From The Webmaster

Our club Website becomes more popular every month. When we were at our Redrival address the website was visited by an average of 120 users each week. Since obtaining our own domain we’re being visited, on average, 400 times per week.

If you haven’t done so recently, check out the “Guestbook.” We have entries this month from Great Britain and Germany!

Also, be sure to check the “Future Rides” area for an updated list of planned events. If you have a ride idea don’t be shy. Use the “Suggest-a-Ride” button to schedule a ride or just to give us a heads up on a coming event.

Finally, we have some new motorcycles to show off this month! Look in the “Members” area for some new machinery and fresh faces.

Ride and Surf Safe

Your Cyber Cyclist

John Q.

WANDERERS TREASURER RPT - 04/18/2001

From: Gary Steinweg

1. 03/21 Last reported balance = $383.42

2. 03/21 Tim Downer - 1 patch = $ 25.00

3. 03/21 Tim Downer - 2001 dues = $ 15.00

4. 03/21 Quinton Bradley - 1 patch = $ 25.00

5. 03/21 Quinton Bradley - 2001 dues = $ 15.00

6. 03/24 Jim Hotz - 1 patch = $ 25.00

7. 04/02 Kevin GayKen - 2001 dues = $ 15.00

8. 04/07 James Webb - 2001 dues = $ 15.00

9. 04/07 James Webb - 1 patch = $ 25.00

10. 04/10 Jim Hotz - 2001 dues = $ 15.00

11. 04/18 Current treasury balance = $558.42

Notes:

1. 38 paid memberships - 51 total members.

2. 15 dues paid thru 04/01 - 23 thru 04/02 (total 38).

WANDERERS PATCH ACCOUNT SOLD

1. 03/21 Previous reported account balance= $289.00(-) 26

2. 03/21 Tim Downer - 1 patch = $264.00(-) 27

3. 03/21 Quinton Bradley - 1 patch = $239.00(-) 28

4. 03/24 Jim Hotz - 1 patch = $214.00(-) 29

5. 04/07 James Webb - 1 patch = $189.00(-) 30

6. 04/18 Current patch account balance = $189.00(-)

MOUNTAIN MAN RENDEZVOUS RIDE

SUNDAY - MAY 6, 2001

RIDE CAPTAIN: GARY STEINWEG

garysteinweg@juno.com

Meet: At Packards, Ramona, 9:30 a.m.

Depart: From Packards, 10:00 a.m.

Arrive: At Mtn Man Rendezvous, Mesa Grande 10:30 a.m.

Depart: From Mtn Man Rendezvous, 1:00 p.m.

Arrive: Hideout Restaurant, Mesa Grande 1:30 p.m.

Lunch: Hideout Restaurant 1:30 - whenever

End of Ride

This is more of a destination ride than a ride ride. IF RAIN IS NOT PREDICTED, meet at Packards Coffee Shop in Ramona at 09:30. Spend 30 minutes having coffee de jour.

Depart Packards promptly at 10:00 heading east on Hwy 78 toward Santa Ysabel. Left onto Hwy 76 for 2 miles, then left onto Mesa Grande for 2-1/2 miles to the rendezvous site.

We'll spend about 2-1/2 hours there, then ride to the Hideout restaurant located at the other end of Mesa Grande for a late lunch. After lunch, everyone is on his own to return home via his route of choice or do some additional riding on San Diego's meandering mountain roads.

Additional logistics:

Those living in south Sandy Eggo County will start from the Burger King in Lakeside at 8:45 AM and ride to Ramona via Wildcat Canyon Road.

Those living in north Sandy Eggo County will start from just east of I-15 and south of Lake Hodges on Highland Valley Road (across from Nursery) at 08:45 AM and ride to Ramona via Highland Valley Road.

Riding directly to Packards individually is always an option. Packards is located on the south side of the main street in Ramona near the east end of town. Ramona is located at the intersection of Hwy 67 and Hwy 78.

