The direct address for this page is:
http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/USCARally2009.htm
Last update: 1140 Pacific Coast time, June 25th
USCA 2009 Rally at Lake
Tahoe, California
Your Hosts, Bob (Snowbum) and Penny
The United Sidecar Association 2009
National Rally will be at South Lake Tahoe, California, June 25-28, 2009.
While the Rally officially starts on Friday, Registration will be open around 3
p.m. on Thursday for early
arrivals. There are some who will be arriving
days earlier...and Camp Richardson will be accommodating to those wanting a
longer vacation.
It has been twenty-five years since the 1983 USCA National Rally was held at
Lake Tahoe (then at Alpine Meadows). Bob Fleischer (Snowbum), a 36+ year Lake Tahoe
resident, sidecarist, BMW Airhead motorcycle nut; and his wife, Penny
Fairfield, are the Facilitators/Hosts for the 2009 Rally.
These pages are long & very detailed. You will
find nearly everything here about the Rally.
Your Hosts suggest re-reading these pages just prior to leaving
for the Rally.
Print portions you might like to have, (such as the clickable link rally schedule page) just before leaving for the
Rally, to be sure you have the latest version. The
final Rally schedule will be available at Rally Headquarters
during the Rally.
Quick jump to Rally schedule (click)
USCA pre-registration is NOW CLOSED...you can now only register ON SITE. We cannot guarantee you a Rally Pin, or Rally Mug....nor even a Rally T shirt. Only 200 Rally pins were made; and only 250 mugs. Rally Pins will be given to the Attendees in the order of pre-Registration; any left over will then go to other attendees. There are a limited number of extra mugs and T-shirts for drop-ins. T-shirts can be purchased from our T-shirt printer, after the Rally; their business cards will be available at Rally Headquarters.
The Deadline to be sure of obtaining a TENT or RV site with Camp Richardson was May 25th. That date has now passed. Camp Richardson is now offering our untaken sites to the public...that means the non-sidecar public!...who are expected to fill up "our" area reasonably soon. If you show up without pre-Registering with Camp Richardson you may not find a place to camp (or park your RV), unless you are able to convince someone to let you share their spot. RV spots in particular will fill fast. Call Camp Richardson if you intend to stay in the Rally Site campground, or are bringing an RV, or intend to use a Camp Richardson cabin.
Day Passes: There are no day passes. If you are just visiting, and not partaking of the USCA-provided Saturday evening catered meal or/nor Sunday Continental Breakfast...and are NOT an actual participant in GUIDED tours, nor in the Games at the airport nor Show and Shine at the airport, then you will be considered a VISITOR, and there are NO FEES! Welcome!
This lovely flyer/poster,
courtesy of Linda Foster,
aka "The Barn Lady". THANKS, Linda!
Linda will be running the Sidecar Games
((the Rally T-shirts
are printed with a modified version of the above flyer))
1973 Photo of Dr. Hal Kendall’s sidecar rig, from which the
USCA logo is taken. Picture was flipped horizontally and
traced. Mr. Kendall currently lives in Houston, Texas, and
continues to be a member (#2) of the USCA. Ed Johnson
(deceased), Co-Founder of the USCA, held membership #1.
The rig is a 1972 1000 Laverda 3C triple, with a Watsonian
GP sidecar of about 1966 vintage.
Camp Richardson's Eagles Nest Group Tent Campground is the Rally Site. Rally Headquarters is just inside the entrance.
The GPS coordinates for the Eagle's Nest Group Campground entrance is:
N38°55.996'; W120°02.276'.
For a view from the Camp Richardson pier, click on this:
http://www.tahoe360.com/flashmaps2/LargeVR.php?id=2591&idvr=7
Other Lake Tahoe views:
http://www.tahoe360.com/flashmaps2/LargeVR.php?id=2594&idvr=10
http://www.tahoe360.com/flashmaps2/LargeVR.php?id=2599&idvr=15
http://www.tahoe360.com/flashmaps2/LargeVR.php?id=2599&idvr=15
Lake Tahoe Visitors website:
http://www.LTVA.ORG
(do NOT use .com for that)
Volunteers (and THINGS) needed...or filled... for the rally:
***We also need a few things, that
someone may wish to donate or just bring for use. They will be listed here (this list is
thankfully getting short!):
1. Some small notepads and pencils or ballpoint pens. We want to
have these at the Rally Headquarters tables area, for Attendees to be able to write
down things, to take information with them...perhaps on
rides/tours/sight-seeing, routes, places, etc...just anything they might want
write down. We will have the Rally Schedule available; and, the Volunteers
here can furnish information.
2.
An awning or
large outdoor umbrella ...more than one...would be very much appreciated
for use at Rally Headquarters.
3.
DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING, PERHAPS SOMETHING OFF THE WALL, TO DONATE FOR SIDECAR
GAMES PRIZES? Door Prizes? For the White Elephant Raffles?
4. Vendor contributions are also appreciated for such as the White Elephant
Raffles, Sunday Morning muffins, coffee, doughnuts, etc. Vendors help WILL BE noted in The Sidecarist and
PROMINENTLY displayed as such at the Rally!
*****Vendor Contributions:
1. Leisure Products, Inc., dba California Sidecar, Escapade Trailers....in
Arrington, VA, has very kindly contributed for our coffee FOR THE ENTIRE RALLY!!
THANK YOU!!!!!
2. We have White Elephant donations from several
vendors....who will be so acknowledged (and appreciated!) at the Registration
Desk area.
3. Bob Bakker (Bakker-Ryan World Record top speed sidecar will be here on
display!) has made a most generous donation.
4. Ural has made a number of
contributions of Ural items.
5. Bob's BMW.....and others...have made
contributions...so...See the Vendor appreciation list at Rally
Headquarters.
6.
We'd very much like to hear from you.
Listed
below are some of the ways you can help. Please choose one or more
Volunteer
positions,
read the description and let us know what you'd like to do. The early
bird gets the selection of his/her choice. Don't be modest, share your
talents!
contact:
Pennyfairfield@bmwmotorcycletech.info
(or)
Snowbum@bmwmotorcycletech.info
If you need to phone, the number is (530) 541-1610.
Volunteer positions:
Volunteer "Greeter" and "Coffee
Attendant":
The Monohan Family (Norbert
Monohan is the USCA Nevada Representative) have volunteered to be our primary "Greeters"
and to help with the coffee, help familiarize you with the camping and other
areas, etc.
Say HELLO to Norbert, wife Linda, and daughter
Lisa when you arrive. Norbert will be bringing his 26' trailer with awning,
it will be located just inside the Eagle's Next Group Campground
entrance.
There will be tables and sunshades set up here.
This
will be Rally Headquarters. This is the place for the
Rally Coffee, Rally
Registration Desk, White Elephant drop-off,
...Information Central...and probably the place for guided rides to
gather (not sure about that...so see the poster announcements at Rally
Headquarters)...ETC!
The Monohan's
will need a tad of
help/relief now and then. We don't want them tied up all the time
here!!....and...Norbert is going to lead one of the Guided Tours
right after the Show 'n Shine on Saturday morning.
50/50
Raffle tickets sellers and general Schmoozers:
We'd like to have at least two volunteers to meander around the campgrounds, RV village,
etc. Schmooze with Rally Attendees, make folks feel welcome, provide
information about the Rally site and general area; AND, to sell 50/50 raffle
tickets.
Gail Perszyk and Susie Ellsworth have volunteered; look for them in the
Campground area. They probably could use a helper or two...???
White Elephant Raffle Ticket Sales: Two
or three persons needed, alternate your 'shifts'. No need to do this full
time! We expect a HUGE amount of White Elephant
items....we already have lots of boxes of neat things; and Rally Attendees are invited
to bring their own things to donate to these raffles.
We need
volunteers to sell raffle tickets! Are you a good Schmoozer and
salesperson?...want to wander the campsites and greet and get new
friends (and sell white elephant tickets)??
Master
of Ceremonies: We need a volunteer! Helpful if this person knows some of the membership.
