Upcoming Rally:: Scooter Rage 24

Better known as "24 Heures du Rage", this year promises to have one event we haven't seen done here in SF in a very long long; if ever!

TIME TRIALS!!!!
With two classes, one for modern and one for vintage scooters, and teams of 3-6 people the 24-hour endurance trial isn't going to be just a kick-your-ass ride. It's timed too.  Hold your horses though--if you go too fast, you're going to get dinged and cost the team the win.  The trick here is to go "scooter speed".  Won't that be fun to see??
Dancing kicks off the festivities Thursday, June 17th.
Friday will see you off in the evening from First Kick to a nice little dive bar. Scoot to drink!
Saving the best for the weekend, the challenge begins on Saturday:
If you manage to avoid a hangover and get up on time, 10AM @ SF Scooter Center will have a swap meet. BUT WAIT! Show up at 2PM  and watch the Le Mans inspired start for the time trials. After which the main ride leaves for a city-lights tour. 
Sunday you'll get to see the road-weary endurance riders who have survived the foggy chill of the SF night and early morning riding.  The winning team will be figured out somehow. Hang out till the end for the awards, raffle and BBQ. Yum.
I dont know about you guys, but I can hardly stand the wait!!!

the angry cager

We've all had it happen.
Sometimes it's at a rally when a car gets cut off--they hit their horn, get out, or worst of all try to MERGE into ride.   Then there are the ones that just randomly seem to get pissed off, though wearing your Colors may seem to increase this frequency.
Mods Vs. Rockers was last weekend, and it's a prime example of when you can run into the Angry Cager.  This is one of the more fun, illegal-move filled chaotic rides that takes place in SF every year.  At least one accident each year happens: two riders collide because one stopped instead of moving with traffic, or someone will show off in the tunnel and end up high-siding into the guard rail.  But let's face it--things like this are what add to the thrill of two-wheels.
On the way home last week from MvR, I had a run-in with the species known as the Angry Cager. The Angry Cager is known for not being very bright, and having lots of time of their hands.  This can be fun, or it can be destructive. I like a little of both.
Here's what happened for me:
"Hey. Hey. Hey! HEY!!!!!!"  The grey BMW rental car behind me starts to yell.  I'm waiting behind another car to make the right turn onto Franklin.  The light is red, and I've got my turn signal on.
I check my mirror.  He's waving.  "Hey!!! You!!"
"Yeah?" I turn, put my hand up in question.
"MOVE!" he screams.  "Go!"
"red light buddy.  Traffics moving too fast.  I can't go and neither can the person in front of me." 
Ordinarily, I'd move up, maybe try to get into traffic, but I'm on my friends borrowed bike that at 50cc's....is rugged but can't get out of it's own way in uphill traffic.
BMW guy shuts up and sits back in his seat. I swear he's pouting.  Anyway, the light turns green and I move to get into the furthest left lane.  I'm right behind the car that was first onto the street.
The BMW sounds its horn...and stays on it.  Now I'm getting a little irritated.  This guy is being a child.  Safety third.
As I finally get into the lane, he pulls up into the next lane and hollers "You're going to get killed!"
Then zooms away. 
Just like that. No "I'm going to kill you", or "you should die", just a plain ole "you're going to get killed.". Well, shit....I guess we all are at some point!  Thanks buddy! And here I thought I was going to live forever.
I watched him cut through a yellow turning red light, weaving in and out of other cars going the speed limit until he got to the next red light a few blocks ahead.  Same thing: leaning out of the car and gesturing at the one in front of him.   I can only assume that this guy was on his way back to his native habitat of Tiburon, but I can't be sure.  It's never fun to have an angry cager riding your ass through the city, but this one was fortunately too preoccupied to pursue me, as some have. 

So I ask...what have you done with angry cagers? Do you goad them, or push them to do a little more? Maybe throw that random rotten egg their direction? You know, the one you just *happened* to have in your glovebox?

