June 2024 Interactive DIgital Edition

CC BIKER & MOTORSPORTS

A Nice Saturday Ride...

Kelli Langley WRITER

As summer arrives and the weather turns warmer, most of us look forward to getting on the bike and heading for the hills. In the foothills around the Central Valley the hills are green, the flowers are blooming, and the roads are perfect for a day ride. One of the nicest rides I can think of is from the Fresno area to North Fork, then either up the Scenic By-way or across to Bass Lake.

As you head north on Highway 41 toward Yosemite, the road begins to narrow, and the traffic begins to thin. You’ll pass the turn-off to Millerton Lake (also a nice ride), head past the 22-Mile House, and eventually find yourself at the junction of the highway and Road 200, also known as the Scenic By-way. Turn to the east here, and as this road dips and turns the valley floor is left behind and oak trees and cattle become more abundant. At this time

of year the poppies are in full bloom, as well as lupines and other flowers, which gives you a colorful background as you ride.

You’ll eventually find yourself passing the BassFork MiniMart, and from there you can either turn toward Bass Lake or continue on to North Fork. My choice takes me to North Fork, as Road 200 turns into Road 222. Once in this quaint little ex-logging town, you’ll see the Buckhorn Restaurant and Bar. If it’s still early, the Buckhorn has an excellent selection of breakfast items on their menu; if it’s a little later, you can enjoy almost anything from a taco to a hot dog to an Angus steak sandwich, along with a cold beer or drink, before heading down the road. Come back in the evening and you’ll find the same menu, but the crowd does get a little livelier.

Once you’ve filled up at the Buckhorn you can continue through North Fork until

you get to the fork by the North Fork Market. From this fork you can either turn north again and head toward Manzanita Lake (the road will also take you past Angel Falls to Bass Lake), or continue on to the east on the Scenic By-way, which will take you past the Redinger Lake overlook, by the Jesse Ross cabin, and past several great campgrounds, Mile-High Lookout, Mammoth Pool, and eventually winds around until you reach Highway 41 again, on the north side of Oakhurst.

The road I’m most familiar with is the one that leads to Manzainita Lake. Manzanita Lake is a small lake

maintained by PG&E. There are several picnic sites here, the ducks and geese will keep you entertained, and the fishing is usually great. If you don’t stop at the Buckhorn this is the ideal place to break for a picnic and a cold one before going on your way. Leaving Manzanita and turning east you’ll travel a narrow road that will take you along a peaceful road to the shores of Bass Lake. From there you can either go around the lake or head back to Highway 41 toward home or Yosemite. The other road is the Scenic By-way, which is an amazing ride full of different scenery and switchbacks. (Just a quick side note - there is only one gas station/store along this route, and I can’t guarantee when and if it will be open, so make sure the tank is full and you have snacks and drinks before you head up.) This road is not maintained in the winter, so if you go up in the early spring it may still be closed due to snow. If not, it’s worth the trip! The Reddinger Lake overlook is one of the first views you’ll appreciate after leaving North Fork, as the oak-covered hills slope down to the lake. Continue

Editor

Writers

Richard Tilley Danelle Brown

Joslynn Davis (CallieSkywalker) Gary Roberts

Photography

Sales

Richard Tilley 559-572-3573

Danelle Brown

Joslynn Davis (CallieSkywalker)

Graphic Design

Jennifer Turk jenhturk@gmail.com

Victory Life Living Word Church 1st Annual Car & Bike Show

Richard Tilley OWNER/EDITOR

On Saturday, May 11th 2024, I had the opportunity to slide on over to 505 W. Cameron, Hanford, Ca to see the 1st Annual Car & Bike show. When I got there, they were already going full force. I saw

SATURDAY RIDE

Continued from page 1

on and you’ll come to a small sign pointing to the Jesse Ross Cabin, the homeplace of one of Madera County’s first settlers. There are original newspapers from the early 1900’s lining the walls, and the cabin has been restored to the exact specifications as when old Mr. Ross was living there. Along the By-way there are several excellent campgrounds and fishing streams, and plenty of side roads that are maintained enough for a slow ride. The Mile High Overlook gives you an excellent view of Mammoth Pool and the surrounding areas. At Mammoth Pool you’ll find Wagner’s Resort, the gas station/store that

like 5 Motorcycles and close to 20 cars all lined up for folks to check them out and see some awesome bikes, cars and trucks on display. They had music playing and had a variety of food available for sale inside. They had were having a raffle and there was

might or might not be open, and a few primitive campgrounds. Continue on past Mammoth and you’ll pass Jackass Meadows, then turn back down the hill until you come back to the highway. It’s a long loop, but it can be done in one day, and the scenery is worth it.

Once back on Highway 41 you can either head up to Yosemite or back down to the valley. There are several restaurants and bars in the Oakhurst/ Coarsegold area, many which are listed in our Central California Biker, to stop at and finish off a wonderful day.

So, if you’re looking for a great place to ride to on a warm spring day, head up north on Highway 41 and see what’s waiting for you!

some cool items up for grabs. I saw several folks I know to include a few brothers from CMA Kings County Chapter. Including Kenny Bailey, Johnny, Mark and a few others. I sat at their table and DD was there as well.

