For a long time, I have been a fan of the “5 o’clock ride.” It’s that after work, hop on the bike, and go explore with no freeways, traffic, bridges, or tolls. Mount Diablo is always an excellent climb. Getting out to Marsh Creek is littered with traffic and red lights, making it less desirable for a spontaneous ride. While super fun, Briones isn’t quite long enough to fully unwind. Morgan Territory? No.

This weekend, some folks from the local motorcycle community are doing a “beginner’s ride,” which I was excited about lessening my relative inexperience on the Triumph Speed Triple. It’s just a different motorcycle than I’m used to. I didn’t want to be that guy who is a hot mess, so I took the opportunity to pre-ride the ride, getting more comfortable in the twisties.

The beginner’s ride was up in the North Bay – which meant crossing a bridge. The pre ride was going to be a bit of a lunch ride for me, and hopefully, I could avoid all of the traffic our area sees on a Friday afternoon. It was an easy putt up to Interstate 80, but it got brutal quick with all of the construction through Solano County. I wasn’t expecting to aggressively lane-split this early in the afternoon, but construction does what construction does. Splitting on the new bike here we go.

This year, the Montecito Dam spillway was flowing with all of the rain we’ve had over the winter. It’s only flowed over ~25 times since the dam’s construction in the early 1950s. Colloquially known as the Glory Hole, it is a sight to see water flowing over the spillway and disappearing into the grand abyss. During the 1990s, an unfortunate accident happened where a local swimmer was pulled into the spillway and fell hundreds of feet and lost their lives. Unlike other dams, there’s always a bit of fear, reverence, and curiosity for me watching the water flow over this spillway.

I’m reminded how awesome it is to ride in the spring here in Northern California. All of the hills are alive with green and wildflowers are starting to bloom. I’m still feeling a bit jittery on this bike. The suspension doesn’t feel well tuned for me in the body mechanics are just different. But again, I just wanted to give the ride a spin so that I wasn’t coming in completely cold the next day.

Come Saturday, I was the only “beginner” who signed up. The ride lead was an MSF Rider Coach who is well respected in the community, and another experienced rider wanted to come along for the day. I’ve known the coach for many years and promised him I was a beginner writer (on this bike). We both laughed.

It was really fantastic to learn from somebody really skilled. He promised I wasn’t the train wreck I thought I was. He gave me some pointers I could use to get better at my craft. What did I learn?

• Keep my core tight (and strong)
• Keep your arms loose and your weight off the handlebars
• Keep the balls of your feet on the pegs
• It’s okay to rev this bike significantly higher than the BMW GS.
• Work on your left turns. Stay further to the right hand side before you cut in.
• Accelerate out of turns more quickly to bring power to the rear wheel

What surprised me, however, was how much work it takes to learn. We only spent 130 miles together, but it was an intense 130 miles. My coach told me he was pushing a lot at me as I had the experience to take more direction. I was feeling better after spending the morning with him. I’m reminded that practice does make perfect here, and that means more seat time on this particular bike.

I didn’t have the same challenges I did the weekend before. Going downhill, my legs gripped the tank, my core was tight, and I could flop my elbows like a chicken, proving I was light on the handlebars. Who would’ve thought that when you give the motorcycle better inputs, it gives you better outputs?

Fast forward one week. A good buddy of mine reached out the next weekend as he was in town and wanted to go for a ride. We were both short on time. Since he was in the North Bay, Alice’s Restaurant was out. It didn’t make sense for him to ride all the way out to me. I suggested the ride I just did so I can get one more round of practice. My buddy has had many years on the track and is an accomplished motorcyclist, so he continued the coaching, which was preceded by the Rider Coach. And as an added bonus, it was sunny!

After spending three days in the North Bay, I was reminded how great the roads are. The North Bay doesn’t have the same geographic limitations we do at home, so calligraphy by motorcycle flows much more freely. The North Bay, however, does mean a bridge crossing and an $8 toll – but hey, isn’t it worth the equivalent of two gallons of gas if you enjoy the day?

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