Fall Colors Ride 10/20 – 10/22

[Brandon Wilson]

Good Morning!
I have arranged for a block of 12 rooms at the Comfort Inn, Bishop CA. We will be staying in the newly renovated side of the hotel as 1/2 is shut down for its renovation. The group rate is 111 + Tax. To lock in the room and rate, your reservation needs to be completed by 10/1.

Comfort Inn and Suites
805 N Main St Bishop, CA 93514
760-873-4284

The final route will be published in the next week. Thank you!

Topic

[Karl Wagner]

Nice Brandon! Thanks, looking forward to this ride!!!

FYI, I just called to make a reservation as of 4pm today Friday and the front desk indicated that we are not in the system yet. Need to call back Monday 2pm to 10pm and talk to Crystol, the group reservation person.

[Brandon Wilson]

Thanks for the heads up Carl. I will do that to confirm on Monday and make sure no issues.

[Brandon Wilson]

I meant Karl. Stupid iPhone. 🙂

[Tony]

Hello Brandon

New member here and this is first time I am riding with, I need some information since I live in OC. Does any one in OC want to meet and ride up together? Where do I meet and what is the itinerary?

Thank you

Tony & Vivivan Nguyen

[Brandon Wilson]

Hi Tony –

We will have a meet location before we start the ride but it won’t be south OC. I will be finishing the routes this week for all to review. This will include the meet point for day 1 and route, and our day 2 and 3 routes and stops.

Thanks,
Brandon

[Bill Reitz]

Tony keep checking this forum and when the routes are posted usually some South County riders will post a meeting location to ride to the official start point. If you clicked on the “Notify me of follow-up replies” then you’ll get an email letting you know someone else posted here and it may be about a meeting location.

[Brandon Wilson]

Heads up, I tried to call for Crystal today and she was not in the office. Trying one more time tomorrow then I will change options for y’all.

[Bill Reitz]

It seems like anyone could take a reservation if Crystal made it known to the front desk that South Coasters will be calling in.

[Talus]

Spoke with Crystal (Cristol) at 2pm today. There was a bit of price confusion at first but she took care of it and reduced the rate further ($107.20 + tax a night). Two of us are planning on staying and extra night, checking out Monday morning for the return trip. Just a thought if you have extra time. Oh, and Cristal reduced the Sunday night reservation further to $99.20. So two nights at 107.2 and one night at 99.2. + Tax. PS. The reason Crystal was not available yesterday was due to car trouble.

[Brandon Wilson]

Hello,

I just confirmed with Crystal that all is cleared up and our discount for the confusion is now 20%. She has also left a note to ensure no matter when you call, just mention the group for the discount before Oct 1. Thanks for your patience guys and sorry this was a bit troublesome!

[Bill Reitz]

No worries Brandon, you did good getting a 20% discount.

[Michael Pirosh]

Brandon, FYI, I called Cristol today, Sept. 13, to make reservations for the Fall Colors ride. She stated she did not know how to access the group rate and placed me on hold to call her manager. She NEVER got back to me, so I am going to make reservations elsewhere. They’re too flaky to depend on them.

Mike Pirosh

[Michael Pirosh]

Brandon,

FLASH–I called and tried again and this time Cristol was able to make the reservation. So, I’ll be staying with everyone at the Comfort Inn.

Mike Pirosh

[Bill Reitz]

Mike did you tell her the rooms were booked under scbmwrc or South Coasters the first time ?
Maybe she’s new to this job ?

[Brandon Wilson]

Hey guys. Sorry this has been such a hot mess. I will also call back tomorrow and discuss why this has been met with such difficulty for our club. At least the star of the ride is not the hotel but the routes which I will publish by this weekend!

[David Omlor]

Reservations confirmed! Looking forward to the photo ops 🙂

[Brandon Wilson]

Guys –

Route planning for all three days is complete. Attached are the Tyre routes. I will load gpx files in another post due to attachment limits.

Attachments:

1. Fall-Colors-2017-Day-1.trf
2. Fall-Colors-2017-Day-2.trf
3. Fall-Colors-2017-Day-3.trf

[Brandon Wilson]

GPX route files attached.

