Welcome to DesertSTOC

[Raven]

Well, today's the first day of DesertSTOC and the current temperature, at 5:54 a.m. (local), is 48° F. The expected high today is 75 so it looks like a lovely day for traveling in. Unfortunately, the forecast for the weekend brings a bit of a cold snap with a 30% chance of rain tomorrow afternoon and highs only in the 60's for tomorrow and Saturday. Saturday morning's ride down to Bisbee will be a bit chilly. Still, not too shabby for February.

Hope everyone has a safe trip and a great day riding in.

Since the hotel has wifi, we'll make a point of giving frequent updates and there's rumor that there may even be video of the infamous Mellow dance (unless the camera breaks).

Meanwhile, hope all the folks who weren't able to make it out to Tucson have a great weekend, too.

[Byron]

Raven,

I hope everyone has a good time. Cool/cold is OK as long as you don't add in wet. :D

[Raven]

Definitely can handle either cold or rain but would rather not do both!

Of course now that I'm an Arizonan (10 years), anything below 70 feels cold to me! :D

[st_rider]

Whit and I are on our way - spent the night with Steve/Linda in ABQ.

Looking forward to seeing everyone!!!

:)

[dteel]

Take off time is still expected to be between 0830 and 0900. 1 1/2 to 2 hours to go and I'll be on the road.

This is going to be soooooo much fun!

[HOG SLYR]

We,re still on schedule. Leaving Palm Desert at about 8 for El Centro :biker: :biker:

[dteel]

I'm pretty sure you will be there before me. Ron, I will have my cell and I have your number programed in. I don't use it while riding, but if we get too far behind schedule I'll try to give you a call, otherwise I'll see you in El Centro at about 1030.

[Raven]

Well here I am at the Lazy8 courtyard and folks are trickling in.

Joe (Mellow) made it in last night. Imagine my disappointment when I stopped by the campground this morning to reserve them a space and the spaces were already taken. Imagine my delight when I drove around looking for an alternate space, I found a unigo and two tents already set up. I went back to the desk and, sure enough, it was Mellow sneaking in early. . . .

Got lots of yummy food lined-up and folks are snacking on chips and salsa along with a vegie tray. Once more folks get in, we may decide to just go ahead a BBQ tonight (since we've a chance for rain tomorrow evening) as everyone seems to be enjoying just sitting about and chatting.

I'm going to wander about and see if I can get a few pics of the early birds and load those in later this evening.

Looks like this will be lots of fun - wish y'all were here!

[wjbertrand]

You guys are killin' me! :( Might as well do a good job of it and post lots of pics and STuff. At least my R&D projects got a positive review today. :shrug2:

[BigTom]

Dana, HOG SLYR (Ron) and AZDesertRider (Bob) cleared Yuma about 1:30. I went over and met them for lunch...I mean a guy's gotta eat:)

I am pretty well packed, will get out in the AM.

[dannyk]

I sure hope there are some pictures for us snow bound riders, hope everybody has a safe and enjoyable ride.:biker:

[rickj]

Looks like I'll be rolling in to the Lazy 8 Saturday afternoon. Don and Joe will be a day ahead of me and will get a chance for a local ride Saturday.

I'll be there just long enough to meet some fellow ST'ers, enjoy a steak and possibly a beer or two!

Heading back Sunday morning.

Rick

[turbocity tom]

There will be a small group of us leaving around 8:30 am Friday from Orange. Should be in Tucson around 3:30-4:00pm.

See you all there.

Tom

[sam7]

Glad to see folks are getting here ok and settling into the motel and campgrounds. Raven, I can still get over to Az Honda at 1300 if you still want some help setting up cones. Unfortunately I will have to leave at about 1430 to get back for the event on campus. I should be able to get back to the dealers or motel by 1800 or perhaps a little earlier. I am on for the ride to Bisbee for breakfast at the BBC on saturday morning. Pat, the owner, is looking forward to meeting the group and serving some great food.

[maldos]

Raining here in Orange County, CA. Joe and I will be heading out tomorrow AM early, hopefully won't hit to much rain.

Don

[George]

I'm looking at maps and checking the pack. I'll be leaving here after 8AM so have to anticipate a good push down to Wickenburg in order to make the 3PM cone-fest. Plan on some backroads between Wickenburg and Tucson, so...

Anyway, see youse guys tomorrow afternoon.

George
in Kingman, Arizona
but not for long! ;^)

[BigTom]

I'm going to try the 3pm tee time, myself. I'll certainly be there for dinner:)

I'm ready, eddy!

(Was that Emerson, Lake, Palmer?)

[Sink]

Don't forget the pictures of you guys riding through the cones!
BE SAFE!

