bmwrider

January 2012 Newsletter

The January newsletter is now online.

June 30th Meeting

The BMW Club of Northern California Election meeting will be held Saturday, June 30, 2012 at Finnon Lake in Placerville, CA. The entrance to the campground is right next to the Rock Creek Café at 9100 Rock Creek Road, Placerville, CA 95667 (N38 47.781 W120 45.094). We have reserved the entire campground for the meeting and will be arranging for dinner to be available.

Thanks to Tuco for his help arranging this meeting. Tom is involved with and has written about the renovation project at the reservoir, and we will be some of the first to experience the improved site. He is also planning an easy GS ride (2-4 hours) on Saturday morning to sample some of the scenic roads in the area. Friday night camping is available and can be arranged individually with the campground by calling 530-622-6832.

We’ll have updates about the camping, dinner, the GS ride and the tour as we get closer to June, so check back for more details. - Lee Blake

49er Rally

The 49er Rally will be in Mariposa this year---May 25-28.  Details and registration is now online.

Clear Lake - January Meeting

Tour Route pdf: Download 2012-Jan-Clearlake      Tour Route gdb: Download 2012-Jan-Clearlake

Happy New Year everyone!  2012 … a new year and we’re starting with a January meeting and  campout at Clear Lake, the largest inland lake in California.  Clear Lake has 100 miles of scenic shoreline, and we’ll be riding alot of it on the tour.  Our meeting and campout will be at the Edgewater Resort and Park at Soda Bay, right on the shore of Clear Lake.  This campground Is on the west side of the lake, just south and east of the Clear Lake state park and a few miles from the town of Kelseyville.  The address is 6420 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville, CA 95451 and the Long/Lat coordinates are N39 00.070 W122 47.575.

The park has beautiful campsites, hot showers, clean restrooms and restaurants within walking distance.  These are some of the friendliest people I’ve dealt with and I look forward to a great time.  We have the use of a heated clubhouse for our meeting (if we need it), firepits at the campsites, free wi-fi and there are cabins available for rent if you don’t want to use your tent.  Friday night camping is also available.  Please call Sandra at (707) 349-2482 to make reservations for cabins or Friday campsites.

We’ll start the tour with breakfast at 8:00 AM at the Denny’s in Fairfield, 260 Pittman Road, and depart around 9:00 AM.  Heading north, we’ll ride Suisun Valley road, Capell Valley road and over Berryessa Knoxville road to our first scenic stop overlooking Lake Berryessa.  Then along Pope Creek, past the Hubcap House and up Butts Canyon to a gas/rest stop at the Hidden Valley Mart in Middletown.  After that our route will take us right along the entire eastern shore of Clear Lake.  If you have never ridden around the lake, it’s a surprise how big it is.  After a break at the Alpine Park in Lucerne, right on the eastern shore of the lake, we’ll continue north on Hwy 20 past the Blue Lakes, over the East Fork of the Russian River and past Lake Mendocino before heading back south for our lunch stop in Ukiah.  Finishing up with some fun twisties on CA-175 we’ll have done about 185 miles and should be at the campground by 2:30 or so with plenty of time to setup and catch up before the meeting starts at 4:00PM.

For members who ride up individually, please plan to arrive at the park after noon on Saturday when the office opens.  When you arrive, stop at the office to sign in and pick up a restroom key.  There is a $5.00 deposit (cash only) for each restroom key that will be refunded when you leave on Sunday and return the key.  Don’t worry if you plan on leaving early, we have made arrangements.

As always, new members and guests are welcome.  If you are new to the club and would like to join the ride, please check with the tour captain at the start of the ride.  Club members and guests are reminded to have a full tank of gas and be ready to ride at the departure time.

Tour Captain: Lee Blake

Half Moon Bay - 2nd Sunday Breakfast

The first ride of the New Year will start at Main Street Grill in Half Moon Bay.
547 Main St
Half Moon Bay, CA
650-726-5300

Download 2012JAN_MainStreetGrill route pdf

Download 2012Jan_MainStreetGrill  route gpx file

Breakfast at 8am, leave about 9am. Tour Captain is Cliff Dunn.

