Northwest Cycle Report

The third and final installment of my Summer Road Trip.

Picking up where I left off.

After leaving Craig Vetter’s shop in Carmel, CA, we made our way to Hollister to find lodging for the night and to meet up with another legend in the world of biking. After chatting with a local we searched the yellow pages and ended up staying at the Cinderella Motel (we even stayed in the Cinderella Suite). We paid out $55.00 that night for 2 beds and a swimming pool.

The next morning as I was packing the van I met Mike and Janet, a couple who had ridden their Harley from Wisconsin all the way to Hollister. They were making their way to Southern California to meet up with Route 66 and follow the route all the way back to the East coast. After handing them a Hog Radio card, we said farewell, and the family and I headed out to visit Craig’s friend Mike Corbin at the Corbin factory, hoping that Mike might be willing to meet with me.

Upon arriving at the factory at 9 a.m., my family sat in the van while I went in. After spotting the receptionist, I handed her my card and told her to tell Mike that Craig sent me. Less than 30 seconds later I was ushered into Mike’s office where he proceeded to share with me for 30 minutes or so at which point he asked if I would like to take a tour and I said my family was out in the van and he said, “bring them in.”

Meeting Mike Corbin.

With family in tow Mike took us through his company and shared with us the various aspects of the manufacturing and fabricating they were doing. He, like Sugar Bear and Craig, took a shine to my boys and made sure to bring them into the conversation. After our walk through the factory, Mike asked us if we would like to eat at the Wizard Café, an on-premises eatery designed to be a place for riders to sit and wait while they have their custom seats fabricated on the spot. We said sure, thinking we would shell out some money. Well low and behold Mike footed the bill! (Thanks again Mike!)

Corbin is celebrating 40 years this year, quite a feat for any company much less a motorcycle related company. Hollister is considered by many to be the birth place of the American Motorcycle Rally. It became immortalized by the movie “The Wild Ones.” On a side note, we just did an interview with Mike on Hog Radio www.hogradio.net so make sure to listen to it.

After we said our goodbyes we headed north to Dublin to meet with our final Hog Radio related destination, the Arlen Ness company.

Having arrived at the Arlen Ness building we went in and I handed the receptionist my Hog Radio card and requested if we could take a short tour of the facilities. After conferring with their PR spokesperson we were given a brief tour of the facilities. The Ness complex not only houses the factory where the Ness bikes are built but also houses a full line service shop where certified techs work on motorcycles of various makes and brands. The show room consists of the Arlen Ness Custom lines and Arlen Ness Signature Victory line of bikes as well.

The tour ended up at the Arlen Ness Museum where the company showcases many of the bikes and works of Arlen along with walls full of photos and articles highlighting his many achievements. While we were “ooing and awing” over the various creations, in walked Arlen himself.

Steve with Arlen Ness.

Arlen, a soft spoken man, took time to talk with me and let me get a picture with him. He truly enjoys his life as a builder and rider, and is grateful to have three generations of the Ness family participate in the family business. After we chatted for a few minutes it was time to go, so we shook hands and agreed to interview him on Hog Radio.

After we exited the building and loaded the van up we headed out of the parking lot to make our way over to Hwy 1 to begin the last leg of our trip which was to continue our way up the coast via Hwy 1 and 101.

For the next three days we drove, camped and explored the beautiful coasts of Northern California and Southern Oregon. From the craggy ocean cliffs and sandy beaches to the towering Redwoods and the wind swept dunes of Dunes National Recreation Area, this is one of the most scenic routes to grace our American landscape.

When you take this route make sure to give yourself a number of days to enjoy the road; you really don’t want to rush it if you don’t have to. If you are like us, you don’t make reservations but trust that you will find a place to lay your head at the end of your day. Yes, this makes for a bit of nail biting, but it also brings you in touch with what it might have been like when we lived in simpler harsher times prior to the automobile.

There are plenty of campsites both private and public that don’t require reservations, though many take them. There are also plenty of motels, hotels and even bed and breakfasts. And you’re never too far from a gas pump, eatery or a market that you can pick up groceries and a cup of coffee. Of course there’s a fair share of tourist traps to avoid unless you’re a sucker for these money pits. One that I would avoid, but didn’t, is the Sea Lion Caves (my wife insists the kids needed to see it).

Be prepared to pay a lot for Coastal Hotel/Motels at least $15 to $30 more for a room as compared to a similar motel further inland. Oregon offers the cheapest price for gas and California is by far the highest with prices .20 to .30 cents more per gal than Washington prices.

The wrap: Being on the road with your family or friends for 16 days brings you together, and it builds lasting memories that will go with you to the grave. Road trips are part of who we are as Americans. For that matter, I’ve met many Europeans over the years who had come to the states and rented a car or cycle and were touring our byways.

Next summer, why not take a week or two and head down the coast if you haven’t done so before, you won’t regret it. And although we avoided rain, I strongly suggest you bring along your rain gear, but hey I’m talking to my fellow Pacific Northwesterners so I know that is your second skin!

God bless, ride safe and we will see you out on the road.

Steve Johann