NorCal Polar Bear, Jan 1 2016

Don in Lodi

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I haven't looked at the forecast, is anybody going for a ride Friday?
 

tomatocity

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Looks like clear / sunny with zero chance of rain through Saturday. Where do you want to go?

- Antioch Bridge, Mines Rd, Mt Hamilton, 130, Calaveras Rd, 84, Mt Diablo, https://goo.gl/maps/XKgUq6GUAbC2 Long day with a lot of elevation +/-

- Winters, Berryessa, Lower Lake, Bottle Rock Rd, 175, Middletown, Butts Canyon Rd, 128, Pleasants Valley Rd https://goo.gl/maps/QXQXNmEqWQJ2 Easy on time

- Alice's Restaurant

- Plymouth, Cool, Foresthill, Iowa Hill, Meadow Vista, Auburn, Cool, Salmon Falls Rd, Latrobe, Jackson Highway https://goo.gl/maps/2kPNbdtueJy or https://goo.gl/maps/CCPyiKJSAf32
 

Don in Lodi

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I was actually thinking of the Junction or Alice's for lunch. Does anybody know if the Junction is opening on the 1st? They did last year, special request. How icy does the Antioch Bridge get first thing on a 30 degree morning? Parts of both of the elevation loops, Plymouth and The Junction, don't see the sun at all this time of the year. If it was dawning in the 40's or we were on four wheels... Damn, I didn't think this through. Does that Berryessa loop cover a lot of the Big Burn? Cobb got burned, didn't it, Middletown? 175 is deep and dark all day. I'm liking Alice's better and better for lunch, the shortest chance for ice. Or Winters for lunch?
 

tomatocity

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Don in Lodi said:
I was actually thinking of the Junction or Alice's for lunch. Does anybody know if the Junction is opening on the 1st? They did last year, special request. How icy does the Antioch Bridge get first thing on a 30 degree morning? Parts of both of the elevation loops, Plymouth and The Junction, don't see the sun at all this time of the year. If it was dawning in the 40's or we were on four wheels... Damn, I didn't think this through. Does that Berryessa loop cover a lot of the Big Burn? Cobb got burned, didn't it, Middletown? 175 is deep and dark all day. I'm liking Alice's better and better for lunch, the shortest chance for ice. Or Winters for lunch?
Good points Don. ICE !!! Yikes.

- Last time I was at The Junction they said they were open on Thursday - Sunday.
- Need to call Putah Creek Cafe to see if they are open on New Years Day.
- Cobb and Middletown were in the Burn and should have more daylight on the roads. I have been wanting to ride 175 to see how well they have rebounded. The last time I was there, 175 had traffic control and I turned around because of the long delay's. I did meet a member of FEMA at the Chevron. Had a great talk about the housing being offered.
- What route are you considering for Alice's?
 

Don in Lodi

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For me I'd head out from Byron/Brentwood on Vasco Rd. Know the red caboose in Byron? You've got to do some freeway to get to Alice's regardless. Vasco to 84. 84 to Calaveras. So far so good. I actually have had good luck with 680 around the bottom and up 280. 280 is a nice freeway. Where Calaveras comes out we're close to the bottom anyway. Or we could work out 84 straight through to the Dumbarten Bridge. Tolls, grrr. I've never been through Freemont. From Sac Tim and Duane could come down the river... or I-5.
 

Don in Lodi

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If you look at a map of Byron, a wide spot in the road west of Discovery Bay, south of Brentwood, on the map Byron is essentially a triangle. At the north end of the triangle is a red railroad caboose. It signifies something or other.
We can meet at the Flying J at 12 and I-5 if y'all want. There's a Denny's inside if breakfast is a thing to do. I can call Alice's tomorrow and see if they'll be open Friday. If that turns out to be a crash and burn I'll give The Junction a call.
It should take 2-2 1/2 hrs to get to Alice's, Calaveras will add some time maybe. If we leave Flying J by 10 that should do a good lunch time. Denny's by 9, fueled and leaving by 10?
Bring your electric gear if you've got it.

 

Don in Lodi

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LOL, for electric gear I meant heated gear. 50 degrees at 70 mph is gonna be cold. We can come back quicker than we got there.
See you at the Flying J a bit before 10 then.

 

tomatocity

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My apologies for not relying yesterday. Working too many hours but I am enjoying them.

