DONNER, THE ARRIVAL




On our way, at last!

 The plan is coming together but as always there just aren't enough hours in the day. The bus is
picked up on Tuesday and the hub cap is finally here but the decal for the center isn't. No matter,
RV Renovators fix it and on goes the long awaited cap. 30 miles later I pull into the yard only to find
it is missing!

 Trying to get everything on board on Tuesday night seems an impossible task and needless to say
it doesn't get done. The bikes are loaded and then changed as the Hardley is too big to use the
center position so it has to go back left so that the more upright trials machines can get their
handlebars ahead. With the bikes in, the pool filter has to be cleaned and backwashed and then it's
bedtime after boxing up all the e-bay items to post while we are in Dolores.

 Intentions of leaving by 0900 fall by the wayside and in 114 temps we finally set sail just after 12.
The 570 miles to Mina NV is not looking good so we elect to stop 100 miles short at another one
horse town called Goldfield. This was once the biggest town in Nevada but today it's not looking like
much and even the first mate is reluctant to walk 200 yards to the bar.



60 miles in, down Wickenburg way




NOTHING AZ, and even less now the Old Man has died




.....and there's a change in the weather!



The NEW Bridges at the Hoover,........ coming soon




.....and it will avoid this!



 Thursday we make good time running up 95 and along 80. We get a call from Ed and Evelyn to say
there are extensive roadworks at the usual turn off so as we are only passing Reno we get off on
the Donner Pass road and descend down to the Lake and then up the backway over the mountain
to the Ski Lodge and start area. This road will be a lot of fun on the Harley but takes a bit of work in
the wheelhouse to get the Starship round the bends.



The Wheelhouse on the Starship...... "4 points to LARBOARD Mr ZULU"

 With plenty of time and seemingly with all the sections laid out Ed and I take a preview of the
Saturday sections. They are all cleanable but of course can all grab marks, with rolling fir cones and
that mystery rock that appears like a magnet and gets under a wheel. 



Soda Springs Post Office prior to a little Road Racing lunacy


 Friday and some ebay stuff to post and then a run down the hill to the lake. Fortunately the post
office is in Soda Springs and unlike Phoenix, no waiting. A fantastic ride down the hill until we catch
up with some "local" who like most car drivers you catch up with on mountain roads then takes one
of two actions. They either Slam on the brakes and pull over violently or in this case they become
"Lewis Hamilton" and drive like a possessed buffoon showing their amazing skills! Well it was certainly entertaining watching the inside wheels lift!!! The Lake area was very pretty but we couldn't find a bar
or restaurant anywhere, but there must be one, so maybe a repeat run next year and a great excuse
for a WFO ride up and down the hill.



Catching up with the locals



Inside wheel about to LIFT!


 Friday night and a few more arrivals but it's looking a bit thin by previous years standards. All the
"barbies" are ready and after steaks and drinkies time to think of the trials to come. ......and man, oh,
man these mosies are biting like hell!


Tony & Brenda on location Donner Ski Ranch