Newsletter for May, 2000

· Letter from the Prez…

Hi, Gang.

First of all, I would like to express my appreciation for all of the Wanderers who contributed to making the San Diego Toy Run a huge success. I won’t go into details in this message since there will be more information about this later in this newsletter. However I would like to say that seeing so many turn out to help for this event and watching everyone’s enthusiasm was a real treat. Each year, this event just keeps getting bigger and better with the end result knowing that we’ve made Christmas a little brighter for some San Diego kids.

A very special thanks to Rick Moyer and John Del Santo for all of their efforts. These guys puts their heart and soul into this event, not just for a few weeks, but for nearly the entire year. For several years now, the Toy Run has been a special project for Rick and John, and a huge portion of the credit for the success has to go to these two. Great Job, Guys…..again! We owe you!

And speaking of Christmas….whew! it’s just around the corner. No doubt everyone will be jumping around like a one-legged man in a butt-kicking contest, but amidst all of the shopping, decorating, wrapping gifts, cooking, and party festivities, take some time to reflect on what Christmas really means. It is the time we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the son of God who was born to fulfill the prophesies of the Old Testament, to offer us eternal salvation, and to teach us of forgiveness and Love. And not just the Love of God for us or the Love we should have for Him, but also the Love we should have for one another. Ever wonder why we give gifts at Christmas? In part, it is to remind us that just as the Lord gave so very unselfishly to us of Himself out of His Love, so too should we strive to follow His example.

During this holiday season, I hope you take the opportunity (it’s out there) to go out of your way and give a little of yourself to someone else, perhaps someone who may be less fortunate than you. Not only will you make someone else’s life a little brighter, it will bring a blessing for you, too.

So as you are going about your business during this very hectic time of year, please, be safe, be careful, be happy, be joyous, and be mindful of what and why we are celebrating.

Have a Merry Christmas and God Bless,

Ron

P.S. I fully realize that this is totally “politically incorrect”, and if I have offended anyone….too bad!

· Note from the Editor

Would just like to take this oportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Don and Bobbie

· 20^th Annual San Diego Toy Run

Prologue By Rick Moyer & Don Presten
"At The Beginning" By Don Presten
"At the End" By Rick Moyer

Prologue:

The following is an account of the 20th Annual Toy Run from the perspective of two very tired "Wanderers" - Don Presten at the ride starting area at South Shores Boat Ramp and Rick Moyer at the ending area at the Route 67 Roadhouse.

Months of planning having been expended - the 20th annual, 2000', San Diego Toy Run is now history. How do you plan a party for over 1000 bikers? With 3-ring binders full of details that have to be addressed, some months in advance of the event, with a lot of 'guts' and not much common sense! Also, you need of ton of help!

For the last several years, the San Diego Toy Run has been growing at a rate of nearly 20% annually. And, the venue continues to grow, and change, with the event. Here's how this years effort worked.

Don Presten At The Start Point:

Bobbie Presten, Rod and Rose Fleming and Steve Moyer were with me at the starting point bright and early - the expected fog no where to be seen.

The first big project was to set out all the road signs Rick Moyer had prepared these signs in advance to guide our ridership to the starting point. We managed to get these set up without getting run over by people in a hurry on Sea World Drive.

Meanwhile the registration crew, the coffee/pastry guy and other Wanderer's had arrived to begin the setup of the parking lot - this was completed before the first riders showed up. At 8:00am sharp, the arrivals started and this continued well into the morning.

Rick Moyer At The End Point:

At the "arrival" end, preparations actually started weeks in advance. Actual layout and construction of the arrival end started the day before the event.

By 6:30 AM the morning of the event the Route 67 Roadhouse Restaurant parking lot was bristling with Toy Run workers, vendors arriving and setting up, Roadhouse personnel stocking food preparing to feed and water the hoard who would be arriving in just a few hours! With so many bodies walking around the lot, vehicles coming and going, tents being erected, cables being run, and cell phones constantly ringing . . . the site resembled something from a 3 Stooges movie!