[Mark]

Here are a few pic of where George will be camping....
I was with Mac and Joe yesterday afternoon and this morning.

You'll probably note what I forgot... when you stay will people from earlier timezones, they get up on their own timezones! 5am this morning... they're both up yacking... :-)

Joe and Mac are hunting through Mac's rats nest of electric wire to find Mac's Gerbing power outlet... For some reason Mac was *very* concerned that it wasn't hanging out where he could see it. I asked why that he was worried; he noted it was 10F when he left Ohio... (I guess I showed my AZ climate awareness! :-) )

I didn't pull the camera out last evening at the BBQ or this morning at breakfast... I'm sure others will post there shots.

Joe found out what *real* cactus thorns are on this trip... he couldn't get them out... until Mac rescued him with a smaller set of pliers :D

Mark

[Mark]

You will I hope be grateful that I posted this in a smaller format...:rolleyes:

[rickj]

Saturday 6:25 AM and getting ready to take off in about 30 minutues. Yikes! It's 34 degrees here in De Luz!! Ice all over my lawn. Most likley a little cooler down the hill. It's going to be a chilly ride this morning.

Se ya all around 4:00 this afternoon.

Rick

[sam7]

This event has been great! It's been wonderful meeting lots of folks and putting faces with names. Dinner last night, different groups at different Mexican restaurants due to some of us getting lost, was excellent for food and company. Rides today put some miles on the bikes and provided lots of opportunity to see the sights, soak up some history and get to know each other better. Don, let me know if any of those Tombstone ghosts made it back with you.

Breakfast at the BBC was good as always. Dinner tonight was very good. There were so many of us that the place could not put us all together. A huge thank you to Raven and anyone else who helped put this event together. This was my first but absolutely will not be my last. Everyone I met in person was as nice or nicer as they always seem to be on-line, which is why this is such a great forum. I wish everyone a safe trip home and look forward to seeing some of the many pictures I saw people taking.

[AZST]

Just got back.

Had a blast. Great event.

Tons of thanks to Raven and Co. for getting this one together. :yes:

--Bryan
04ST1300A
:04biker:

[Raven]

Hey everyone -

Sorry about the tease on pictures :o: . Unfortunately, the promised wifi was a bit spotty (to say the least) and my camera was acting up. I know there were lots of cameras there and lots of photos should be trickling in.

Meanwhile - a big thanks to everyone who made it in. Y'all were absolutely awesome!! I don't think I've ever had the privilege of meeting SO MANY patient, generous, thoughtful and kind people all in one spot at one time (except on the board in virtual space) - not to mention some fabulous riders.

On Saturday, a number of folks were trying to get a rough count of folks who made it in and counted up 36 at dinner and about another 10 or so that dropped in at various points throughout the event. Looks like close to 50 folks contributed to making the first DesertSTOC an excellent event. Yeah!

Everyone had such a great time there's already talk of DesertSTOC 2 (possibly Silver City, NM in March '08 to allow for closer twisties, elevation & weather?).

Meanwhile, send good vibes out to Ron (HogSlyr) & Debbie. She gave us a bit of a scare (and she now has a bit of a scar) but is okay. One of those pesky parking curbs decided to step into the ring with her on Friday night and came out on top. She's got 16 stitches in her forehead (I can imagine the nicknames now) and has a sore arm and knee but was quite a trooper. Wow, what a tough cookie! So send them both some good vibes.

All in all a great weekend with great folks and great bikes.

Now. . . . let's get those pictures rolling in!

:06biker: :biker: :04biker: :03biker:

[Byron]

Raven,

Thanks for the update. Sorry to hear about anyone getting hurt while trying to have a good time. Debbie's got to be tough because she has to put up with Ron. :)

Heal quickly Deb but might as well take advantage of it and Ron while you can. :D

[Mark]

Raven,

My thanks as well.

Mark

[BigTom]

Nah, I didn't just get home, I stopped off at Ray's to watch the end of the race:)

A great time, really was. I'll get some pics up somewhere in the over night.

My thanks, Raven and Jon...

[Rob Hephner]

Raven,

Thanks for stepping up and putting things together. Great to meet everyone and sorry I couldn't stay but one night!

[motomac]

RAT's NEST???? I was a Machinist's Mate not an Electrician's Mate!!!!!!!

[Mark]

RAT's NEST???? I was a Machinist's Mate not an Electrician's Mate!!!!!!!

hmmm... okay, Should I post a bigger shot of the wires under your seat and let people vote on the description? ;-)

[motomac]

I thought I had done a great job just getting all that extra wire PIAA gave me to install the 910's under the seat so it would go back on in time for me to get on the road.

[Mark]

Honestly?
I think you did a great job hiding all the extra wire Mac.
It was neatly coiled, all of it... :D

Mark