VII - Chrome on the Coast 7 (can you believe it?)

Well, I thought I would just send out a note that the dates are now firm. I will post them in the next day or two. Just a few more small details to work out. Start looking in May! I will be sending this out to my whole mailing list. If you are not interested in attending and wish to be taken off the list, please let me know.

Otherwise, I'm going to start daydreaming as of today!

Looking forward to the ride. I've got some great roads planned..... If you missed last year, you really missed something!

Sean

Maps for the ride

Hey! My web page isn't allowing me to upload anything right now. The old maps that are further down in the blog are still accurate. I was just going to put a different style map out there.

Sean

Change in Hotel for the Ride

Howdy!

Well, you may have read the email and found that I was not successful in my negotiation with the Hilton. They wanted me to sign a 20 thousand dollar contract. After I regained consciousness, I opted not to.

So, the veterano (Art) had made a suggestion that we stay at another hotel. There are many in the area, and they are slightly less expensive. I booked in where Art was.

The Holiday Inn Express

EXPRESS SANTA ROSA, CA
870 HOPPER AVENUE
SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA 95403
707-545-9000

Additional information about this hotel can be found on the web at http://www.hiexpress.com/santarosaca

More to follow! Ride safe.

Sean

Possible alternate hotels

Got some feedback from a few of the guys looking for less expensive accomodations. Art Madison found this one:

Sean, While I love the Hilton, $300.00/night is too steep for this retired guy. I found a room at the Holiday Inn Express, 870 Hopper Ave, Santa Rosa, less than 1 mile from the Hilton. It was $116.10 Sun - Thurs and $170.00 for Friday night. It has a heated pool and complimentary breakfast. This might be a good option for others who want to go but have limited resources. The phone number is (707) 545-9000.

And Mario Gomez located this:

Hello RL II,

I read the email from one of the retired rider and concern of the rate of the HIlton. I found a Hyatt approx 3 mile north of the Hilton at $114.00 PN. Just thought you might like to know.

Mario

I sent out a group email outlining my attempt to get a group rate at the Hilton. I talked with a very nice lady who is working on it as I type this message.

Will keep you updated.

Sean

Changes to CotC VI 2/18/08

Greetings riders! Hope that you are getting excited about this year's plan. Don't forget to scroll down and read all the postings for CotC VI (or CotC 6 for those who don't speak Roman Numeral).

A few changes to announce today:

We will be meeting as a group at the Starbuck's in East Pasadena on Monday May 5, 2008. I'll be there at 0730, with a departure time between 0800-0830. I plan on leaving the hotel on Saturday May 10th, 2008, but that doesn't mean you have to!

Starbucks location:
http://webpages.charter.net/spenglish/Webfiles/Starbucks%20Pasadena/Starbucks%20Pasadena.htm

Here are some options for the ride to Santa Rosa: (I will be taking the I5 route with a stop at Harris Ranch for lunch: http://www.harrisranch.com/index2.php

Day 0 (Version 1: 436.2 miles - Straight up I5 with lunch at Harris Ranch in Coalinga):
http://webpages.charter.net/spenglish/Webfiles/Day%200/Chrome%20on%20the%20Coast%20VI%20D0.htm

Day 0 (Version 2: 480.8 miles - up Highway 101 through San Francisco)
http://webpages.charter.net/spenglish/Webfiles/Day%200/Chrome%20on%20the%20Coast%20VI%20D0%20v2.htm

Day 0 (Version 3: 502.8 miles - Riding Highway 1 up the coast)
http://webpages.charter.net/spenglish/Webfiles/Day%200/Chrome%20on%20the%20Coast%20VI%20D0%20v3.htm


Then the "Official Rides" will begin on Tuesday May 6th, 2008. So, don't forget to go to the "Rides" posting on this blog, and look at the routes that we have planned. Here's who is going so far:

Me (OK, that was probably obvious)
Bill Beaumont
Mario Gomez
Ron Batesole

Bill says that there is interest from several of our friends in San Berdoo, and I've heard that a few of the Pasadena folk are looking.... but as far as actual replies - that's it.

Sean

The rides

OK. For Chrome on the Coast 6 I've done a little homework. We've done all kinds of great rides in the past. We've done long days, short days - moving from hotel to hotel every day or staying put. Feedback overwhelmingly tips toward staying in one place, and doing day rides out of one location. I like that idea myself.

