The annual gathering at Topaz Lake

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Pat
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The annual gathering at Topaz Lake

Post by Pat »

Just got back from an annual gathering of folk at Topaz. I was on my
Triumph RS, a buddy on his Aprilla Futura, a couple BMW RT's, Roadster
1150, Suzuki 500 & GS1100, '86 Goldwing with 5,000 miles, Honda
ST1100, a GS1150.....
and miles & miles of SMILES.

This was our first break just prior to crossing over Moniter Pass:
http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/22190739-L.jpg
Overlooking Mono Lake:
http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/22190760-L.jpg

We started Saturday with breakfast in Lee Vining, did the roller
coaster 120 ride to Benton Hot Springs, then taking an obtuse route home...
http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/22190764-L.jpg

GREAT high speed runner! This is Rich having to pull over and clean his
face shield of a 137 mph BIG bug (guts). He almost got knocked off his
handlebars.
http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/22190770-L.jpg

Did the June Lake loop, got split up,
exchanged stories in Bridgeport over sodi pop (gin & tonic) and milk
(draft beer).

Eclectic group of bikes, WHAT A RIDE! I can not understand how my Triumph Sprint got a consistant 50 mpg during the entire weekend's ride!?!?! I wonder if it was the Nevada/California border gas, and if the other guys had similar results?
http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/22190773-L.jpg

We had dinner in the dining room overlooking Topaz Lake (I had
cilantro & jalapeño covered pork chops), while clinking glasses of
Twin Beaks Merlot. Always haunted with the lingering memories of my love affair with The Beak and fellow Beaksters:
http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/22190730-L.jpg

After dinner, we retired to the bar and Llistened (trying not to laugh) to a gal doing
her best Patsy Cline as we took advantage of our 'Free Drink' coupon.

Great ride, great weekend, great group of people. When I got home, my brand new
Road Pilots got a 700 mile HIGH SPEED workout (I think I like these bad boys!).

"Lucky"
That's what we were; 395 was crawling with Black & White SUV's with
"fun moniters" everywhere.... Thank God we didn't run into any while Rich & I were exceeding
140 mph..... er, I mean exceeding 65 mph..... :roll:

LIFE (and bikes) IS GOOD!
http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/22190783-L.jpg

http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/22190745-L.jpg

http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/22190746-L.jpg

http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/22190749-L.jpg

http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/22190751-L.jpg

http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/22190752-L.jpg

http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/22190755-L.jpg

http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/22190758-L.jpg

http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/22190762-L.jpg

http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/22190771-L.jpg

http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/22190779-L.jpg
Last edited by Pat on Fri May 20, 2005 11:38 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Mike UK
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Post by Mike UK »

Pat,

that is a great report. You can't beat the high country in my opinion. There's something about great scenery and high speed that just goes together. It's the "X" factor.

I'm not suprised the Triumph did so well in the mpg department as it has one of the most sophisticated ECU's on the market. It would have compensated for the high altitude and thin air resulting in less gas being injected.

Brilliant pictures, they are like a breath of fresh mountain air.

Thanks for sharing.

Mike UK
(Southern England, in a small island off the Eurasian continent Northern Hemisphere, early 21st century, high population density, grid lock ect ect ect ect)
Britnheaven
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Post by Britnheaven »

Nice report Pat!

Crikey - i was on the same route last Thursday on my way to Utah - what a coincidence.

BTW I also got over 50 mpg out of my GSA. I think its the altitude - that whole area is over 4,500 feet about sea level.
Bob the Madd Brit loose in CA....

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DJ Downunder
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Post by DJ Downunder »

Thanks Pat
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