Because of our scheduled after-meeting ride over a couple of Sierra Mountain passes, we were to have an early and short meeting. As it turned out a good number of folks had to bow out of the ride including the "CD" (nursing a post-operative Golden Retriever). Steve Foster was still trying to get over an ailing back, a long ride would not have been beneficial and others may have just been deterred by the forecast heat. But still, our steady Tour Director had a group ready to ride; albeit a change to the cooler coastline (the ride over the two pass will be set aside for another day).
We had some new and new/old faces at the gathering. A new friend of Bruce (Randy) came to join us. He rides a very nice looking BMW. Our friend Gloria Fluhart from Alabama was again visiting her daughter and stopped by to say hello. We also had Bruce's brother in-law Tom come over for breakfast. Tom has ridden with us before I believe it was last year some time on his Harley. Tim and Robin Hallock brought along their son Matthew. Matthew rode with Dad for the after-meeting ride. Tom and Barb Jefferies were on hand too. And a surprise visit by our old mate Mark Radtke. I would say all the way from Missouri but it was really by way of Washington where he and the Jefferies were up visiting with Mark's children. Mark looked kinda neat for a biker. He was also sporting a new look with these long locks that looked well combed. I found out later why he looked so neat, he drove in his pick-up with his Wing piggy backed. It's a long story that has Tom Jefferies written all over it.
It was a fun gathering until near the end when it was time for the Wing Nut award. The nomination and award process started and ended pretty quickly. Since John Camacho was not present, I had the honor of the duty. I was softly stating something to the effect that I may not qualify as a wingnut awardee, well that was enough for Tom Jefferies to jump all over that stupid remark and buffalo the wingnut on me. As I saw it... it was a clear pre-emptive attack (albeit successful) to deflect the possibility of his receiving the award for his and Mark's adventure or mis-adventure during the ride to this year's Wing Ding. The story goes; on the ride to Oklahoma for Wing Ding somewhere in Colorado the group was maneuvering when Tom's Wing suddenly had it's transmission and wheel lock-up causing him to crash (not sure if Barb was on the ride or not). Tom came out of it okay but the bike was done. They were able to get it to Honda at Montrose, CO where they said it would take several weeks to repair the transmission damage. Tom's formerly conjoined twin brother Mark decided to help out and drive his pickup 850 miles from his farm in Missouri to pick up Tom and the bike. They then drove back to Missouri and later to Wing Ding. After WingDing, Tom drove the pickup with his bike in tow back to California with Mark riding his bike to keep him out of trouble. These acts of generosity and Tom's sheer bad luck would surely have won either one of them the WingNut Award!!! However, there was a grace-saving moment for me as I later won 50/50!!!
I should mention June's Wingnut "winner" Jack Fischer couldn't stay for the meeting as he had to rush back to Sunny for another obligation. He did confess to somehow losing the coveted award stating it must've been "borrowed" while he was at work. To make up, he threw money at us. We forgave him...
We found out Gary Cooper was going into San Ramon Hospital for some "test" and would more than likely be staying for the weekend. "Testing for the weekend?" Well, that sure sounded pretty serious. So a few of us not going on the ride decided to go pay Gary a visit right after the meeting. Turnsout it was serious, his diagnosis wasn't complete but the current thinking was a Staff infection. But he was in good spirit and we had a good conversation. There's good progress with his opening a "Dickey's BBQ" restaurant in Livermore and maybe if things work out, we could possibly move our breakfast meetings there. - Alan
Beemer riding Randy |
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Tim & Robin Hallock with son Matthew |
Gloria Fluhart with Mark Trademann |
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Mark Radtke showing up all the muscle he's developing working at the farm. |
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Gary Cooper recuperating at San Ramon Hospital. |
Bruce's Ride report
July 18, 2009- Three Climates ride
(Formally known as Two Passes Ride)
With Temps forecast in the mid hundreds for the Central Valley , many folks didn't want to go. Alan wanted to go but had to take care of a sick friend, he just looked out the window, wistfully at the horizon.
So our intrepid band of four bikes decided we were flexible and headed west towards the balmy Bay, temps in the low 70's, some twisties and green foliage.
……and anything we want…..
So off towards LaHonda we go in search of ……..Harleys ???
Nope…..fog. There she be matey ..dead-ahead…wonderful & chilly it was too.
After visiting Santa Cruz and Monterey it was time to hop over Hwy 68 to Salinas and the temps started climbing.
Temps were now in the 80's and as we entered Gilroy from the south on Hwy 101 the temps jumped into the high
90's…reminding me that a preacher friend of mine says that, “ Gilroy isn't in Hell, but you can see it from there.”
Soon we were in sight of the “brown, brown grass of home” and remembered the chilly coastal ride we had on a very hot day in July 2009.