Blue's Angels

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Wednesday Ride

We will be going to the Petro restaurant

Duane

Virus-free. www.avg.com

Thursday, January 10, 2019

BJ Williams passing

I was just informed by Jay Stewart that BJ Williams has passed away. No further details are available at this time.

Duane

Re: Ride to the Dwarf Cars on January 9

If anyone got a picture of the purple car and boat I would appreciate it very much.

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From: Duane Switz <ddswitz@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2019 10:19:00 AM
To: Al (Alden) and Marie Servais; Cathy Jensen; Darrell and Lynn Honrud; Derek and Claire Hudson; Edward and Monica Kelty; Gary and Laurie Knudsen; Max T. and Linda von Dahlen; Mike and Barbara McDonald; Pat and Wanda Alsup; Phillip and Jean Parsons; Richard and Linda Lilienthal; Vern and Audrey Chrestensen; Al and Ardis Negen; Al and Sandy Jeanquart; Bart Madge; Bill and Beve Lieser; Bill McCue; Bob and Lin Keeler; Bob and Barb Shinnick; Bob Lumderby; Bryan Hogg; Carol & Jack Green; Carroll Johnson; Carroll Johnson and Le Ann Lindeman; Dale and Glady Ringuette; Dan & Betsy Hallberg; Dan & Sherry Knorr; Dennis and Dell McKinney; Dennis Wanke; Don & Anne James; Don & Carma Williams; Don and Shirley Gabbert; Duane and Bonnie Switz; Ed Kelty; Evelyn LaMott; Garry and Anne Hewitt; Gene & Mary Bonnes; Gordo Johnson; Harvey Vandesype; Irving Valvick; Jay and Dottie Stewart; JoAnn & Larry Werner; Joe & Bonnie Baisley; Joe & Cathy Bengston; Joe Sawyer; Keith Simpson; Ken LaMott; Kevin and Bonnie Weisser; Kevin Cafes; Lionel Van Doesburg; Mark & Sue Schumann; Mark and Debbie Richard; Mary Russell; Mike & Debbie Dougherty; Mike and Julie Pine; Paul & Bobbie Breuklander; Paul & Helen Andre; Paul Culbertson; Peter and JoAnn Vander Werff; Ray and Glendina Cogill (Deanie) Pabst; Ray and Paula Sterling; Rex Centner; Richard Kinnan; Rick & Gwen Wyma; Rick & Nancy Burt; Ron and Helen Hennes; Roney Lowell; Roy Karasiuk; Sandy Jeanquart; Terry Dieken; Theodore & Barbara Moody; Warren Tobin; Wayne & Bonnie Koeplin; Wayne Kuster
Subject: Fwd: Ride to the Dwarf Cars on January 9

Good weather returned to the Valley again this week, and today's ride to the Dwarf Cars Garage south of Maricopa was a great destination. There were 23 bikes with 30 riders ready to roll at the Chevron this morning. Since today's ride included the 202, leader Duane had some suggestions when we're riding as a group, especially keeping careful spacing. The HOV Lane is a good option, as is the center lane where cars can pass/be passed on either side. Today the center lane worked the best, and the choice was turning off at Dobson Road instead of going the short distance on the I-10, which is always fluid and crowded. Duane and Bonnie led Group 1 with Bob and Barb Shinnick at the tail. Gary and Ann were right behind leading Group 2 with Derek as tailgunner.

The trip to Maricopa passed quickly with hardly a stop sign. However, the breakfast reservation at Denny's was not so good. Our waiter was a great host, the meals were delicious and the buzz of conversation filled their back room, but it seemed like the kitchen wasn't quite up to quick service. It took two hours to complete the meal. A few riders chose to return home because of other commitments.

On to the Dwarf Cars, which is on Half Moon Road a dozen miles south and west of Maricopa just outside the Ak Chin reservation land. It is a place filled with eye candy for mechanical minds. There were at least two newly constructed cars since our last visit, as well as several beautifully finished standbys that appear in the photos beside normal-sized people. Riders who had not seen it before were amazed at the workmanship and the finish. There is also a classic Model A built with all kinds of antiques given to Ernie Adams, the builder.

Riders returned via the same route, arriving home about 3:30 after a 130 mile trip. Saturday's ride will be to Casa Grande and The Big House Restaurant. On your way there, look for all the cotton stacks at the gins, and at the apparently failed AZ Market west of 11-Mile Corner. There is a slight chance of rain.

There will be a Road Captains meeting on Monday, January 14 in the Pima Room (South Laundry). The meeting will only be about an hour. Come prepared for ideas for ride destinations, etc.

Duane

Road Captains Meeting

Forgot to put the time for the meeting! It will be at 4PM at the Pima Room

Duane

Monday, January 7, 2019

Ride to Winkelman and South on January 5, 2019

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.