Tehachapi Road Run 2003

Tehachapi Road Run 2003

June 7th - 8^th

By Tom Lovejoy

Off work on Friday and jump into the truck, looking forward to a fun weekend in the Sun. Tom Hart showed up shortly after diner and we were off. Tom in his new ‘39 Ford truck with his ‘39 Chief in the back - quite cool! I had my Henderson in the back of my ‘56 Ford; we were quite the sight going down the freeway. We arrived in Tehachapi around midnight. Once at the Golden Hills motel, we were informed that they had rented our room to another since we were quite late getting in and that there were no empty rooms left. However Grace McKean had taken our room and there were three beds so we could share the room. So for the price of one Tom, Grace got two Tom’s - I know what you’re thinking, lucky lady right :-) Well lady Grace was up and waiting for us and she quickly let us both know that there would be no love and or joy going on and if we were not careful, they would not even be much hart either! Tom and I got the message. The room was somewhat of a dive and the role away bed Tom used was worse than that, that’s not even counting the dirt on the bed! Luckily Grace once again saved the night, as she had clean sheets in her truck and let Tom use them. The bathroom was just has bad, it was quite a sight as Tom got into the role away bed. He all but sank into it, like a big bed of marshmallow - it was so funny looking and looked as unconvertible as could be, surprise, surprise, Tom sleep great!

Saturday was bright and clear and some of us fired up the old iron a bit early to go to breakfast. Breakfast in town at the Appleshed restaurant, then we all gathered back at the motel. Most everyone had showed up the day before, there was a fair amount of bikes out and about. I believe the final count was 15 machines from the past and 18 club members, not bad at all. Several of us were pleasantly surprised at the whole Tehachapi area, very scenic and pretty good roads - a great area for a run. A little after 9 AM we departed with Erhard in the lead on his once again running and very interesting Zundapp side car rig. The Zundapp was running well and Erhard takes it through the twisty’s like it was nothing. Several of us were impressed by the way he handled it. We would all come to realize there was good reason for that on Sunday. A short little distance at 60 mph on the freeway and we were into nice little rolling hills and twisty’s. My Henderson handled the speed of the freeway just fine, but I attracted attention almost not making the off ramp. That old back band of a brake just was not up to it, had to go a bit wide and start looking for a good spot to go off-roading. Made it just fine though. Very pretty country and we were all enjoying the ride, as we came around a corner. Much to our surprise, there were long horn cattle in the road - and I mean long horn cattle. I found it a bit unnerving; luckily they were mild mannered beast.

Fittingly enough we next found ourselves at the Cowboy Memorial in Walker Basin. Which is run by a fellow none of us will ever forget a Paul De Fonville? Let me tell you, Mr. Fonville takes the subject of Cowboy history very seriously!! He is the real deal and he is going to tell you and show you all about the harsh lives they endured. Its best I believe to not stop by unless you have the time, because has I said. Once you’re in his place Paul’s got ya, and your going to stop sit down and listen - Hear That Partner!! It was quite the experience and most got a real kick out of it. We had lunch there and the sandwiches were quite good. Next we were all brought into Paul’s little trailer for a film presentation on Cowboy life and Paul’s efforts to preserve the history of how the Cowboy’s finalized America. The SoCal Chapter shatters yet another record, as Paul told us that was the most people ever in his trailer at one time. First we have the most motorcycles ever on an AMCA run at Borrego and now this, the records just keep falling - stick with us kids! Paul has multiple trailers full of Cowboy memorabilia and is an authority on it all, he and his wife Virginia have dedicated their lives to keeping that memory alive. In today’s world I am afraid they have no easy task ahead of them. We would probably still be there, as Paul was going to show us every branding iron he had - some 2000 of them. When we decided we had better run for it, or we might never finish our ride. So just that quick we were back in the saddle, we pulled away as Mr. Paul De Fonville was telling us that we were leaving as a ship without a rudder. But alas we had to keep moving, we found the Memorial interesting and Paul unforgettable and it’s all become part of another fond memory of our club get togethers.

