MSMC Bikes on Dikes - February 2015

Logan101 · February 18th, 2015, 08:05 PM

Dear Fellow Members (and Guests)

This weekend you are in for treat--yes, I said a treat. We are about to embark on an adventure of a lifetime. The plan is to hit open road and enjoy each others company. Where you ask--the delta of course.

If you have been on the levy about signing up--just shift gears because the weather will be perfect and the glistening water reflecting the warm (not hot) sun will mesmerize you into thinking you are in Europe or Asia on vacation.

We will meet at Miller's Cafe 2733 Hillcrest Ave, Antioch at 8:30am for breakfast or 9:30am clutches out. We will have lunch along life's pathway and have you home around 4pm. Can't ask for more than that!

See you all on Sat!

Randy (almost can reach the ground so no stopping)

Alex · February 18th, 2015, 09:02 PM

Hi all - you can pay the $15 for lunch at the payment center.

Alex · February 20th, 2015, 08:39 PM

Looks to be decent weather for tomorrow; starting out in the low 50's by ride start, and up to low 60's by lunch. No chance of rain.

Route for the morning is attached, and it's not uncomplicated. :) If you do get split up, there is a waypoint for Al the Wop's where we are having lunch. Make sure to turn your GPS routing to allow ferries, as we're taking one (twice).

(moved to Map Room)

Alex · February 21st, 2015, 05:59 PM

That was fun! Thanks to Randy for putting much of it together, and thanks to Paul for optimizing and leading the route.

I only took a handful of pics (link to gallery), so hopefully those with the good group photos can add theirs here.

Paul Goodacre · February 22nd, 2015, 11:14 AM

Delta Skelter.... 8 of us showed up to ride the Delta yesterday, Tony and Lydia, Lisa, Craig, Rick, Randy, Alex C and me. 7 BMWs: 5 R1200GSs, a K1000R, and an R1200RT. Thanks to Bill for recommending Millers Cafe in Antioch, which turned out to be an excellent rendezvous point just before the bridge. (And hoping your ride in Patagonia is going well!)

We did several dikes, islands, and bridges before lunch, and if it felt occasionally as if we were riding around in circles, it's probably because we were. We embarked for the ferry crossing to Ryer's island and circumnavigated in a clockwise direction before exiting over the bridge to the north. I found 7 or 8 miles of gravel by turning right over the bridge, the others chose the paved left turn, and we re-united in Locke.

A nice thing about a fairly small group is that staying together is a lot easier, and throughout the ride we were able to do this.... the absence of traffic on most of the roads made for unimpeded riding also. Al the Wops is a Locke (and Delta) institution, a registered historic landmark, and home to what used to be a guaranteed bad food experience. It seems as if they've ramped up the quality substantially since last time I was there, it's not Chez Panisse, but it seemed perfectly edible and had a welcoming atmosphere.

After lunch there was a diaspora, Alex C and I opting to do the bonus loop. This involved the ferry back onto Ryer Island, the other ferry over to Rio Vista, and then about 20 miles of really lovely riding through the Montezuma Hills and Birds Landing before running out of road in Collinsville. It was quite idyllic, the hills blindingly green after the rains, sheep happily doing sheep things in the fields, the occasional Victorian era homestead, and in Bird's Landing an establishment that looked very much like a regular small house but boasted a sign reading "tavern". We didn't have time to stop, but one of these days a return visit seems in order.

Collinsville, the end of the line.... two points of interest. At one time, before the bridges were built, one of the train lines between SF and Sacramento used to come through here. At the river's edge it was separated, loaded onto barges, floated across the river, and then reassembled on the other side before continuing its journey. Probably not the best option if you were trying to catch a flight out of SFO. In 2014 close to half the houses in Colinsville burnt down because of people setting off fireworks in a field of dry grass... since many of the houses were unpermitted, there are considerable problems with them being rebuilt. There's absolutely no reason to go there as far as I could tell. Although the road in and out was pretty nice. and I did catch a glimpse of an old cemetery on a small hill just out of town as we left which might be worth a visit.