Attachments:

1. Fall-Colors-2017-Day-1.gpx
2. Fall-Colors-2017-Day-2.gpx
3. Fall-Colors-2017-Day-3.gpx

[Bill Reitz]

Hey Brandon you can save the Tyre routes as GPX files so everybody can use them. That will save you a step, the TRF files can only be used by Tyre but Tyre can open GPX also.

[Brandon Wilson]

Thanks Bill, good to know!

Also, Bill and I were talking about the lunch stop on day 2. We will look for another place as history has not been favorable for overpriced food and inability to split checks. We will make that a stop regardless to ohhh and ahhhh at the views 🙂

[Tony]

Hello Brandon

Would you please add Julito Antolin for the Fall Color Ride, I believed he books his room already.

Thank You

Tony Nguyen

[Brandon Wilson]

Hi Tony –

Is he signed up on the ride list? It is super easy to use. Thanks!

[Talus]

Brandon,
I just spoke with Bill a moment ago about having a friend accompany us on the Fall colors ride. He is not a member yet but Bill said to let you know so the head count would be accurate. His Name is Robert Navarro and he is a very accomplished rider via street and desert racing. He saddles a GS 800 as one of several bikes. I have been to Baja with him and accompanied him on the four state tour, I can honestly say he is great under pressure and a fun adventure friend (and speaks several languages fluently). I have followed several of his Baja and Canadian adventures, he routinely does with his son (who is also an accomplished rider). He is very soft spoken and you just might pass him without notice but rest assured he is a very successful business man. I have learned to trust him and take his words to heart (as they have meaning and are few). Again my friends name is Robert Navarro…

Regards,

Talus

[Brandon Wilson]

Thanks for the heads up Talus.

[Michele Stone]

Brandon and all,

We have had a positive change of schedule so, call us crazy.. We are thinking of camping…Any suggestions for location somewhat near the comfort inn?

[Bill Reitz]

Hi Michele, just in case Brandon is working I thought I’d jump in and offer this help. The Bishop Visitor Center is at 760-873-8405, they might have ideas. Bishop Visitor.com is their site also Bishopchamberofcommerce.com is a resource. It will be cold over night since the town sits at 4150 elevation.

Good luck

[Michele Stone]

Thanks Bill, Look like the low is balmy 36 degrees. Looking at Brownstown campground currently.

[Bill Reitz]

Browns Town is a nice campground used primarily by RV’s, don’t know if they have a tent section. It is at the southern end of Bishop. The nice thing is, when I stayed there long ago, they have an ICE CREAM SHOP !!!

[John Crittenden]

There’s also a county campground near Independence or Big Pines, I believe. Don’t recall the name but can likely find it under “County Camping”. That might be an option.

[Dan Burtt]

Dan Burtt – I would like to attend the ride. Any body that would like to have roommate to share hotel costs? let me know.

[Mark Borgeson]

Hey Dan Burtt – I’m staying at the Bishop Creekside Inn: http://www.bishopcreeksideinn.com
BTW, This is not the same hotel that the club is staying at. I have a room with 2 queen beds if you want to share a room. Total for 2 nights is $322. Half of that would be $161.

[Dan Burtt]

Mark Borgeson – Would like to join you. thanks for the offer.

[Mark Borgeson]

Hey Brandon, what time and where is the meet up?

[Jessie Vaca]

I have made my reservation for the comfort inn. If anyone wants to share please let me know. I will not be getting to bishop until late Friday

[Chris Roady]

Hey Jesse,
If the offer still stands, Ill split the room with you.

[Jessie Vaca]

That will work Chris

[Brandon Wilson]

Hi Mark –

The official start of the ride is 9, meeting at Starbucks in Diamond Bar.

22438 Golden Springs Dr #100, Diamond Bar, CA 91765

I will send out an official kick-off e-mail and a revised day 1 route this weekend for all to review.

Thanks,
Brandon

[Steve Leo]

Do you know where the lunch stop is going to be? We will probably meet you there as we will be coming up Hwy 14.

[Dale Sprosty]

I just booked my room at the Comfort. There is only one room with 2 queen beds left. Just an FYI. Should be fun

[Michael Pirosh]

Had to cancel. So, if someone needs a room, there is one available.

[Mark Borgeson]

Some of us South OC riders are riding up to Diamond Bar together. Everyone’s welcome.

