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I have to work this weekend so I'm out.
you mean the weekend of the 17? or this weekend? If you can make it that would be great, but there will always be other good rides.

 
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Keep in mind for future reference. At the corner of 371 and 74, a few miles before the descent into Palm Springs, the Paradise Cafe serves the greatest food. Two eggs, two bacon, home fries, and toast for $5.00. Their lunches are mostly sandwiches- BIG sandwiches, and a variety of burgers. VERY generous servings. About $8.00. Blues music on the patio in the warmer months. Pretty waitresses. From that corner, all of the southeastern rides begin. And they are bike friendly. On your ride you will pass it on the right. I still hope to meet you somewhere. Just not sure yet. Christmas stuff. I might not go all the way to the casino. I don't really gamble, so I would be in for the ride only.

 
Oh yeah, I forgot. If you want to avoid about 25 stop lights between 1/4 and 1/2 mile apart through the town of Hemet, when you get to the 215 and 74, jump on the highway north and go to the Ramona Expressway off ramp. I think its the next one up. Then head east again. You go through dairyland on a 55mph two lane highway that deadends back at 74 on the east end of Hemet bypassing all the stop lights. It drops back in just before heading up through the twisties to Idyllwild. Not trying to step on your trip planning. Just a thought. I live out here, and am not sure if you're familiar with the neighborhood. Although with a handle like kenoman, you've probably sniffed your way to that casino a few times. :D

 
At the 74 & 15 the Chevron Station.  We will be there before 9am
I think the gas station at that intersection is a MOBIL STATION not a Chevron(?).

Whatever it is, I'll be there to meet the group. If you're leaving OC at 0800 I would figure it would take you at least 45 minutes to get to the 74, meet up with the other riders at 74&5, and then ride through Ortega Hwy.

I'll be at the Mobil at 0845 looking for bigdolma. I'm riding up from San Diego so I'll be heading out promptly at 0730 if any SD riders wanna join me.

See you all there...

- SoCalMike

 
Hey SoCalMike. We look alot alike. Are we related? :erm:

 
Whether its a Chevron or Mobil, I'll be looking for any Blazing Blue FJ'ERS. Maybe someone can wear a Santa outfit so we won't miss you guys! Also about the alternative route, I have gone both ways, but have always got disoriented in that area. Hopefully someone in the group can help in that part of the transition. Also, I will be calling the Paradise Cafe, just to let them know we are coming as a cortesy. It will be a short stop for refreshments. What is the name of the girl you like? Lastly, since many are not gamblers, we still plan on leaving after lunch, hopefully by 2 or 2:30pm. We can always lounge on the 12th floor and listen to the music at the casino.

 
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By going through town early in the morning, you might catch most of the lights anyway.

As for the Paradise, I mentioned it only as a reference for all to keep in mind for the future. But I am always up for a stop there. There won't be any music that early in the day, but the hospitality is always there. Liz is the owner. If you call, tell her Bob with the FJR sent you. I like them all. Great people.

Paradise Corner Cafe Inc

61721 State Highway 74, Mountain Center, CA 92561

(951) 659-0730

A caution about Hemet. Observe the speed limit through town. As the speed limit slows, so should you. Speed trap is usually right after the 40mph sign. He is on a bike, and sits by the Los Vaqueros restaurant on the right in the motel driveway. His buddy is usually lurking in town somewhere.

 
Great Advice I appreciate that!

Ok folks, I need a confirmations for Saturday December 17 for the Christmas Ride. Please email or post here. I have many riders from other forums joining that will be with me, and many that will join up throughout the route. Lets have a great SAFE Christmas ride, and then we can have a wonderful christmas week with our family and friends.

 
ok, Mobil station @8:45 74 and I15. I will be on an 04.

no santa outfit though, the chick who wears it will still be still sleaping.

 
Hey SoCalMike. We look alot alike. Are we related? :erm:
LOL! My guess is probably not... You're a lot less furry than me and you're lips are too small. Nice glasses though ;)

ok, Mobil station @8:45 74 and I15. I will be on an 04.
no santa outfit though, the chick who wears it will still be still sleaping.
I'll see you there. I'll be riding the 05... probably freezing from having ridden so early in the morning without proper cold-weather gear... :cold:
 
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We're(wife an I) in. I live in Hemet. If you want to bypass town, let me know, and I can meet you at the 215 and 74 to guide the transition to the mountains if you're not sure of the way. If you want to go through town(staying on 74 all the way), we'll meet the group on the east side of Hemet. If you want to bypass town and don't need a guide for that section, we'll meet at 79 and 74. I live on the Expressway. My wife also offered use of our facilities if you want to make a pit stop before going up the hill. Our house is on Ramona Expressway about thirty five miles before the Paradise, fifty from Fantasy Springs. If there is no stop at the Paradise, it would be the last potty break before the casino. If you want to discuss anything, pm me, and we can exchange numbers.

