Wandering wheels motorcycle club members like Monitor Pass

Nineteen members of our local Nevada Wandering Wheels Motorcycle Club (which includes seven neighbors who live in Fish Springs) did some serious wandering around the high Sierra mountains recently. You can't keep some guys down when the weather's so perfect and the scenery so spectacular. And best of all, it's all right here in our backyard. A favorite ride, especially to motorcycle riders, is to go over Monitor Pass, but be sure to check your brakes before you go.

There were 10 solo bikes and three more with sidecars, which made a total of 19 riders altogether on this exciting day of touring Highway 89, as this road was made for bikers. As we got to the steep, curvy areas of the mountain, there were lots of yellow-colored safety signs with pictures of sharply bent arrows to warn drivers of the impending hazard ahead. Those sharp turns are the thrill of the ride for the motorcyclists. You have to lean into the turn like the racers do.

The clear mountain air turned cool as we neared the pass where the elevation is 8,314 feet. You could tell autumn was soon to come as the bushes were already golden and the leaves on the quaking aspen trees were beginning to change colors too. Even though I say Monitor Pass is great for bikes and sports cars, I've still seen large motorhomes and 18-wheelers trying to maneuver their way over the steep pass. The turns are way too sharp for 18-wheelers. The truck drivers might think the distance driving on Highway 89 is shorter than going Highway 395, but little do they know how tight the curves are and how steep the climbs are on Monitor Pass.

It was such a perfect day that we couldn't go back home yet. We continued our ride and went through the gorgeous Hope Valley and then past Red Lake, Wood's Lake and Caples Lake. A quick stop at Kirkwood to pick up ski passes, and then onto Plasse's Resort at the south end of Silver Lake for a fun barbecue.

Oh, what a day. Aren't we lucky to live in such a pristine place? The Nevada Wandering Wheels Motorcycle Club meets on the fourth Saturday of each month at 8:30 a.m. at Jethro's restaurant in the Gardnerville Ranchos. After a breakfast meeting, we go for a ride. Some place fun, some place beautiful. All kinds of motorcycles are welcome. Information? Call 883-4771.

n Tid bit: Gene Hammerlun has four laying hens with one beautiful rooster free to a good home. If you're interested, call him at 782-5945.

n Linda Monohan can be reached at 782-5802.