. Had to be sure that If I was up-grading, she was comfortable ridding two up. J's observations after trying several different bikes:

1. Good visibility
2. Comfortable seat
3. Nice suspension

Handling is quite a bit different than the Sportster (of course.) But it is still pretty nimble at low speeds and literally glides on the highway.

My friends with bikes got together for a ride the first weekend with the Heritage. They decided I needed twisties to really break-in the bike. So off we went on Saturday to the Junction.

This route is a great challenge. Not only is the road twisty, narrow and has great ups and downs, but it is crowded too. Harleys getting passed by rice-rockets, pedal bikes thinking everyone should give way to them and locals driving slow (and resenting all of the two wheeled traffic.)

The Junction

From there we dropped down into the Central Valley, more twisties. Followed by a dash on I-5 and lunch in Tracy.

All told, added a quick 130 miles on the first weekend with the new bike.

Delta Ride to Locke

Jun 7th, we were back at it. A couple of riders called in substitutes and we headed North into the Delta. Highway 84 in the Delta is interrupted by water. Strangely, there are two FREE ferries that finish the highway.

Great views from the roads on top of the levies, nice gentle curves and great company.

There are a couple of destinations worth checking out. Walnut Grove has some interesting art (Walnut Grove Ironworks and some more traditional art galleries) a nice cafe (and good ice cream.) The village of Locke's unique character comes from its history as a Chinese migrant labor focal point.

As I approached the initial 1,000 mile service interval for the Heritage, I decided to chronicle the rides and great destinations J, my friends and I find. 

The Junction and Lick Observatory

Today, we repeated the ride to the Junction, but only in part. We continued on to the Lick Observatory and then to Tony Dimaggio's Pizza in San Jose. Great trip. A couple of new bikes and riders joined the group.

I know that the observatory is supposed to be about the celestial observations, but the view of the bay area is great too!

Most of our group is pictured below, R wandered off, and I am behind the camera. Everyone else is in front of it.

Looking North from the top of Mt. Hamilton

Lick Obs. 7 Harleys lined up.

D, E, D, B, J, D, C, M

Today's ride ended 10 miles short of my one-thousand mile marker. Tomorrow the bike is off for service. I'll hit one grand on the way to Livermore HD.

Odometer - 990.