Amazon Heart Thunder Blog

Participant Comments - Oct 5 - 10

2009-10-14T21:31:00Z

October 5

Wow I have met my new Amazon Sisters – from all over the world – I am truly blessed! Hopefully the soul searching I have been doing is now here. Cambria is the most calming and rejuvenating place on earth. Off to Big Sur (Yes Chuck, there is a Big Sur!!). More wind in my face, water to the left and hills on my right – does not get any better than this!! Thanks everyone at home for your support.

Gail, PA, USA

Another superb pillion ride on PCH 1. Dreams do come true!! Thanks, everyone for making this possible!

Jane

October 7

I am having such a great time on this wonderful adventure. It is so good to spend time with all the girls, I am enjoying driving the big cargo van, and I even got to spend a day riding a Fat Boy (it’s a bike!!) up Big Sur. It is wonderful to be high up in the van at the back, seeing the long snake of riders stretching out in front – I now feel like a very oversized motorcycle at the back! This is such fun and I am so lucky to be here. Thanks everyone and love to you all.

Wendy xxx

Hi Michelle – thanks for the good wishes. We’re having great weather. Wish you were here.

Jane

Hi everyone,

You would not believe the twisty roads I’m happily going up and down now! I’m having the most amazing time and everyone is very supportive and lots of fun. I’m up front right behind Megan who’s the leader of the whole group, which is a great spot to be in. Thanks for all the well wishes.

Love, Louise.

Twisty, sunny, no wind, How Wonderful! Arlen Ness today – Great bikes!! I feel even closer to everyone today – got to sweep for a short time – cool!! Just getting into rhythm with my group was just inspiring today we rode as one!!

Gail

Hi sweetheart! Am missing you but will see you soon. Much love from…well – you know who!

Hello to all my SOS family…Thanks for the message Amy. Love you all.

Norma

Hi Tony, having a fantastic time. I’m sure to come back a more confident woman.

Love ya, Pixie

Hi all my friends, Bryce and Mitch, having a blast, hope you two are doing the right thing, miss you both so much, this is going way too fast.

Love, Mum (Lynda)

Hi everyone, Shaz here, no I haven’t finished shopping, another Harley shop tomorrow, bag not quite full yet!!! Hey Bad Aussie (Donna) and Jo, hows things, hope all is well, had my ups and downs, don’t know if it is missing home or the last ride – a bit of both. Hi Honey (Irene), happy to get your messages, Lynda says hi, missing you like crazy, staying at great places, love you. Weather has been great. Hey Bad Aussie, staying with Stacy Thursday night and she has hot tub in her room. Been having a few cleansing ales, she says hi.

Love, Shaz xx

Hi Wagga Wagga, They tell me I am no longer a beginner. We have rode Big Sur, the Redwood Forests, freeways, peak hour traffic, lots of hilly twisty turns and I loved it all. Thank you for your messages.

Hugs, Denise

Finally read to do “the blog”. Today was really something else – a message from Annette made the start really special. I was driving a van and by all reports I did okay – not bad seeing as only a week ago I had no idea of how to drive on the right side of the road. New friends, new experiences and new tests of my abilities. Then today I was luck enough to meet up with Seema, my friend from school who I had not seen for over 31 years!! Many hugs and some tears and it was like the years melted away – thank you Amazon Heart for bringing me here and helping me put a missing piece back in the puzzle of my life!!

Fiona

We are remembering Kandi every day. And thinking of Sue.

October 8

Well almost done with my final Amazon Heart ride. So little time to be with so many wonderful women. Lots of emotions this year riding up the coast, so many memories at every stop, and making new ones. Giggling to myself thinking about Laurie, JJ and Kel wreaking havoc up there in heaven. Weather has been perfect! So fitting for this adventure.

Stacy

This ride has been fantastic! Great views, awesome sistas and fun riding. From this ride I will take with me a quote I saw: To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did. As my first ride…this is so true. Ride hard today gals! Truly an amazing adventure we’re on together.

