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    Last Friday's "Close Call" <grin>

    A few years back, I jettisoned a wonderful Moto Guzzi roadster. In retrospect, it is probably the bike a most regret no longer having. The other day, on the way home from the lumber yard, I happened by our local 'Euro' dealer - you know - just to check things out. Here's what (almost)...
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    Foggy Day on the PCH...

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    "An Old Bike and the Sea"

    I recently submitted a little piece about riding an old BMW along a bit of the Northern California coast to Rider Magazine which they placed in their July issue. First time I've ever had something published, so forgive my excitement. Here's a link...
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    Nice little loop in my (Sonoma County, CA) back yard...

    A favorite two-hour ride for me: Dirt and pavement; Pastures and canyons; History and science; and renewable geo-thermal energy. Here are some details... https://thechurchoftheopenroad.blogspot.com/2020/05/the-geysers-road-loop.html
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    Visited by Sasquatch?

    A recent social media thread (somewhere) asked about folks' experiences with Northern California's Sasquatch. Here's mine: https://thechurchoftheopenroad.blogspot.com/2019/12/visited-by-sasquatch.html. :)
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    Sonoma County CA is not reduced to ash - and we're back in business

    My wine-making daughter and my wine-making son-in-law asked me to let everyone know that Sonoma County (CA) has weathered the worst fire in its history and is now open for business. Here are some details...
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    1986 BMW R80RT (in California)

    Not sure if it's appropriate for me to try to sell this old BMW on the Super T site, so delete this post if I'm outta line... I more-or-less inherited the bike I'd always wanted to own about a year ago - now it's gathering dust in the garage because I enjoy my Yamaha so much more. I've created...
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    California's Salmon River By-Way

    California has a bunch of famously great roads to explore, but there are plenty of great roads that aren't so famous. I ran across one last week. Here's the story: https://thechurchoftheopenroad.blogspot.com/2019/09/californias-salmon-river-by-way.html. I hope you will enjoy the ride with me...
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    Crossing Beartooth Pass on a (rented) Royal Enfield Himalayan

    Having to compress a crossing of Montana/Wyoming's famed Beartooth Pass Highway into a seven day turn around, I left my beloved Super Tenere at home, flew to Montana, thumbed my way to Red Lodge and rented a surprisingly capable (and fun) Royal Enfield Himalayan for the adventure. Here's my...
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    Wonderful place to eat in Lake County, CA

    Lake County in California is one of those areas most of us whiz right through on the way to or from the Pacific Coast or the redwoods. For the past couple of years, while traveling on State Route 20 along the north shore of Clear Lake, we've found ourselves stopping in Upper Lake at the Blue...
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    Nice memoir from a trucker who shares the road with us. (Not necessarily motorcycle related - but...)

    I think there's a degree of affinity shared by those of us who ride motorcycles and our road-mates who drive trucks. Having done a bit of both, I was taken by a book called "The Long Haul: A Trucker's Tales of Life on the Road," and wrote a little review of it here...
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    Exploring the forgotten Klamath River Region of Northwestern California - What a treat!

    Last week, I marked a big something off my bucket list: an exploration of the lost canyons and squiggly roads through the Klamath River area in a forgotten corner of California. I've posted some pictures and descriptions...
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    Inheriting an old BMW - and all that goes along with...

    With the acquisition of my Yamaha Super Tenere - a bike that does absolutely everything I want a bike to do - I got myself down to just one motorcycle in the garage. Ahhh! The freedom! (And the space.) Then, the other day, I more-or-less inherited an '86 BMW RT. I thought some might be...
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    Rangeland, Smoke and History

    Recently completed an engaging run from Santa Rosa CA to northeastern Oregon. Lots of smoke, but lots of great roads and interesting history. I've posted some pictures and comments here: https://thechurchoftheopenroad.blogspot.com/2018/08/rangeland-smoke-history-and-engaging.html First real...
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    Should I or shouldn't I?

    Yesterday, while riding through Sonoma, CA on Enrico, the Super T, I was confronted with one of those siren-song "should I or shouldn't I?" questions. This one involved a former love of mine, a BMW R-65. I suspect others of us have experienced a similar circumstance. I've posted a little...
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    Touring the Great and Terrible Sonoma County Fire(s) of 2017

    Monthly I take a forty mile round trip on Enrico, the Yamaha to a favorite coffee roaster in the next county to stock up on some whole bean blends. Yesterday was my first trip since the fires raged through our area. I've drafted a little report and posted it here...
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    Shake Down Cruise up the Oregon Coast (Report)

    Greetings all: Having owned a BMW GSA and then shifting away to a big cruiser-style Triumph, I saw the error in my ways. Wanting to return to a bike that handles twists and curves better, recently I purchased a 2016 Super Tenere. Love it! My first extended trip – a week into ownership –...
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    New Member from Sonoma County, CA

    Greetings all: I am a 45-year long motorcycle rider enjoying my new 2016 Super. Having enjoyed pretty much any bike I’ve owned (4 BMWs, a Guzzi and most recently a Triumph T-bird). I am excited about the prospects of riding this wonderfully adaptable machine in and about my home turf in...
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