Chapter Historian
Phylis G.
Happy June, fellow HOGS!
Welcome to the 2008 Riding Season. What are your summer plans? Do they include State or National HOG Rallies? Visits to the relatives? Sturgis? Street Vibrations? Or kicking it around the county on some day trips? Whatever the plan, your fellow HOGS would like to hear about your trips!
The Redwood Harley Anniversary Party in April is at the top of my notes. Congratulations to Rockey and Co. in celebration of their second year in the new location! It was a fun day down at the dealership. Dewey and Cindy roasted up a mess of hotdogs, Kathleen and Kirstie passed out balloons and made popcorn, Teri (“T-1”) organized a few games and contests. A few went out on demo rides, including Donna, who is looking to move on up to maybe a Dyna? Rex, Bruce and Rockey offered lots of good bike, parts, and motor clothing deals, and we all saw many familiar faces including several fellow Chapter Members from Crescent City who took advantage of the lovely day to ride down for a visit. The Carricos arrived with new grandchild, and congratulations were exchanged between them and The O’Learys, also new grandparents.
In other dealership news: congratulations to Terry (“T-2”) on the early arrival of her new edition: baby boy Tristan! He made a surprise entrance 2 months ahead of schedule in Mid May; don’t we wish the ‘09 model Harleys could do that?? He’s had a few struggles due to his early birth, but he’s coming right along. I was happy to get a chance to say hi and congratulate Terry up at Crescent City last weekend at the Poker Run.
Phebe and Rockey sadly announced at our June Chapter Meeting that Manager Ken is leaving the service department. Good Luck in future endeavors, Ken, your expertise and Harley enthusiasm will be missed by many of us. Phebe informed members that Bruce will take over as Parts and Service Manager, and that the dealership has hired 2 new employees in service and one in sales. I am looking forward to meeting them. Welcome from CNCHOG to Redwood Harley-Davidson!
Jerry and I rode to Tucson, Arizona for the State Rally at the beginning of May. The ride both ways was fantastic, and not so hot. I mean that: It was only in the high 80’s to low 90’s, absolutely perfect biking weather. And in the desert in particular where, well, you know: It’s a DRY HEAT! We made a few new HOG friends in the southwest, and toured historic Tombstone, Bisbee, Sierra Vista and Tubac, all south and east of Tucson. On our first afternoon in Tucson we made the requisite ride out to “Old Tucson,” known as one of Hollywood’s most famous back lot sets for many old western movies and television shows right up to present day. On our final night in town, the Arizona HOG chapters executed an absolutely flawless biker parade, which included 2 laps around the downtown area of the city.
Coming back north we swung wide and south around the rim of the “soup bowl” known as Las Vegas, and detoured thru Death Valley. We missed most of the wildflowers but the weather was even better: OVERCAST and 95!
On the way to the valley we stopped in Pahrump and did what ya’ should do on the road when you get hungry: We asked locals at the gas station where to go where locals go to eat breakfast. The gem of the day turned out to be MOM’S DINER in Pahrump. Our waitress/owner snickered that they don’t have toast (which she consistently burns) but make great home made biscuits to accompany the meals. It was a good start to the ride to Badwater Basin.
In one day we went to the lowest spot in the lower US: Badwater Basin @ 282 feet below Sea Level, followed at the end of our day, only 76 miles away, by being able to spy Mt. Whitney from Highway 136 @ almost 15,000 feet - the highest spot in the lower US. Highway 395 is a particularly favored north-south route for us, taking a bit longer to get home, but well worth it for scenery along the way. We exited onto 70 and did the Feather River Canyon (saw no trains running that day, no people with their lounge chairs set up at trestles…) to 89, north to 36, west to 5, and north to 299 after one more night away, in Redding. That second to last day was another butt buster: Bishop to Redding=440 miles. Bike and biker performed perfectly. Dinner at Cattleman’s was perfect end to the long day.
Chapter highlights for March to June included great support and participation by our HOGs at the UBNC County Line Run (ending in -a tie? Are they kidding me?) and the BACA 100 Mile Poker Run. Judy got back up on 2 wheels for the BACA run. Yay! High Five!! The knee is slowly mending, and she chirps that it feels best on the bike, wishes she could just ride -all day!
A few new beginner riders are starting to make their debuts on the road including Kirstie on Donna’s “Hondarley” (and presently shopping for her dream Harley) and Nancy on her Sportster.
There were a couple of well attended Chapter Rides in April and May, and the weather remained (mostly) very cooperative. We “had to drive” to Eel river Brewery for the Poor Man’s Poker Run, but despite hard sprinkles Dan and Bernie rode. The May RH-D Staff Appreciation Ride to Brookings saw some of the nicest weather in years, at the tail end of an unexpected coastal heat wave. Just how often do you see bare biker arms shoulders on the North Coast??