We'd prefer someone with a gift of gab (and a sense
of time...to keep things moving!). This
person would be 'on stage' after the Saturday evening catered meal to do
announcements and the 50-50 Raffle. If no one volunteers that fits the
category, Snowbum, in either a raccoon hat (or some other
craziness) probably will rope someone into doing this...or, do it
himself (ugly thought, that!).
Sidecar
Games and Prizes: This
position has been filled by Linda Foster who will decide on the Games, produce
and referee them. If Linda needs some help, she will 'draft' (strong-arm)
someone! We have an experienced Games volunteer (or two) to help Linda if
she needs it.
DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING, PERHAPS SOMETHING OFF THE WALL, TO DONATE FOR SIDECAR GAMES PRIZES?
White Elephant Raffles?
Kids Activities: There will be NO organized children's programs unless someone wants to do organize and run them. There are so many things parents and kids can enjoy together in this area. This includes a walk to the beach for water/sand castle play; several nature trails suitable for children at the Taylor Creek Stream Profile site. They, as well as adults, might enjoy seeing this underwater viewing chamber. There are bicycle rentals for children and adults at Camp Richardson. There may be Ranger talks at the Forest Service Amphitheatre.....etc. Some children may be helping with various Rally things, if they and their parents would like to.
EST
organizer: The ''..est' List (oldEST rig, oldEST driver/rider,
youngEST, newEST, farthEST...whatever the EST volunteer wants to do). Penny, one of your two Rally Hosts, has volunteered to handle this as our "...est"
Organizer. She has already prepared the needed items and system.
Do not forget to enter this contest at the Rally Headquarters area. If you
do not enter, you do not have a chance to win.
Rally Tours: We
will have some self-guided tours for you, details are listed near the end of
this long page (and ask Norbert, Penny, Snowbum, etc...locals...for more
information) AND, there is information on the rally schedule, besides
the daily schedule that will be at Rally Headquarters.
We WILL have some GUIDED tours
too!! You can expect wonderful scenery and GREAT riding/driving
conditions.
Food Service & Helpers: Linda Foster is not only running the Sidecar Games...but she has commandeered her grandchildren to help her bus tables. We MIGHT need some volunteers to supplement the catering crew in serving the food for the Saturday night meal. If we do happen to need some volunteers ....we'll rope-ya!.
Registration: We may
need one or two more helpers to share running the Registration &
Check-In 'desk' at Rally Headquarters....Penny has arranged
things so shift periods will be short.
***NOTE!....All paid Rally Attendees will be given a Tyvek wristband, that identifies them for entrance to the catered meal on Saturday evening, Sunday Continental Breakfast, enables participation (for insurance purposes) at the Games, ETC. All paid Attendees (and Presenters and Vendors) will be given identification badges. Different colored backgrounds will be used for Vendors, Presenters, Volunteers. Attendees other than those three categories will have plain white backgrounds. If you want to enjoy the Caterer's meal, don't lose your wristband!
The USCA Registration/check-in at Rally Headquarters will be officially open:
Thursday: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Rally
officially starts on Friday)
Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; AND, 1 pm to 2:30 pm.
Saturday 8 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.(??).
While
Rally Headquarters will likely be open all day on Saturday (and on
Sunday morning for coffee, ETC), it is not known at present if it will
be open for Registration after 11 a.m. on Saturday.
Please see later herein for DETAILS on arriving at the Rally!
Camp
Richardson's Eagles Nest Group Campground is the Rally site.
All camping and RV reservations MUST BE made directly with Camp Richardson,
NOT
the USCA!
BE
SURE to tell the reservation clerk that you are with the USCA Group. This applies
not only to those that
are camping
in the Eagle's Nest Group Campground but also if you are staying in the Camp
Richardson RV
Village or Camp Richardson's
cabins or hotel. If you are NOT staying at Camp Richardson, you do NOT Register with them.
Camp Richardson camping fees, RV spot fees,
hotel and cabins... for those identifying as
being with the USCA Group... are 10% off automatically. The discounts also apply to "guests",
that is, anyone
identifying themselves as with the USCA group....not just
official USCA Members with Membership Numbers. To clarify: If you,
your friend's, family, etc., are NOT YET USCA Members, you will STILL receive
the USCA discount...so ask for it when telephoning Camp Richardson. BE
SURE to let Camp Richardson know that you are with the USCA!!
Camp Richardson's reservation desk
and phone is (800) 544-1801. Note
the "4".
If you can't get through, try: 530-541-1801 ...That is not an error, it is 541-1801
An overview of discounted fees are: $31.50 per standard camping site per night; twice that for the two oversize camping sites. RV sites: FULL hookups are $40.50 a night; water and electricity sites are $36.00. There are also a few water-only tent sites in the RV village at $31.50, but we have not reserved any. That is a possibility if you show up without pre-registering with Camp Richardson. Don't count on this. Camp Richardson is a super-popular place.
There is a LOT more information on weather, camping spots, RV spots information, etc., including site maps, etc., further down this page!!!
Seminars/Presentations/Displays/Pullman Hacker Reunion, etc:
Seminars are expected to be held in the Hotel "Great Room"; which has a
projection screen, and we'll set up a public address system.
#1:
The 2009 Pullman Hacker 40 year reunion will be
held concurrently at this United Side Car Association National Rally.
Al Johnson has volunteered to do a Seminar/Presentation.
Al is USCA #13, a Life Member, and he was the President of the Chicago-based
Pullman Hacker M/C Club in the late seventies. That club was
dissolved, the Charter went to Ed Johnson (now deceased), who had been the
Secretary. Ed and Hal Kendall, and a few others, then formed the USCA. Al
will be speaking and showing memorabilia about the old days, and will be
showing a 45 minute home movie of the old Pullman Hacker days, transferred from Super-Eight film to DVD.
#2: Miss (mis-??) Adventuring Carla King,
the author of the Motorcycle Misadventures series of motorcycle adventures
around the world will be camping with us. Carla is the author of several books about her
sidecar adventures around the world. "Miss Adventuring...The Misadventurous Lifestyle-a How-To Guide"; "America on a
Russian Motorcycle"; etc. Carla will be doing a combination of a talk
and presentation with a slideshow from her trip last year to China on a Chang
Jiang. She will also very likely discuss her trip to Spain &
Morocco on a Ural Gear-up...she is JUST BACK from that trip. She may toss in some of the American Borders journey, etc.
Normally you can follow Carla via her website - she specializes in real-time dispatches from the road.
You'll be able to get signed copies of some of her books.
http://www.CarlaKing.com/
Book: http://motorcyclemisadventures.com
Newsletter: http://www.motorcyclemisadventures.com/eNewsletter.cfm
Blog: http://carlaking.typepad.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=carlaking
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/carlaking
Twitter: http://twitter.com/missadventuring
Bookmarks: http://delicious.com/carlaking
Carla:
#3 "Coach" Ramey
Stroud. Snowbum classifies "Coach" as a world traveler,
adventurer, motorcyclist, guide and trainer... Coach will do a slide
show/Seminar. He has an unique approach to things.
We received notification Tuesday the
23rd of June that Coach is having some nasty back problems right
now, and has cancelled; he will be greatly missed.
#4:
The Bob Bakker - Warren Ryan racing sidecar will be on display.
This sidecar set a Bonneville record and holds 4 land-speed record for sidecar
rigs, with a top speed of 187 MPH! It was purpose-built for racing at the
Bonneville Salt Flats. This sidecar is expected to be at the Rally Site
(AND at the Sidecar Games and Show'n Shine at the airport on Saturday
morning).
REGISTRATION,
T-SHIRTS,
Rally Pins; Rally Mugs
USCA pre-registration is NOW CLOSED...you can only register ON SITE. We cannot offer you a Rally Pin as these are all assigned to the first 200 pre-registrants. We expect to have a Rally Mug for you. We will have, at most, 2 dozen extra Rally T shirts for sale at Rally Headquarters. If you miss out on a T-shirt, you will be able to order them from the maker.