Then the California Highway Patrol showed up! A brief inquiry was made as to why we were closing off roads, placing signs by the roadways, what the heck was going on . . . . and, oh by the way, where was the "permit" for all of this!!!!! Roadhouse personnel soon soothed the CHP's nerves and the chippy was nice enough to be visually absent when the bikes started rolling in.

Don Presten At The Start Point:

The Starting lot was being "monitored" by orange vested Wanderer's (Ron Growel, Pete Minor, PA Davis, Bill Edwards, Jim Webb and others) while the "Girls" dealt with registration (I would not have traded jobs with them for a million dollars). Bobbie Presten, Pat Sammarco, Linda Moyer and Toni Moyer handled the masses at the sign-in desk.

We had planned to hold everyone until 10:15, but the early arrivals began to get itchy at 9ish. Before we could holster our walkie-talkies and throw ourselves at the lead bikes, 50 or so escaped. We just waved to them and wished them well. We decided it might be a good idea to warn the folks up in Ramona that "The ride is afoot."

Rick Moyer At The End Point:

By 9:15 some vendors were still missing in action and the call came in from the "starting point”. --the riders were getting "restless" down there. In spite of the massive advertisement this year, and ample word of mouth, many of the riders still thought this was going to be a "parade" type ride! As we have all heard, organizing motorcyclists is like herding cats! It was not long before a call came in, saying that 50 riders or so had broken ranks and decided
to leave before the 10:15 "official" start. Before long, some 250 or so would actually leave before "Santa" and the sponsoring riders.

All morning "extra" Roadhouse employees had been pouring in to the "arrival" point. Nothing to do now, but notify all the Staff, and all the vendors, that the 'gang was on the road and headed our way' . . . . .everyone had less than 30 minutes to finish set up, get cars & trucks out of the parking lot and fire up the bar-B-ques! All the signs were up, the garland hung and No Last Call fired up their instruments to begin the festivities. Now, everyone smile and wave!

Don Presten At The Start Point:

Once the first 50 escapees departed, it created a domino effect and other groups began their departures" as well. For a good hour we had new arrivals passing departing bikes at the same time - it was quite a sight, especially for the late arrivals who thought they missed the start!! We had bikes everywhere - 643 to be exact. The Santa Sleigh Gold Wing that was supposed to lead the first group out at 10:15am was actually one of the last to depart….ah, the best laid plans of mice and men.

By 10:00am, the South Shores Boat Ramp was almost empty. Everyone was out enjoying a sunny ride to the roadhouse. The organizers were just about to relax when the News 8 van showed up - a day late and a dollar short. John Del Santo "borrowed" a Harley to sit on and provided the poor newscaster with an interview, but they had missed the big show. All that remained was the clean-up and then we all headed for Ramona to enjoy the festivities.

Rick Moyer At The End Point:

The Wanderers road crew had everything barricaded, partitioned off and was starting to direct bikes. But wait a minute. It had only been 15 minutes earlier that departure had called to say the first riders had left . . . .how could any have gotten here so fast? The answer was simple . . . many riders rode directly to the Roadhouse, bypassing the "official start". In short order, we had almost 100 bikes arriving, and the main group hadn't arrived from South Shores yet!

Fellow Wanderers Tera Salo, John Q., brother Steve and I started 'packing them in' as the waves of riders showed up, many with bikes decorated in Christmas regalia, and all staked high with toys for deserving kids. As the bikes paraded past, I noted all the usual club colors and many club names that I had never seen before. So, had we done the math correctly? Just how many bikes could be parked in the Roadhouse lots, Julian Street and surrounding areas?

While some riders dropped off toys and left almost immediately, a hard count of bikes shortly after the bulk of the riders had arrived, showed almost 700
bikes in the lots/roads. Using the usual formula for those that are two-up, that is well over 1000 people!

Perhaps the most amazing thing was that all afternoon Riders kept trickling in with toys on their bikes. We actually had riders show up with toys as the day was dying down and workers were loading everything into the St. Vincent de Paul van! If there had been a way to do an accurate count, there were probably between 800 - 1000 bikes that participated during the day!

This year we had more Vendors, more and better food, lots of beer and soft drinks, a terrific venue in the Roadhouse (Julie and her crew really worked their butts off for us) and, we had an almost unbelievable effort from KPLN FM, "103.7 The Planet." The station gave us constant 'plugs for the ride in the preceding weeks and not one, but two Planet "Remote" set-ups . . . one at the start and one at the finish!