We’re meeting at the Chevron near El Toro and the I5 at:
23891 Bridger Rd, Lake Forest, CA 92630

KSU at 7:15am

[Karl Wagner]

It may be Monday………….

But Friday is coming and we get to ride with the South Coasters!!!!

Attachments:

1. 

   Happy-Snoopy.jpg
   

[Ron Zablocki]

Hey Karl – are you planning on meeting at the Diamond Bar location Friday morning? If so, are you up for company riding there?

[Julito Antolin]

Hey Folks! Just became a member here – been a member via FB and a BMW MOA member. Looking forward to the ride this weekend. Cheers! Thanks for putting the ride together, Brandon. Best Regards, Julito

P.S. Max, Tony, Ron and I were riding in Julian this weekend. We heard word about a revised Day 1 route, but didn’t see a new GPX file posted in the forum. Can you please confirm if routes are the same or post the changes? Thanks!

[Ron Zablocki]

Brandon – dud you just replace the Day-1 gpx file with a new one in your post?

[Brandon Wilson]

Fellow Riders,

After much toiling and reviewing alternates to the 395 (yes I know there are some) I have decided to leave the day 1 route as-is. Here is the official kick-off post.

We will start the ride: Meeting at Starbucks in Diamond Bar.
22438 Golden Springs Dr #100, Diamond Bar, CA 91765 (Starbucks is in the Target Parking Lot)
KSU @ 9AM

We will do a bit of Interstate riding via 60, 15 to the 395 that will land us to enjoy lunch at Bernardino’s in Inyokern. The second stop will be at the crest of Mt. Whitney portal via the 395. After Mt. Whitney, we will stop a few more miles up the road (30.05) miles up to explore the Mt Whitney Fish Hatchery before finalizing our day in Bishop. Friday night is an eat on your own night.

Day two has three major events. First stop will be Lake Sabrina followed by a nice circle and stops around Mammoth with lunch in and around June Lake. Final lunch stop will be confirmed on the day or ride. After lunch, we will stop at Lee Vining where we will double back with a small alternate route via Swall Meadows rejoining the 395 near Mesa. Group dinner will be at Holy Smoke Texas Style BBQ.

Day Three we will hit the 395 and head south and join the 14 to take us through Red Rock Canyon and with a stop for lunch at Mojave Air Space Port for lunch at Voyager. A bit more highway riding to land us via Angeles Crest to terminate our weekend in La Canada at Panera.

We will have quite the turnout this year. No pressure for my first overnight eh? I will ask in advance for those who would be willing to lead a second, possibly third group? 🙂 Looking at 18 to 20 bikes at our peak! I have added our routes to this post to keep it top of mind for those who lost the routes earlier in the thread.

Thanks for all of your support and I look forward to a great weekend with the South Coasters!

Attachments:

1. Fall-Colors-2017-Day-1.gpx
2. Fall-Colors-2017-Day-2.gpx
3. Fall-Colors-2017-Day-3.gpx

[Ron Zablocki]

If no one else volunteers to lead a group, I’ve got the GPS routes loaded and can step up if needed.

[Ron Zablocki]

BTW – great work on the routes Brandon! 🙂

[Troy Stone]

Brandon,

I have to run a quick meeting at work Friday so we will not be leaving until 10:00AM we may catch he group along the so that’s two bikes less for the group ride for your planning.

Troy Stone.

[Karl Wagner]

Good planning Brandon, thanks. Sharon and I will meet you along the way at one of your stops or in Bishop Friday, leaving early Friday.

Glad to lead a group if needed.

K&S

[Karl Wagner]

Check out this Google Map of Fall Colors for current bloom.
.
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https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=12FSQxbVe9CedswOvJaWaeI5vvYU&hl=en_US&ll=38.828241495484896%2C-119.25427913056637&z=7

[Erasmo Brenes]

Hi Brandon,

Diane and I will be joining the ride.
Looking forward to this weekend!

I’ll be leaving on Friday morning and joining you along the 395. Karl, are you taking the 14 up?

[Karl Wagner]

Great to hear you guys are going Erasmo and Diane! Yes, We will be on 14 eventually.

[Brandon Wilson]

Thanks for all the replies guys and appreciate your offer to lead Ron and Carl. We can sort out all the details when we meet up. Good to hear you are coming to Erasmo. Troy, I don’t know what to say about having to work 🙂 other than I know the feeling ha. Weather is looking to be quite nice up and down so a fun packed weekend for sure.

