VROC - 2009 and on...

VROC - Don VSP '12 Polar Bear ride Delta Cruze

2012-01-28T17:29:00.000-08:00

Pics are from top to bottom, click on a pic for a large pic, if you right click and click again, even larger pic, what little text is under the pic....

Link to Don VSP's excellent blog:
http://2012norcal.blogspot.com/2012/01/2012-jan-28-polar-bear-ride.html

Well, time for our annual Polar Bear ride... har... as it is... It was cool this AM, but apparently, we all survived!!! It was a short 7 hour / 250 mile run.... of which 180 was my getting to and from the ride...

When I got to our staging site in Rio Vista, Ca, a McD's / Chevron, quite a few had already arrived.

This group just pulling in...

Michael Score's red Classic on the right, very nice lookin' scoot!

Uwe, Rad, Don VSP and Phil T scoots on the far side.

Don VSP at the rear chatting with one of the riders...

The reason for smokers is so we get a break now and then, and the roads we had been needed one.... very rough... Sonoma Joe, Rad, Valerie back to us,Don VSP and Uwe

Ruby and Uwe's scoot, plus Valerie's, I think...

Phil T in the center checking out a Royal Enfield..

More of our scoots parked along this skinny street. We had lunch at Al the Wops in Locke and after that, Ron and I pealed off and headed back home. Don VSP gave me instructions, which I immediately messed up.... but we got out and headed back home.

I wanted to take the new 4 Bypass to Vasco and Ron followed me. It is REALLY neat!!! You miss ALL of Brentwood... for me... Ron had to do a turn off and go find some gas...

Great run, the weather could've NOT been better!!! Clear, no wind, just a great day out on the Delta!!!! Thanks again for doing this Don!!!!!

VROC - Norcal Get Together at Rick's house 08 21 11 Lil' Doc and Manjo in town

2011-08-21T18:34:00.000-07:00

My route today: Trip to Ricks Click on this link and it will take you to a full Google Map, and you can look around....

Don VSP blog

Sherms blog

A blog of my favorite ride, another good crank

Pics are from top to bottom, click on a pic twice to see it full size, text for a pic is under the pic.

Every now and then some outta towner's arrive and Rick Jest throws a get together at his place in Saratoga, Ca. Lil' Doc and Manjo were here and Rick was up for it! Thank you VERY much!! Weather was perfect as was the entire day.

As it's just a 25 mile RT for me, and over a good hill, I opted for my cranky machine. It's been about 3 years since the last time...

About 1 mile from my house is my favorite bike trail and starts at a perculation pond where our ground water gets recharged. Just terrible the trails I have to ride on! GBG Look at that freeway right in the middle!

I stopped to take my T shirt off and up rides my buddy Bob! He rides so slow he needs a trike to stay up on the steep hill he rides. Hicks Rd over Mt Umunhum. You could see the peak on the left of my first pic.

Bob is 81 and has 2 plastic knees and had his chest cracked for a bypass, he learned his lesson! Eat right and exercise! He was on a troop ship to Korea when the armistice was signed.

I wanted to stop for a pic and he kept on going, .... We chatted a bit and I went ahead, he was running a tad slow...

Beginningof Hicks Rd... crazy bikers ahead... lots of folks ride it, me too every now and then.

Take a right on Shannon to Kennedy...

Nice little twisty road...

Nice scoot road... I waited for the pic....

Beginning of Kennedy, it starts right UP!!! More to follow...

Nice hairpin turn up ahead....

This is where I was, bit of a climb..... I have a 22 front gear and 34 rear for power... The distance from there to here is about 3 blocks...

Almost at the top, nice group of Eucalyptus trees....

If you look close at the tan spot over the edge of the road, you can see some folks walking...

And there they are. This trail goes up about 2500' in 4 miles of fire road, gravel...

I've done it a few times and there is always a story involved.... very steep...

Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, nice country, plan on a day trip!

And I'm headed over the hill down into this country...

Get down into town...

And lo and behold, it's now a scenic route?!!!! GBG Thought it all was!

They do have some nice homes here....

And Rick's is one very nice home! And what is this?????!!!!! I had to crank over hill and Dale, arrive exactly at 1300 and I'm the first one here?????????!!!!!!!!! GBG

Gorgeous pool...

First rate cooking area...

As I was the first one there, Rick and I were watching the Giants go thru their normal painful example of playing baseball, stomping all over them selves...

We hear a scoot go by, and I'll go out on a limb here.. I don't think Rick hears many of them! Jumped up with my camera.....

So far, it's 100%, I overshot the driveway and so did Lil' Doc...