Jacqui MN

During my recovery time from the surgeries I watched a lot of Jerry Springer. It made me feel better knowing my husband was loving and supportive and my child did not have to go to boot camp. After all, I had only lost both boobs, 20 pounds, my toenails and my hair was thinning. Those poor people were fighting over toothless lovers. I don’t watch that much tv anymore…

Roaring through the awesome power of nature diminishes my sorrows. The vast ocean and comforting elfin like trees soothe my soul. I am so at ease in my mind right now. Thank you my immortal beloved husband, my strong son, my family and friends for your support…without you I would not have been able to enjoy this adventure.

Pippi

I can’t believe we’re almost done with this fantastic ride. We’ve encountered all kinds of weather and roads – bridges and all. Looking forward to sleeping in my own bed soon! I’ve seen parts of California I’ve never seen before and some I hope not to see again! This has been an amazing journey.

Linda S, SF, CA

“Can you write my sister, my mom, my friend’s name on your van too?”…too many times on this journey have I heard this. I am overwhelmed by how many people have been touched by this beast we call breast cancer. Cancer sucks.

Pippi

This has been a really incredible adventure that I will always cherish. The coast was so beautiful, even for a Californian! What a pleasure to meet so many truly amazing women. Thank you all for your support and friendship.

Donna B, Ventura, CA

Day Ten Photos

2009-10-14T21:30:00Z

Marcia Stein, CEO of the Young Survival Coalition prepares to ride!

A long string of bikes - 24

A beautiful last day's ride

Huge welcome at McGuires Harley-Davidson, Walnut Creek

Day Ten - San Rafael to Sonoma

2009-10-14T21:29:00Z

This morning dawned cool and a little overcast for our last day's ride. Marcia Stein, the CEO of the Young Survival Coalition, one of our US beneficiaries, met us at the hotel to join us for this special day's ride.

A short ride up the freeway before cutting across through the wine country once more to the beautiful town of Sonoma. We stayed for an hour so for a coffee to warm up, to stroll around the beautiful main square, and chat to the locals.

Just before noon we saddled up again, doing a couple of laps of the square so the local paper could take some photos for a story. By the time we left the cloud had burnt off, and it was a beautiful blue sky and warm day once more. We rode just a few miles down the road for a visit to one of the best known local wineries, Gloria Ferrar.

No champagne tasting was possible since we had to get back on the road, but quite a few of the riders picked up a bottle for the night of celebration ahead.

On the road again it was an hour of fast freeway riding, with all of our week's work and practice at our group riding formation paying off as we effortless changed lanes, exited and merged, to stay together as a group all the way to Walnut Creek.

Riding up the driveway we saw pink balloons all around, and smiles and tears from waiting friends and family. At last our epic journey was an at end - all that remained was to hand back the keys of the bikes, and celebrate our achievement together over lunch, before tearful goodbyes.

The 1,000 miles of our journey were a life changing adventure for all who too part - thank you to the family, friends, colleagues and communities who supported each rider to make the starting line, the support of those we met along the way, and the incredible assistance of Harley-Davidson and its dealers, without whom none of this would be possible.

Day Nine Photos

2009-10-09T22:14:00Z

Saying goodbye and thanks to Konocti Harbor Resort

Beautiful ride out of Lake County

The Blue Angels practice over San Francisco

A stunningly beautiful day in San Francisco

We did it!!

After many years as a playboy, Pancake decided to finally settle down,
marrying Rusty Squirrel in a private ceremony last night. Rusty and
Pancake plan to move to a larger cigar box in the near future.

Day Nine - Golden Gate Bridge

2009-10-09T21:45:00Z

Today was without a doubt one of the most spectacular days ever on an Amazon Heart ride.
We woke to a beautiful sunrise over Clear Lake at Konocti, and had a fantastic breakfast at
the resort before loading up the bikes.

We discovered that we had become front page news in the local paper today, and as we rode
out of town there were plenty of friendly waves and cheers through the little towns and along
the gorgeous sweeping curves back to Calistoga.

