Spring Fling 2007
May 18 - 20, 2007
Spring Fling 2007 Trip Report
This year marks the 8th year Dave and I have gone to Ron & Doe's Spring Fling in PineGrove. And this marks the 5th year for Chris coming up with me. We were even there last year, but since Ron & Doe couldn't put a ride together (okay, so 7th time, but 8th year to go to Pioneer), Dave, Shawn & Diane met us up there and we rode to Tahoe and really enjoyed ourselves!
This year our oldest son (Bobby) decided to come along for the ride and we talked our youngest son (Brett) to come up too (to see Aunt Gloria and Grandma). And Bobby brought his son, Kaden, with him (to give his wife some time alone with the new baby ;-).
Chris and I left Thursday night and headed up to Ridgecrest, off the 395. We spent the night at the Best Western and got up early (I couldn't sleep and Chris wasn't too happy about me getting up so early. )-: We were out of the motel by 8am and on 395 heading north when we called our sons to find out where they were. And see if they would met us up some where on 395 or just take 58 to 99 and go through the valley to Stockton. They decided to go through the valley. Because of lack of cell phone coverage, we weren't able to talk to them much after 10am.
Around 2pm, Chris and I stopped in the little town of Markleeville for lunch. This is on SR89 after Monitor Pass and just before the SR88. We had a great lunch in a rustic old building. We pulled into the lodge around 3:30pm and didn't see the boys. As I parked the truck and got out, I turned around just in time to see the boys pulling through the entrance of the lodge! Chris and I had only been there for about 30 seconds. What is so funny about this is; with the boys coming from a different direction then us and it was just by chance. We couldn't have timed it better if we would have tried.
After getting a little rest before getting the luggage into the room and unloading the bikes, Chris and the boys went down to WallyWorld. I stayed at the lodge to wait for Dave. I was sitting outside my room, enjoying the open air when I heard someone revving up a motorcycle engine. I went to investigate and found Dennis and Lief out by the bikes. While we were talking, Shawn and Diane showed up with Kathy. During the conversation, Dennis found out that Chris had gone to WalMart and he asked if she was still there? I thought she would be and he asked if she could pick up an air mattress for him. With very lousy cell phone coverage, I was able to get a hold of her and had her pick him up one. While talking to Chris on the phone, she told me that she saw Dave on his way up. Dave pulled in about 15 minutes later.
Now, from the emails that I saw from Ron, I was under the impression that the evening get together was to be at Ron & Doe's, but I found out I was "miss" informed and that the earlier gathering was for those that could make it around 2pm or so. The Pizza gathering (like always) would be at the camp ground. We got that straighten out and Dennis and Lief took off for the campground. Chris and the boys made it back shortly after that. Shawn, Diane & Kathy took off on their bikes for the campground and we piled in the two trucks and went down to the campground.
Ron & Doe were there with the pizza and there were quite a number of folks already there. We of course talked and chewed the fat while looking over the bikes and looked at all the farkels (for the Sport Touring bikes anyway). It's amazing how much one can put on these bikes. (-:
The surprise of the night was Pete Springer. Not that he made it to the Fling, but that he had ridden a dual sport bike up to Pine Grove. That's a long distance on that size of a bike. I don't know how he did it! But that's Pete for you!
After the little get together was over, we headed over to the nearby gas station looking for a map of the area. Of course they were all out, but the guy behind the counter offered up the one they used to tell lost folks where they were heading. I was most appreciative of him to do that! We then headed back to the motel where Shawn, Diane, Kathy and Dave all jumped into the spa. Chris and I decided to wait for Saturday night before going in. Instead, I took the time to read and try to follow the written instructions I had gotten from Ron, for tomorrow's route and mapped it out on the map so I could follow the map instead of the written instructions. I have found that it makes riding a route much easier and less frustrating when you have an idea where you are going. Also, you don't have to worry about losing the main group and just follow at your leisure.
The next morning we got up, dressed and I had to go prep the bike. I needed to change the passenger's seat for Chris (and put her Velour covered, Custom Russell seat on) and run the wires for the Autocom, so we could talk and listen to music during the ride. I also had to attach the two-way radio so Dave could “try” to communicate with us. Well, like every other time we have tried, the two-way radios didn't work worth a hoot! Dave could hear us once in a while talking, and I could even hear him at times…as long as he yelled! Again, we were disappointed in them! )-:
The idea of the day was to leave Brett and Kaden in the motel rooms (the two rooms were a-joined) for the day while we went riding (from about 9am to about 2 – 3pm.). Besides, Brett had school work to do and Kaden watched TV/ movies during the time.
