Valley and foothills run-and honoring a friend and longtime rider...

[gumshoe4]

Although I'm retired, I'm back working as a retiree and I'm going in five days a week. Yesterday, however, I knew the weather was going to be good and I was feeling quite a pull to get out on two wheels and blow out the cobwebs, so I told the boss I wouldn't be in on Friday. He was good with that...he's not a motorcycle guy, but he understands that we all must sometimes get our ya-yas out.

I happen to run our church's motorcycle ministry, so I put out a notice that I was riding on Friday. I set a meeting point at St. Arbuck's in Rocklin and invited all to come along. Secretly, I was pretty sure no one would show, since the run was going to be on a weekday, but weird things happen...

This morning, I made ready and checked the bike out. I decided to take the Silverwing, as it hasn't been ridden in awhile, so Mr. BMW had to sit this one out. All was well with the SWing and it started right up...battery tenders are cool.

Left home about 8:30 and ran over and got some breakfast, then headed for St. Arbuck's, figuring to leave there about 10:30...fully expecting that I'd be on my own.

Had an iced green tea, read a bit of scripture and a bit of a John LeCarre spy novel. At 10:20, no one had showed. I wandered out to the bike and started to suit up, when all of sudden, Miss Donna arrived.

Donna is a member of our crew. I know her because she and I work together as chaplains. Donna has been riding motorcycles for a long time, but I haven't ridden with her because she only recently affiliated with the church moto crew.

Here is a photo of Donna in about 1978 with her cousin. The Goldwing is hers:

[gumshoe4]

Continuing:

Donna has ridden extensively, including a transcontinental run to Washington DC with the Christian Motorcyclists' Association, the Blue Ridge Parkway and many other places. She's seen a good part of the United States from two wheels and has owned the Goldwing, a Magna 750 and a Suzuki Volusia 800 that I know of. She's currently riding a Honda Helix, a 250 cc scooter. Also, for the record (and I have received her permission to disclose this!!!), Donna is 72 years young.

Anyway, Donna was up for a run. We hopped on 65 North towards Marysville. I have to admit that I was watching her pretty carefully at first...I wanted to be sure that her bike would keep up at speeds of 65-70 mph (no problemo), that she wouldn't get discombobulated with windblast from passing semis (pure ignorance on my part-she's forgotten more about riding in traffic than I will ever know) and that she was enjoying herself.

After paying attention to her for awhile, I saw that she maintained perfect spacing on my right rear quarter, did a good job covering my six and watched carefully for all signals. I very soon lost any concern regarding Donna's ability to ride with me and simply relied on her to be where she was supposed to be...and she was, every time.

We slogged through the 65/70 interchange and through Marysville and Yuba City and finally hit the two lane running around the Sutter Buttes. Once again, Donna had her stuff under control and I quickly found there to be no reason to be concerned about her in the twisties. We stopped at a good place and took some photos. Here's Donna...her Helix is behind my SWing, so you can't see it:

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by gumshoe4

Also, for the record (and I have received her permission to disclose this!!!), Donna is 72 years young.

For the record, having never met Donna, I think she rocks!!

[gumshoe4]

Continuing:

We completed the Sutter Butte loop and stopped for lunch at the Black Bear Diner in Gridley. We had a great lunch and a great talk. I was a bit concerned that Donna might be getting a bit tired, so I asked her how she was doing and she replied that she was having a great time and wanted to continue. There were several route options. We decided to go up to Oroville and then back to Marysville via Oro Bangor Road and Loma Rica. Only problem was that I had done that exact route many times from Loma Rica to Oroville, but had not done it from Oroville to Loma Rica, so I knew there would be some hunting around for the right road and some stopping and turning around. I warned Donna about that. She said she was just happy to be out on her bike and had no concern about having to turn around or be lost. "Cool," thinks I, and off we go.

Sure enough, I got onto the wrong road not once, not twice, but thrice. I apologized for making Donna turn her bike around, but she just laughed and told me not to sweat it because she was having a great time. I finally found the right road (Miner's Ranch off Olive Highway), then over to Oro Bangor, through Loma Rica and back into Marysville. Some of the roads in that area are not of the highest quality and there are some very tight turns. No worries, though...every time I checked the rear view mirror, there was Donna banking over and holding position. She had her scarf on to cover the lower half of her face, but I could sense the road grin right through it...

We stopped for fuel in Marysville. I knew that Donna had to be at church tonite at 7PM for Good Friday service, so I asked her if she wanted to head back 70/65 to expedite the return or plunk on over to the Camp Far West area and stay on back roads. She wanted to stay on the back roads, so after I once again guided us onto some incorrect roads, we finally picked up the right route out of Wheatland and went up Camp Far West to the dam. Lots of water running out of the spillway, incidentally! We then got onto McCourtney Road and ran twisties all the way into Lincoln.

At Lincoln, I wanted to honor Donna's time, so I again offerred to return via 65 or, alternatively, to take Viriginiatown to Fowler to 193 to Sierra College over the hill. Donna replied, "We can go on 65 any time we want...let's go the other way." So we did.

When we got to Taylor, while we were waiting for the light, Donna lifted her shield, told me she was peeling off and that she had had a great time and grabbed my hand. Then off she went...a lady of faith and class and patience...and history. A woman of two wheels and a mentor for all. This was not an epic ride from the standpoint of roads and destinations, but for me, it was an epic ride because I was blessed to spend the day rocking the back roads with a kindred road spirit...Miss Donna.

I hope your Good Friday was as blessed as mine. Not preaching, but do want to add a bit of scripture in honoring the day and my ride partner:

Psalm 118:24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Bob

[gumshoe4]

Tyler-I agree!!

[demenshea]

What an awesome day spent sharing good roads and thoughts.

Donna, u da WOman.

[an old mans eyes]

Hello Bob, thanks for sharing the ride and I agree with Tyler Donna is inspiring...Rick

[FishWitch]

Bob, what a great day of riding with a great lady. What an inspiration on this celebrated weekend of Easter. God Bless.

[me_nmyshadow]

Sounds like you had a Great Day! Friday, I rode up the river on the Garden Highway from Base Line Rd and could not keep my eyes off of the Sutter Buttes.
Would have liked to have joined you. I love looping the Buttes.
You can hardly see the Buttes in this first pic, but they are under those clouds.

[sprockethead]

Thanks for the great pics, and how cool is Donna?!?! Wow. Happy Easter to you too Bob.