Wednesday, Jan 20 2016
Marc writes…
On Sunday Chris noticed two things of importance: 1) it was supposed to be a nice day between winter storms, and 2) he was free for mid-week ride. Was anyone else interested? He’d find out by sending out a message to 60 or so of his riding friends to see who’d respond. Someone must have responded as Monday another message was sent: Meet in the parking lot at Skylonda Corners (across from Alice’s), corner of Hwy’s 84 & 35 at 9:00 am. The direction would be south.
I got to the start point at about 9:01. Dick was waiting. No Chris. This is another example of how the MWR isn’t the SMBC in spite of many riders being members of both groups. If this was an SMBC ride anyone at the starting point would have left promptly at 9 AM. They also would have known where they were going. Different rules.
Chris arrived about 15 minutes after the hour with stories of crashed RVs and splitting lanes. We waited a while longer (definitly not the SMBC!) to see of any other stragglers would show up. Nope.
The destination was Zelda’s on the Santa Cruz Wharf. Except it isn’t Zelda’s.
That’s not important. The Wednesday special of prime rib with clam chouder
and french bread for $10.95 is the important part. How should we get there?
I’m not particular as long as we skip freeways. Chris suggest going down 84
to pick up Alpine back to Skyline then south to 9, Alba, and finally Empire
Grade into Santa Cruz. We have a plan.
Chris: “Marc, you want to lead”.
I led the ride as planned, but crossed highway 9 at Skyline to pull into the parking lot near that intersection for a rest break. That wasn’t good enough. Apparently I’d passed two spots with toilets to stop at a place without. Hey, I didn’t need to pee.
Before leaving our stop the plans changed, again. Chris suggested we keep heading south on Skyline and pick up Bear Creek into Boulder Creek. Dick looked confused. OK, we need to go that way to un-confuse him. I led the group south on Skyline.
At Bear Creek I signaled to turn right and heard Chris honk. He’s got another suggestion. How about instead of going down Bear Creek we continue onto Summit and take Hutchenson until it turns into E Zayante, etc. Sure Chris. You lead the way. We turned left.
We got to Gilda’s (kind of sounds like Zelda’s) on the wharf a few minutes before noon. Getting there we travelled over several one lane back roads, some of which my GPS marked with dashed lines. All pavement, though. Anyway, yes, Wednesday is prime rib special day at Gilda’s. I had a patty melt.
After lunch I decided to head straight up the coast as I needed to get home early. Chris and Dick decided to go up the coast as far as Gazos Creek where they turned off and continued their ride a little bit longer. Chris has some comments following the first set of pictures.
Pictures from the riders
![Late start](./t-160200915-1000383.jpg)
Late start
![Guys on Hutchinson Rd](./t-160201108-0003.jpg)
Guys on Hutchinson Rd
![Another Day In Paradise](./t-160202035-10001111.jpg)
Another Day In Paradise
![Lower Zyante](./t-160201116-0005.jpg)
Lower Zyante
![More Lower Zyante](./t-160201117-0006.jpg)
More Lower Zyante
![Near Scotts Valley](./t-160201117-0007.jpg)
Near Scotts Valley
![Not Shown, Soup & French Bread](./t-160201221-0008.jpg)
Not Shown, Soup & French Bread
![Santa Cruz Beach](./t-160201254-1000384.jpg)
Santa Cruz Beach
![Santa Cruz Wharf](./t-160201255-1000387.jpg)
Santa Cruz Wharf
![Gilda's on the Wharf](./t-160201252-0002.jpg)
Gilda’s on the Wharf
![The Wharf (long one!)](./t-160201252-0011.jpg)
The Wharf (long one!)
![CA#1 Nr. Bonny Doon](./t-160201324-0001.jpg)
CA#1 Nr. Bonny Doon
![Zunkel on Gazos Crk Rd](./t-160201342-0013.jpg)
Zunkel on Gazos Crk Rd
![Zunkel on Cloverdale Rd](./t-160201346-0012.jpg)
Zunkel on Cloverdale Rd
Chris writes…
After finishing-off a hot chocolate with Zunkel at Skylonda Corners I rode NB Hwy #35 and quickly encountered this accident which happened moments before my passing. I stopped to see if I could render any aid. The grey Buick was turning right and the M/C seemingly contacted the LR quarter panel. Either the M/C rider was ‘asleep’, or the woman motorist braked hard, turning with out a signal. The M/C made a fresh gouge in the bank at the edge of the road.
![How'd the Exhaust get bent?](./t-160201514-0004.jpg)
How’d the Exhaust get bent?
![Owee, Rider under blanket](./t-160201514-0009.jpg)
Owee, Rider under blanket
![SMSO & Cal Fire](./t-160201519-0010.jpg)
SMSO & Cal Fire