Friendship Ride

Well, if you haven’t figured it out by now, I’m sad to say that Friendship Ride 2020 is officially cancelled.

The Creek Fire filled our mountain area with thick dark smoke as bad as I’ve ever seen, which stretched well into mid November. Add to the fact that road closures changed daily depending on where they were concentrating their efforts for the day. I could not determent what areas of our route would be accessible on any given day. As the holidays, cooler weather and rain season approached, I knew our time was diminishing. I was holding out hope for pulling out a date we could all ride before the end of the year, but it looks like we have simply ran out of time.

I know a lot of your were really looking forward to the ride this year, I was as well. I was hoping for at least one day of normalcy in this crazy world of Covid-19. I’m hoping the new year brings everyone a new level of gratitude for doing the things we may have taken for granted.

Hope to see you all next year!

Just a quick update on this year’s ride. Smoke is still pretty thick day to day, and I’m not sure which roads are still closed. During the next week I hope to have enough information on the route that I will be able to schedule another date. We are probably looking at early November, and depending on how many will be able to make it, we may need to adjust the after ride lunch.

Hope to see you all soon!

I’m sorry to say that at this point due to the Creek Fire I’m going to have to postpone this year’s Friendship Ride scheduled for September 12th. I have not seen smoke like this in the 30 years I’ve lived up here.

Please check back for future announcements regarding the ride as this latest threat subsides.

Stay safe my friends!

Save the date, Saturday September 12 2020. Temperatures were perfect last year and we are looking forward for another great ride.

See you all soon!

Another small group this year, but as always fun was had by all.

I started off the morning with a little hiccup… after spending time during the week prepping and cleaning the bike I was going to bring, Saturday morning the battery decided it was done. I guess nine years of starts was all it was able to take. 🙂 I quickly ran home to grab my other trusty steed and thankfully made it back down to the meeting spot just as it was time to leave.

Moving the date back a month was great, cooler weather did make the ride much more enjoyable this year, even though it probably wasn’t as cool as I hoped.

As usual, the group arrived at Fresno Flats Historic Village and Park with a feast prepared and ready for eats. I can’t thank Ian & Rebecca from One Sweet Table enough for preparing all the great food. Kudos to my wife Michele for setting up, and also making snacks, sides and awesome cookies! I couldn’t have done it without you! It’s always fun to arrive at the park were we are greeted by friends and family. Fresno Flats seems to be the perfect place to end the ride, with a cool breeze and lots of shade.

Next year we are looking for a mid September date. Check back soon for an official ride day for the ride.

I didn’t take ANY pictures, but I did gather some up from other riders and should have them up on the site soon.

Thank you to all the riders that make all this work worth the effort. I lost count of how many times I heard, “We need to do this more often” from riders during the day. I agree!

Until next year, ride safe and by all means… let’s RIDE!!!

Get ’em ready boys and girls, Friendship Ride 2019 is less than a week away.

I made the decision to permanently move the date back a month, in the hopes of finding cooler weather. I looks like that decision has paid off, as the temps for Saturday’s ride are looking to be in the mid 80’s. As it stands now, we’ve had a very mild fire season, so for the first time in years, smoke will not be an issue.

We’ll be meeting again this year at the Oakhurst Starbucks at 9:00am with kickstands up at 10:00am. Rebecca from One Sweet Table will have an awesome meal waiting for us on our return so tell those not riding to meet us after for the BBQ at Fresno Flats Historic Village.

I need to get a head count for the BBQ, so if you haven’t already done so, please swing over to the Facebook Event Page and let me know if you’ll be riding, and how many people will be joining you. if you don’t do Facebook, just send me a message via the Contact Page.

I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again this year. Ride safe and I’ll see you all Saturday morning.

Just a friendly reminder to save the date, Saturday September 7 2019. Last year the ride was pushed back a few months because of think smoky air. The temperatures were perfect and so I have decided to move the official date back a month in hopes of finding cooler, more comfortable weather. 🙂

Mark your calendars, tell your friends, and let’s make this year’s ride better than ever!

Until then, ride safe my friends!

The big day is almost here! The smoke has cleared, the temperature has dropped and I think we are going to have an incredible day!

Okay, since the group will be smaller this year, I decided to just do burgers and dogs at my place after the ride. That way everyone will be able to ride and enjoy the day.

If you plan on not riding but meeting us after for the BBQ, please let me know and I will tell you how to get to our place. 

Friendship Ride 2018 has been rescheduled for Saturday November 3, 2018. Hopefully we won’t be dealing with smoke or fire, and in turn treated to cooler weather and sunny skies.  🙂

Until then, ride safe my friends!

I tell ya, after cancelling the ride on Tuesday, the smoke had been clearing pretty well for the past two days. I was thinking that I made a mistake in cancelling the ride, and figured with my luck it would be bright sunny skies come Saturday. Well, this morning assured me that I made the right decision. As the fire makes its way into the park, the smoke has also made its way back into Oakhurst. This morning was probably the worst day yet. Couldn’t even see the town of Oakhurst on my drive in this morning.