Palos Verdes Run
July 1, 2001
By Jim Falk
Once again our
faithful VP has outdone himself by presenting another great run around the
Palos Verdes peninsula! We could not
have asked for nicer weather, and Tom Hart
faithfully appeared to drive “trouble truck.”
We had about ten
riders assemble at the start, including a group of Ariels commandeered by Homer
Knapp. Kevin Spear arrived with his JD,
and I with my faithful BMW. Tom
Lovejoy’s dad joined us as well on a modern bike. We started out through Torrance,
Hermosa and Redondo Beach,
proceeding along the scenic coast to Palos Verdes
Drive – spectacular weather and scenery. After negotiating the famed moving roadway at
Portuguese Bend, we proceeded to San Pedro for a brief stop at Walker’s
Café. We had been preceded in arrival by
a savory local Harley gang, and decided to go a few blocks further and stop for
lunch at the Pacific Diner.
It looked as if
we might have an issue getting served with the crowd, but we finally downed a
quick lunch and proceeded to backtrack once again to Palos Verdes East. We climbed the heights to Miraleste for some
more spectacular views out to sea and some fun on the twisty roads there,
descending back down the other side to San Pedro once again before traversing
the bridges across Terminal Island
to Long Beach.
Proceeding north
on Cherry Ave. from the Long
Beach shore, we crossed into Signal Hill and Paramount
for a visit with our friend George at Gunther’s Yard. As in the past, we were treated to a display
of antique vehicles and machinery, including a very rare Campbell
single from the early century era and a Flying Merkel among others. Rides on the narrow gauge railway were
offered for those who chose to partake.
George invited our club to display their bikes at an upcoming Model T
Club event in late July.
We left
Gunther’s Yard for the short return to Tom Lovejoy’s
house, and everyone dispersed with satisfaction after a fine ride encompassing
some 65 miles in total. Thanks again,
Tom, for a great ride and the courtesy to offer this earlier than usual. This accommodates both Tom
Hart’s unexpected cancellation and the upcoming Three Chapter
Run in early August. Thanks again for a
most enjoyable day!