May 6th, 2017
In this video, I ride Jolene, my former 2004 Honda VTX 1300C, south on California highway 1, Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) from Ragged Point.
Continue readingPacific Coast Highway – South from Ragged Pont – May 6th, 2017
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Author Archives: Matthew
San Diego Hwy S-1 | Sunrise Highway with DeAndra | April 22, 2017
April 22, 2017
DeAndra and I ride east on the Sunrise Highway in San Diego County California, San Diego County Highway S-1.
We start east of Mount Laguna, California from CA Highway 79 and follow San Diego S-1 (Sunrise Highway) across Interstate 8 as we make our home in Chula Vista, California.
This was the conclusion of a full day of riding to include picking strawberries in Carlsbad, lunch and pie in Julian, and then back to Chula Vista.
Continue readingRide Up Palomar Mountain with DeAndra March 11, 2017
March 11, 2017
San Diego County Road S6 – South Grade Road
DeAndra and I ride Jolene, my former 2004 Honda VTX 1300C, up Palomar Mountain in San Diego County California.
Gemini Description of South Grade Road (S6)
Ascending the western slopes of Palomar Mountain, South Grade Road (S6) is a legendary stretch of asphalt renowned for its relentless complexity and breathtaking vistas. Often referred to as “the tight side,” this historic route gains approximately 3,000 feet in elevation over just seven miles, characterized by a dizzying sequence of 21 hairpin switchbacks. As drivers and cyclists navigate these technical curves, the landscape transitions rapidly from chaparral-covered foothills to dense forests of cedar and fir. The engineering of the road—originally improved in the 1930s to transport the massive 200-inch mirror for the Palomar Observatory—offers sweeping panoramic views of the Pauma Valley below, eventually terminating at the mountaintop plateau where the iconic silver dome sits against the sky.
| Feature | Detail |
| Elevation Gain | ~3,000 feet |
| Length | ~7 miles |
| Number of Hairpins | 21 |
| Peak Destination | Palomar Observatory (6,126 ft) |
California Hwy 94 Ride With DeAndra on Jolene
February 12, 2017
DeAndra and I ride on Jolene, 2004 Honda VTX 1300C, from Campo California towards Chula Vista California on CA Highway 94.
Dexter’s Last Tour – Deals Gap to Robbinsville North Carolina
September 13 2025
Dexter’s Last Tour – Deals Gap to Robbinsville North Carolina on US Highway 129.
The weekend touring trip of the North Carolina / Tennessee mountains was the last touring trip with Dexter, my 2005 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic. On October 4th, 2025, I put down the deposit to purchase Bruce, my 2025 Harley-Davison Pan America 1250 Special.
The final ride (excluding ride to Atlanta Harley-Davidson for trade in) was on October 10th, 2025 when DeAndra and I rode from Douglasville, GA to Newnan, GA to have lunch at Culver’s (about 67 miles round trip).
Continue readingSanteetlah Road & Joyce Kilmer Road – North Carolina
September 13, 2025
Not far from Robbinsville and Deals Gap North Carolina, I rode on Santeetlah Road and Joyce Kilmer Road on my way back to Deals Gap, North Carolina.
Joyce Kilmer road goes along a portion of Santeetlah Lake in the mountains of North Carolina just south of Tennessee. This was a very scenic ride with some nice-looking camp sites along the way that I may try and take advantage of in the future.
Bruce – 1000 Miles
2/28/2026
Today I rode 250 miles for another burger 🙂 Rode 250 miles round trip from Douglasville, GA to Burger Heaven in Birmingham, AL again but this time I had their 1-pound burger…hmmm beef.
Primary mission was to rack up some more miles to get to the 1000 miles mark on Bruce (my 2025 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special). Soon I will be taking Bruce into Atlanta Harley-Davidson for its 1000 mile service and will also have them install my aux lights and run some power leads under the fuel tank for me, at this point, I don’t want to monkey around with removing the fuel tank, that sounds like future fun but not now LOL.
Installed Touratech Works Foot pegs
February 26, 2026
This evening I installed the Touratech Works Foot pegs (low version). The low version is 20mm (0.8″) lower the Harley-Davidson’s stock foot pegs without rubber insert installed (I still had the rubber installed in mine). This will give me a little more leg room (about 1″ or so) which every little bit helps.
These also have a nice claw profile that is grippy on the boots without tearing them up like sharp teeth type grips. There are much wider than the OEM pegs and are easy to stand on (not that the OEM pegs were bad for standing). I do like that these Touratech pegs have wide openings that will allow dirt and mud to fall through and will not as easily allow mud buildup on the pegs.
Installation was pretty straight forward. Hardest part is pushing in the retention tab on the OEM foot peg pin. I used a small pick to depress the tab and then wiggled the pin out. Other than that, pretty easy to swap foot pegs.
I did have to adjust my shift lever and brake lever height afterwards as these foot pegs do sit a bit lower than the OEM foot pegs.
Here is a video by Camel ADV that shows how to remove the OEM pin for the foot pegs. This video is for a differnt brand of aftermarket foot pegs but the procedure is the same with exception that these Touratech foot pegs use their own spring and a cylinder.
Here is a link to the Touratech Works Foot Pegs for the Pan America
Accessories Installs Update for Bruce 2/23/2026
February 23, 2026
See video above for full details on recent installs.
Accessory Installs Since Last Update (2/16/26 – 2/23/26)
- Garmin – zūmo® XT2 6.0 Motorcycle Navigator | Link
- Garmin – Handlebar Controller | Link
- Garmin – Handlebar Controller and Group Ride Radio Y-Adapter Kit | Link
- Touratech TFT Display Anti-Theft Guard, Harley Davidson Pan America | Link
- GPS Mounting Bracket, Above Gauges, Harley Davidson Pan America | Link
Install Video for RFT Display Anti-Theft Guard & GPS Mounting Bracket - Touratech Locking GPS Mount for Garmin Zumo XT2, Tread 2 Powersport Edition | Link
- Touratech Quick-Release Aluminum Headlight Guard, Harley Davidson Pan America | Link
Install Video - A-1 Racing Handlebar Risers & Heel Guards | Link | Install Video
- Adventure Bike Pegs – GS1 Highway Peg Set | Link
- Barkbusters Aluminum Handguard Kit For Harley Pan America 2021-2026 | Link
Install Video - Barkbusters Replacement Storm Plastic Guards | Link
- Harley-Davidson Tank Knee Pad Kit | Link
Cherohala Skyway – Short Version
September 13th, 2025
Ride on the outstanding Cherohala Skyway from Tennessee to North Carolina.
This is a very scenic ride with fantastic sweeping curves, tighter technical curves and nice views of the Smoky Mountains.
Wanderlust Lyfe 