Sarah and Liz–two of my partners in crime. 😉 And mother and daughter, now how cool is that??
Every year I organize a woman only ride from my home forum of pashnit.com. This year we had 27 female riders and one pillion making a grand total of 28 females spending the weekend together for some of the most fun times possible. We came together from all over the state and enjoyed one another’s motorcycles, tales and laughter. We also said our final goodbyes to a fellow girly rider, Syd “Fishwitch” Sheppard, that died earlier this year in her sleep. A gentle death with a gentle send off from her friends and fellow riders. Tales were exchanged and we shared both tears and laughter as we stood together for her final journey.
Photos by Tyler Risk
Our little group from Sacramento began early and tried to find the scenic route to the beautiful CA coast in Cambria, but alas, much of what we had to ride was not only less than scenic but quite hot and dry. We still enjoyed the Little Panoche and Panoche roads, but it took longer than expected and when we finally met Tyler in Tres Pinos, it was too late to add the other roads we wanted to ride. Well, heck, lets just get to where the margaritas were being served!!
We traveled across the Sac Delta and then rode down I5 way farther than any of us had intended without being forced, to the intersection of Little Panoche Rd.
I was able to get off one decent shot of Bonnie on I5.
When we finally made Panoche Road, the sun was blazing and temps had soared. We all had camelbaks, to keep from dehydrating, but I just couldn’t help but think about the possibility of sippy bag mojitos. While moving the temps were lovely but stopping had to involve shade! So we remained sober and hydrated and dreaming of drinking ______. 😉
We met Tyler on her new CanAm in Tres Pinos and after a spot of lunch made our way down 25 to the intersection of Hwy 198. We were all pretty much done with the heat and were much later than anticipated, so we cut out a couple of roads on our route and high tailed it to Cambria.
After all, my favorite mother and daughter team were ready for a cold beer!
Tyler Risk
We made our way to the restaurant and met up with the rest of our group for a riotously LOUD dinner. 😉
Tyler Risk
Our only group shot and half the group was so immersed in conversation and hysteria, they missed this one time photo op. Oh dear…and this is only the first evening!
Tyler Risk
Dinner with demenshea….thanks Tyler for a new avatar! Ya think that smile could get any larger???
After dinner we joined around the firepit for aperitif, vino or pick yer poison! Then there was the stories and more ensuing laughter.
It was how big, Holly???
Oh Roxanne…Work it!!!
Marion and Cris, one of my favorite couples…
Regina who is a sign language interpreter, seems to be signing something. Dare I guess?
The following morning we scheduled for a Kitchen, Cottage and Grounds tour at Hearst Castle. It was clear at the motel, foggy on the way to the castle and then absolutely clear!!
Tyler Risk
I sat out waiting for the tour bus and watched a lone coyote scamper across this field with the house of abundance in the background. What it must have been like in the roaring 20s, going up that steep mountain and coming into a driveway lined with fruit trees, a mile long pergola, towers, marble statuary and servants. My imagination ran wild!
Before we got on the bus, another tourist asked if he could take a photo of us all. We gladly obliged.
This group looks like they could be trouble!
As we listen to the “rules” of the tour I chuckle at Regina’s stylish outfit needing only a bagpipe to complete “the LOOK”. 😉
As we wandered through the tour, I couldn’t help but notice how the marble glowed pristine white. Who cleans this stuff???
One of my favorite statues ever…the Three Graces
Here is some of the amazing art we encountered.
From the wine cellar…
Mantlepiece
Finial
Guest room tile
View from inside the guest house
Marble fireplace hearth
The collection’s oldest piece
The Neptune Pool via Tyler Risk’s photo, which was far superior to any I shot!
The Roman Pool via Tyler Risk
From one type of abundance to another…Lunch at the Taco Temple in Morro Bay was amazing. The fare is as unusual as it is delicious. Every dish is a surprise.
We were all ready for lunch even after sampling mama Liz’s snack box from her Ninja 650’s top box!!
And man, we got it!! Crabcake tacos with shoestring potatoes, mango salsa, and their special dipping sauce.
Check out this piece o’cake!
Tyler Risk
Loved the decor “a la surfboard”
From the late lunch or early dinner that Tyler called Linner, we headed back to meet the rest of the group at the beach for Syd’s ceremony. It was a gorgeous time of day, right before sunset and luckily Tyler stayed and got photos of the glorious sky and sea. Syd would have pleased with the entire event!
Tyler Risk
We retreated back to the motel for another night of ribaud debauchery, but this night was actually a bit subdued for this group. Was mortality knocking at the back door? Who knows, and maybe it was just me, but I believe I was actually in bed before midnight and ready to be there!
A toast to riding forever!!
Tyler Risk
These girls walked down from the Bluebird where some of our group was staying. Sadly we couldn’t all be in one motel. That would have been ideal.
Tyler Risk
I believe I see a yawn on Megan…Really??? Let me tell you no one else around us could sleep!!
Tyler Risk
We were all up early much to the dismay of some of our motel mates.
As I staggered out for cream in my coffee, I was greeted by strange dog-like beasts.
Tyler Risk
I recognized one as a service dog. 😉
Tyler Risk
Now this monkey,is my pal Roxanne, I believe I need to find some cymbals for a holiday gift!!
It’s funny how some people react to our shenanigans. One man was so angry he stormed out and drove off. Another guy with his lovely girlfriend said they wish they had been with us, since it sounded like we were having ever so much fun. As luck would have it, she worked at a swanky motel in the LA area and said anytime we wanted to stay at their hotel just call! They enjoyed our antics! Her boyfriend was from South Africa and actually wanted a photo taken with all of us. I can only imagine what he told family and friends.
Tyler Risk
So, this girly ride rolled to a close with just as much laughter as it had in the beginning! My jaw was actually sore from all the laughter I did the entire weekend. I have come to LOVE this ride and I am not inclined to group rides, but this is the exception to the rule. Some of the girls decided to spend another night, and some had other plans. Bonnie and I decided to take the almost scenic route back to Sacramento riding some roads she had not previously ridden. We had a lovely time once we got past the central valley heat and into some twisties. We stopped in Coulterville for some delicious lunch at the Jeffery Bar and Motel. The food was surrounded by some pretty amazing historic items, but this one definitely caught my eye.
I was trying to figure out if the “expected confinement” meant the infant or the pregnant female…
Bonnie in the heat of central cal, along with a solo female rider’s very pretty Harley.
Bonnie in the Jeffery Bar and Grill, and we were feeling the heat!
Coulterville is very cute in its historic glory.
Bonnie and I split off at Grant Line in Rancho Cordova after a daunting ride just trying to find Pardee Dam. I had to laugh since I am worthless without a gps. I need never to leave home without it. After a minor side trip to consult with some locals, we found the right road but I still had to do a 7 point u-turn before hitting the exact “right” spot. So much for my keen sense of direction and my u-turn skills. Sigh…back to the parking lot for some serious skills testing. 😉
Thank you 2013 Girly Ride for giving me a stress free weekend of fun and relaxation. I adore this group ride as it’s my one concession to the sport and you girls are what make it WONDERFUL and ever so real!!! Can’t wait for next year’s ride!!