Settling in....

Still 100%, Jim and Cat S arriving...

Don VSP broke the chain, and arrived at the right place, had a smoke and took some pics of Jim and Cat arriving...

The LA contingent arriving...

Cat, Jim, Rick and VSP saying a howdy!

Lil' Doc had brought some flowers for Rick's family and his wife Colleen was preparing them, they smelled great!

Jim and Cat were thirsty and Rick took them out to his garage were he had a reffer. Great garage! Lots of tools and room!!!

Sherm and his BIL Richard from Santa Rosa arriving.

Howard S (NIte Lite), wife Linda and son Brian also made it.

Sorry for the pics, still getting used to camera... Lil' Doc, Jim, Cat Linda and Howard..

Lil' Doc, Brian, Cat, Colleen....

Colleen and Rick listening to Sherm, IIrc.

And here is Sherm and BIL Richard, BTW Richard is 75 and running a wing, Keep on riding!

Manjo finally made it! He had to do something and was late... Shaking hands with Howard.

Manjo, Lil' Doc, Brian and Cat, Howard is in back and he's "going in"!!

And there goes the Great White!! He and Brian both enjoyed the pool, along with Rick's family.

Sherm and Richard were about to head out as I was, had some crankin' to do! Thought I'd take a pic of the "bikes"!!! GBG

Another shot from the top of Kennedy, the upper house, is where the trail starts really climbing up... it goes real close....

Well, look what happened by time I got home!   Tripped to 82K on the cranky odometer!!!   Heck, it's starting to add up!!! '15.... 100K... God Willing...

Great day! Nice to meet new old friends! Typical VROC gathering, just fun! Great to see Sherm before he heads south... I sense a ride coming up in the distant future....

Thanks again Rick!!!

And BTW, you said I didn't want to know how the Giants were doing... THEY WON!!!!!!!!!!!   Holy Farglesnot!!!!!!!!!! Miracles can happen!!! Play it Tiny!!!!!

VROC - VAlley Ford Dinucci's Don VSP

2011-07-16T18:42:00.001-07:00

Pics are from top to bottom, click on a pic twice to see it full size, what little text is under the pic...

Don VSP's blog:

http://nctrf2011.blogspot.com/2011/07/16-july-2011-dinuccis.html

Don VSP called a ride to Dinucci's, great minestrone!!! Had to go! Took a container and brought a quart+ home!!! Plus Don got me some Jelly Belly licorice!! Donna says THANKS!!! Now all I gotta do is mail you the 5 bucks I forgot to give you as part of my lunch costs!!! Old minds... sigh.....

Bruce Big Twin from Sacto brought some fellow FCRC riders and we had 17 scoots total, great ride!!! Weather was nice, bit cool, but not hot, hot has not been a problem this year!

I arrived first, and this has to be a first.. getting my stuff off and in pulls Howard Nite Lite, in orange (camouflage) and then Sanoma Joe and there was another and sorry for the names, but he had a nice Triumph!

.... and this when my jaw hit the ground, KC rides in!!!! Hell, he was in the hospital with a bad heart attack a few days ago!!!! Couple stints and recovering!! Blew me away!!! Great on Ya my friend!!!!!

Then along came............... Don VSP and troop.....

Some know him as Ghost Rider!! GBG Bruce Big Twin

OK, we all made it, gas, pot and visit and on the road... We had so many scoots Don VSP was worried about overwhelming Dinucci's, so we split up in two groups, KC led 8 of us there first, Don was headed elsewhere but was to go past...

When he went by he saw that the place was empty and pulled in!!! We went in and asked if a group of 17 was too much, har, we had the place to our self!!!

Jazz hound and KC in front..... Long time since I saw Jazz hound....

Rest of the scoots...

A shot of the table....

.... if one is good.... GBG

... why not...

From here down are some pic from KC, not much text......

Only way I get in a pic is on someone else's camera, me on the left....

KC left us at Dinucci's and headed back over the Foggy GG bridge. The rest of us followed along until Don VSP did a left turn off 116 and Nite Lite and I stayed on 116 to 101 and home.... I left Nite Lite just before 101, need to empty, and I still had all my warm gear on and it was down right getting warm!! Needed a break!!!

Great run and food, as always!!! Thanks again Don VSP for doing this!! And thanks to Big Twin (Ghost Rider) for bringing some of our FCRC riders along!!!

VROC - Aebleskiver Rally Solvang, Ca

2011-06-21T15:16:00.000-07:00

Blog is top to bottom, click on a pic twice to see it full size, text for a pic is under the pic.

