SoCal to DesertSTOC leaving Thursday 22nd

[dteel]

I will be leaving El Cajon, CA on Thursday morning sometime between 0830 and 0900. The wife works a 24 hour shift and gets off at 0800 so it’s hard to determine exactly how much time she will need before hitting the road. Since it’s about 2 ½ hours to Yuma and there’s an hour time zone difference at the border, I’ll be there around 1200 or 1230.

Last time I was passing through Yuma we met at Da Boyz for some vittles. Tom mentioned that it might be a good place to meet again since I already knew where it was. Bob, Tom any other thoughts? If not, that’s where I’ll be.

To the best of my Swiss cheese memory, no one had planned on joining me for the ride to Yuma. It was my intention to meet AzDesertRider (Bob) and BigTom (Tom) in Yuma for some lunch and then turn the program over to them. They had posted the intended route between Yuma and Tucson in the old (no longer here) thread.

I know there were some other threads with people getting together on Thursday for the ride out; I just wanted to post my intended times and route so that if any one else wanted to try and meet up they’ll know where we will be when. Seems to me there was a contingent leaving from the LA area on Thursday. Sure would be nice to meet up in Yuma for the reminder of the ride.

If we can’t get together for the ride there, I sure hope to meet you at DesertSTOC! Just a reminder for everyone to pack light and drive safe! I hope everyone gets there safe and sound.

[AzDesertRider]

I'm thinking the route from Yuma will be heading east to Gila Bend, then south to Ajo & east across the reservation to Sells (Kit peak? ) & Into Tucson. Only a few day away... I will be packing this aftrnoon :eek:

[BigTom]

I may have to weasel. I have no idea what is planned for me this week. I just got the call that my friend and business partner died this morning from complications of ALS.

Not a bad thing, beleive me. I just need to let you know that his family needs detail comes first for me, even if that means I dash to Tucson Saturday.

[dteel]

Tom, I'm sorry to hear about your business partner, but know what you mean. Some times death is a blessing to the individual, even though the family will sorely miss him. I'm sorry for their loss.

Bob and I will continue on, and I'll just keep my fingers crossed that you can put aside your duties and join us, but if you can't, I understand and will hoist one for you at DesertSTOC.

[VFR]

I plan to leave Long Beach ~5:00 am on Thursday. Heading out the 91,60,10,86 to Yuma. Hope to be there by 9:00 Cal time. I was hoping to hook up with someone either in Yuma as they are leaving breakfast or somewhere on the way there. Will probably do the lunch thing in Ajo.

Anyone going that way?
Larry

[AzDesertRider]

Tom, Very sorry to hear that news.

Dana,
I will look forward to meeting at DaBoyz before we head east. I won't be eating there so just give me a call when you arrive. I already have the route from Yuma to Tucson, via Ajo & Kit peak, loaded in the gps. looks like the route specs out at 276 miles 5hrs 10 mins travel time

VFR, you will be here good n early. Give a shout if you want to stop by. I live right close to the I-8 & exit 12 (Fortuna Road, same exit as DaBoyz)

[VFR]

Hi Bob,
Looks like that exit is the one on the South end of town. I usually stop at either that one or the last one on the North end.

You guys will be leaving there a lot later than I want to. I will either have lunch in Ajo or jam on into Tucson, depending....

Thanks for the offer. If it's too cold or I can't wake up, I may take you up on it.

Larry

[illzoni]

I'm also riding over from SoCal on Thursday.

As of yet, I don't really have any schedule planned.

I did get clearance from my wife to ride over separately. That is, rather than stay close to her in the van, I can ride over on my own. She's driving the van with kids and dogs inside, and the passengers will spend time at Grandpa's while she attends DesertSTOC with me.

Jon

[AzDesertRider]

Hi Bob,
Looks like that exit is the one on the South end of town. I usually stop at either that one or the last one on the North end.

You guys will be leaving there a lot later than I want to. I will either have lunch in Ajo or jam on into Tucson, depending....

Thanks for the offer. If it's too cold or I can't wake up, I may take you up on it.

Larry


Naw, I-8 exit 12, Fortuna, is on East end of Town. They just built a brand new Chevron on the North side of the Freeway. I Can see the station from my back yard.

my contact # 928~941~6291

[VFR]

That was the one I meant. I call it South because it is on the bottom end of town. Forgot about the road curve.

[wjbertrand]

Damn, I and I have to work. Of all the times for the company to have a sector-wide R&D review and parade! :mad:

[HOG SLYR]

Dana if you want some company into Yuma Debbie and I will meet you at the I-8 / Hwy 86 junction, just give me a time.

