Vol. 2 No. 4 • Monthly Newsletter of Sierra Shadow Casters ...Merced City Firefighter’s...

Vol. 2 No. 4 • Monthly Newsletter of Sierra Shadow Casters • Mariposa California • September 2005

The Sierra Rider 2 www.sierrashadowcasters.com

The President’s Corner

Welcome to The Sierra Rider

Sierra Shadow Casters publishes The Sierra Rider for the benefit of its Membership.

As a Member, feel free to submit articles, pictures, ideas, suggestions and any comments to the Editor. All submissions must be received by the 3rd Saturday of each month. Members are now offered FREE list-ings on our “Biker Bargains” page; must be cycle related and limited to 4 items. Articles must be submitted using “MS Word” and all pictures in JPG format to: [email protected]

This is your Newsletter and only “YOU” can make it better!

CLUB OFFICERS

President: Mike Dobson 966-5612 [email protected] V. President: Joyce Dobson 966-5612 [email protected]

Secretary: Lisa Bevington 742-7076 [email protected] Treasurer: Joyce Dobson 966-5612 [email protected]

Minister of Finance: Jim Platto 966-7043

[email protected] Public Affairs Officer: Paul Hall 966-3522 [email protected]

Lieutenant: John Bevington 742-7076

[email protected] Newsletter Editor: Bill Leidenroth 966-3374

[email protected]

One more reminder that our annual “Moon Shine Run, Dinner and Dance on Sept. 17th, needs all members to help. The main thing is gathering prizes for our prize raffle. Every lit-tle bit helps to make this a big success. So do your best to help out. FYI: Parade Alert We will be meeting for the parade on Saturday, September 3rd on Coakley Circle Dr. approximately in front of the Pioneer Mar-ket. We will be in Division C. We all need to be there no later than 10:15 am. The parade starts at 11:00. After the parade goes through town we will end up in the hold-ing area @ Century 21 on Hwy 140. You will have to leave that area by way of Hwy 140S to Yaqui Gulch Rd. or Mt. Bullion Cut-off Rd. as 49S will not be open.

Ride Safe, Michael Dobson President of Sierra Shadow Casters

Table of Contents SSC Visits Sturgis ……P.3 Up Coming Events …...P.5 Biker Brunch ……......P.7 Rider of the Month .….P.9 Biker Bargains ………P.10

The Sierra Rider 3 (209) 966-5612

Sturgis is one of those rallies that is basically the same each year but yet different. We decided to make the pilgrimage again this year – along with 400,000 others. We felt the trip was worth making for the shopping experi-ence if not for the people watching. We incorporated our 3 day stay into a 27-day trip; we rode into the small town of Sturgis two days before the event actually started.

Being early has no advantages in terms of getting a camping spot or early bird shopping as there are already hundreds of thousands of people there a good week before the official start of “Bike Week.” Tent camping is easy. There are always plenty of spaces. Motor homes and motel rooms are the problem. We stayed at the Day’s End campground this year ($50.00 bucks a night and pay showers)

which was much nicer real estate than Glencoe (where we stayed last year). There were 6000 campers in our campground alone. The campers are pro-vided with 24/7 food concession and a large beer barn with entertainment every night. This year we toured just about all of the vender booths, walking well over 10 miles I’m sure. Of course we had a few rounds at some of the more famous biker saloons like the Broken Knuckle and the Full Throttle. Every where you went the crowd was large. Side walks packed. We went to a couple free con-certs and a pretty cool custom bake show featuring the work of Arnold Ness and Orange County Choppers. I could show you a few of these crazy works of art if I hadn’t accidentally deleted all 80 pictures I took at the show. (I have scores of others though out side the show) One of our favorite pass-time things to do in Sturgis is people watch.. Every imaginable character is there sporting all manner of dress. Fortunately we were not exposed to much exposure, if you know what I mean. The thing that makes Sturgis a drag to many old-timers is the very fact that it has become somewhat of a family event; I saw many an 8-year-old being drug in tow while mom and dad visited the numerous corporate venders. The days of Hell’s Angels-domination is over. In fact, I did not see one HA patch. Much depends (like anywhere else) on where you hang out though. There are some not so good parts of town. The Buffalo Chip is a large camp-ground about 3 miles south of Sturgis and is known for its rowdy campers. It is also the venue for most all of the name brand music acts. The campground is a barren “s - -t hole” according to a guy from Merced who recognized my SSC patch.

