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San Diego State Route S2 on S2R Monster
On November 6th, 2006 I went for a motorcycle ride. State Route S2 on the S2R would be an objective. Even though it was a little late.
At 3P earlier today I decided to continue to “run in” my new 2007 S2R. I took ownership of this machine last Thursday, and in preparation for a Willow Springs track day early next week I have a goal of getting 600 miles on the bike. I want to finish its initial service and also get it in to have the Termingogni exhaust upgrade completed.
Here in SOCal we are experiencing a Santa Ana wind. Yesterday’s riding was tremendous. Today, as the temperature soared to 88 degrees on November 6, riding would be equally wonderful.
The sky was clear blue. The road to Julian CA from Ramona was empty. The Ducati was in fine form.
The thirty mile jaunt from my home up to Julian seemed to fly by. The S2R creates a rhythmic thunder. It has a meditative effect. It seems a paradox how power can be meditative. But it is. Ducati owners, and motorcycle owners in general, know this feeling. It isn’t just the deep strength of the bike, but many other factors come into play that puts us in the moment when we ride.
We are instinctively aware of our surroundings. I was today. On the way up to Julian the beautiful adjacent ranches were in full glory. The fall adds a dose of color not often seen in these parts. More often this time of year we see fires. The twisties of the Julian Highway are well known amongst Southern California cyclists. Today they were empty. Going east in the late afternoon is a wonderful thing. The shadows are long. Shade is frequent under the canopy of trees. And breezes are warm and golden. Getting to Julian was effortless.
I chose to stop for a nice Italian meal in town. On most days I’d feel consumed by the pressures of my own making. I’d feel a need to get back home – seven miles west of Ramona. I didn’t have much to do. But that normally doesn’t matter. I should be getting home because, well, I should be getting home. Responsibilities surely are lining up.
Today I went against the wind - literally. It was such a remarkable afternoon. After my meal the sun was beginning to set and I hopped on the S2R and headed for S2. I’m not sure if I intended to complete this ride, but once I started Phase 2, I quickly determined I was going all the way across this route where settlers died, and rattlesnakes relax on the streets.
State Route S2 is located east and a little South of Julian CA. After a twisty ride down about 3000 feet into the Desert the road opens. State Route S2 isn’t too far down that stretch. Once on this swath it heads south towards the Imperial Valley. But it is a gorgeous stretch of 40 miles getting there. It passes through some pristine and unique country. And tonight’s full moon provided great promise for an epic journey.
After tooling through a Border Patrol checkpoint I began my real S2 journey. The agent looked at my black Monster with white stripe, my Arai helmet, and must have determined I wasn’t escaping Mexico. In fact, today I was escaping the United States. Fearing no one I wound the throttle and hauled ass into the expanse of mountains, valleys, hills, false summits, and moonlit sage that is also know as the Great Overland Stage Route. If you own a dirt bike or dual sport you can go hunt down old stage coach stops. You can ride through washes, across deep sand, and through some serious hoo doos. I wouldn’t be doing that tonight.
The S2R1000 isn’t designed for that. It is designed to hum along at a very fast speed, in total control. The rhythmic journey was continuing. The S2R’s L Twin was thumping along. The temperatures were cool. The bike was happy. I was happy. After five miles State Route S2 rises steeply and then drops precipitously into a long valley. The desert mountains peak on both sides and you feel away from everything - everything. In tonight’s moon there was great texture in the hills. One could easily see sage and large rocks, and striations where moisture had created erosion and parallel washes in the hills. I rode along wondering if any strange animals might greet me tonight. None did.
In short order I was to Agua Calliente and then to the top of Canyon Sin Nobre, a deeply rutted and beaten area where stage coaches made many attempts to pass. Its name, Sin Nobre, reeks of something sinister and difficult. And it is – if you are off road. But I rode the twisties to the top of this canyon and then absolutely cruised along this old deserted desert road for 40 miles. One car passed me – one. What a quiet evening, save the Ducati’s rhythmic power.
I own a BMW R1200GS and got it stuck not too far from Canyon Sin Nobre on Christmas Day in 2004. Confidently riding the bike along the Vallecito Wash, pursuant to GPS instructions, I rode the machine into deep water. You wouldn’t think that deep water would be out in the middle of fucking nowhere. But it was. I walked for an hour seeking help. I made it back just in time to miss a Christmas event to which I was invited. That was ok. My ride was epic. How often can you ride a 500 pound motorcycle into a wash and just step off the thing. It was stuck in such deep sand and water, I just stepped off of it and it remained standing. I found help after a wonderful afternoon stroll across the wash.
The Ducati strode into Imperial Valley at about 7P. I stopped for a quick bottle of water and began the last part of my 170 mile journey by heading straight west into San Diego on Interstate 8. I thought my fantastic journey would be limited to S2, but the 8 proved to be just as fun. Quickly rising to 4000 feet from the Valley floor, the highway was utterly empty. The expanse of concrete made for fun riding on the new Duc. I looked around in the moonlight and considered doing this ride again tomorrow evening. Temperatures dropped, then rose, then dropped, then rose. Massive bridges over canyons were crossed. The Ducati hammered along at 209 to 214 degrees, even at high speeds. San Diego was 67 miles away. The moon was at my back now. And the air was so fresh I wished I could take it with me.
The Ducati was in its element. I am becoming a Ducati fan very quickly. I love the way it performed tonight. It is hard to describe the character of a machine. Ducati’s aren’t Harley loud. But they are loud. They aren’t MV Augusta artistic. But they ride like a ballet dancer dances. Monsters don’t brag. But they boast with every stroke of a cylinder. They don’t request attention. They command it. And they get it. I stopped twice and I was approached by the inquisitive each time.
I was astonished at the rhythmic hum of my S2R. It was the best 170 miles I’ve spent on a motorcycle. Twisties, throttle up, throttle down, fresh air, desert expanse, cold and warmth. It was all good. After only a few days of riding I’m up into the 400+ mile range on the S2R1k. Maybe tomorrow I’ll make it to 600. Just in time.
All the Best.
John
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