Sturgis Ride-Part 2

 I have been trying to upload all the photos and Go Pro Hero mini flicks and I have so many I have to pick and choose.  So I have decided to put them on my Smug Mug Photo site as I upload them.  I have to convert the mini movies over and it takes a little time so not all are up yet.  At this writing, I am on the road again.  So with that tidbit of info, on with the Sturgis Ride....

First Round Over

Its starts getting a lot more scenic on this part of my trip.  As I think most of my readers know, I grew up in Northern California so I am pretty familiar with it. I wanted to take this route for a couple of reasons,  the south route was just too weather ridden with thunderstorms, etc., and this route has the trees and the parks I wanted to venture into on this ride.

I woke up at the crack of 10:00 and got on the road by 11:00 a.m. I am going to Grass Valley .  Not a long ride from the East Bay.  It's about 142 miles.  I planned the days to not be long in the places I wanted to explore...so far so good. I would be there in 3 hours or so with stopping.  Its another straight shot up the 80, through Sacramento, Roseville and then Auburn exit onto the 49. 

There is little Saturday traffic and coming out of the Bay is an easy ride.  It is foggy and cold, so I am wearing my leathers and loving it.  I rather be cold than hot.  Going up the pass and over into Sacramento Valley brings traffic.  Seems its always at this spot.  After playing in and outs with traffic I pass Sacramento and find it time to pull over for some refreshing.  I'm a little hungry now and I hear a Subway sandwich and a diet Pepsi calling my name.  I have to park in a spot that's a little squirmy to get in and out of.  I realized the "out" part of it when I get ready to get back out of the space, I discover my reverse doesn't work on The Beast.  The reverse is out.  So I push.  Luckily it is easier than it looks.  Second memo to myself... Need to stop at the Auburn Harley when I get there.  Two Harley shops in two days!!  I call ahead and guess what!?  No Auburn Harley Davidson anymore...all gone.  "Its only my reverse", I say to myself,  there is an HD in Reno and a couple in Salt Lake. I just have to park it strategically.  I can do.

Leathers stay on the bike and my favorite Columbia shirt goes on.  When it gets hot I put this on.  It covers my arms and keeps me cool with an SPF.  You see it on me in a lot of pics.  Anyway, I only have an hour or so left, I get on and go.   I welcome the Auburn exit to 49 as I know it will bring me some trees and scenery that I have been looking forward to on this ride.  The ride from this point to Grass Valley is not a long one...only about 30-40 minutes depending on the turnoff I want to take.

I am now in the Gold Country a major part of California's history and my brother and his family lives here and I look forward to a little open air exploration with them. Hwy-49 is a great ride. This two lane road is a scenic and very serene ride for me. It is a safe one too, if people just obey the speed limits and read the signage. The road brings you by historic landmarks and small towns. The trees are starting to come out into view and the smell of green is becoming more prominent.  I don't  feel the heat either anymore.  The altitude is getting higher and I'm luvin' it.   Its perfect riding weather and it shows on the roads.  A lot of riders are out, and up here where it snows, riding time matters.  Those of you in the snow country know what I am taking about.  Getting the rides in before it starts coming.  There is so much to explore up here that one days is not enough.  Plenty of twisties and curves to enjoy on the way to brother's house. 

I have to say one thing about this bike/trike.  There is a skill to get acquainted with on the curves.  There is a feeling of turn-over at first, but once you get used to the examining of curves, it comes naturally.  Having the sidecar outfit I think, helped me out.  This bike has a lot of power and it can take the curves just as well as 2 wheels, but there is practice to that. Having a motorcycle license helps too.  I honestly have to say I miss the leaning into curves, but negotiating them and staying in speed with them is easy to accomplish.  This is a great bike for this ride.

Okay...I get to my brother's house and Tommy greets me with a "I want a ride Aunt Kathy"!  "You got it baby", I say!  I have been looking forward to this.  I go to my gear and pull out my 3/4 helmet and told Tommy he had to wear it.  At first he didn't want to (future anti-helmet law lobbyist), but, of course, he can't ride with me unless he has the lawful helmet on.  Happily he puts it on after the threat of no ride unless.  I had to hide the bling HD emblem on the helmet as I put it on him (such a little manly man).  My jacket went on him too.  He was wearing shorts, so since he was on the back of The Beast and not far to go, I let it slide.  I told him to hold on... Mommy and Daddy looking on as he grabbed me by the boobs... we all cracked up as I pulled his little arms down farther and told him that's where my waist is.  So we get going and all I hear all the way is laughs and "cool" and "lets keep going".  I'm only going about 20 mph and he is reveling in it.  So am I.  We finally get to our stop, The Empire Mine.  He is laughing and wanting to go on, but Auntie has to be a tourist for awhile.  There will be plenty of other times, I am sure of it.  He is a natural leaner.