Back in Bird's Landing Alex headed west to pick up the freeway and head south, I retraced my steps back into Rio Vista, gassed up, crossed the bridge and headed for home. All in all a lovely day out, highly co-operative weather, not even a glimpse of law enforcement, good company and back home in time to take the dogs out... thanks to evryone who came, it wouldn't have been the same without you. Paul.

Colin · February 23rd, 2015, 09:22 AM

sorry i missed it (I attended the outdoor hockey game at Levi's stadium), I've always wanted to ride in the delta and take the ferries across the river. missed my chance (again) but may poach the route file for a solo trip!

Paul Goodacre · February 23rd, 2015, 05:15 PM

Well, if you do make it, it would seem appropriate for you to make the detour into Collinsville. (LOL)

Colin · February 23rd, 2015, 05:20 PM

I was biting my tongue when I read that there there was "absolutely no reason to go there."

Alex · February 25th, 2015, 12:49 PM

Lisa took a bunch of fun pics as well. I have added them into the same gallery.

February 18th, 2015, 08:05 PM	#1
Logan101 Board Member Name: Randall Location: Petaluma, CA Motorcycle(s): R1200GSW, F800GS, Beta525, WR250F, DR650SE, RM85L, XR100, YSR50 Posts: 46	MSMC Bikes on Dikes - February 2015 Dear Fellow Members (and Guests) This weekend you are in for treat--yes, I said a treat. We are about to embark on an adventure of a lifetime. The plan is to hit open road and enjoy each others company. Where you ask--the delta of course. If you have been on the levy about signing up--just shift gears because the weather will be perfect and the glistening water reflecting the warm (not hot) sun will mesmerize you into thinking you are in Europe or Asia on vacation. We will meet at Miller's Cafe 2733 Hillcrest Ave, Antioch at 8:30am for breakfast or 9:30am clutches out. We will have lunch along life's pathway and have you home around 4pm. Can't ask for more than that! See you all on Sat! Randy (almost can reach the ground so no stopping)

February 18th, 2015, 09:02 PM	#2
Alex gimpy... Name: Alex Location: South Bay Motorcycle(s): '13 R1200RT, '13 Ninja 300, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE, '15 CRF110F, '13 TT-R50E Posts: 2,559	Hi all - you can pay the $15 for lunch at the payment center. __________________________ MSMC / ninjette.org / cal24.com / crf250l.org

February 21st, 2015, 05:59 PM	#4
Alex gimpy... Name: Alex Location: South Bay Motorcycle(s): '13 R1200RT, '13 Ninja 300, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE, '15 CRF110F, '13 TT-R50E Posts: 2,559	That was fun! Thanks to Randy for putting much of it together, and thanks to Paul for optimizing and leading the route. I only took a handful of pics (link to gallery), so hopefully those with the good group photos can add theirs here. __________________________ MSMC / ninjette.org / cal24.com / crf250l.org

February 25th, 2015, 12:49 PM	#9
Alex gimpy... Name: Alex Location: South Bay Motorcycle(s): '13 R1200RT, '13 Ninja 300, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE, '15 CRF110F, '13 TT-R50E Posts: 2,559	Lisa took a bunch of fun pics as well. I have added them into the same gallery. __________________________ MSMC / ninjette.org / cal24.com / crf250l.org

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
MCN Fantasy League 2015 - MSMC	Alex	Roadside Cafe	25	February 15th, 2016 10:53 AM
[motorcycle-usa.com] - AMA News and Notes February 2015	MSMC NewsBot	Moto News	0	February 3rd, 2015 04:05 PM
MSMC Ride Schedule - 2015	Alex	Past Ride Reports	0	January 4th, 2015 01:14 AM
[roadracingworld.com] - February 2015	MSMC NewsBot	Moto News	0	December 30th, 2014 05:47 PM