Ron

[ride-on]

Hello Dana & Ron They'll will be two of us riding down I-5 from Mission Viejo at 7:00 maybe we can hook up with Dana and then you in El Centro around 11:30-12:00

Tom S

[dteel]

Tom (ride-on) I'd love to ride along with you. I won't be able to leave El Cajon until my wife gets back home from work; that's typically around 0830. It will be about 1/2 hour after that before I'm ready to leave so if you're out of Mission Viejo at 0700 then you should have no problem catching up with me.


Ron (Hog Slyr) I'd love to meet you in El Centro (intersection of 8 and 86). My best guess is that we will be there about 1020-1030 (CA time) depending on when we actually get out the door here in El Cajon. It's almost exactly 100 miles from my house to that intersection so the driving time is about 1 hour 20 min depending on issues getting through the mountains.

The remaining trip from El Centro to Yuma where we will meet Bob and hopefully Tom is another 70 miles.

[ride-on]

Dana do you have a cell # and maybe we can hook up along the way

send me a PM

Tom S

[HOG SLYR]

I'll be at the I-8/86 junction by 10:15

Cell 661 803-1856

[illzoni]

Jim Henke and I will be riding together from Ventura County. Don't have a departure time yet, so we don't know when/where we could meet up with anyone.

I'll check back here and email for any last minute contact info later tonight and again in the am before departing.

Jon Ransom
805-665-8091
(phone is text-capable if you want to send time/location for potential rendezvous)
st-list@illzoni.com

[AzDesertRider]

I will be at work until 10:00 am AZ Time. Then home till Dana, Vicky & ? arrive to Da Boyz for Lunch.

Can meet at my place if needed. I-8 & Exit 12 (Fortuna Road)

928*941*6291

[illzoni]

Bob / AzDesertRider,

I don't think there's any way we'll make lunch in Yuma. We'll probably leave Simi Valley around 8am, so we'll roll through there no earlier than 1pm, I'm guessing.

Hey, what's a good place to get gas convenient to I-8?
I've used that really crowded place on the south side of the freeway, but it's always a madhouse. I believe it has a Wendy's built in. Anyway, any better places along the freeway?

TIA,
Jon

[AzDesertRider]

Hi Jon,

Don't forget you pick up an extra hour when you cross the AZ state line. I bet were gonna just be getting out of here about 1:00 ish. Dana & Vicky will be here after noon & having Lunch at Da Boys. There is a nice BIG Brand new Chevron at I-8 & exit 12 on the north side. (I can see it from my backyard) DaBoyz pizza is on the south in the shopping center, same exit.

[illzoni]

I guess just about an AZ gas is cheap compared to across the CA border!

It's looking like about 1pm MST for us to ride through Yuma. That should still get us to Lazy 8 before dark, even if we take a lunch break.

Jon

[BigTom]

Hey, guys

I have a personal update: I won't be going today (Thursday). Otherwise I would be clear but I did about 36 hours with the creeping crud. Friday is the day for me. Dirty dog damn. I just woke up feeling fine...after 24 hours with in arms length of my couch.

I do have a bill to present at the shopping center...I will try to make lunch with you.

Jon

The #12 Fortuna exit has 3 stations (1 south, 2 north) and shouldn't be bad except remember: There are one gazillion blue hairs out and about at that time. BE CAREFUL. The Shell station is right across Fortuna RD from the Pizza place/lunch stop.

See you about 1pm.

[dteel]

Vicki and I got back home to El Cajon safe and sound about 1430. The total trip was 1162.5 miles. I know many came from a much greater distance and I admire their fortitude.

The highest temperature encountered was on the very first day Thursday 22 February at 82 degrees some time after leaving Gila Bend. The coldest temp encountered was 32 degrees at the top of Mt. Lemon (at around 8100 ft elevation) outside Tucson on Saturday.

The fastest temperature swing was between Ocotillo, CA and Pine Valley, CA; in that 44 mile stretch the temp went from 77 degrees to 48 degrees.

I met a bunch of new people, and finally was able to put some faces to some handles. I’m still struggling to remember everyone’s name and keeping them associated with the right faces.

I took a few pictures myself and will get them posted, soon, I hope that Joe will get the site shook down first. Seems it’s still mangling peoples photos. I’d just prefer to wait until things return to the “new normal”.

I’m looking forward to the next SoCal event. I have to search around and see if SupraSabre made it back. I don’t want to show up at his place if he isn’t still doing his thermostat next weekend. That was planned for March 3rd.

I’m getting ready to order some new brake pads myself. Besides worn rubber on this trip, it seems that my brake pads now need attention. Guess it will give me something to get going on.