[Eric R]

• Where: Western U.S. but where?
  
• When: Summer 2013
  
• Experience Level:All
  

Hi folks. Some years ago we had a small group of N250RC members go out on the Crater Lake ride. "Some years ago, it'll be 5 years this August...

I'm proposing to do something similar this year. Should be *fairly* simple: We choose a destination that will be fun to hang out at and ride around, pick a date that works for the maximum number of people, and make the appropriate reservations.

Obviously, Crater Lake is a shoe-in, but at this point we can play with other ideas. National or State Parks can be good destinations, we just want to avoid weekends for sure.

Sooo, Anyone? Ideas?

[Bokonon]

[Eric R]

[funkshn]

Participation in group rides is down, but not dead. I will be there if I can. I presently have vacation scheduled July 19-29 (approx) but could do other dates.

My first inclination would be to suggest somewhere along the coast for the excellent weather and good roads, but I'd be OK with going inland in hotter weather, too. Maybe high altitude would ease the heat.

Bokonon's photo notwithstanding, I think traffic patterns in Yosemite are changing? More buses, fewer private vehicles. And it's a huge park, with some awesome places (like Tuolumne Meadows) that don't have the crush that the Valley itself does. The Tioga Pass road reaches 10,000 feet. Lotsa places to ride.

[Bokonon]

Might be kind of hard to see Half Dome that way, though.

[Eric R]

We now have a "target date". Let's call it the fourth week of July.

IME, higher altitudes usually don't equate to milder conditions. Not only would it probably not ease the heat, but the night would be that much cooler. Now, if we are considering "hard" lodgings like the "cabin" that we had for the Crater Lake run, this won't be a consideration. If we aim for tent camping...

If we don't get any bites from folks too far to the east then the coast, or not terribly far from it, might be the way to go. I'm interested in pretty much everything from San Diego(lots of sailing, despite little wind) to Seattle(not been there in my memory).

Unless someone has a great idea, I'm thinking a limit of 1000 or so miles from SF bay. What would you see as a "limit-line"?

[funkshn]

That vacation time that I've got booked is for a previously arranged trip to Michigan. I can take a little more time outside of 7/19 to 7/29, because I have some more time coming from my employer, but late July is already spoken for.

I can tent camp, but would be glad to spend the money to upgrade to a structure. Especially one with bed linens.

Mark

[Bokonon]

I have no idea where my life will be going at that point, so I won't give an opinion as to a destination. But if I can make it, I'll do everything I can to be there.

[Eric R]

With the Independence day holiday in early July, let's just scratch that month. That makes June and August the primary "Summer" months. August gives us more time for planning but June gives less time for life to wreck our planning. I still don't have a weekend race schedule (hoping the skipper will make up his mind (or let me know I'm fired) soon), so I'm currently pretty open to the possibilities.

As for lodging: I'm good for the extra cost of a structure as well. Let's say that's the current plan then. As we narrow down the actual destination/s, the focus will be on group cabin/vacation rental house.

Another thing to think about: Do we want to put out feelers away this board? There are folks out there on ADVrider, BARF, reddit, SportTouring.net, and the other 250 groups that we could make contact with, if our "domestic" turnout is too disappointing.

[Eric R]

Even if you cannot ultimately join us, you might just think of the perfect place.

[Dailyrider]

I'd love to go, but wife won't be back from Europe until mid-July, have to stay home to take care of cat's and birds until then. Aug. sounds good. I have an annual Rally in Arkansas in mid-September, don't wanna miss that one. I'll sure make it if I can, sounds good.

[ddennis669]

[Eric R]

[Sameraz]

Hey Eric,

Yeah, thanks for the e-mail noting this!

Heck, if my situation allows, I would be totally game to attend another West Coast Meet and Ride. Just not sure if I will have some maintenance done on my Ninja, but as Yoda said, "There is another".

[Eric R]

It *is* pretty darn close to the half-way point between you and Dailyrider. 500 miles-ish to you, 450-ish to him.

That would certainly be the "fair" version based solely on mileage.

[Eric R]

Based on the responses thus far, it looks like that's the most likely to work for the largest number of respondents.
Sound good, all?

There's still not a lot of feedback regarding destination. We've almost got too much to choose from. As I've noted in another post, Yosemite is sort of the midpoint. There is the concern that it can be a bit overcrowded at times. Can anyone think of a place that is lesser known jewel?

[mattwood1221]

Though I'm not sure if I would be able to get time off, as I'm planning a long (2-3 week) vacation in September. So plan away, and if I can make it I will!

[SethSpeaks]

I would love to join in on such an event. Please for sure when you have something defined as a master plan make sure it is posted soon so that I might plan to attend. I have a pretty open schedule so dates are not as important as location. Being up here in Portland Oregon I need a little extra time to get down there if we are for sure doing a Yosemite ride, I am open for anywhere though. Side note if there are any riders up here in the Portland area looking to go out and ride send me a note the sun is shinning.

[funkshn]

For example, Lone Mountain RV park, which also has a log cabin and a few tipis for rent, reducing the need to carry tents. Close to many happy twisty areas like Klamath River, Oregon Caves National Monument, Crescent City (maybe we'll get lucky and witness a tsunami!).And that close to the coast, chances are good that the weather will be refreshing.

lonemountainrv.com (no, I do not have any financial interest in the vendor)

[Eric R]

I'd been planning to suggest just going with what we know and doing the Union Creek/Crater lake thing again.

[Bokonon]

[Bokonon]

There are several decent places to see around here. I'll try to map out some of them in the next week or so. I'll probably include Lave Beds NM and the Klamath River Hwy. And, of course, Crater Lake, although as a native son I could skip that if others don't want to go there

[KDW]

[Bokonon]

[Eric R]

But there's not been a lot of feedback once it was put at "early August".

SO,

What say you, and other interested parties, to the very beginning of August? It would probably work quite well for me to take 8/1-8/6(Thurs-Tues) off work. On that schedule we have weekend days(great for those *not* taking vacation time) and weekdays(great for (usually) being less crowded).

Alternate possibilities:

-- First "full week" of Aug. 8/5-8/12(Mon-Mon). Same basic spread of weekend and weekdays, just shifted a bit.

-- Some variation farther along which includes the weekend of 8/10&11


I figure about 6-8 hours travel time from Home to OR for me. Anyone from other locales are welcome to stop overnight in Santa Rosa. I've 3 double bed sized sleepers(two futons and a bed), ample wood flooring and backyard space for one or two compact tents. Late arrivals on Wed. night (after 10:00PM or so) necessary.

[KDW]

I'm taking a month of for riding in two weeks. So any time in August will make my joining you difficult but later in the month and a weekend schedule, would at least make it possible. Also, the beginning of August may tend to be on the warm side, especially if the route is inland form the coast.

Oregon is a two day trip from San Diego ... 1 up, 1 back. Friday to Monday with Saturday and Sunday enjoying the local roads.

[Eric R]

[KDW]

Gotta be back in town on the 26th ... so that means a wrap-up buy the 24th.

[funkshn]

OK, kidding, but the way things are going at the software company where I work, who knows what's up in late August. And I'm definitely not dragging a notebook computer with me on this ride.

So, theoretically yes, but we'll see how product releases and such play out.