Spud Run 2013

BLUE KNIGHTS®

International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club

California VII (Oakland)

Spud Run

Fellow Knights, care to join me on the 21st Annual Spud Run to Boise Idaho, the unofficial West Coast Conference gathering of reprobates and geezers from across the western states? This fun-filled extravaganza has been a staple in hundreds of our lives for decades and if you wish to participate this year, here’s the Ca.7 itinerary:

Thursday, May 23, 2013, we’ll meet at the Chevron Station/Starbucks in Fairfield, 4490 Central Way at 0730 to top off our tanks and exchange pleasantries. At 0800 sharp, we’ll be in the wind eastbound on I-80 to the Shell Station at Nyack for a pit-stop, then on to the Silverado Casino at the bottom-right of the East Fernley exit off I-80 in Fernley, Nevada, for lunch at appx. Noon. After our food frenzy and fuel refill, it’s off to the Garden-Of-Eden burg of Winnemucca, Nevada for the night at the Winnemucca Inn and Casino, 741 W. Winnemucca Blvd., 775 623 2565. Ask for the Government rate of $77.00 single or $99.00 double.

Friday, May 24^th at 0800 our caravan will head north 75 miles on US-95 to McDermit at the Oregon border for breakfast then another 100 miles to Jordan Valley, Oregon, for gas. That will be our last stop before arriving at 1500hrs (MST) at our host hotel, The Riverside Hotel, 2900 Chinden Blvd., Garden City, Id. 83714. 208 343 1871. Note that I included the ZIP code because both Boise and Garden City claim this hotel that sits on their borders! Go figure. Make your reservations for Friday the 24^th and Saturday the 25^th at $74.00 per night king or double queen. You must mention “Blue Knights Spud Run” when reserving and order your Saturday night (price TBD) BBQ dinner ticket at that time.

After two days of merriment, we’ll head home Sunday the 26^th via the reverse route. Some of us will spend Sunday night at the Best Western Inn, 1405 East Newlands Dr., Fernley, Nevada 775 575 6776. Ask for the Blue Knights rate of $89.00 single or double.

Now, here’s a caveat to the above dates: Last year, fellow Ca.7 member Bill Scott and I followed the above timeline, and as has been my norm for more than a decade, we left Fernley at 0600 to beat the Monday Memorial Day traffic “down the hill” and through Sacramento. In years past, and on a few occasions even in rain, we were home by 1300 after a breakfast stop in Auburn and a relaxed ride. Not so last year. We encountered HEAVY fog and freezing temps in the 20’s from Verdi to Baxter, about 60 white-knuckle miles of speeds no greater than 25-35 because of lousy visibility and perfect conditions for black ice! Therefore, if there’s a chance of similar atmospheric conditions this year, I’ll make a last minute decision and spend an extra day luxuriating in Boise before heading to Fernley. This will allow a much later departure from the Best Western as we won’t be commingling with heavy midafternoon holiday traffic.

For several reasons, I have not made group reservations this year, so I suggest you make yours ASAP. The Winnemucca and Fernley hotels will be sold-out on the dates I cited, the Riverside, probably not because it’s huge. Also, I’d appreciate a courtesy email if you’re going to join us on the trek to or from Boise.

I’ve provided you with “forensic clues” to the ever-changing weather conditions in the Sierra Nevada Mountains @ 7300’. Oregon and Idaho each have a 5000+’ pass we’ll traverse too. While it has historically been clear with moderate temps from beginning to end, bring appropriate gear! Ya never know, donchano!

I remain, Dennis M. Brown, His Own Self, Part Time and Pathetic Ride Director @ hos6350@sbcglobal.net

Views expressed are not necessarily the opinions of the Blue Knights'® International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, Inc., the Blue Knights'® Oakland CA VII Chapter or any government agency.