             Solvang Aebleskiver rally! 6/22 - 6/26

Skid's Blog If you scroll down, on the right is Solvang blog list...

http://skid1850.blogspot.com/2011/06/solvang-california-to-cedar-city-utah.html

Sherm's:

http://sherm363.blogspot.com/

Mac Guy's

http://solvangca-2011.blogspot.com/

Don VSP Blog

http://vroclinks.blogspot.com/2011/06/aebleskiver.html

My blog:

http://goo.gl/maps/X7I6

Click on the link above to see travel to Solvang in a google map.

http://goo.gl/maps/xlta

My planned return trip up thru the middle of KalEfornYa. 828 miles total

Well, gee, it's been 2 whole days since being out on my scoot... GBG

Deadwood, SD    June 3 - June 19     4,355 miles     5,183 for June!

http://vrocafter2008.blogspot.com/2011/06/vroc-wwr-v-deadwood-sd.html

Jim and Cat have taken over for Don VSP on a mid June rally and it looks like a great place!!! And next year it's in July!!!!! Great on Ya both!!!!! Be there!!! Hope Teri and Mama Kaw are too!

Day 1 6/22

My bags are packed and I'm ready to go!!! Notice the lack of shine, my scoot is toast, have much work to do....

I roar down 85 to where it meets 101 and stop... that is where both HOV lanes turn into one, and our great road folks closed the two right lanes for work... 5 lanes into 2.... sigh.. I did see Kasey go by!!! I saw the VROC patch on his back, he was splitting lanes and was gone before I could honk...

On down 101 to 156 and head for the coast... I checked the radar before I left... it had been hot last 2 days, and here that triggers onshore flow of air - ergo - fog... and it looked like all was fine. I wanted to take 1 down and did....

Well... the $)*!$% fog started coming in after I left... and here it is. Time to put on warmer clothes.... the souther I went, the cooler it got...

I stopped at a spot that Don VSP took us to when we did the.... I can''t spell it, sigh...

http://vrocafter2008.blogspot.com/2009/05/vroc-don-vsp-nacimiento-fergusson-road.html

And the weather looked great!!! Whoo Whoo! Out of the fog, warm gear off....

Over the hill..... fog... I ride it for a while and swear I'll get out of it....

Wow, I can see the ocean!!!

You can see the fog coming over to the other side... the vegetation was gorgeous!

I intended to eat my sandwich at a nice spot.... I had to stop and put on warm clothes AGAIN and eat in fog, sigh...

One of the many work places along 1 .... Do not ride this road!!!! It is terrible, the patches they have done are horrific, I thought at one place it was gonna dump me off my scoot! Real bad... wait a few years!

Went by a light house and had to take a pic or two....

Rest of trip was about the same 'til I got away from the coast... I took a pic of the Moro bay rock, all you could see was a little bit of the bottom..... but I went down 1!!!

Hey! I made the Kaw pasture! Across the way is Slots nice looking scoot parked under the trellis...

And in rides Jim S!

... and Cat...

Mac Guy chatting on the phone....

I got a tickle out of Skid having his ROK kickstand plate under his wing.... I later learned there was a good reason for it, tho not all scoots did it. The parking lot was new and maybe kinda soft... I didn't notice...

Nite Lites nice looking scoot...

The best part of the rally, the Kaw Pasture... folks chatting and having fun... Laura, Slots, Mac Guy, Skid and Nite Lite.

Linda, Cat and Sandy

Jim S and Don VSP

Day 2 6/23

This is kind of day -1 for the rally, I got there early and think I will do so in the future, it's real nice to get there, get moved in and settled before the rally really starts....

I had asked the front office what the free breakfast was and it was coffee and a sweet thing, pastry type, I said, now where can I get some food!!!??? GBG They said next door...

I wandered over and had breakfast, and almost done and Skid came over and called me an antisocial SOB! He knows me quite well!!! GBG

They had just come in and got a table, got my cup and joined Skid, Sandy and Sherm for a while...

After breakfast we headed next door to see what the free stuff was, hey it was free!!! Not that I needed any sweet treats, but free???? Slots was there chatting with......

B from E.

Everyone had to take a look and see what was to be had...

This is our hotel, the little red booth had a swinging door and you could step in and get your pic taken... I made it later...

The motel managers in the background, not sure of the ladies name but Rick V is a new VROC member and has a Voyager, with B from E, Howard and Lanny.

Sherm bought Jim S Mean Streak, and was ready for a ride. He said pulling an empty trailer made no sense... GBG

Sandy and Skid ready to roll...

