Stockton Motorcycle club Sonora Pass Ride July 21, 2013

The Stockton Motorcycle Club had our annual Sonora Pass Ride Sunday July 21, 2013. We go up and over Sonora Pass, Monitor Pass and Ebbetts Pass.  Our day started at 7:30 as we left Stockton and headed for Knights Ferry and the 50's Diner. Breakfast may be better with the new owners.

Next we head up Hwy 108  and stop for gas east of Sonora.

Now we are ready to head up the mountain and Dardanelles.  Water and potty break and make sure everyone is still with us.  Had two newer riders and we had told them to ride at their confort level, we would wait for them.

Roger and Bob

 

 Bill Wollner from Post Stockton MC

Henry Harvey 

Up and over Sonora Pass and lunch at Walker Barbeque. Some of the best around and a great place to stop for lunch. Temperature was approaching 100 in Walker. We could see dark clouds to the east and though we could be wet before the day was over.

Ken and Coby

Roger at lunch

This dog got up to check for scraps and then went back to this same spot. He did not like the heat.

After lunch we headed north to Monitor Pass. Just as we started to climb Monitor Pass Bill Wollner's new BMW died and would not restart. Roger, Mike and Colby stayed to help Bill Wollner and I took off to catch Fred, Ken, Bob and Henry.  After I caught them we waited for Colby who said Bill Wollner was going to spend the night in Topez and get the BMW towed to a dealer.

Ken had Mint Tits to share.

Never had a Mint Tit.

Henry Harvey had a bee get under his shield and it stung him above his left eye.

We headed for Ebbetts Pass and the dark clouds. Dark turned to rain and rain turned to hail. Temp dropped to 56 degrees after being over 100 just a little while ago. Bob, Fred, Ken and I continued on to Lake Alpine to waited for everyone to catch up. Dry when we got to Lake Alpine but the rain moved in on us. We had the right gear to ride in the rain, Colby and Scott not so much.

My bike getting rinsed in the rain

Henry breaking out the rain coat.

Colby and Scott arrive

Scott and what not to wear in the rain and hail. No finger gloves, jeans, vented jacker and a scull cap helmet.   Poor man was shaking from the cold. Had a bruise on his finger from the hail.

Rain picked up as we waited for Roger and Mike. Roger rode by us and Mike pulled in. I took off to catch Roger. Roger and I waited at Bear Valley for the other to ride by. 

Enjoying the rain.

Good friends who love to ride and know how.

We all headed down the hill to Arnold and gas. My K1600 took 5 gallons just under 49 miles per gallon I am going to like this bike. Roger turned on 49 and headed for home, the rest of us headed to Copperopolis and the Cruse Ice Cream shop.   Perfect end to a great ride and day.

Trailer video short one minute.

Full 5 minute video

Cycle Specialties Shop Ride 2-17-2013

Cycle Specialties Shop Ride February 17, 2013
My first ride with this group. Drinking the kool-aid riding a BMW I might as well see how it is riding with a group of BMW riders. Met up with my good friends Fred and Bob.

Fred Kaplan   

Bob Kendall

Ride got going at 9:20 AM not too late for a group of 19 riders. First stop was Casa De Fruita for a pit stop and gas for the riders with small tanks. From there we were off to Carmel. Lots of traffic going over and it was hard to keep the group together. Road from 101 to Castroville was bumper to bumper. Ride was planned to go down Ocean Blvd in Carmel. John our group leader made the right decision to bypass the traffic and head for lunch at the start of Carmel Valley Road. After lunch and gas we were off over Carmel Valley Road headed to King City on Hwy 101.   

This was my first ride all the way on Carmel Valley Road to 101. I was also riding with a group of riders I did not know. Because of this I allowed extra room if someone made a wrong move. This proved to be a good choice. A FJR rider went wide into the grass and crashed. He was only going 25 to 30 so no injurys, just damage to his bike. The FJR was still rideable so he was able to finish the ride.

Photo opportunity on a one lane bridge at the end of Carmel Valley Road.

Our group leader John of Cycle Specialties did a great job organizing the ride and keeping everyone together. We rode up Hwy 25 to Hollister and then over to Casa De Fruita. It was now 6:00 PM and Fred, Bob and I decided to stop for dinner and said good by and thanks to the group. Ride Video and Map of ride below. Just over 390 miles from my house and back.

First part of Ride.

Second half of the Ride.

Stockton MC's New Years Day Ride

1-1-2013

The new year got off to a cold and early start. Seven SMC club member and 4 riders from the Ports MC showed up for breakfast at the Black Bear in Tracy. It was 30 degrees leaving Stockton and warmed to the high 30's as we left Tracy.

South on I-5 to Del Puerto Canyon. Lots of bicycle traffic going up to the Junction. We noticed 50 or more sports cars going by on Mines road headed for Mount Hamilton. We did not know they would be taking a break just a mile of so up the road.


                                       The attached video starts as we leave the Junction.

Leaving the Junction we ran into the cars some parked and some just leaving. I passed several and got behind a quick group. Followed them as we left the slower cars behind. Saw some frost on the side of the road and felt the BMW's tractions control cut my power as I exited a corner. Told myself that this is stupid and slowed up; took the first safe spot to pull over and waited for the bikes to catch up. As we rode up to the top two cars caught up to us and we waved them around. I think the drivers thought they were world class drivers.

At Lick Observatory there was a traffic jam with all the cars. Great weather on to just not a clear as we had though it would be.

We headed down the hill for coffee to warm up.

                                             


                           Coffee and bench racing











From coffee we rode Sierra and Calaveras roads over to Hwy 84.  Lunch at Baja Fresh in Livermore.
After a late lunch some riders headed home; the rest of us headed for Morgan Territory road. Up and over to March Creek road. Hwy 4 and back to Stockton.  Another great ride.

Bill Harr