NorCal Home Page

December Newsletter is Online

Here's the Nov-Dec 2011 Newsletter


NorCal Home Page

Casa de Fruta Meeting with Route (updated 11/28/11)

Updated with route files:

Download 2011-Dec-CasadeFruta (route pdf)

Download 2011-Dec-CasaDeFruta (Garmin gdb)

Our November/December meeting will be 4:00 PM on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at the Casa de Fruta campground in Hollister.  At the last meeting we talked about having the winter meetings fairly close to the bay area just in case the weather turns really nasty, and this venue fits the bill.  Located just two miles east of the junction of Highway 152 and Highway 156, Casa de Fruta is easily accessible from Highway 5 or Highway 101.

The campground is at the east end of the Casa de Fruta complex at:  Casa De Fruta, 10021 Pacheco Pass Highway, Hollister CA 95023.  Map coordinates are Long/Lat:  N36 59.409 W121 22.895.

Riders should stop at the office, register and get directions to the camping area.  We’ll pretty much be the only ones at the campground, but let’s try to stay within the area they have assigned us.  There is a restaurant, gift shop, wine and cheese shop and gas station right in the Casa de Fruta complex and the campground has hot showers, heated bathrooms, firepits, grills, tables and such.  There is also a motel on site.

Point your browser to http://www.casadefruta.com/visit-casa-de-fruta.php for online information, call Lisa at 1-800-548-3813 or send email to info@casadefruta.com.

The weather forecast is good for the weekend; lots of sunshine and no rain.  However, sunset is before 5 PM and overnight temperatures could be below freezing so bring your warm clothes and sleeping bags.

The guided tour will be relatively short but include some classic bay area roads.  In keeping with the classic theme, we’ll have a leisurely breakfast at Alice’s Restaurant, 17288 Skyline Blvd, Woodside, CA 94062-5707.  Breakfast will be at 8:30AM and the tour will start after breakfast about 9:30AM.  We’ll head south on Skyline Blvd for a ways before getting into some of the many twisty roads in the area.  Along the way we'll stop at the Dessert First Bakery in Boulder Creek for a morning snack, and the Corralitos Market for a break.  We’ll get to Casa de Fruta in time for a late lunch and lots of time to set-up and catch-up with friends before the monthly meeting at 4:00PM.

As always, new members and guests are welcome.  If you are new to the club and would like to join the ride, please check with the tour captain at the start of the ride.  Club members and guests are reminded to have a full tank of gas and be ready to ride at the departure time.

Dec 3rd - Casa de Fruta

Our November/December meeting will be 4:00 PM on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at the Casa de Fruta campground in Hollister.  At the last meeting we talked about having the winter meetings fairly close to the bay area just in case the weather turns really nasty, and this venue fits the bill.  Located just two miles east of the junction of Highway 152 and Highway 156, Casa de Fruta is easily accessible from Highway 5 or Highway 101.

The campground is at the east end of the Casa de Fruta complex at:  Casa De Fruta, 10021 Pacheco Pass Highway, Hollister CA 95023.  Map coordinates are Long/Lat:  N36 59.409 W121 22.895.

Riders should stop at the office, register and get directions to the camping area.  We’ll pretty much be the only ones at the campground.  There is a restaurant, gift shop and gas station right in the Casa de Fruta complex and the campground has hot showers, heated bathrooms, firepits, tables and such.  There is also a motel on site.

The guided tour will be relatively short but include some classic bay area roads.  In keeping with the classic theme, we’ll have leisurely breakfast at Alice’s Restaurant, 17288 Skyline Blvd, Woodside, CA 94062-5707.  Breakfast will be at 8:30AM and the tour will start after breakfast about 9:30AM.  We’ll head south on Skyline Blvd for a ways before getting into some of the many twisty roads in the area.  We’ll get to Casa de Fruta in time for a late lunch and lots of time to set-up and catch-up with friends before the monthly meeting at 4:00PM.  Check back for updates and the route files.

As always, new members and guests are welcome.  If you are new to the club and would like to join the ride, please check with the tour captain at the start of the ride.  Club members and guests are reminded to have a full tank of gas and be ready to ride at the departure time. 

 

Nov 13 - 2nd Sunday Breakfast Route

Download 2011Nov_Jims (Route map pdf)

Download 2011Nov_Jims (Garmin)

The November 13, 2011 breakfast and ride will start at:
Jim's Country Style Restaurant
5400 Sunol Blvd
Pleasanton, CA, 94566, USA
925-426-7019
 
George C. will be leading the ride, filling in for Cliff while he recovers from a broken arm. The ride will roll out past Carnegie and though Patterson and Altamont  Passes.