We also had one more important ingredient - more participants. Very generous participants. This year we had more toys donated to the kids than ever before. While the final numbers are not in, I believe that we will donate more cash to St. Vincent's than ever before, also!

We had "more" of one more important thing . . . more 'workers to make things go smoothly. Thanks to everyone, for all of your extraordinary efforts. The look on only one child's face, on Christmas morning, makes it all worthwhile!

Nothing to do now, but wait till March . . . . and planning for the next one. Next year’s theme? Perhaps "Help Us Turn twenty-one, in Two Thousand One."

· Friday Ride…

Recap by John Q. - Now "that" was a satisfying day! Ron Growel, S.O. Lorn, Dick Useted (good to see him back on the bike), John Hamm and I hooked up mid Friday morning at Ron's home for a ride of undetermined destination. We ended up heading east and, as most roads seem to lead there eventually, ended up in Ramona for lunch at one of the town cafe's. After vittles we visited the "Indian" dealership where a couple of us sat on the bikes, nobody was in a buying mood.

Highway 78 took us down into San Pasqual, into Escondido and beyond where Ron had an idea. "Has anybody ever been to Bell Farms?" he asked? Nobody

had so there we went. Bell Farms (in case anyone asks) was started by the original owner of Taco Bell..Jim Bell, Tom Bell, Bill Bell, can't remember the first name exactly. The farm sells some of it's produce to visitors (mostly gourds this time of year it seems) and had a friendly farmer type "roasting chestnuts on an open fire." Ron and I made up a song about it. You might be hearing it in a few days around town. After noshing a few roast chestnuts, a first for me, we were asked if we'd like to take a train ride. This wasn't an invitation for the biker types to get outta town, they have a real 1/4 scale train there free to ride. The train takes about a 15 minute tour of the farm. Neat. During the train trip Ron's cell phone rang. Someone was about to pick up a brand new (2001 root beer colored) Road Star at South Bay Motorsports and would he come escort them home. Well, you know Ron. "Can Do!"

Frankly, I hadn't realized we were so "elevated." We took the long scenic road back down and down and down toward I-15 but didn't hop on the superslab. Dick led us for miles along the frontage road, past Lawrence

Welk Village and beyond.

The root beer Road Star has been escorted home, John Hamm discovered some new parts for his bike had arrived at the parts department <grinso> home with him they went. New bikes, new parts, great motorcycle and train ride, good people and...roast chestnuts! "It's a wonderful life!" Hmm, I'm going to make a movie out of that right away, maybe you'll see it in a few days!

· Forest Falls Ride with SoCal Cruisers

(a "Bear" of a story)

(Part 1 – Bill Edwards) - Lots of good, but somewhat cruel, sub-titles for today's ride would be easy to come up with, in order to taunt those that just couldn't be there. All I can say is, sorry you missed it! Today's weather predictions were somewhat iffy, and there were some sprinkles early this morning, at least in the South Bay. But it turned out to be absolutely perfect riding weather.

I met Ron Growel this morning at 8:00AM at Denny's, and we putted up the freeway to Temecula to meet Jeff and Yvette Dodds, and then it was more freeway on up to good old San Berdoo where 7 bikes were waiting for us. We were supposed to meet the Socal Cruisers at 10:00AM and we did that just exactly, imagine that.

What had struck me so far was the absolutely clear sky all the way up there, and the stunning views of the mountains. Yes, there was some snow up there on the higher elevation of the San Bernadino mountains, and none of the usual brown haze. There were only some light winds; the Santa Ana's had blown all the smog away the night before, and then calmed down so we could ride. Only some high clouds over the mountains here and there, and they did nothing to mar the beauty of this day.

