Wow! Here it is August already and the pandemic just rolls on. I don’t think any of us saw this long running train wreck going on and on like it has. But, it has, and unfortunately we have to live with it as a hopefully temporary new normal. I am ready for the return of the old normal. Until then, we just have to do this and wait for the pandemic to settle down. Sooner than later WE hope.

The good news you ask? We own motorcycles! We can’t meet as a large group but we can still ride. I have managed to ride the better part of 5,000 miles in the last month and through all those miles things felt normal. Until we stopped. You know, masks, social distancing etc… We as riders enjoy that freedom and in this difficult time we should embrace it and wear out some tires and burn some fuel! Several riders can still enjoy great days of riding and it is possible to get a good lunch, as many establishments are serving outside these days. Coupla weeks ago we rode 162/Buck’s Lake road to Graeagle for an outstanding burger and on to 49/Downieville to home. 324 miles and home by 4:30. Currently, many camp sites are open. I personally have stayed at a number of KOAs throughout the western states. This can be done while observing pandemic protocol. Often you hear people refer to motorcycle riding as freedom. There you go, and it is true. The daily grind disappears when I am riding and if it doesn’t for you then, YOU ARE DOING IT WRONG!

I hope this column finds our members healthy and, I haven’t heard anyone is ill, so I’ll go with no news is good news. I posted months ago that ALL club activities were indefinitely suspended until further notice and nothing has changed in that regard. Until we are cleared to meet in large groups I am seeing the year 2020 as cancelled. Pretty sure none of us like it, but it is today’s reality and until the situation improves we will have to roll with it.

Major League Baseball just started their truncated season with no fans in the stands and now we hear, because of Covid positive tests of players that the season may end before it really gets going. Strange times folks, strange times! My advice would be, go ride your bike. Now. And a lot. Everything is better during a ride. Until we meet, take care and be safe!

Mike

So….here it is July 2^nd and we are still dealing with the pandemic. One step forward and one step back. Some days it seems as though the year 2020 has been or will be all together cancelled. Depending on where we reside there have been openings and then a coupla weeks later we see things closing again. Not sure when the craziness will end and as much as I understand the seriousness of the situation I and many of the folks I know are hoping to to see some normal soon! Who knows when that will be and what that normal will be when it arrives. Until that happens there are things we can do to keep us distracted until then. We all know that we can’t come together as a club in a close setting of 50 people or so, so in the mean time we must gather in small squads and STILL ride.

Scare up a coupla club members and ride to lunch but, take a mask. Some camping areas are open. Go camping. Several members and myself found a KOA open in Bandon, Or.  on Memorial day weekend and enjoyed some fantastic roads both paved and unpaved. Great weekend!

Just got back from a ten day 7 state 4,200 mile trip through Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Oregon. Absolute fantastic trip but Covid was to be dealt with wherever we went. It didn’t matter, as we went on to ride some epic roads to include Pike’s Peak, Moab, Bryce Canyon, Million $ Highway Co. ,Beartooth Highway Montana, and Lolo Pass, Id. Throw in some dirt roads too! So you can ride pretty much where you’d like but just not in a mob. Go create a memory. You can.

Until then, ride, take pics and post on the forum. Share your stories with us all please.

One more thing. I know we are not functioning normally as a club but, please try and pay your club dues when you can. Our dues keep the club rollin’ and, I am sure we all want RCB to keep rollin’!

Be safe, burn up some tires and stay healthy. We need you in the RCB family! Really!

Be well my friends,

Mike

Here it is June 5^th already and we are still dealing with the pandemic. I am weary of it and I’d bet most folks are. Most of us see things are beginning to open up but I think we need to be cautious about how we approach daily life post the covid lock down.  Many club members including myself are in the at risk demographic of this virus and until things are under control we should adhere to the advise given by our officials whether individually, we agree with it or not. Restrictions are still in place for large gatherings and until those restrictions are lifted, as a club, I believe it is the responsibility of the club to honor those restrictions for the well being of our members. I hope to see EVERYBODY at Manchester this year.

