» January 14, 2012 Un-Official Ride Report

STAR TOURING AND RIDING ASSOCIATION
CHAPTER 224 – EL CAJON, CA

Well it looks like the 2012 year is off to GREAT start! We had a fairly good turnout for what was to be the first un-official ride of the year. Although several of the members showed up for the breakfast at the Kountry Kafe in Poway, they were actually riding with the San Diego chapter of the Retreads but it was sort of one big group just the same. Members included Guy, John, Gary, Kurt, Darryl and Chis, Terry, Kathy and our guest Kimberly. It was a COLD ride up there from Mira Mesa where Deb and I initially started but I’m pretty sure Kimberly had the coldest ride coming from Pine Valley. We’re all really happy that she decided to brave the weather and come out.

Of course there were no real “official business” discussions so those of you that could not make the ride really didn’t miss anything other than the ride its self. We all pretty much just chatted, laughed and enjoyed a great breakfast before hopping on the bikes to head up into the hill.

We wrapped up breakfast and started saddling up at around 9:00 AM after a few pictures. We decided to break into two groups, one being the Retreads and the other being the 224 group. We headed out of Poway on Poway Rd, taking Highway 67 up into Ramona. Kathy was waiting for the group by the side of the road as we entered town and joined up behind us. We continued on to Santa Isabel for a short break at Dudley’s Bakery and a restroom break. From there we turned north onto Highway 79 continuing on to S-2 towards Shelter Valley. We made a right turn back onto Highway 78 north of Julian. Snaked our way down through the canyon to pickup Yaqui Pass Road that took us into the south side of Borrego Springs.

We stopped for lunch at a little Mexican restaurant on the north side of town (the name of which always seems to escape me), good food and a nice atmosphere. While we were seated we noticed another group ride in, all wearing the STAR cut. Bets were placed as to which chapter it was and sure enough it was San Diego Chapter 123 out of North County Yamaha. We had a nice visit with several of the chapter members and President before our food was served. Turns out that January is their annual Borrego Springs ride.

We wrapped up lunch, got a few more pictures and then unanimously decided to just go ahead on ride on out to the boat ramp at Salton Sea just because it was there. It turned out to be a good thing that we did as we discovered that one of Deb and I’s favorite places to eat is once again open for business. Johnson’s Landing is back in full swing again and judging by the crowed they’re serving great food yet again. Kathy and I exchanged contact information with Lori (the owner) before getting back on the bikes for the ride home. We all stopped to fill up at the Arco at the intersection of Borrego, Slaton Sea Way and Highway 86 where Terry, Guy and Kimberly decided to break off and head home by way of Montezuma Road out of Borrego Springs. Debra, Kathy, Darryl, Chris and I pretty much back-tracked from there where Darryl and Chris broke off to take the 76 to Oceanside. Kathy broke of and headed home in Ramona and Debra and I took the 67 on down to Scripps Poway Parkway on down into Mira Mesa and home. For Debra and I, it was an excellent 240 mile round trip and a GOOD break from the routine!

We DO hope that everyone enjoyed the ride as much as we did and we really do hope to see Kimberly again for the Official Chapter Ride this month.

Ride SAFE everyone!

David Lee Whitehead
Chapter President / Web Master