The Deadline to be sure of obtaining a TENT or RV site with Camp Richardson was May 25th. That date is now passed. They are now offering 'our' untaken sites to the public...that means the non-sidecar public!...who are expected to fill up "our" area reasonably soon. If you show up without pre-Registering with Camp Richardson you may not find a place to camp (or park your RV), unless you are able to convince someone to let you share their spot. RV spots in particular will fill fast. Plenty of tent camping places were still available as of May 26th. Call Camp Richardson if you intend to stay in the Rally Site campground there, or are bringing an RV, or intend to use a Camp Richardson cabin.
Pre-registration with USCA
is CLOSED. There is now on site USCA Registration
ONLY.
USCA Members - $40.00
See below "Clarification"
NON-Members - $45.00 See below "Clarification"
Age 10-18 - $35.00
Under age 10 - FREE
T-shirts are $16.00 at the Gate,
IF
available.
Rally Mugs are assigned to pre-registered first. If any
are left over, these will go to show-ups.
The USCA Registration/check-in at Rally Headquarters will be officially open:
Thursday: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Rally
officially starts on Friday)
Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; AND, 1 pm to 2:30 pm.
Saturday 8 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
While
Rally Headquarters will likely be open all day on Saturday (and on
Sunday morning for coffee, ETC), it PROBABLY will not open for Registration after
11 a.m. on Saturday; but a final decision may not be made until
that day.
Please see later herein for DETAILS on arriving at the Rally!!
NOTE 1: Rally Fee includes daily coffee, Sunday
"Continental" breakfast of coffee, and big muffins (and maybe
other bakery items??),.... AND... covers the Saturday evening catered meal.
If you intend to enter the Sidecar Games as a contestant, or go on GUIDED
tours, then, due to insurance requirements, you must be USCA registered.
Identification for the
Games, Saturday evening catered meal and Sunday Continental
Breakfast is by presenting
yourself, with your intact, on your-wrist, Rally Wristband.
NOTE 2: We will try to have a logo'd Rally Mug for every Rally
Attendee.
The idea is to have a nice souvenir/memento, and to
eliminate the need for styrofoam cups at the Rally.
250 mugs were made....in assorted colors!
NOTE 3: First 200 pre-registrants will receive a Rally Pin. ONLY 200
were made! They are already assigned.
Here is a photo of the artwork that was used to make the pins....the
pins look just like this photo. Joyce
Canfield, your USCA President, selected the design and ordered them for us!!
NOTE 4: The fee structure reflects
that USCA MEMBERS GET A CONSIDERABLE
DISCOUNT on both Rally Fee and T-shirts. Rally Pins are
only given to the first 200 pre-registrants! We suggest at least one person in your family JOIN the USCA,
as you can then get your discount when you show up NOT
pre-registered. Save MONEY...join during registration on
site!
There is another page with the
Membership joining form on it, so click on:
USCAmembershipform.htm
Clarification #1: The Registration Fees are per
individual. We do
not offer a two-for-one registration package.
For registration purposes, if the passenger is a member of the same
household, they get to register at the same price as the household USCA
Member. That goes for anyone living at the same address, even though the
spouse and children may not be on the official membership list. This we do to
try to keep costs down for our members and their families.
Clarification #2: Just what IS a "Member"? This question
has come up about spouses, if one spouse is a paid adult Member, is the
other considered a Member too?... and, just what IS an Associate Member,
since there is such a category on the USCA Membership form?
See Clarification #1, above...ONE Membership per family is all that is required in order for all family
members to be considered USCA Members, as far as the Rally Fee is
concerned. If one person in the family has a full Membership, then their
spouse and children are all considered Members, as far as the Rally Fee is
concerned; that is, each will pay only the Member price for their
Rally Registration Fee. One's spouse, or significant partner, either if
living at your home, is entitled to Member prices, if you are a Member.
The primary Member, as well as their
immediate family, all are eligible for the greatly discounted Rally
Registration Fee. On the
USCA
Membership Form ...the Application/Renewal form... is listed an
Associate Membership category. Associate Members can
VOTE in USCA Elections, and receive a separate ballot. ONLY the primary Member receives the
Association's magazine, The Sidecarist.
Day Passes: There are
no day passes. If you
are just visiting, and not partaking of the
USCA-provided Saturday evening catered meal nor Sunday Continental Breakfast...and are
NOT participating in the Guided Tours, NOR Games NOR Show and Shine, then you will be
considered a VISITOR, and there are NO FEES!
Welcome!
Vendors:
To encourage Vendors, there is
NO Vendor's fee!
We WELCOME Vendors to set up in the Group Site area.
Rally Registration Fee(s) applies to Vendor's and entourage, if they plan to join us for the Saturday evening Buffet and Sunday morning Continental Breakfast (or if actually participating in the Games or guided tours). They pay their fee(s), get a Rally Wristband. If they do NOT want to join us for those meals, nor participate actively in such as the Games nor Guided Tours, then they do not need to pay the USCA Registration Fee, as we consider them VISITORS. They will ONLY have to pay Camp Richardson for their camping or RV sites...if they intend to have a formal camping spot or RV village spot; otherwise, if staying off-site, there is no cost to vendors at all beyond their personal expenses. Vendors who wish a spot in the tent camping area are advised to obtain a spot near the entrance, or deep in the campground for maximum exposure. We can advise. NOTE!...Vendors that need electricity are advised to look at the map and the sites information in this website page. If a vendor intends to set-up rather deeply into the campground, then we advise someplace around site 536, as there are large numbers of electrical outlets in that vicinity.
Here's a photo of the Welcome area (Rally Headquarters) trailer....we anticipate various tables to be
here, the coffee table,
registration tables, White Elephant dropoff...etc. The trailer will be
located just inside the entrance to the Eagle's Nest Group Camping Area.
The GPS coordinates for the Eagle's Nest Group Campground entrance is:
N38°55.996'; W120°02.276'.
We will
have a banner or two announcing the entrance, visible from the road.
DETAILS: How Rally registration
AND ARRIVAL will operate at the Rally site:
There are TWO types of Registrations...one
is for the USCA, one is for Camp Richardson (if staying there). This was
done to keep costs LOW for those who are not actually staying at Camp
Richardson.
(1) If PRE-registered, and staying at Camp Richardson in the campground, and NOT staying in the Camp Richardson RV Village, then you may simply drive to your already assigned spot; or, park outside, preferably off the highway, and go to the Rally Headquarters area to check-in with USCA. You have to go to the Camp Richardson hotel to get your site ID tag and a tag for your vehicle.
The GPS
coordinates for the Eagle's Nest Group Campground entrance is:
N38°55.996'; W120°02.276'.
Check-in at Rally Headquarters, chat with the Monohan's or whomever is at the USCA Registration check-in and Rally Headquarters area. Pre-registered or not, if you are staying in the campground, check in with Camp Richardson. You have to go to the Camp Richardson Hotel to get your site ID tag and a tag for your vehicle. Tom and Anita Hansen will have a table at Rally Headquarters to take care of non-registered USCA arrivals, etc.
Note that there are TWO places to check-in!...the hotel, and with USCA.
We'll have folks
at Rally Headquarters selling T-shirts, etc.
(2) If arriving and staying in a RV, or at the Camp Richardson hotel or cabins:
check-in at the RV Village Kiosk. If the
Kiosk is un-man'd, check-in at the Hotel.
(3) Be sure to check in with Rally Headquarters...see the schedule for when it is open.
The Rally Registration
(Rally Central Headquarters)
desk area will be co-located at the Eagles Nest Group CAMPGROUND entrance, as will the White Elephant tables,
Coffee table, etc. You will find paper/cardboard posters here
with schedules and information of various sorts.
A Volunteer will check off each PRE-registered person's
arrival on the Rally Roster, and confirm where staying, including camping/RV
details. NON-pre-registration for the USCA will also be done
here. Vendor's will also check-in here.
You have to go to the Camp Richardson Hotel
to get your site ID tag and a tag for your vehicle.