We stopped again at our favourite BBQ stop - not to eat, but just to fuel up the Sportsters and
stretch before hitting a 40 mile run down the 101 Highway towards San Francisco. The group
rode beautifully in formation, 24 bikes effortlessly changing lanes in unison, with the sweep
vans covering our rear and blocking lanes with perfect timing.

We stopped for a quick lunch at San Rafael before heading out for our main target for today -
the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco. Our route for the last two days has changed
because we discovered Fleet Week starts on Saturday, and millions of people are expected to
converge on the bay to see the ships and the spectacular Blue Angels precision jet flying team
from the Navy.

The sky was as beautiful and clear as every day this week, and as we belted back down 101
towards the city we saw our first glimpses of the city itself - spectacular. We reached the bridge
all in perfect formation - 24 bikes and three vans and the view as we rode over together was
spectacular - even more so as we reached towards the end and a huge navy supply plane did
a low bank and pass over our heads.

The feeling of exhilaration as we turned off the bridge into a car park to regroup was incredible.
Then, just because we could, we turned around and rode back over it all again!

As we rode through a tunnel to pass under the end of the bridge and loop around to ride over
again, we suddenly saw the Blue Angels in perfect formation roar low over our heads - they were
practicing for tomorrow's big show. The girls cheered, and honked and waved and we couldn't
believe our luck - until we actually were riding on the bridge and they made two more low passes
directly over our heads!

On the north side of the bridge we pulled over at the Vista Point and watched the Blue Angels
perform the most amazing high speed manoeuvres directly overhead and over the bay and city
for half an hour.

Then we took a group photo in front of the bridge, and got back on the bikes to ride a quick 10 miles
back up the freeway to our new overnight stop, the Four Points San Rafael hotel, who had kindly
provided rooms for us at the last minute when we changed our route this week.

We came together as a group for our final night, and shared stories of the ride and what this incredible
journey has meant to us. There were tears, laughter and joy, and an incredible sense of family that will
stay with all of us for years to come.

Tomorrow is our final day - we will head out to Sonoma through the wine country, and then down the
East Bay to finish at McGuire Harley-Davidson in Walnut Creek.

Lake County Media

2009-10-08T23:28:00Z

A couple of great articles in the Lake County Record-Bee:

Harleys for Health, October 6, 2009
http://www.record-bee.com/ci_13502494?IADID=Search-www.record-bee.com-www.record-bee.com

Learning Curves: Women on Harleys hit the road in the name of suvival, October 9, 2009
http://www.record-bee.com/ci_13520646?IADID=Search-www.record-bee.com-www.record-bee.com

Day Eight Photos

2009-10-08T21:27:00Z

BBQ lunch stop in Calistoga

Arrival at Konocti Harbor Resort

Wonderful welcome to Lake County

Local breast cancer survivor group - Sponsoring Survivorship - bring gifts

Meredith hits the lake on a jet ski

Louise, Elvi, Fiona, Norma and Jenni enjoy the view

Day Eight - Benicia to Konocti

2009-10-08T20:34:00Z

This morning was cool and overcast as we loaded the vans and briefed to head on the next stage of our journey. The traffic was light as we took a short stretch down the freeway and cut over to our first stop of the morning - Vallejo Harley-Davidson.

The friendly crowd at Vallejo put on a hot breakfast and some great shopping specials, and we met up with two past riders - Stitch and Gail - from previous US and Australian rides.

Back on the bikes and heading north up into wine country, the clouds cleared to another spectacular blue sky as we headed up the Silverado Trail, past vineyards, rolling hills, patches of forest, and impressive winery cellar doors.

After 30 miles of beautiful riding, we rolled into Calistoga to our lunch stop - a fantastic southern BBQ joint. The Australians, who pride themselves on being BBQ fanatics, had never seen real southern BBQ before, particularly the outdoor roasting racks. The food was absolutely fantastic, and the stop gave us some breathing space to review the route for our next two days.

We found out earlier this week that our planned arrival in San Francisco would coincide with Fleet Week, and several million people are expected to converge on our planned finish spot - Crissy Field next to the Golden Gate Bridge.