Sierra Shadow Casters make tiny appearance at Sturgis Paul and Paula Hall stop in to buy a few T-shirts and

swill a few frozen Mikes By Paul Hall Sierra Rider’s Rollin’ Reporter

Paul poses for the traditional Sturgis shot

The Full Throttle saloon pro-vided its guests with a full on freak show

Paul tilts back a corona at the Knuckle


The rotation of people coming in to town and leaving numbers in the thousands every day. No two days are ever alike in Sturgis to be sure. Even in the three days we were there the camp-ers around us changes 3 times. Some people stay all week or longer but the average stay is about 4 days. We probably will not go back next year UNLESS a contingent of SSCers go. It would be mighty fun to do a small group ride there. Many clubs do this complete with their colors flying over the camp site. After Sturgis we went to the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior (WIS) and spent several days there, sailing, shopping and slurping. Lots of photos too. Paula was after the wild flowers and I prefer the historic stuff. After the apostle Is. We ventured down Wis-consin’s western border along the Mississippi. More great vistas and camping. After a few hours on a Mississippi paddle boat we headed across the great state of Iowa and into Ne-

braska. (I never want to see another ear of corn again). Then we headed up into Wyoming and the Teton National Park and a few days at Jackson Hole (one of our favorites). Here is where we adopted “Jackson” the little moose which now rides clinging on to the antenna of the Wing. After Jackson we swung through Idaho and across the eastern Oregon desert. Idaho supplied us with some hor-rendous wind gusts (40 mph plus). Finally we took 395 out of Oregon and down to Lee Vining where we camped at

Lundy lake for a couple days. Awesome spot! After 11 states and 6,135 miles it’s good to be home. There’s no place like home.

Easer Rider chopper

Mississippi Moon shine

Paula expresses her disdain for certain Oregon laws.


Up-Coming Events September 3rd the club will be doing the Labor Day parade again this year. EVERYONE IS NEEDED FOR THIS ONE! The longer the line the better. Watch for email alerts as to where and what time we’ll meet. ON THE SAME DAY (Sept 3rd) Paula and Paul Hall are hosting a BBQ AT THIER FAIRGROUNDS CAMPSITE. For the last 10 years they have parked their RV on the UP-PER LOT, above the back parking lot of the fairgrounds -- in order to hang out at the fair and party all 4 days. Call it extreme but we do have a good time. And each year they host a big BBQ and blended drinks affair for their friends. This year all SSCers are invited. 4 pm to when ever. The parking Nazis will charge you to enter the back lot but worth the 4 bucks. You’ll see our motor home on the hill, (look for the SSC Banner) just drive up, there’s plenty of motorcycle (or car) parking. You can bring your favorite beverage and/or a side dish if you want. This one is usually on us though, so if you don’t feel like toting a casserole dish and a couple six packs just come as you are… I will remind you the back lot is not paved but it is graded well and, you will collect some dust on your ride. September 17th– Saturday “Sierra Moon Shine Dinner-Dance and Poker Run” (Formerly the “Fall Ball”). WHERE: MARIPOSA FAIRGROUNDS, TIME: RUN REGISTRATION 8 AM to 10AM (entire event is over at midnight, Tent camping at the fairgrounds and motels available 2 miles away) COST: SSC MEMBERS Pre-registration $20.00 At the Gate: $25.00, NON-MEMBERS Pre-registration $25.00 At the Gate: $30.00 (Pre-Register On Line; SSC Web Site) All prices include the poker run! RUN PINS (for run participants), BBQ CHICKEN (and all the trim-mings), ADULT BEVERAGES AVAILABLE, POKER RUN (High Hand/Low Hand), 50/50 RAFFLE DRAWINGS (Tons of items) and DANCE TO TWO KICK BUTT BANDS (Electric Blue and Flashback)! We hope that we can get a good club turn out for this event. Volunteers will be needed, so if you can donate some time for this annual club fund-raiser contact Mike. The list of “to do’s” is long so please help if you can. September 21, 2005 to September 25 Street Vibrations Motorcycle Festival. NOTE: SSC has reserved rooms for this event early. Contact Mike (209) 966-3374. Street Vibrations Motorcycle Festival is the hottest time on two wheels! A celebration of music, metal and motorcycles, Street Vibrations offers tours, entertainment, parades, ride-in shows, Chrome Alley retail vendors, the Harley-Davidson Factory Store, concerts and more. The event is so big, it's rocking at several lo-cations throughout Reno and Sparks. Ride to historic Virginia City where a whole other party is happening. October 8, 2005 Flap Jacks and One Eyed Jacks. Merced City Firefighter’s Association IAFF Local 1479 17th Annual Pancake Breakfast 3rd Annual Poker Run. Breakfast served 7:30 am till Noon Poker Run Leaves (as a group) at 10:00 am. Breakfast only $7.00 ($5.00 for children) Poker Run $15.00 Includes Breakfast and ride pins for pre-registrants. Late registration includes Breakfast and Poker Run. Pre-register online: www.local1479.org This is not an SSC Event.