MORE about Rally Headquarters:
A Rally Wrist Band (and
Rally Commemorative Mug subject to availability) and
Rally pin, (if entitled to one as one of first 200
Pre-Registrants) will be issued
here to all paid USCA Registrants. Your pre-ordered
Rally T-shirt will also be available here at the Rally Desk area. Any
extra Rally T-shirts that are available will be at this same area.
Rally White Elephant donations will also be accepted here. Each
Registrant, at check-in, will receive ONE white raffle ticket for depositing into
any of a number of plastic baggies...which are assigned to one particular White
Elephant item. Yes, you get to choose which item you want to win. If
the white ticket you receive happens to have a secret coding on it, you will;
right NOW, or at any time during the Rally,
before
you deposit your free white ticket into any baggy, receive a free T-shirt left
over from the 2008 Griffith Park Sidecar Rally, courtesy of Mr. Sidecar, Doug Bingham
(Sidestrider).
Doug has also donated some other Rally items you may want. We have
LOTS of items from past USCA Rallies for the White Elephant drawings....and
Attendees will be bringing all sorts of other things. We anticipate lots of
bartering, trading, etc., between the Winners!
We expect some real off-the-wall items to be here!
Additional white elephant tickets will
be available for purchase during the rally; $1 each, or 6 for $5. On Saturday
afternoon, at intervals, winning White Elephant tickets will be drawn from the baggies, and
numbers for the items posted on a message board at Rally Central (the entrance
Registration and coffee area). Winners can collect their
items at any time the Registration area is open, after being posted.
Red ticket (50/50, and
other stuff!) drawing tickets will be separately purchased.
Your Rally Wrist Band is your identification for the Saturday evening
catered meal. DO NOT lose it! We
have tested these, and they will not unglue during the days of the Rally,
even when taking showers....and, yes, the showers are FREE.
Fill out a form and enter the "EST" contests. What are they?....go back and read earlier sections of this terribly long page.
RAFFLES:
(1) White Elephant Raffle: A 'White Elephant' item is
typically an off-the-wall, often very humorous item (serious items also are
good!!), usable for something or
other....that someone may want....((or; after 'winning', may even want to trade for another White
Elephant item)). We also anticipate some very
practical items that you may want. White Elephant items
will INCLUDE Vendor and Rally Attendees items; and, a lucky 25 Attendees will get one of
the Griffith Park Rally T-shirts, as outlined previously...via secretly marked
tickets, at time of signing in to the Registration Desk (before they deposit
their white tickets into the white elephant baggies). Horse-trading
after winning is fun! Lots of good-natured trading tends to go
on after these types of raffles. A White Elephant item should be something that someone would
want, for whatever reason!...and be willing to purchase a ticket (a white
one of course!)
for! Everyone coming to the Rally is
invited to bring one or more lightly-used or even a new item you never used (?) for this Raffle. The item need not be
motorcycle-related.
ONE ticket for this raffle, a
white one as mentioned previously, will be INCLUDED
in the Registration items.
Additional white tickets will be
sold
during the Rally before drawings.
***We are accepting
White Elephant 'donations' by companies/businesses, ETC., preferably for motorcycle or
sidecar related type items, for this White Elephant Raffle!
(2) 50/50 Raffle:
RED Tickets for these will be
be sold at
the Rally. Winning tickets for the 50/50 will be drawn from one ticket
pool. Tickets will be drawn until all prizes are awarded, and you MUST be
present to receive any prize. There will be
FOUR
Prizes, issued in order:
Prize #1: A year's Membership in the USCA.
Prize #2: A Registration for TWO, for
EITHER (Winner's choice) the 2010 or 2011 USCA
National Rally.
Prize #3: TWO NIGHT STAY FOR
TWO PEOPLE at the Camp Richardson Hotel!
AFTER the above three prizes/tickets have been drawn, these three winning tickets will be returned to the 50/50 pool.
This will be done before the 50-50 drawing is held. Thus, holders of
red
tickets have FOUR chances to win from any one ticket.
After Prize #3 is awarded, there will be a short time interval allowed for Last
Chance Sales of tickets....immediately after which the Pool cash amount will be
announced, and then will be the final ticket drawing:
Prize #4: ONE drawing, for
half of the money in the 50-50.
The Winner receives 50% of the 50/50 ticket sales cash pool; the other 50% goes
to a local charity.
The Rally main site area:
Restrooms with hot water and flush toilets, electricity, and
showers (showers are FREE and INCLUDED in the Camp Richardson camping fee) are scattered throughout the
Group Camp area. A
few tent sites will have electricity available, information is in
this article,
below. Information on the RV sites, including for those having especially large RV's or with
trailers, is also below. The Camp Richardson complex also has cabins, a hotel, and a
restaurant/bar called The Beacon right on the beach (next to the "boathouse"
building
which we will be using for Seminars, and maybe some meals). The
Beacon is likely to have
entertainment, even daytimes; probably right on the beach! You may
find it very pleasant to sit at a table outside The Beacon, or on a chair
in the sand, listening to music and sipping one of The Beacon's famous Rum
Runners. Join the Locals. Go swimming, see the Old Estates
(walking distance!)....enjoy, enjoy.
***In the Summertime, the local city bus system runs a
special open-air and decorated "bus" called the "Nifty 50 Trolley";
because it resembles an old-time trolley. During Rally time,
the Trolley will be running between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., 7 days a
week. The trolley stops at all the beaches, the Y Transit
Station, the Valhalla Historic Sites, Eagle Falls, Inspiration
Point, and stops right at Camp Richardson. There is a
Trolley stop sign on both sides of the highway. The
Tolley covers all of South Lake Tahoe, the Camp
Richardson area, Forest Service Visitor Center, Emerald Bay, ETC.
In fact, it goes northwest around the Lake to Tahoma, where it
meets timed transit leading to the North Shore areas...as far as
Incline Village! Fare for the Trolley is $2; or a day pass
for $6. This
very popular and not
expensive Trolley service is a GREAT way for Rally Attendees to see local areas
without driving. You can leave your sidecar rig or RV at Camp Richardson,
etc.,
and relax aboard the Trolley...available right there at Camp
Richardson. Of course, you may well want to visit
some places and do some touring using your sidecar rig.
Access to the Nifty 50 Trolley is
not just at 'Trolley/bus stops'...you can simply wave down a Trolley anyplace you
see it. You can
get on and off the Trolley as much as you want (get the day pass)...which means you can get to
the City Recreation Complex, Casinos, nearly all restaurants, beaches other
than at Camp Richardson, see Vikingsholm Castle, and many other things,
with no need to drive! Of course, we have some self-guided, and maybe
guided tours too, listed well below.
***New for 2009: There are
two 'new' vehicles in service for transportation in the Camp
Richardson area. They are a 1926 Dodge and a 1922 Chevrolet.
They will shuttle passengers all around the area...same fare as
above, or day pass....all good on these vehicles.
***That same day pass is good to ride anytime, and there are
connections to the casino areas too.
DOGS::
ONLY Service Dogs are allowed in the entire Camp Richardson complex INCLUDING the Camp Richardson Beach. There ARE nearby camping, RV sites, and motels, that do allow dogs. They are listed later in this page. There are also boarding kennels locally.
Beaches:
There are
some dog OK beaches relatively close to Camp Richardson.
These are Fallen Leaf Lake beach; and, Kiva beach
(on leash at Kiva).
If you drive your sidecar rig, car, or RV, to some
beaches, or some other places...do bring your
Federal Golden Age Passport, or similar, for a substantial discount
on fees. In
general all the public beaches have free entrance to
walk-ins or bicyclists. As an example,
there is NO fee to enter Kiva Beach on a bike or on your feet. Pope
Beach, just a short distance south of the Camp Richardson complex, is a nice
one for picnics, with tables, etc. The Camp Richardson beach, which is
practically next-door to the Valhalla Estates, is also very nice....and you
can get a cocktail from the Beacon Restaurant.
The Forest Service announced fee increases for some areas.