The traffic is expected to be so bad, we doubt we will be able to get the bikes in over the Bridge, and we are sure non or our family and friends will be able to get there to meet us.

We have decided to change the last two days of the route, and our last night hotel to avoid the crowds. We will ride into San Francisco on Friday, across the Bridge then back again to stay overnight in San Rafael. Then on Saturday we will ride across to the East Bay to avoid the traffic and finish our ride at the expected time of 2 - 2:30 pm at McGuire's Harley-Davidson in Walnut Creek.

Once we had finished making our plans, and our delicious BBQ, it was back on the bikes and heading north to Clear Lake. The roads and scenery were stunning with sweeping curves and quick riding for 30 miles to our final destination - Konocti Harbor Resort and Spa.

The local paper had run a story on our ride the day before so we had lots of waves and smiles from the locals on our way, and a terrific reception from Vikki and the staff at the resort, as well as local breast cancer survivors and supporters who came out to greet us with pink balloons, cookies and chocolate!

The resort is a stunning lakeside location - several of the group headed off for massages, while the rest swam in the warm pool or relaxed by the waterside. Meredith even managed an half hour ride on a jetski (wave runner) across the calm waters of the lake.

A terrific dinner at the resort that night and then off to bed to rest before tomorrow's big ride across the Golden Gate Bridge!

Day Seven Photos

2009-10-07T21:53:00Z

Gail, Norma, Denise and Donna B. get ready to ride!

Christine on Meredith's big orange beast

Shopping stop at Arlen Ness

Wow! Arlen Ness himself!!

Day Seven - Palo Alto to Benicia

2009-10-07T21:38:00Z

Another beautiful sunny morning in California as we regrouped outside our hotels for today's journey.

We rode as group slowly through the heart of Palo Alto turning lots of heads, across the Dunbarton
Bridge and then up into the beautiful Niles Canyon Road. Lots of twisty and quiet back roads until we
popped out back into civilisation at our morning destination - biker heaven, Arlen Ness.

It's the first year we have been able to stop here and they put on a fantastic welcome with cake and
drinks, and some incredible shopping specials! The showroom was full of the incredible custom
motorcycles Arlen is so famous for, as well as his custom designed motor clothes.

Highlight of the stop was when the man himself came out and we had a group photo with him in the
showroom.

Then we were back on the bikes and cut quickly back out of the suburbs back into more gorgeous twisty
canyon roads, views across reservoirs from the tops of ridges, and small stands of redwoods before our
lunch stop at Moraga.

A quick bite to eat, and then our last stretch into Benicia - 20 more miles of lovely back roads, before a
quick 8 mile stretch of freeway and over the huge Benecia bridge before arriving at our hotel.

Tonight was free chilli dog night at the hotel - conditions at the back of the group may be hazy tomorrow ; )

A quick heads up for those planning to meet us at the finish at Crissy Field on Saturday - we've just found
out this week that our arrival will coincide with Fleet Week and the Blue Angels flying over San Francisco.
Several million people are expected to converge on Crissy Field that day and we aren't sure that we will be
able to get into the City through the traffic.

We are working on an alternative final destination for Saturday and will keep you posted.

Day Six Photos

2009-10-06T22:33:00Z

Thank you Bay Park Hotel, Monterey!

Beautiful ride to Santa Cruz

Lunch at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Skyline

Through the Redwoods

Bonus stop near Alice's Restaurant

Day Six - Monterey to Palo Alto

2009-10-06T22:30:00Z

Another beautiful morning as we woke in Monterey - cool, but clear and
no fog. We loaded up the vans then stopped to take a group photo in
front of the Bay Park Hotel, who have supported us on every year of the
ride, and then filled up the bikes to head out on the road.

Fast freeway riding this morning in perfect conditions - we ride in the
fast lane for safety reasons so that we are away from the merging
traffic, but with so many bikes usually there is a lag factor and we end
up riding a little slower than the speed limit. No such issue this
morning - 24 bikes and three vans in perfect formation PASSING traffic
as we belted down the road.

