Target to Tacos GGR Fun Run
Another fun outing presented by your GGR Touring team! This month we head south on a route we had not taken in some time. Again, we cannot emphasize the importance of our Pre-Runs and this event was no exception. Our original termination destination (exciting & delicious) was new to us, and when we got there we realized they could not come close to accommodating our full complement of cars ( 43 ). Therefore we took an alternate recommendation and could not be happier ( CaliSpartan Blossom Hill Rd San Jose ).
Back to the beginning, Target Los Positas Blvd Livermore was our start. We then headed south via Mines Road to Mt Hamilton Lick Observatory. Good news, most participants arrived early or on time for our start. Although we do have some last-minute cancelations from time to time, it’s not too much of a challenge as we’re become very good at adjusting on the fly. After the mandatory Drivers-Safety briefing, Group One is off on time ( 8:15am ). For those not familiar with the route ( Mines Road to Mt Hamilton Road, aka CA Hwy 130 ) it is a very technical affair ( aka lots & lots of curves, hairpins & elevation changes ). Pre-Run confirmed the road conditions were fine, very clean and mostly smooth, well maintained pavement. This said our pre-event communications warned any passengers prone to motion sickness, to take appropriate precautions. This was confirmed again at check in and fortunately all was well with the group.
With minor variations, all groups eventually arrived at Lick Observatory for the mandatory Bio Break. This facility could not have come with a better view than afforded us on this day. Also, the East to West approach to the Observatory is a much easier climb than the West to East approach. Safety first always and sharing the road is always maintained. In this area it’s especially important, hence there is way more bike traffic coming up from San Jose than going down. Some of our groups did encounter descending traffic yet nothing that held us up too much. Once entering San Jose it was mostly typical SoBay Saturday traffic to our restaurant CaliSpartan.
Calispartan presented with us an amazing venue. Lots of safe parking, easy seating, prompt service, excellent food offering and even some souvenir photo mementos. It’s not easy accommodating a group our size, middle of the day, individual food orders, yet they pulled it off with enthusiasm and competence. We’ll definitely be back. All in all another fun, safe and challenging outing. We had 3 groups of returning Tour vets and a group with eight first time drivers. Feedback was positive and we hope to see them again soon. Thanks goes out to our volunteers. I couldn’t do it without you! Leads; Kurt Kruger, Soah Hsu, Cheryl Spott, JB Ellis, and Sweeps Ashod Donikian, Keaton Anderson, Ken Varner, Kumar Dasanur, and Relays Jacqueline Birmingham, Hugo Villa, Birgit Heinz.
On to our next adventure for July, Club Wheelhouse Corte Madera to Bottega Restaurant Yountville July 26th. Never Stop Driving.