Please post to garysteinweg@juno.com if you plan to join in so we will know to be on the lookout for you.

Don't arrive late at a departure point if that's your plan.

We'll be parking on dirt at the rendezvous, so BRING SOMETHING TO PLACE UNDER YOUR KICKSTAND to keep your bike from falling over.

There is a restroom at Packards. There will be porta-pottis at the Rendezvous. There are restrooms at the Hideout restaurant.

Closest gasoline to the rendezvous is in Santa Ysabel at the intersection of Hwy 79 & Hwy 78.

Additional information:

The 8th Annual Manzanita High Mountain Rendezvous will have music, trade goods for sale, demonstrations of primitive skills. It's a pre-1840 North American fur trade encampment. See history come alive, teepees, old tents, clothing, guns and period costumed characters.

For further information on the rendezvous, contact Ed Smith at 760.745.2927, Jack Simmons at 619.474.2843, or Glenn Harris

at 619.469.3538.

You just never know when or where you're going to run into a Wanderer.

A group of volunteers left Grossmont Center a bit after 9 Saturday morning. I was leading and thought I counted 6 bikes. A Road Star ridden by Ron Growel, A Nomad 1500 with Dick (grumpy) Useted in the saddle, A Road Star MM (radically lowered thanks to a Barons kit) piloted by John Hamm and guests Justice ?? on a V-Star 1100 and Rick Zarkos on a BMW 1100RT plus my own self on a sparkling Kawasaki Nomad. The next time I checked we had eight! Vickii Gervais and Katie Maloney had joined us with their Viragos just as we were leaving the parking lot. It seems Vickii had a fight with a gas nozzle which sprayed liquid dinosaur all over the tank and windshield of her "gorgeous" black 1100.

Up the side of Mt. Helix we went, a route first plotted by Grumpy Useted to the 94 and then away from civilization breaking out of the overcast on Japatul Valley Rd. If you haven't been back there this spring, this is the time to go. The hills are a beautiful deep green. Windshields or face shields are highly recommended because the butterflies are also enjoying the scenery. Word hasn't gotten around the B-fly set that two objects cannot occupy the same space at the same time.

Our first stop was Descanso Junction where we enjoyed the facilities and candy counter of the small general store. Back on the bikes we cruised Descanso (home to an antique store, a riding stable, a lovely steepled church and roughly 563 pickup trucks) then headed up the 79 to Old Highway 80 then Sunrise Highway and a stop at the hang glider launch site. Engineers Road off of Highway 79 beckoned next. "Now" we're getting into the swing of this curvy road thing, boppin' and weavin' enjoying all that nature and CalTrans have provided. Our next stop was Julian where we suddenly became "nine." Jim Hockett found us in time for lunch at a barbeque restaurant on the towns main drag.

The ladies left us after lunch to tour Julian and the remainder toured Wynola Road at a fairly brisk pace. If Justice has anything left of the bottom of his floorboards I don't know how. Man, can that guy lean!

From Wynola it was a straight shot down 78 to Ramona right? Heck no. Motorcyclists aren't exactly known for taking the most direct route to anyplace. We detoured onto the old stagecoach road (aka old Julian highway) and found (you'll love this...) the chicken coups are being torn down! This may not bode well for the price of eggs in the future but it is one less place to try and hold your breath for a half mile!

We stopped at good old Packards and hadn't been there more than ten minutes when who rides up, Wanderer Jim Hunt on his much customized Vulcan 1500. We're chatting when Ron remarks "there go the ladies!" Yep, Vickii and Katie have now cruised Main Street Ramona. We didn't note any apple pies strapped to their seats so any Julian souvenirs must have been saddlebag size.

That's it...from overcast city to sunny hills to tree shaded lanes barbeque and coffee along with a bunch of quality people.

Saturday's don't get better than this.

