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July 23 Coast Ride ReportSaturday the 27th of July and it is cold this morning. With the cooler temps and then add the Delta Breeze you would think it was late march or something. This seemed to be the weather report for the full day.
With Rick, John Cox, Nick, and Jeff H present and ready to ride we headed for our first stop of the day in Winters. As we were headed down County Road 31 several balloons were taking off . Once in Winters the short tanks fuel and it was off to Lake Berryessa for the next stop. After some talk with the usual crowd at the market we headed for fuel in Calistoga.
From Calistoga we headed north on 128 to Geyserville to pick up 101 to Cloverdale for a fuel stop. From Cloverdale we rode up 128 to a little town called Philo. This is where we headed over to the coast by way of the Philo Greewood Road. Now this little road is a little rough but very scenic. You come out at Key on CA 1.
We then rode to Manhattan Beach for a lunch stop and check to be sure that all could make it to Gualala where the next fuel can be found.
With our bellies full we started the real fun California 1. This has to be one of the top ten roads in this state to ride if not the number 1 road. As you twist and turn your way down to Jenner before heading inland again. You travel through little town by the names of Gualala, Stewarts Point, and then enter the Salt Point state park with nothing for miles but Trees and short glimpses of the ocean. You brake out of the park and head to Walsh Landing , Fort Ross, then to Jenner to pick up 116 and into Forestville for fuel. Now 116 follows the Russian River and runs through the little town of Guerneville (not so little anymore). But always has something going on Saturday’s.
Once in Forestville we once again pointed our selves towards home. Once reaching Hwy 101 we went north to Healdsberg were we picked up Alexander Valley Road and once again we were on 128 to Calistoga and fuel. Once fueled up we were off to Winters non stop.
In Winters we made our plans for heading home our different ways. At Hwy 113 we split up and headed for the barn.
It was a great day for a great ride with a group I will ride with any day.
Till next time
Sparky Keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down June 28 Summer BBQ 2007Well folks we had a great time last Sunday at the club BBQ. With Jack & Jan, Alan, John & Gundi, Roger, Richard & Pam, Wayne & Marianne and Sparky gathered at Michelle house for eats. Sparky took charge of cooking with Gundi making sure he did not run out of food to cook. Thank you Gundi for the help. The fare consisted of 3 types of sausage and of course burgers. And all 3 types of sausage were very tasty. All in all everyone had a good time. Let's all thank Michelle for letting us use her home and all the time she put into making this BBQ a great success. Thank you Michelle Sparky Keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down June 06 Port Stockton MC Gold Rush Poker Run ride reportThis years trek to Stockton to join up with the Port of Stockton was a small one in all respects. We fielded 3 bikes with Sean, Troy and his girl friend Laura. We headed down Bradshaw to Grantline and on to Hwy 99 to Stockton and the club house.
As I was saying about small turnouts; this was a bad weekend for having a ride it seem with only about 85 bikes showed up for the ride.
So with our first punch of the poker card off we went on the annual fun ride. This year they gave us written instruction instead of the old lime marks on the road. We headed out of Stockton looking for the turn off and wouldn't you know CalTrans in there infinite wisdom removed the north bound off ramp signs so you could not tell what exit to take. We are almost back to Lodi and I turn us around and find the correct exit. Once back on course we headed to Linden on SR 26 for the first check point and the next punch of the card. Then continuing down 26 to Valley Springs and the next check point and a little walk around time. Once everybody was ready to roll again we headed up SR 26 to Mokelumne Hill. We tried to make a day of it but Sean's back was bothering him so he headed for home When we came to Hwy 49.
Sean one of these days you are going to make the full ride. Heal up soon.
Once we knew that Sean was able to get home under his own power we said our goodbyes and headed to Glencoe for the next checkpoint. From here we headed to West Point and on to Hwy 88 through Jackson and down into Stockton and back to the Club House.
Once back at the Club House there was plenty of food for all with a live band to boot. Troy won a Book on Harleys (a history of) as a door prize and I made off with a tee shirt for my door prize. as we were ready to hit the road again and they had not sold any raffle tickets this year we headed for home.
