2014-05-29 GOTC_Sonora, CA - Day One

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dcarver

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Gathering of the Clans 2014-05-29, Sonora, California

With many thanks to Fairlaner, aka Richard, GOTC was to happen again this year. With the passing of my Pops, just last 4/21/14, and having been incredibly busy with administering the trust, I almost decided to not go. Then, a moment of clarity and with a quick pack of bare essentials said yes before I could say no again. Still, Pops was on my mind. Then again, better to celebrate with the living than mourn the dead so off me n' KrZy8 go.

KrZy8 was rarin' to run. New tires, fresh oil, chain lubed.. well maybe not the chain thing..


In very accurate CBA fashion, I decided to NOT make a run to California City to inspect the rental house. IT would have made for an 11 hour day in the saddle and I just didn't feel like it.This is on 41 East, heading towards Shandon.




To the left, Paso Robles - to the right, Shandon.


Shandon is mostly a Hispanic town, with a nice park, a chuch, post office, and general store, run by a Korean. Unlike many inner city areas, no conflicts exist between the Korean store keep and the Latino community his store serves.


The post office.


It pains me to see what was once a wonderful house deteriorate to this.


Every CBA ride starts with a nice breakfast. And EVERY time I stop, I see my bud Randy, a local rancher, having breakfast.


Next stop, Coarsegold, CA, to Roberts, for a burger and ice cream cone!






I think KrZy8 still looks great, almost 150k later..
I see newer bikes, but this one is set up perfect for me and she still runs very strong, so why not dance with the gurl yah brung?


Leaving Coarsegold, found this truck n' Pup..




Always looking for a new back road, CBA style, I stumbled on Old Toll Road.
Coolio sez I, until it turns into the worst bit of pavement I've ever been on.
It was like clumps of cold asphalt thrown down everywhere by a bunch o' drunks.


This dirt was better than the asphalt...


Yep, there, right there.




Lucky for me, not taking Old Toll allowed me to ride the 'Little Dragon' 49.
This is where it gets strange. KrZy8 is ready to rAgE and the rider AiNt.
Not feeling the love today.. Missing my lines, running wide, exceeding my margin of stay within the desired line by 6 inches.
So I went into Tourist mode.


For my Bud TurboDave and the Clampers.


The Hetch Hetchy resevoir and power plant.




What surprised me was the number of company vehicles in the lot. It was like EVERY single employee had company ride. I was cruising around in a private area, and a rental cop was heading my way, so I did not stay long. The sign said this plant was put in place by the city of San Francisco. Given the number of company trucks I wonder if all the employees commute from SF to here daily.




Another one of those moments. I've been by Chinese Camp a dozen or more times. This time I stopped.


Tri-old-Barn-Fecta!


Some see a run-down house. I see a thing of simple elegance. I can't help it. Let's restore it!




See the ghost of grandma on the front porch? She's just past the window, sipping some iced tea.




Since every RR should have a motobike or two, here's KrZy8 posing by another old house.


I'm thinking this was the post office, first built in 1854, but I'm not sure.


Leaving Chinese camp, I backtracked to Sonora to get unpacked and into the hotel room.


Two of my good buds were in town. Terry, below, owns T&A motorsports in Sonora. We decided to head west about 20 miles to meet another bud, Greg. We all three raced MX in the day. Oh, Terry still does. Here's Terry on his FXSR running hard. He runs that Harley faster than most Feejer peeps.


The restaurant was called the RoadHouse, 1950's decor, and the food was good. There were approx 50 firefighters waiting to be served.. the waitress was ON it. She got our order first!


 
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Another nice RR Don. Thanks for all the great pictures and commentary.
rolleyes.gif


 
Very Good Stuff Sir.

Somehow I don't remember hearing that you lost your Dad. I am sorry to hear that sad news. I am happy that you are still out riding and sharing good stories with us.

Please Sir, do continue this most wonderful RR.

 
Wow. Just Wow. From those of us who don't know how a camera works to those of you who can make a camera sing - Thanks!

 
Nice ride report Don. --G and I were recently in Coursegold and stayed a night at the casino. Like you we found road not fit for old (or new) FJRs.

 
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