HU Meeting in California 2009
 

I guess this question is directed towards Grant...but has there been any talk about having an HU Travellers Meeting in California someday?

We have a heck of a lot of motorcyclists here and certainly many adventurous folks who enjoy travelling.

A nice location in the Sierras between San Francisco/Sacramento and L.A. could attract a lot of interest, I would think. And since it doesn't rain here in the summer, scheduling should be flexible.

Any thoughts or a discussion?

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Dave
www.mototrekker.com

Dave, yes, we'd be delighted to have one in California! Just need a few volunteers to:

a. find the perfect location
b. act as local organisers

Everything you could want to know about putting on an HU Meeting is at http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/meetings/ and click the links on the top right of the page,

History of the HU Meetings, and what it's all about
and,
How to Host a Travellers Meeting in your area!

It's not that hard, and split between half a dozen people is pretty easy - and a lot of fun!

The first job is to find a location and date.

The location needs to have a great camping area near /in a great riding area, AND have food, toilet etc facilities, AND a presentation room capable of holding a minimum of 150 people for the first year. All of this should be in the same location so that people can arrive on Friday and not ride again until leaving on Sunday (I know that sounds strange, but there is so much going on, and so many people to talk to, that most people see any reason to ride! You can ride 363 days of the year - an HU Meeting is two-three days full of fantastic information and great people to talk to - so most take the opportunity!)

Anyone interested contact me at http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/form/feedback.shtml

thanks for the interest, Grant

Ok, well perhaps we can shoot for putting something together for next year, summer of 2007. I won't be back to California until October.

Either way, if anyone has any interest in this or is willing to help set something up, lets discuss it here...

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Dave
www.mototrekker.com

We should be arriving in California, from Sturgis in mid September and while we can't volunteer to help, we will be within about 1000 miles from our final destination after riding from China and would be more than happy to do a presentation of our tour (www dot draginrun dot com). If needed, we could spped up or down to make the meeting.
Jack

I should mention that we will be arriving in 2007.
Jack

I'll be able to help. I'm in Sacramento. Maybe we could crash Ted Simon's front lawn and say, "See what you've done".

We (John and Jean) would help.
I am thinking late June early July, most of the passes would be open and it may not be as hot as mid summer.
Or early September ?
Location - North; Qunicy, Geaeagle, Portola ?
South; June Lake, Mammoth ?
Nevada ?
The number of people who would attend would affect the venue.
Booking a location in the "nice " places may be difficult.
Just thinking.
John

I think a location midway between San Francisco/Sacramento/Reno and Los Angeles probably would get the most amount of interest. Somewhere in the Central Sierra may make the most sense. This would be a half day ride for folks from either the north or the south. Unfortunately, I don't know the Central Sierra well as I tend to do most of my riding up north.

And I think September may be a good month too as the weather will still be warm and dry and it may be easier to get venues. But I know a lot of folks like to head down south for the Copper Canyon meeting around this time. Two meetings in a row may be too much.

Regardless, I am definately willing to help with the planning.

Either way let us know if you are interested and where you are from so we can make things convienient for all. All comments are welcome...

Thanks for the comments and offer of help David, Dave, Jean and John and Jack! :)

Re davidmc's comments, September may be a good time despite - and because of - Copper Canyon Meeting. If for instance it was the week before (prob best) or after, that means it would be ea$y for me to get to both, instead of having to choose, AND there are lots of people who don't have the time to take a week off - or significant other won't go along with it - but say a half day off Friday is easy.

So who's in the area mentioned that knows what could be a good spot, or is willing to do a little research - really hard research - go for a ride! :) ?

Perhaps just choose that area for a ride instead of another, and keep your eyes open?

It COULD be this year for the first one, but we'd really have to get cracking.

looking forward to hearing what you come up with!

Grant

Actually where I live is a great place to have a meet. Lots of riding and camping options. Down side is it is a little isolated, but in a way that is the beauty of the place. If intrested I will get more info for you.

Um, isolated is GOOD! :)

Sure, send me some more info and post it here too and we'll see what people think!

thanks, Grant

This area is about 6 hors north of San Francisco along the coast Near the Oregon border. It has the largest groves of virgin coastal redwoods. While it is isolated there is riding for everyone varying from 4 lane freeway, back mountain roads, and single track trails. I am not the most articulate or the best at typing so I put in some links for everyone to explore.

http://www.redwoodvisitor.org/

http://pashnit.com/roads/cal/Highway36.htm

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sixrivers/

http://www.blm.gov/ca/arcata/kingrange/index.html

http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=425

A quote from the state park site.-----------------------------------

Humboldt Redwoods State Park encompasses nearly 53,000 acres, of which over 17,000 are untouched old growth coast redwoods. Created in 1921 with the small Bolling Memorial Grove the park has grown over the years to include a diverse ecosystem including the entire Bull Creek watershed and the Rockefeller Forest, the largest remaining old growth redwood forest in the world. This is the third largest California State Park and protects an environment unique to anywhere else on earth.

A wide variety of activities and facilities are available. There are over 250 family campsites in three different campgrounds, plus environmental camps, group camps, trail camps, and a horse camp. Over 100 miles of trail await exploration by hikers, bikers, and horse riders. The South Fork Eel River provides fishing, boating, and swimming opportunities, and there are many day use areas for picnicking, family activities, or for just enjoying the pristine environment.

Some favorite locations include the Founders Grove Nature Trail, the 32 mile Avenue of the Giants Auto Tour, and the Humboldt Redwoods Visitor Center. The Visitor Center offers a wide variety of fun and educational exhibits and activities, including a theatre, displays, a bookstore, and the famous Kellogg Travel Log. Auto Tour brochures are available at either end of the Avenue of the Giants and at the Visitor Center. During the summer season interpretive activities including nature walks, Junior Ranger programs, and campfire programs are held daily.

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About the redwoods

http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=24200

Let me know what other info you need if intrested.

Eureka is a nice place. I'll ask on a local vintage bike list I'm on and see what people can recommend.

--Dave

Here are some more links. These are either videos taken in the area from bikes, or ride reports of the area.

Video
Click here to watch HWY36

Ride reports

http://pashnit.com/forum/showthread....highlight=usal

http://pashnit.com/forum/showthread....highlight=usal

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...highlight=usal

The costal mountains of Northern California are probably my favorite part of the state for riding. And Hwy 36 may be truly the best road I have ever ridden. So I would definately be up for this area. Eureka is one LONG day of riding though, at least for the Bay Area folks.

However, I would be not able to attend this year as I am still travelling and won't be settled in San Francisco until October. But I am still more than happy to help plan and attend the 2007 one!

If September can work for Grant, this would be a great month for the meeting. We could even do early October also as the weather should still be nice then.