By the way the poker hands were:
Troy - Pair of Queens
Sparky - Pair of Seven's
Sean - A Chinese fire drill
All in all a good ride.
Till next time
Keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down May 30 Ione Hotel Dinner Ride ReportNow I must start this report stating that reservation for 15 trimmed to 10 and only 5 went to dinner. You all missed a great dinner. With our numbers dwindling I headed to Folsom with Rich in tow. Frank W met us at IHOP. As we were standing around chewing the fat, to our surprise Jacques and Sally pulled up on the Harley. They were in town for a few days and decided to trailer up the bike and join us for dinner. With all accounted for it was off to dinner. We took a different route this time and took Scott Road down past the boy’s ranch over to Latrobe rd then to Hwy 16 up to Ione Rd and to the hotel. This is a very nice ride. Dinner was outstanding according to all that attended. They were very pleased with the fare provided by the Ione Hotel. Good Friends, good food and a good ride. What more can you ask for?
Keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down May 22 Carson City Overnighter ride reportFor those who missed out this year this was a great weekend to do this ride. The weather was absolutely great. Not to warm and not to cool.
With John and Gundi, Bob and Sue Marshall, Roger, Rick, And one of our newest riders Wayne in tow we headed to Plymouth for our first stop of the day. We kept the speed to limit and with little traffic we were making good time.
After the stop in Plymouth we headed up the Fiddletown road to Silver Lake Road to Hwy 88. This was by far the best part of the ride (except about 100 yards of road in Fiddletown). Every tree and bush was in full leaf and flower. This made for a very enjoyable ride.
We turned on to Hwy 88 and headed for the Big Bear Reservoir overlook for the next rest stop. The day was not to bad for haze and we could see quite a ways. We also noticed the lack of snow that we saw near the road even at 8000 ft. But you see some on the surrounding peaks.
Once everybody was ready we headed to Kirkwood for a short bio break. This would take us down to Silver Lake then over the Carson Spur and down to Kirkwood. This is a nice stop were you can have lunch or if you need there is fuel available.
Then we headed out past Caples Lake which is the coldest spot on this trip. As you wind around the lake you can feel the coolness of the air with snow still down to the lake. Then down the grade to Hwy 89 and then Hwy 4 where Rick peeled off headed for Ebbetts Pass.
We rolled into the hotel at just after 2. Like I said we made good time on this trip. Once the bikes were unloaded Wayne headed for home by way of Hwy 50 and Tahoe.
Bob and Sue had not been to Virginia City and since it was early yet we all checked into the hotel and Bob, Sue and Sparky headed up to Virginia City for lunch and walking the town. And of course you have to stop at Grandma's Fudge Factory for some of the best fudge you can buy. Not finding much to spend money on we headed back to the hotel and dinner.
Dinner was at the Station Grill. This is a very nice restaurant. Food is good and the prices to match.
After dinner it was back to the Hotel and the Casino and bar. When we arrived the band was just starting up so John, Gundi and Roger found a table and the rest of us join them shortly after.
A very enjoyable evening was had by all.
Sunday morning it was up early for some of us but breakfast was at 9. At 10 we hit the road for home. As John and Gundi along with Bob and Sue wanted to get back to town by 2 Sparky hit the throttle and held it at limit sometimes a little over we headed for the Mormon Emigrant Trail. This was still closed so it way back the way we came and back to Plymouth. Once in Plymouth John & Gundi, Bob and Sue kept going as Sparky and Roger made a Bio stop and something to drink for Roger.
Sparky and Roger split up from there making our own way home.
A most enjoyable ride with good weather, good food, good entertainment, but most of all good friends to share our time with, what more can you ask for in life.
Thank you to Bob and Sue Marshall for the additional pic's
Until next time
Keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down May 09 Jamestown Ride reportSunday was a great day for a ride not to hot and not to cool. And for the morning no wind.
