Happy New Year to all! With warmer temperatures today, there was a grand turnout and a great ride after skipping a cold day. Twenty four bikes with 29 riders gathered at the station for a planned short ride, but there were no restaurants at nearby places where we could connect. Before we left there was some serious calling, then Duane welcomed several people who have arrived with the New Year. Phil had some copies of an article from the current Rider Magazine titled Gila County Loop that highlights the trip "going round" the Beeline and past Roosevelt Lake on the 188 to return to AJ. We have stellar places to ride. The Safety topic for today was tires. If you've just started the season, be doubly sure to check tire pressure that may have dropped in transit or storage.
So, instead of the short ride, we headed out to the mountains for Winkelman and Maria's, one of our favorite places. A small group chose the Buckboard at Superior so they could return early. The waitresses at Maria's were super attentive, the food was good, and the low temperature near the Ray Mine that dropped to about 50 degrees gave us good reason for hot coffee when we got there. Dennis led the first group with Bill as our tailgunner, and Vern led the second group with Dependable Don following.
From Winkelman the touring riders moved south on the Copper Canyon Byway toward Mammoth and Oracle, where there was snow along the road and on Mt. Lemon. Daytime temps are fine, and soon we're turning right on the 79 that takes us north to the 60 and then home. The Superstitions were glowing in the afternoon sun as we made the final run, arriving about 2:00. I had 178 miles of travel in a cumulative 3 hrs 34 minutes at average 50.8 mph.
The plan next Wednesday is a trip to the Dwarf Cars south of Maricopa; always an interesting place. See you then.
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