 The  Empire Mine is on my list of "to do's". It was the largest, is the oldest and richest gold mine in the State of California.  It was an actual working mine from 1850-1956.  The grounds are large and tours are offered into some of the shafts and to explore the house where the owners lived.  All the comforts of home and more...even a bowling alley was afforded the owners.  The only comfort the owners and townsfolk lacked was silence.  Its very noisy working the mines 24/7.  You can hear a working mine for miles and miles away.  If you ever get the chance to see California's Gold Country, you won't regret it.  Many worked and died in those mines and made history by it.  My Grandfather worked the mines there, so seeing and trying to feel what a miner goes through put me into a family history mode.  After a little day of riding and  touring, its eat and sleep. 

Saying goodbye to my brother and his family is always a bummer, but once on the road the next morning my mind was on the ride.  My brother told me to take a couple of side roads on my way into Reno and enjoy the scenery instead of taking the freeway.  I followed his advice and took a couple of different ways down the mountain.  I'm glad I did.  Nothing like advice from a local.

Hwy-20 takes you up and around the mountain through Nevada City to I-80 near Emigrant Gap, where you can continue on other routes to Lake Tahoe or Nevada.  Exactly where I am going.  The roadway climbs from Nevada City and descends into the Bear Valley via a series of hairpin turns, and then climbing, just north of Emigrant Gap, to its end at Yuba Pass. The Pioneer Trail, a National Recreation Trail, is part of the road called the California Trail first used in 1850.  It is at this point I realize I have a little problem.  I am now hearing a little noise.  I stop at a pullover to check it out.  Talk to a few riders...lucky girl me...another rider on a 2010 St. Glide Trike just rode up.  Helps me out a bit and tells me go straight to HD...they are open today.  Yep on a SUNDAY!  I get on the bike and get down the hill to call the HD dealer.  I only have about 30 minutes to go or so, so I don't worry.  Just need to get there before they close.

Donner Pass
On my way I get to view Donner Pass and the Truckee Route of the California Trail, first used by California-bound emigrants.  Its great to travel through my own State's history, but now I have a problem and can't stop to enjoy what I wanted to.  I do take a little time to take a couple of pics.  My Go Pro is on the fairing and I need to be safe now and just get down the hill.  I arrive at the Reno, HD.  One of the service guys comes out and takes a look.  It has to go in.  Dunno what is wrong.  They are good to me though and my hotel is only a couple of blocks away.  Its the nature of The Beast I say.  I check in and check out for the night. 

By late afternoon the next day I get the call, bike is done.  Too late to head out today so I get the bike and park it and proceed to go into town to the Hot August Nights.  An annual hot rod show in Reno.  I forget my camera...ughghghg.  I can tell you though, it was hot, it was August and it was night and the hot rods were out in full force.  I could feel the next addiction coming on...except I don't know how to wrench.  The show is worthy to go see and must to go back to...with camera in hand!  I heard they are trying to split the show in two and put the same show in Long Beach, CA at the same time of year.  Can't figure that one out... take money from one show to another?  Doesn't work for me.  Reno should keep it. Locals need the $$.

So the next morning I get the gear on the bike, load the helmet, gloves, ipod in, starter a go AND... I put the bike into reverse.. errrr should I say TRY to put the bike in reverse and it does not! So I get my toes on the ground to push it and press the front brake to stop the backward roll... and THERE IS NO FRONT BRAKE!! Crapola for the third time! Panic mode.  I have reservations in Ely, NV...now my timing is off completely by two days.  So much for me being a tourist.  I still have a back brake, the HD is only a couple of blocks away... so I go and plant myself at the HD for the service department once again.  In it goes.  Diagnosis: I have two warped front discs and they don't have any on the shelves.  They have to overnight them.  Should be here sometime by 11:00 am...tomorrow.  ughghghghg.  Day 2 in Reno.  Cancel Ely and Salt Lake and wait.

I leave it all to the Road Gods now and decide I won't be without transportation, so I go to the rental across the street and get a car.  Harley is paying for this now... warranty is in effect and on the clock.  On to Virginia City.  It was on my list, but I wanted to ride it, but I am not missing it either.

Desert &Road in Background on way to Virginia City

The road to Virgina City is a great 2 lane ride road!  It affords a rider the view and the curves we all love to ride.  Up the mountain and around is a desert like view of the valley.  I turn off and take some pics at the Geiger Historic Landmark then get on up the hill to Virginia City.

Virginia City Grave

Virgina City has kept its spirit as a small town gone tourist.  It has its main street full of local stores, bars and cowboy clothed locals.  I love it.  I remember going here as a kid, and really, other than the food upgrades in restaurants, it really has not changed.  One place I like to visit in a small town is the cemetery.  I know that

 might be morbid to some, but it actually is a place of history, and it gives a person the idea of how life was.  The average death age is about 35ish, and a whole lot of infants, I am sure the weather elements and just being so far out there had a lot to do with this.  I realize how damn hard it was for those who came before us really had it.  I spend the afternoon there and then go back. 

Waking up the next morning had me eager to find out about the bike.  11:00 comes around and I call.  They haven't received all the parts yet.  They received the right disc, not the left.  They put the right disc on, don't ever get the left disc, but machine the left disc to work til I get off my trip in a couple of weeks.  I take it.  By the time I get the bike... again its late in the afternoon and I ride back to hotel for another night.  I am outta there in the a.m.  Ely, NV next stop.

