Pescadero GAR Report

We had 5 bikes show up for our ride to the coast this morning. The day started off chilly and kind of gloomy with overcast skies.

We rode south on 680 and took Crow Canyon Rd to Castro Valley. We went through Hayward, across the San Mateo Bridge and merged onto 280 south. Then we took the Woodside Rd exit making our way to the Chevron station for our scheduled stop. After crossing over the bridge we started to see some sunlight peeking through the overcast. The sun would soon be shining bright, but it remained on the chilly side till we emerged from the tunnel on 24 heading home.

After a short break, and a discussion about the speed traps commonly seen on the other end of town, we continued on our way. We had seen a couple of different law enforcement vehicles while at the Chevron station so we rode at or below the posted limit all the way through town. Much to our surprise we did not see a speed trap. It must have been break time. We rode up Woodside Rd to La Honda toward Alice's. En route to Alice's we saw a tow truck with a sport bike suspended from the back coming down the hill. Someone was not having a good day.

We continued up the hill, past Alice's and down La Honda Rd on the other side. Then we turned left onto Pescadero Rd and followed that all the way into Pescadero.

The billed eatery, the Mercado & Taqueri, didn't meet our needs today so we opted to eat at the Deli in the Country Store. The food here was good and reasonably priced. A recommended stop any time you're in the area.

We finished lunch and made our way back to the bikes for the trip home. One bike split off from the group and headed south from Pescadero while the rest of us returned via Stage Rd, to La Honda Rd, to Skyline Blvd. Then Hwy 92 to 580, 13, 24, and home.

What a great day for a ride. Hope you had a chance to get out on two wheels ...

Elk Grove B.A.D. Ride Report

Today started off a little on the chilly side. It was in the upper 50s when we arrived at the Devil Mtn shop around 6:30. We were greeted there by Owen who had come in early to see us off on our ride. Thanks Owen!!

After having coffee and donuts we headed for Elk Grove with 32 bikes. We rode up Hwy 160 to Twin Cities Rd, over to Hwy 99 and up to Elk Grove from there. We parked the bikes and made our way up to the registration table to sign in. Then we were off to find the coffee and donuts.

When everyone had finished socializing we were off on the poker run. The first stop was at the dealership, so we got that stamp before we set out on our journey. The route to stop #2 took us back over to Hwy 160 and Walnut Grove. Instead of turning and crossing over the bridge leaving Walnut Grove, we continued straight on Walnut Grove Blvd, crossed I-5 and pulled into the Chevron station on Thornton Rd for stamp #2.

We found ourselves a little 'directionally challenged' when we departed stop #2. We turned north on Thornton Rd instead of heading east on Thornton Rd. Yes, I said that correctly. Thornton Rd makes a 90 degree turn at the intersection, and we went the wrong way. We rode a couple of miles north before we figured out where we had gone awry and, once we identified the need, we made a course correction to get back on track. As we rode back to the intersection to get on the intended route we passed a bunch of other riders that had done the same thing. They too turned around and fell in behind us to get back on course. From there we rode down to Pletier Rd, over to Hwy 88 and into Locke for stamp #3.



We departed the Chevron station in Locke and zig-zaged the back roads back into Elk Grove for our 4th stamp at the Chevron station on the corner of Grant Line Rd and Wilton Rd. From there it was a quick trip down Grant Line Rd and a right turn on Stockton to the dealership.

Once at the dealership we got our 5th stamp and receive the news that we did NOT have a winning card. Bummer! Oh well, we were off to get some food. They had tri-tip sandwiches, beans, chips and salad. That was what we needed to quiet the rumbling in our stomachs. Now we were ready for the bike games and raffle.

The bike games consisted of a slow ride while staying on a board, a ride where the passenger attempted to scoop up stuffed animals with a fishnet, and a ride where the passenger attempted to place tennis balls on the tops of some cones. Mt Diablo participants performed valiantly, but with the exception of the plank slow ride, won by Ron Stevens, we were denied a victory. I must add that Carrie K. did well on the plank ride too. Way to go Ron & Carrie!

It was now time to head for home. We reversed the route we had used to get to Elk Grove and rode along the river back home. Another great day spent riding with friends.

Breakfast Ride Report

Fifteen bikes showed up at the Devil Mountain shop early this morning in search of food. The temperature was in the low 70's when it was time to go and most of us were comfortable with sweatshirts or light jackets. We headed south on Loveridge Rd and zig-zaged our way through Pittsburg and Antioch emerging on Deer Valley Rd. Then we turned east on Marsh Creek Rd followed by a turn north on Walnut Blvd. From there we turned onto Concord Ave and, with a little detour due to a road closure, rode north on the Hwy 4 bypass. We exited the bypass at Laurel Rd and turned onto Neroly Rd taking that all the way to Main St in Oakley.

We merged onto Hwy 160 north, going up and over the Antioch bridge. As we rounded the curve approaching the bridge over Threemile Slough, just before Brannan Island State Park, we came up on some traffic. I originally thought the backup was due to the bridge being up, but as got closer we noted that the traffic was still moving, but slowly. When we made our way across the bridge we could see the flashing lights a half mile or so ahead. There was an ambulance with lights flashing headed back toward Antioch, but sadly they didn't seem to be in a hurry to get there. We were able to get around the accident by using the turn lane and continue on our way. As we passed by the accident scene we could not tell what had happened. There were a couple of cars pulled over and the road looked pretty 'messy', but no obvious collision.

From there we continued north on 160, but just a bit slower, and then turned east onto Hwy 12. About 2 miles down the road we turned south onto Jackson Slough Rd, taking that down to Brannan Island Rd, then following that the rest of the way to Korth's Pirate's Lair.



While it wasn't hot yet it had warmed up enough to make the sweatshirts uncomfortable, so everyone peeled them off before going inside. We were greeted with good food, good service, and reasonable prices. What more can a bunch of hungry HOGs ask for? We ate, chatted for a while and then it was time to head for home. As we usually do, the group broke up into smaller groups taking different routes home. Some back tracked down Brannan Island Rd the way we had come while others opted to continue up to Hwy 12 and home.

Another great day spent riding, eating and mingling with friends.

See you on Tuesday ...