March 2025
A Perfect February Escape
It's hard not to fall in love with this state, especially when you find yourself camping in February, basking in sunshine, and enjoying weather that makes you forget it's still winter. This trip was everything you hope for perfect weather, breathtaking views, delicious food, and the camaraderie that makes any adventure memorable. There’s something about being outdoors with great people that just hits differently.
Sure, parking was a bit of a challenge, but we handled it like pros after all, what's an adventure without a little obstacle to overcome? The road to our campsite was no easy drive either. If you're faint of heart, it’s not the route for you sharp, blind corners that had us all holding our breath and waiting for that next curve to reveal something new. Each twist and turn had the anticipation building, and though your heart might skip a beat, it's the kind of thrill that makes you feel alive.
Camp looked like a ghost town Saturday, with everyone out exploring the area. From group rides to hiking the surrounding trails, everyone’s adventure bug got scratched. It was great to see so many of our members heading out together to take in the beauty around us. Group riding, though, can be a bit of a challenge for many. While it’s always fun to explore with friends, it can turn stressful if there is no formation. Keeping formation isn't just about staying organized it’s crucial for everyone’s safety. When we're in sync, we can enjoy the ride and each other’s company, but when things fall apart, it can make the experience less enjoyable. So, a huge thank you to everyone who keeps things tight and safe on the road.
A huge thank you to Nick Roundtree for bringing over the firewood to keep everyone warm and the briquettes that helped create the incredible meals we shared. Our members truly pulled together to make the food something special, and it's moments like these that show how much effort and care go into making these trips memorable.
And, of course, a big thank you to our ride leader, Steve Tuggle, and his trusty sweep, Alfredo, for leading the group over the mountain and safely guiding everyone to camp. The ride over was no easy feat, but Steve and Alfredo made sure everyone arrived safe and sound, ready to enjoy the rest of the trip.
As I lay in my tent absorbing the adventure, it warmed my heart to hear the laughter, conversations, and deep connections forming within our club. The sounds of the ocean waves rolling in felt like a lullaby, lulling us all to sleep like babies, leaving us rested and ready for another day. It was clear that all the emails, text messages, planning, and hard work that went into organizing events like this truly paid off.
A special thank you to my team for their dedication and effort in making it all come together. We’re not just riders we’re family. It’s moments like these that remind me how special this group is. From the perfect weather and stunning views to the delicious food and great company, everything came together to remind us why we do what we do. California, you sure know how to make winter feel like summer. Until next time, we’ll be here, soaking it all in.
Tresha Holloway, President
Editor’s Corner
We’ve never put together a special edition of our newsletter magazine before at least not during my tenure as editor. While we’ve certainly published extensive issues covering our rallies, such as the Range of Light Gypsy Tour or the upcoming 49er rally (which, by the way, celebrates its 53rd anniversary this year, and which already is linin up to be another amazing weekend), this edition stands out with its unique theme:
An Indian adventure
As you explore this month’s issue, you’ll find an exciting feature by former board member Mike Murphy, who shares the incredible adventures and inevitable mishaps of a journey unlike any other. Alongside a group of BMW NorCal members, he embarked on an epic tour that saw 18 motorcycles and 31 people travel through six states and 19 cities, covering an astonishing 6,000 kilometers in just 30 days.
Even on this very page, our talented regular contributor and cartoonist extraordinaire, Dick Zunkel, has created yet another masterpiece, going the extra mile to research traditional Indian headdresses
and clothing to bring authenticity to his work.
But that’s not all. When we think of motorcycle travel in India, the image of an overloaded bike often comes to mind but have you ever considered whether your own bike is overloaded on the way to camp? Check out our simple calculator to find out. You might be surprised by the results! And while you’re contemplating them, why not enjoy one of Ravi’s favorite campsite Indian dishes?
With so much adventure packed into these pages, we hope you enjoy this special edition as much as we enjoyed putting it together!
India by Motorcycle
By Michael Murphy
18 Motorcycles | 31 People | 6 States | 19 Cities | 6,000km | 30 days
of the Himalayas. This was a long way from our planned route, but the only real option given the scale of the project. Tenzin transported his bikes and crew over 1500 km to the starting location at Nasik, near Bombay. From the end of the ride in Goa the crew shipped the bikes 2,000 km back to Chandigarh.
We rode a fleet of late model 400cc Royal Enfield Himalayans. Nimble and torquey, these machines were ideal for navigating rutted village roads and heavy city traffic.
