Favorite Rides Through the Northern Sierra Nevada   by Hank Bischoff    Volume 4   April 2008
                                                                              PJ's Roadhouse/Boozefighters Spring Fling
 
              It was a beautiful morning with record high temperatures as Margie and I started our ride. We left Pioneer heading West
on HWY 88 to Sutter Creek and made a stop in Plymouth at Foothill Motorcycle Company. We ordered some new parts for the
Sportster and met a couple with a custom sidecar on their bike to carry their wheel-chair bound daughter. This child was stricken
with Muscular Dystrophy but did not stop this loving family from sharing the joy of the open road with their little girl. It was truly
inspirational to see the lengths this family went through to be together. After some introductions and conversation we got back
on the road and took HWY 49 North to Shingle Springs and a left turn on Pleasant Valley Road to PJ's Roadhouse. The Boozefighters
Spring Fling had an amazing turn out. We got in line for our bracelets and headed inside for some famous Wino Willie Chili. There
was Bar-B-Que chicken with salad and rolls also being served. After having lunch on the patio we bellied up to the bar then proceeded
outside to check out the vendor booths. A bike blessing was also under way hosted by the local CMA. After meeting up with some
old friends we decided it was too nice a day to hang out much longer and we got back on the road. We took Pleasant Valley Road
East through Diamond Springs and checked out some of the scenery in Hank's Exchange. We continued East through the foothills
and made a stop in Somerset to stretch our legs and walk around a bit. We continued up to Sly Park hoping to take Mormon Emigrant
Pass over to HWY 88 to Bear River Lake but regrettably, the road was closed 23 miles in. So we doubled back down Sly Park Road
to E16 to ride through the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, home of numerous wineries. This is Zinfandel country. We made a quick stop
in Mt. Aukum to get some refreshments before continuing back to Sutter Creek and on to Pioneer. We ended the day with a Bar-B-Que
steak dinner and pondered our next road trip. Las Vegas by way of Markleeville and HWY 395 and the infamous Extraterrestrial HWY
95 along Nellis Air Force Base, through Tonopah and on to Vegas. Me might even check out Red Rocks and Hoover Dam while we're
there. Until next month...Keep the rubber side down!!!

To see some of the great photos from this amazing trip CLICK HERE