Day use fees (that is, if you do not WALK or ride BICYCLES in),
will be $2-7 per vehicle at Pope & Baldwin, beaches.
Camping fees have gone up $3 at Fallen Leaf Lake.
These places are close to the Rally site, so I have mentioned
them. If you are here on the 4th of July, Pope and Baldwin
beaches are $20!!
A "USCA guest" is
a very broad term and covers anyone who is not yet an official USCA Member
and/or is interested in sidecars and who wishes to stay with us; so, that
means just about every person interested in sidecars. RV spots
have water and electrical OR full hookups. The RV spots are a close walk-able distance to the Eagle's Nest Group Campground
and Rally Central.
Be sure to pay attention to information later in this article about RV site
features and campground features; for such as vehicle length for the RV
sites, type of hookups available, pull-through information; and, for the
tent camping areas, the situation on electricity, where showers/restrooms
are located, and so on.
Note that the "closeness" and walk-ability is true
for most 'everything else'. "Everything Else" includes, but is NOT
limited to:
(1) Bicycle rental store. Bike trails are paved & off-highway and are immediately
adjacent! These are delightful!...and lead to interesting places.
(2) General Store. Serves a limited breakfast and sandwiches and
salads for lunch...and is helpful for those 'forgotten' items including wood
for campfires, ice, beers, pops (sodas), souvenirs.
(3) Ice
Cream Parlor....traditionally serving WAY too large treats!...and WAY too
close to your site, which will be reflected in your weight after the Rally!(4) The Beacon...the restaurant/bar mentioned earlier, often with
entertainment right on the beach, at the close-by (again,
walk-able) lakeshore.
(5) It is not much of a walk to the Taylor Creek Forest
Service facility with its Stream Profile Chamber (an underground fish viewing
area), paved trails in the meadow, amphitheatre with Forest Service
programs, etc. Kids LOVE that stream profile chamber...so do adults!
(6) Even closer than the Forest Service facility is the Tallac Historic Site, consisting of
several large Old Estates at the lakeshore, where a leisurely walk (and possibly a tour)
are not to be
missed. (www.tahoeheritage.org).
***Only half an hour or so (via a leisurely and exceptionally scenic drive
northerly on Hy 89 right outside the Rally Site,
with, however, a few very sharp steep turns) is
a parking area, from which the photo taking possibilities are
simply marvelous...and you can walk down (moderately steep, paved) to Vikingsholm Castle; and take in a
Castle tour if you want to (or not). The Castle is located
on famous Emerald Bay, one of the most photographed places in the USA. Photo
of the Castle, and of other areas, are on this page, or clickable links
provided. There is also the Ehrman Mansion to see, and other Lake Tahoe attractions.
Tahoe is vastly more than ski slopes, the Lake, and gambling.
Things to know (part 1)
Roads/Highways: Highway 89 north is called by locals "Emerald Bay Road". Highway 50 through South Lake Tahoe, after one turns north-easterly at the "Y" intersection, is called Lake Tahoe Blvd. Confusingly, if one were to travel West of the Y, that is also called Lake Tahoe Blvd, but NOT usually highway 50 (which it is). (Hy 50 goes southerly initially at that intersection).
Bicycles: Some of you will be arriving via RV, or will
have trailers, or otherwise might be bringing bicycles. If you are NOT
bringing a bicycle, there ARE bikes for rent at Camp Richardson (and
also at another place just a bit over a mile south. There are paved bicycle trails/paths adjacent to Camp Richardson, and
these trails/paths are mostly routed into the tree'd forest areas, AWAY from the
highway...and hence are simply delightful places to ride (or walk!).
There are NO fees to enter the nearby beaches, if on bicycles or
on foot.
The CITY of South Lake Tahoe begins about 2 miles south of Camp Richardson; and has the usual
stores; and casino gambling, shows, etc. at the Nevada state
line...another 5 miles or so. There is a shopping area
2.5 miles south of the Rally, at that big Y intersection
(that is the first signal'd intersection south of the Rally).
For those wishing to arrive before the Rally begins; or, stay later, Camp
Richardson will be accommodating. You may wish to stay a week or
more! This may be YOUR chance for a REALLY nice long vacation experience.
You might even consider alternating use of a motel and the campground, arriving
early...or staying late...or whatever combination you would like.
Remember to bring your Golden Age Passport (Senior Pass, etc.)...as issued
to Senior Citizens by the Federal Government. This will give you
discounts (or freebies!) for entrance, etc., to certain areas.
****RV area
information::::
Please note
carefully the map, well below, of the RV Village. Note that sites with
their number in a black round
dot have "water and electricity".
Site numbers with
black squares are "full hookups".
The RV sites that WERE
reserved for USCA are
numbers:
1,2,3,4,7,8,9,10,11,12,16,17,18,19,20,20A,21,22,23,39,
40,41,42,43,45. Since Camp Richardson pre-registration has
closed, these may or may not be available.
Special note!..........REVISED
INFORMATION!!!
We have done
numerous walk-throughs of the campground and the RV Village. Since some of you might be bringing longer RV's; or pulling a trailer behind an RV, we wanted to give you some idea
of which of the reserved RV sites will better accommodate you. Previously
we had information right here on what size of vehicle lengths might be accommodated.
However, we had not been previously informed that Camp Richardson's maximum 'official' length allowed, due to tree's, road, maneuverability,
etc...is 35 feet. VERY unofficially (!!!)...we do know that some of
our reserved RV spots are OK with 40' and considerably longer RV's, frankly,
in OUR opinion. For RV's that are longer, or
are pulling trailers, there is the possibility of parking the trailer next
to the RV (or in the Rally campground...the Eagles Nest Group Campground
area), or having the RV in the Eagles Nest Campground area, etc.
Please arrange with Camp Richardson the site and method to accommodate your
particular RV, trailer, etc, even if longer than 35'.
Because Camp Richardson is adamant about the length
of RV's, and with trailers, we are de-listing our prior information on
vehicle lengths....except as noted (if yours is 40' or so, we can almost for
sure accommodate you in one place):
This information is OUR
estimate, OUR
opinion.
Site #1: accommodates a good-sized RV
Site #2: is semi-pull-through (one of the very
few that might allow pull-through).
Site #3: I'd
not
want a long RV here.
Site #4: accommodates a good-sized RV
Sites #8,16,39,40,41,42 would seem to accommodate RV rigs, and have LOTS of
room.
***We highly recommend that you reserve a camping or RV site or cabin, etc., with Camp Richardson (or; very especially any motel). This is a very popular place in the Summer due to the Lake, woods, etc...not to mention the mild weather. Keep in mind that the super-popular July 4th weekend follows, and we expect the entire complex to be full-up. Do NOT take this caution lightly!! If you wait until just showing up you may be disappointed! The Camp Richardson HOTEL is already booked solid by sidecarists.
For someone that has trouble walking, or is in a wheelchair, I would suggest staying closer to the tent campground entrance, and Rally
Headquarters. To
be more specific, I would tell them to avoid campsites from space 565 to 598, as there is a hill leading to them.
Luckily, we have a large number of sites available in the entire lower area and even the entrance area. Looking at the map on my website,
see well below on this page, and considering where the restrooms/showers are located in the lower campground, I would suggest campground spots number 525, 539, 539, 540, 541, 551, 552. If a bit more distance from the shower/restrooms is OK
(but still not all that far), one could consider 543, 544 and 545.
Information on Eagle's Nest sites electricity (this does not apply to the RV Village area, where all RV sites have electricity):
All sites have a campground road leading directly to them and
you park right at, and INTO your site. There is
none of the sometime seen elsewhere's 'park nearby' situation.
Rates for the RV sites: RV sites are $40.50 for full hookups. Water and electricity only, $36.00.
The Camp Richardson Hotel is $118.50 base rate for a queen bed. As of May 18th, every room has already been taken by USCA folks.
Cabins and Hotel are all across the street from the Campground/RV Village general area. All use the same Camp Richardson Reservation numbers.
There is a 10% County tax added to all total
room charges.