Once everyone came out to the bikes and were able to get suited up, we took off. The weather was a little cool for the morning, but it was a short ride to the Sierra Café in Pine Grove (Our usual hang out for breakfast). By the time we got there, a number of the guys from the campground were already eating (early risers, what can I say?). We had a nice breakfast, like always and like always, the food was good.
After finishing up with breakfast, we rode over to the campground to meet up with the rest of the group. It's always fun to see everyone that can make these rides. And we had about 20 bikes and three bikes were two up, Ron & Doe, Shawn & Diane, and Chris & I.
Having the map that I had marked the night before, I was pretty confident that I could find my way through the route. So I led the slow group, Chris & I (ST1300), Bobby(R1), Dave (ST1300), Shawn & Diane (ST1100) and Kathy (SV600) bringing up the rear. I wasn't looking for a race or anything, so we just took a nice leisurely ride and got to our destinations when we got there!
When we were heading to the café and back to the campground after breakfast, my new Autocom was working fantastic for Chris and I. She even enjoyed listening to the music while we were riding. As we left the campground, it quit working and she couldn't hear me nor hear the music! (I wasn't sure which she was unhappy about the most, me or the music…;-)
Our route took us left out of the campground and down Tabeau road. The road was typical for that area. There were trees all around and it had some nice curves in it and was pretty much cage free! We followed it until it ran into Clinton road. Clinton was similar like Tabeau, just a nice ride! We followed Clinton until we came into Jackson and then made a right turn onto hwy 49.
As we were going through Jackson, I realized what happened to the Autocom. While leaving the campground, I had to scoot forward and when I did, the connectors came apart to Chris's Autocom cable. So when we stopped at a light in Jackson, I was able to hook her back up. Thank goodness this system is that easy. Chris was happy again now that she could hear the music and talk to me at the same time. Sure did make the trip that much better.
Jackson was having an annual Rod show, so the streets were pretty busy, but we followed 49 (NW) to the top of the hill and made a left onto Argonaut Lane. Argonaut goes through some of the local neighborhoods, which are pretty interesting within themselves. Many of the houses looked like they needed a coat of paint and you could tell, it wasn't the High Society part of town. Argonaut Lane runs into Stoney Creek Rd. where we took a right. Stoney starts going down in elevation as we were leaving Jackson. It winds around pastures and farms on both sides. We followed it down past the north part of the Pardee Lake Reservoir until it runs into Buena Vista Rd, where were took a right. Buena Vista Rd also winds through pastures and farms, it was just beautiful. Perfect day for a ride!
Our first stop was at a little store where Buena Vista intersects with Jackson Valley Rd. Chris wanted to use the facilities, but, from what I heard, the store owner closed the restrooms right after a couple of the other riders used it. Obviously a real friendly guy! NOT! We stood around for a little while and kicked tires and told tall tales until Ron was ready to go the next leg.
During this stop, Chris decided she wanted to start taking some pictures while we were riding. I told her sure, it would be great! So she started taking pictures of the road in front of us and behind us. She also got the bright idea to take videos. She did this a number of times, until she filled up the memory. I didn't think of bringing any extra memory, since it was a 1gb chip in the camera. Next time I'll have the 2gb with us and bring the extra batteries and memory chips.
We continued up Buena Vista to 124 and through the little town of IONE. As we rode through IONE, Chris snapped a few really great pictures of Bobby, Dave, Shawn & Diane and Kathy all riding behind us. At one point I was afraid of losing the back of the group, so I pulled over until everyone was in sight and we took off again. Going through IONE, you come into town, then make a left and right and another right, so it's easy to get lost if you don't know the town.
We followed 124 out of town and rode for
several miles as we started climbing in elevation until we came to Willow Creek Rd where
we made a left and followed it up to Hwy 16. Now 124 didn't have any real sharp curves and
it was nice and wide, where as Willow Creek was similar to
As we rode on Fiddletown road, I was thinking that the next turn would be sooner then it was, but we continued through the little town of Fiddletown where we almost got ran over. The driver of a Dodge Ram Pickup, coming from the opposite direction, was watching the bicyclists in front of him and not the lanes of the oncoming traffic that we were in. When he got close to us he started out over the Double Yellow and I soon corrected him with a blast from my air horn. He got back over pretty quick.