Next Post..Nevada rides...

KT Did

Sturgis 2010 Part 1

JULY 29, 2010

Today is the day I have been looking forward for almost a year. I'm riding to Sturgis, solo, for the first time. I have been planning this for months.  The Plan:   to ride there, take 6-7 days for the journey, spend 7 days riding the Black Hills... haul home.  Yes, I said haul home.  I figure a good 14 days of riding is good and if I beat the storms... I'm even better.  No excuses...just comfort. Considering everyone I know is hauling there and back, I would of gone solo anyway. I want to experience it. Its been on my list since I started riding.

I've also been asked, why solo?  My answer:  Because I like to get up when I want to.  I like to eat when I want to.  I do not want listen to anyone tell me what to do, and most of all, if I have to stop and pee, I'm going too.  Aside from all of that... If I wanted to change plans, I did not want to be on anyone's schedule but mine...period.   I wanted my own road rules... no bull crap or drama.  Don't get me wrong, I like riding with my friends, however, not this ride.  I'm meeting people there and will enjoy every moment with them there.  The ride is all mine.

First day's ride is to Northern California.  Simple ride.   My plan is to decide the route to take depending upon the weather.  The weather in the past few days have been foggy on the coast... hot inland.  So depending on the fog (not doing the coast in fog) and the heat (don't like it, but am prepared for it).  I made a couple of routes and booked them.  Mostly Best Western.  Their 24 hour cancellation policy makes it easy to change if on the road and something happens.  It just so happens, I needed that little perk on this trip. 

Getting up early was surprisingly easy to do.  I have been excited and waiting for the day, so I got up early 4:35 a.m. However, I didn't leave till almost 6:00.  Last minute packing led me to unpack some things that led me to be late.  Sooo........... I'm riding to frigging Sturgis! I don't care what time I leave today.... I am leaving!

Fog on the Coast was a sure thing.  So here comes I-5 in all its boring glory.  Traffic in the a.m. isn't so sweet going through L.A. either. The 57 had a crash on it and the I-5 was the choice of the hour.  Its also the fastest.  Usually a 5-6 hour drive.

After riding through traffic in Los Angeles for two hours, riding over the Grapevine was a pleasure.  I passed a thumbs up from 3 trucks  hauling bikes to Sturgis.  It was great to see other riders and haulers making the journey to South Dakota for the motorcycle mecca rally.  I knew from the beginning that riding solo didn't mean I was riding alone.  I never feel alone out on the road.  So when people asked me if I was scared, my reply was no.  In fact, my first stop beyond the Grapevine was Starbucks.  I met another rider there and we proceeded to chat while we had our coffee.  He knew mutual friend Betsy Huelskamp, and when I sent her a text with a pic of me & him she thought it was great that in the scheme of the road we met.  He went on his way to Washington.  He was going to be in Salt Lake when I was so we were going to meet up for another coffee, however, my destination to Salt Lake had to be cut out of the plans (explanation later on...). 

So anyway, I-5.  I take this freeway a lot to Northern California, so I know it well.  I stopped at the usual stops.  It was hot, but not unbearable.  I stopped at the vista point.  Something I had never done before.  Not very interesting, but to those people who like irrigation and aqueducts, it is.  I have some interest, as one of my great grandfathers helped develop the Stockton area irrigation.  I took some pics and off I went. 

Vista Point I-5 California

The next few miles are full of cow poo smell. My clothes stunk when I got home.  My mask was full of it.  Full face helmets are at the will of the smell too.  I wear my 3/4 for most of the journey then put on my half helmet. Bugs come out of nowhere and they hurt, but my half helmet is less confining in the heat and wetting my mask is cooling.  Harris Ranch is burger town...also a gardener's dream.

The ride is not so exciting to most.  I-5 is just a straight shot. The rolling California hills and farmlands can be boring to the eyes, but through this trip, I have come to appreciate them a little more. They are very pretty and I-5 at least gives you a look at something.  When I finally get to the Altamount Pass I know within the hour I will be done with my first leg of the trip.  I smile and take it all in. 

I arrive in Alameda around 2:30 or so. The first leg of my trip is done... just like that it seems. It brought a little tear to my eye and just in time to notice the backrest holding my luggage on has lost a screw..now I could cry like a baby...add Oakland Harley Davidson to the itinerary...tomorrow...geeezzzzz.



The next day is full of running around.  First thing to do is to get that screw.  HD in Oakland is not far from my house there so it was pretty easy.  They fortunately had a few and I took them all.   

The back road into Alameda from Hegenberger in Oakland is a spot where years ago everyone would go to to watch the boat races.  You could hear them for miles around when they ran. I pulled into the parking lot and took a few pics.  Reminisced and took a little ride around town. 

Alameda/Oakland Race Place

After riding around town, I knew I had to get it together to get on my next leg of the ride.  So after getting the backrest screwed back in, I repacked the bike and plotted my ride to the Grass Valley and the gold country there.  Next post a comin'....

Happy Sturgis Trailzzzz

KT Did