Here is my adventure to the GGG’s Mendocino run Oct. 1^st – 3^rd 1999.

I left a hot Sacramento on Friday Oct. 1^st at 1:30PM I went alone since I couldn’t get any other club members to go. The route I took was I-5 north to Williams and Highway 20 West to Highway 101. North on 101 to Willits then 20 west until the dirt road turnoff to the San Francisco Boy’s and Girl’s camp.

The ride to Clear Lake was hot and the air was bad due to all the fires. I had a head wind going north on I-5 which is rare. I gassed up before I left and again in Williams. I wanted to make it all the way to Willits on a tank of gas. When I got to Clear Lake the temperature got much more pleasant along with the scenery. Traffic was good and before I knew it, I was in Willits at 4:15PM. I stopped off at a health food burrito place to rest and fill my empty stomach. Knowing that dinner would be around 7 or 8PM, I knew I wouldn’t make it that long with out food. The short ride from Willits was the most beautiful. It is about 16 miles west to the dirt road turn off. The road was in good shape this year considering previous years. It is about a 7 mile ride on the dirt road to the camp site.

I arrived around 5:30PM with the sun shining and friendly familiar faces saying hello. I went immediately to registration and received my run packet of goodies. Included in the packet, to name a few items were: a glass mug, name tag, run pin, run guide (or what ever you call it), key chain, etc. I was lucky enough to stay in the Lodge. There were four of us in the lodge all having our own twin sized bunk bed. I stayed on top of one. There was a bathroom, couch, and wood burning stove. Very warm at night. After settling in, I went to get a cuba libra (rum and coke with a lime). I must have had at least four throughout the night. They were stiff drinks pored by Andy. After socializing a while, dinner was served around 8PM. Pork, carrots, and string beans were the main coarse. Marky really knows how to cook. The pork was fabulous. I happened to see a cute guy, Eric, and ended up sitting next to him. 

We spent most of the weekend together. The entertainment for the evening was good. Singing and lip sinks. It was a late night and the morning came too soon. Breakfast is only served between 8am and 10am. I have to say that if there was only one reason to go on this run, it is the food. Eggs, hash brown, bacon, sausage, OJ, Coffee (24hours a day) etc. were served. The bike events started promptly at 10AM. They were especially difficult bike events this year and too difficult to explain. I did participate in the bike events and was a biker for three buddies. I always have a great time during these events. It did take it toll and I napped from 2PM to 4PM just after lunch which was BBQ Chicken, potato salad, corn on the cob, fruit salad, etc. I was stuffed and had to lay down! I missed people events due to my nap.

After my nap, Eric and I road my bike around to all the cabins to check out the different club’s decorations for the camp site contests before the judging took place. We then went with a huge crowd to visit each camp site. ACLC had the winning site with a Hawaiian theme. The SF GDI had a good educational speech on what the different colors of the gay flag mean. The Sierra Rangers had a raffle. It was festive.

We all went back to the lodge area and relaxed until the bike presentation. It was fun being with about 15 bikes riding around the camp site. Lots of pictures were taken and then judges checked out all the bikes for the best bike award. We all waited for dinner. It was requested that the president of each club man the serving line, so I was recruited. I have never cut so much meat in my life. There were huge prime rib steaks for everyone along with, broccoli, baked potato, and salad. Again the meat was fabulous. I drooled the entire time taking little tidbits of meat between serving. There was plenty of leftovers. Red and White wine was served on table clothed tables with flowers and candles. Another fine touch from Marky the chef.

After dinner was the awards ceremony where I won the second place biker award and one of my buddies, Ann, won the second place buddy award. What a night. I was in bed by 1AM and up at 9AM for breakfast. After saying good byes, I was on the road by 10:30AM and home, taking the same route that I came, by 2PM. I promptly washed my bike and relaxed for the rest of the day.

It was nice to see four people that had attended the Valley Knights Camp Out at French Meadows earlier in the year. Mark Ross, David C. and a couple that I can not remember their names. I can hardly wait for next year! I hope some of the Valley Knights can join me.