Bob led us from our meet point off Waterman Ave. for a short stint on I-10 to the Hwy 38 exit, and then we were on our way to some of the best mountain scenery you can imagine. If you take 38 all the way up, it goes to Big Bear, however we were on our way to a lesser known destination at about the 4000 ft level. Just past Mountain Home Village the road splinters off and climbs on up to Forest Falls, named after the falls that are fed by run-off coming down Big Falls Creek from the San Gorgonio Mountain. As we climbed the road got narrower and a bit twisty, the temperature dropped, and the scenery got more and more gorgeous, with the tall pine trees over hanging the road sides, and fine custom homes and log cabins here and there, even a stunning rock house that looked like a castle. Of course, we'd had to stop back down at the Ranger Station and pay for a Wilderness pass so we could actually park our bikes we we got to the end of the road, and hike on up to the falls themselves. This was about a 15 minute hike, but well worth it. Bob says in the summer you can find folks sunning themselves up here and bathing in the pools below the falls. Au-natural type folks. :^)

Nobody had a camera today! I kicked myself for not at least getting one of those throw-away deals and bringing that. This place was stunning!

And nice roads too. When we left there, we headed back down the Forest Falls Rd (if that's its proper name) and then went several miles further up 38 for lunch at The Oaks restaurant in Angelus Oaks (approx. 6000 ft level), and this part of the road was great, lots of fine sweepers and excellent road conditions. This place had no problem seating us at a 12 place table and no problem giving us seperate checks, something MC clubs just always seem to need. Good food and conversation followed.

It was already after 2:00PM when we left, but the day was still perfect. Ron Growel took the lead now, heading back down the sweepers, as the Wanderers contingent had collectively decided we needed to visit the Oak Glen Apple Orchids. So the SoCal riders turned off towards Yucaipa and we waved them a grateful farewell. Ron found us a place to visit somewhere in the Glen Apple area, not sure of the name of this particular tourist spot,

as there are several seperate ones along that fine twisty road. This one had a wild west show, lots of strange chickens with huge fan-like multicolored tails, and some sort of Black Bear who acts as "town greeter", I guess. Just be sure and ask Ron about the bear!

While Ron and Jeff and Yvette shop-hopped, I found Uncle Bob's Peacock Gourmet Coffee Pub. Nah, I didn't indulge. Just petted the friendly black cat in the window.

Then it was time to head down through Cherry Valley and take Hwy 79 down through Hemet, instead of going back the way we'd come. This was more fine country riding, and beat the heck out of slogging down the freeway. Jeff Dodds took the lead below I-10, and did the Wanderers legend proud when he had to make a U-turn. Well done Jeff! It's tradition, ya know. He also took us on a slight detour off of 79 up the road towards Lake Skinner, and then down through the Wine country of Rancho California. Here we truly were "riding off into the sunset", as we finally reached Temecula at just the perfect time of evening, where Jeff treated us to gourmet coffee at the Sweet Bean, a fine coffee and ice cream establishment near his home.

This was a perfect end to my vacation. Wow. Thanks to Bob and Phil and all the SoCal Cruisers for inviting us along. Wish I'd had a camera though.

(Part 2 – Ron Growel) What started out as a potentially gloomy, rainy morning turned into an absolutely beautiful day for a ride to the San Bernardino Mountains with the SoCal Cruisers. I found Bill Edwards waiting at Denny's at 8:00AM all by his own self wondering aloud if he misread the ride notice. He'd been waiting since 6:30 AM for someone to show up to buy his coffee, and was

just about to leave when I arrived. We headed out by ourselves to pick up Jeff Dodds and Ivette in Temecula, where they too were drinking coffee. Guess it was a little cool this morning, but by this time the temperature was warming up nicely and the clouds were giving way to gorgeous blue skies. After a fairly uneventful ride up the superslab, we met up with the Cruisers in San Bernardino, shocking them speechless because we were on time!

Ride Captain Bob Guarino (aka Donut-Man Bob) gathered us round for the pre-ride briefing, then 11 bikes took off for the mountains. Now I used to live in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties for a number of years, and those mountains were my playground. But seldom have I seen them in as splendid color as today. The forest greens were in sharp contrast to the red, orange, and golden hews of the fall leaves, all set against blue skies interspersed with fluffy white clouds. While the sun was bright and warm, the air was crisp and cool and laced with the scent of oak and pine. Ahhh....I miss my mountains! As much as I have explored those mountains, I have never been to Forest Falls, which is where Donut-Man Bob led us.

