Roll Call - Group Ride --Pizza in Downieville, CA 05/22/11

GreenMachine · May 15, 2011, 09:38:34 PM

Post here if you're going.

We're back for another Sunday ride after several weeks. Mother Nature really hasn't cooperated the last two weekends and we'll just have to keep our fingers crossed on this one as well. I call this ride Pizza in Downieville, but you can make up whatever excuse you want. Any ride to Downieville is a treat. The first ~30 miles takes us to Truckee, then ~20 miles of sweepers to Sierraville. From there it tightens up a bit as we go over Yuba Pass and follow the Yuba River as it wiggles its way through Sierra City, Downieville and out around Nevada City.

The ride's official destination ends in Downieville (~90 miles). The route home can take several routes, reverse route, Sattly/Beckworth Hwy 70, Loyalton/Chilcoot Hwy 70 or Nevada City/Cisco Grove Hwy 20/I-80.

The following weekend, Memorial Day weekend, is our Iron Butt out to the Northern California coast, so this ride should keep the short distance riders happy for a couple weeks or harden up those who need it.

Scott · May 16, 2011, 10:09:00 AM

Going to the doc's today to try to get rid of this damn cough Ive had for 3 weeks now.

if successful ill be sure to attend. Downieville is one of my favorites.

nvgixxer · May 17, 2011, 03:02:38 PM

This weather is starting to get to me! I had planned on this one with you guys until I saw the (rain) forecast for Sunday. They probably even sprayed sand on Yuba Pass!?

n10sive · May 17, 2011, 03:27:15 PM

face it Jimbo, your screwed this year unless you mind a few spots on the bike LOL

Scott · May 17, 2011, 04:06:21 PM

bikes are made for riden not polishin.

GreenMachine · May 17, 2011, 05:20:04 PM

Quote from: nvgixxer on May 17, 2011, 03:02:38 PM
This weather is starting to get to me! I had planned on this one with you guys until I saw the (rain) forecast for Sunday. They probably even sprayed sand on Yuba Pass!?

Oh, it definitely will have sand and make for white-knuckle riding, but it appears precipitation may not be a factor. Just 59* in Downieville. At least the back deck at the Pizzeria faces south and is sheltered from the wind.

I'll have to spell out to other riders to give extra sand/pebble wake room behind the rider they're following to prevent paint chip damage.

youngster775 · May 18, 2011, 12:44:10 AM

Quote from: Scott on May 17, 2011, 04:06:21 PM
bikes are made for riden not polishin.

+1000

Punish them bastards and put em' away wet!

nvgixxer · May 18, 2011, 01:51:20 PM

Quote from: n10sive on May 17, 2011, 03:27:15 PM
face it Jimbo, your screwed this year unless you mind a few spots on the bike LOL

You know me Dale................no spots allowed on the Silver Bullet!! But, alas, I'm getting tired of blasting up and down the truck route and a diversion or two around Diamond Valley. They're the only places without dirt, sand and snow run-off! Maybe the roads up top will be clear by August 1..............time for the third Annual Hayabusa Stamped in Reno!! WOOT-WOOT!!

n10sive · May 18, 2011, 03:17:21 PM

man o man she is PURTY!

CptnHornblower · May 19, 2011, 11:32:44 AM

If the weather forecast holds I'm in.

GreenMachine · May 19, 2011, 05:58:30 PM

Quote from: CptnHornblower on May 19, 2011, 11:32:44 AM
If the weather forecast holds I'm in.

Cool!

I should add that Downieville also hosts several other eateries. There's a general store with a made-to-order deli. They have a Tri-Tip sandwich that should be their signature sub and when you're not in a hurry, their indoor seating affords board games and books for public consumption while you hang out there. Across the street is an ice cream shop and the gas station has general convenience store food and drinks.

Another awesome find is the Mountain Creek restaurant in Sierra City, which we'll pass by at least once. It's at about mile 70. We are not scheduled to stop there this time, but it's penciled in for the Sierra Buttes hike ride later this summer.

GreenMachine · May 21, 2011, 02:59:08 PM

Weather forecast is improving. If it's just afternoon T-storms, we can ride around them or wait them out if necessary.
Temps 66-72.

No question about it. I'll see y'all in the morning. Bring sunscreen for the deck in Downieville!

CptnHornblower · May 22, 2011, 11:00:56 AM

Sorry I missed it, I thought I read that the start would be at 10 to let it warm up. So I was there, ready to go at 10..... Guess I need to learn to read.

GreenMachine · May 22, 2011, 06:24:15 PM

$:-\$ Sorry for the start time mix up, we could have used one extra mouth to feed, for sure. Everybody got their fill of pizza. I'm still stuffed.
Excellent group of riders and pizza and weather today. Everyone rode within their abilities and without doing like an SUV did on Yuba Pass and over-cooking it into a 200* donut. What an idiot!

I saw other car skid marks going off the road in another corner. I doubt that turned out well for the occupants.

After lunch, the boys wanted to try out Pikes Road, so I did it with them a second time in two days. On our way up one of the locals encouraged us to pass and gave us the thumbs up as we went by, as though they were cheering us on. That's always a good sign!

Hope everyone had a good time. I know I did.

CptnHornblower · May 22, 2011, 08:57:15 PM

Looks like you guys had a great ride. Is there a Emocon for kicking myself in the butt? I love the ride to Downieville, next time I'm reading the time and checking it twice