Wanderers Newsletter
November, 2001
Editor: Pat Sammarco
Ó2001San Diego/ Wanderers
Motorcycle Club
www.sdwanderers.org

Please Help

From Ron Growel
Wanderers,
Please mark this date on your calendars for the 21st Annual San Diego Toy Run: Sunday, November 25, 2001.
As most of you know, this is not a ride in which the Wanderers participate, but rather it is the annual event in which we are co-sponsors, and in which we encourage all Wanderers to help in whatever way they can. Again this year, the proceeds will go to the benefit of the children of St. Vincent de Paul, often referred to as Father Joe's kids. Over the years, this event has grown to become possibly the largest motorcycle event in San Diego County.
As in past years, the Wanderers will be responsible for guiding and parking motorcycles at South Shores Boat Ramp on Sea World Drive, registration of participating riders and selling 50/50 raffle tickets, and for parking at the destination which again this year is the Roadhouse in Ramona. In addition we will have our own display booth at the Roadhouse in which we will promote the Wanderers as a club.
Below are the telephone numbers and email addresses of those Wanderers who have volunteered to be the coordinators of these four functions. Please decide how you would like to help and contact these individuals directly. In addition to manpower, we are also in need of borrowing hand-held FRS radios and orange safety vests for the day. If you have any of these available, we would appreciate being able to use them.
Parking at South Shores- Don Presten <don@presten.net> 619-449-4888
Registration at South Shores- Pat Sammarco <startlap@sdccu.net> 909-302-1567
Parking at the Roadhouse- Tera Salo <tsalo86@yahoo.com> 760-787-9425
Display Table at the Roadhouse- Rose Fleming <venture-rose@home.com> 619-670-4351
For more information on the San Diego Toy Run, visit the web site at; www.sdtoyrun.com
Thank you for your support.
Ron Growel
Executive Advisor
the Wanderers of San Diego
http://www.sdwanderers.org/

From The Webmaster:

Wow, it's been a couple of months since I've sent a website update for the newsletter.
There have been a couple of big changes to the front page of the website, the biggest having to do with the buttons. These were changed on September 12th. I hope everyone agrees a bit of patriotic flavor is in order these days. I've also added a site search window (just below the buttons). Now, if you want to find something specific on the site all you have to do is type it in and click. Kind of fun just to see how often your name comes up. The SDMC button has gone away but there are still links to the site through our "Links" area and to the SDMC ride schedules from our "Future Rides" area (bottom of page) In case you were wondering, the "Motorcycle News" update bar at the bottom of the main page has gone away. It was slowing down the entire site. Too bad.
We've seen a few changes to the membership list (added members) and some e-mails have changed recently. You might want to check and be sure yours is correct. If any changes are needed just let me know.
The "Future Rides" list is in a constant state of change with proposed rides receiving details so check there early and often.
Have you checked out the "Ride Pics" area lately? A "lot" of new photos have been posted. Just click on the thumbnails to see the larger photo. As always you can see photo's from a specific ride just by visiting the "Past Rides" area and clicking the link from the ride recap.
And about the floating motorcycle. We started with a Virago just because I happened to have a picture of one and switched to a Nomad again just because, a few months ago. So how about featuring your bike? Absolutely! All you have to do is take a good side photo of your machine, carefully cut "just the bike" from the photo using whatever photo/art software you have on your computer and save the result as a GIF file. (When you get really good at this you'll be able to cut and paste the steering head of one bike onto the frame of another and start your own website called "photo's of the nude RoadStars.") Ok, Ok. Send the tidy little GIF file to me and I'll be more than happy to replace the floating Nomad with your RoadStar or Venture or RoadGlide or………
One final note. This link http://members.home.net/gadgetjq/gadgetsfixitpage.htm will take you to a little project I've been working on. It contains customizing and maintenance tips primarily directed at Kawasaki's Vulcan but, many items can be applied to your bike. Check it out. You never know when you'll need an automatic Ohm's Law Calculator! <grins>
See you in the twisties
John Q. Lawrence
Wanderers Webmaster

Meetings

Club meetings are being held the fourth Saturday of the month, 10am at the Country Choice Restaurant. It is located at 8910 Troy St. in Spring Valley, near Bancroft.
Country Choice has plenty of parking, takes plastic, the food is good and plentiful.
The restaurant is very close to several major freeways (the 8, 125 and 94).
To reach the Country Choice simply take 94 East to the Bancroft exit. Turn right (south) and continue until Bancroft turns into Troy. The restaurant is around a right hand bend in the road.
The meeting will be followed by a ride, the route to be announced during the meeting.
If you have suggestions for a ride route please contact club President Bill Edwards (billedwa@cts.net)