So, in the meantime, there is no reason we can’t socially separate via our motorcycles. I have done a lot of that in small groups. Packed a lunch and headed to the hills for quite a few spirited rides. Most camping areas have been CLOSED! Those are beginning to open now, so even if we can’t ride and congregate in masse we can do so in small squadrons! If you do, please take pics and write a story for publication in our newsletter. Take pics and put them in the gallery. Share your experience with us.

We will get through this. We are beginning to now. We will take what we get until we are free again to do what we do unencumbered by this virus.  Hang in there RCB!

Ride safe, Ride often, and be well.

Mike

I hope this column finds everyone well and maintaining their sanity during the pandemic. Speaking strictly for myself I am ready for things to open up but, I do understand the caution. SORTA, to a point. As I write this I am watching a Senate hearing in regard to the Pandemic and the possibility of the relaxation of sheltering on both the Federal and State levels and I am still as confused as politicians.

That being said, the song remains the same. Until some level of “normal” returns to us, our club activity will remain as it has been the last 2 months. All we can do is be patient and hope the opening of the economy comes soon. I know that even places one might camp such as KOA’s are closed to all but “essential workers” whoever that is out in the woods. ALL state campsites as well as picnic areas and rest rooms are all still closed. I’ve checked. To get out, I do venture out on the bike for social separation rides. Traffic for the most part is quite light and places like Downieville and Sierra City are close to ghost towns. Wild. The day rides are beautiful and helpful but I’m looking forward to pitching a tent somewhere. ANYWHERE!

Things are slowly beginning to open up in phases. Looking forward to phase 4.

So, while I wait for that to happen, I’m gonna change my oil today in the GS and get ready for the day, hopefully sooner rather then later, when I/we can enjoy each other’s company for a nice lunch together and a much needed camping trip as RCB! It WILL happen.

Take good care and I look forward to seeing you all very soon!

Mike

Here we are sheltering in place and working on maintaining our mental health along with our physical health. I am struggling to find a way to make weeding my front and back yards sound interesting and exciting. Our vehicles are all as clean as they were when they were delivered new. Nothing interesting there. I am positive you don’t need my tips on washing a vehicle. All my tires are maintaining their pressures as I am keeping a close eye on them hoping that some day we may be able use them once again. Been moving them around since I don’t wanna develop flat spots. I have developed quite an appreciation for the simple things in life like TOILET PAPER! I get so excited when I see shelves that actually have toilet paper on them not to mention paper towels. It’s the little things folks! What are the hoarders doing with all the toilet paper? They must be sick of eggs and chicken and the rest of the stuff they THINK they need. To get us through this time we need to maintain our sense of humor. As one of my friends in the club said when I asked how he was doing he replied that he had toilet paper and plenty of ammo! Now that is funny!

So, on to club business! Oh yeah, THERE ISN’T ANY! Looks as though this sheltering in place is helping in the fight against this virus. The numbers look pretty good for California so there is a tiny bit of light visible at the end of tunnel. All club activity has been suspended since 1 March. We just canceled the coast run for the end of this month and only time will tell if other events will also follow the same fate. All we can do is be patient and hope this ends when it is safe to do so.

So, everyone take care of yourselves and your loved ones. You have plenty of time to make sure your bike is ready for when we get the all clear to return to our normal lives, whatever that turns out to be. I look forward to seeing you all again in a club setting. Until then, everyone take care and be safe.

Mike

Well, all we got was a trace of rain in Feb. and that came on the 29^th. If it is not gonna rain (I know, we need it!) nice weather is fine with me. The weather has indeed been fine and the last month has been great for riding. I hope everyone has been able to take advantage of it and worked on wearing out a set of tires. I have hardly used heated gear this winter. Climate change I suppose! Next week may bring rain for most of the week and it is still technically winter. We shall see.

The RCB culinary staff fed the crowd on the 22^nd at the A&S Swap Meet. Weather was great, the crowd was large and the burgers and dogs went fast. There were quite a few interesting bikes for sale there including Ray T’s side hack. Hope you sold it Ray! Anyway, it was an enjoyable day even with the cooking thing.

