Velocette MAC on a SoCal BSA ride

[Thruxton71]

It is easy to drive the 101 through Ventura and miss the vibrant farming activity just a few miles off the freeway. This last Sunday I attended one of my favorite local rides organized by the BSA club of Southern California (https://bsaocsc.org/) a gentle romp on small farm roads winding across the coastal plain and valleys, ending up crossing two small mountain ranges and stopping for Lunch in Ojai.

I decided to ride my easy to start and reliable 1952 Velocette MAC which, although down on horsepower, is perfectly suited for the types of roads we would be riding. I started in Ojai, riding down 33 to the 101 (it was early, so I could maintain and easy pace without getting run over) and taking the side roads along the coast to avoid the busy 101 going into Oxnard. There was little traffic and the MAC enjoyed the coastal temperatures, loping along in an easy thump.

I arrived very early and was able to watch the small group of other riders roll in, unloading their rides from various trucks and exchange the greetings of old friends. I got caught up on Norton John's recovery from a close friend, and had time to do a Velocette clutch adjustment demonstration, as I felt I would need every one of the 17 horses for the rest of the ride.

This ride traditionally has a very detailed route sheet, and I was able to tape it to my riding jacket sleeve, making it easy to check, which helped, as I was kickstand up and out before others, and became the de facto ride leader. My big mistake, as I had zeroed out my speedo at the nearby gas station, was covering up the mileage associated with each turn, and there were many turns. But it all worked out.

It was a good idea to have me lead, as a 1952 MAC, ridden responsibly (of course) at best sets a mellow and sedate pace. Which was required for me, as I wasn't familiar with all the turns and road features. There were almost 100 percent modern bikes in the following pack, except for a real nice 500cc Triumph, one of my favorite twins, so it would have been easy to overtake me and zoom off, but they were very restrained. I hope they enjoyed the scenery. We went from fields of strawberries to orchards of Avocados to stables of ..what were those things? Llamas? goats? who knows.

We wound around, ending up on Grimes, which drops down into Fillmore and intersects South Mountain road, a fast bumpy bit of tarmac leading into Santa Paula. Finally, I was back on familiar roads and could relax. Once in Santa Paula, it was an other small climb up to the Summit then down into Ojai.

I don't see a lot in my rear view, but I do check occasionally, and what was once a sea of nice bright headlights was now an empty space. Somewhere between Santa Paula and Dennison grade, and the subsequent Pizza place, I lost the group!! I don't think it was my blinding speed, maybe they all got so bored, they were falling asleep. I waited for quite a while at the Pizza place, then headed home. I finally reached the sag wagon driver, and they had all stopped at a park in Santa Paula... for what I don't know.. bathrooms?? maybe.. I didn't ask.

Another wonderful ride on my MAC... these days every ride I get home from is a very good one.

Cheers from Ojai.