We arrived in sunny and warm Santa Cruz and found our way through the
town down to the famous boardwalk - the only continuously operating
seaside amusement park left on the West Coast for almost 100 years now.
It was warm and sunny and we enjoyed a beautiful lunch on the water.
Amy and Annelie tried out their new US Harley riding skills in the
amusement arcade on the Harley riding machine. As Annelie said, "That
chick can really ride!"

Then it was back on the bikes and winding our way out of Santa Cruz and
on to Highway 9, a beautiful twisty road through the redwoods. 25
gorgeous miles later we popped out on the top of the ridge at Skyline,
Highway 35. We made a short stop to regroup, then on up Skyline for
more redwoods and spectacular views.

We overshot our turn off by a mile, which meant we got to turn around at
Alice's Restaurant (the famous one in the song) and then back to our
intended road, Old La Honda - a tiny, twisty one lane road through the
redwoods and past some very large mansions.

After a few miles we popped out down the bottom of the hill, and then on
some easy roads in to our hotels in Palo Alto - every year the Westin
and Sheraton hotels (side by side) support our group and once again put
on a great welcome with reserved parking for all of our bikes.

We have now reached the Bay Area, but will be heading north through the East
Bay to see more of this stunning state before our final run in to San
Francisco on Saturday.

Day Five Photos

2009-10-06T14:54:00Z

Leaving Cambria

Meeting breast cancer supporters at the Elephant Seal Vista Point

The gang at Ragged Point

Riding Big Sur

A beautiful day for a ride up the stunning California coast

Day Five - Cambria to Monterey

2009-10-06T14:37:00Z

This morning the wild winds from last night had died away, and for the
first time we woke to clear skies and no fog in Cambria!

As we packed the vans and readied the bikes for the day's ride, we met
two breast cancer survivors who were staying in our hotel - one a long
term survivor who also rode bikes, and the other a young woman half way
through her treatment. It was wonderful to spend a little time with
them and share our stories and our journey.

Then it was off on the day's ride - no difficult riding instructions
today - just turn left on to PCH1, and 100 miles later turn right into
our hotel! That doesn't convey the absolute magic of the day's ride
though.

A few miles along the way we made our first stop - at the famous Hearst
Castle. We didn't have time to go on a tour, but checked out the view
from the visitor centre. The day was so clear we could see the Castle
high on the ridge from the road, as well as the zebras grazing in the
grounds next to us.

Next stop was also a few miles down the road - a beach where hundreds of
elephant seals sleep during the day. We stopped for more photos, and to
chat to some of the other tourists, some of whom had family members who
had been through breast cancer. The docent on duty was wearing a pink
ribbon visor and fundraises for breast cancer and asked for a photo with
the group.

Back on the road again and half an hour up the road we went through our
first hair pins on Big Sur before stopping at a vista point at Ragged
Point for a group photo and last stop before tackling the big stretch of
twisty road ahead.

The next 50 miles of road was glorious. Perfect temperature, bright
blue sunny skies and shimmering ocean, spectacular cliff edges, twist
after twist after switchback after twist, and the group rode perfectly
at high speed - so quickly that no traffic was backed up behind us until
close to our lunch stop, and the whole group stayed together and in
sight with no traffic cutting in.

Lunch was at Ripplewood in the redwood forest and was a welcome chance
to stretch and share excitement at the road we had just travelled. We
met a group of cyclists riding south from San Francisco to LA to raise
funds for arthritis who were jealous of our Harleys!

Back on the bikes again for one of the most beautiful stretches of Big
Sur - where low shrubs of deep red and purple line the road, and the
views are gorgeous, before running in through Carmel and into Monterey
and our hotel.

Thank you again to the Bay Park Hotel in Monterey who look after us
every year with great hotel rates and love having us visit.

Today's ride takes us ever further north and into the mighty redwood
forests.

