2007 Two-Mountain Ride Photos

Arrived at Hubcaps about 30 minutes early for breakfast. I was not the first one there. Met a guest of Craig's as we walked inside, and found two tables of riders already eating. Recognized a Richard at one of the tables, but there were going to be way too many new names & faces for an aging Catfish to remember. Pete Silva & his entourage arrived next and joined us at our booth. Pete's got a new girlfriend, a new Harley, and a new shop!

Breakfast was great and the place really filled up with biker scum. There was a group of Harley riders from Vallejo, and "The Breakfast Riders" from Fairfield. Some guests were from AdventureRider and shops we posted the ride announcement. It was a beautiful morning for a ride! Other Northstars in attendance included Craig Hightower & Laurel, Kari, Doug, Glen, Josh, & Pete Slote.

Craig talks, Pete Silva with his blue Northstars jersey over his leathers,
and Pete "I ain't no Blue Smurf" Slote standing alone in the crowd.
Can you guess which one called himself "Fuzzy"?

Back down the Northgate side of Diablo, we passed a kamikaze-biker flyin' through the downhill curves. Then through Clayton and out Marsh Creek Road. Next was the infamous Morgan Territory Road. It was in fair shape and mostly dry. Pete Silva & a few took the more cruiser-compatible Vasco Road to Livermore instead. I breathed a sigh of relief when it appeared that every one got to Livermore OK. That sneaky little road has gotten me twice! Had a short break at Geno's as everyone filled up with gas.

Next came the beginning of Mines Road, and the short climb up towards Del Valle. As I turned around at Mendenhall Road headed back down, I only saw about a third of our 30 riders. Hmmm...

The first section of Mines Road was pretty clean. We caught & passed the slower riders of the group who didn't climb Del Valle Road with us. Many "Ice Ahead" signs from the previous days of freezing temperatures back here. No ice, but LOTS of sand on the road between the signs.

We slowly caught the middle group of our ride (that didn't follow us up Del Valle Road either) about 3/4s the way to the Junction. This group was moving at a moderate pace, but most were following each other a bit close for the speed they were running. With a short distance left to the Junction, I decided to not lead the fast folks through this group. Offered the lead to Craig and he took the bate with Richard following. They carved their way through, and I was glad everyone arrived at the Junction safely.

Found Matt Brockway & Steve Hursh at the Junction riding with some other friends. Pete Silva and a couple of others talked about BIG slides in the sandy parts.

After lunch & many conversations, it was San Antonio Road to Mt. Hamilton. This road was mostly clean, well, initially anyway. As I led down the ridge before the last climb onto the mountain, I had my moment. Exiting a sunny left-hander on the gas, that appeared clean, the rear tire stepped way sideways & I could feel undercarriage dragging the pavement. I went neutral on the throttle and steered into the slide, but I was crashing. Then, just as quickly as it let go, the rear found traction again and I somehow recovered and continued on. Confidence in my vision was shaken at that point & my pace was a bit subdued for the rest of the day. The shaded curves climbing the mountain were all sandy.

At the Mt. Hamilton Observatory, we all discussed our slide events to get up the mountain. One guest did low-side on a slow sandy corner. He was very pissed at himself, but otherwise unhurt. His leathers had a couple of new scuffs. It was WARM up here too!

Down the curvaceous Mt. Hamilton Road we went. Many more shaded sandy corners kept the pace down. At Alum Rock Road, we said good bye to the majority that were heading to various Superbowl parties. Six riders continued on to the final leg; up Sierra, Felder, & Calaveras Roads to Sunol. Some would say the best twisties of the day.

Another GREAT ride with LOT'S more excitement than some of us wanted!

Catfish ...