There is no such tax for camping sites.
Refer to the sketches. In the Eagle's Nest Group Campground, the sites to the left of
a rough line of those numbered 565, 596, 597, are on a mild hilly area. Sites
to the right of a rough line of those numbered 520, 521, 523, 524, 503, 504,
505 are also raised, somewhat at least, on a mild hill.
All campsites have a
campfire ring and there were lockable bear-proof lockers, storage and trash containers added in 2008. Bring
a lock. You are unlikely to see a bear in the campground!
In the RV Village drawing,
note the coding for water only/tent sites; water & Electrical Hookups; and Full Hookups. This coding is done by a change in the symbol for the site number. Electrical outlets in the RV area are standard RV type. Adapters to fit that outlet and convert to standard 120 volt household type outlet are available at most hardware stores or RV stores, ETC., if you need one.Arrival and
departure, additional information:
***Due to construction on highway 28 on the NORTHEAST side of Lake Tahoe, we do not recommend using that route except on the weekend; when construction work is halted.
There is likely to be some leeway in the various times.
For arrivals for the RV Village, check in at the Camp
Richardson Kiosk on the West side of the highway...NOT at the Hotel unless
the Kiosk is not occupied. The GPS coordinates
for the Kiosk and RV village entrance is:
N38°56.049'; W120°02.469'.
After that, do check in with the USCA Check-in/reg/coffee area (Rally
Central/Headquarters)....
RALLY MEALS:
NOTE!....no wristband?...you don't participate, nor eat at the
Saturday evening meal! (there will be something special done
for a very few who are here only for Saturday evening and
possibly Sunday morning). Wristbands will
NOT
be replaced. If worried about losing yours, put your
name on it...maybe someone will turn it in to Rally
Headquarters. We have tested the wristbands, through
multiple days, showers, washings, etc...they won't
'disappear' from your wrist.
1. Included
in Rally Registration Fee: brewed coffee, hot water, tea, ...most all of the
time....location will be Rally Headquarters, near the entrance to the Group
Campground, at the Welcoming Trailer and Tables area.
2. Saturday morning breakfast (from 8 a.m.) will be provided by a
local service club, the Kiwanis. There will be two prices. $6.00 for
one pass through the line; $10.00 for all-you-can-eat. The breakfast
will be: coffee, milk, juice, pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs,
butter, syrup. We anticipate this being held outdoors, behind the Camp
Richardson Hotel.
3. The Saturday evening meal
is
included in your paid USCA Rally Registration fee: Grilled Tri-tip of beef,
Shredded BBQ Pork, and BBQ chicken. Sides will be BBQ ranch beans,
roasted red herbed potatoes, tossed green salad, The meal will
be catered by Q's Professional Caterers, and will be served on time, at 5:30
PM. We will probably have brownie bites and/or assorted cookies
for those with a sweet tooth. We will be serving iced tea and also lemonade.
We anticipate this meal will be held outdoors, behind the Camp Richardson
hotel.
4. For those NOT participating in the Saturday evening
catered meal, we have NO objections to your bring your own
food and eating in our same area.
Those wishing to bring other beverages, even alcoholic ones, may do so. Drinks can also be purchased at the Beacon Restaurant and Bar, adjacent to the Rally Site. The General Store should have beer & wine.
***NOTE!!!
We do not anticipate supplying any type of plastic styrofoam cups, ceramic
cups, plastic knives, plastic forks, plastic spoons, ETC, for general use at
this Rally. We'll have what is needed (bring your Rally
Mug!) for the coffee & hot water at Rally Headquarters. Utensils as needed for the Saturday
and Sunday meals will be supplied by the Caterer's and the Kiwanis. We expect to have a USCA logo'd hot/cold
insulated mug for each Rally Attendee for their practical use during the
Rally, and
as a memento. However, only a limited number (250) were made.
If you did not pre-register, you may not get one.
SHOW AND SHINE
and SIDECAR GAMES:
If you intend to be a CONTESTANT, you need to be USCA registered.
GENERAL Information and more things to know:
Depending on where you are coming from, you MAY be traveling through high desert or other potentially hot areas to get to Lake Tahoe. Be prepared for medium to high desert temperatures until you climb one of the several mountain passes leading to Lake Tahoe. Suggested routes and details will be provided upon request. Black unvented leather jackets and black helmets are not the best type of riding gear for hot weather. Carry LOTS of extra water and drink plenty of it; OFTEN, even if you are not particularly thirsty. Use one of the popular Cooling Vests, or something similar.
There are SEVERAL nearby laundry facilities plus hardware stores, autoparts
store, a K-mart, and a very large supermarket (Raley's), all within 3 miles
south of the Rally site.
Nearby camping/RV sites that DO allow dogs; also some motels, etc:::
Have you arrived without a Camp Richardson pre-reservation, and it is already filled up?
OR....have a dog?The closest ""motel"" to
Camp Richardson (Camp Richardson has its own hotel, cabins, etc.) is the Fireside Lodge;
at about 1.2 miles on Emerald Bay Road (also called Hy 89 North).
This is a Bed & Breakfast place....the breakfast is of the expanded
type. $$$ (expect $165-$185). There are ONLY 9 units. This place is
exceedingly popular, and you should book MANY months in advance.
You are HIGHLY unlikely to obtain a room if you wait...some are booked a
year in advance. All rooms
are decent sized and have kitchenettes, dining tables, microwaves,
refrigerators, coffee makers, cable TV, VCR's, WiFi (in entire motel
area). There is a Gathering Room that is very nice, located next to the office,
where the expanded breakfast is served; and coffee, juices, and complimentary
wine and cheese in the afternoon. Other amenities include a hot tub,
outdoor barbeque, kayaks, float tubes, gazebo, and picnic tables...AND ...FREE
bicycles (it is just over a mile to Camp Richardson, and the paved OFF-highway
bike path is directly behind this motel). DOGS ARE OK!
They have two units called suites, with two large beds, and the other 7 have
the typical queens, and some of those have fold-out beds or otherwise an extra
bed. www.tahoefiresidelodge.com
1-800-692-2246. A very nice enthusiastic young couple, Christine & David
Latshaw own and run this Lodge.
This is NOT your typical motel.
About a half mile farther down this same
Emerald Bay road (that makes it 1.7 miles from the Rally campground) are two
motels next to each other, owned and run by the same folks. These are the
Pine Cone Motel, and the Washoe Motel. The Pine cone has rather small
rooms, but is a nice pleasant place. Bigger rooms at the Washoe.
GPS coordinates are N38°55.174'; W120°00.786', for the office entrance,
which serves both motels. The
address is 735 Emerald
Bay road, reservations number is (530)
541-0375. www.pineconeacremotel.com
Total of 29 units, all have Fridge and microwave, WiFi, HBO, PETS
OK,
2008 prices were; Sunday through Thursday, single queen, $75; double queen
$85, with kitchen $95. $ higher on weekends. This is a decent place
with a pool, gliders, shaded lawn, picnic tables. The rooms are smallish; but
the place seems well-kept-up, and Penny preferred this place to the
asphalt/concrete Motel 6 (but the much pricier Fireside was
considerably nicer yet). They are considering group rates, as
they don't have them yet...and Penny will keep on top of that.
Motel 6
is typical of the
cheaper
motels, maybe 4 miles from the Rally site. There is a restaurant next-door, Carrows,
that offers a 10% discount to Motel 6
guests. Motel 6 prices will be around $60.
Motel 6
has
143
rooms in
two stories,
is located at 2375 Lake Tahoe Blvd (better
known as Highway 50).
It has a heated swimming pool, on-site laundry facility and non-smoking
rooms available. Twenty of the rooms have a small refrigerator and microwave
oven. A paved bicycle path/system
leading
eventually to the beaches and
via a meandering way, goes to Camp Richardson.
This path
is directly behind the motel.
The manager is willing to set aside a block of rooms for Rally attendees and hold these open until thirty days before
the rally. Those wanting to stay at Motel 6 must reserve their rooms
individually with a deposit. We would suggest that those wanting to stay
at Motel 6 reserve their rooms early to obtain the amenities and floor level
they desire.