MTN MAN RENDEZVOUS RIDE

The day started clear and mild. We're meeting at Packards and we'll meet some SoCal Cruisers at the Rendezvous. What can go wrong?

Left the house at 9:00 for Packards in Ramona. When I arrived, there was already one Wanderer there along with three friends. Got my coffee du jour and waited for others to arrive before our 10:00 departure for Mesa Grande. Couple more bikes show up; then at 9:45 the early group decide to take off on their own for the encampment.

Golly gee. Here I am, leader for a day, and my assembling gang is already starting to "wander" off. What's to do? Lay down in front of them, or what? Was this some sorta omen? My quick- thinking mind reminded me that this was a destination ride of short duration anyway, so, so what. Besides, who wants tire tracks on his just cleaned leathers? See ya later.

By 10:00 we'd assembled 6 bikes (not counting the ones that left early). Decided to leave Packards in a free-for-all and form up in a turn out 1/4 mile up the road at the end of town. I got there first, then bikes 2-4 arrived a minute later, but bikes 5 & 6 took another couple minutes to show up. Jim Hockett was #6, riding sweep. He indicated a problem. Bike #5 (one of Jim's friends) was exhibiting clutch problems. Bike #5 wanted to press on, so on we pressed. If bike 5 was going to have a problem, bikes 4 & 6 were going to drop together with him.

By this time it's about 10:10 and we're on our way. But not before two more bikes show up and dive into line. Now we're 8 bikes, and we're on our way.

The ride from Ramona to Santa Ysabel is always great. A little slow due to a couple cars, but great nonetheless. We arrived at the rendezvous around 10:40, got parked, and paid our $3 admission. The troublesome clutch seemed to be OK. The 4 riders that had departed Packards about 1/2 hour ahead of us were on their way by this time. See ya later.

We had no idea how many SoCal Cruisers were going to show up, and they hadn't arrived yet. So, we set about looking at the pre-1840 encampment and the pre-1840 tools and implements that were on display and for sale. Original plan was to get back together and leave at 1:00 for lunch at the Hideout at the other end of Mesa Grande. Soon we were going off in different directions to satisfy our individual curiosities.

It was warm out there. Not hot, but warm enough to make you seek shade when it was available. Most of the tents were out in the open, but there were lotsa trees available to stand under when so desired. Normally I leave my chaps on while walking around, but decided early on to take them off and be cooler this time. Carrying a 15 lb jacket slung over my shoulder, and my helmet hooked over my thumb and the top of my chaps also over my thumb grew wearisome after about 30 seconds. So, I pulled the top part of the chaps through the helmet and chin strap so that all I had to hold on to was the helmet strap with the chaps looped over (this IS significant).

Jim Hockett had to be back home by 1:30, so he was going to be leaving early. His two friends were going to go with him. By 11:30 some of the other Wanderers were ready to leave also, so I passed the word to take off whenever they wanted to. I was still hoping I'd run into some SoCal Cruisers.

By this time I'd wandered over many acres of grassy hillside (this IS significant) looking in on most of the campsites and watching the mountain men (and women) fire their muzzle loaders, both rifle and pistol. Lemme tell ya, those people CAN SHOOT. They were shooting offhand and hitting targets out to 200 yards that could hardly be seen. With rifles and pistols. There was one woman who didn't seem to miss anything she shot at. By 12:00 noon, I was wandering back down the hill when I saw a familiar form on the lower dirt road in the distance. Twas DoNut Man Bob of the SoCal Cruisers. They too had arrived with (I think) 8 bikes. They saw where we were parked, but hadn't run into any of the Wanderers yet (maybe they had, but just didn't know it). I met a few new SoCal Cruisers, one of them named Sherri who was riding a Vulcan 1500 (this IS significant).