Let me know what you are riding and I can meetup somewhere along the way. I want to minimize riding I-5 since that is Brrrrrr COLD Brrrrrr and I prefer something with curves.

https://goo.gl/maps/DFxEFPJpuAD2 I will ride I-5 to Freeport https://goo.gl/maps/zvExew8fJ1C2 then the rest is a favorite. Gas at Rio Vista or very south Antioch - Deer Valley Rd. I doubt I will find you at the Red Caboose since it is in Antioch but Red Barn Hotrods is in Byron.

https://goo.gl/maps/KCG4V48C2792 Here is a route to Alice's. Think I have ridden 237 but can't remember when. Calaveras is a hoot. Rode it earlier this year and want to ride it again.

https://goo.gl/maps/21UYwqte8LA2 This is a route to Freeport from Laguna.

You can call me at 916 eight37 zero65two

Tim
 

Don in Lodi

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Judging by the fog this morning, the river route will be cold wet and frosty. How icy does the Antioch Bridge deck get when a frozen fog settles on it? I'm still for going through Byron from this side rather than dropping down the river route.
 

tomatocity

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Work was very busy today. No lunch. We had planned to close at 3p though we were open to 4:30p. Sold a bunch of guns and ammo today. Did not get home until 6p.

As much as I want to go to Alice's I am going to pass on this trip. Decided to do some needed yard work in the morning then ride to Winters for lunch at Putah Creek Cafe. After lunch I will ride the west side of Berryessa and back home before dark.

Happy New Year to All
 

Don in Lodi

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I've been hearing that it's getting crazy with the firearms market. My little shop is actually wanting to close a couple extra days a week because the paperwork is just so over the top.
Stay warm Tim. I'll be at the Flying J at 12 and I-5 'bout 9 to catch some breakfast at the Denny's that should be open, it's a truck stop after all. Should be good to go by 10 if anybody want to go for a putt. LOL, maybe to Winters...

 

decooney

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Yeah, its a bit far anyhow...I can do Alice's my next ride south, no big deal. Not really into riding fwy either when I can ride gold country up the hill 15 min away.

Tim,
When do you plan to leave Sacramento to depart for Putah Creek Cafe for lunch? If you are looking for company, I'd ride Berryessa with you and back, that's a nice ride. Will check back later this evening and send you a text. Duane
 

tomatocity

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Don in Lodi said:
I've been hearing that it's getting crazy with the firearms market. My little shop is actually wanting to close a couple extra days a week because the paperwork is just so over the top.
Stay warm Tim. I'll be at the Flying J at 12 and I-5 'bout 9 to catch some breakfast at the Denny's that should be open, it's a truck stop after all. Should be good to go by 10 if anybody want to go for a putt. LOL, maybe to Winters...

Luckily I do not have to receive money or do paperwork :) Selling can be fun but it also can be time consuming. I also clean guns, stock the shelves, dig through backrooms of stuff to put out, vacuum carpets, clean the display glass - counters - windows, empty and clean garbage cans, mop floors, and yes I clean bathrooms. All this by choice. Try to stay busy and keep the business more appealing to the customers. I am a lucky guy.
 

Don in Lodi

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The Byron Caboose. Commemorates the 1878 train station that's not there any more.


And the observatory on top of Mt Diablo. Beautiful clear day.

 

decooney

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Tim,
Great ride and food stop too. Enjoyed all of it and the west side as we got further out from Berryessa in those river canyons after Pope Valley. Was great to see some new areas. Much appreciated.

Don,
hope to do a ride with the larger group again in the future, catch you next time.
 

tomatocity

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Enjoyed the ride and company. Other than it being a bit chilly the weather was beautiful.

Here is the route we rode today...
... https://goo.gl/maps/SWYpjzyrEP62
... https://goo.gl/maps/YMP1pKDxm112

Was looking at Gmaps and found Plainfield Station Bar & Grill. We weren't far from it today. Looks like a hole in the wall but will be good for cold drink and food for a Summer ride.
... https://www.facebook.com/Plainfield-Station-154795284533040/timeline

Thinking... Foresthill - Iowa Hill - Colfax Bridge https://goo.gl/maps/V3wk5zhmkr42 A lot of elevation and tight turns to Colfax. South Pine Cafe was very good. Went there last Summer.
 

Don in Lodi

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Wow, I like the looks of the Iowa Hills route. ::26::
 

tomatocity

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Don in Lodi said:
Wow, I like the looks of the Iowa Hills route. ::26::
Hi Don,

I have ridden it 5-6 times and twice on my Tenere's.

Steve Curran and I rode it as part of his Oregon trip. We were headed to Qunicy for the night.

Let me know if you would like to share a ride. Looks like wet for awhile.

Tim
 
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