Central California BMW rally

September 12, 2008
I met fellow BMW rider, Franz Kempt, at 8am. on Road 415 near my home in Coarsegold for a 359 mile ride to Quincy, Ca. We were taking the back routes less traveled through most of the trip. From Road 415 also known as the Raymond Road we picked up the curvy Ben Hur Road and then some other secondary road around Mariposa to CA140. Heading west on CA140 until Hornitos Road which winds it's way to the small town of Hornitos. There a road crew were chip sealing the road making for roughly 10 miles of slow and hazardous riding. At this slow pace behind a string of cars following the official pace vehicle Franz was getting pelted with stones thrown up over the windscreen from the front wheel of his shiny BMW R1200GS. My RT kept me free of those annoyances. I'll be picking out stones from under the body panels later.

We rode on through Merced Falls, north along the west side of Lake McLure and around the south end of the New Don Pedro Reservoir eventually connecting to CA132, CA59 and CA49 where we stopped to eat at a small cafe in Mokelumne Hill. From here we turned up CA26 through some very interesting tight curves. Shortly we turned north east on CA88 until it intersects with CA89. Soon we stop for fuel and continue on CA89 along the west side of Lake Tahoe. We arrived in Quincy around 5pm, quickly checked into the motel, and backtracked to the fairgrounds anxious to meet up with others at the rally.
Day 2
After having a fine breakfast and seeing many familiar faces from Central Valley BMW club we head to the fairgrounds and plan a ride in the beautiful mountains with friends, Mike, Helmut, Phil, and Alan. Franz and I were blazing a trail up the Feather River highway having a great time. Sometimes it's not good to be the lead dog. The CHP officer said I was doing 71MPH. He wrote the ticket for that speed but he was really pissed because other riders were crossing the double yellow and he took out his anger on me. Really. He was pissed.
Day 3
The return trip on Sunday started east on CA89 then on to the Gold Lake Hwy to CA49 and breakfast in Downieville. Later in Oroville we split up with Mike, Helmut, and Phil. Alan already had detoured to visit is sister. Franz and I rode CA49 to Oakhurst where he went one way and I the other. All in all a great weekend.