There are several other motels on this west side of town. We expect some will have cheaper prices, yet be
perfectly adequate.
Brew Pubs:
The
other Brew Pub is a beer/ale tasting brewery located about not
quite 2 miles or so south of the Rally Site, that opens at
5 pm for 'tastings'. It is in an ugly building, that looks like a
raised-off-the-ground warehouse; which is what it was years ago.
It has a small outdoor enclosed patio area, hidden behind a fence
in the rear. The modern brewery is inside that ugly
building. It is located at Dunlap and James avenues.
It is a tad tricky to get to from the Rally site, so follow these
instructions: Take Hy 89 south from the Rally Site.
ONE (longish!) block BEFORE the "Y" signal intersection, take a
LEFT turn on 5th St. Go ONE block and take a RIGHT turn on
James St...a block to Dunlap. Take a sharp left on Dunlap
and the brewery is on the right corner at James and Dunlap...go
the the rear loading dock area...the doors will be open.
Local
restaurants, from breakfast and lunch places to fine dining:
Listing mostly the better restaurants close to the Rally Site, with a bit more
information on others. There are MANY more restaurants than listed here.
We will be happy to recommend places that we know and trust...ask us at the
Rally.
Evan's: Also
called Evan's American Gourmet Cafe. Hardly a 'cafe'. Fine dining; small,
relatively intimate. A mile or so south of the Rally, located right on
Highway 89, at 536 Emerald Bay Road. Looks like a house. Reservations a must. (530)542-1990.
Suit and tie not needed, but don't be too grubby. Locals have been known to wear
Jeans or formal wear here.
There are 6 or 8 ""fine dining"" places in the South
Lake Tahoe area, from French cooking to steak houses....individual restaurants
and casinos. I've only listed the above one, as it is VERY close to the
Rally site. Penny and Bob's favorite classy restaurant is Adele's, in Carson
City. Another favorite, but at Stateline, is the Edgewood Restaurant,
located behind the casinos, in the golf course area. This is NOT some 'golf course' typical
restaurant, but fine dining, with a VERY inventive and capable staff and chef.
Located right at the lakeshore.
The Beacon Bar and Restaurant.
Located on the Lake, right across from the Rally site, and a short walk down the
side-road. Fair to decent food, famous Rum-runners in the bar; often has LIVE
entertainment, sometimes right on the beach during the daytime. Moderate
prices.
The Fresh Ketch. Located at the Tahoe Keys Marina. Upstairs is dining, downstairs is the busy bar and they serve a pretty decent menu there too. Bob and Penny think that the food is more consistent here, than at the Beacon.
Swiss Chalet. An institution at So. Tahoe....here since 1957. German and Swiss food. Located maybe 5 miles from the Rally site, at 2544 Lake Tahoe Blvd (same as Hy 50 going towards Stateline).
Cantina: ~2 miles south of the Rally site. Actual address is 765 Emerald Bay Road (same as Hy 89). Owned by the same
couple who own Evan's American Gourmet Restaurant;....good nearly authentic Mexican food and quite decent
Margaritas. Better than average. Busy bar.
Ernies: Very long time Locals place, open only for breakfast and lunch (6
a.m.-2pm) Better than average diner type food and service. Daily
specials (see the card on your table). Located about 3 miles south of the
rally...at about 1/4 mile south of the Y intersection (the Y is the intersection
of Hy 89 North, also called Emerald Bay Road, and Hy 50, the main road through
So. Lake Tahoe). You won't be disappointed here for breakfast or lunch.
On the WEST side of the street, not quite as far as Ernies, is
Bert's...good diner food....and a bit different.
A smaller Locals place, same type of hours, is The Red Hut #1, located towards Stateline on
Highway 50
from the Y intersection...perhaps around the 2700 or 2800 block. Famous
locally for its breakfasts and waffles with strawberries. Much smaller and
more intimate than Ernies. If you pass the lumber company
(Meeks) you went too far.
Passareti's: close to Ernies. Mostly a Locals place, with very decent
Italian food, lunch and dinner.
Pizza: Lots of places. Penny and Bob's favorite is on Highway 89 south
of the Y intersection, nearly across from Ernies, called Lake Tahoe Pizza. We especially like the
whole wheat dough pizza's (you have to tell them that is what you want).
1168 Emerald Bay Rd. Microbrews on tap.
Chinese Restaurants, TWO, nearly across the street from each other, located a
couple miles south of the Rally site, on Hy 89. Reasonably OK buffet lunches.
The one on the NORTHEAST (Lake) side of the highway tends to have a bit better food
and more variety.
McDonald's, Burger King, and other fast food places; yes, we have them, not all
that close to the Rally site.
Orchid's Authentic Thai Food: Thai, of course, and VERY good.
Located at 2180 Highway 50 (same as Lake Tahoe Blvd), half a mile
or so east of the Y intersection, on the south side of the road. Penny and
Bob's favorite Thai food restaurant. (530)
544-5541. Try the Momokawa "Pearl" unfiltered sake...shake it well before
drinking! This is Junmai Ginjo Nigori Genshu Sake, and about $20 for
a big bottle; $6 for a small one. The food is outstandingly GOOD. We have never eaten ANYthing at this restaurant that
was not delicious and well-prepared. We take our friends here. About the
only thing that is so-so is the fish cakes appetizers.
Burger lounge: Located a mile and a half (or 2 miles) south of the Rally site, on Emerald Bay Rd (Hy 89), on the EAST side of the road, is this weird little place, identified by a huge "mug" sign. Good large tasty burgers. Basic burger, which has a large fairly lean beef patty, was, last time we visited, $4.25. Plenty of burger places, but this one is quite decent, and you can sit outside and enjoy the sun. Beer available. Some may want to ride their bicycles from the Rally Site to this place. It is actually walking distance, if you are a walker and can walk a mile+....
Izzies: Another burger joint with enclosed patio, located on the lake side of Hy 50, not too close to the Rally site though. Around the 2500 block I think. Beer available. Patio.
Japanese food: several decent places
in So. Lake Tahoe. Ask us, your Hosts.
We will be happy to comment on restaurants...or anything else, ask us in person at the rally, or, e-mail us.
Pennyfairfield@bmwmotorcycletech.info
(or)
Snowbum@bmwmotorcycletech.info
If you need to phone, the number is (530) 541-1610.
Your Rally Hosts: The muttonchops are gone now.
An old friend of Snowbum's, back when we were both members of an outlaw m/c club, did the Paintshop work to make this, showing the jet powered trike, powered by the still in front of me, and Penny not quite walking into the jet exhaust. Penny and I got a BIG laugh from it.
It is followed by all the rest of the National Rally stuff you need to know, including some photos of the 1983 Rally at Tahoe.
1983 Sidecar Rally at Lake Tahoe:
Approaching Camp Richardson....showing the 2 lane 'Highway 89, also known as Emerald Bay Road'....and the paved bicycle path. The bicycle path is MOSTLY well away from the road, in a lovely treed area not shown here, to the right;....but the path does come close to the road in the Camp Richardson area, as shown here.
<<bike
path.
The USCA is not using the Badgers Den; shown on an image further down;...but that area MAY be available if you cannot, due to arriving on site without a reservation, get a spot in the RV Village or Group Campsite.
****NOTE!...there is road construction on Highway 28 on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe. Scheduled construction might cause delays during a period of some days before Rally time and ending July 2nd. The primary affected area will be from Sand Harbor to East Lakeshore Blvd. NO delays are expected from Friday through Sunday. I suggest using other routes to get to and from the Rally except on weekends.
NOT to be missed:>>
The Old Estates, Valhalla area, walkable from the Rally Site. You can also extend your walk a bit and visit the Forest Service underground fish viewing site and other things the Forest Service has at their site, noted on the map as towards "Taylor Creek". Kids love the area. The Valhalla and Old Estates area is shown on the first map, above, by a circle I added to the map, in the lower right side of the first map, above. RECOMMENDED RIDES/DRIVES/other activities: Do I need to remind you to obtain a California or Northern California road map?:1. This is a relatively short drive from the Rally site, goes through a VERY scenic area. I highly recommend that if you do any sightseeing at all, that this be #1 on your list!