 
Well cancel the potty break. She thought it was just you two going. She didn't hear "group" ride. When I told her "maybe 15 or 20 bikes" she pointed out the Chevron station at the corner. Boy was I in trouble! :lol: Maybe after she knows everyone. Any way, let me know your final route so I can determine where we will meet you, and what time we need to leave home. 9:00a.m. at 15 and 74 seems a little ambitious with a group thats starting at 8:00 in Laguna. YOu know how there is always at least one thats not ready, or still needs gas or something. It'll be nice to meet you all.

Bob

 
Well cancel the potty break. She thought it was just you two going. She didn't hear "group" ride. When I told her "maybe 15 or 20 bikes" she pointed out the Chevron station at the corner. Boy was I in trouble! :lol: Maybe after she knows everyone. Any way, let me know your final route so I can determine where we will meet you, and what time we need to leave home. 9:00a.m. at 15 and 74 seems a little ambitious with a group thats starting at 8:00 in Laguna. YOu know how there is always at least one thats not ready, or still needs gas or something. It'll be nice to meet you all.Bob
Bob, the potty break was a nice gesture but waiting until you know all the folks you're dealing with is probably a much better idea. Everyone "types" normally but you just never know when you meet folks in person. :wacko:

Agreed that 0845 is probably ambitious but I wanted to get there early so I wasn't the one holding up the group. I'll PM my cell number to you, so you can call me for a status update.

- Mike

 
After thinking about it a bit, I think we'll just meet you at 74 and 15 to keep you guys company. That way the group doesn't have to make so many stops, and we can go whichever way keno wants without him having to deal with picking us up. It looks like I'm the furthest east of the group, and it's not that far for me to go to meet you. So 8:45 it is at Mobil station- 74 and I15. I'll look for you and dolma. I'll be two up on an 05.

 
B) Hi everyone. Sounds like a good ride and I would like to join in . So add one more to meet up at the Mobil station at the 74 and 15 at 8:45 am. I live in Yucaipa .

Thanks, Dan.

 
B) Hi everyone.  Sounds like a good ride and I would like to join in . So add one more to meet up at the Mobil station at the 74 and 15 at  8:45 am.  I live in Yucaipa .Thanks, Dan.
Howdy Dan. I count (4) bikes joining up with zzKenoman at Hwy 74 & I15:

1. bigdolma

2. FJRME+1

3. dkirk

4. SoCalMike

This will be the most FJRs I've ever seen... :drinks:

 
Sounds great guys & gals,

I'm still getting confirmations from the other forums tonight. The mobil station and the Chevron station are next to each other, so everyone can be at either station when we pull up. Bring warm clothes though because it will be cool on the way up. Also I talked with Elizabeth at Paradise and she said she would give us a break on menu prices if we bring a big group, but I don't know how long to stay because the real fun is at the casino. However we will have some refreshments and I will call her in the morning to let her know we are still dropping by. The dry run I did the other day, is all clear and nice roads from Hemet to Palm Desert. Those of us who will be coming over the Ortega will have to be extra careful because of the construction area and all the dirt the bulldozers spilled all over the roads. Otherwise I got information that the CHP will be in full force at the top where Hell's kitchen is with radar. Lastly the timing, I found that I was able to get to the 74 & 15 close to an hour, but give or take 10 min. Otherwise its going to be a very very fun trip.

P.S. If you guys have Chatterboxes, please bring them

 
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Your call on the Paradise. Liz just bought the place, so I'm trying to help by plugging it all I can. I eat there all the time and it's always good, but I mostly brought it up for reference to anyone riding in that area. Most breakfasts are around $5.00-$8.00. Depending on the size of the group, I don't know how long it would take to cook and serve all of us. With the timetable, we should be through there around 10:30? I don't know what you had planned for food at the casino, but eating breakfast there and then lunch a couple hours later at the casino might be a little too much food(if there is such a thing) for some. You make the call. I live in San Jacinto(HEMET), so I can eat there anytime. We (wifey) might stop there for lunch on the way home anyway whether we eat breakfast there or not. But whatever you decide is cool with me. I'm just there for the new friends and the ride. That's why I'm backtracking to Elsinore- to get more ride in. And to meet the other guys in my area. This should be fun!

Dan, Mike, dolma, see you at the Mobil. We'll be waitnig for you kenoman. Let us know if you're planning to have everyone stop, or if we should just join in when we see 20 bikes roaring by! :D

 
I had a thought, why don't we give a fellow rider a christmas card? I've got some ideas what to put in my card, and boy will they like this farkle! So bring a Christmas card guys, who knows, you might really get a present before the ride.

 
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:agent: Hi Everyone I have a change of plans. I have some friends who want to join up but they live in the Redlands and Banning area and because of some time constraints we will be riding up 243 via Banning and will hookup at the Paradice Corner Cafe in Mountain Center around 10:30. Will this work ? Let me know.

Thanks Dan.

 
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