Scheduled Rides

Sunday, November 4th
Ron Growels First Ever "Riddle Ride".
We will gather at Starbucks @ Grossmont Center for a 9 am ride meeting and start. Ron will provide "riddle clues" for each destination which each ride leader will attempt to decipher. (This is a nifty twist on the rotating leads of the Anti Destination ride).
Plan on Lunch at Fat Ivor's (ribs) with the riddle quest to continue afterward. You will not be "required" to lead any part of the ride so don't let that stop you from enjoying this one.
Sunday, November25th
21st Annual St. Vincent De Paul Toy Run:
This is the clubs annual charitable event which, in years past, has involved nearly every member of the organization at the ride beginning or ride end. Last year we (and other sponsors) drew in excess of 700 motorcycles and 1000 riders each of whom donated an unwrapped toy for the children at St. Vincent De Paul shelter in San Diego.
The Wanderers are charged with traffic control and as most are aware, directing motorcycle riders is akin to herding cats. Please contact overall project coordinator Ron Growel to see how you can help
( rgrowel@home.com )
or location leaders: as listed on page 1.
Many who've volunteered to work one end or the other in the past have actually put in an appearance at both, helping wherever possible. Even if you can't devote the entire day to this event please consider giving it a few hours and an unwrapped toy.
Saturday, December 8th
Joint Holiday Party with So Cal Cruisers & Ride to Long Beach MC Show:
Details from Larry Sammarco (909) 302-1567.
The event will be a lot like last year, again, dinner at the Split Rock Tavern and Dinner House in Laguna Hills, optional gift exchange game, overnight accommodations available at the near-by inn, then the L.A. Motorcycle Show the next day.
Sunday, January 13, 2002
It's that time again.
The third annual "Don Presten's Freeze Out Ride"
This ride has only one goal. Go as high as possible, on motorcycles, without hitting roads that require chains. Temperature is NOT a factor - it is NEVER too cold to ride. Normally this route takes us to the 6000 foot level of Sunrise Highway, were we stop for a pot luck of hot coffee and muffins.
We will meet at Grossmont Center (Starbucks) for the trip up at 9:00 am with a 9:30am departure. Note: We will head up via Highway 8 to Pine Valley, so a Packards secondary meeting point is not an option here (I have a reason for that - to be announced later).
Last year, we were met with 70 degree temperatures at the top - the year before, it was below zero (with the wind chill), so the weather this year is a dice throw. Bring lots of layers, a thermos of your favorite hot liquid and a snack.
The ride to the top is a short one - this will allow those who have plans to hit the summit and then head home. Those who wish to continue with us will be lead the rest of the way via the Sunrise, back down to Pine Valley via the scenic route and lunch there. We'll then head toward old 94 with a stop to visit Blackjack and into East Country for the final stop at Starbucks in Rancho San Diego.
Don't miss this one - bragging rights are involved.

