The NorCal 49er Ralley is rapidly approaching. This has to be my favorite event of the year. For those of you who haven't been, it's held over Memorial Weekend at the Auburn Fairgrounds. This year's dates are May 25 - 28.

Club members who want to maximize the weekend meet Friday morning and ride backroads through the Northern Sierras. Friday night lodging is at a motel in Quincy followed by a Saturday ride through more spectacular scenery arriving Saturday afternoon at the Rally in Auburn.

Club members with less vacation time leave Friday after work or Saturday morning and take a more direct route to Auburn.

Rally events include organized rides, vendors, workshops, and riding competitions. Most attendees tent camp on the grassy fields at the fairgrounds but there are RV spaces as well as motels in town. Detailed information and a registration form can be found at the NorCal BMW website: www.bmwnorcal.org.

If you are interested in going and want to ride with other club members, please send me an email ride@rrbmwmc.org giving me an idea of your plans. I'll try to put people in contact with other members with similar plans.

--- Lisa

 March 4th Sunday Ride

Courtesy Jeff Pugh

(Editors note: This was one of those rare rides where Jeff was the only rider. Anita showed up as a supporter even though she was bikeless. I appreciate Jeff's good humor in reporting on a solo group ride.)

The group assembled at the Starbucks by Costco.  Initial departure was delayed by a nice conversation with Anita whose K75 was in the shop.  Surprisingly all riders readily agreed on the route.  First a trip up 101 to Shiloh, then over Chalk Hill Rd. and out to Knights Valley.  Next up a ride over Ida Clayton Rd to Middletown.  Since dual sports ruled the ride there was no fear of gravel.  Beautiful views of Mt. St. Helena were provided and traffic was nil.  After a stop at Perry's Deli it was on to Cobb Mtn. and Bottlerock Rd.  Thanks to a suggestion by Al, at the last Saturday ride, next up was the Old Hopland Toll Road.  15 miles of gravel and not another vehicle  passed.  The Redbud and Ceanothus were blooming abundantly along the route.   From Hopland up 101 to Ukiah and then a quick trip over one of our favorites - Hwy 253 to Boonville.  Except for a couple of drips on 253 the weather was excellent.  A beautiful day and a great ride.  Yet as all bikes participating were parked in my basement a nagging thought bothered me.  Something had been missing, I wonder what it was.