Shreyas at Royal Enfield Bombay was curious about this trip, so he sent Vikas and a team of photographers to chronicle the adventure. The camera crew hung fearlessly from the windows and trunk of their heavily loaded Corolla to capture the best shots of the bikes in action.
Our group assembled in Ravi’s hometown of Nasik at the beginning of February. Nasik is the wine capital of India, not far from Bombay via a slow van ride that gave us a first taste of Indian highways. After a shakedown ride we began the tour with a ceremonial blessing and appeal to Ganesh, the Hindu lord of auspiciousness. Ganesh’s responsibilities include the safe passage of motorcyclists. This prayer must have been well received because we completed the trip with no serious incidents.
From the coastal hinterland at Nasik we headed east into the Deccan plateau. Mornings were cool but we warmed quickly in the mid -winter sunshine. We passed through fields ploughed for spring rains that would soon produce cotton, rice, wheat, soybeans and oilseeds. Indian laws make it impossible to consolidate family landholdings into larger commercially viable operations, so the landholdings remain small with limited mechanization and the villages are poor.
As is customary in many parts of Asia, farmers burn their fields in winter to prepare for the growing season. The smoke pollution persisted until we entered the deserts of Rajasthan two weeks later. The rest of the group took the smoky air in their stride. My lungs were impaired by a bout of long covid so I coughed my way around India. Otherwise we all remained healthy throughout the trip.
Our first stop was a medieval fort at Daulatabad. The fort and its supporting settlements covered hundreds of acres with the palace and battlements clustered around a rugged peak with a commanding position above the surrounding plains. There is only one way into the fort and it passes through a succession of fantastical defenses. To reach the foot of the citadel, we made our way through an obstacle course of
switchback paths exposed to sniper lairs, elephant traps, a crocodile -infested moat spanned by a precarious rope bridge and then an exposed climb up the outside of the final ramparts. Any attacker who made it through these death traps would then enter a confusion of pitch-dark tunnels to be greeted with burning oil from above and trapdoors plummeting hundreds of feet to jagged rocks below. The battle sequences in fantasy action movies such as the Raiders of the Lost Ark and
Lord of the Rings must surely have taken inspiration from this place.
Next on our historical journey were two cave sites carved out of basalt cliffs in the period from 500 BC to 1000 AD. The Ellora Caves were excavated in three phases by Buddhist, Hindu and Jain religious communities. The myriad rooms, architectural details and statuary were carved in place as a single piece of sculpture. The Ajanta caves were excavated by Buddhists from the second century BC until the 6th century AD. Ajanta was lost to history until the caves were rediscovered in 1809 by an English army officer on a tiger hunt.
Sandeep Tawde
Have you got your tickets yet?
Oh an a helpful suggestion Here in the Small Print — when you do, you WILL want to buy the beer/wine mug else you will Regret it all weekend! (we cant tell you why, yet ….)
Speaking of tigers, moved on to a tiger preserve in Kanha National Park. Located in the state of Madhya Pradesh in central India, this park is home to a protected group of Bengal tigers. Ravi worked here for several years before leaving India so he was familiar with the surroundings. From our base at an exotic jungle resort our group made several jeep-based tiger hunts. After hours on the hunt, several of our group were rewarded with a sighting of these elusive animals among the Sal and Teak trees.
I chose to sit out the tiger hunts in favor of a quiet walk down to the local river to see an old elephant named Tara. She spent her early years working in the forestry industry before being sold, in very poor condition, to a footloose English gentleman named Mark Shand. In 1988 Shand rode Tara across India. He chronicled the adventure in his book “Travels on My Elephant”. When the trip was over, he funded Tara’s retirement in the Kanha Reserve.
continued India by Motorcycle
By Michael Murphy
the saddle, ending with the worst traffic and air pollution of the tour. We started early and pushed all day but still did not make it to the outskirts of the city until dusk. As darkness fell, we regrouped at a gas station. The plan was to use one ambulance to open a path in full emergency mode with riders following in close formation and the second ambulance and support vehicles protecting the rear. Riders were warned to stay tight at all costs. This did not work. The group fragmented almost immediately.
Now pushing 70, Tara is the grand dame of the local village.
At 4 pm every afternoon Tara walks to the river with her mahout (keeper) to bathe. I was entranced by how gracefully (and quietly) she moved through the forest. Her mahout was obviously devoted to her. The hour spent watching her luxuriate in the water was one of the most soothing moments of our trip.