They'd gotten there about 11:00 and were going to be ready to leave by 12:30 for lunch. I allowed as to how I'd ride with them along with any of the Wanderers still there. We'd meet again where the bikes were parked at 12:30. I got back to the bikes at 12:15 to find I was the only Wanderer left on site. At 12:30 the SoCal Cruisers showed up, and we were ready to ride to the Hideout for lunch.

Unrelated but significant events were now on a collision course.

First put on the chaps. Next put on the jacket. Next put in the earplugs (which I ride with always). Stuck finger into small thigh pocket of chaps, but could only find one earplug. Damn. How'd that happen? Oh, I know. When I threaded the chaps through the helmet, that placed the pocket upside-down, and one of the earplugs must have fallen out. No worries, I have spares on the bike. But wait. If one of the lightweight ear- plugs fell out, what about the heavier key that I put into that same pocket. IT'S NOT THERE!!!!!

For a brief moment the earth stood still. No sounds, no movement, nothing. Just the image of one upside-down pocket, a single key, and 20 acres of deep grassy hillside. Then reason came back in a rush:

1. The key will be IMPOSSIBLE to find.

2. I have a spare key at home, thank goodness.

3. Home is 1 hour away, thit.

4. My wife and younger daughter are not available.

5. My older daughter (in Escondido) might be available.

6. I have a cell phone.

Just then a mountain man comes ambling up and announces that if someone will buy him a beer, he's got some lost keys that might belong to one of us. Glory be. I can't believe it. He tosses the KEYS and as they arc and spin slowly toward me I have one thought. Keys, KEYS . . . I doan need no stinkin keys. I need A KEY. Turns out those keys belonged to Ed (I think) of the SoCal Cruisers who, up to that point wasn't even aware that he'd lost his keys.

Back to the cell phone. Call. Uh-oh. No service. Now what?

Maybe I can ride on the back of a SoCal Cruiser bike. Who> wants to give Gary a ride? I can do it, says Sherri. Hmmm. Well, if I'm gonna ride b---- ackseat, this has GOT to be the way to go. But, whatta sight. There's little Sherri wearing a white tank-top, bare arms, enjoying all nature has provided, and there I am behind her, totally leathered up in black with my chin far above the top of her helmet. Glad no one had a camera (or didn't think to pull it out).

There were a lot of bikes out on Sunday. We passed several on our way to the Hideout. We would get there just before 1 p.m. I wondered how many bikes would be there.

We soon arrived at the Hideout and my wondering was over. Whatta revoltin' development this was (anyone remember William Bendix?). There musta been 200 cruisers and choppers there. Nuff said about that. Best forgotten.

Turns out Jim Hockett was still there, and Jim lives in Poway. Oh, well. In for a penny, in for a pound. . . . So, Jimbo, guess what happened to me, AND do you think you can ride me home on the back of your bike? And, there we went again. That was one hot back tire when we got down the hill.

In the mean time, the SoCal Cruisers determined that the crowd was just too big to get any lunch in a reasonable time frame. I suspect they were right. Directed them to the Lake Henshaw Campground Cafe about two miles up the road on their way back home. I understand they found it and had a good and relatively peaceful lunch there.

So, we get to Jim's house and swap his bike for his car, and he took me to my house, but not before I called Laura and she and Mike said they could take me back up to Mesa Grande to retrieve my bike. Finally got back home at a little after 5 p.m., quickly showered so as to get to the Poway-Midland Railroad Banquet at the Brigantine in Poway that my wife and I were in charge of.

I let everyone there know, up front, that I was NOT the person to see if anything wasn't right that evening.

I then proceeded to get a little happy, and you know what?

All's well that ends.

THE END

OK the Readers Discussed version:On the Road with Ron & Rose

Left home 4/26/01

Hwy 8 to El Centro, turned north to 78, 95 to Lake Havasu

HOT,butterflies,open roads.

