What started as a tailgate discussion
about all the Cal
chapter's getting together once a year for a ride has just been completed for the
4th time. The first couple of years were spent on the central coast, last year
the north coast, this year in the ruggedly beautiful Yosemite Valley.
Friday evening saw over 50 rider's tour the 50-mile
circumference of Bass Lake just outside Oakhurst, our headquarters. Everyone
was on his or her own for dinner. Over a
dozen members from all 4 chapters were in attendance with a variety of
interesting machines. Take Larry Doane's 1935 HD VD, a VD bottom end
with a UL top. It also had a later 4 speed transmission and primary and was
bobbed to boot. Only Hokan Martensson's fabulous 1947 FL HD period bobber
matched this. San Hinton was riding a cherry 1930 R-11 BMW to be matched by
Richard Hutchins 1931 HD 31c-500 Model. Matt Blake was astride his 1939 Indian
Scout bobber while Vince Spaddaro rode his real nice 1939 HD EL. And who could
forget the Pollard boys! Dudley on his 1955 HD KHK and Gary on his 1954 Triumph Trophy TR5.
Lot's of neat motorcycles all roaring to ride.
I met a lot of strangers who became friends after a hello.
Saturday morning had us on our way for a 120-mile tour into Yosemite Valley and
out through the river canyon to the west and back to Oakhurst. We stopped at
the Mariposa Grove of giant redwoods, and Inspiration
Point which offered a spectacular view of the valley with Half Dome on the
right and El Capitan on the left. We then stopped for
lunch below Bridal Veil Falls. We decided not to journey to the commercial
portion of the valley because of the choking traffic. It was a great 40-mile
ride along the river to Mariposa before returning to Oakhurst.
Saturday evening found close
to 100 guests for dinner at the Oakhurst Elks Lodge. After the meal
awards were handed out and stories were told. Jim Moore received the hard luck
award for his dead Triumph (he had a Harley for back up). Manny Fernandez
received the long distance award for riding in from Pacifica.
Paul D'Orleans was awarded the oldest machine award for his 1926 Norton TT
racer (Lenny Miller got the award last year for his 1926 JD, so Paul got it
this year). Max Bubeck got the oldest rider award at 87 years young. Max put
his 101 Scout through its paces Friday and Saturday for close to 200 miles. The youngest rider award was given to
Tunie Crawford for her first ride which was also taken on her first
machine, her "new" last year "Iron Head" Sporty. Like
mother, like daughter. Sunday morning saw about half the riders take a 30-mile
jaunt to a local casino for breakfast at a
fifties theme diner. After that all the participants faded away into the
sunset.
I must thank Gary Smalz for all his
work to bring this together, the routes, hotel accommodations (the Best Western, Oakhurst is the best!), dinner, lunch,
the whole ball of wax. Jim Inman also designed a great T-shirt, that Eldon Parker brought to life. Also thanks to the
Taylor's, especially Judy and Alex who manned (or is it womaned) the trouble
truck for 3 days. They recovered three machines, hauled the lunches and other
supplies. Great job, well done. I would also like to
thank our National President, who journeyed down from Canada to endure the
Doinksters jokes at dinner Friday evening. What a guy! Last
of all, thanks to all the riders who made this year the best yet. Let's
hope the So Cal chapter can maintain this great run next year as it moves to
their arena.
The Scribe – Richard Ostrander
P.S. Reg Sherman rode John
Donovan's 1947 UL to the ride. It was a bitter sweet moment. Lenny Miller and I
shared a cabin with John and his dog Scout at last years 4 Chapter ride. We had
no way of knowing he would be gone just a month later. He was there in spirit,
you could tell, believe me.