So, after Sat’s meeting there will be a GPS seminar with Capt. Ken, Terry Lee, and Rich Gay teaching folks how to deal with their GPS’s and Garmin Basecamp. Ken with the Windows folks and Terry and Rich with the Apple users. Hopefully there is a good turn out for this. I have had my share of Basecamp headache so this seminar should really help members get the most from these expensive boxes hangin off our handle bars. They are complex electronics and are not all that intuitive in their operation so all who attend should have a much better grasp of all things GPS!

Something that completely snuck by us all in the event planning this year was the annual Memorial Poker Run in May after the club meeting. What? How could that happen? I immediately began to freak out cause Bob Highfill and the High Road Goddess Joanie had hosted this event for the last two years and I felt as though it would be too much to ask them to host a third year. What to do? Well, here comes Rich Gay at the BOD meeting who volunteered to host the event this year. FANTASTIC! Thanks Rich and Brenda. Great members and great people. That is makes the club what it is. I am sure The Capt. will have a great route for us.

Not to get ahead of myself here (I have!) The Coastal Classic which is in Fortuna this year is on April 24^th, 25^th and 26^th.  Information as to lodging is here on the website and Terry will lead a group up Fri. and most likely post other routes up. Thanks Terry. I have booked my room and recommend, if you’re coming that, you do the same. The North coast is beautiful and the roads are fantastic. Bring Gore tex or rain gear tho’ as the North coast can get wet. Quick!

 So, Spring is upon us and so is another great riding season. I am pretty sure we will have at least two new members at this month’s meeting. Welcome them to the fold and make them feel comfortable being new to the club. Sometimes I think we need to do more to make newer folks feel as tho’ the are part of RCB. They are. We all are.  I like this family and I enjoy being part of it.

I want to thank all of our members who volunteer. From the club officers.  and directors to those that show up to cook burgers and dogs at A&S, to those that put together group rides and post them on the forum. Those who volunteer their RV’s and time to cook for events and ask for nothing in return. Those that organize events and pull them off. Without these volunteers there would be no RCB. Thank you all! I was reading an RCB newsletter from 2007 where then Prez. Gary Stofer (RIP) was railing about lack of volunteers for RCB events. Even then Central Cal. was asking RCB if they were interested in co hosting the Beemer Bash in part because they were experiencing a lack of help. Wow, as Gary stated at the time, “I see a pattern here”. Thanks again to all who help and a shout out to folks who might wanna help and are not sure what to do. Your ideas and suggestions are welcomed.

Get up to speed on your bike maintenance and get ready for a great riding season! Good health to all and ride safe and often!

Mike

Well, pitchers and catchers will be reporting soon. The 49ers couldn’t quite hold on last Sun. and after the Super Bowl, sports are done for me till baseball fires back up! So…..guess I’ll go for a ride till then.

The weather last Sat. was outstanding and it looked as tho’ the Capt. had a good squad for the club ride around Berryessa to St. Helena following the meeting. Tom Moe posted a couple of pics on the forum. Looks like Berryessa has quite a bit of water in it judging by the pic of the Glory Hole.

Took an informal poll of attending members at the meeting and was happy with the number of riders planning to attend the BMWMOA INT’l in Great Falls, Mt. on June 24^th, 25^th, 26^th. Terry Lee has a coupla routes to event that he will post. He also mentioned when coerced that he may be interested in leading a group northward towards the event. Thx. Terry. Jack K. has volunteered to be the the club point of contact for chartered club camping. Even if you are moteling it at the event we need to know you are there for our list of attending members as it would nice if we could win “Most Members in a Chartered Club attending” as we did in Salt Lake. Because not everyone attends the meetings we will post soon on the forum so we can keep a running count on attendees. Looking forward to this run! It will be fun!

April 24^th, 25^th, 26^th is the Coastal Classic which is shifting to the North coast town of Fortuna. Terry has or will post a number of routes to and around Fortuna. There is contact info under Rides and Events for the  Redwood Riverwalk Motel. Reserve your room now. Should be a fun weekend of riding and camaraderie.

Feb. 22^nd there will be a swap meet at A&S. Randy and Co. have asked us to once again to perform our culinary magic on burgers and dogs. Calling all chefs to assist me in this event.

