July 28, 2011 - North Lake Tahoe Bike Ride

There were 11 cyclists on the Lake Tahoe bike ride this week, Glenn, Dick, Beuford, Sherm, Loren, Larry, Rich, Roland, Dominic, Rob and John. It was a day of decisions, eleven cyclists had become a challenge - how to arrange the carpool? There were two options: Option 1 - to use two 2 vehicles, Loren with 6 passengers with 4 bikes on the rack and 3 bikes in the bed of his truck and Roland with 5 passengers with 4 bikes on his rack.
Option 2 - more appealing to one's comfort by using three vehicles and but more gas for the 180 mile round trip. Now the Geezers, being of "Scottish descent" decided they would prefer option 1, with two vehicles and invest the savings in ice cream later in the day. With that all arranged, we left the parking lot at 8:15am, only 15 minutes late. Just a half mile short of our Squaw Valley turnoff, we (in the rear vehicle) witnessed Glenn's mountain bike take a gigantic leap off the bike rack to be dragged down the highway until we all came to a screeching stop. We went searching for a part that had flown off the bike, only to realize it was his bike pump. John being the bike mechanic that he is, had the tool to fix the broken chain and we were able to set off on our ride all intact except for a broken hand pump! Kudos's to John. The ride was magnificent, with the Truckee river in full flow and beautiful views everywhere!!! (don't ask cause I won't tell)! We lunched by the lake on the north shore then made our way to Safeway in Tahoe City, to pick up some ice cream.

Now as far as the ice cream decision, once again there were two options proposed: 1) a cooperative ice cream solution (sounds like the US Congress). For those who wished to combine their ice cream investment in the cooperative solution, Roland suggested that the cooperative group would contribute to a pot of money to purchase different flavors of ice cream (sounds like the Liberals). We couldn't decide if those with higher incomes should contribute more than those with lower incomes.
Option 2 - For those who preferred to purchase their own ice cream, they could do so but were warned they could only raid the cooperative left overs for a fee.

We then (at Safeway) and at the very last minute, took an up or down vote. In one session, we voted the co-op way, so four large containers of ice cream were purchased. Roland brought a "scooper", some cups and spoons while Rich brought one large bowl to make sure he didn't miss out.

We sat at picnic tables by the beach with snow capped mountains for back drop. We cleaned out all four ice cream tubs and decided to use this co-op method again. In preparation for our ride back to the cars, John and Rich decided to demonstrate their biking skills with a ride down some steep steps instead of carrying their bikes. That only left us to figure out each member's gas costs (see the last photo). What a great day of fellowship, fun and food!

The opening photo shows a Classic Geezer work party, 2 workers and 4 sidewalk supervisors!

Pre Tahoe Bike Ride Notice

Roland: - So you think putting together the logistics for our weekly Geezer outings are easy! Here's some typical organizational banter I thought you would find interesting. Sorry, no photos for this blog.

John Hebner: - This event will differ from previous Geezer events because we will not stop at MacDonald’s/Foster Freeze/Dairy Queen for ice cream. We will stop at a Safeway (Tahoe City) and independently buy ice cream. This will give the Geezer a greater selection of flavors and potential toppings rather than the typical vanilla and a chocolate dipped cone. Be sure to bring a spoon to eat your ice cream- and a bowl if you would like to share flavors with another Geezer. Sharing of flavors, spoons/bowls and potential toppings is an independent activity from the bike ride itself and the author of this announcement is declaring himself free of arbitrating selection of flavors, toppings, amounts, utensils and sharing parties. We will have an attorney along on this bike ride who may, at a fee of course, arbitrate the afore mentioned actions.

Dick Gray: Hi Guys—Yes, I’m planning on being along for the ride. If I’m the supposed mediator/arbitrator in the event of any dessert disputes or frozen treat fracases, then I will gladly intervene. However, until such time as a ruling is made, I will have to take custody of any and all ice cream and related paraphernalia, which I will hold for safekeeping during the decision making process, and which may require several samplings, etc.

John Hebner - After speaking with Roland this morning, we should start at 8:00am from Safeway instead of 7:30am. Please show up 10/15 minutes early so we can load bikes and get underway by 8:00. Roland feels very confident that with the later start we can still safely get back to Roseville by 5:00pm- and most importantly still have time for ice cream. He also predicts that the length of the bike ride will be around 27 miles.

Dick Gray: Sounds good to me. Flat is better than hilly. And I’m always in favor of a later morning start time! I too want to remind everyone to bring a spoon…along with a gracious and merciful attitude about our snack stop, so hopefully there will be no spats over spoons, no fisticuffs over fudgesicles, no drawdowns over dreamsicles, and no displays of pugilism over popsicles. Even though I am not yet a full-fledged geezer (I haven’t been through the initiation yet and don’t know the handshake), I know that geezers are, by definition, kind and peace loving. However, on the oft chance that someone might behave out of character, I will bring my pocket version of the California Codes and Statutes and my yellow legal pad, and will be available in the event of a legal emergency…….! Thanks.

John: Knowing the full-fledged Geezers as I do, if there is a legal emergency and you have to open your pocket version of California Codes and Statutes and put some notes on your yellow legal pad the first question you'll be asked will be "is there a senior discount available"?

John: Now as far as the ice cream decision, there has been an option proposed: a cooperative ice cream solution (sounds like the US Congress). For those who wish to purchase their own ice cream, do it (and bring your own spoon!)- pay for what you eat (sounds like the Conservatives). For those who wish to combine their ice cream investment in the cooperative solution, Roland has suggested that a cooperative group may wish to contribute to a pot of money that will purchase a package of ice cream cones (or "wafers" in Britain) and a couple of different flavors of ice cream (sounds like the Liberals). It has not been decided if those with higher incomes should contribute more than those with lower incomes. Roland will bring a "scooper" for distributing the afore mentioned ice cream and placing it in the afore mentioned cones (wafers). A decision will be made at Safeway (Tahoe City).

July 21, 2011 - Donner Peak & Railroad Snow Sheds

This weeks hike to took us to Donner Peak and the abandoned Sierra railroad snow sheds. We decided against climbing Mt. Judah as it was still snowbound (in July)!
Snow or no snow, we learned from last year to have the bug spray on before getting out of the car. Some guys forgot and were immediately attacked by mosquitoes. Our first picture shows all going for the spray. As you will see from the photos, the summer trail was still covered by lots of snow and the "kids" got to play!





























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