motorcycles

Four, fun-loving people from this area spent last Friday, Saturday and Sunday on an Amtrak train trip to and from Sacramento, Calif. Those four individuals were Bob “Slick” and Lynda McCulloch, plus Elaine and I, all of Carson City.

The purpose of this trip was to take a leisurely train ride on Friday over Donner Summit, so we could see and photograph the deep winter snow along the way in the high country, and then have two days of fun in Sacto.
It was a fun-filled three days, and here are some highlights of our adventure:

Amtrak:

Kids have a greater chance of being fatally injured by a car on Halloween than any other day of the year, including the Fourth of July and New Year’s Day. State Farm®, the nation’s leading auto insurer, teamed up with research expert, Bert Sperling of Sperling’s BestPlaces, to better understand the risk kids face as they take to the streets in search of treats. Sperling’s BestPlaces analyzed more than four million records in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) from 1990 – 2010 for children 0-18 years of age on October 31.

The Traveling Vietnam Wall and the AVTT crew is officially being escorted into Carson City this afternoon by the Nevada Highway Patrol and local law enforcement officials, as well as veterans and local military personnel via convoy consisting of motorcycle riders and emergency vehicles.

If you are a newcomer to that area or if you have never been there, the fall season is a great time of the year to visit Apple Hill.
And, if you are a newcomer to our area, you are probably wondering, “What and where in the heck is Apple Hill?”
Well, the correct answer is: “Apple Hill is not a specific hill or a specific location; on the contrary, it is a large geographic area in California.”

In late July, more than 500 women from throughout North America rolled into Carson City, Nev., to celebrate their shared passion for motorcycling. The 2012 American Motorcyclist Association International Women & Motorcycling Conference featured presenters from around the globe and drew a healthy share of cruiser riders, with a splash of sport bike, sport touring, dual-sport and off-road enthusiasts mixed in for good measure.

A South Lake Tahoe woman died in a motorcycle crash on Monday near Glenbrook on Highway 50, the Nevada Highway Patrol reports. Jennifer Lyrea Leonard, 50, died after being thrown from the motorcycle she was riding on.

Hundreds of motorcycles rumbled through Carson City this afternoon on parade as part of the American Motorcycle Association's International Women & Motorcycling Conference.

Lake Tahoe South steps into high endurance overdrive this summer with two new outdoor adventure events that celebrate speed, agility and skill — one with feet to the ground and the other rubber to the road.

Sierra Recon, a high-energy, multi-distance obstacle race screaming the amped premise, “Everyone loves carnage” is set for July 14 at Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort, while the Lake Tahoe Adventure Motorcycle Ride and Rendezvous celebrates the freedom of the wide open road, Aug. 23-26.

The Karson Kruzers 28th Annual Run-What-Cha-Brung car show is this weekend, June 22-24th and they are looking for vendors, judges, participants, and visitors! 

Lake Tahoe Custom Cycles will celebrate its grand opening from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 16. Lake Tahoe Custom Cycles is located at 1150 Melba Drive, South Lake Tahoe. It services and repair motorcycles of all makes and models, specializing in Harley Davidsons. Saturday's festivities will include music, a barbecue and free giveaways.
After Saturday's grand opening the shop will be opened for regular hours Tuesday – Friday, 10 am – 4 pm; Saturday, 9 am – 2 pm and Sundays by appointment.

Elaine and I just returned home from a special way to celebrate a special occasion. March 30 was our 10th wedding anniversary and we had wanted to do something out of the ordinary for that event.

When we were married 10 years ago, we took a 19 day honeymoon in Southeast Asia, which included Hong Kong, China; Singapore, Malaysia; Bangkok, Thailand; and the last eight days at Bali, Indonesia.

Most interesting, we took my new mother-in-law, Mary Bottoms, with us!
I bet that very few of you took your mother-in-law on your honeymoon!

Each year, as my last article for that year, I present my Annual Don Q Awards for a number of different reasons: Outstanding, good, not so good, bad, serious, funny, dumb, head-scratching, are-you-kidding, etc.
Those annual awards are presented to all kinds of people or places or things for what has occurred throughout the year. It’s an interesting way to end the year, so here are my 2011 winners:

Bob and Lorraine (my cousin) Scholes of Dayton plus Elaine and I just returned from a six week vacation trip to Italy, Sicily and Switzerland. It was the Scholes’ second trip to Italy and our first-ever trip.
Lorraine’s father was born in Ponte Buggianese and my Dad was born in Lucca, and we both wanted to visit where our roots began.
We left on August 30, flew from Reno to Denver to Montreal to Rome and then returned from Rome to Zurich to San Francisco to Reno on October 12. Here are a bunch of our memories:

The American Dollar and the European Euro:

It’s that time of the year, once again, to visit a special place known as Apple Hill in the State of California.
If you are a newcomer to this area or if you have never been there, fall is a great time of the year to visit Apple Hill.
And, if you are a newcomer, about now you are probably wondering, “What and where in the heck is Apple Hill?”
Well, the correct answer is: “Apple Hill is not a specific hill or a specific location; on the contrary, it is a large geographic area.”