4/27/01 Lake Havasu to Laughlin:

HOT, lots of bikes,crowds,vendors, HOT ladies 8-) back to Lake Havasu

4/28/01 see previous (more ladies)

4/29/01 95 to 8 Home

Long version:

Rose and I loaded up the Venture and departed to over cast skies Fri morning about 7:30. We took hwy 8 east with no route in mind. When we reached Alpine the sky was clear very little wind , perfect riding weather. As we dropped to the desert it got HOT there was some light traffic both cage and bikes.

On one clear stretch I discovered the Venture 2 up and fully loaded up a hill will accelerate to 110mph with more power left ( just a guess officer;).) We stopped at El Centro for breakfast a Denny's and many groups of bikers pulled in as we ate. We decided to take hwy 115 north to hwy 78 for the next leg of the trip. We hit 78 and had very little traffic headed for Glamis just jammin' to the stereo and collecting butterflies. I had planned to gas up in Glamis but guess what? no gas station! Hit res one mile out of town, no turning back now so on to Palo Verde 48mi away. I managed to keep my hand out of the throttle (cruised at a steady 65mph) collecting massive amounts of butterflies along the way and have nick- named the bike bug catcher. We made it to Palo Verde with .5 gal in the tank.Gas for the bike ($2.45 per ga) water for us and 4 windshield washings later we were on the road again.Did I mention that it is HOT. North to hwy 10, east on 10 to Az route 1 through the Colorado River Ind. Res. We are getting pretty cooked buy now even with the sun screen but are enjoying the ride and making good time. As we get near Parker we start seeing more cops , more bikes and speed limit signs bagged over with temp speed signs ( 35 mph ). Speed limit signs change at random and there are many sheriffs with radar writing up violators. I manage to make it through the gauntlet unscathed due to my expertise, or it could have been Rose poking me in the ribs when I got heavy handed. We make it to Lake Havasu around 3:00 and settle in to our room get a bite to eat and look around town a bit.

End of Day 1

Mark your Calendars!

Jim Hunt Surprise Ride to Ensenada (and back)

Destination: Tijuana, Ensenada, Tecate Loop in Baja

Mexico.

When: Saturday, May 12 (thats BEFORE Mothers' day, ladies).

Time: 10:00AM

Where: Meet at Burger King at the I-805 and E Street exit in Chula Vista

(9:00AM for breakfast at Denny's across the street.)

Bring with you:

Mexican Insurance

Water Bottles

Sunscreen

One Dollar Bills and change for toll road fees on Hwy 1 ($7 max.)

Camera

Sense of humour -

Ride Captain: Jim Hunt

Ride Details:

At this time of year, this should be a very scenic ride with lots of green in the hills of Mexico. This loop will include approximately 130 miles from TJ to Tecate along the scenic coastal Hwy 1 to Ensenada, then overland to on Hwy 3 to Tecate. Mexican liability insurance is required according to Mexican law, and can be obtained at the meeting location at 805 and E street for a cost of approx. $10.00.

We will enter Baja through the San Ysidro border crossing, and loop around TJ on Hwy 1. Once clear of TJ, it should be a leisurely cruise along the coast, stopping at Rosarito for a butt break and maybe a little scenery, then on to La Fonda for lunch. Following lunch, we'll head for Ensenada for gas. Departing Ensenada, it's North on Hwy 1, and turn off onto Hwy 3 for Tecate. This is an overland Hwy with only small villages along the way, crossing over a low mountain range.

From Tecate, which should be an easy border crossing, we'll make our way back on Hwy 94 late in the afternoon or early evening before dark.

Sunday, May 13th

Dixieland Festival. Another short destination ride to

Temecula for those who consider themselves "Rebels" (don't we all?). Larry and Pat Sammarco to provide details.

Wednesday, May 16th

Wanderers Monthly Meeting

Monthly meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month to discuss club business, plan future rides, and of course to socialize a little and show off our rides. These meetings are held at Gaetannos’s Restaurant, 10615 Tierrasanta Blvd, Tierrasanta, 1 mile east of I-15 at 7:00PM. Many of our members come a little early to have a bite to eat prior to the meeting.

