RIDE REPORT:

Most met up early for a "bit to eat" where we talked about the weather and
just which weather report each of us checked.  Later those of us who had   ridden the canyon route, gave a small insight into just what we were all about to encounter, and we were not disappointed.

The ride out to Oroville and our first stop was uneventful, the traffic was light making for a quick ride out.

So far the weather seemed to almost be perfect.  As we rode along the clouds
would break and the sun would shine in and out.  This would be the pattern
all the way to Quincy and for most of the ride.

The gas station in Quincy was "busy" making it a little hard to "top off" our tanks, but we worked it out ok.

When we reached the canyon and rode down to the river, I was expecting it to be flowing pretty good, but what I did not expect was all the "waterfalls"
flowing into the Feather River.  It seemed like there was one around every
corner, making the canyon even more breath-taking.  Between all the water
falls and snow covered mountain tops, there was always something to look at.

At one point, Gundi and I startled an Eagle who had a meal in their talons on the side of the road, which then took to flight just as we pasted, but right in front of the rest of the group.  When we stopped long the river for a break, it was the topic of conversation and no one had a camera ready... :(

We arrived in Quincy about 12:30 with the Morning Thunder Cafe seating inside full.  Not to be detoured we sat outside.  Now it was a bit on the cool side, but not uncomfortable and after all we were all dressed in leathers and heavy riding gear.  With ten bikes all parked close together and all of us, mostly in black all sitting outside the café, it made a sight.

After lunch I took a quick "poll" as to which way we should ride home, back the way we came (turn right) or over to Hwy49 then down to Downieville, Nevada city and home (turn left).  There was only one vote for back the way we came and it had to be Gundi...  Which I'd later have to listen too "I told you so" over the head set.

So off we rode to Graegle and Hwy49.  Again the weather had not changed much and was comfortable to ride in.  Once on Hwy49 we ran into the first real accumulation of snow on the sides of the roads.  I was surprised at just how clear the road surfaces were, as we had not ran into much debris or sand.
It was however cold going across the pass on Hwy49, with the temperature dropping to 39 degrees at one point.  However this is a low mountain pass at 6700 feet and it did not take us long to drop back into the canyon on our way to Downieville and warmer temperatures.

 "And now to the rest of the story"

Right as we were pulling into Downieville, it started to rain.  We stopped at our normal rest stop, but instead of standing under the eves to get out of the sun, we all stood there to get out of the rain.  It was quite a sight, with all our bikes lined up, parked side by side with various types of covers to try and keep the seats dry...

We stood there thinking, it will all blow over in a few minutes when a couple of the "locals" told us that it had been raining most of the day. So now the speculations came about just how far we'd have to ride in the rain.

At this point all we could do was to make the best of it, tell a few more jokes, mostly at my expense, dry the saddles on our bikes and ride off.

The rain never did let up until we made it to Nevada City.  Almost two hours at the "slowed" pace I set.  We made a final stop in Grass Valley to say goodbye, make final comments (jokes) about the ride "when you guessed it", it started to rain again.  So we saddled up and took off for home.  This time the rain stopped after a few minutes and the roads never did really get that wet.

Everyone in our group made it home safe and sound.

Even with the rain, I think I can speak for everyone when I say that "it was still a great ride".



 John