February 22nd, 2015, 11:14 AM	#5
Paul Goodacre Club Member Name: Paul Location: Oakland Motorcycle(s): BMW R1200GS, BMW R1150GS, Suzuki DR650, Triumph Tiger 800XC Posts: 90	Delta Skelter.... 8 of us showed up to ride the Delta yesterday, Tony and Lydia, Lisa, Craig, Rick, Randy, Alex C and me. 7 BMWs: 5 R1200GSs, a K1000R, and an R1200RT. Thanks to Bill for recommending Millers Cafe in Antioch, which turned out to be an excellent rendezvous point just before the bridge. (And hoping your ride in Patagonia is going well!) We did several dikes, islands, and bridges before lunch, and if it felt occasionally as if we were riding around in circles, it's probably because we were. We embarked for the ferry crossing to Ryer's island and circumnavigated in a clockwise direction before exiting over the bridge to the north. I found 7 or 8 miles of gravel by turning right over the bridge, the others chose the paved left turn, and we re-united in Locke. A nice thing about a fairly small group is that staying together is a lot easier, and throughout the ride we were able to do this.... the absence of traffic on most of the roads made for unimpeded riding also. Al the Wops is a Locke (and Delta) institution, a registered historic landmark, and home to what used to be a guaranteed bad food experience. It seems as if they've ramped up the quality substantially since last time I was there, it's not Chez Panisse, but it seemed perfectly edible and had a welcoming atmosphere. After lunch there was a diaspora, Alex C and I opting to do the bonus loop. This involved the ferry back onto Ryer Island, the other ferry over to Rio Vista, and then about 20 miles of really lovely riding through the Montezuma Hills and Birds Landing before running out of road in Collinsville. It was quite idyllic, the hills blindingly green after the rains, sheep happily doing sheep things in the fields, the occasional Victorian era homestead, and in Bird's Landing an establishment that looked very much like a regular small house but boasted a sign reading "tavern". We didn't have time to stop, but one of these days a return visit seems in order. Collinsville, the end of the line.... two points of interest. At one time, before the bridges were built, one of the train lines between SF and Sacramento used to come through here. At the river's edge it was separated, loaded onto barges, floated across the river, and then reassembled on the other side before continuing its journey. Probably not the best option if you were trying to catch a flight out of SFO. In 2014 close to half the houses in Colinsville burnt down because of people setting off fireworks in a field of dry grass... since many of the houses were unpermitted, there are considerable problems with them being rebuilt. There's absolutely no reason to go there as far as I could tell. Although the road in and out was pretty nice. and I did catch a glimpse of an old cemetery on a small hill just out of town as we left which might be worth a visit. Back in Bird's Landing Alex headed west to pick up the freeway and head south, I retraced my steps back into Rio Vista, gassed up, crossed the bridge and headed for home. All in all a lovely day out, highly co-operative weather, not even a glimpse of law enforcement, good company and back home in time to take the dogs out... thanks to evryone who came, it wouldn't have been the same without you. Paul.

February 23rd, 2015, 09:22 AM	#6
Colin Past President Name: Colin Location: RWC (bottom-o-the-hill) Motorcycle(s): '14 R1200GS, '10 Ducati Multistrada, '95 Ducati 900SS-SP, '58 Ducati Elite 200 Posts: 1,408	sorry i missed it (I attended the outdoor hockey game at Levi's stadium), I've always wanted to ride in the delta and take the ferries across the river. missed my chance (again) but may poach the route file for a solo trip!

February 23rd, 2015, 05:15 PM	#7
Paul Goodacre Club Member Name: Paul Location: Oakland Motorcycle(s): BMW R1200GS, BMW R1150GS, Suzuki DR650, Triumph Tiger 800XC Posts: 90	Well, if you do make it, it would seem appropriate for you to make the detour into Collinsville. (LOL)

February 23rd, 2015, 05:20 PM	#8
Colin Past President Name: Colin Location: RWC (bottom-o-the-hill) Motorcycle(s): '14 R1200GS, '10 Ducati Multistrada, '95 Ducati 900SS-SP, '58 Ducati Elite 200 Posts: 1,408	I was biting my tongue when I read that there there was "absolutely no reason to go there."