First, a little get together for lunch in Guadalupe at the Far Western Tavern, a few miles west of Santa Maria, California. This is just like going to your local Denny's. No big deal.

Photo by Steve Hobart

click here for more of Steve's pictures of the event

from Dean Tanji:

Special thanks to Bill Allen , 02 BMWR1150RT, San Juan Capo, for saving this year's event.  He took over organization and coordinating  after I wavered at holding the event again this year. 32 riders battled through clear blue skies with puffy white clouds,  daunting 40-50º F temperatures, and safe, dry roads with nary a speck of snow, ice (black or white) or fog to attend the 3rd SoCal LDRiders "Meat and Greet" last RTE of the year.  While we tease our northern brethren who are weather barred, we dedicate this RTE to their frozen riding spirit. Please forgive me if I misspelled some names here.  I'm doing the best I can from the sign-in sheet.  The informal long distance award goes to Chris Pawney (Eeksnake, FJR), who did a 410 mile ride from Henderson NV .   Although Bob ('07 R1200GSA) & Heidi ('96 K1100LT) Still rode further with 450 miles from Yuma AZ , they had a sleepover in the middle. Mark Starrett rode the oldest bike, '88 Concours from Altadena , 195 miles. Iron Butt Rally finishers attending include Bob & Heidi Still, Steve Hobart , Lisa Landry, Dave Mishalof, Tom Loftus, and Dean Tanji . The largest single manufacture model group was the Yamaha FJR1300 with 8.  Honda Goldwing was second with 6.  The BMW R1XXXRT was third with 4.

The marquee count is as follows:
BMW - 9 (RT-4, GT-2, GSA-1, LT-1, F800-1)
Yamaha FJR – 8
Honda - 8 (GW - 6, ST - 2)
Suzuki - 3 (DL650 - 2, DL1000 - 1)
HD – 2
Kawasaki Concours – 1 (trying to disguise itself as an Eastern European BMW knockoff -see photos below-ed)
Triumph Sprint- 1

We had one incident of a rider hitting deep sand covering the road out at the Guadalupe Dunes.  Rider OK, bike was leaking oil and will have to be towed back to LA. We may have finally outgrown the little banquet room at the Far Western Tavern.  At 32 we maxed out that room's capacity. Photojournalist, Steve Hobart , was there to document the event and has posted his photos on his SmugMug gallery www.hobartphoto.smugmug.com. Click the "Motorcycles" button and "Far Western RTE" button to view the good times.

To all, Happy New Years!!! Dean Tanji Tustin, CA

Above: Our campsite at Kirk Creek

Route