Tall Paul, Jeff Nichols, Bob and Sue Marshall, Alan Friedman, Rick Brown, Sparky and daughter Brandy joined together for lunch in Jamestown. We headed out of IHOP in Folsom out our usual route to Ione for the first stop of the day. For a change all the traffic was headed the other way so we were able to make very good time at limit to Ione.
After fuel for the little tanks we headed out to Spring Valley.
We had to stop for awhile as Sue decided to test the laws of physics. Basically she forgot to lean in the turn and went wide. She came to a rest in deep grass and the fact that she had slowed down before leaving the roadway stopped any real damage to rider or bike. We all checked the bike out and Bob took it down the road a bit before we started up again. With Sue ready to jump back on her iron steed it was off to Spring Valley.
Well rested and Sue's bike cleaned up we headed out HWY 26 to Jenny Lind Rd to Milton Rd to Hunt Rd. Now Hunt rd meanders down thru the ranches at the north end of Salt Spring Lake and over to Copperopolis. Hunt road cannot claim the title of road. It is one continuous patch. We will find another way around that next time. At the end of Hunt Road is HWY 4 and the smooth road was a welcome site by all. Then it was down to Copperopolis and over to HWY 108. This took us into Jamestown.
Once we found a place to park we headed over to Morelia Mexican Restaurant. This is down and across the street from the Smoke Cafe were we have had lunch on past ride to Jamestown.
Morelia Mexican Restaurant is a nice place to eat with low prices and good food. A good alternative for the next time we are in Jamestown.
With our bellies full and walking around town done it was saddle up time. We fuelled up and headed out HWY 108 to 49 and home. The HWY at the 108 and 49 interchange has changed a lot. What use to be a left turn to hit 49 from 108 is now a turn off and underpass. So to say the least I am keeping up the tradition of U turns. Have to work on that.
Once back to the 49 108 interchange we were once more on track.
One nice part of 49 is that now you by pass Sutter Creek and Amador City with the new road and drop into Drytown. This is much faster and safer than before.
Once we hit Hwy 16 Sparky and daughter headed to Placerville in search of wind chimes for the wife birthday. The rest headed home.
So till next time.
Keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down April 09 Georgetown Ride Report6 Bikes with 8 hungry rides and passengers (John Rose, Richard Moore, Allen, Doug& Julie and a guest rider by the name of Paul & Girlfriend sorry forgot their names, Hoppy joined us in Georgetown) headed out on a grey morning to find snow and good food. Well we found both. The crew headed out of Folsom by way of Salmon Falls Road to Pilot Hill for our first break of the day. The road was dry and with sparky in the lead the Road Cruisers we rolling at limit and other than the crotch-rockets it was a very enjoyable ride.
After the break at Pilot Hill we headed up 193 to Georgetown and took a ride up Wentworth Springs Rd. About 45 min down the road from Georgetown Sparky tried out his skiing talents (none to be found) when we happened upon snow covering the road. To say the least i came to a stop in a predicament that caused me to cross the snow as there was too much ice where i came to a stop to turn around. So off Sparky goes and almost made it to the dry asphalt when i felt it all going south. So i decided i better go down now and no half on half off the snow. So i hit my brake and down i went. No damage as the saddle bags held up the bike and i was only moving at a walk so i fell off laughing. Picked up the bike and walked it out to the dry pavement. Unbeknown to me at the time Paul decided to folllow after me (even though i told not to). He made it through no problem. After inspecting the bike i fired it up and drive it back over the snow and without as much as a twitch i was on the otrher side. Now for Paul he got stuck and several others pushed him out.
With both bikes out and all having fun with at Sparky's expense we headed back up the hill and to lunch.
We met Paul and Diane at Parra's Mexican Restaurant. Hoppy was not feeling well so he headed home.
The Food was good and Parra's id now on the list for eats in Georgetown.
Once fed and farwells we said the Paul and Diane the group headed down the road going back the same way to Folsom and home.
It was a good ride and we will do this again with out the skiing next time.
