Springtime in January - Lodi Stockton Jackson, CA

There will be cold wet days to come. Fog will fill the valley, and snow will fall in the mountains, but today, it was Spring! Left the house at 7:45 to meet Sam, Mike and Hans from the FJR forum to pre-ride for an event they will have in a few weeks.

Heading down Hwy 99 to the meeting at 8:00 AM. Chilly, and a little fog, but nice (photo through tinted windshield)



Sam, Mike and Hans and two of the four blue 2005 FJRs



First stop is a wildlife refuge to see the Sandhill Cranes that have migrated. They are elusive.



At first all we saw were some ducks and egrets in the marsh.



Finally we saw the Cranes behind a break of brush.



But then they came flying in.





Okay, enough birds...time for lunch. Mike likes fine Mexican Cuisine.

After lunch, Hans went back to San Francisco, and Sam, Mike and I went east to the foothills.



Rock Springs Road is a secret 1-lane through the back of foothill cattle country, and a real workout for a bike's suspension. So of course I went there.









And when the roads got better, we got a taste of FJR bank-angle. (Who the hell pushes the camera button in a curve?)



And out to Pardee Reservoir Dam





It may not last, but its great while we have it.

Outstanding Ride Report and Pictures; Thank You!

Nice pics and RR, Tom. Thanks for taking us along.

--G

Thanks for the great report and pictures. I think I may have seen two of you on Latrobe as you were heading north towards Hwy 50.

UberKul said:

Thanks for the great report and pictures. I think I may have seen two of you on Latrobe as you were heading north towards Hwy 50.

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We saw what I thought was a 2004 FJR on Latrobe Road going the other way as we were heading north. Was that you? Your profile says 2005 FJR, so I am not sure. I have only met you once and you were on your dirt bike.

UberKul said:

Thanks for the great report and pictures. I think I may have seen two of you on Latrobe as you were heading north towards Hwy 50.

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Sam and I were going north on Latrobe just after 4:00 PM

Sheep were seen but Sam was flying far too fast for pictures.

puppychow said:

Was that you?

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Nope, I was in the truck coming back from a hard days work looking at furniture with the wife. :blink:

Pity me.

It was you guys though 'cause it was around 4ish.

UberKul said:

puppychow said:

Was that you?

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Nope, I was in the truck coming back from a hard days work looking at furniture with the wife. :blink:

Pity me.

It was you guys though 'cause it was around 4ish.

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No worries. We passed many in the herd who looked on and could only wish...

TomInCA said:

Sheep were seen but Sam was flying far too fast for pictures.

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See! That's why I don't like to lead. It keeps me in check if someone else is leading

Although, in all fairness we weren't going that fast, if you want to see far too fast, there are a multitude of other riders here on the forum who know how far too fast is really done.

Also, when I am riding middle of the pack - I don't take pictures while riding, but I took a few when we were stopped..

But first..

Birds? What Birds? I dunno whatchu talking about, but it sure looks like fun(ny)!



Rock Creek Road was a blast or it blasted the shocks on the bike or rattled a few filings loose or all of the above , but it was a "fun" way to abuse the OEM suspension before I get an aftermarket shock this year..

We had just ridden in from that-a-way.



The bike's shock was probably just as beat as these decrepit buildings.



Mike and Tom had stopped shaking from the ride on Rock Creek and are getting ready to roll out again.



Stopped at Pardee Dam for some posing.



Mike and Tom enjoying the view!



Three of the best year FJR's ever made.



Another old barn. The lush green hills are gorgeous this time of year.



We stopped and chatted for quite a while before parting ways with Mike for the day.



Great seeing and riding with all of you fine gentlemen! I had a great time!

Damn! I thought I avoided the wrong side of the camera! :dribble:

It was a great day, and I really enjoyed riding with you. Thanks for posting a couple old barns and old bikers.

puppychow said:

... you fine gentlemen! ...

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Sam.

Let's not go overboard.

Lovely pics, and I'm sure some warm comraderie.

(Guessing it was a l-e-i-s-u-r-e-l-y ride, since there were no Gen II's included. )

Great RR Tom. I really envy you for being able to enjoy riding in cool weather. Its really hot and humid where I live, make it tough when riding long distances.

Thanks for sharing.

nik.hisham said:

Great RR Tom. I really envy you for being able to enjoy riding in cool weather. Its really hot and humid where I live, make it tough when riding long distances.

Thanks for sharing.

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Some days are cooler than others LOL. We get plenty of heat in the summer.

I thought I'd add a few photos of my own.

Some easily recognized forum denizens: Hans, Sam and Tom.



Remember the days when we used to use paper maps? Now we squint at the small screen while attempting to type in the destination and hope that "dumb Dorrie" actually gives us the correct driving instructions. It appears Hans is trying to fine tune his GPS apps. Or, maybe he has a remote camera and can watch the birds on his GPS screen? He may not realize that Woodbridge Rd. actually goes to the TOWN of Woodbridge. :dntknw:



Familiar faces ordering lunch: James Burleigh, TominCA, puppychow.



Food Porn! After this "load" I had no appetite for supper...This WAS the Blueplate Special and it was excellent.



Parking...by the numbers...and inside the lines!



And, for those who are "keeping score", this is my post 11,031 to tie with Tim's (TwoWheelNut) benchmark at his passing.

It seems only right to tie the historic post by doing something absolutely normal...posting a ride report.

Of course, if he were still with us his post count would be near 30,000. :blink:

madmike2 said:

I thought I'd add a few photos of my own.

Some easily recognized forum denizens: Hans, Sam and Tom.

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,,,,and Mike shoots for the tie!! The crowd goes wild!

PS - Yes, easy to recognize Sam - he is the one pulling that black bag over his head! I was being taken to a secret location or something..

puppychow said:

,,,,and Mike shoots for the tie!! The crowd goes wild!

PS - Yes, easy to recognize Sam - he is the one pulling that black bag over his head! I was being taken to a secret location or something..

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B-b-but Sam, I thought I'd captured the 3 stages of helmet removal: Helmet on, removing balaclava, naked head.

Edit: According to Sam's accounting, this is my post #11,032 which places me as the new Post Leader.

It's been quite a journey of miles on the FJR, meeting so many new friends (and keeping some), making many acquaintances on-line, recovering from some injuries and generally enjoying the atmosphere of this place.

 

It's true, you really do meet the nicest people on an FJR!

 

Of course, if the original post-meister, the beloved though departed TwoWheelNut was still with us his post count would likely be in the 25,000-30,000 range but, working from home he had opportunity to hourly check on the hooligans that post on this site. R.I.P, Tim, I still miss your wit, insight, character and and friendship.

 

We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming. Enjoy!

....and he is OFFICIALLY the POST WHORE KING of FJRFORUM!!!



Also here is your unofficial badge of honor Mike!

Cool reporting their gents!

Who's rig had the in dash player and speakers?????