Warped x !!!!!!!!!

+1 on what Charles said, I can't wait to see the footage a from warpedgnarnia.

Yea, only hurts when I breathe. Sneezing is awesome. It will go away sooner of later. Pain is like pleasure, lasts for awhile then goes away.

WARPED: A Personal Story In Pictures

So, I'm probably supposed to put this in a ride report, or someone already created a thread for WARPED rides or whatever, but I'm over half a bottle of wine deep at this point and if I don't do this bitch now, I'll forget everything (really, been concussed too many times short term memory is jacked) and it will never get done

Anyhow, this is only the second motorcycle rally I've ever been too, and the first one I rode to solo there and back, in this case from Solana Beach to Kernville. The solo time was a spring cleaning for my brain. Got all the junk out. Just awesome, wonderful experience. The wind was unreal on the 395/173 though. I was wondering why the highway patrol was waving people down; RV's and tractor trailers were all pulled over. I was pushed all over the lane and the wind noise in my helmet was ridiculous.

Anyhow, first stop on the way up. Not sure if it was an omen of things to come or just a reflection on the "high desert" part of CA, and I'm sure some of the more experienced Warped attendees can tell me just exactly what the hell this is, but looks like a meth or crack smoking setup. Just left there, no big deal. Front steps of the gas station I stopped at. What the hell man!?

<a href="http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/stoke3/media/WARPED/IMG_20140425_124326_zps66388d14.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/s/stoke3_WARPED_IMG_20140425_124326_zps66388d14.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20140425_124326_zps66388d14.jpg"/></a>

Obligatory selfie. I seriously don't know why I took this. I think I was really into my first "real" motorcycle trip and also was trying to look cool. All I know it that it was just prior to Warner Pass, cold as shit, took ten minutes to figure out the timer/set up the cell phone to take the pic, it's underexposed, and there's some weather rolling in.

<a href="http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/stoke3/media/WARPED/IMG_20140425_151304_zps7d7ae8fe.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/s/stoke3_WARPED_IMG_20140425_151304_zps7d7ae8fe.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20140425_151304_zps7d7ae8fe.jpg"/></a>

First night there. Had to set up tent in the rain because someone posted about the weather the day before. Name started with a J, I think I made "brown drinks" for everyone that stopped by the table as long as the ingredients held up. It's a bit of a creeper as drinks go and while Crown Royal is not "artisan" or unique, it gets the job done and it's fun. Also, I was worried prior to this event that you guys wouldn't keep up on the drinking. Yeah...no. That handle of Crown was DESTROYED in short order. :eek1

<a href="http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/stoke3/media/WARPED/IMG_20140425_200737_zps23416e18.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/s/stoke3_WARPED_IMG_20140425_200737_zps23416e18.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20140425_200737_zps23416e18.jpg"/></a>

Some of us had more humble accommodations than others; in Shooby's case an abandoned refrigerator box would of been better than this "mountain hardware" brand condom with a reservoir tip :eek1


<a href="http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/stoke3/media/WARPED/IMG_20140425_220853_zps93d59308.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/s/stoke3_WARPED_IMG_20140425_220853_zps93d59308.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20140425_220853_zps93d59308.jpg"/></a>


Beautiful setting in the morning:

<a href="http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/stoke3/media/WARPED/IMG_20140426_090124_zps6d1cfcea.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/s/stoke3_WARPED_IMG_20140426_090124_zps6d1cfcea.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20140426_090124_zps6d1cfcea.jpg"/></a>

Until this happens


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FZ cruzer set up a nice big bike loop on Saturday

<a href="http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/stoke3/media/WARPED/IMG_20140426_110840_zpsf45cc781.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/s/stoke3_WARPED_IMG_20140426_110840_zpsf45cc781.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20140426_110840_zpsf45cc781.jpg"/></a>

It was cold as shit and lightly raining, but dammit man, the scenery was unreal. Because of motorcycles, I have seen areas of California I would of never seen otherwise.

