Fwd: RIM RIDE

16 BIKES AND 1 CAGE SHOWED UP AT CHEVERON FOR THE RIM RIDE.

TOTAL 19 PEOPLE.  DENNIS M. WITH KEN AS TAIL GUNNER LEAD

THE FIRST GROUP AND VERN WITH TAILDRAGGER DON LEAD THE

SECOND GROUP.   THE FIRST STOP WAS AT 260 CAFE IN PAYSON.

TEMP 66 DEGREES.  GREAT FOOD WAS HAD BY ALL.  THE NEXT

LEG OF THE TRIP WAS A STOP IN SHOW LOW WITH THE TEMP 66

DEGREES THERE ALSO.  A LITTLE SNOW ALONG ROAD TO SHOW LOW.

WE ALL GASSED UP AT THE STATION ON CORNER OF 60 AND 260.

NEXT WE HEADED TO SALT RIVER CANYON WITH A STOP AT THE

OVERLOOK FOR A SHORT BREAK AND THEN TO THE BOTTOM OF

CANYON FOR A BATHROOM BREAK.  WE NEXT HEADED FOR GLOBE

WITH A STOP AT THE DAIRY QUEEN .  AFTER A SHORT BREAK WE

PARTED FOR GOLDEN VISTA AND ARRIVED ABOUT 3:45.   I GUESS

THE FIRST GROUP DIDN'T STOP ANYWHERE AND WERE AT GOLDEN

VISTA ABOUT 3 PM.  OUR TOTAL MILEAGE WAS 310.1.  MY LAST RIDE

HERE THIS WINTER.  HOPE EVERYONE HAS A SAFE AND HAPPY 

SUMMER AND WILL SEE YA ALL NEXT FALL.

TAKE CARE

VERN

Thanks for the write-up, Vern!

We say goodby to Paul & Helen Andre, as they will not be returning next season. Paul's write-ups and pictures will be missed.

Saturday's ride will be to Pine and the Bluebird Cafe, one of the rides we cancelled earlier due to cold weather.

Duane

Virus-free. www.avg.com

Wednesday Ride Cancelled

Due to thr rain we had at 5 AM and prediction of high winds today, am cancelling ride. Will be at station in cage at 7:45. Planning on going to Mirage.

Duane

Re: Wednesday Ride Cancelled

Thank you for letting us know. 

On Wed, Mar 13, 2019 at 8:14 AM Duane Switz <ddswitz@gmail.com> wrote:

Due to thr rain we had at 5 AM and prediction of high winds today, am cancelling ride. Will be at station in cage at 7:45. Planning on going to Mirage.

Duane

Ride to Casa Grande

Seventeen bikes with about 27 riders appeared on this unusually cold but sunny morning for today’s 8:00 AM ride to Casa Grande.  There was a new rider with us today:  Bobbie Breuklander made her first ride on their Spyder, and it went well.  On this first earlier start of the season, the weather continued to do its number on AZ with a starting temp of 46 degrees, low for this time of year.  Although the original plan had been for a trip to Mt. Lemmon, that was not to be.   Duane opened the action with another reminder to get tickets for the Spring Picnic NEXT SATURDAY, with continued need for more prizes that can be raffled at the event.  Remember, there is the raffle for prizes and also one for the Motorcycle emblem quilt given for that day.  Keep in mind that the St Patrick’s Day Parade in GV will be on Monday, March 18 for as many as would like to ride in the Parade (and hand out candy).

 

Today’s Road Captains were Vern with taildragger Paul Andre and Jay and Dottie with Paul and Bobbie at the back.  Vern and the first group went east and south through Florence, while Jay and Dottie led their group on the interior roads.  Signs of spring: Vern and his group noticed two large herds of young cattle on pasture along Highway 79 with more flowers along the road, but there are still stacks of cotton stored in the fields because of the huge crop and rain delays in getting it to the cotton gins.  There are always lots of people out and about on Saturdays, including going to  the Renaissance.  Today was no exception, and the Cracker Barrel was swamped.  The good part was that they soon had a long table ready for us in their back room, with the good “vittles” it is known for coming quickly.  Lots of earnest conversation while everyone finished, and the first group returned thru town and north on the #347, then east to hook up with the Ironwood Extension that was finished this year.  There was some confusion when Paul and Bobbi got separated, but everyone returned before the clouds thickened for rain next week.   

 

The riders returned in groups after 1:00, and the ride today was about 124 miles, depending on the route and group. Next Wednesday is expected to be rainy, so the Angels will meet at 8 AM at The Mirage Café (next to Ace Hardware) for breakfast and hopefully a ride. If the weather guessers change their mind by Wednesday, we will meet at the station!

 

Roosevelt Lake Ride Pictures

Sending pictures in a separate e-mail.

Fwd: FW: Sunshine Ride to Roosevelt Lake Area

The Roosevelt Lake ride followed the snowy weekend, and was so beautiful that there were too many pictures.  We'll split the text and the photos, then try it again.

 

Today's ride in the sunshine and +70 degree  temperatures was the reason we all come to AZ, and should be expected for most of a normal winter.  There were 24  bikes and a flock of passengers assembled at the station when Leader Duane called everyone to order.  Duane called attention to the Spring Picnic coming on Saturday, March 16 in the GV Apache Room.  The picnic tickets are available from Al and Sandy for $5.00 each, and raffle tickets are 6 for $5.  Sandy has made a beautiful Motorcycle quilt which will also be raffled for 6 for $5.  Riders are encouraged by Al to give prizes and gift cards to be used in the raffle.

 

Today's goal was a visit to Tonto Valley and Roosevelt Lake, with breakfast at two different places because of our numbers.  Gary and Ann led Group 1 to Butcher Hook Restaurant via the Bush and Beeline highways with Derek as their tailgunner.  Group 2 headed east on Highway 60 at about the same time led by Dennis and Mary with their destination being Ma's Kitchen.  Dan was the tailgunner.  This account reflects the sights as Group 2 saw them.

 

Imagine our part of the Rockies covered in snow with its pristine Roosevelt Lake below, and that was the sight as we topped the #188 pass to see the 20-mile long lake before us.  We were looking at the back side of Four Peaks and Mount Ord still covered in snow that will melt and fill our reservoir for next year's water.  It was a brilliant picture best captured by seeing it.   There were headlines today about the residents of Punkin Center who must cross flooded Tonto Creek to reach their homes in the Salome Wilderness Area.  Their only access now is by use of a restored Army 6 x 6 that sinks to the top of its fenders in the main channel.  The photo shows a regular ATV in the shallow channel, and another shows the water crossing on the old Hiway 188 Missouri Bridge in town.  Snow along the Beeline (#87) is beautiful when the temps are warm and the highway surface is mostly dry!

 

Ma's Kitchen had a busy day with riders today; ours was the second of three groups between 10 and noon.  They were up to the task, and the Angels were well served and finished in one hour.  The two groups met along the 188, so service at Butcher Hook obviously went well.

 

Total miles traveled was about 185, and all the riders were home by 2:00 PM after a great ride!  If you're interested, the lapsed time was 3 hours 58 minutes at 46.3 mph.  There will be a Road Captain's meeting Thursday at 4:00 to plan the rides for March, including this coming Saturday.

 

Phil Parsons

 

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

 

 

Saturday's Ride

We will be riding to the Coolidge Dam, with breakfast at the Apache Gold Casino.

NOTE: there is a short section of gravel road approaching the dam.

Also, starting March 9th, rides will start at 8 AM

Duane