I had a good time checking

Bad Service

By DD

Heads up to my fellow bikers/riders.....SPREAD THE WORD.... Never Ever go to these people (Feroma Motorsports in Hanford, Ca). Charged me about $1000 to work on my bike, over and over they said it was ready and done, every time I test drove it, it ran awful. The mechanic is a jerk, almost went blows with him, the salesgirl is a liar and exaggerated in her

out all the cars, trucks and bikes and enjoyed talking with a few brother while there as well. I couldn’t stay long as Danelle was home alone and not doping so good, so I made it a semi quick trip.

I look forward to attending again next year.

sales and comments and the owners got involved and almost went to blows with the owner. Said he doesn’t care about bikers and what they say or think about his business. Lawsuit in the works. Anyone have a good lawyer to help me sue, message me in private. Small claims Court are good for these jerks.

Central California

Graphic Design Services

Jennifer Turk

559-708-8122

jenhturk@gmail.com

Inhisimage Cleaning LLC Professional Cleaning Services

559-286-8207

www.facebook.com/ InhisownimageCleaning559

Six Strings for Freedom

559-410-3353

www.facebook.com/ sixstringsforfreedom Clovis

Dog Gon’ Clean Grooming 135 Shaw Ave D1

559-325-7974

www.groomingbymaria.com

Sassano’s Men’s Wear

448 Pollasky

559-299-4430

www.sassanosmenswear.com

Fresno

Clawson Motorsports

6334 N. Blackstone Ave

559-435-5020

www.clawsonmotorsports.com

Daddy Waffles

7089 N. Marks Ave www.instagram.com/ daddywaffles559

Mariposa

Happy Burger Diner

5120 Highway 140 209-966-2719

www.happyburgerdiner.com

Steve’s Sportsman Café 3441 Woodland Dr. 209-966-8223

www.facebook.com/ StevesSportsmansCafe

Nationwide

Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys

4400 Coldwater Canyon Ave Ste 200

Studio City, CA 800-424-5377

www.russbrown.com

North Fork

Buckhorn Saloon 32992 Road 222 559-877-8700

www.buckhornsaloon.net

Riverdale

Rooster’s

Life’s a Beach

Kelli Langley WRITER

Not all “biking” is done on the pavement; when you want to get out kick up some sand, there’s only one place to consider in Central California: Oceano Dunes at Pismo Beach. Two wheels, four wheels, bike, quad, ATV, or truck, the Dunes offer something for everyone who likes to get out and get sandy. There are plenty of places to put your RV or pitch a tent, and the camping fees are not that bad. Surfing, swimming, surf fishing, horseback riding and bird watching are some other activities people enjoy when they’re not getting stuck out in the Dunes.

In the summer you can escape the heat by heading for the beach: temperatures range in the 60’s and 70’s for the highs, and the lows are in the 50’s. Most mornings find the beach and dunes shrouded in fog, which makes things even more fun! In the winter the highs are in the 50’s and 60’s and the lows are in the 40’s, and there is actually less fog than the valley usually has. The only really “bad” weather you face there is in the spring, when the winds kick up. Tie your equipment down and make sure your tent is staked, they have a tendency to blow away!

Oceano Dunes is the only California State Park where vehicles can be driven on the beach. Although you can take your Camry or Accord down the beach (at times) four wheel drive is definitely recommended for driving on the beach and to the camping and off-highway vehicle use areas in the park, especially when Arroyo Creek is running high. This beachfront paradise is one of the most popular and unique of California State Parks. There are over five miles of beach open for cars and trucks and the sand dunes available for off highway motor vehicle recreation.

The recreation area is located in Oceano, three miles south of Pismo Beach off Highway 1. One mile south of the Pier Avenue beach ramp is Post 2, a post on the beach which marks the beginning of the off-highway vehicle riding and camping area. All ATV’s must be transported to this point before unloading. Any areas on the beach or in the dunes that are fenced or signed are closed to vehicular use because they either contain sensitive plant and animal life or are private property and the fine is hefty is you get caught there.

Before you get to the beach, make sure your ATV or off-road vehicle is properly registered. All vehicles must be registered through the Department of Motor Vehicles and display a current green or red sticker. The rangers do check, and penalties run from fines to impounding the vehicle.

Once you get to the rec area

you’ll find hard packed sand, huge dunes, small jumps, large jumps and the infamous “Sand Highway”. Once you get set up, let the fun begin! Of course, no trip is considered right until you either get stuck or help someone become un-stuck. Especially back on the Sand Highway, it’s easy for an inexperienced driver to get a little overconfident and find themselves in need of help. Remember, if your vehicle becomes stuck, you might try to drop your tire pressure or try to dig the vehicle out, but your best bet is to hope some Good Samaritan comes along with a tow rope. Towing is available, but it’s expensive, so it’s best to have some friends along to help just in case.

Oceano Dunes is pretty much a wide-open playground for big kids, but there are rules that must be followed. Please make sure to get a copy of these when you check in, as the rangers and SLO County are usually out and about on a regular basis. A couple of the biggies are no-brainers: don’t drink and drive or ride any off-road vehicle, and always wear a helmet on a bike, quad, or OHV. Play nice with others and you’ll usually have no problems.

Once the sun goes down, you can head into Pismo Beach and pick up some clam chowder and fish and chips at the many establishments there, and, of course, stop by Harry’s for a couple of cold ones.

All in all, if you like to get off-road and have fun, Oceano Dunes is the place to go!