Mods Vs. Rockers 2010 Video

Thanks to SFMC for recording this!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sfmc/4614529292/in/set-72157623951195259/

Mods Vs Rockers 2010

Mods vs. Rockers is best-kept well known secret in the SF scooter rally scene. Meetup location is never publicly posted; so you kinda have to get there via mafioso type connections.  You either know somebody or you ARE somebody in order to get the info.  I found myself scrambling last minute to confirm that Red's was indeed the place.
This year the scooter mob was smaller than usual, with about 30 scoots showing up.  A nice mix of modern and vintage.  Oh, how I love the smell of 2-stroke in the morning!


Each year we ride: scooters from one place, motorcycles in another. The two groups take off more or less on time, traversing the hills and hoods of San Francisco and avoiding the po-po all the way.
TheStockton  Tunnel is the target.  Each end gets blocked off by the Rockers. No busses, no cars, not even bicycles get in. It's a helluva lot more fun to watch on video than to explain it.  The 2010 ride hasn't yet been posted anywhere, so here's a teaser with the 2007 ride.  I'll post this years as soon as it's up.  And if you have photos, please post them to the FaceBook group!
   




   

After the tunnel you see both Mods and Rockers leaving together.  Where do we go? TO THE CLUBHOUSE!!!  San Francisco Motorcycle Club and Secret Society Scooter Club co-host the event, and SFMC is always very gracious in opening up their clubhouse to all the riders.  Shirts, patches and tasty tasty chili and cold beers are all available on the cheep.

  
 













 If you've never experienced MVR, put it on your bucket list!

Destinations: Muir Beach Outlook

Not very far over the Golden Gate bridge in Marin County is an easy to miss turn that shoots you up a hill and drops you into what has to be one of the most beautiful lookouts in the North Bay!  Muir Beach Outlook is truly spectacular as a destination. 
Picnic tables, turrets, a large grassy area and a landing that nearly puts you off a cliff make up this little slice of heaven. Take a look!

How do you get there: 
Take the Golden Gate Bridge north from SF heading towards Marin county.  Depending on how scenic you want to get (lets assume you do), take Alexander Ave down to Sausaltio.  This turns into South St. Hang a right and you'll be on Bridgeway, heading North along the water's edge.  Go slow through here, as police love to hand out speeding tickets!


If you're hungry, there are tons of great cafe's on this street. Stop in and soak up the sun.  Bridgeway eventually ends about three miles down, turning into a freeway on-ramp.  Get on the freeway for one exit and got off on the Mill Valley/ Stinson Beach exit.  You'll turn left onto HWY 1/Shoreline in about half a mile.  This road is a total joy if you love a good twisty!  Miles of curves with sharp corners and beautiful views. 
Keep going until you pass the Pelican Inn.  When you see this you're getting close. Seascape dr is the last street on the left at which point you're 50 yards from the sign "Muir Beach Outlook". Take that left and head up the hill.  Parking is easy enough at the top.  Bring a picnic a camera and an extra sweater--it's a little windy.

After 3 months of Caging, it's nearly time to get back on the road!

So in late February, I lowsided my Vespa GTV in a turn that I had done a thousand times. It had rained the day before, and I was out doing a midnight ride. (Cheers from the Darwin Award supporters) Anyway, I hit a curb and shattered my heel bone (aka calcaneus) and was laid up for 6 weeks before I could walk and then another month before I could bear enough weight to work on my Stella rebuild again. The GTV, sadly must be sold, as I won't be able to ride a large frame modern for a year!

Anyway! Now that it's time to get back on my steel horse, I've found that random little trips around the bay are happening more often. Napa. SF parks. Marin Parks. My soul itching to feel the freedom once again of having wind rushing over my helmet; bugs in my teeth. Ahh...

A drive to Napa took me as far as the exit with the Target before I turned around started taking pics. I'm thinking this will HAVE to be the first ride of the engine break-in!

Welcome!

I'll be adding to the site shortly! See y'all around!