[Brandon Wilson]

Thanks for all the replies guys and appreciate your offer to lead Ron and Carl. We can sort out all the details when we meet up. Good to hear you are coming to Erasmo. Troy, I don’t know what to say about having to work 🙂 other than I know the feeling ha. Weather is looking to be quite nice up and down so a fun packed weekend for sure.

[Steve Leo]

Jan and I will be joining Troy and Michelle on the ride up leaving a little later than the group. We will be going up the 14 as it is much more convenient for us. We may catch the group along the way. If not we will see everyone at the Comfort Inn later in the day.

[Mark Borgeson]

Brandon – What a huge turnout! Presidential 😉

[Bill Reitz]

Steve you should be able to meet the group at the lunch stop in Inyokern, check the GPX file Brandon attached for the name & address.

[Dale Sprosty]

I’ll meet the group at the Comfort Inn on Friday. Going to Yosemite tomorrow and Friday. The weather is cool but beautiful. The weather is ideal and the leaves are turning. Great timing. Hotel is nice and great restaurants all walkable.

[Ron Zablocki]

What’s the weather expected to be like where we’ll be this weekend? Just trying to determine if I need cold or warm
weather gear.

[Julito Antolin]

Ron – Looking at weather.com:
Date / City / Morning Low Temp / City / Mid-Afternoon High Temp
20-Nov / Los Angeles / 63F / Bishop / 67F Mostly Sunny
21-Nov / Bishop / 29F / Bishop / 68F Sunny
22-Nov / Bishop / 35F / Los Angeles/ 91F Sunny

If we don’t get on the road until about 0900 on Saturday Morning and Sunday Morning, it should be warm up to the mid-50s by then.

[John Crittenden]

This is just super, Brandon! There’s an outside chance I may join the ride, as work has slowed down quite a bit. If not, have a great ride, Everyone!

Troy and Michelle, are you still planning on camping? I got me a new Nemo sleeper with feet and everything, and would love to try it out!

[Troy Stone]

John

Camping at the Bishop tri county fairgrounds about 4 blocks from the comfort inn. More like a gravel lot but will have electricity to run a small heater if needed. I’m sure we can stack a couple tents on the site if needed. The next closest was browns town. See how it goes.

[Steve Leo]

Ron,
It will be very cold at night in Bishop – down in the low 30s so the evenings will be in the 40s. For riding it will be quite cool up around Mammoth and June, the high on Saturday is going to be around 58 which means a lot of our riding will be in the low 50s. The ride up will be in the low 70s – lunch stop 73.

[Ron Zablocki]

Thanks for the weather reports guys – that helps immensely!

[Dale Sprosty]

I left Bishop this morning for Yosemite and the temp was 37. Low 70s right now but but front coming through tonight.

[Talus]

Can anyone provide a best guess on the time spend at the Kramer Junction (58&395) stop and the following stop at 178&395?
I am trying to get an idea at what point I may catch up with the group.
Any thoughts may help.

Talus

[Dale Sprosty]

Just read the weekend forecast in the Inyo register. High of 69 on Saturday with a low of 38. About the same for Sunday. Low 70’s tomorrow in Bishop.

[Brandon Wilson]

Talus –

We will spend 20 or so minutes taking our rest stop at Kramer Junction and are looking to be at lunch around 11:30. With our large group will we most likely be there through 1.

Looking forward to the ride boys and girls. Yes even Ivy will be along but she will meet us driving via cage and will do the day ride on Saturday 2-up.

[Brandon Wilson]

Talus –

We will spend 20 or so minutes taking our rest stop at Kramer Junction and are looking to be at lunch around 11:30. With our large group will we most likely be there through 1.

Looking forward to the ride boys and girls. Yes even Ivy will be along but she will meet us driving via cage and will do the day ride on Saturday 2-up.

[Erasmo Brenes]

Hi Brandon,

I’ll likely meet your group at the Portal. I’m guessing that you’ll be getting there between 2:00 to 2:30pm?

See you then,

Erasmo

[Brandon Wilson]

well I have already had the flat tire for the ride. Good thing I was checking my tires tonight!

[Author]

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