Friday–Sunday, 22–24 Aug 2014
Marc writes:
Friday
Some riders leave for Gardnerville a day early — Rob and Jerry H. did that. I’ve been camping for several years the Friday before. My campouts are often a solitary affair, but the past few years I’ve had company. I think my fellow campers were seduced by the pictures of the unimproved campground that is mostly empty every time I’ve been there. No water, tables, fire pits, garbage, etc. That’s what keeps the crowds down. This ride Dimitry and Markus joined me for the campout. We met at the Black Bear Diner for brunch around 10 AM on Friday. After brunch Markus and I took off in one direction and Dimitry in another. We’d meed at the campground in the afternoon.
Packed for a campout
Leaving the bay area
Markus follows after breakfast
Copperopolis ahead
Unicycle man
Rock and tree… and Markus
Alpine lake
Two GS
We partook of beer, wine, and a variety of chips after setting up camp. Around 6 PM I decided to make dinner. It started to cool down enough to need a jacket by the time dinner was over. About 10 PM I went to my tent and read for a little bit before turning off my head-lamp. I slept very well. Well enough that I didn’t hear the commotion that occurred around 2 or 3 AM when some new campers arrived. Markus and Dimitry said they made a racket setting up camp.
Saturday
I got out of my sleeping bag and tent about 7 AM. The temperature was in the upper 30s by then. It warms up fast once the sun rises above the mountains circling the valley we are in. We are in no hurry as we’ve got all day to get to Gardnerville, a 60 mile ride the direct route. Mid morning camp was broken and we headed over Monitor Pass and south on 395 to the Meadowcliff restaruant in Coleville.
Markus and Dimitry
Empty Nevada roads
More empty road
Water for the lawn
Little water in reservoir
After brunch we continued south for a loop around Bridgeport and up Nevada 338. We stopped at the almost empty Bridgeport Reservoir to take some pictures. The reservoir does have enough water to keep the grass at the park quite green. Next stop was in Gardnerville to get fuel and check in at the motel.
Peddler hill
Tilley face off
Others were making their way to Gardnerville on Saturday, too.
Before dinner at the Village Motel
Dinner at the Overland
The turnout was smaller than usual. Just over 30 people instead of the 40-50 that we usually get.
The vegitarians and beefophobes were happy with the alternate menu choices this year.
Awarding the boot
WWWobble insists he did nothing to deserve it. Markus had photographic proof to counter that arguement.
Introductions and memories of Einer (Chris) Christensen.
Sunday
Yes, the pancakes at Kirkwood are huge. Huge enough that some regretted getting a full stack. That helped make up for the promised coffee that didn’t arrive at the Village before leaving for breakfast.
Sunday morning
On the way to Breakfast
man versus pancakes
Humungus
Markus gets served
After breakfast
Working off excess calories
Carl and Jerry on 88
Carl on SM Bridge
After breakfast I took 88 west. I caught up with Carl and Jerry before turning off of 88 onto 26 for some twisty freshy asphalt. Approaching Castro Valley I saw some bikes in the distance… Carl and Jerry, again. We don’t always ride alone.