The Quest for Apple Pie

[Mistress of the dual]

My name is Zarah and this is my first dual sport ride. My husband, Mike aka Baldbeemer has been riding bikes for most of his life. Mostly street bikes. A couple of years ago he brought home a used BMW 1150 GS and started lurking on the ADV site. At this point my interest was peaked. Mike’s birthday present to me this year was the MSF class. Here I was, just turned 41 and had never been at the helm of a motorcycle before. You only live once so off I went, I passed and got my license. I bought a 2002 DRZ400S and I’ve spent the last couple of months practicing on the dirt roads around our house, riding the tarmac around town and lurking here on ADV. Mike's a dirty bike whore who feels the need to have a different bike every year or so and had sold his 1150 GS and currently has a BMW R1200RT so he bought himself a 1997 Honda 650L to go riding with me.

It’s Saturday October 3, 2009 and I’m ready to do my first real ride. Our starting point is our house in Ramona, CA. Our route will take us through town to Black Canyon Road, which is dirt, back onto the tarmac to Santa Ysabel and up to the town of Julian for some apple pie. Then a straight shot home on highway 78.

Ready to go.


And we’re off.




Yay!!! Pavement ends 300 feet!!!


Views from Black Canyon Road.




Historic Black Canyon Bridge. A new bridge is under construction to the left.


Looking back down Black Canyon Road. We came from somewhere over near the horizon.


Overlooking Santa Ysabel Valley.


The town of Julian, aka Tourist Hell.


Buffalo burgers for lunch. Oooph!!! Too stuffed to fit in any apple pie.


Had to make a stop to get my favorite wine. The Witch Creek Winery is in Carlsbad but they have a tasting room in Julian.


Damn!! They’re out of Port; guess I’ll just get a bottle of Muscat Love.


The plan at this point was to go straight home via Highway 78 but we’re just not done riding so we head south over to Lake Cuyamaca to take in some nice views and then head down some twisty, seldom traveled back roads back to Highway 78.


The buffalo burgers have settled nicely so we stop in at the Julian Pie Company in Santa Ysabel for a slice of Dutch apple pie with vanilla ice cream.




Then it’s back home on Highway 78. Here’s my odometer after we pulled into our driveway. Wow, 85.6 miles. It’s official; I’ve completed my first real ride.

[Poustman]

Congratulations!

[Outside]

Well done, a couple that dual sports together, stays together....because usually only one person has the map!

[GB]

This is going to be fun for the both of you riding together

[kktos]

That's the kind of Quest I like !
You should make a habit of it......and post your RR !
Keep going Zarah !
Cheers to you !
/thierry

[aaronblack]

Nice ride mate. Looks a great quest

[Mistress of the dual]

Thanks for the encouraging comments. The next one will be a camping trip. Can't wait.

[getupngo]

Hey, me too. I'm about to turn 55 in a few weeks and took the MSF course in March and passed. My graduation present was a Honda CRF 230L. My 1st ride was up in the sierras. We stayed in Lee Vining, took the road into Yosemite and did quite a bit of off road in the surrounding moutains. We also rode to Bodie Ghost Town. 4 wonderful, adventurous days. Haven't figured out yet how to do a ride report. Have enjoyed several including yours. Because there are no dirt roads near where we live in Long Beach, I am constantly after my 70 yr old husband to go for a ride. He has been riding all his life. He rides a DRZ400. My little cycle does great on the highway. Can't wait til our next adventure, maybe you will see a ride report from me soon. Just wish he would have gotten me into it sooner!!!!

[SRMN8R]

Awesome first ride!

[2laneblacktop]

Excellent !!!

Mo Mo,...

[damasovi]

you go !!!!

Sound so nice, I wish my wife wound take interest in ridding but all in time. I like going to Julian and then to your town and eat there.... I just like the road, but off road now that could be better!!!

keep ridding !!

damasovi

[AZ TOM]

Up date on Zarah's riding career. Last Tues. Zarah, Mike & I did 100 mile ride around Prescott AZ. It was her BD & we had a little variety, a few rocks, watter crossings, up hills, down hills & she never missed a beat. She will be & already is an ADV RIDER. Thanks for the visit.

[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]

Thats her on the left, just too fast for the camera. Mike trying to catch up!
[IMG][/IMG]

[baldbeemer]

Thanks for the pics Tom. Great riding with you

[Tom48]

Thanks for posting your ride. I think I will go someplace and find a slice of apple pie.

[Miramike]

+1 on Black Canyon, the Pauma Valley and on the Julian Pie Company!

Santa Ysabel is the perfect place to stop and get a bite, but you have to bring one home for the family. The wife loves the Apple Boysenberry, my favorite is the Dutch Apple. Nothing like a cold slice for breakfast.