Ride Journal

May 10, 2009

I got up at 6:30 and tried to do the internet stuff.  It is always a challenge for me with this new technology crap.  I got some help from Randy's next door neighbor. My sister left for work and it was time for me to do something that I know how to do.  Change my clutch cable before it breaks again and I lose the barrel in the lever.  I could feel it getting sloppier all the time.  I could feel the swedged end in the lever slowly pulling the cable out.  I had only a few pulls left before it's all done.  I got to this one just in time.  I always carry a spare cable so it took only a short time to put the new one in place.  Randy's brother Lloyd, arrived and got set to go with us on the back of Randy's bike.  They are going to go to Battle Mountain, Nevada and spend the night and then go back home.
 
We got on the road about 10:00 or so, got gas and then went to the Harley shop in Walnut Creek, called McGuires HD.  I got another clutch cable for a spare.  Dave at the parts counter was very helpful in trying to get me one that would fit.  It always seems that the question, "What year is your bike?", is very challenging.  Heck, pick a year and we'll go from there!  My good friend from my old days in Oakland, California, Ron McCloud, saw my bike and stopped in to say hi.  I was riding a Yamaha when I met him 35+ years ago and he and his pan head convinced me that I needed to be riding a Harley.  It was all HIS fault!

We got on the freeway again and pulled into the Best Western in Auburn where we found a few old friends from past NVAR rides.  George was busy getting the b-b-q dinner ready.  Steve (Headdog) Moore was having engine trouble and was at the Harley shop waiting for the crew to pick him up while his bike was getting worked on.  Jerry, Larry, Top, Ed, Sandy, Buzz, Noah and a few more riders were just getting ready to go to pick up Steve and head to the VA hospital at Mather in Sacramento.  Most of those guys rode out from Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Colorado.  There were about a dozen bikes at the time when we pulled into the hospital.  Maria and Beverly were our greeters and saw to it that we had plenty of Vets to visit.  Lots of smiles from all around and from Vets that were very glad to get visitors.  We hung around for at least an hour and headed back to the motel. 

When we were about half way back Randy told me we had 153 miles on our fuel run.  It was time for a pit stop for fuel only!  We hit the next station on the right and my bike drank 4.9 gallons!  We got back to the motel to find a few more riders have arrived.  Mike Barns and his brother Tom showed up from Rainier, Oregon.  Ray Adams drove the chase truck and trailer down from Roseburg, Oregon bringing Barry, Tami, Terry, Steve and a couple of other riders too.  We probably have 25 bikes or so to start the ride.  It does not seem that we will have the numbers that we have had in the past to be riding 'all the way'.  This is a very challenging economy right now as we are seeing all around us.  I'm glad that I am able to make this ride once again.

A special “Thank You” goes out to my wife of 21 years, Joni, who stayed home this year and insisted that I make this ride!  I sure are lucky to be married to a beautiful gal like that.  {Milo speak}ed.  Thanks Joni and good night.