NorCal Fall BBQ

November 16, 2013
NorCal Fall BBQ, Stockton, CA

A small group is getting together in Stockton, CA at my (VSP's) home for a late Autumn BBQ.

KC is the first to arrive.  He got here a few minutes early because when he stopped for his ride break and fuel stop he realized that he had left his wallet at home.  It is a good thing that he started with a full tank of gas in his "Meanie" since that bike does not have a very long cruising range.

The parking lot at Chez VSP

KC's Meanie, Jazzhound's Nomad and Cranky's Nomad

Well David J has to work a quick turnaround and will stop for a short visit on his way to work in Tracy as a State Correctional Officer (prison guard).

So anyway there are four of us here.

Cranky from San Jose and Jazzhound from Antioch

Notice the cashews, pistachios and MM peanut for snacks on the coffee table.

The whole crowd.  Cranky must have forgotten to shower since no one is near him.  :-)

Starting to eat - the salad is a simple romaine lettuce with dressing and fresh grated Parmesan cheese from my trip to the Wool Growers on Wednesday (stopped at the Hilmar Cheese Factory for the Parmesan).

Jazzhound brought the bottle of wine.

The BBQ top sirloin roast and Jalapeño spiced baked beans.   Portuguese Cornbread - Broa de Milho from the Hilmar Bakery.  (Portugal is known for this simple yeasted cornbread, prepared with both wheat and corn flour and shaped into flat round loaves that are dusted with white flour. Broa is peasant bread, hearty and nourishing - great with soup or stew, and delicious toasted with butter.)

Eating

More eating

The whole group eating and drinking.

One leftie in the group

This is the left over BBQ top sirloin.

Leftovers

For dessert in keeping with the paper plates we have a paper cup of Hagen-Dazs Vanilla Bean Gelato.

Cranky modeling for the gelato

David J can only spend a few minutes BSing as he has to get to work.  He only had three hours sleep as California is short of help and he is working a quick turnaround.

David J in uniform

Cranky has left for home already as KC and Jazzhound are about to head home also.

KC and Jazzhound with his helmet on already

Well the end of a nice get together.

~end
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Polar Bear Ride Feb 2013

February 16, 2013
Polar Bear Ride (PBR)

Today's Ride will be through some Northern California farm roads.  The roads are very flat and mostly straight.  The lunch destination is the Wool Growers Basque Restaurant in Los Banos, CA.

We are meeting up in two places today.  The Jack in the Box on Hwy 4 just east of I-5 in Stockton and the McDonalds on Tracy Blvd in Tracy.

Phil T and Josh C

Tom P shows up just at KSU

We ride just a short bit on Hwy 4 then turn onto Roberts Island Road and ride through Upper Roberts Island and Union Island into Tracy.

VSP, Phil T and Josh C

Dave R is the only one to hook up with the Ride in Tracy.  Cranky emailed in as being sick.

Dave, Phil, Tom and Josh

Just before KSU my thermometer reads 59° F.  My display shows either odo, trip, time or temp - BUT with only one window it is a PITA to cycle through.  So I usually display my trip meter.

We take a few round about farm roads and about an hour later take our rest break in Newman.

We jump onto Hwy 33 and travel south through Gustine where we veer off onto more farm roads.
And well ahead of schedule we get to the Wool Growers at 12:40 PM.

None of this group has ever been to the Wool Growers before.

I missed taking photos of the soup and salad as I was digging in.

Tom annihilating his lamb chops.

Phil has the tri-tip

Now Tom has already finished his lamb chops and has now turned his attention to the lamb stew.

Here's Dave's ice cream with chocolate syrup.  Nicole has remembered to bring us the chocolate syrup.

As we are finishing up - lo and behold an old f#rt VROCer shows up.  Cranky has shot over Pacheco Pass and the quick route from San Jose to Los Banos.

Cranky ops for the soup and salad meal

Cranky has the soup, salad, beans and ice cream.

We hung out and BSed and kept Cranky company during his lunch.

Dave and Phil gearing up to head back.

Josh and Cranky still telling stories.

Josh decides to head back to Stockton via I-5 and Cranky will retrace his route through Pacheco Pass back to San Jose.

The rest of us will head over to Hwy 165 which will take us to Hwy 99 at Turlock.  I lead the four of us remaining folks to Hwy 165 which runs north south through Los Banos.  At Turlock I will peel off and get some gasoline as the others head back to Ripon,  Orangevale and Citrus Heights.

~end
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