Judy, Cindy, and I represented the California North Coast HOG Chapter in Vegas at Primary Officers’ Training in May. I am pleased to tell you: Nationwide, we HOGS all seem to share chapter similar issues, problems and goals. Our chapter rocks, thanks to implementation of the tools we officers have previously acquired at other POT‘s. This year ~we were the ones~ sure to share our success stories and ideas with some fledgling officers from other chapters. We HOGS in CNCHOG are so very lucky to have one great sponsor in Redwood Harley. Thanks ‘Rocket Man’ and Phebe!
We missed the Redwood Harley Open House on the May 17th while we were away. From the photos, it looks like everyone had fun! Also that weekend: The Chapter’s annual RHD Staff Appreciation Ride to Smuggler’s Cove. A great day for a lovely ride up the coast, and as always: good food in Brookings.
In CC Glenn and Nancy Anderson have stepped in to the Assistant Directors’ position after Tony and Debi resigned in April. With the fun of retirement looming (see more below), and after holding the position for four years they decided it was time for a changing of the guard. Thanks and gratitude from CNCHOG to The Newmans for so much hard work and dedication in keeping our northern members up to date and informed about our Chapter activities! Also coming on board in CC is James Hester who shall assist with promoting Safety to the northern area members, and is currently developing a “Second Sunday” chapter ride each month. Garth Goodrich signed on to the team to help out with Chapter Photographers Bob and Judy Florka, and other posts are forthcoming.
Our chapter loves volunteers. Please don’t hesitate to ask to help out!
The annual Steelhead Lodge Dinner Run was a smaller group ride this year. 6 bikes departed in foggy chill from Redwood Harley, with Kirstie sweeping in a cage at the rear. Best part of the ride for me: Swooshing past Clam Beach: the heady waft of fragrant yellow lupin rifting over salty air was intoxicating. It’s color was only rivaled Kathleen’s bumblebee yellow jacket against the grey asphalt and skies.
A handful of Eureka area members drove up early to Klamath for the dinner. The Crescent City group of about 9 or 10 bikes arrived ahead of Eureka‘s, and wasted no time warming up inside after the chilly ride. Chaz and Linda were the last to arrive at the Lodge from McKinleyville, curiously mounted upon Linda’s Sportster. Problems with Chaz’ spark plug wire connectors and none of the right bolts in the garage called for quick thinking and the decision to go anyway, on the Sporty.
8 of us Humboldt members enjoyed the after-dinner adult beverages - or was it the whooping cream? - and spent the night in the cabins. Early in the morning we departed, and took a civilized ride down to the Palm Café for breakfast on the way home.
June 6 Phil Jamieson and Karen Haban hosted a gathering and barbecue at their charming cabin in the Gasquet woods to kick off the Crescent City Poker Run the next morning. Judy, Bill, Jerry and I rode up to CC under sunny skies on the Friday afternoon and were met in CC by Richard, Sonny, Dale and Lee, and Lee’s cousin Raymond visiting from Medford. We were pleased to see Tony and Debi at the barbecue, though both had other business to do on Saturday and couldn’t make the poker run. By the time you read this ~both~ will have less than 5 days until R E T I R E M E N T !!! The open road awaits!!
Next day bright and early we rumbled the short distance from hotel to Casino and took off with a hundred or more people on the Crescent City Poker Run, one of the nicest rides our north coast has to offer: to Cave Junction, OR, incorporating a few back roads. An added attraction this year was a parade from the casino through the center of town, and out of CC led and road guarded by the CC police force. Once in cave Junction we enjoyed another new addition: riding a loop north to Kerby and west on Finch Rd., to West Side Rd. and south to O’Brien back on 199. Phil collected an astonishing number of prize donations to raffle off back at the terminus of the ride. The barbecued tri tip lunch was again phenomenal. If you didn’t get enough to eat it was not their fault. Our Donna R. was the lucky winner in the hand made quilt drawing. Debi: thanks for your donation - it was gorgeous. Bill and his trike took first place in the bike show, yay Bill!
This was another really well done event that HOGS look forward to attending year after year.
June and the entire summer to come hold many more events and rides in store including The Redwood Run and Piercy’s VFD Poker Run.
The hits keep on coming with Pierre and Rachelle hitting Laconia, and Donna, Bryan, Kathleen and Kirstie heading for Utah. Let your Chapter know what fun you are planning this summer, and if you are looking for companionship on the open road please post on the “Buddy Up” Section of our web site!
Til Next Time, Ride Often And Ride Safe (ROARS!)
Phylis Geller
Your Chapter Historian
Don't ride so late into the night that you sleep through the sunrise.
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