Well, I saw that the forcast called for rain. When I had a bike, and the forcast says rain, those of you that know me well know what that means: It’s time to go for a ride! Well, I had a bike. A 2007 GSX600R.
I sent out a few text messages, and before I knew it, Matt and I turned into Matt, Rob, Han, Kev, Mike, and myself, all about to embark on a little fun.
We took the fastest route to the mountains possible from Elk Grove, slabbing up 99 to 50 before exiting off the freeway and jumping on Salmon Falls Road. I hate the slab. Freeway is not, nor has it ever been my friend. Anyways, the trip up Salmon Falls was fairly uneventful, as we the trip up hwy 49 (The Gold Country Highway) to Old Auburn Foresthill Rd. However, things changed ever so slightly when we made our way up Foresthill Road to Get to Mosquito Ridge Road…it started to POUR. We could see blue skies to the north whilst we road towards the darkest, nastiest looking clouds we could find to the North-west. Hehe.
…Lets take a quick step back first… A couple of the riders in our small group had never ridden in the rain before. At least, not intentionally. They’d been caught-out in the rain while riding in town before, but never had they experienced the True Grit kinda’ ride that I’ve been HIGHLY accustomed to over the years… Morale was not high amongst some of our group once we reached the gas station at the MRR turnoff, to say the least. In fact, as the ride organizer, I was nearly overthrown and our merry little band of wet rats almost disbanded before the ride had even started!
After a bit of pep-talking, and a crapload of peer pressure, everyone was in. Reluctant, but in.
I’m not gonna go through a mile-by-mile play-by-play, but there was something worth mentioning: as the clouds above pummelled us with cold, stinging rain, we got to witness one of the coolest things I’ve EVER seen in nature… a rainbow. But not any ordinary rainbow…this one was unlike anything I’d ever seen. It was AMAZING! The topmost portion of it sprayed out of the hillside roughly 100ft up, only about 500 feet in front of us. It was VERY thick… and bold… and vivid. It arced over the road and down the hillside before planting itself back into the rocks about 500 feet below. I could see both ends of this rainbow touching the ground. I half expected to need to swerve and dodge leprechauns and unicorns and rivers of Skittles as I passed beneath it. I know, it sounds like I’m making a big deal out of nothing, but really, you had to be there to see what I mean. Unfortunately, it was DUMPING rain and I didn’t want to stop to take a picture. I really wish I would have though. I’m still kicking myself for not.
I’m really tired of typing, and think I’ll simply let the pics do the talking. There’s only a few as I only pulled out my camera twice. It was a good day. Lots of fun and ZERO mishaps…unless you consider someone making a u-turn, losing their footing in the wet, and simply falling over a mishap. *giggle*
Our group of wet rats
My steed for the day
Stopped along the ridge on Forest Road 23
Rob still had 3 bars!
Han, in all his glory
Mike contemplates life
And lastly, a fallen tree
lol @ at the part about us disbanding… I was secretly planning an escape before the ride started :D
tons of fun
Yay. :poop
*points at Han* I have no such qualms!
haha! i wasn’t gonna point fingers, han! :P
I will admit the to the u-turn incident. bah. Good ride! insert smiley face
“Rob still had 3 bars!”
Droid does :D
Chopin :)
When you have replied after 7 years, how do you execpt the reply immediately.Be Patient. Just wait for 7 more years to receive the reply.I use it every day.
I like that forest road 23 shot up there lots. Full Frame?
I can’t remember if that’s Chopin or Brahams. Faded.
Tire comments?
I wish I wasn’t so slow compared to you guys (and snails) I love riding in the rain.
I think that pretty epitomizes why we all ride! Although i have to say, I will still avoid the rain at all costs. Awesomeness!