Penmaker and Mac Guy waiting for the group...

The ride leader today was Jim S and he was out for a long and twisty run!!! Over 200 miles....

Mongrel on the move!!!! Thanks for the "hint"!!!!!

And Lanny.

Kasey was along for the run....

I saw this turn off for a view stop and thought, why not, I was out for run by myself, not much, bit over 100 miles... Took 246 out of Solvang to 154, which curves around to Santa Barbara, then on 101 to 1 and over to Lompoc and took 246 out to where it dead ends at a train station and beach area.

And I was greeted with closed gates..... Well, I stopped and by golly I was gonna take a pic!

Nice lake and worth the time....

This is how far I had to walk, but I needed the exercise anyway....

After following 154 around, it started down hill to Santa Barbara, and FOG!!!!

Just before getting on 101, I took a shot of where I was, and put on my warm gear, again, think I almost wore the stuff out!

This is where 246 ends, the Lompoc train stop on the beach.

And of course FOG!! Stuff just was following me, sigh...

Join the "no rules" club..... geez....

They had shark warnings.....

Guess a surfer had a run in with a great white, sigh....

So I'll do something different... eat my sandwich by the foggy beach....

Solid steel in a sand dune, don't know what it was but it wasn't going anywhere! Finished my lunch and headed back to the motel

And was greeted by Teri! She sure can ride that scoot of hers! And it is a nice red one!

Phil T buying raffle tickets, and I think he almost won everything at the raffle! Good for you!!!!

Teresa and Phil/Einstein.

Teri's nice scoot! Where ever she went, she drew a crowd, think some of them were even interested in the scoot! GBG

Phil got here in time to get the penthouse! Don VSP had to check it out.

Folks in the Kaw pasture having a good visit. Einstein was cleaning Teri' scoot with some new stuff, Purple Slice, apparently a great detail cleaner. Have to try some, after 5+K miles, I need something!!!

Teresa and Don VSP visiting.

Laura and Howard, think Laura was a bit chilled! It DID cool down at night!!!!

Some very talented VROC'rs donated some things for the raffle, I bought this and have it hanging in my entry way! Thanks for doing this Rabbi!!! It will be long remembered!

The pic at home in my entry way.....

Well, a few of us had to check out the Pent House!!! Nice stove and sink! And a little fridge.

Nice patio...

Dish settings....

Eating nook,

Microwave and dresser! Phil lucked out!!!!

I think Teri is saying, I like this!!! GBG

Later it was time for the booth pic! (thanks to Einstein!)

After a warm up.... GBG (thanks to Einstein!)

Teri liked this guy! (thanks to Einstein!)

Day 3 6/24

Bunch of us headed out to breakfast, Teri always had a camera and looking for shots, chatting with Kasey.

Getting ready to head across the street.

Big decisions being made.....

This is my favorite travel meal, goes down good and sticks well.

Teri clowning with the mirror at the free breakfast place.

Then on to the Kaw tent to test drive a Nad.. Teri having some fun...

Ready to go... it drove / rode real nice... when they fix the bags, and get some good colors..... hhhhuuuummmmmmmm... You deserve a break today.... maybe some day...

After the test drive, we joined the group at the motorcycle museum.

It looks like a large portion of our group is here.

A four banger!

These radial engines always amazes me....

Some of the folks having a rest after looking at all the nice old scoots.

After the museum, I decided to take a walk, and look for some Ice Licorice, great stuff! I thought about a loaner... nnnnaaaaaaa....

The building were nicely decorated.

I found my Licorice and headed back to the motel. Lanny was talking up a ride and then Skid... and we all just got together and rode off!

Well we're out in the middle of nowhere and Mr GPS is reading signs... not good! GBG Looking for a winery...

A bit of a close up, where do you want to go???!!!! It lead everywhere!

Skid logically followed a party truck to where we thought the winery would be, we went miles out into a vineyard, come to a gate and the truck wants to back up... we're all aimed down.... get 'um all around and go back and take the other fork...

We finally asked for directions... we took a turn off a tad early and back on the road.

And we make it to the Zaca Mesa Winery.

Where they have a real big chess set!! Dad check mated his son in two moves, next move... rook out and rook down to checkmate....

Teri wanted to play too!

Teri and Sandy looking at a map... the back light got to my camera a bit....

Nice place! Yes, I was a good boy and stayed off the sauce...

Finally got a pic of Mongrel on the left.

Beware the ticket lady cometh!!!! GBG Linda selling raffle tickets! Howard's entire family is into solving breast cancer!! Great on Ya all!!!

Phil T and Slots having a chat....

