The Breakfast Club: Northbound

Sunday, 19 Apr 2015

There were plenty of riders at the Two Bird Cafe in San Geronimo this morning. These pictures are of the small subset that left from Burlingame.

Alberto writes (and sends more pics)

The SMBC schedule called for going to the Two Bird Cafe in San Geronimo. A bit far for me, but hey! Nothing is too far when it comes to shooting baloney with the SMBC regulars. What’s a “regular”? So I went along.

Not having been there I opted for showing up at the Royal Donut, to roll out at 7:05 am. Whenever the group comes from the North Bay to the South bay it is about a 25 to 30 minute trip. So I set myself to depart at 6:25 arriving at the Royal Donut 6:55 am or so. Not late. Plenty of time. I am acutely aware of the penchant for leaving the Royal Donut EXACTLY at 7:05 am.

At home , I Entered in Google Maps the Royal Donut… and it responded 1090 Burlingame Ave, Burlingame CA. Simple, let’s get going. Entered the address on the Garmin GPS, mounted my Bike, and headed on out! If you yet cannot see the problem… read on! It may save you, the next time around you decide to meet the group at 7:05 am. After 30 or so minutes I arrived. Huh? Does not look like the Royal.Donut I had been before? Ahh, At one time I remember; there are TWO Royal Donut shops in Burlingame. Went into the store and they confirmed this. They gave me directions to go to the other Royal Donut on Broadway Ave. It is now, 7:02 am… hoped on my bike and like a “bat out of hell” rushed to the other shop. NOTE: The correct Royal Donut is located at 1165 Broadway, Burlingame, CA

Arriving at 7:05 am. At least eight of them, maybe more, were turning their engines and ready to head on. Phew!! Close call. I almost never got to the appointed breakfast. Without a word, or greeting, which is not my preference, I was heading on to San Geronimo. I had already set my GPS with a “recently found” address of the Two Bird Cafe, just in case I never met with the group.

Carl Tyler set the pace. Nice easy going as he is tempered to be. Highway 101. North we went, where the GPS indicated take the exit - left onto Francis Drake Blvd . Carl kept straight pass the exit. Once, twice. It was obvious Carl either did not know… or had a better way. Trust your fellow SMBCer. I did. He knew, and he knew far better. Now, I am not sure the exit road he took, but It seemed to have been Lucas Valley Road and left onto Nicasio Valley Road. Cross Sir Francis Drake Blvd and one block further turn right onto San Geronimo Valley Rd.

It is rare that a vanilla, Sunday Morning ride merits a write up. Well, this was a rare outing! From the start, how often do we see people meet at the Royal Donut? Maybe a couple guys at best. But, these many?! Somewhere the answer to this became obvious. We turned out to be sixteen showing up for breakfast. Two more, if we count a man and a woman, wearing very elegant motorcycle gear, seated on an adjacent table. They seemed familiar with SMBC as Marco and Tom spent the entire breakfast time yapping with them… she was very good looking! Hmmm. And I was wondering about their motorcycle gear that is.

North of the Golden Gate, why fourteen? the ride getting to the Two Bird Cafe is magnificent, but the food, holly smokes! If you have not been there…. make a point to go there for the next time it comes in schedule. Will not regret it.

SIXTEEN - Attending were: Carl, WWWobble, Markus, Dan, Mike Gieggi and friend Jason, Martin Thoolen - Red Honda (GL1500C), Gordon (?) on a Norton, Tom, Marco, Rob H, Harry, Jerry, Randy and Myself (Alberto). Plus the couple in the adjacent table… are they SMBCers? i do not know, but they sure looked it.

Breakfast. By far, better than any of the military-grade-grub we are used to in the South Bay. This was genuine home made in all aspects, ergo the attendance. Okay, okay. The other locales we go to are not bad at all, but, I ask, How can I make a distinction for the Two Bird Cafe? Call it Baloney-license.

the generous breakfast at the Two Bird Cafe was reciprocated with a generous tip. Well deserved!

Typical! These guys are like a bunch of girls. Cannot have enough of each other. After spending over an hour in the restaurant, another half hour , or longer, was spent yapping and shooting the baloney outside. Many returned to their origins right away. Others, took to riding.

Some, insinuated that the coast was no place to go: “the weather”, Dan said, “ is like pea soup there - I just checked the restaurant cam out there, it’s no good”. Well, “the better the adventure” I interjected. Dan, self assured (Dan is always self assured) of my errant ways said: “I guess I will read it on the blog” . YEP! Here it is Dan, eat your heart out! “The coast was clear” as the saying goes.

I took off with Rob Hyman (leading), Mike, Jason, Randy and Jerry. Headed for the coast. Point Reyes, was a dream of a view, Sunny, clear as far as Japan. Low traffic, yada, yada, yada. Those not going missed a good one.

Ron was a great leader eventually taking us to Valley Ford stopping at a Bakery. An amazing bakery serving an Olive-bread that I almost killed Rob for it. Doesn’t he know I am trying to diet! and keeping pasta, potato, rice and BREAD out are a mandatory aspect of my wanting to loose some weight. Rob, you… you… you biblical snake, tempting me, not right. Just not right. And, yes, I ate some of the forbidden fruit. Man, was it good! You are forgiven Rob. Amen.

From there… home!

It was a great riding day. Heading back, Randy and I went down Highway 1 where he went home and I went up Old La Honda Rd to Alice’s and Highway 35 to Big Basin to Saratoga by 2:30 Pm.

I ended my day with 275 Miles.

OTHER BALONEY:

I will inform all that Dan looked much better that he did in San Luis Obispo, where I learned had a full blown Food Poisoning. It was questioned if, on account of his predicament, the Blue Sky cafe is off-the-list. Dan defended the facility thinking that his was the only dish affected. Scallops being sensitive to bacteria. He was the only one who ordered such delicacy. There is something to be said for rest of us having a more mundane palate. Peons!

Hey Rob, what’s up with the stitches on the upper lip? Did the Mrs had a “hand” (with full set of knuckles) on that? Worse yet, did you deserve the serving of knucles? I doubt it, as well behaved as you are (I am witness, or willing to say anything you want me to say). She just decked you as preventive measure… one of those “just in case”. Worry not, it is just a female thing, after 30 plus years of marital bliss, I know all about it.

Jason, Mike’s friend. New to SMBC, first ride. He rides a Honda Rebel 250cc - Poor guy! Everywhere, specially on the Highway, he had to keep full-throttle, tight, just to stay with the group. He had his right-hand glove shredded! from the pressure. I think that his top speed is 70 MPH. Downhill! He did manage, and I am certain that we will see more of him or… maybe not. Nice kid.

Harry, who just traded his pretty BMW 800 GS for a new 2015 BMW 1200RT - he needs no excuse to take that puppy for a ride, and here was as good as any other place. Mind you, Harry is pretty short and he has no problem with the inseam challenge. It appears BMW new design is lower than before PLUS a low setting for the seat… he is all set, or is it all-seat? That thing, if I may add is Beautiful (but, I may be biased… since I have a 2013 model)

Alberto