Missed the 49er

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I had registered to go to the 49er in Auburn, CA, which should be winding down about now, but couldn't make it do to a temporary and hopefully non-recurring health issue that put me in the hospital this past week.

This would have been my 1st rally and was planned as a father-son weekend for me and my 7 y.o. son.

So, a couple of questions:

For anyone who attended, how was it?

and

What is the next similar event coming up within a half day's ride of the Sacramento area that would be OK to bring my son to?

There are other rallies that happen in the area where one might see a lot of the same bikes that are often parked in front of the local bars and have the riders sporting skull tattoos and nazi helmets, but I'm not interested in exposing my kid(s) to that type of biker culture. Just looking for something where people enjoy their motorcycles and enjoy the high of riding them without the high created by substances.

Thanks.

[Polarbear]

Sorry to hear of your illness:(. Best regards to get better! 49er is always good and you can do it next year, YES... The Autumn Beemer Bash is coming in Sept., around the 10th, I think. Look it up, as its a great rally too in Quincy, CA, for the last 5+ years(in Quincy). the Central Cal BMW Club hosts this one and its an older, long running event of "quality", I attend too. I took my young daughter to many of these as she grew up and now rides her own F650 at 26:). Thes two rallies are the only two in N.Cal..and are really good times for family! Randy:D

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Thanks, Randy. I hope to meet you in Quincy.

[DarrylRi]

I was there also. We had some of the best weather I can remember. My /2 performed admirably and I got to see a bunch of friends from LA including Randy and Patti who met at the 49er 23 years ago.

I hope to be at the Bash, too. But these are NOT the only rallies in NorCal, depending on your definition of "rally" and "NorCal".

On June 7th is the 23rd Annual Alex Silverio Memorial Picnic (http://vintagebmw.org/version6/?q=node/396) at Vasona Lake County Park in Los Gatos. Over Labor Day weekend is the BMW NorCal "Range of Light" Gypsy Tour (http://www.bmwnorcal.org). And on October 10-11 is the 20th Annual California Coast Campout and BBQ (http://vintagebmw.org/version6/?q=node/392) at Lake San Antonio, NW of Paso Robles.

[widebmw]

There is a sidecar rally at Lake Tahoe.
http://www.sidecar.com/rally.asp

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Darryl,

It looks like 2 of those events are vintage events. It would probably be fun, but my '02 RT might be a bit out of place. I checked the Norcal site and there wasn't much info on the Gypsy Tour. Can you fill me in a little? You can send info to my email if you like (eapls2708@yahoo.com). Thanks.


Widebmw,

Camp Richardson is about an hour from home, so an easy ride up the hill for me. No sidecar, so same issue with my RT as with the vintage events. Is an appreciation of sidecar rigs sufficient? I didn't read the several pages of info on the link. It appears that guests are welcome, but just don't get the goodies and can't participate in the events. That may be good enough.

[DarrylRi]

Those are vintage events, but believe me, nobody will kick you out. (Just say that your /2 is apart for a slinger cleaning. :whistle) Besides, your RT only has 18 more years to go to become vintage-eligible. Heck, we're taking the first K bikes in now.

I haven't actually been on the NorCal Range of Light, but everyone has glowing things to say about it. I keep intending to go and things keep preventing me. However, there is hope -- I did finally get to the Top of the Rockies rally last year, which was great!

Anyway, the idea is that you meet at the first night's location and then each day discover where the next night's accomodations are. NorCal is a ride and camp club and their collected knowledge leads to some fantastic routes, I'm told. I'm sure they'll have more information up on the web site soon, now that the '49er is over.

[98lee]

If your looking for something close by for you and your son to stroll around at, the Range of Light Tour is not it.

If you want to meet in Red Bluff Friday night (this year), then put in two 200-300 mile days on Sat. and Sun. with camping and catered meals at each stop and a chase trailer to carry any soft luggage (no hard systems cases) and end up Mon. morning "somewhere in California", then it's just the ticket. It is a RIDING rally. Of the 150-200 riders, some ride by themselves, enjoying the scenery and stopping when they chose. Others ride with small groups of friends with similar riding styles. I know several of the groups keep a pretty fast pace. Not really sure if you want this to be your first experience with your son.

The Beemer Bash in Quincy is more your traditional type of gathering for the weekend to relax, kick tires, meet people, and share experiences. After the 49er (I have to put them in this order, I'm a NorCal member) it's the next best thing close to you.

PS: The 49er was great this year (of course) the weather was PERFECT (low 80s) the poker run roads were AWESOME (Hwy 49, the Gold Country, Forresthill Bridge 730ft above the water) the seminars were super informative (Cross-country on the Trans-America Trail all on dirt, How to get the most out of you Zumo 550), The Fast Fridays Speedway Motorcycle Races (600cc no brakes on dirt) were thrilling and this year they also had the 1000cc sidecars ON NITROUS!!!,the Poker Run prizes were 1/2 oz. of gold ($550+) 1oz. silver and 1/2 oz. silver, among the 40+ door prizes were an Olympia one piece riding suit, a Gerbing heated jacket liner and a GARMIN 450 ZUMO!!!! Like you always hear: Ya REALLY missed it!!!

Next year will be better!


:dance :dance :dance

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Thanks for the info, Lee. My son's longest ride so far has been about 20 or 30 minutes, so the Range of Light would be too much at this point. But it sounds like something I'll want to do in the future.

My daughter (10 y.o.) has been on longer rides, but that's still probably more than sh would enjoy. My wife only enjoys short hops to a local coffee shop or some other nearby destination for us to go and spend a short time away from the kids.:(

It looks like a day at the sidecar rally with one of the kids next month and a weekend at Quincy with the other in September, and hopefully several day rides and an occasional overnight camping trip between now and then.

I was really disappointed to miss the 49er. Already looking forward to next year.

[Ridealot]

I was really disappointed to miss the 49er. Already looking forward to next year.

I am glad I made it again to the 49'er. I think this was my eleventh year. The weather was perfect. I even had the good luck to be drawn for a prize. I won a new Zumo 450. It will be a great update from my old GPS V that I have been using. :clap