Day 4 6/25

On to breakfast, we had a wait, I convinced Teri this was an old Vulcan! GBG

Teri and Phil T getting ready to eat.

Skid was going to take on a run and why not! He was going to a scenic overlook.... remember the locked gate? I just stayed in the left turn lane and waited for them to come back out, sigh..

So we go down the road to the next place and off we go to take some pics.

Nice country side views.

The lake is out there... the one I shot earlier...

We came, shot and off we go....

Back down to the parking lot... I looked behind me and wanted a shot there also..

Nice! While I was there, there was a young man on a crotch rocket on the phone, and it sounded like he was having trouble. I asked him what was the problem, he said he was out of gas.

Well, I carry 2 - 1.5L of gas just for times like this, and say wait a minute... Walk over, grab my gas and Skid is following me with his camera.... you HAVE to go to his blog and see this!!!!! (Sorry, I had to steal this one, unbelievable....)

I offer him the gas....... hope you're sitting down.... he asked me if it was 91 octane?????!!!!!!!!!!!! Skids pic has my chin back in some normal position after it hit the parking lot!!!! It's a short scroll down.....

http://skid1850.blogspot.com/2011/06/solvang-california-aebleskiver-saturday.html

This "genius" was worried about coasting downhill for 5 miles with 87 octane and the gas has Seafoam in it which he probably needs!!!! This still hurts my head!!!

For one of the few times in my life, I was speechless, mind numb!!!! The group was in disbelief. I wonder what the odds of the tow truck driver were of having 91 octane? And if the kid asked, what do think he would say? Geez......

So on to our next destination, the Cold Spring Tavern, a very old one out in, well of course, no where! This was another of the spots where Teri drew a big crowd.

Treasures 'n Trash... I like honesty! GBG

And on to the Lavender farm!

Teri is being camera shy! GBG Lanny and Sherm wanted a "pensive" pose by the lavender.... and gave Teri their camera's to take a pic.....

How could I resist a pic too? Sherm was sitting on an old iron tractor seat, I remember 'um well!

Pensive is IN!!!!

The tree in front of my scoot is a 350 year old Live Oak tree!

Inside the little sales shop.....

Skid and Sandy chatting with the sales lady.

We have statues!

This was a great rest stop!!! The weather was beautiful and life is good!

We sat for quite a while just enjoying the day! Well, enough and some folks wanted to "horse around", and off we go to......

The Quicksilver Miniature Horse Ranch, the little ones were very young!

Note, I'm shooting down.... real small, but real cute!

And real hungry!

Next skid took us for a run over the worst road I've ever been on!!! Twisty and bumpy! After we stopped, I called for a parts check to see if everything was still attached! This road would make Don VSP roads look smooth!!!

Next is the finale... The food and raffle... I don't eat supper so come late and take some pics... I'm just walking down the tables taking pics....

The star table, these folks have done a bunch for this rally! Thank you!!! Jim, Cat, Laura and Linda.. Howard is down the row....

Here's Howard!!!

Teri with that very nice smile!

And we have food left over! Taken back to the motel and shared, not wasted!

A very nice layout! The raffle goodies in front....

Looks like Howard is snacking and Teri is having a laugh with Sandy.

Let the raffle begin! Phil T almost won it all.. and I got the winner... later...

Back at the motel, saying our good byes and feeling the finish to another great rally!

So..... what do you want to win, when on the road and packed??? How about a case of oil? And buying a great painting????!!!! I got 'er done!!! Told Howard, I'm gonna do it!!!!

A happy Howard! (he didn't have to take my oil home!!! GBG) You and your family did great my man!!!

Wes H and Phil T resting from the event.....

Folks having their last visit for this rally, it really is emotional, a sense of loss.. and hope for the next one!

The Stars!!! Linda, Jim, Cat, Howard and Laura, God Bless and thank you for your years of helping the breast cancer mission, And Jim and Cat for this event!

An extremely great run, I just can't say enough!!! Wow is not enough....

Day 5 6/26 and home bound, sigh....

Slots getting packed...

Hey Howard!!! I got 'er done!!!! Just a bit squeezed for space.... GBG

This is for Don VSP.... recognize this place???!!! Yup, Colinga Chevron...

Another Don VSP pic.... "the tree", about 40 miles south of Holister on 25, our "stop"!!! GBG

My first day back I rode my favorite route.

http://dadfunrides.blogspot.com/2010/03/san-jose-arc-bernal-19-mi-loop.html

Take a look, it is a great trail, and you can see what I have to "put up with" in the big city!!!! GBG