CA/Western USA Ninjette Rally May 3&4, 2014

[greenaero]

CA/Western USA Ninjette Rally May 3&4, 2014 Livermore CA

Cancelled and rescheduled for May 17 and 18, 2014

[jeffb502]

I'm planning on attending. Like I mentioned in the other thread, if anybody coming from further south wants to ride up PCH from San Luis Obispo let me know.

I thought I'd help out by keeping track of the yeses, maybes, and nos. If I've incorrectly categorized you or you'd like to me moved to yes or no from maybe let me know. I'm subscribed to the thread so if you just reply to the thread I'll see it.

Yes:
1. greenaero (Vic)
2. jeffb502 (Jeff)
3. misfitsailor (Tim)
4. rasta (Wes/aka jailbait)
5. Alex (Alex)
6. Josh_kcco (Josh)
7. Kegan
8. Ficks (Emily)
9. Mortifier (Mike)
10. Alan Smith

Dinner Only:
1. tfkrocks (Rebecca)

Maybe:
1. Jiggles (Sean)
2. Kevin1956 (Kevin)
3. CaptainPlatypus (Eric)
4. RickM
5. BoBo
6. Tatertotattack (Sam)
7. EternalNewb
8. Terry Hershner

No:
1. headshrink (Bob)
2. Yakaru (Yakaru)
3. NevadaWolf (Teri)
4. iamjacob (Jacob)

[misfitsailor]

I plan to attend. I live only 38 miles from the meet-up point, and will not require lodging.

[greenaero]

Tim and Jeff , Great! It's going to be fun!

@Alex, @Rojoracing, @Jiggles, @rasta, @Lychee ????????

[Jiggles]

Maybe

[rasta]

I'll tag @rojoracing53 for you...you were close lol

But yeah, I should definitely be able to make it, unless something dire comes up between now and then . I might also be able to offer a place to crash for anyone traveling to it.

[tfkrocks]

Sadly, I will not be having fun instead of going riding with all of you

[Alex]

Sounds like fun; I'll try and make it.

[Josh_kcco]

ill write in on my calendar.

[NevadaWolf]

Can't guarantee I'll make it, but won't just say I'll miss it. It's in my calendar and if I can get over the hill, I'll be there.


I really should be saving money...

[greenaero]

Teri and Josh, Great, I hope you both can make it.

[headshrink]

I'd love to join you Bay Area guys some time, but the ride from Sacramento is particularly exhausting.

[rasta]

Originally Posted by headshrink

I'd love to join you Bay Area guys some time, but the ride from Sacramento is particularly exhausting.

Whaaa? Nonsense....it's a straight shot down 80

[headshrink]

Originally Posted by rasta

Whaaa? Nonsense....it's a straight shot down 80

It is, but a wee bit of a stressful stretch (actually traveling from Folsom which adds about 20 min.). I've done 300 miles in a day, but only made it to and from Fairfield on 80. I'm actually quite spoiled in that I commute mostly against traffic, on well maintained, wide roads. This isn't very common in CA (in my experience), or even Sacramento, but up the hill it's much nicer/safer. It sounds like an awesome ride you have planned, but I'd honestly be a hazard to myself by the time I got to the starting point. Now if I eventually had a trailer....

[tfkrocks]

Originally Posted by headshrink

It is, but a wee bit of a stressful stretch (actually traveling from Folsom which adds about 20 min.). I've done 300 miles in a day, but only made it to and from Fairfield on 80. I'm actually quite spoiled in that I commute mostly against traffic, on well maintained, wide roads. This isn't very common in CA (in my experience), or even Sacramento, but up the hill it's much nicer/safer. It sounds like an awesome ride you have planned, but I'd honestly be a hazard to myself by the time I got to the starting point. Now if I eventually had a trailer....

Come the night before and stay with @rasta like he mentioned

[headshrink]

Originally Posted by tfkrocks

Come the night before and stay with @rasta like he mentioned

I didn't catch that... will he spoon me?

[tfkrocks]

Originally Posted by headshrink

I didn't catch that... will he spoon me?

Maybe if you ask nicely enough?

[antiant]

I heard he's into buttsex.

[rasta]

Okay, I'm gona have to interject here before rumors start spreading

Unfortunately, I may have spoken too soon. Mayish is when I planned on moving out of my mama and papa's house and move in with buds from college. Buuut over the past 12 hours it occurred to me that graduation isn't until the end of May, so I'll likely still be here.

(As for the buttsex, I'm absolutely into it. Although I have two restrictions: my butt must not be involved; and another man's butt must not be involved. But that talk is for a different time, different thread )

[headshrink]

Graduation, mama & papa.... sounds like jailbait boys. I'm not going to jail.

[rasta]

*college graduation

[Kevin1956]

A definate maybe.

[jeffb502]

I'm thinking I'll be staying at the Courtyard in Pleasanton. It looks to be in a more commercial/business area. The Doubletree in Livermore is right next to a residential neighborhood and what appears to be an all age/family mobile home park judging by one of the units for sale on zillow (it has a bunk bed).

Any locals know how safe it is to keep a bike parked outside at either place? Mine's always in the garage and I'm already feeling anxious leaving it alone in a parking lot all night lol.

