Nancy had the earliest riding start to the day, having traveled back to Santa Cruz last night to pick up her new bike at 7.30am and scoot back up north to our hotel in Palo Alto.  She made it right on time and we briefed the group and headed out north to our first dealer stop of the day at McGuire’s Harley-Davidson at San Ramon.

After a week of hugging the coastline, we had turned east to follow and cross the inland waters of the East Bay. Across the Dumbarton bridge and into the nice twisties of Niles Canyon Rd before catching the freeway north to San Ramon.

As always McGuires’s turned on a huge welcome with all the staff waiting outside to greet us, a BBQ already fired up, and a very generous donation of $500 to our cause.

After a leisurely lunch we were back on our bikes and back on the back roads – Bear Creek Rd, and Allahambra Ave – quiet, twisty and some beautiful patches of Redwoods.

As we continued North our two riding groups got separated but we safely navigated our way to our evening stop at San Ramon.  Hard to pick a riding highlight, but one of the most spectacular was riding as a group over the Bay on the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge.  Incredible views across the Bay and glorious sunshine on the water.

We had a great night at the Hotel sitting by the pool, swapping riding stories, sharing our lives and checking the comments made to the blog.  Tomorrow we ride north into Napa and the Sonoma area – yet another different side to this amazing country!


Big Sur on Tuesday


Nancy purchasing her bike at Santa Cruz Harley-Davidson on Wednesday


Meredith getting acquainted with her new bike


Lori gets some help with luggage at the Palo Alto Westin/Sheraton


Gigi gives Chick a ride


Our wonderful friends at McGuire's Harley-Davidson in San Ramon


Stacy and Tia showing off