<a href="http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/stoke3/media/WARPED/IMG_20140426_110822_zpsf07c0fe2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/s/stoke3_WARPED_IMG_20140426_110822_zpsf07c0fe2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20140426_110822_zpsf07c0fe2.jpg"/></a>

When we got off sealed tarmac, things got interesting for me at least

<a href="http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/stoke3/media/WARPED/IMG_20140426_115850_zpscba123de.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/s/stoke3_WARPED_IMG_20140426_115850_zpscba123de.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20140426_115850_zpscba123de.jpg"/></a>

It was slick

<a href="http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/stoke3/media/WARPED/IMG_20140426_115933_zps9001d576.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/s/stoke3_WARPED_IMG_20140426_115933_zps9001d576.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20140426_115933_zps9001d576.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/stoke3/media/WARPED/IMG_20140426_120504_zpsc9e6ec7c.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/s/stoke3_WARPED_IMG_20140426_120504_zpsc9e6ec7c.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20140426_120504_zpsc9e6ec7c.jpg"/></a>

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Shooby:
<a href="http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/stoke3/media/WARPED/IMG_20140426_121326_zpsdc4575d6.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/s/stoke3_WARPED_IMG_20140426_121326_zpsdc4575d6.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20140426_121326_zpsdc4575d6.jpg"/></a>

FZ Cruzer:
<a href="http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/stoke3/media/WARPED/IMG_20140426_121405_zps8831818b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/s/stoke3_WARPED_IMG_20140426_121405_zps8831818b.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20140426_121405_zps8831818b.jpg"/></a>

Bottom line is that we turned around after meeting a couple other guys (Afry and Kris) and did the rest of our riding at Kern River Brewing Co. Christ, that food was good. Know what else was good!? Their cider!:eek1 No bullhshit though, amazing stuff.

Walking to dinner, this is the scene, why the HELL have I never been here before!?:

<a href="http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/stoke3/media/WARPED/IMG_20140426_173524_zpsd245321a.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/s/stoke3_WARPED_IMG_20140426_173524_zpsd245321a.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20140426_173524_zpsd245321a.jpg"/></a>

Look at the dog. I love this dog. "Sunny" I believe was the name. This is when dinner first started. Good dinner too.

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Best hat ever? CA stu lurks in the photobomb section (hope that USB connection is not stealing too much power anymore man!)

<a href="http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/stoke3/media/WARPED/IMG_20140426_193605_zpscda725f0.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/s/stoke3_WARPED_IMG_20140426_193605_zpscda725f0.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20140426_193605_zpscda725f0.jpg"/></a>

Stopped in Johanesburg, CA for gas on the way back. I thought Joburg was in South Africa, what the hell. I am serious. Why does this place exist? It was weird and awesome at the same time. Notice the "Guns4U" sign in the background. It's like "cash4gold", but even better!

<a href="http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/stoke3/media/WARPED/IMG_20140427_120237_zps29b13f43.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/s/stoke3_WARPED_IMG_20140427_120237_zps29b13f43.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20140427_120237_zps29b13f43.jpg"/></a>

It got weirder. Had to take work call there, so wandered around gas station/post office while talking. Noticed this sign, which clearly says "bear" on it:

<a href="http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/stoke3/media/WARPED/IMG_20140427_120405_zpsd514d54c.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/s/stoke3_WARPED_IMG_20140427_120405_zpsd514d54c.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20140427_120405_zpsd514d54c.jpg"/></a>

And on this 50 gal drum; god knows if it had crisco in it, but seriously, did you guys put these weird digital bear stickers here!?

<a href="http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/stoke3/media/WARPED/IMG_20140427_120647_zpsba7f9ce3.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/s/stoke3_WARPED_IMG_20140427_120647_zpsba7f9ce3.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20140427_120647_zpsba7f9ce3.jpg"/></a>

No pics, but stopped later on to help some cruiser guys on the side of the 215 with guess what? A dead battery-jumper cables man, they solve a common problem!

***

I shit you not, randomly stopped off of the 15 outside of Temecula to snack and stretch out, and where do I stop but Rainbow, CA. After all the crap you guys gave me on this thread I just started laughing!

<a href="http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/stoke3/media/WARPED/IMG_20140427_143929_zps070c5650.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/s/stoke3_WARPED_IMG_20140427_143929_zps070c5650.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20140427_143929_zps070c5650.jpg"/></a>

And, the references kept rolling...unpacked, got cleaned up, and stopped by whole foods to grab some wine and what do I see:

<a href="http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/stoke3/media/WARPED/IMG_20140427_192837_zps70048dc9.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/s/stoke3_WARPED_IMG_20140427_192837_zps70048dc9.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20140427_192837_zps70048dc9.jpg"/></a>

I have now completed the bottle of wine because this post took waaaay longer than I thought (of course), but dammit man, what a great group of folks. So nice to finally be able to put faces to the names and meet some great humans. I hope to stay in touch with my new friends over time and can't wait to hang out again.

stoke

p.s.-ok, who's orange arai helmet was that hanging out in the men's bathroom for like three days with the sena charging who's light was always red?! I HAVE to know!!!

p.s.s.-no really. why did the light stay red the whole time? did the helmet smell like poop at all? serious question, guys were constantly wrecking house in the stalls next to the sinks :eek1

I think it was Aussie Eddie's helmet. I thought it was weird that he left it so long there, too.