So, Santa Rosa puts us in a great location to explore some of the wonderful roads in the Napa and Alexander Valleys, and points north. There are many choices for each of us to make, so here is the breakdown:

(I did it by day, but heck, you can do any of these rides on any day you want)

Chrome on the Coast traditionally started by meeting at the Starbucks in East Pasadena. We then would ride all day to a destination, consume adult beverages and wake to ride the next day. This year, Chrome on the Coast 6 will officially start on Monday May 5th, 2008 at the hotel. When you get there, how you get there and who you travel with will be up to you. The last time we met we had a million bikes, and it was very difficult to travel together. Some may opt for a leisurely ride on scenic roads, others may take a more direct freeway route. Either way, day 1 will be there at the hotel.

I've developed two different sets of rides for each day. One is called "short" the other "extended". They vary in mileage, but I tried to keep even the longest day under 300 miles.

Here are the weblinks to the maps. I suggest that you print them out. Click on the link, then there will be a small map icon. Click on that. There is a map with printed directions there.

Day 1:

Short ride: (173.5 miles)
http://webpages.charter.net/spenglish/Webfiles/day%201/Chrome%20on%20the%20Coast%20VI%20D1%20Short.htm

Extended ride: (218.0 miles)
http://webpages.charter.net/spenglish/Webfiles/day%201/Chrome%20on%20the%20Coast%20VI%20D1%20Extended.htm

Day 2:

Short ride: (173.8 miles)
http://webpages.charter.net/spenglish/Webfiles/day%202/Chrome%20on%20the%20Coast%20VI%20D2%20Short.htm

Extended ride: (269.6 miles)
http://webpages.charter.net/spenglish/Webfiles/day%202/Chrome%20on%20the%20Coast%20VI%20D2%20Extended.htm

Day 3: (239.8 miles - only one ride for today that takes us to Alice's restaurant in the Redwoods.)
http://webpages.charter.net/spenglish/Webfiles/day%203/Chrome%20on%20the%20Coast%20VI%20D3.htm

Day 4: (only 107 miles - touring the Wine Country. Plenty of time to stop and buy wine!)
http://webpages.charter.net/spenglish/Webfiles/day%204/Chrome%20on%20the%20Coast%20VI%20D4.htm

Day 5: (110.6 miles - Breakfast at Howard's cafe in Occidental!)
http://webpages.charter.net/spenglish/Webfiles/day%205/Chrome%20on%20the%20Coast%20VI%20D5%202.htm

OK. Now that you have looked at what I've planned are you getting excited? I know that I am. Make your reservations for as long as you can stay. Some might stay unitl Saturday the 10th or Sunday the 11th. It's all up to you as far as how much time you have.

After the rides, we will meet up by the fire pits on the terrace at the hotel. A great place to unwind. With the mileage kept about where it is, people can sleep in if they want, and still get back to the hotel at a reasonable hour. Or, get up early and sightsee!

The only two rules are to ride safe and have a good time.

Ride on!

Sean

The Hotel

Thought that you guys may want to visit the website for the hotel that we've chosen for this year's ride. We stayed here on Chrome on the Coast IV. It is the Hilton Sonoma County in Santa Rosa. Here's the website:

http://www.winecountryhilton.com/

I made my reservation this evening. They said that they had 15-20 rooms available. They are about $270 a night. If that's a little steep, there are plenty of other hotels in the area. We will use this one as the "base of operations" for the rides.

Stay safe.

Sean

A small video to enjoy

While travelling with my bestest room mate, I've compiled a small cache of photographs. This, I turned into a video to document what it's like to be with this "international man of mystery".

(highest quality - if trouble playing try the next one down)

http://webpages.charter.net/spenglish/Secret%20Bill.WMV

(web quality - lower, but plays good)

http://webpages.charter.net/spenglish/Secret%20Bill.WMV

Chrome on the Coast VI

I cannot believe that we have been doing this for 6 years already. What started out as a small group of co-workers deciding to take a trip up the California Coast, has turned into a rally of sorts. We have people from all different departments, all different walks of life joining us on our ride. It is wonderful.

The original Chrome on the Coast ride was the brainchild of Mike Riordan. He was bestowed the title of "Ride Lord", and wore it well. As time went on, he took an apprentice under his wing. Here he bestowed his knowledge of cartography, and wine drinking to his young protoge. This year, the protoge has assumed the mantle of command.So I (being that bestow-ee of knowledge) humbly submit this blog as our way of staying in touch. We will use this as a clearing house of information, ride plans and the like. We will not be posting specific dates and times (or personal information) in this public forum. I hope, however, that people will reply when there are posts that ask for input.

Anyway, if you are new to the group - I bid you welcome. My name is Sean, and I have been the map maker for the past several years.I think you all will be very pleased with the Chrome on the Coast 6 trip this year. Just a hint: Napa and Alexander valleys (and points north). We'll be staying in one hotel, and doing day trips out each day.

Very loose, no rules except two: Ride safe, and have a great time.

Sean