Ride Reports

Tera Welcomed Home
From Tera Salo

I washed and waxed my bike (dang! CBRob is gonna be there! (this was once his bike) It'd better look good!) and...
The day started off just great! We had 8 riders, (no pillions - bummer!). Ron Growel, Rod, CBRob, Grumpy, John Q., Gary S., Dawn and Tera. We met as planned at Ramona Country Crafts. A few shoppers, and lots of promises to come back later! (with bigger vehicles, no doubt.) In fact, thanks to John Q's excellent Captains-men-ship, most of the ride went just as planned!
We took off about 12:40, and headed up to Julian, John Q. leading, me in #2, a mix in between, and Ron taking up last, via Old Julian Highway, a short jaunt up 78, then over on Wynola Road. Gosh, the weather was just perfect. Warm enough when you stopped to take off your jacket, and cool enough riding not to get overheated! We stopped at Rong Branch for lunch, noticing as we pulled into Julian that about 3000 people were VISIBLE walking around in town! Whew! We put our name in the drawing for a table (Gary thought they were raffling them off), and we sat outside waiting our turn to eat. I hoped we wouldn't have to wait too long! After about 10 minutes, the lady handing out the raffle tickets came out and told us that we could sit in the Boars Head and order, or on the patio, even, and it was still over 1/2 hour for our table. Since there were 3 empty tables, we moved inside to do just that! We had a great lunch, and for those of us a little behind on the news, caught up on the missile strikes in the Middle East...
Dawn and Gary had to rush off, so they headed back down the hill, now we are 6.
Time to take off again, up 79, around the lake ... wow, the blue of the lake, the bright blue sky, the green trees, and a few puffy clouds for effect. What a
PICTURE PERFECT day! We fell in behind a 'Wing, and John gave 'em a little room to maneuver.
Now for the U-turn (you knew there was one!) As we came up on Engineer's Road, on a curve to the left, the wing was tapping his brakes, and the whole back of his bike lights up in about 10 flashing and pulsating lights. That caught my attention, about the same time John realized we needed to turn right. I caught one flash of his turn signal and realized I probably wasn't going to make the turn, so, with an 'ah s*&%', I just kept going. Now, everyone has there chatterboxes on but me, so I hear later that Ron asked John, 'Is Tera going with us or headed home?' Well, if I was headed home, it would have taken me a while, since I had never been up 79 or Engineers Road (which is one reason I missed the turn) and I had no idea where I was! Ah, well. I cruised up the road a piece and did my uu-ie, and got a big handshake from Ron 'like a true Wanderer!'
Hey, it was MY ride! I also came up with an idea after that...If you make a U-turn on your own, you get a U-turn sticker (helmet or windshield appliqué, I think). If you make the WHOLE group U-turn, you turn it sideways like a "C" (for ride Captain)!
[Webmasters note: All on the ride liked the idea but wonder how we're going to see where we're going when the windshield fills with "U" stickers]
On we continue, up Engineer Road (I like it! nice twisties, and a nice size group with pretty consistent speed), now with me in front of Ron in the back. Back onto 78, and we stopped at Dudley's for a smoke break (well a few), and bread. (Still full from lunch, just bought some to take home).
Grumpy let me ride his Vulcan! Just a little trip up the road and back, boy, that sure is a nice ride (thanks, again!) Guess I'll have to go shopping...
CBRob figured if he headed back up 79, it wouldn't take him too long to get home to Temecula, so now we are 5. We said our 'goodbyes' as I would drop out in Ramona.
But, wait! Turns out the boys are talking, and since I'm chatterless (YOU'LL BE SORRY, RON!), thought we'd better pull off at Packard's for one more cup!
John Q., you HAVE taken me places NO MAN (or woman!) has taken me before! [bold print courtesy of the Webmaster]
It was a GREAT, GREAT day, and a perfect welcome home present. We missed some of you out there, but catch up for the next one. Don't wait for Don's FreezeOut!
Tera Salo
'93 Shadow VTX

What and where is Idyllwild and why do we want to ride there?
From John Q.

That was actually my first thought when Mike Calderone suggested this destination. Obviously I'd never been there and from the name figured it either had to be an idyllic wild place or...an international airport. (You post Kennedy kids wouldn't remember the latter)
Having avoided looking the town up (sometimes surprises are good) I gathered with most of the usual suspects at Grossmont Center for a 9 am start. We were joined by a couple of guests, one a member of the "Southern Cruisers" riding a Honda VTX and another gent riding a Nomad.
The ride up to Ramona where we expected to pick up a few more riders was uneventful but when we pulled into Packards...Wowee! Suddenly we were 17 motorcycles and Mike decided (wisely) it was time for a second group and leader.
Ron Growel got the nod, another sweeper was chosen and away we went "UP" hill.
This was an absolutely perfect day for a ride. Temperature in the 70's billiard table smooth roads and surprisingly few members of the "Anti Destination League" out and about. We picked up two more riders along with gas at Paradise Corners. The ladies weren't particularly thrilled with the Mobil gas station there. It's a picture of contrast. Computerized gas pumps and outhouses. (Ok, porta potties). Welcome to the high desert.
As we gained elevation we enjoyed that same "I'm away from the hustle and bustle" feeling you get when riding up Sunrise Highway. You go from scrub Oak to Pine trees in very short order...Ah, breathe deep, it's beginning to smell a lot like....oh, never mind, couple of months to go for that holiday yet. Fergit I mentioned it.
Arrival in Idyllwild was a delight. How to describe the place. Charming? Endearing? Pretty? (where's the thesaurus when you need it?) Idyllwild is sort of like an Alpine Village put in a mixer with Julian and probably dozens of other smallish mountain burgs all over America. It's tourist dependent, at least the portion I visited, with dozens of small shops peddling everything from pottery to perfume, ice cream to holistic medicines, candles to, well, bumper stickers.
I swear Mike not only gave the restaurant "Jo'Ann's" a heads up that we were coming "reservations for 20 please" but paid off whoever is in charge of parking. As we pulled into town two cars pulled out of adjacent spots which just happened to be on the end of the block. Voila, instant space for 20 (give or take). Now "most" heads up motorcycle riders, especially those on 700 pound bikes, plan ahead and park with rear wheels toward the curb. This particular rider was too busy gawking to remember that basic tenent and, well, needed a little assist from fellow Wanderer Jim Hotz when it came time to depart. Thanks for the push Jim.
Jo'Anns Restaurant not only accommodated our 20+ but didn't bat an eye when another half dozen or so riders from So Cal Cruisers joined our party! The hamburgers just kept on coming. They make the kind of sandwich you can't put
down once picked up for fear everything will slosh out on your plate and you'll have to re-assemble the thing from scratch. Ummm Ummm good.
Lunch over we collectively spent about an hour just "wandering" around Idyllwild, taking in big lungfulls of fresh pine scented air and thinking if it wasn't such a long commute, this could be a really great place to settle. I made a stop at the real estate office to pick up some info. Ok, you think housing is expensive in San Diego. Woo hoo! This rider won't be moving to that mountain anytime soon.
The scoot back was as enjoyable as the trip up. Half of our riders had bid their adeu's earlier with things to do, places to go, people to see, so we were ten bikes still led by Mike as we all but coasted downhill toward home. We made a quick tank topping stop in Paradise Corners (different station with real rest rooms this time...yer welcome ladies) and a second at Dudleys because Doc complained his fanny had fallen asleep...he swore he could hear it snoring.
Riders peeled off as we continued to roll downhill headed for home but hopefully all agreeing. This was one heck of a day for a motorcycle ride. 230 relaxing miles.
Thanks Mike.
John Q. Lawrence