[greenaero]

Jeff, Both motels are in good areas. I've traveled a lot on my motos and when I stay in a motel I park within sight and easy hearing from my room. I've never had a problem but you can always consider additional security such as a heavy chain and lock, rotor locks, etc. I forward to meeting and riding with you!

[jeffb502]

Just bought a Xena XX-14 disc lock with alarm. I think that'll help ease my mind a bit. I'd hate to ride all the way up there then walk out in the morning to an empty parking space lol.

I went on my first group ride with a local group on Wednesday, and was surprised at the pace the front of the pack was moving at. They called it a "slow paced dinner ride." They did have the riders that were new to the group (like me) start at the back, which was nice. I found the bulk of the pack (about 10 riders) quickly went out of sight once we got out of town. I followed another rider or two that were going about my pace (not willing to do more than 20 or so over the speed limit). Two or three slower riders and the sweeper rider fell out of sight behind us. At some points I found myself all alone, just guessing I was between the fast/moderate paced riders and the slow riders. We did meet up at the major turn offs to prevent riders from taking the wrong turn, which was nice.

Long story short, what kind of pace is everybody expecting? I'm more of a moderate pace/enjoy the view/don't go more than 10-15mph over the speed limit but practice some technique in the twisty sections where I have good sight lines kind of rider. I found I can somewhat resist the temptation to try to keep up with a group that's going too fast for my skill level, but I was going a bit faster than I would have normally if I had been riding by myself.

I guess I should have known from some of the bikes in the group (there was even an 1199 panigale) that it might wind up being kind of quick lol.

[misfitsailor]

Some hotels will allow motorcycles to park close to the office for security. Personally, I like hotels/motels where I have a parking space right outside a ground level door.

[Kevin1956]

There's this place, advertised at $65.00 per night. If I can make it, I'd probably stay here so I can park directly in front of my room. Perhaps greenaero or another local can give a review of the neighborhood, quality, and cleanliness of the place?

[antiant]

Maybe I'm being paranoid or hyperaware, but I wouldn't exactly say where you were staying on a public forum, that can easily be combed through by thieves/lurkers on the prowl for things like "meet-ups." Sad, but true, people look at social sites for easy targets. That's my .02.

[headshrink]

Originally Posted by misfitsailor

Some hotels will allow motorcycles to park close to the office for security. Personally, I like hotels/motels where I have a parking space right outside a ground level door.

If it's motel style, you MAY be able to quietly roll it into your room. I wouldn't ask permission though.

[Kevin1956]

Good point antiant. Found and read a review, it's a total dump anyway. LOL!

[misfitsailor]

Rolling the bike into the room is nothing new. Our California bikes do well indoors, as they have evaporative canisters to prevent fuel vapors.

2 tips:

1.) Lay something on the carpet to prevent making black tire marks.

2.) Don't admit to just anybody that you actually park in motel rooms.

[headshrink]

Originally Posted by misfitsailor

Our California bikes do well indoors, as they have evaporative canisters to prevent fuel vapors.

In theory, except it's one of the first things that gets removed from the bike. Before I removed mine, it really didn't have an effect on gas fumes in the garage. It isn't significantly more or less "fumey" now vs. CA stock.

[Yakaru]

Really wish I could make this but since I'm moving and starting a new job I don't think I can You guys have fun without me though!

[jeffb502]

Originally Posted by antiant

Maybe I'm being paranoid or hyperaware, but I wouldn't exactly say where you were staying on a public forum, that can easily be combed through by thieves/lurkers on the prowl for things like "meet-ups." Sad, but true, people look at social sites for easy targets. That's my .02.

Thanks for ruining all the fun antiant :P

I just made a reservation for (location redacted). I went ahead and paid the extra $12 or so per night to be able to cancel with a full refund just in case this all falls apart lol.

I read the yelp reviews for Mines Rd. Sounds like good times. Looking forward to meeting some fellow ninjetters and riding some new roads.

[antiant]

Just lookin' out for fellow ninjettes!

[greenaero]

Hi all, I decided on the second day's ride on some more great local roads that are within easy reach.
@jeffb502, Thank you for tracking the attendees. Safety first is my philosophy on group rides; no crashing allowed , so it should be a mellow pace. We will assign a leader and a sweeper and have stops to regroup and insure that no one gets lost. The scenery will be spectacular and our number one mission is to have fun without injuring ourselves or our motos.
I'm getting more excited as the date approaches. We will likely get some more attendees and I hope this is the start of a new event for our forum.

[Kevin1956]

Not much further, there's good riding on the western slope of Mount Hamilton too. May I suggest lunch at the bottom of the western side? Mark's Hot Dogs is on Capitol Ave in East San Jose, one of the last surviving "Giant Oranges" in California. Close to major highways, it also leaves faster options for those not wishing to return to the Livermore area over Mount Hamilton.

[greenaero]

Kevin, Sounds like a great destination!

[CaptainPlatypus]

Oof. This looks really fun, but I'm not sure I can put together the gas money to ride up to the Bay area - I had to cancel my last planned trip up there for the same reason. Call me at best a maybe, but if anyone coming from LA or parts south wants a ridealong part way, let me know.

[greenaero]

Eric, I hope you can make it.

I invited Alan Smith, and I have another local Ninjetter named Keagan who plans to attend. I may need to change the meeting point for the second day.