Following March’s club meeting we will be holding a Garmin Basecamp GPS class at Jack’s office. The class will begin at 10:30. We will go to A&S following the meeting, then head to the site at 10:00. The Capt. will handle us Droid users with Rich and Terry handling the Apple folks. Bring a laptop and charging cable.

Watch for your Air Med Care renewals and keep your coverage current. 65 bucks is a bargain for this insurance.

The RCB store is open. Buy a hat or a shirt. The prices are very reasonable and the club receives a portion of the sale.

I hope this new year is finding everyone healthy and ready for a busy riding season. We are all members of this club and we all have a voice. Use yours. Have suggestions or concerns or recommendations, talk to me or other club officers and express yourself. The Trinity Spring Classic started as a weekend ride and now it is an event.

Ride Safe, Ride far, and ride often! See ya on the road!

Happy 2020 to all! Here’s to a happy and more importantly, a healthy New Year to all. Especially healthy! Healthy is important to us as motorcyclists, especially if we are eating the miles on our adventures. Big miles and long days require good health. May we all enjoy good health this year and put on big miles!

After our December club meeting a group of us ventured to the Children’s Receiving Home of Sacramento on our annual Toy Run and Burger/dog cooking fest for the kids. It’s nice to provide these children a BBQ lunch this time of year. They all are appreciative of the effort and make it known with their “Thank You’s !” Later in the day we  all gathered at A&S for our annual Christmas Bash. A fine time was had by all. The food was excellent as always and no one went home hungry. Gordy the Elf made a special appearance from the North Pole and assisted in the Xmas raffle. A very enjoyable evening.

Capt. Ken lead a group of 8 riders on a New Year day ride through the delta country for lunch at Foster’s Big Horn in Rio Vista. This is a fun ride I normally attend but figured I’d give my new hip another week of recovery before I get too stupid. What a great way to start out a new year of riding!

We are working on a class next month some time to help us all with Garmin BaseCamp and our GPS’s . BaseCamp, if you don’t use it regularly, can be a challenge and a bit of an adventure to download routes if your not in the know. Capt. Ken will be there to help us reduce the mystery that can be Garmin BaseCamp. You will need your laptop, charging cord, Garmin USB to computer cord, and of course your GPS. Stay tuned for more info.

Based on our quick unofficial poll at the meeting, there is quite a bit of interest in rotating the annual Coastal Classic from Morro Bay to the Northern redwoods and coast. I think that is a great idea! Morro Bay one year, North coast the next. Keeps it interesting I think and who doesn’t love the redwoods and the north coast! More info as this develops.

I will be working with Randy Felice and A&S to organize a first aid class. I need to go through one again and am sure it would benefit all us as we ride far and wide. Once again, stay tuned!.

Mark it on your calendars, kids! June 25^th thru the 28^th is the BMWMOA International in Great Falls, Montana. This should be a good one and, I’d love to see RCB get the most attending from a charter club award as we did in Salt Lake. I will continue to bug you and encourage all to make this run!

With the new year upon us we need to make sure our medical medivac chopper service insurance is up to date and valid. Easy to let these things get by us and are not important until they are! Just sayin'.

I know it’s a pain in the butt, but, get your butt down on the ground and check your tire inflation. With all we have to deal with as motorcyclists in the winter time, traction is a huge deal. Wet roads, mud, tree branches, wet paint and all the other garbage we contend with on the road during the winter months your tire inflation doesn’t need to be and shouldn’t be part of the equation. Check your tires and their pressures often. Not a huge deal in a car but, we only have two wheels and two small contact patches to keep us upright so this is kinda of a big deal! Check ‘em folks.

Once again, Happy New Year to all and I look forward to seeing you all on the road. Be safe my friends!

Mike

What a difference a coupla weeks makes! November was very warm. We rode 162 and La Porte Rd. just two weeks ago knowing high elevation riding could end in a flash. Guess what? FLASH! We are done till spring. The heated gear was actually used this last weekend when about 10 of us danced around some nasty looking clouds on the Day After Thanksgiving Ride to the Waterloo Inn for a good lunch. Afterwards we made the obligatory stop at Lockeford Meat to purchase some world class sausage. Great ride, great route and a great day! Get your heated gear out!