What a great Saturday morning.
From Pat Sammarco

Larry and I finally got to a meeting at the Country Choice. Its been one-thing-after-another trying to get there. Mostly our schedules got in the way… rides with the SoCal Cruisers, a family wedding … all kinds of stuff were getting in the way.
The morning found a cloud sitting in I-15 all the way from Temecula to San Diego. We watched the drops run across our visors and were glad for the extra clothes we were wearing. The table at the restaurant was full with friends we had not seen for a while, and a new rider was joining in, a guy from Chicago, our home town. After the meeting, I should have gone straight home to work on the two newsletters, but it did not take much of a twist to convince me to go with the ride.. The sun had burned through and the day was perfect for a cruise. The ride through Lyons Canyon was perfect.
Larry and I had not had a chance to meet Blackjack until now, and the shop across the street was playing end-point to a Lamborghini club event. We could have guessed that something was going on after seeing one, then two more, then another of the exotic cars along the way. There were a couple dozen cars, only two non-Lamborghinis in the bunch.
OK,OK, so the newsletters waited, but isn't the point of a motorcycle club to be on the motorcycle?

WANDERERS TREASURER RPT -10/27/2001
1. 08/25 Last reported balance = $653.39
2. 09/24 Patch - Mike Calderon = $ 25.00
3. 10/20 Gery Marcelino - patch = $ 25.00
4. 10/25 Pat Sammarco - Oct nwsltr = $ 14.56(-)
5. 10/25 Billy Joe Bob - patch = $ 25.00
6. 10/27 Current treasury balance = $713.83
Notes:
1. Available Funds: Current treasury balance = $713.83
*Dec charity t-shirt reserve = $300.00(-)
**Nwsltrs 10/01 - 4/02 @ $28/mo set-aside = $168.00(-)
Available = $245.83
*(T-shirt reserve will become available after the event)
*(Remaining nwsltr expences from present thru 04/2002)
2. 36 paid memberships - 57 total members.
3. All listed members paid thru 04/02.
WANDERERS PATCH ACCOUNT SOLD
1. 08/25 Previous reported acct balance = $114.00(-) 33
2. 9/24 Mike Calderon - 1 Patch = $ 25.00 34
3. 0/20 Gery Marcelino - 1 Patch = $ 25.00 35
4. 0/25 Billy Joe Bob - 1 Patch = $ 25.00 36
Current patch account balance = $ 39.00(-) 36
Avail patches: Don P - 5;
John Q - 8;
Rose F - 1;
Gary S - 0;
Avail = 14
Regards, Gary Steinweg
Wanderers Treasurer
Happy Thanksgiving

Give thanks for open roads, safe rides and the joy of having our heels in the wind.

Share thanks with family and friends for life, love and freedom to enjoy it all.