49er Rally Memorial Day Weekend

[Melena]

I just realized Memorial Day weekend is only 3 weeks away.  But I'm all registered and getting things together.  All of a sudden I'm getting things together a lot faster.  

Is anyone else out there on the West Coast going to make it to Auburn and the 49er Rally?  It's always a really good time.  What about the flag?  Is anyone getting it to Semper Gumby?  Rob, do you still have it or did it get to John in SC yet?  

We're leaving on Thursday, 5/21, to get up there early - gotta get a good camping spot.   8-)   I'm sure looking forward to this.  Missed it last year.  It rained anyway.  Who knows what the weather will be like by then though - it can change rapidly.  It's been raining since yesterday and is supposed to continue until Wednesday.  Grrr.  I've got some stuff to do on the bike and it will need to be dry and warm.  But that's a different topic.

[Ed Miller]

http://bmwnorcal.org/49er/

It's going to be a hard year for me to do much of anything, as I'm taking a forest management class that is going to eat up a bunch of my vacation time and even several weekends.  And I'll be working a bunch of Sundays.  Oh well, $$$$$ is good.

I have a credit card with a bunch of R65 bills on it to pay off.

[Melena]

Thanks for that link Ed.  I forgot about that.    

Sounds like a good class you're taking.  You're going to be pretty busy, so I guess you won't be getting to the Chief Joseph Rally in John Day either then.  

I know there are other forum members who live in California.  Anyone making it to the 49er?  Come on guys!  We need to make a showing.  Can't let the East Coast folks show us up!  

Here is the recent scuttlebutt about where the 2010 National Rally is going to be held - Redmond, Oregon.   8-)  I can make that one, and I'm already planning it.  

[suecanada]

Oregon, Melena...now that would be great!!! Our first really good change to meet!!! Yeah! Hope you are right or the rumour is right that is.

[Ed Miller]

...I know where Redmond is.  I went to school there for a few months.

[Melena]

...I know where Redmond is.

Yeah.  Looks like you can just take Hwy 126 from Eugene over the Cascades and you'll run right into Redmond, just a few miles NE of Bend.  

I know I've been through there, but it's been a very long time ago.  I will be very happy to go up there again.  And on the right side of the mountains for no rain.   8-)

[Allred]

Hey, I'll be arriving at the 49er on Thursday, too, after crossing most of Utah and Nevada.  But, the R65 is staying home, and I'll be riding "La Plata", the road-sofa!  I'll be on the watch for R65's though.

Allred
 8-)

[Melena]

Great Allred!  I'll try to get a sign up by my tent.  Or at least hang one of the R65 t-shirts.  I'm riding with my friend who has a purple K100LT.  And I've got long white platinum hair.   8-)  

Only 2 more days, and then I'm off!  Woo hoo!  Still have lots to do.   I'm sure we'll find each other!

[Melena]

I'm back!  Just got back this afternoon.  And had a fantastic time seeing old friends and making new ones.  

Never did find Allred.  I wore my R65 T-shirt (with the big R65 on the back) most of the weekend, but there were a lot of people there - somewhere around 600 - 700.  

But I'm tired.  I'll write up a trip report later.  Right now I'm going to sleep.   [smiley=zzz.gif]

[nhmaf]

Welcome back - safe and sound !!!

We look forward to all the fun details from the West Coast chapter !!!
 [smiley=1drink.gif]

[aussie]

Oh wow - sounds like a great event - let us know how it went with piccies and all....

[SCJJR65]

Yeah, Melena, pics, we need pics!!!!  

(Especially of you with the platinum hair!  Is that a new look?)  

[Melena]

Yeah, Melena, pics, we need pics!!!!  

Okay, pics I posted a few days ago in the Photo Gallery.  I had to go make a smaller version of each so I could post them.  That and posting them took longer than I'd hoped it would.  

Anyway, I did make it to the 49er.  My friend & riding partner, Larry, had trouble with  his K100LT (Taz, the purple K bike) - the rear brakes broke down.  He thought he'd have it fixed, but 2 days before the trip he broke the rear brake cylinder while trying to get the air out of the system.  Well, no bike and no part until the next week.  Since we wanted to go together, and I really didn't want to ride by myself (him in his truck and me on the bike isn't riding together), we put my bike on his trailer so I could at least ride when we got there.   It turned out to be a great trip.  It was more important to go meet up with friends at the rally.  

I did get a ride in by myself one morning.  I went up Hwy 80 a few miles up from Auburn to a road to Forest Hill.  It was a beautiful cool morning and that made up for the previous HOT day.  The road is a nice twisty road with very few cars.  There is one really high bridge that goes over the North Fork of the American River.  I'd seen the bridge from down the river and couldn't figure out where it was, and then there I was on it.    8-)  It was a nice ride that went from the oaks in Auburn up into the pines.  The air was so clean.  There was a store/deli at Forest Hill and a nice big parking lot where I stopped and looked out over the canyon and the high Sierra in the back ground.  There was still quite a bit of snow capping the mountains.  Unfortunately, I forgot to take my camera.  

When I got back, Larry had found the local Farmer's Market and gotten some smoked salmon, a baguette, and some fresh fruit and  and drinks and had lunch ready.

Oops, I'm running out of characters.  See the next post.

[Melena]

 Okay, so the rest of the story.............

Since we had the truck, we took a few trips in it.  Friday we went exploring down Hwy 49.  Wow!  Now that one is one twisty and steep road.  We also took a trip up over Donner Pass to Truckee and had lunch.  These would have been great fun on the bikes.  

The rally was lots of fun.  We had fun seeing friends from previous rallys and meeting new friends.  We checked out all the vendors at least a couple of times.  I bought a travel cover for my bike.  I've been wanting to get one, and here I had a chance to try it out before I bought it.  Got it from Mr. Ed's Moto from Oregon.  The bike covers are made in Oregon and they know the person who makes them.

We also found a deal on jackets - They were $55 or 2 for $100.  So, we both got a new summer mesh riding jacket by First Gear!     It's got a full liner that blocks the wind for those cool morning starts and great armor in all the  right places.  Mine is a men's size as they didn't have any women's, but it fits great.  Arms are a tiny bit long, but on the bike it's not even noticeable and that's where it matters.   What a deal!  

We made our own breakfast and lunch.  Having a truck with you is good for one thing - getting an ice chest filled with ice and food and drinks.    Dinner was out, except on Saturday night they had a BBQ.  But I had ordered the vegetarian dinner and boy was I glad I did.  It was absolutely delicious - grilled portobello mushroom covered with a grain like rice called quinoa fixed with olive oil and garlic, plus some grilled red peppers and grilled onions.  I was so glad I had ordered it because I wouldn't have liked the BBQ they had.  I'll do that from now on!    

This is getting quite long, so I have just one more thing to comment on:  

(Especially of you with the platinum hair!Is that a new look?)

Take a look at the pictures  -    No, not new.  

[SCJJR65]

GREAT pics, Melena!!  That rally looks like one fantastic time!  I'd give anything to be able to attend it some day!

With all that new gear, you sho' be one decked out biker babe!