Mid-Week Rides: The last ride of 2015

Thursday, Dec 31 2015

Alberto writes:

“Alberto, Would you be available for a mid-week ride Thursday 12/31?”

That was Mr. Weld’s inimitable invitation stile. I hated to say it, but I do not need an invitation. All I need is place and time… I’d be there! … A day later came the memo: Alice’s at 10:00 am.

“Sure, Chris”. After checking with the home front for any conflict considering the new year coming that evening.

WWwobles… “I’ll come”.

Same from Randy Hendrix, Dick Zunkle and MArkus Baur. I though, hey! we’ll have a rather large group to close the year in a proper way. To say I was happy at the last ride for the year, is an understatement.

Thursday, 7:00 am Rich Penrose sends a text “let’s go together to Alice’s and meet with the rest”. Fabulous!!

By the clock! Rich and I arrived finding Mr. Weld working on his pipe. Shortly Simon, from San Francisco arrives and shortly thereafter, Markus arrives.

One - two - three … down!!

Dick Zunkle will be a no show. He is apprehensive about 34 degrees in temperature… Ice on the road. He bails out.

WWWobble… “The FJR will probably start, not 100% sure about me.” - Bailed.

Hendrix… He just sent a message to Markus. (Quietly bails out).

So much for the large group.

“Looks like this is it, let’s ride”, announces Weld. Markus, Simon, Rich, Alberto and Chris.

Possibly down highway 84 to some cut over and work our way to Davenport. I sure as heck cannot remember the roads, so let the reader look at a map and guess which way we went. But this I can tell you. The road was a dream. Clear skies, sunny and… Yes, cold, but not much, 40 degrees.

We did encounter one small section with ice, which Mr Weld cautiously traversed at a gentle pace. Come to think of it, the pace was perfect. Gentle and easy going whenever in the shade, come to a sunny stretch and we opened it up safe and steady.

If anything can be said is that the experience was worth the outing. At no time were we in danger of any kind. Cold… Yes, but no big deal.

Lunch at Davenport. Good group. Animated and chatty.

Hit the road south. In a half mile we took a left winding our way to Smith’s Grade and eventually took us to highway 237 and later to highway 9.

We had a short stop at the parking lot at Saratoga Gap… Wished Happy New Year to each other and we all went home.

Rich, Markus and I went down on highway 9, Simon and Chris headed North on skyline (35).

Those present had a great ride… Those not present, well… Hmmm, what can say that “sounds” conciliatory and nice? … I know! I am certain they are home getting ready for a celebratory NewYear. There, Alberto learning the art of politically correct and pleasant.

Screw it!! You missed a heck of a closure for the year 2015. Yes, yes, you missed a good one! Ahh, I feel better now.

HAPPY NEW YEAR all, see you soon (I mean that!)