Till the next ride
Ride safe
Sparky Keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down March 20 Sugar Barge Ride ReportWhat a beautiful day for a ride. With Jack & Jan, Bob & Sue, Frank M, Allan, Jeff H, John F. and a guest by the name of Elsa in tow we headed down the river road for our first stop in Rio Vista. There was no traffic on the S. River Rd. so we were able to cruise at limit. With Sparky in the lead holding a good pace we wound our way thru Clarkburg, Crossed the River just beforeIsleton and passed thru the town of Isleton. For our guest Elsa this trip was a total first experience. The first time for a long ride, Grated bridges, Wind, High Bridges and a ferry ride. Elsa rides a Suzuki Burgman 400na Scooter. Well her first taste of a metal roadway was the bridge just before Isleton.
After our stop in Rio Vista we headed over to the Antioch Bridge and on to the Sugar Barge for lunch.
The Sugar Barge was short handed so we were not able to go upstairs to have lunch in the sun. But they did provide a room just for us. The service was a little slow but the fare was good and by some of the group a good place to eat. So we will add this to places to list of future rides. The way home took us back over the bridge (after stopping to pay the toll. Have to find another way there) and back to Rio Vista for a short brake then on to the ferry and up Grand Island to Courtland and Hwy 160 to Freeport and home. A good ride was had by all.
See you on the next ride.
Sparky Keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down March 06 Ironstone Winery 3/3/2007Well folks this was a great ride. With Spaky towing Roger, Allen, Frank McKee, Jeff Haymore and a couple guest riders joined us by the name of Paul and Liz it was down the road we went.
We took the ride to Ione for the first stop of the day. From there we headed over to Pardee dam then down to Valley Spring for the second stop. From there is was out hwy 12 to 49 where we caught Pool Station Rd. We then took Hwy 4 up to the grade and into Murphy's and the Ironstone winery.
With lunch consumed and a little walk around we headed for home. The trip took us straight down hwy 49 as this was the quickest way home for some.
A very nice ride indeed.
And Yes there was snow on the ground at the Winery.
Till next time
Sparky February 18 Napa Valley Ride Report 2/2007Folks this was one of the nicest day in February for a ride. The temp was right and the weather could not have been better.
7 bike carrying 8 road warriors left Lyons for a day of great roads and scenery. Roger, John Cox, Allen Jeff Haymore, Jeff and Dawn Nichols and of course Johns friend Gary followed Sparky thru the hills and valleys to Calistoga for a great lunch at Busters. We made the usual stops in Winters and the little market at Berryessa. Then we made our way over to Angwin and up thru the windy forest road that everyone loves.
With full bellies we headed north to Clear Lake and then down Hwy 20 to Hwy 16 for a ride down Cache Creek thru Rumsey, Guinda where we stopped at the local market (Allen's place is what we are calling it) for a short break. Before we declared donor status (mosquitoes) we headed out for woodland for our final stop of the day.
With those who needed fuel we made our goodbyes and wished all a good ride home the group split up and made you way home.
It was a good ride with great people to enjoy it with.
Sorry no Pic's this ride.
Till next time my black top knights
Keep the rubber side down
And the shiny side up
Good riding
Robert Stowers (Sparky) December 09 2006 Nevada City Food and Toy RunIt was wet is all i can say. Sparky and his daughter Brandy got to Carrows and noone else decided to brave the rain. At 9 am the rain had stopped but the roads were wet. The traffic was lite but several (must be newbies in California) cars had a hard time making the on and off ramps as we saw them off the road and tow trucks making money. Other than the road wet we did not see any rain untill Grass Valley. Once in Grass Valley it had become a lite mist for the most part (the type that really soaks you).
Once we arrived at Nevada City at the county goverment bldg we noticed that there were very few riders. We figured that this might be a very poor showing for the kids. But as we got closer to the Noon time start the bikes were coming in in droves. Everybody loaded with toys for the little ones. Yes Santa does ride a motorcycle.
We snaked our way through Nevada City to Grass Valley with the streets lined (much smaller crowd this year. Must have been the rain) with well wishers and kids. We ended this wet trek at the Nevada County Fair Grounds where we gladly left our gifts of toys and food.