NorCal Home Page

Holiday Party December 10th

2011 Holiday Party - Signup Online
The BMW Club of Northern California Cordially invites all members and guests to this year’s Holiday Party.
Saturday, December 10, 2011 from 5:30pm to 11pm.
Location: The Waterfront Restaurant at Pete’s Harbor
1 Uccelli Blvd., Redwood City
Tel: 650-298-9896

Choice of: prime rib, salmon, chicken Jerusalem (Breast of chicken with sun dried tomatoes and artichokes in a light cream sauce), veal piccata or spinach and cheese ravioli (vegetarian). Club will provide two bottles of wine per table, no-host bar at 5:30pm, Dinner at 7:00pm.

Cost:
$25 per person
$20 for the vegetarian option

Our normal gift exchange will be held ($25 limit recommended)

Deadline for Reservations: December 5, 2011

Signup Online

Nov 13 - 2nd Sunday Breakfast

The November 13, 2011 breakfast and ride will start at:

Jim's Country Style Restaurant

5400 Sunol Blvd

Pleasanton, CA, 94566, USA

925-426-7019

 

George C. will be leading the ride, filling in for Cliff while he recovers from a broken arm. The ride will roll out past Carnegie and though Patterson and Altamont  Passes.

GPS and PDF maps coming.

NorCal Home Page

Oktoberfest Update

The October meeting/campsite will be on Saturday, October 22, 2011 at Sly Park Recreation Area in Pollock Pines, CA.

Sly Park Group Camp Area
Mormon Emigrant Trail
Pollock Pines, CA 95726

Long-Lat: N38 42.952 W120 33.932

Route Map pdf: Download 2011-Oct-SlyPark V2

Garmin: Download 2011-Oct-Sly Park V2

Local Directions: From Route 50 East, take exit 60 at Pollock Pines onto Sly Park Road. Turn right on Sly Park Road and continue about 5 miles to Mormon Emigrant Trail and turn left for about .6 mile. The entrance to the Group Camp Area will be on your left. 

This is our Oktoberfest meeting and dinner is available at the campsite, or Polluck Pines is only 5 miles and has several choices for food.

Our guided tour will start at the Buttercup Grill, 4301 Clayton road, Concord, CA 94521, (925) 521-9224, and we’ll head east on Marsh Creek Road and Byron Hwy to our first stop in Stockton. Then we’ll work our way over to the New Hogan Reservoir for a quick break and then thru West Point and into Pine Grove for lunch. After lunch we’ll ride thru Fiddletown and onto to the Sly Park Group Camp Area. Total tour distance is about 178 miles and we should be at the campground by 2PM. We’ll depart the restaurant after breakfast, between 08:30 and 09:00.

This route is just under 4 hours of riding time, on some great roads, and we’ll have several stops along the way.

If you are new to the club, or just like to ride and would like to join the tour, please check with the tour captain at the start of the ride. Club members and guests are reminded to have a full tank of gas and be ready to ride at the departure time.

October 2011 Newsletter

The October issue is now online.

Octoberfest Meeting - Sly Park

The meeting and campout will be October 22, 2011 at Sly Park on Jenkinson Lake.
Cost is $15. for members and $25. for guests.  Sign-up online here by Oct 15.

Alternately send a check to BMW Club of Norther California to:
Russ Drake
16695 Cowell St.
San Leandro, CA 94578

The Event Center at Sly Park on Jenkinson Lake features a fully equiped shelter house. Approx 200 feet from the house is a group camp site with picnic tables and a huge fire pit. We can ride our motos right down to this campsite. Most of the tent sites are level. There is a large, modern, clean outhouse between the house and campgrounds.

The entrance to the Event Center is on Mormon Emigrant Trail one mile east of Sly Park road. The entrance is marked with a sign. Also look for the NorCal logo sign at the entrance. Early Birds will have to seek a campsite in the main campground on the lake for Friday night. Reservations can be made on the website mentioned below, but probably won’t be necessary for late October.

See the article by Tom Harris in the September Newsletter (page 4)  for more details on the area.

September Newsletter

The September 2011 Newsletter is now online.

