Throughout
the week I had read all the posts from other chapters (most back east)
complaining on the cold and the snow and all the bad weather that was
preventing them from getting out on their bikes and taking a great ride. I am so glad that I live in southern
California where even on a bad day we are in warm sunny weather (well
usually). Today’s ride was no
exception, the sky was clear with just a few wispy clouds and it was well on
its way to being a nice warm day.
We
arrived at our usual Starbucks to already find a group gathered around Rick and
Barb Sanecki’s new Victory Vision.
It is a beauty of a bike and I know that by the end of the day we will
have helped Rick break that thing in good. But not only had one member gotten a new ride, but shortly
after Mark Pinkney showed up with his new Victory Cross Country (is this a
trend?). Everyone there had to
check out every square inch of both bikes
- all jealous and itching to get a new bike too.
Eventually
we gathered and had our short meeting, announcing upcoming rides and events,
and of course all of our overnighters.
Rockers were presented to Rick and Barb Sanecki as our official Raffle
Master and Raffle Ms and a rocker was presented to Scott Hamilton as our new
Lead Road Captain. Also, a Past
Officer rocker was presented to Johny Harper as past Sergeant at Arms. Congrats guys!
A
great raffle and 50/50 with Luiz Vazquez, Bob Barbano, Brian Hefter, Patty
Giambitti and Angela Brown winning some really nice raffle gifts. Don “Doc”
Thomas also won $75.00 in the 50/50.
Again, Congrats!
After
a head count of 32 riders on 26 bikes we decided to break into three groups
with myself, Scott Hamilton, and Dan Dobler as ride captains. We started down the 5 freeway, stopping
at our favorite rest stop by Camp Pendelton, then on to the 78 and out to Hidden
Valley Parkway. This is a great
road with some really nice twisties and some great little drop offs. Aside from the bicyclists on the road
this was a great stretch. We
continued down and then through Wildcat canyon and past the Barona Hotel and
Casino (ask me about the Steakhouse there – it’s the greatest).
The
route then took us past Lake Jennings and looped around up to the 8 freeway
west. Just a few miles down and we
exited and stopped for Gas. By the
gas stop it had warmed up really nice and our first priority was loosing some
layers. After the gas stop we
continued on down Jamacha Road and up to Avocado Boulevard and then Fuerte
Drive up to Mt Helix. The view
from the top of the mountain is spectacular. You are able to see a 360 degree view of all of San
Diego. Unfortunately there is only
a little parking lot with a real sharp slope to it so we could only stop for a
brief moment for a picture and off we went (didn’t even get off the
bikes).
We
made our way back down the mountain and back up Fuerte Drive to the 8 freeway
west again. Finally making our way
to lunch at Chili’s in La Mesa. I
have to tell you that I can’t thank Chili’s enough – this one particular
Chili’s but also all the Chili’s we have stopped at. They are always so willing to accommodate us and make sure
we are served quickly and even split checks however we need them. It made for a great lunch
experience.
Once
we had all eaten it was time to jump on the bikes and make our way home. Down the 8 to the 805 north to the 5
north and one last gas stop in San Clemente. In San Clemente we shared our gas stop with several of the
Mongols – ok three. The look on
their faces when 20 plus bikes pulled it was priceless. They nicely moved their bikes away from
the pumps so we could all gas up.
Then it was off up the 5 to the 57 and then to El Torito.
Not
until the last leg of the trip did the clouds roll in and we got a little
sprinkle – although that could have been someone’s windshield washers, not
sure.
We
finished up the day by voting in three new members Gary Wiles, Paul McInerny,
and Pat Jacques. Congrats to all of you and welcome to Chapter 230.
And
then the ride was called!
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