Patronize our Club Sponsors. We thank you for your support! 9/05-8/06

James T. Platto M.P.H., D.C. INDUSTRIAL DISABILITY EXAMINER

Qualified Medical Examiner GENERAL CHIROPRACTIC

HEALTH SERVICES

49er Shopping Center P.O. Box 2250 Telephone: (209) 966-5652 5170 Highway 49 North Fax: (209) 966-2932 Mariposa, Ca. 95338

Dobson & Dobson CUSTOM HOME ENHANCEMENTS

BRICK, TILE & STONE

CA. LIC. # 584388

(209) 966-5612 4984 MT. BULLION CUTOFF MICHAEL & JOYCE MARIPOSA, CA. 95338

George Thomas Owner 4086-B Ben Hur Rd. (209) 966-5409 Mariposa, Ca. 95338

Custom Paint

Insurance Work

Welcome

Precision Frame Work

Color Matching

MARIPOSA AUTO BODY

SAVOURY’S

RESTAURANT

MIRRIAM WACKERMAN OWNER

209.966.7677 5027 Hwy. 140 Closed Sun. & Mon. MARIPOSA, CA 95338

580 CASE 4X4

SEPTIC SYSTEMS UNDERGROUND UTILITIES FOUNDATIONS ALL BACKHOE WORK DOZER WORK

• • • • •

10-12 YD. DUMP TRUCK

MATERIAL HAULING

966-2725 5129 TIP TOP RD. MARIPOSA, CA

INSURED • GEN.ENG.LIC. NO A-719195

BOB TODD OWNER/OPERATOR

YOSEMITE Medical Supply AND GET WELL STORE

Home health care… From people who really do care

Paula Henry, Owner Hidee Gregory, Manager Sherry McIntosh, Billing

Mariposa Branch 5034 Coakley Cir. Dr. P.O. Box 1913 Mariposa, Ca. 95338 209.742.6224 (office) 209.966.7848

Email: [email protected]

Oakhurst Branch 40044 Hwy. 49, Suite B

P.O. Box 1407 Oakhurst, Ca. 93644 559.683.5741 (office)

559.683.5990 (fax)

209-742-7004 Fax 209-742-7014 P.O. Box 1938 Mariposa, California 95338 Lic. No. 792682

J. David Wise

Natural Environments, Inc. … a design and construction company

Street Address: 5052 Hwy. 140 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 733 Mariposa, CA. 95338 (800) 966-8819 (209) 966-3607

Gateway to Yosemite In Downtown Mariposa


On August 13th, ten Members met at Miner’s Inn for a breakfast ride to Cedar Lodge. We left at 8:45 am and, after a very slow ride, arrived at about 9:30 am. One of the more exciting things that happened on our trip up, was the crazy woman, evidently late for work, who passed us (on a curve) like a shot from a cannon. Not without revenge, we got her license plate number and called it in. As always, the food here is excellent. This was the first time I can remember all the food trays being full of food...which made for full plates on the first pass. After a great meal, we all gathered out side for a smoke and some chit-chat, when, lo and behold, we see Charley James and Roy Clark tear on by. We screamed and they honked. We all saddled up and, most of us, headed for home!

The Biker Brunch By Bill Leidenroth

At Cedar Lodge after a crisp morning ride. Everyone has filled their plates at least once!