Participant Comments

2009-10-04T22:36:00Z

October 2nd

Hi everyone, can you believe this, I am in LA driving on the wrong side
of the road, what a challenge, something I am up for, something about
these rides, helps me face each new challenge in my life with a smile
and a "Bring it on."
Love, Lynday, Melbourne, Australia

Hi Babe (Irene) arrived safe, hope you got my texts, having an awesome
time, weather is hot, hope all is well at home, missing you, love you
heaps.
Shaz xxx

There is a girl sitting next to us with real cool shoes - they are a
sexy stiletto. They are not as cool as my boots. My boots are black
with flames. They are worn out, scuffed up and muddy. They are
perfectly worn in. They have been lived in. My new "normal" life is
all about living. The ocean is so loud here. But so are my wonderful
Amazon Sisters. We are loud and living.
Pippi

To all my friends, can u believe that I am actually here in LA, it is
unbelievable. This is the best experience of my life and it is only day
two, all the girls are fantastic and make me feel so welcomed. Time for
my cleansing Ale I raise my glass to Bad Aussie and hi to all my sistas.
Love, Shaz xx

October 3rd

Hi to everyone in Wagga Wagga and those who know where Wagga Wagga is.
Here I am, on a Harley-Davidson, 3 times bigger than my 250cc and the
smallest bike here. Riding on the wrong side of the road, through LA
traffic, winding through the mountain passes and along the great coastal
highway with the greatest bunch of biker women. Left Ventura HD after
some retail therapy, lunch in Santa Barbara and tonight in Buellton.
Thank you for your support that has allowed me to be on this great
adventure. Hugs to all.
Love, Denise.

In Buellton, drinking a cold beer after an amazing 175 mile ride this
morning with FABULOUS GIRLS! Love it! Love the US and the Harleys. As
Lillian Dube back home in Johanesburg says: "Without breast cancer I
would've never had so many incredible journeys." Lucky me!
Love, Annelie

Our 1st Official Ride day of the AHT US Oct 2009. Today during my
helmet time once again realized what an incredible turn my life has
taken since being diagnosed 5 years ago! Riding a bike has changed a
very negative situation to an awesome journey! AHT is the best thing
that has ever happened to me, seeing new places and meeting wonderful
new people. Riding a HD in USA, truly awesome!
See you soon, Amy xxx

Beautiful day of riding twisties and the "101". A couple of times I
think I knew how Dorothy and Toto felt when the tornado took them to
"Oz". Just a wee bit windy today! I still feel like pinching myself to
see if I am really here, and doing this ride. Everyone is so helpful
and cares about how you are doing. I can tell the group is already
starting to mold together. Go AHT 2009. Oh yeah, finished the day with
Pea Soup (Elvira said she saw the place on the Travel Channel).
Love, Lori

October 4th

Today's word for the day is WINDY! We had to ride in single file at
times because of being blown around the lane. Many people go to worship
services on Sunday. Today we attended the Church of Harley and gave
thanks for our lives, the beauty of creation, the Pacific Ocean and a
wine and cheese welcome at our destination. Another fabulous day with
fabulous women!

We're all sitting together enjoying wine and each other. This is such
an amazing group of women and we all shared a great...but windy...day
today! I can only say...how lucky to be me! I missed the Breast Cancer
Awareness Conference but everyone is here with me. I love life!!! Safe
riding!
Love, Jacqui, MN

To Linz and Brandon - New Zealand. I know you are watching our progress
on the website so Hi from Sunny California - Roads are fabulous - hardly
any traffic - weather great and the girls are too!
Pat

Hello, all! I got to ride on the back of a Harley for a few minutes
along PCH1. The Toyota Rav 4 is fun to drive and there is lots of
laughter with lovely ladies.
Jane

For my 3 wonderful kids, family and friends: I have just started this
ride and I already feel so confident and strong. I feel like I can fly
today. I ride all day, party in the evening and crash in my bed at
night. I wake up ready to start over in the morning. I will remember
this forever. Thank you to everybody who's helped to get me here.
Linda A.