Northern Nevada was in the news, but not in a good way, during my 10-day family visit to Seattle last month. It seemed as if I was reading a bad news story about our area just about every day in th...

I think this weekend is my favorite between pink balloons, lots of yummy fudge and motorcycles it can't get better. STREET VIBRATIONS HITS VIRGINIA CITYStreet Vibes not only sets up in Reno/Sparks ...

I think this weekend is my favorite between pink balloons, lots of yummy fudge and motorcycles it can't get better. STREET VIBRATIONS HITS VIRGINIA CITYStreet Vibes not only sets up in Reno/Sparks ...

The first stage of the 2011 Amgen Tour of California was canceled minutes before it was set to begin because of concerns over snow and slick riding conditions at South Lake Tahoe. Organizers had hoped to shorten the course, but riders at the last minute voiced concern about conditions.

Amgen Tour of California officials say they should have a decision by 9 a.m. as to what they intend to do about the Stage 1 kick-off set to begin at South Lake Tahoe given that snow is expected in the Sierra through the morning.

CARSON CITY – Sen. Don Gustavson, R-Sparks, had written off his bill as dead when he learned this afternoon that Sen. Shirley Breeden, D-Las Vegas, was giving it a vote.
The senator was even more tickled when he realized his bill had the votes to pass out of committee.
The bill would let people ride motorcycles without helmets if they are 21 years of age or older, have had a motorcycle license for more than one year and have completed a safety course.

An all-vehicle show and shine is set for Sunday, May 1 at Les Schwab Tire Center, 3219 North Carson Street from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Show and Shine, which features music, food venders and a raffle is called "Les Schwab Making a Difference" and is presented by Capital Classic Productions.

A Show & Shine will be at the Carson City Harley Davidson on Saturday, April 16 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is presented by Capital Classic Productions. All cars, trucks and motorcycles welcome. The Show & Shine costs $20 for participants/entrants. The public showing is free. Proceeds go to support the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. All food donations stay in Carson City. Music, food, vendors and raffles are all part of the fun.

Seven fun-loving people from this area spent last Saturday and Sunday, February 12-13, traveling on the Amtrak passenger train between Reno and Sacramento, Calif.

--See Don Q's Outdoor report

Those seven were: Mary Bottoms, Bob “Slick” and Lynda McCulloch, Elaine and I, all of Carson City; and Sal and Catali Quilici of Dayton.

By Andrew Dougman / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Nevadans denied health insurance for pre-existing conditions are now guaranteed coverage via a federally funded health insurance program.
In the past, it’s been either costly or impossible to find coverage if someone has a health condition requiring frequent or expensive treatment.

A major drug operation east of Carson City was brought down late Tuesday with 10 arrests, two being juveniles, the Nevada Department of Public Safety reports.

The bust happened at around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and involved multiple law enforcement agencies that resulted in the execution of four search warrants and 10 arrests and the confiscation of 1502 grams of drugs, including more than three pounds of methamphetamine.

UPDATE: The case against the woman was dismissed by a Carson City Justice of the Peace Court judge.
*****

Carson City authorities arrested a Reno woman after she led officers on a chase through the south part of town with her 10-year-old son in the car, crossing into oncoming traffic and forcing motorists off the road.

Street Vibrations is in full swing today, with the streets around Carson City Harley-Davidson crowded with hundreds of motorcycles. Here's a few photos from this afternoon's festivities.

With tens of thousands of motorcyclists in Reno, Carson City, Virginia City and Tahoe for Street Vibrations this week, the Nevada Highway Patrol has developed a safety strategy of tips for bikers and motorists.

The idea is to reduce distractions by keeping a sharp focus on all motor vehicles on the road, said NHP Trooper Chuck Allen. Roads throughout Northern Nevada will be filled with motorcyclists and motorists attending the events in Reno, Carson City and Virginia City. Here's a breakdown of what drivers should keep in mind:

For the motorcyclist

Everyone loves a parade!

Every year Nevada does something completely unique in the United States. Nevada celebrates it's date of statehood with a huge 3 hour parade right through the middle of beautiful historic downtown Carson City. The NV Day Parade averages 200 entries from all over Nevada with antique cars & motorcycles, cowboys on horses, Burning Man & Gunfighters shooting in sequences, Marching Bands and tons more!

It may be second verse but basic common sense deserves reminding from time-to-time as we approach the holiday weekend.
Don't play with fireworks in the forest, in the trees or in the neighborhood. Don't drink and drive. Don't lose your cool. Hydrate. Stay away from any warm potato salad that has sat in the sun for more than two hours; relax and enjoy the scenery and people around you.