WHERE WE WENT AFTER EVERYONE ELSE WENT HOME By Lorie Setterberg Breakfast at Cedar Lodge was yummy as usual, but Ron and I didn’t want to just go home. After all, we’d been spending a lot of time at home working and needed a whole day off for a change. We ended up going through the park via 140 to 41 to Oakhurst then home. That wasn’t without a few stops and pauses and more than our share of stupid drivers. That didn’t even in-clude YNP 2! Anyone who went on the ride knows to whom I am referring. The former didn’t amount to anything; just things that make you wonder how these people have survived so far. Like passing in a tunnel, trying to use a turnout lane as a passing lane, passing on a curve right in front of the drive-way for Bridal Veil, stupid stuff like that. Our destination was Mariposa Grove where we walked off our breakfast with a two-mile hike (round trip) and some people watching. The highlight of that was when we were getting ready to leave, we found these two guys that were all a-twitter over the bikes, one exclaiming that he didn’t know what he liked best, the big trees or the big Harleys! Whatever… We had fun


adding to the excitement! After that we made an unplanned stop at Tenaya Lodge to see the lobby. An unexpected pleasure was seeing several prints of Mark Gudmunsen’s (sp?) paintings hanging in one of the halls just off the lobby. Our last stop was for gas at Von’s, not usually a place that would have anything memorable hap-pen, but as I was remarking to Ron about how good my gas mileage was, this woman who was on the other side of the pumps, said, “You guys know how to do that?” I thought at first she was referring to riding the bikes, then realized she had overheard my comment about the gas mile-age. She came over with these figures on paper and since I didn’t have my glasses on, could only explain how to do it. Ron ended up showing her on paper what to do. Whatever… It’s the people that we encounter on our journeys that I use as ways to remember places we were at! Well, maybe not Von’s.

On August 27th, we had our largest turnout ever! 14 riders on 12 bikes amassed at the Hitching Post. After a late start, due to hanging up posters about our up-coming “Moon Shine Diner-Poker Run,’ we headed out for the Gold Fields Cafe at Chuckchansi Casino. A special treat was to see the “White Angels” ( Sarah and Sean ). The only draw back on this ride was the road condition from Coarsegold to the Casino turn-off. The high-way was grooved for future paving and was extremely rough, but everyone got through without a hitch. Once there, however, a lonely patron held us up from being immediately seated. As he ever so slowly ate his toast and sipped his coffee, Mike and I approached him and asked “How much longer might you be? We have 14 people waiting to be seated here.” His reply was a short “Maybe 10 minutes.“ It took all of that and then some. Finally we were all seated and before too long we were eating. After our feed, we broke up; some going home, some taking a ride and some staying at the tables. Hope to see you at our next Biker Brunch...stay tuned for future emails.