Knowing that the children would soon be there to receive their gifts many of the Santa's (myself included) made a hasty retreat to home so that we would not be found out. We left the elves to hand out the toys and food to those who so need this help each year.
The number of vendors were up this year selling everything from books to leathers. This maybe growing to something larger in the coming years.
The homeward ride was wet all the way home.
From Thom Staser
Thanks Sparky. We had 414 bikes, and were able to feed over 400 families, with help from a lot of people like you and your friends! Thank you very much!
xo
Thom
p.s. You have a very polite daughter. Sparky November 12 Veteran's Day ride to Yountville 2006Woke up about 6:00 to rain. By 6:30 it was down to a sprinkle. Shortly there after all rain had stopped and all there was is road wet. As the weather was very wet i figured there would be a no show and i would rethink this ride. But out of nowhere Rick Brown showed up and was ready to ride. By 8 am no other riders had ventured out, So on the road we went.
From Lyons we jumped on to 5 and the caught 80 .Coming into Davis we started to see the the fog. This is caused by cars and trucks kicking up the water. Keeping the speed respectful of conditions it took us just under an hour to get to the Harley shop in Vacaville. Our bikes were covered in road grime (this may take some time to get cleaned up).
Rick and I went into the shop insearch of coffee. Rich found the coffee and i wondered around for a while checking out gloves then headed outside to swap tales about our latest rides when up rides Ron. Ron has completed 48 states this year. He mentioned that the ride was about 1400 miles.
Ron headed for registration and up rides Walt, Valerie, Dave McNabb, Dave Vogel and 2 passengers for the day. Both the gentelmen served in WWII.
Once everybody was registered there was a report of an accident just west and the traffic was backed up on west bound. So Walt and his group headed out in case this was true and another route could be found or split lane throught it. The reported backup did not appear. Rick, Ron and myself headed out shortly after with a sprinkle of rain again. The traffic was the normal for the area just keep ones head on the old swivle really helps. The rain quit on Hwy 12 but where i am not sure. By the time we got to Yountville the roads were starting to dry out.
We arrived early and as far as we know there was no parade this year.
The crowd was very small this year. At one point there were more of the veterans from the home than bikers. About noon the last group of riders made it into the home. we stood around untill 1:30 when they had the drawings. No winners here, So home we headed. It seems walt's group had already headed out.
We left Ron at Hwy 12 as we headed for Sac town. Hwy 80 was at a crawl for no apparent reason. So Rick and I split laned until we got to the faster traffic and kind of split our way out of Fairfield. I split off at 5 and headed for the barn. Rick took 80 to Roseville.
For the most part it was cold and wet. But Saturday was one of those days were the weather means nothing copared to the feeling of meeting with those who went before you.
See you on the next ride. July 03 Why Do We Ride?Why Do We Ride? Why do we do this, you ask? Why bother to stand out in wind and rain for someone unknown? Why do we ride through torrents chilled to the bone? The answer is simple: “Because, Never Again!” Never again will they return home in shame, Never again will wearing their uniform cause them pain. Never again will we forget why they serve. No, Never Again. But still I hear you say “Why does it matter to you?” “They aren’t your friends, your brothers, your sisters, your father, your mother.” War is a sad time for many; it is sad but true. So, why do you gather in the gap between their families and their foes? The answer is simple: “Because, Never Again!” Never again will grieving parents, families and friends alone bear mourning’s toil. Never again will hard-won freedom of speech be used to debase and destroy. Never again will their sacrifice be dishonored upon their home soil. No, Never Again. Why do we gather, why do we ride? Why travel this country far and wide? We remember our grandfathers, fathers, brothers and others yet to come. We stand proud through tears reflecting their courage and pride. Because, Never Again. That’s why we ride. Written in memory of: Henry C. Barrows ~ Army, WWI (Great-Uncle) Cecil A. Bray ~ Army paratrooper, WWII (Father) In honor of: Garrett C. Bray ~ Navy, Viet Nam (Brother) Donald A. Dinsmore ~ Marines & Army (Husband) and All Patriot Guard Members Laurel B. Dinsmore May 8, 2006 |
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