Why We Ride
By Gary Steinweg

Occasionally I'll post a short article on some ride I've just taken in the San Diego area. I've also posted stuff to the good reading section on the SDMC website. I've gotten several responses to my items, and a common theme seems to be emerging. I'm repeatedly asked "where's a good place to ride in San Diego."

I find myself a little befuddled by this question since almost every road east of I-15/805 is great motorcycling road, from the Mexico border to Temecula. In addition, in the north county, there's a number of really great roads west of the I-15 that take you to the coast. Most of the roads I've just cited have very little traffic on them, they're in great condition, and they twist and curve all over the place. Many of them go through good scenery too, depending on what you prefer.

So, why do people who have owned a motorcycle in San Diego a number of years keep asking this question? I think I've divined at least a partial answer. I'll get to that in a minute, first some
background.

I've lived in San Diego for close to 20 years. Up until a year ago, I didn't think there were any good places to ride here either. But now I realize there are hundreds of miles of GREAT motorcycle road. What changed?

What changed was my motivation. Up until just recently, a motorcycle ride had to take me somewhere to do something. Most of what there is to do in San Diego is accessible via the freeway. With the exception of Julian, those hundreds of miles of back-country road really don't
take you anywhere. Consequently, why bother with a motorcycle to go somewhere on a freeway where you increase your chance of injury, have to wear a helmet, and can't carry much with you.

NOW my main purpose for going on a ride is to enjoy the ride itself. This includes the smells, the leaning and swaying, the rising and falling, the passing hills, trees, flowers and canyons. I don't have a destination when I ride any more. All those roads that really don't go anywhere don't have much cage traffic on them either. For the same reason. They don't really go anywhere.

So, I suspect the reason I'm asked that question so often is because those asking the question are still thinking destination, and there aren't very many destinations out there on those twisting curving roads. I should have come up with this sooner since my wife only goes with me about 10% of the time, and only when we've got a destination, and something to do when we get there. She's ridden with me to Julian, up the Cuyamaca TO JULIAN, to Fallbrook (fabric and quilt shops), to an outdoor restaurant in Del Mar at sunset. She's ridden several other times in addition, but there's always been a destination and a purpose for going there.

I have to also concede that the ride isn't as much fun for the passenger as it is for the driver. The driver gets to lean it over, see all the sights, anticipate the bumps, etc. The passenger gets to look to one side or the other, just hang on, and get surprised by the bumps. It can't be as much fun. So, if part of your criteria for going on a ride includes taking a wife or girlfriend, your motivation for having a destination and something to do when you get there is amplified.

And that's why I think so many motorcyclists ask where there's a good place to ride in San Diego.