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Last update Feb 3, 2007 February Meeting & Camp Out We will be heading for warmer campgrounds this month after camping through the rain in January at Pinnacles. Despite the cool temperatures and rainy weather about 15 people made the January meeting and 10 hearty souls stayed the course through the rainy night. The rain did hold off long enough to allow for a good ride to the park, and for the cooking of dinner and some fireside storytelling. It was a fun weekend. The club owes special thanks to treasurer David Halliwell and Catherine Marshall for surprising the riders with a supply of food and drinks for the meeting. One thing that is always nice about camping at Pinnacles is the variety and numbers of wildlife that is present. We saw turkey, deer, several songbird species, and hawks, and coyotes could be heard after dark and at dawn. We didn’t see any of the famous wild pigs this year, though the campground host said a few had wandered by without us noticing during the general members meeting. The February meeting will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday 18th at one of the two campsites we have reserved. We have reserved sites #75 and #82 in the Furnace Creek mixed camping area for Saturday and Sunday nights 17th and 18th. The entire Furnace Creek campground is booked, and I’m still trying to obtain more campsites should there be any cancellations. I apologize in advance for not having co-joined sites reserved. I’ve learned that you need to make reservations for president’s day weekend at furnace creek 6 months in advance instead of three months in advance. Club members caught complaining at the campout will immediately be volunteering for the position of tour captain for next June’s elections. If we have a huge turnout we will have to overflow into neighboring campgrounds that do not take reservations, or into the airheads club group site if they have any room. There are several club meetings happening in the valley over the holiday weekend. There will be no shortage of bikes to view and places to ride with friends. There will be no official organized tour to Death Valley due to the length of the ride and the differences in everyone’s vacation schedules for the holiday weekend. However, I will be posting my plans on the club website and you may contact me if your schedule is complimentary and you would like to join me. I also encourage you to contact me with your plans if you would like to meet up with fellow riders for the trip. I can help to coordinate between those interested in finding riding groups on different days. Death Valley in February is a great place to ride. The temperatures are mild, but usually not hot, and the nights cool for good sleeping conditions. The scenery is unlike any other, and the roads are wonderfully free of traffic. Bring your camera for endless vistas, and make sure your bike is mechanically sound because you can put on a whole lot of miles in a short amount of time tooling around the valley roads. As always, new riders and non-club members are welcome to join us on our tours and at our meetings. You can e-mail Warren at tourcaptain@bmwnorcal.org with any questions. Warren Barnes, Tour Captain |
