Nevada City Toy Run - December 2004 - Sacramento Road Cruisers

RIDE REPORT:

Howdy SRCs,

You really missed it last Saturday if you did not make it to the Nevada City Toy Ride.

Gundi and I, Lee, Sparky and his daughter, Stu and Roger all met up at Carrows for a bite to eat and then headed up into the sun and a great charity ride.

As Gundi and I were riding over for breakfast we saw a rider with our clubs patch on their back riding a V-Star. Now our first thoughts were "Sparky", but it soon became apparent that it was Lee on his V-Star riding alone just ahead of us...

At breakfast we all talked about the "wet" ride in and hoped for sunshine and a dry road later that day. Stu came in with an interesting story. As he was getting off his bike a lady rode in and Stu being a friendly biker walked up and gave her a big hung, thinking she was part of our club, ooooppps not!

Given the fog and damp roads I decided to ride up Hwy 80 to Auburn. Right around Loomis we broke through the fog and into the sun. It would turn out to be 15 degrees warmer in Nevada City then in the Sacramento Valley.

Arriving early turned out to be a good idea as over 1300 riders showed up and the parking lot filled quickly. If you plan on doing this ride, take some advise and park on the "far" side of the lot as it makes it easier to get up near the front and Santa as the ride leaves.

They had coffee, hot chocolate and donuts for was as we waiting for the ride to start. It was fun to watch all the riders coming in with toys and stuffed animals tied off all over different parts of their bikes.

While we were standing around talking, a photographer from "Quick Throttle" magazine came over and asked if we would stand with "Santa" so she could take a picture for an article next month. Not being shy we all jumped at the opportunity. So watch for this next month.

Stu's leg started to bother him, and it was hard for him to say bye, but he found a chance to give his gift to "Santa" and left early.

The ride started right at 12noon. Since we had chosen our parking spot carefully we were fortunate to be up front for the ride.

First we rode through ole town Nevada City then through a bunch of neighborhoods over to ole town Grass valley more neighborhoods, finally ending up at the Fair Grounds in Grass Valley. All along the route their were people lined up waving. It was a especially fun to wave at the "little" kids while riding by. I also saluted all the retired peace officers who volunteered and kept the side roads blocked as this was a parade...

Being up front also allowed us to find a good parking area at the fair grounds and to drop off our toys before the line got long and it did get long, 3 to 5 people wide and at least 100 yards long...at it's peak.

The parents and kids lined the walk way as we dropped off the toys. You could see the joy in the kids eyes and the thanks in the parent's faces as we walked by. Gundi even got a great big hung, by one of the moms. Many a biker had watery eyes. This is truly a showing of Christmas spirit.

There are many toy rides. ALL are a fine way to spread the Christmas spirit and to help those less fortunate then ourselves. But this ride is a favorite of mine and I will not miss it next year.

Happy Holidays to you and your families...

John