Blues Traveler
05-25-2008, 11:29 PM
Have been watching the weather for weeks, everything looked Great. The 3 of us packed according to the weather forecast/reports and headed out a day early for Auburn. We pulled out at 5:00 am, headed up Cajon Pass, hooked up with Hwy. 395 and 199 miles later we were in Olancha to meet up with a couple more friend for breakfast at the Ranch House Cafe. Its now 8:30 and I check my phone for messages. There's a message from Brian who say's they are a no show due to illness. So now there's just the 3 of us who will still meet up with a 4th (Mark) at the event.
We have a GREAT breakfast and continue on down 395. Weather has taken a change and were pushing a strong head wind and clouds are forming quickly up ahead.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0578.jpg
Were headed for a campgroung called Virginia Creek Settlement just south of Bridgeport, about 465 miles. As we pass through Mammoth it starts snowing. None of us were prepared for the low temps but push on. Were not far from our destination.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0608.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0609.jpg
George (KTM) has stayed here before. We reserved Tent cabins for the first night, $24. Great deal Wayne (Triumph Tiger) and I split a cabin. Very simple, just a small room with a table, chairs, 2 twin beds, and no heat. Was nice not having to setup out tents in the cold and snow.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0594.jpg
We got our sleeping bags rolled out, cover the bikes, and make some coffee while waiting for the restaurant to open.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0590.jpg
Jimmy who runs the place takes a picture to capture the moment.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0587.jpg
On the restaurant sign it say's pizza. And being very serious here the pizza was the best damn pizza I have ever eaten. All three of us could not believe that out in the middle of nowhere we would find the best pizza we had ever eaten.
Early morning it was in the mid 20's, everything was frozen and the covers had to be pealed from the bikes. Sleeping bags packed back on the bikes and we head north towards Lake Tahoe.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0605.jpg
All the way up 395 we rode in a light snow fall. Once to Lake Tahoe we turned off on Hwy 89 and head for Hwy 50. As soon as we were on Hwy 50 traffic came to a stop were we sat and enjoyed (love my Gerbing's) the snow fall as workers cleaned up the crash site, 6 cars and 1 motorcycle. The motorcycle, a brand new BMW R1200RT with only 800 miles on the clock. We know this because we met up later with the owner at the event.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0634.jpg
The 3 of snaked our way to the front just befotre they opened the road up and headed for Monitor Pass. Was a GREAT ride and we took our time. Stopped for a quick picture and then got on our way.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0628.jpg
In no time we were down the mountain and out of the snow in Placerville. George lived up here years ago and knew all the great roads. We were only a half an hour from the event but Goerge took us into George Town to a place he knew for a beer and a bowl of chili.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0639.jpg
Time to move on we headed for the fairgrounds in Auburn.
Once checked in at the gate we needed to find a place to pitch our tents. With rain in the forecast for the next 3 days we were all doubtfull we were going to stay dry. But as luck has it I noticed a banner up ahead on the right.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0641.jpg
Oh YEA!! it said ADVrider.com. I had no idea they were going to be there. They had the entire Sheep stable saved for the ADV group and we were all able to get our own nice covered stall.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0658.jpg
They were very clean having been swepped out, and cleaned up by the ADV group day's earlier. Without this cool spot we could have run into problems like this because it did rain pretty damn hard non stop all evening.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0743.jpg
There were a few others who lucked out and got a nice dry place but the rest were out in the rain on the grass dealing with the rain.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0779.jpg
Friday night in Aubun is know as "FAST FRIDAY" Speedway motorcycle racing and those attending the event got a discount, were there!
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0661.jpg
The event was still great. There were vendors.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0678.jpg
And bikes of all makes and years. Here are a few random pictures.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0684.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0686.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0688.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0690.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0751.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0682.jpg
Because of the rain we decided to head home a day early. Up at 5:30 am we packed it up. Before packig away the kitchen we made pancakes and coffee before hitting the road. To avoid the rain and snow we all decided it was best to slab it all the way home. On the road by 8:30 I was home by 5:00 pm. On interstate 5 we road in the rain between Stockton and Bakersfield. It was a light rain and all my gear worked as it should and I stayed nice and dry.