We continued down Fiddletown Road until I found Shake Ridge Road where we made a sharp turn to the right. Shake Ridge Road then turns into (with a little turn to the left) Ram's Horn Grade Road where we headed down towards Volcano. Chris held the camera on my shoulder and video recorded the windy part of the ride. Lots of tight turns and that! The video actually turned out pretty good considering it was just my little Kodak. I think next time; I'll put the wide angle on and see if it is better.
We stopped for lunch in Volcano. It's a small little store, but the two older gals there did a bang up job at cooking the burgers and making all the sandwiches. Like I said earlier, there was 23 of us, and they had us fed within a very short time. We spent about an hour there enjoying ourselves and had a nice relaxing time. In fact, it was so relaxing, Lief was sound asleep on one of the benches.
Lunch was over and time for the last leg. We suited up and headed back to Hwy88 on Pioneer Volcano Rd, just east of Pine Grove. At the 88, we made a right and then an immediate left on to HWY 26 (one of my favorites). Chris even did okay this time. I guess since we never scraped the center stand, she didn't realize how far we were leaned over ;-)which was much farther over then we could do on the V45 Sabre a few years ago. Hwy 26 is full of twists and turns, just a motorcyclist's delight! On this leg we didn't hit any traffic to talk about and the road was pretty clear. Although at one point a cop was sitting on the side of the road, but no problems, as I was around the speed limit. Also, I noticed as we went over the bridges, that the water levels in the rivers were down a lot, nothing like they were two years ago when they were over their banks in a number of areas.Our "guided ride" ended at the gas station at Hwy26 & Hwy49. Overall, it was a great, fun ride and we really enjoyed ourselves.
After about 30 to 45 minutes, everyone started heading back with most heading down Hwy 49 to Jackson and up 88, but we decided to go back up Hwy26 to Pioneer. We figured, what the heck, going the opposite direction gives you a different perspective on the road! (-: Since Dave knew where we were and the direction back to the lodge, I asked him to lead. There were two problems with that that I didn't think about though; The first was the fact that there was a cop sitting in the middle of 26, just waiting for motorcycles (and others) to go by at a fast pace. The second was that Bobby would try to keep up with Uncle Dave. I could just see them both getting a ticket! Just before getting to where the cop was, Dave said he looked in the mirror and didn't see us, so he slowed down. Right at the right time too, because there was the cop! So we made it past that one. After following some local jokester into a small town, we were just about through the town, when an idiot jumped out in front of Dave. Unfortunately, we followed him through some of the better parts of 26. I think we would have been better off, just pulling off and letting the jerk go and not stay behind him. At the only legal passing point, the jerk sped up so no one could pass him. Actually, it was only because we had the three bikes we didn't, if it would have been only Dave or I, we would have gone around him so fast his head would still be spinning!
Shortly after that we made it back to the lodge and found the rooms still on one piece and Kaden and Brett just fine. So I guess it worked out okay for them for the day. Shawn, Diane and Kathy quickly jumped into the spa, so Chris went to visit with them for a little while and I joined them a little later, after taking care of all the gear. We all just sat around the pool and spa on the chairs, relaxed and enjoyed the outdoors. We relaxed until it was time to go to the BBQ. Bobby wanted to ride his bike down to the BBQ, so Dave, Bobby & I rode while Chris drove my truck with Kaden. On the way down to the BBQ, I gave Brett a ride on the bike. The BBQ was nice, even though we had to have it out by the campsites, instead of the pavilion. When I saw the pavilion later, it looked like it hadn't been cleaned in a year. That campground just seems to go more and more down hill each year. But we had a good time talking to everyone and enjoyed ourselves quite a bit!
We then headed back to the motel to jump into the spa. This time Chris and I joined Dave, Shawn & Diane and Kathy. We just talked for a while then headed back to our rooms. Nice way to end our stay!
Sunday morning, we had to load the bikes. And before I could load my bike into the trailer, I had to take off Chris's seat and get the bike ready for the trip. The new ramp I bought was great, I was able to assemble it pretty fast and it really made getting the bike in and out of the trailer a lot easier! We were even able to get Bobby's bike loaded without any problems. I have decided though that the ramp needed to be wider to have better footing while walking the bikes up or down the ramp.
As always we had a great time. It was fun having Bobby along with us, and I was real pleased with his improved riding skills on this trip. Much better then the last two times..;-) Chris really enjoyed herself too. I just wished I could get her out on the bike more often. I think as the weather warms up, I will try to do just that.
And again, thanks Ron and Doe for providing us the opportunity to have such a great time.
Pictures of our Spring Fling: Spring Fling 2007 Pictures
A short clip of Us moving in some curves...requires QuickTime.