NorCal Home Page

Updated Redway Tour

Here is an updated tour route for the September 24 Members Meeting to Redway:
Download 2011-Sept-Dean Creek v2

Download 2011-Sept-Dean Creek v2

______________________
The September meeting/campsite will be:
Date:  Saturday, September 24, 2011
Location:  Dean Creek Resort, 4112 Redwood Drive, Redway, CA 95560
Phone:  877-923-2555  (ask for Linda, reservation under "Blake")

Saturday camping:  campsites 9 thru 20  (contiguous space for 30+ tents)
Friday camping:  available, need to call individually and let her know how many campsites (same campsites 9-20)

This campground has a pool, spa and sauna as well as sports and entertainment areas.  There are also RV sites, cabins and a motel on site for those who don't camp.  Call Linda for pricing.

Dinner is available nearby in Redway and Garberville.   The Brass Rail has great steaks and a full service bar; Deb's All American Hamburger serves a variety of meals, and a great breakfast.

Motorcycle parking is included and located directly next to the campsites. 

We'll meet for breakfast at Lighthouse Breakfast & Lunch, 1311 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965 at 08:00 and head north on Hwy 1 all the way up the coast to the junction with 101 at Leggett, then north to Redway and the campground for a total distance of about 240 miles.  The coast highway should be beautiful with the morning sun at our backs and summer traffic mostly gone.  There are two gas stations near the Lighthouse; riders should be ready to ride after breakfast, we'll depart between 08:30 and 09:00.

Norcal Home Page

United Family Day - October Second Sunday Breakfast and Ride

October's Second Sunday Breakfast and Ride will meet at San Bruno and ride to attend the United Family Day activities.

When: October 9, 2011
Breafast 8am at:
Ihop
590 El Camino Real
San Bruno, CA, 94066
650-588-8344

The Group will then ride to the United Maintenance Base for the United Family Day.  Please send an e-mail to registration49er@yahoo.com if you are planing to attend. Motorcycle License plate and number of guests required.

Book early to avoid disappointment. Space is limited.

GS Ride Sept 18th

Cliff Dunn will be leading a Third Sunday GS Ride starting September 18th, 2011. Meet for Breakfast at 8:00 AM. Live Oak Kitchen, 15531 Union Ave. Los Gatos, CA, 95032    

Ride will start ~9:00AM from Live Oak Kitchen and head to Melcalf Motorcycle Park by way of Hicks and McKean. Once at the park, a basic set of offroad riding drills will be practiced to get reoriented to the dirt - followed by few loops around the park to put the skill set to work. We will spend about 2 to 3 hours in the park, so ride should by complete by 1PM. There is a $6 entry fee to the park. All skill levels welcome.

This is part of the Dirt Dozen events sponsored by Cal-Moto and Raw Adventures.

NorCal Home Page

September 24 Redway - Route Included

The September meeting/campsite will be:
Date:  Saturday, September 24, 2011
Location:  Dean Creek Resort, 4112 Redwood Drive, Redway, CA 95560
Phone:  877-923-2555  (ask for Linda, reservation under "Blake")

Download 2011-Sept-Dean Creek v2 (updated 9/14/2011)

Download 2011-Sept-Dean Creek v2 (updated 9/14/2011)

Saturday camping:  campsites 9 thru 20  (contiguous space for 30+ tents)
Friday camping:  available, need to call individually and let her know how many campsites (same campsites 9-20)

This campground has a pool, spa and sauna as well as sports and entertainment areas.  There are also RV sites, cabins and a motel on site for those who don't camp.  Call Linda for pricing.

Dinner is available nearby in Redway and Garberville.   The Brass Rail has great steaks and a full service bar; Deb's All American Hamburger serves a variety of meals, and a great breakfast.

Motorcycle parking is included and located directly next to the campsites. 

We'll meet for breakfast at Lighthouse Breakfast & Lunch, 1311 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965 at 08:00 and head north on Hwy 1 all the way up the coast to the junction with 101 at Leggett, then north to Redway and the campground for a total distance of about 240 miles.  The coast highway should be beautiful with the morning sun at our backs and summer traffic mostly gone.  There are two gas stations near the Lighthouse; riders should be ready to ride after breakfast, we'll depart between 08:30 and 09:00.

Norcal Home Page

Range of LIght Pre-registration Closes August 27

The online pre-registration closes August 27, 2011. Mail-in registration is closed. Signups have been good.

Vegetarian option available. Please contact: registration49er@yahoo.com for your
vegetarian option.

Cash Prizes for Poker Run Saturday & Sunday.