Why real Velocette riders don't wear bell bottoms

[Thruxton71]

It was the 1952 MAC's turn to roll down the road, and all went well.. until.

At the Gas Station were a 1978 Norton Commando, a 60'd Norton SS650, a 2004 BMW R1150 RT, Two miatas, and my 1952 MAC.

The new route, today, was down the side roads to Ventura to meet another rider at Art's Corner Cafe (https://www.artscornercafe.com/), a good ol' boy eatery, with the famous Art's corner cakes. Dark Miata had to go to Von's before leaving to purchase a bottle of real maple syrup in anticipation of his favorite pancakes.

Out to the avenue, then a game of follow the Commando on a series of turns and more turns that only he could imagine as a route, putting us directly in the parking lot. No crowd! We got a large inside table.

After torturing the server asking for the senior discount (no longer available) and separate checks (no problem) we were served and out the door. This is where the trouble started. I kicked the MAC to life, but unknown to me, my floppy bell bottom got tangled in the kick starter. So, when I came to a stop at the edge of the lot, and tried to put my right foot down, NO LUCK, and over I toppled, bike on top of me. Damn.

After an embarrassing rescue of the bike and I, I was off again, following the Commando to Grant park (https://visitventuraca.com/business/ser ... rant-park/) where I came up with the brilliant plan to tuck my pant legs into my tall Aerostich boots (https://www.aerostich.com/aerostich-com ... ots-1.html), thus avoiding any more serious wardrobe errors.

The view from this park is unique, and lets one see the verge between farming, oil exploration, and housing, all in one glance. Not only that, there was a yoga class starting, but we didn't stay. Up the avenue, to another favorite road, Canada Larga, a dead end run of 4 very interesting rolling hills and sharp turns. And a cattle grate from heck, if you are on a rigid. Actually, there is a gate at the end which can be opened to go further, but we never do. The road runs through a large expanse of undeveloped land, and I am sure that will change. It is relatively near the ocean.

Back out to the Avenue, past the clusters of semi permanent campers on the side of the road (close the the ocean? Did I mention?) and up to Santa Ana road, which runs into Ojai on the Lake side of the river bed, and is always good for a lively ride. Cut away from the lake on Burnham, which butts into 150 from Santa Barbara, then a right turn to 33, then to home.

Next weekend is my rally in Ojai for the old Velocette crowd, at the Owl group campsite at Lake Casitas. The 9th and the 10th.. mostly on the 9th, a ride up 33 on the 10th. There have been scattered showers today in Ojai!!! No rain for months, and showers in the forecast. Great.

From Ojai,

Velocette rider.