Idyllwild (Courtesy of Tim Shevlin):

The July 8 ride to Idyllwild happened as scheduled, but the threat of high heat in the Inland Empire apparently discouraged most would-be attendees. Meeting at the Ortega Hwy and 5 Freeway at 9 AM were ride leader Tim Shevlin, Wayne Brenner and co-rider/group photographer Karuna on ST1300's, VFR 800 pilot Mike Sleeman, and Jack Riggs on a Triumph 1000ST.  After cruising the Ortega, with a quick stop at the Lookout at Lake Elsinore for tire-kicking, we utilized back roads to arrive at the Ramona Expressway that led us to Hemet in surprisingly light traffic conditions.  Proceeding up the hill from Hemet, we ate up some world-class twisties on the way into still-green and always lovely Idyllwild.  After a very pleasant patio lunch at the Gastrognome, a classy place with good food and a great view of the relaxed goings-on in town, the group headed north on Rte. 243, a curvy, scenic  mountain road that eventually fed us into the 10 Freeway at Banning and our return ride home. A very good day, we all agreed, and heat was never a problem.
 

Petaluma (Courtesy of Leonard Lloyd):

Rick Butler organized an intricate and scenic ride to Dolan Beach with a most indirect route to the Petaluma Cheese Factory for a mid-ride break.  Those joining the pre-ride gathering were Al & Elsie Soboleski, Rick Butler and Melissa Ward, Rich Mample, Julie Edson, Paulo Barros, Phil & Gale Brownell, Frank Ormonde, Ron Fulmer, Leonard Lloyd & Iris Preece.

Once free of downtown Petaluma, Rick set the pace out Western Ave., climbing up from a curve to the right and a left at the top before turning onto Chileno Valley Road -- less smooth but more twists and turns through Farmland and grazing sheep.  At Tomales Rd., we headed for the coast and Shoreline Highway, State Route #1 south to Marshall and its climbing left turn to head back toward Petaluma.  Even more bumps and turns before Hicks Valley road took us to the road to Pt. Reyes and a break beside the pond at the Petaluma Cheese Factory.

After the pond-side break in the shade, Rick led the group west toward Pt. Reyes, turning north on Hwy 1 for the serpentine run through the tree lined rural and ocean side Marin and Sonoma refuge from urban life.  The road climbs and falls, twists and turns, between hills and above cliffs, oyster bars and boatyards, farms and B&B's.  At Tomales, we turn left onto Beach Road to Dillon Beach and lunch at the Cafe.