June 13th, 2009 | 
Author: We’re off! 5:30 a.m. start time from Lake Forest as we head out on a cloudy southern California day. We opted for the Eastern Sierra route north on US 395 as oppose a more direct route on I-5. It is a lot less traffic and the scenery is much much better.
We hit a bit of morning traffic on I-15 and some dense fog on the Cajon pass just before catching US 395. Once on 395, the sky cleared up a bit and started to get a bit warmer,but we could tell would get a little wet before the day would end.
By 9:30 we were at Ridgecrest where the road opens up to a deserted 4 lane highway which allows for a photo op..
We get a few phone calls from Dean Tanji verifying that our SPOT is traking and before we know it I need my morning cup of Java!
By 11:00 am we hit Bishop and start to make the climb up to Mammoth Mountain, where we stopped to have lunch. By then, more clouds had gathered and we felt a few sprinkles, so on with the foul weather gear as we continue north to Reno, NV. The rest of the afternoon is greeted with us passing through showers – which makes the ride interesting.. 
While in Reno,Tom Botz calls me and he identifies a town about 100 north of us that he had stayed at before, which sounded like a good place to stop for our first day. I don’t know about Steve, but my back was starting to feel it. So we ended our day in Susanville, CA – 592 miles and 12 hours later. But what a treat Susanville is, because the The Bear Restaurant has killer home cook meals! Thanks Tom!
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From the way that you guys are dressed, it looks as though it is cold already and you hven't even left CA yet… Did you pack enough for when you get to the real cold weather?
From the way that you guys are dressed, it looks as though it is cold already and you hven't even left CA yet… Did you pack enough for when you get to the real cold weather?
From the way that you guys are dressed, it looks as though it is cold already and you hven't even left CA yet… Did you pack enough for when you get to the real cold weather?
ok, well at the risk of sounding like a real idiot it took me about an hour to post this comment!!! But i love being able to keep track of you as the tr! ip is unfolded. 592 miles omg… i can hardly imagine doing anything for a whole 12 hours! Glad the first day went well. Keep on rolling boys, i can't wait to see the beauty and wonders alaska has.
I'm shure you can't the way your always bouncing from one thing to anouther 12 hours would have you doing at lest 50different things but all at once. It was good day though and today was even a little better. lots of tall pines though the mountians. the last 130 on the freeway sucked but a good day over all. glade your waching and enjoying. Has gorila been on?
she has been out at the lake camping with my kids and her two grand kids since thursday…… so i'll bet she has not been on yet
and while you are out having the time of you life… i am at home scrubbing the kitchen floor on my hands and knees cos it was sticking to my socks, who knows what was spilled? Of course nobody did it!!!!!!!!
JVBS – Just saw you were around Redmond, Oregon – great country – what a cool way to follow your buddies on a trip – Hollywood meets Technology – Jimmy V – you have it all going on brother!
That was an awesome ride in that area there today – beautiful and lush! So green and the trees were hugh!
Telly, where is your lolly pop!!! Hope you are wearing sunscreen on your dome! Be safe and DFTCB!
LOL DFTCB? I have to think about that one…. Need moresun on that raw dome though..
JImmy V – Love the new shaved Dome!! The glasses are working in tandem with the smooth noggin- so Hollywood!! Vin Diesel better watch out for the real action hero – Jimmy V!! There is even a sun star shining on your glasses and dome – you have found your calling!
Love the postings so far – great pic of the storm clouds…you know I love the nature pictures and that is mother nature at one of her finest hours – about to unleash the fury- but no fear – Jimmy V and Big Steve will power through!
We need more pics of Big Steve- how about we just call him BS for short – seems to fit!!
592 miles – nice! How are the bikes? – More comfy than the Hog?
Keep drinkin' your java and talkin' your jive and drive J & S, drive!
Talk to you soon and even though it may be tough, try to keep the postings as great as this one and take a lot of nature pictures!!
Big Steve – we need your comments -what's going on inside that twisted mind of yours?!
God speed!
Dave & Carmela Churro
I was whinning about my soar ass, so BS bought me some wax paper so my "Candy Ass" wouldn't stick to the seat!
Love your comments bro – hillarious!! Bikes running great, but this bike rides different that the Hog
WOW!!! Jim, Missed you at Chris' grad party, but given the alternative, I'd choose your trip. And when did you remove all that hair between your eyes and heaven? More aerodynamic? I'm still marveling at SPOT – I watched you all day, and today I see the pics and your travelogue. Quite amazing. Looking forward to more pics from your trip through Oregon. Love, Jan & Dennis
Sorry I missed the party too – I'm sure it was a great time and I hope to see some pics!
I can see why you like it in Oregon – it was a great ride to Salem from Bend.
GREAT PHOTOS KEEP THEM COMING
Nice Haircut!!
The accounting ladies say hi…we like the new hair cut, very bad ass!
How soon will you update your blog? I’m interested in reading some more information on this issue.
Hey Alaskan Road Warriors, Yeah, this goes back a few days, but OMG, Jimmy V, what is that cup you are holding in your hand?? SHELL MINI-MART JAVA…YIKES, desperate for sure.
Buzz cut looks good on you.