1971 Jenner California Run - 4-Page Vintage Motorcycle Article

Description

1971 Jenner California Run - 4-Page Vintage Motorcycle Article
Original, Vintage Magazine Article
Page Size: Approx. 8" x 11" (21 cm x 28 cm) each page
Condition: Good
MEN, IF YOUR WIVES ever complain about not
doing enough together, just take them on a motor-
cycle—that’s togetherness. The results of such a trip
should be good in either of two ways: (1) The spouse may be
cured of wanting to participate in motorcycling, or (2) she
may dig it so much she’ll want a bike. On second thought, that
might not be so good.
To maximize enjoyment and safety on your jaunt you
should avoid, if possible, days when heavy auto traffic will be
encountered, i.e., holidays and vacation weekends. One might
even consider taking a day of vacation during the week. This
would also circumvent one problem if one has children, that
is if they’re old enough to be in school. What schemes some
parents will perpetrate! If all goes well you and the wife have
a whole day to yourselves. In this household that is a rarity.
Our little jaunt sort of fell into place: daughter in nursery
school, a brand new Yamaha 350 in the garage, and the wife
with a day off-perfect. The only thing left was to decide
where to go for a day. That was easy for us. We’ve had a long
standing love affair with the Northern California coastal region.
There is a town on the Sonoma coast at the outlet of the
Russian River called Jenner. It can be reached easily in a
few hours from the Bay Area, leaving plenty of time for
stops. Then one can take a leisurely ride down Highway 1.
However, there are a multitude of alternates and side roads
available.
We got an early start at 8:30 in the morning, and headed
out across that ghastly double humpbacked contraption called
the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. Appropriately, San Quentin
Penitentiary is situated at its foot in Marin County. There is
one neat thing about the bridge however, it is the one spot
around here where a bike can safely be opened up. Needless
to say it’s a favorite spot for testing a machine-although the
tariff is rather high at 65^ each way.
Soon you find yourself humming along smoothly on
Highway 101. If you want to see some beautiful architecture
you can turn off on San Pedro Road, just past San Rafael and
see the last peice of work that famed architect Frank Lloyd
Wright designed. The gold domes and spires with blue inserts
and expansive arches distinguish the Marin County Civic
Center as one of the few truly beautiful government buildings
in existence.
After checking out the artwork and fountains inside the
buildings, we head north once again. A few miles up the road
we turn off onto 116 at Cotati. Sound familiar? Yeah-road
races. Hmm—I wonder, would Marilyn consent to me taking
a few hot laps. Much to the chagrin of the local police, the
track owner does not lock the gate. The local men in blue do
not like people to get out there and race. But, what self-
respecting would-be road racer could resist riding a course
for free (albeit a somewhat cobby one). Who am I kidding?
I could resist—I don’t know beans about road racing. So I
stick out my lower lip and we head north toward Sebastopol.
The Yamaha twin purrs along thru groves of Gravenstein
apples while little vegetable and fruitstands dot the road,
offering a wide selection of fresh food—tempting, but not
practical on a motorcycle riding two-up.
Eventually we come to Guerneville a resort on the Russian
River that teems with bathers, boaters and fishermen during
the Summer. But, now in the Fall its all but deserted. We stop
at a little coffee shop for a cup. There’s a BMW parked out
front which, as it turns out, belongs to a couple from Berkeley.
They are on their way to British Columbia for a vacation.
Traveling by motorcycle is becoming very popular in California
and it was very evident from what we saw in one day.
We wick along the highway that is now winding its way
thru the Russian River Valley. Thru tiny towns such as Monte
Rio and Duncan Mills. Well, not really towns—but places.
Soon we round .a bend and come upon Highway 1 as it
crosses the river. Another mile and the gentle outline of
Penny Island is seen. Shorebirds, Egrets and Herons sprinkle...
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