Rider of the Month

Featured Rider: Gerd Stoecker You could call me a late bloomer, when it comes to riding motorcycles. I was born, raised and educated in Germany and when my twin brother and I turned eighteen, it was time to get a drivers license. Our Dad had already let us drive his car on corporate private property, but being Germany, you still had to go to a driving school and pay an instructor big bucks to get your license. The good news was, that the instructor was going to throw the motorcycle license in for free, especially since we told him we knew how to ride a bike. That means my brother did, but I did not, which got the instructor a little upset since he actually had to show me how to do it. A German license is for life. Of course, no Police Officer will ever recognize you on a photo, 44 years old. It is amaz-ing how good you look when you are eighteen. Don’t ask me what happened since then. Now fast forward. In March 2002, I visited my brother in Germany. I just recently retired, after living and working in the San Francisco Bay Area for 30 years. My brother had by now accumulated five Moto Guzzis. He suggested that I take up riding bikes, since I now had the time to do it. I was not so sure, but he insisted. We found an empty parking lot on a Saturday afternoon. All stores close in Germany after 2:00 PM. I did my turns, circles, you name it and pretty soon we were riding scenic country roads. You have to be crazy to ride a bike in March in Germany. It was so cold, that every half hour I had to warm my gloves and hands on the valve covers. Fortunately, that is easy on a V-Twin Moto Guzzi. In June 2002, I went back to Germany and my brother and I did a lot of riding in what used to be East Germany. Beau-tiful country side. I was hooked. Of course my wife Karin was just thinking “the twins are having a great time, no harm done”. Back home in California, I took a Motorcycle Safety Class to become (US) legal. Karin still did not suspect that this would one day lead to the real thing, owning a bike. She even went with me to bike shows, sitting on BMW’s, Harley’s and Moto Guzzi’s. Then it happened. I saw this beautiful 1997 Moto Guzzi Centauro. The owner let me try out the bike and it was the bike I had to have. Karin must have seen the look on my face when I saw the bike the first time. In March 2003, it became my 60th birthday present from her to me. What a sweetheart (the wife). Before you knew it, I was cruising Highway 1 between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz and along Skyline Blvd. and hung out on Sundays with other bikers at Alice’s. How did we end up in Mariposa and how did I become a member of this great group of bikers, you may ask. Almost 10 years ago, we found this beautiful piece of property, bought it and moved our four horses up to the mountains. Until last spring, when we moved up permanently from the Half Moon Bay, it was our weekend and holiday retreat. Well, most of the time it was more work than a re-treat. Last year we ran into you guys at the Jeffrey Hotel. Mike, Bill and the rest of the “regulars”. Karin, of course was talking to “el presidente” in no time. Shortly afterwards, I took part in the Poker Run and Karin and I en-joyed the BBQ/Dance. I became a member. The Centauro has one shortcoming, soft sad-dle bags only, which don’t hold very much of anything. Karin suggested that what I really needed was a H-D. I never really considered myself a Harley kind of a guy, however, we both agreed that it had to be a Heritage Softail in teal/silver. I put a deposit down and made sure it had a “sold” sign when I left. I like the bike a lot and hope that one day Karin will ride with me in Harley Country.

The Sierra Rider www.sierrashadowcasters.com

Good Saddle Bags: Call Roy 966-7450 95-98’ Honda 750 Magna parts. Fixing up daughters wreck, call George 966-5409

The “Biker Brunch”: Sunday Breakfast rides. Call Bill 966-3374 and let us know where you would like to go next. Breakfast will be served on the 2nd and last Sunday of each month. An email, with full details, will be sent several times a month. Yosemite Tour Rides: Call Paul Hall, 966-3522, for details. A very informative history-run through the Park.

ATTENTION MEMBERS

Be sure to put Sierra Shadow Casters in the “Subject” line of your emailed submissions! Sorry, no photos. Due to our limited space, please let me know when your item(s) have sold.

For Submissions, Corrections and/or Deletions, Contact Bill at:

(209) 966-3374

[email protected]

Thank You!

BIKER BARGAINS

Stock Exhaust 96’ Honda Shadow VLX $50.00. Stock Exhaust 2001, 1100 V Star $75.00. A pair of Marker, blinker bullet lights $12.00. Mike 966-5612 2 Hard Tail Pan Heads w/sidecars. 1950 mostly original $25,000, 1961FLH Rat, $15,000 low miles on both. Will trade Rat Bike for late model 4x4 Rover. Call Ed 966-7023 Honda 70 Passport, $250.00 or trade. Call Lloyd 742-7146

Helmet, chrome, large, $45.00 call Dan 966-3292 2000’ Road King Parts, too many to list. Also parts for other Harleys call George for info 966-5409 1996 Harley Davidson FXD, Dyna Super Glide Excellent condition, Many extras, $12,000 Don, (559) 877-2456 For sale: 2003 Kawasaki Mean Streak 1500, Road House exhaust, Mustang seat, Hyper charger, Co-bra electronics, saddle bags, under 20, 000 miles. Runs great but went crazy and bought my dream Harley, $8,000 or best offer. Charley 966-4630 Joe Rocket Ballistic Jacket Me-teor4 Size Large worn fewer than 5 times, like new $50. John 742-5845 leave a message

Have you taken a trip lately?

Please send us a couple of pictures with an article for the “The Sierra Rider.”

Send to: [email protected]

FOR SALE

WANTED

TRIPS

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From the Editor

Will Sew Club Patch on your vest $10.00

Other smaller patches $3.00 ea.

Call Joyce Dobson 966-5612

Vol. 2 No. 4 • Monthly Newsletter of Sierra Shadow Casters ...Merced City Firefighter’s...

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Transcript of Vol. 2 No. 4 • Monthly Newsletter of Sierra Shadow Casters ...Merced City Firefighter’s...