Now that we are into our winter months Mother Nature will dictate when we can ride so there isn’t much on the schedule as far as the club is concerned. This weekend, December 7^th we have the club meeting as usual followed by the toy run to the Children’s Receiving Home. We will meet at A&S before departing for the home. There is info on the forum as to what gifts we can bring the kids. I understand there are more teenagers this year so check it out. Saturday evening is the annual RCB Christmas Bash at A&S. Check the forum for suggested dishes to bring. Gordy has ordered the Turkey and Ham and the Club will provide beer, water and soda. Bring your preferred flavor of wine if you’d like. A special guest from the North Pole will preside over the raffle. There will be no raffle at the club meeting. Come join in on the fun!

Speaking of weather, if it permits there may be a New Years Day ride. That’s the plan at this point. It will be an interesting route through the delta, ride a ferry or two and end up in Rio Vista for lunch at Foster’s Bighorn. It’s a great way to start out the new year. Keep an eye on Rides and Destinations.

I sometimes hear folks talk about what a pain in the butt Garmin Base Camp can be and even tho I manage to stumble around on it, it is a pain. After the Feb. club meeting, those who wish, can join in on a Base Camp class hosted by Jack Klaushie’s office and instructed by our own Captain Ken. You will need a laptop and charging cord and your USB cord for your GPS to import routes into it. Great opportunity to learn Base Camp navigation. Thanks to Jack and Ken.

Remember, there is no raffle Sat. at the club meeting. Hope to see you all at the Christmas Party Sat. evening! See you all Sat.!

Mike

Nov. 4^th 11:00 a.m. 70 degrees with tons o sun! It’s why we live in California. Speaking of which, what a glorious club ride we had Sat. Our ride leader Capt. Ken took us on a circuitous route to the Priest Grade Café for an excellent lunch. Great crew, great ride and gorgeous weather! We took Wards Ferry Rd. for part of our return route. Wards Ferry has really crappy asphalt, pot holes out the butt and cliffs of death everywhere. WHAT A COOL ROAD! Ask Laura and LeAnne. Safe to say they had a ball on that road. We all did! Perfect day!

Speaking of Laura, Congrats Laura on your new position on the RCB board of directors. Also to Rich Gay for taking on the position of Membership Director. Thank you Rich! And, after many recounts and investigations into Russian collusion it has been determined that there really is no change in the RCB hierarchy. The club will put up with us for another year at which time I will be hitting term limits and vacating my position as your Prez.

There will be a Day after Thanksgiving ride this year. That will be on the day after Thanksgiving. Don’t ask. We will lunch at the Waterloo Inn which is a very interesting place. Many of us will visit Lockeford Meat on the return home. Easily the best sausage place on the planet. The Dakota Smoked sausage is the bomb! Join us on the Day after Thanksgiving. Watch the forum.

Nov. 17^th is our annual planning meeting for the coming year. So…..come to the Round Table at 9500 Greenback Ln. in Folsom at 6:00 and assist us in the crafting of next years club events.

Dec. 7^th will be the Toy Run following the club meeting. We will cook burgers at the Children’s Receiving Home. Fred is posting all the particulars for this event. The kids love the motorcycles and are very appreciative of the lunch and gifts. The day will wrap up at A&S for our annual Christmas Party at 6:00 pm. Gordy has posted on the forum. Rumor has it that we will have a special guest from the North Pole. Cool! Come one, come all. Always a fun evening!

Never to early to start with this. RCB won most attending from a Charter Club at the Salt Lake BMWMOA international. We should do it again at Great Falls Mt. in 2020! The date is June 25^th through 28^th. Mark it on your calendars and come help us take the title home again. The International is a great event. Tons of vendors and seminars and just plain fun. You should go! You know you want to. Right?

Everyone needs to bust out their winter gear now! Don’t get lulled into thinking this weather will last. Nothing is worse then not having the correct gear when you need. It’s one thing when it’s warm. It’s a whole different deal when you get cold and don’t have the proper gear. Be pre-emptive and get your gear together! Now! Today! Get it?

Everyone please ride safe. We’ll see you at the Christmas soiree! Frederd might bring some caviar!

SEE YA!

Mike