Total milage for the trip was 1065 miles. Our simple trip actually turned into somewhat of an adventure.:)
We have a GREAT breakfast and continue on down 395. Weather has taken a change and were pushing a strong head wind and clouds are forming quickly up ahead.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0578.jpg
Were headed for a campgroung called Virginia Creek Settlement just south of Bridgeport, about 465 miles. As we pass through Mammoth it starts snowing. None of us were prepared for the low temps but push on. Were not far from our destination.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0608.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0609.jpg
George (KTM) has stayed here before. We reserved Tent cabins for the first night, $24. Great deal Wayne (Triumph Tiger) and I split a cabin. Very simple, just a small room with a table, chairs, 2 twin beds, and no heat. Was nice not having to setup out tents in the cold and snow.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0594.jpg
We got our sleeping bags rolled out, cover the bikes, and make some coffee while waiting for the restaurant to open.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0590.jpg
Jimmy who runs the place takes a picture to capture the moment.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0587.jpg
On the restaurant sign it say's pizza. And being very serious here the pizza was the best damn pizza I have ever eaten. All three of us could not believe that out in the middle of nowhere we would find the best pizza we had ever eaten.
Early morning it was in the mid 20's, everything was frozen and the covers had to be pealed from the bikes. Sleeping bags packed back on the bikes and we head north towards Lake Tahoe.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0605.jpg
All the way up 395 we rode in a light snow fall. Once to Lake Tahoe we turned off on Hwy 89 and head for Hwy 50. As soon as we were on Hwy 50 traffic came to a stop were we sat and enjoyed (love my Gerbing's) the snow fall as workers cleaned up the crash site, 6 cars and 1 motorcycle. The motorcycle, a brand new BMW R1200RT with only 800 miles on the clock. We know this because we met up later with the owner at the event.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0634.jpg
The 3 of snaked our way to the front just befotre they opened the road up and headed for Monitor Pass. Was a GREAT ride and we took our time. Stopped for a quick picture and then got on our way.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0628.jpg
In no time we were down the mountain and out of the snow in Placerville. George lived up here years ago and knew all the great roads. We were only a half an hour from the event but Goerge took us into George Town to a place he knew for a beer and a bowl of chili.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0639.jpg
Time to move on we headed for the fairgrounds in Auburn.
Once checked in at the gate we needed to find a place to pitch our tents. With rain in the forecast for the next 3 days we were all doubtfull we were going to stay dry. But as luck has it I noticed a banner up ahead on the right.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0641.jpg
Oh YEA!! it said ADVrider.com. I had no idea they were going to be there. They had the entire Sheep stable saved for the ADV group and we were all able to get our own nice covered stall.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0658.jpg
They were very clean having been swepped out, and cleaned up by the ADV group day's earlier. Without this cool spot we could have run into problems like this because it did rain pretty damn hard non stop all evening.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0743.jpg
There were a few others who lucked out and got a nice dry place but the rest were out in the rain on the grass dealing with the rain.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0779.jpg
Friday night in Aubun is know as "FAST FRIDAY" Speedway motorcycle racing and those attending the event got a discount, were there!
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0661.jpg
The event was still great. There were vendors.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0678.jpg
And bikes of all makes and years. Here are a few random pictures.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0684.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0686.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0688.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0690.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0751.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0682.jpg
Because of the rain we decided to head home a day early. Up at 5:30 am we packed it up. Before packig away the kitchen we made pancakes and coffee before hitting the road. To avoid the rain and snow we all decided it was best to slab it all the way home. On the road by 8:30 I was home by 5:00 pm. On interstate 5 we road in the rain between Stockton and Bakersfield. It was a light rain and all my gear worked as it should and I stayed nice and dry.
Total milage for the trip was 1065 miles. Our simple trip actually turned into somewhat of an adventure.:)