Here we had are only misfortune, if you can really call it that. One of our trusty machines died a little distance before and then due to a miss understanding nearly the whole group took off towards Tehachapi. It seems Erhard thought it best to head back, instead of pushing on to Lake Isabella. We had spent too much time at the Cowboy Memorial and he was worried about it cutting into our dinner time arrangements. Most of the group was still under the impression that we were headed for the lake. Many kept looking for it over the next hill, only to be a bit disappointed to see the motel instead. Only two of our group actually made it to the lake, Tom Hart and Jim Wildharber - both on fine running Chief’s. They both did just about 200 miles for the day. They pushed and really rode those Chief’s in an effort to catch us and could not believe that they did not catch us. Both commented that Frank Colver on his Enfield and I on my Henderson must have really picked up the pace. Ya that was it guys, Frank and I were a blur through most of those turns, ha ha. They rolled into the motel to find most of us kicking back in the parking lot. Most the group having done about 90 miles.

Several of us decided we had not had enough and took off again for another good 50 miles of fun, Kevin Spear took the lead on his trusty JD Harley. We were again running through some very nice country and up very close to a lot of large wind mill machines. It was a neat feeling at speed running by those structures. It was very nice and cool, just right. Then suddenly we crested the hills and headed down along grade into the dessert. It felt like we had descended into purgatory, the wind felt like a blast furnace and we were running along at a good steady pace for what seemed a long time. It was really unconvertible and I was just beginning to look for a spot to pull off in the shade and just wait - there was none. I keep thinking, this is the last place I should be on my Henderson and the Henderson was hot let me tell you. I thought for certain it was going to melt, surprise it took it fine. Just about then, we finally ran into a watering hole, or something like that. A large bar with multiple pool tables and one guy in the whole place - sweeping. It looked like something out of the movie Rumble Fish or maybe the Twilight Zone, then the guy told us no alcoholic beverages, none, don’t have any and never did and never well. Well we headed back out and down the road a few more miles to Rosemond I believe was the towns name and there found refreshments. On the way back it was just as hot and once we finally crested that long grade the cool breeze felt great!!

Then it was off to dinner at a location scouted out by Erhard and Judy, a private orchard and Bakery. The dinner was a memorable experience for all, quite unique. The real treat came on Sunday though and all those that departed early really missed out. We were all lead again by Erhard to their place in Bear Valley Springs, what a place!!! A log cabin like I have never seen, all built by Erhard and Judy - incredible! The food and their house and their hospitality could not have been beat, really super!! Besides showing off their wonderful cabin, Erhard showed off his three other Zundapp side care rigs and his shop. Erhard a retired machinist, amazed us showing us the crank shaft he had made for his machine. The machine he was running, he had made the crank shaft in his garage! Not many of us can say that - a talented craftsman for certain! The food was fantastic and there was more than we could eat. Oh yes, and the road to their place - a white knuckle ride for sure. Going up was something else, almost 6,000 ft - but going down was really a challenge. After a great weekend run, it was time to head out. Tom Hart and I had one heck of a time getting down that hill in our old trucks. Tom’s truck would not stay in 2nd gear and mine would not stay in first, lots of gear grinding, a few stalls, and some really hot and sorely tested brakes, but we finally made it :-) Then we were back on the major highway and thanks to Tom for turning me around again - we made it home in good shape. Hat’s off to Erhard and Judy Hirschfelder for putting on a great run and being such gracious host.

Bikes in the run, 3 Indians, 3 Triumphs, 2 BMW’s, 3 Harley’s, 1 Royal Enfield, 1 Henderson, 1 Vincent and 1 Zundapp. Also special thanks to Ester Wildharber and the Hinton’s for driving rescue trucks. I know Dudley Pollard and his K model sure appreciated it. Dudley’s charging system just did not feel up to performing this trip, though it seemed to start fine once on the truck - go figure. Back at the motel, much to our surprise - we found out through accident that some of the room’s were quite nice. Apparently their remodeling the place a room at a time, so if we do it again next year. Get your reservations in early, room 12 right Frank ? :-)

A sincere thanks again to the Hirschfelders, it was a great time! Till the next one, Tom.