Friday, May 18th

San Diego Region Bike to Work Day. ;~) This is posted

as a FYI and not as a formal club event. "Bike To Work Day" is a part of the state-wide "California Bike Commute 2001."

Where: Throughout the San Diego region.

Why: - To promote cycling as a viable form of transportation to the work place.

- To decrease traffic congestion.

-To improve air quality.

Motorcycles, of course, do all of the above so fire em' up!

Friday May 18th

Packards Night: Decompress from your work week at Packards on Main Street in Ramona. This is an every other week ritual started a couple of years ago. North County area riders gather at the base of Highland Valley road, just off the I-15 for a 6:15 pm departure.

San Diego, South Bay and East County riders gather at Burger King in Lakeside at Highway 67 6:15 pm. Both rides are approximately 45 minutes allowing for plenty of sunlight for coffee sipping, posing and talking about motorcycles. This is an ever other Friday night event, rotating with the Thursday evening Hot Rod shows in La Mesa.

May 18th through 20th

We're going to try this again! Weekend at Kitchen Creek.

Hosts: Rod & Rose Fleming, John Q. Lawrence, Ron Growel. Joint event with SoCal Cruisers. This weekend was rescheduled from April 6th through 8th due to cold and threat of rain. You are invited to enjoy a weekend camping or just a day riding through the mountains to the desert for a view of the wildflowers.

May 18th through 20th

Four Corners Ride-In. VOC Regional Ride-in. You can find the preliminary itinerary and routing information on this ride at http://www.DaveBalch.com/voc The ride will include Zion National Park, Monument Valley, Meteor Crater, the Grand Canyon, and about 90 miles of old Route 66. All of that in addition to the activities at 4-Corners!

Thursday, May 24th

La Mesa Hot Rod Night: Come sit and sip and watch the chrome go by! Thursdays are "Hot Rod Nights" on Main St. La Mesa. Motorcycle parking is on the street beside "Por Favor" restaurant where we will "try" to reserve a table. If sitting doesn't work for you then you can do plenty of walking and looking at some beautiful hot rods and motorcycles. This is an "every other" Thursday event for the club, rotating with Friday nights at Packards.

Friday, June 1st

Packards Night

Sunday, June 3rd

Annual Blue Knights Charity Ride - Registration Form is on our home page. The following from the Blue Knights:

This year we are returning to"Rocky's" Cycle Parts West for the ride sign-in and day-of registration. This year's Benefit Ride will be bigger and better than ever with lots of great prizes, CASH awards, terrific trophies, an awesome NEW designed Ride Pin, a great after ride meal, which this year includes your drink, and of course a FUN ride! The ride route is TBD, but will probably be a shortcoastal route. AND...to add to the fun!...we've invited several local television and radio celebrities who have scoot's to ride with us!...including JASON AUSTELL KFMB-TV Chopper 8, who is our Blue Knight's 2001 Honorary Ride Captain! Jason rides a new Harley Softail when he isn't flying around in Chopper 8! So, I hope you and as many of your MC Club member's will join us on our ride, with proceeds benefiting "The Center for Child Protection, Children's Hospital".

Ride flyers and applications are available at a majority of SD County MC shops and dealerships as a counter display.

THANK YOU and we hope to see you June 3, 2001 at Rocky's!

Thursday, June 7th

La Mesa Hot Rod Night:

An Editorial Comment:

I am sorry this edition is a bit late; I will have it together sooner next month… especially with your help.

Don Presten did such a great job producing the monthly Newsletter for the last few years that I feel that his guiding light will shine for a long while.

The Wanderers Newsletter is a means for us all to share information and insights with each other. Please contribute to its success by adding your perspective.

Thanks for all your help…

And all our thanks to Don for a great job!

Wanderers Newsletter

May, 2001

Editor: Pat Sammarco

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