MILA MONIKA, POZDRAVUJEME TA 2 KALIFORNIE A PRAJE - ME CO NAJRYCHLEJSIE
U2 DRAVENIE!
ELVIE AND THE AMAZONS
(Translation: Dear Monika, sending you warm greetings from California
and wishing you speedy recovery! Elvie and the Amazons)

OMG it was Findy today! Thank you BUB enterprises for lending me the
Kick Ass Sporty! Hugs to all my family and friends. We are all having
a great time - Sorry Arch no photos from the pillow fight or nude
surfing.
Pippi

Wonderful riding, awesome company. What a privilege to be in the USA
with our Amazon Sistas.
Love to all, Amy

Day Four Photos

2009-10-04T22:06:00Z

Sharon turns into a shop-aholic!

Dancing at Madonna Inn

Sunset at Cambria

The fun begins!

Day Four - Buellton to Cambria

2009-10-04T22:01:00Z

Today was a different side of California riding - big freeways, and high
speeds. Our hotel last night in Buellton was featured in the classic
California road trip move Sideways, and our group enjoyed another local
tradition for dinner - sampling Anderson's famous pea soup.

We left the hotel and headed north on Highway 101 - fast, highway
formation riding. The group looked fantastic lined up in our lane, and
effortlessly changing lanes as needed to move further down the road.

Our first stop was Santa Maria Harley-Davidson, who put on a terrific
pizza lunch for us as well as some great specials! Then back on the
freeway to our next stop, the historic Madonna Inn. Really no way to
describe the Madonna Inn - you have to be there! www.madonnainn.com .

Our support vans have messages written on the sides explaining our
journey and we had plenty of encouraging waves and smiles down the road.
At the Madonna Inn we met a breast cancer surgeon from Brazil on
holiday with his wife and daughter and he had never seen anything like
it!

Back on the freeway again for one last big ride up to Atascadero and
Gary Bang Harley-Davidson, where we made a quick stop for a break and
some water....oh, and a little shopping, and then it was off the freeway
and on to a beautiful twisty country road down to Morro Bay.

Back on the ocean front, we rode in formation along Highway 1, where our
two sweep vans demonstrated their prowess in blocking lanes to protect
the group when lanes ended.

At the end of a beautiful ride was our wonderful hotel in Cambria, the
Best Western Fireside Inn, right on the waterfront at Moonstone Beach.
The day was clear with no fog, but a strong cold wind was blowing.

The hotel welcomed us with a reception of local wine and cheese. The
wind was so strong we decided against our traditional barbeque on the
beach, and had food delivered for a group dinner in the breakfast room
at the hotel.

Tomorrow - Big Sur!

Day Three Photos

2009-10-03T11:20:00Z

The group at Ventura Harley-Davidson

Fantastic breakfast at Ventura Harley-Davidson

Norma declares her Freedom!!

Lunch stop in Santa Barbara

Day Three - Ventura to Buellton

2009-10-03T11:02:00Z

Today our ride officially started with a fantastic breakfast and send off from Ventura Harley-Davidson. Two of our past riders, Diana and Jan came out to see us, along with the local HOG group.

Tracey from Ventura Harley-Davidson put on a fantastic breakfast, with raffles and gifts for all of the riders. The local HOG group gave us a wonderful reception before heading out on their own ride.

Then we filled up with gas and hit the road - a beautiful ride in the sunshine through the countryside, and Ojai, winding along twisty roads up and down the hills. Jenni and Elvie took a turn out of the van on the back of Megan and Meredith's bikes and loved every minute!

Along the road we encountered many cyclists taking part in a fundraising ride from MS and appreciated the fact we had an easier ride up hill as well as down.

We called in to Carpenteria for another gas stop, and skirted the huge crowds and road closures for the Avocado Festival, before heading off to Santa Barbara for lunch. The skies were a beautiful blue as we rode along the palm lined shorefront, and parked right at the pier.

A quick lunch and then on our final stretch, back up into the hills and twisties, before riding as a group through historic Solvang, a historic Danish town in the middle of California, and to our overnight stop at Buellton.

Dinner was at the famous Andersen's Pea Soup restaurant just across the road!

Day Two Photos

2009-10-02T22:37:00Z

The whole gang

Famous biker stop - Neptune's Net