Man, when we first heard of this "Warped" event, we talked it over, but it fell on a busy weekend in the midst of several busy weekends, so we decided we'd have to miss it. Reading all'ya'all's tales... We're thinking next year we'll have to re-prioritize. Instead, we attended the antique farm equipment show. It was good...







...But not great. Looks like you all had a great time.

Next year...

MV

Thank you so much for joining us this weekend. It wouldn't have been nearly as enjoyable without you. I'm amazed that you were able to ride all the way down and back in the truck without choking me to death.

Folks, I had an amazing time. Thanks so much to Mike for hosting such a great event. Gerg, you are the annual co-host of this event (except when you are also the primary host). The sheer amount of time, effort and expense that you put into this event is absolutely amazing. Thank you! Additionally, thanks to Scott, Bill, and all of you other folks who helped make this thing run so smoothly. You guys all kick some serious ass.

Cootz: You seem to fit right in with this crowd of crazy, drunk weirdos. Not sure that's a good thing.

Lastly: WE BEAT THE KNOBS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Randy, I passed you in Palmdale.

I followed you for several miles, and watched the wind gusts shift you around a bit. I could see your wheels noticeably canted over much of the time.

Looked like you were handling it with aplomb. I was clocking you about 65 IIRC.

Hope your smoking issue is minor. Cool rig you have.

Yep was my helmet. Had it plugged into the wrong USB hub. Was only getting .2 of an amp. No wonder it took so long. Oh it did go for some rides too.

Thanks to all for a great weekend!
Next year I'll be back on two wheels...
Cheers,
"The gimp on crutches"

You moved pretty quickly when new kegs were tapped..

Beer: Healer and pain killer.

Wen to DV on staurday






Cane creek road, snow and cold

On the way back riding on hot springs road

Chris Horgan emailed me this and thanks all of you for your donations!

WE BEAT THE KNOBS!

SOS RULES IN SEQUOIA!

huge success! big thanks to mike, gerg and the crew for all the hardwork.

great meeting new people whose names i'm familiar and finally able to put faces.

we all had a great time. warped was the destination. the ride from home to camp was a long one, we are gluttons when it comes to dirt and extreme weather. took us 9 hours from l.a. to camp with an hour or so to spare before the saturday night dinner and festivity. the weather that afternoon and on was perfect. thanks arnie and crew for the warm camp fire.

random pics on saturday PM
























let's beat the knobs!




great contribution from everyone for supporting SOS








shawn, the adv banner meister this event. thanks.

Didn't get much riding done while at Warped but here are a few picts from the ride up Yoko alley road to 190 down through Johnsondale and the same way back on Sunday. It was the first time I traveled on these roads. It won't be the last!





Not much snow up there!




https://troopersmototravelstmt.smugmug.com/Warped-X/i-XRkKz9s/0/M/IMG_0664-M.jpg

One of the only 2 shots taken at camp. Good onya mate!


The ride home.










https://troopersmototravelstmt.smugmug.com/Warped-X/i-NGnBnQR/0/M/IMG_0702-M.jpg

Good times.

Thanks to stoke for the loan of the jumper cables Saturday, SoCalRob and son for the company at the table and on the trail, Computerless and Dztracin for the neighborliness and safety meetings, everyone else for the general hospitality and campfire chat, and especially DaFoole and Co. who did an outstanding job with the logistics and organizing. Well done, men.

Everything was excellent, and I didn't suffer even a little hangover this year!

Thanks too to "Chris" for taking the responsibility of being campground slobbering drunk guy this time, you filled the role with aplomb.

Campground Drunk Emeritus
CA Stu

PS Ten for ten, baby.

Glad you stopped to take photos.. I was WAY too cold to stop do it and I was an hour later through there. We got to enjoy the last of winter 2013-14 !


Nice to meet new riders and good to see ones I have ridden with!


Great get together..