Ride/drive...OR...leave the sidecar rig and use the Trolley. If you see the Nifty 50 Trolley...ask if it is going to the Emerald Bay/Vikingsholm parking lot.**HINT!....the parking areas (there are several) around Emerald Bay are EXTREMELY popular...try to get there early in the morning for parking. The best photo opportunities are when the sun is up higher...or, after mid-day. However, seeing the sunrise at Emerald Bay from the granite outcropping at the parking lot for Vikingsholm Castle.....is unforgettable.
Here is a photo of the Castle itself, which is at lake level. The castle and the grounds are EXTENSIVE. Tours through the castle are available. Some of the castle buildings use sod roofs. This is a real castle, with real wood carvings.
We are aware that most Rallyists come
to see old friends, meet new ones, schmooze, and so on, and
only a modest number will do guided or self-guided rides.
We cannot overemphasize the wonderful mountain passes and
roads in the Tahoe area. Most of you will NOT arrive
using the MOST fun roads; nor, will be seeing the best
scenery. Most
of you probably will not bother to see the above viewpoint,
nor walk down to the castle. The view from Eagle Falls; and
especially from the top of the granite area at the parking
lot for Vikingsholm, noted above, are EXCEPTIONAL. Do
go. Take in one of the drives below, or more than one.
You will NOT be disappointed.
***Except for the short ride to Emerald Bay/Eagle Falls/Vikingsholm,
you should gas up fully before leaving town.
There is a
gasoline station about 1/4th mile south of the Y
intersection.....and several in the Meyers area.
2.
An hour+ drive,
all on paved roads, via Hy 89 and 88 to Markleeville, and
then returning.
Drive south on Hy
89 outside of the Rally site. Stay on Hy 89 to the traffic
light...go straight-through, not turning, ....through the
intersection (traffic light). You are now on combined Hwy
50/89. Continue roughly 10 miles Southwesterly to where Hwy 89S comes
in from the left; which is in an area on your map that may be called Meyers.
Left turn on Hy 89S. Follow Hy 89S over Luther Pass to where
Hy 89S seems to end
at Hy 88. Turn left onto Hy 88; you are now going north
easterly (approximately). A short ways ahead is Sorensen's
resort, which has quite good meals at the little cafe (if a
bit pricey), and it is pleasant to sit and eat at a table on their deck...or inside.
Continue on Hy 88 to the Woodfords turnoff (where the Woodfords Station is
also decent place to eat...especially the pie). At
Woodfords, Hy 89S is seen as a turn to the right towards
Markleeville. Turn right on Hy 89S and go about 9 miles to Markleeville.
In Markleeville, take the right turn to Grover Hot Springs if you wish; or,
continue past Markleeville on Hy 89S. After a few miles
you will be following the river. Go
about 9 miles to the intersection where the road you are on
meets the left turnoff to go over Monitor Pass, and if you
went straight ahead, your road changes from 89S to Highway 4. At this point you have a choice
(you could always reverse course and go back the same way you came).
Your choices are to backtrack...or...take Monitor Pass (89) to Highway 395, then
meander back to Tahoe...or, better yet do not take Monitor Pass, but continue straight ahead. The road
ahead is now called Hy 4 and is QUITE an experience.
Assuming you go straight ahead and follow Hy 4,you could consider a picnic lunch near the summit (Ebbetts Pass Summit), at perhaps Kinney Reservoir.
You could visit Calaveras Big Trees
State Park, etc. You might want to proceed to Hy 49, and come northerly
on 49 to 50, that takes you through the Gold Country. However, if you
don't do that, consider that after the summit you could continue westerly,
and look carefully for a "town" called Avery. Take the
Avery Sheep Ranch Road to the right....which eventually ends at Railroad Flat Rd.
These roads may not be on all maps, so watch for them. Eventually you will reach Hy 26, take it to Hy
88, then east on Hy 88 to the junction of 88/89 where you were much earlier
in the day, then take 89 back to Tahoe. This is one of the best
VERY full days rides around this area, particularly on a sport bike, or a better
handling hack rig. Consult your Northern California
map for the roads, before doing the Avery route.
We suggest that if you don't have the
time for an all-day adventure, that you simply take Highway 4
to Ebbetts Pass Summit, and then return to the Rally. That
will be a plenty long-enough drive, with nice paved narrow
roads and lots of twisties, to satisfy most hack drivers.
***Here is another trip modification that, over-all, will make for a pleasant part-day
tour, but you will miss the tight twisties and narrow paved
road of highway 4:
Do NOT turn at Woodfords towards Markleeville (stop for pie
at Woodfords). Instead; continue on
Highway 88 a few miles past the Woodfords junction and go left on Route
206/Foothill Road.
Foothill road is very nice and will eventually take you to Genoa. Genoa is
Nevada's first settlement.
Genoa is a
delightful place to stop, and there is a very nice park with benches, water,
restrooms. Your Rally Hosts were married at this park.
Continue on past Genoa,
taking Jacks Valley Road, which will take you along the foothills, and you
end up at Hy 395, just south of Carson City, where you continue on Hy 395,
then take Hy 50 back to Tahoe.
3. Drive or use the Trolley to Stateline, visit casinos, the Heavenly Village shopping
area, take a Gondola ride, etc. We can give you directions
to the Heavenly TRAM or Gondola (separate areas), which will take you high
up on the mountain. The TRAM stops up the mountain where there is an OK
restaurant with an outrageous view from the deck.
4. Drive one or more of the several local passes that have not been
described. We can advise.
5. Day drive to historic Wild West Virginia City. Scheduled is a guided tour led by Ralph Haskell, for Friday
morning.
6. LOTS of ride/drive possibilities....ask! If you have never
been to Tahoe, and not seen some of the outstanding scenery, you are missing
out!
7.
There is a Ballroom
Dance on Friday Night. CLICK:
Rally Schedule Page
That page has the full rally schedule (except for some surprises!)
Your hosts, Snowbum and Penny, if not tired-out from running
around dealing with the Rally, expect to be kicking up (or
prying up!) their heels at that dance. Come watch
Snowbum step on Penny's feet!
Close-by ATTRACTIONS:
1. Lake Tahoe is a
short walk from the Rally site. The Beacon Restaurant and bar is at the end of the short road right at the Lake. I've already mentioned the "Don't Miss" Valhalla and Old Estates and Forest Service at Taylor Creek.2. Bicycling on the paved, off-highway, through-the-woods path,
adjacent to the Rally Site.
3. Ice Skating, at the City ice skate rink....and next door is the
City's Swimming pool.
If you need to phone, the number is (530) 541-1610.
K-mart? Supermarket? doughnut shop? Hardware store?
Go
South on Hy 89 from the Rally Site, to the big Y intersection
(that's the
first traffic light south of the Rally). K-mart and Raleys
supermarket, etc., are on the SW corner. Two hardware
stores and an autoparts store are on Lake Tahoe Blvd, just a
block or two west of this intersection.
There is a thrift shop in town, not too far from the
Rally...ask, if you need to know how to get there. It
is on a side road, roughly 2400 block on hy 50.
Post office is located on the right side of Hy 89, just
before reaching the "Y". There is a laundromat on the
right side well before the "Y".
Ask your hosts, or any local, or at the general store, hotel,
etc., for recommendations for any needs you may have.
Coming to the USCA Rally from the NorthWest? The Chief Joseph
Rally, primarily a BMW event, is June 18-21, in John Day, Oregon.
www.bmwro.org
USCA National Rally Hosts/organizers:
Pennyfairfield@bmwmotorcycletech.info
(or)
Snowbum@bmwmotorcycletech.info
If you need to phone, the number is (530) 541-1610.
Go to the snowbum website homepage
Go to the Rally Schedule
page