A two-lane road winds up the mountain next to a rocky river bed which had only a trickle of water at this time of year. Hidden throughout the trees in the forest were a myriad of rustic, mountain homes and cabins built with logs and native stone. The road ends at (guess where?)...a water fall. But we had to hike for about 15 minutes to view it. Between the gasping for breath at this altitude I heard some mumbling about hiking in motorcycle boots, but it was definitely worth it to see the ribbon of water cascading several hundred feet down the side of the mountain into jewel-like pools scattered among the rocks at the base of the falls.

After working up a terrible thirst and hunger, we rode up a little higher (about 6000 feet now) to Angeles Oaks for lunch. Remember that beautiful two-tone maroon Roadstar that Jeff's been riding? Guess he forgot it doesn't have an automatic kickstand, and he dropped it in the parking lot. Nothing damaged except Jeff's ego. These things always happen when there are plenty of witnesses. Ivette must have neglected to eat breakfast

this morning. She announced she was getting grouchy 'cause she was so hungry. We offerred to rip off Jeff's arm for an appetizer, but she settled for a couple of sugar packets and ketchup while we waited to get served…

Following lunch (without french fries since the fryer was broken), the Wanderers decided we'd take the back roads home as far as Temecula, rather than the freeway. The route we decided upon took us through Oak Glenn, where I had thought the original ride was headed. We made a brief stop at one of the apple farms, just long enough to take a look-see and buy a few goodies (at least I did). Bill and Jeff were in a hurry to leave and so already had their bikes moved to the parking entrance while I was still getting situated onto mine. While putting my helmet on, this BIG black hairy thing comes running out from between the parked cars and the fence, right past me within 4 feet, and off into the apple orchard. It looked to weigh about 300 pounds, with a short stubby tail and no ears. Now, by the way it was loping along and it's shape, I'm fairly certain that it was a black bear, but Bill, considered an animal expert since he knows the

difference between a five foot chicken and an emoo, suggested it was a large dog. I only wish Jim Hunt had been with us to give his opinion.

Jeff led us down SR79, around some beautiful country near Lake Skinner, and just as the sun was setting, into Temecula, where we had to satisfy Bill's well-known caffeine craving at some Coffee Bean place. Being so close to home, Ivette was like a horse being drawn to the barn after a long, hard day on the trail, so Bill and I were left to finish the coffee before gassing up and heading for home via the freeway from Temecula to Sandyeggo.

I'd just like to thank the SoCal Cruisers again for the hospitality and letting us tag along. It was a super-great ride, and as always, super-great people to ride with! We had a great time.

· Julian Ride – November 19

Recap by Bill Edwards - The Wanderer's had an open ride today, organised by Don Presten, which began at the usual staging point in Kearny Mesa at 9:00AM. But the turnout for this ride was much larger than expected, with several guests, and some "pickups" along the route. We ended up with 17 bikes and 20 people.

Actually 18 bikes and 21 people, if you count Pete Swanson, who was invited, but slept in late, but did manage to show up in Julian after we'd eaten.

Wanderer's present were myself, Don Presten, Larry Sammarco, Rod & Rose Fleming, John Q. Lawrence, John DelSanto, Tera Salo, Ron Growel & Lorn, Jim

Hunt, and John Hamm. SoCal Cruisers Bob Guarino, Ray Lucero, Dave Everett also rode down and joined us. And some new folks: Ed & Linda Summerhill (Vulcan), Larry Samuels (V-Star 1100), Roger Delisle (RoadStar MM), and Frank Laird (HD Raod King).

We decided to split up into two groups, one led by Don Presten, and the other by Ron Growel, for safety reasons. We departed Denny's just after 9:00, and headed up I-15 to Pomerado Rd., and then rode up to the Scripps Poway Parkway, where we were joined by Frank Laird and, a bit further on, Jim Hunt. These riders fell into the second group, where I had sweeper duty. And then it was on up Scripps Poway Parkway towards Highway 67, where we turned towards Ramona. Here we mangaged to pick up two BMW K bike riders, who "seemed" reluctant to pass all those bikes, so for awhile I thought they were joining us.

Wanderers Newsletter December, 2000