NON-STOP NICK

Race for the County Line 2006
March 26, 2006, Humbolt/Mendocino County Line

"A Run for Fun in the Sun"

The sun was shining as I rolled the Harley out of the garage Sunday morning and rode North from Santa Rosa on Highway 101. Leaving at 7:00am it was still a chilly 37 degrees, but I geared up and was looking forward to the long ride into the redwood trees. It was my first time to attend the Race to the County Line and I had no idea what this event was to be about. I had to stop in Willits for gas and although while riding I felt comfortable, but when I went to gas up, I discovered that the vibration I had felt on the Harley was indeed just me shivering. I had been in colder weather, but this was giving me the shakes. Surprisingly as I continued north, my shivering stopped, was I dead? Nope, just enjoying the ride and knew that warmth would return to me once I arrived at the event. I gassed up again in Garberville because I had no idea how long this event ride would be and you always want to be gassed up upon arrival. 6 miles North I took the Avenue of the Giants exit east to the Riverwood Inn, where Loreen and Gary had the coffee waiting and a fire roaring, I was there early and was the only other Harley there besides their Road King. That would change as Riders from the North side of the county line would converge to ride back down to Garberville where the North Pack would race south to the Humbolt / Mendocino County Line and meet up with the riders of the South Pack.

In Garberville I met Dirty Dave who had a hand in organizing this event and later he was able to explain this event to me. He said that it sort of started back in 1975 and is nothing more than a bunch of friends who ride, getting together on the last Sunday in March for a fun run. No charity, no memorials, no ride pins, no t-shirts. This is a no cost fun run, and someone else said that it was an unofficial start to the riding season. Another rider said it was their "Ground Hog Day". However you want to describe this event, it was truly just for the fun of it. Supposedly the North Pack and the South Pack leave at the same time and intend to arrive at the county line at noon. From what I understand the "winner" is often a judgment call. I rode up from the South and crossed that line at about 9:45am, does that make me the winner? Nope, but being a fun run it don’t matter. The winning side gets to possess the official plaque for the year. This year they said it was a tie, so it will hang at Redwood Harley Davidson / Buell in Eureka for 6 months and then be moved to JD’s in Willits, but you may find it anywhere.

Nearly 200 riders from all over the North State came out for a day in the sun. Last year there were less than a dozen bikes out in a torrential rain for this event, so the sun was a welcome change. I got to visit with Pat & Cindy from Fort Bragg, hadn’t seen them since the Fort Bragg Toy Run. I saw riders from clubs such as the "Old Coots on Scoots", "Vietnams Vets", "Hells Angels", "Moloch’s", "HOG", "Legacy Vets", and the "Fog Dogs".
Loreen and Gary at the Riverwood Inn again hosted the after run party. What a great place this is with room to dance, where Buddy Reed and his band cranked out the tunes. The El Rio Mexican Restaurant, which is inside the Riverwood Inn, was packed with riders enjoying great grub. The BBQ was fired up and you could cook your own steak and enjoy salad, beans and bread. Two pool tables and a great bar, what more could you want? How about a room for the night? Yep, they got em. If this event were held on a Saturday, they’d be sold out. The parking lot was a constant flow of riders coming and going enjoying the day.
Heading home though the beautiful redwood trees ending a 374 mile, 11 hour day, I have got to say that this is why I ride, to get out and enjoy the countryside, meeting up with friends, riding my Harley Davidson.

Non-Stop Nick

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