Courtesy of Leonard Lloyd

While he waits for his Yamaha Super Tenere, Jeff Smith suggested a ride in the hills east of Milpitas that he could readily ride to on his WR250R, also a Yamaha. He sold his Honda CBR1000RR with the expectation that the Super Tenere will arrive in time for the weekend in Porterville in September. But heavy winds and rain drowned enthusiasm, so the ride was postponed in favor of more favorable weather, which did arrive in the second week of June. So, the word was put out on the internet, with favorable responses from Rich Mample, Ride Coordinator, your editor, and long lost Steve Cagan. One other member applauded the concept but sent regrets because of other commitments.

We agreed to meet, Saturday, June 11, 2011, at the Starbucks off Calaveras Blvd,, in Milpitas. It turns out there three such. Three of us thought we confirmed North Milpitas Blvd, first block off Calaveras, our Ride Coordinator missed that change and waited at the one actually on Calaveras Blvd., adjacent to the freeway interchange. While seated at an outside table, I received a cell call from Rich: “I’m here, where are you?” “OK, I know where that one is, see you there.” As Jeff and I caught up with Steve and his year of absence, Rich arrived and the discussion expanded to provide solutions for the nation’s woes.

With coffee consumed, Jeff suggested we start with Sierra Road before taking Calaveras Road directly into the hills toward Sunol. Using his attached GPS route maker, he lead us through a residential neighborhood before coming to the more direct Piedmont Road that runs from Milpitas to the Alum Rock district along the base of the foothills.

Sierra Road varies in width and condition, from two lane smooth to undivided bumpy but clean. The view of the Calaveras Reservoir is better from this road than from its namesake. We shared most corners with riders on bicycles, some recreational, others in some competition event, reluctant to single file for safe passing.

We met a large truck towing an even larger low trailer with heavy construction equipment at the junction with Calaveras Road, so we poked along up the steep grade through tight turns until the first clear spot in which the driver waved us by, with each rider confirming the road was clear as he completed the pass on the narrow road, quickly closing in on a tight right curve.

We quickly caught up with even more cyclists of every stripe, some more cooperative and mindful than others. So much for “share the road.” The further we rode, the fewer road hogging riders we encountered so that as we crossed into Alameda County from Santa Clara County, the road seem to be all ours.

Steve explained that he needed to return home when we came to I-680, before we used the onramp to connect with Vallecitos Road over Pigeon Pass to Livermore. So we three took the pass road to Livermore for a fuel stop, altering our preferred route to avoid Rodeo traffic. Instead, your editor led the threesome into the traffic around Rodeo Parade barriers. We could even hear some music in the near distance. Finally released on South Livermore Avenue, the road opened up onto Tesla Road and our familiar Mines Road into the hills to the south.

With the recent rains, I should not have been surprised that two water crossings remained wet and fast moving, fortunately clean of grit and not deep. The high cloud cover kept temperatures moderate and the soft light enhanced the contrast between the browning grass and the darkening oaks. Such a happy place to be.

I forgot to take any pictures upon arrival at the Junction, already populated by riders of both bicycles and motorcycles. We met other riders and passed out a new ITR to one who expressed interest and joined us for lunch.

Rich and Jeff returned to Santa Clara County via Mount Hamilton, and I retraced our route on Mines Road, appreciating the change in light coming from the opposite direction, homebound.