From Kanha we pushed north towards Agra on the southern edge of the Ganges plain. The region straddles the dry western deserts and the flood prone Ganges delta. The roads became increasingly crowed as the farming became more intensive. We passed fields of millet, wheat, barley and cotton. Sugar cane fields dotted with smokebelching boilers produce jaggery, a kind of raw sugar popular in India.
We were headed to Agra, the site of the Taj Mahal. After scoping this area on a pre-ride, Ravi and Sandeep were anxious about the ride north into the city. It would be a long day, at least 10 hours in
In the darkness I followed local traffic into a side ditch. Vehicles came at me from every direction. Blinded by headlights and dust, the road was invisible and I rode by feel through whoops, holes, and puddles of who-knows-what until I spilled out at a five-way intersection. I was on my own. I gave up trying to find the others and concentrated on following the GPS track. It led me into a dead end at a military base before re-routing through a long tangle of streets. An hour later I arrived sooty and dehydrated at the hotel parking lot. Amazingly, all our riders arrived safely with similar stories.
Ravi and his crew assembled in the hotel lobby elated that all were accounted for.
The next day we visited the Taj Mahal, one of the great wonders of Islamic architecture. It was built by the Moghul emperor Shah Jahan in the 1600s as a mausoleum for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. We arrived early while the site was enveloped in fog. As the fog lifted the edifice glowed pale yellow and then brilliant white in the sunshine. Later that day we visited the Red Fort directly across the river plain from the Taj Mahal. For the final decade of his life Shah Jahan was imprisoned in a corner of the palace with a view across the plain to his wife’s resting place.
From Agra we travelled west into the deserts of Rajasthan and Gujarat. These states have received more government investment perhaps due to their strategic location near Pakistan. The highways were good but, this being India, they are used by everything from farm livestock to 18 wheelers. After careful study I figured out that the pecking order on the highway is, in order of priority: cows, camels, horses, goats, buses, trucks, tractors, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians.
Here’s a typical sequence from the Rajasthan playbook:
You are in the slow lane on a 4-lane divided highway. Move right to avoid a herd of goats in the left lane. Stay right to pass a camel and several motorcycles but don t hit the cow sitting in the middle of the fast lane. Swerve left to avoid being rear ended by the SUV on your tail. Stay left to avoid an oncoming tractor that is approaching the wrong way in the fast lane. Dive for the shoulder to avoid a head-on with an oncoming semitrailer as it pulls into your slow lane to pass the tractor. Don’t hit the tuktuk that is stopping for passengers on the shoulder. As grasslands gave way to mesquite and desert scrub there was a noticeable increase in military activity. Rajasthan borders on the Indus valley in Pakistan and our ride took us to within a few miles of the border. The earliest overland trade routes from central Asia and places as far away as Rome traversed this area enroute to southern India. Local rulers taxed this trade and over the centuries built opulent cities in the desert.
India by Motorcycle
By Michael Murphy
1. Venomous Snakes – Cobras are highly venomous, using their fangs to inject neurotoxic venom that can paralyze their prey.
2. Hood Display – When threatened, cobras expand their ribs to form a hood, making them appear larger and more intimidating.
3. Multiple Species – There are around 30 species of cobras, including the Indian cobra, king cobra, and spitting cobras.
4. King Cobra is the Longest – The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the world’s longest venomous snake,... reaching up to 18 feet (5.5 meters).
5. Not All Cobras Spit Venom – Some species, like spitting cobras, can spray venom up to 8 feet (2.5 meters), aiming for the eyes of predators or threats.
6. Live in Various Habitats – Cobras are found in forests, grasslands, swamps, and even urban areas, primarily in Africa and Asia.
7. Prey on Other Snakes – King cobras mainly eat other snakes, including venomous ones like kraits and other cobras.
8. Egg Layers – Unlike many other venomous snakes, cobras lay eggs. The king cobra is unique because it builds a nest and guards its eggs
9. Famous in Snake Charming – Indian cobras have been used in snake charming performances, but they do not actually respond to music rather, they react to the movement of the flute.
10. Lifespan – Cobras can live 20 years or more in the wild, de-
India by Motorcycle
By Michael Murphy
As we came into the congested city of Jaipur our ride mode switched to “hare scramble”. Bikes and support vehicles fought for position in a game of inches. An aggressive local knocked Bill and Chris Deviny onto the pavement. A noisy crowd pressed around.
Fortunately Ganesh the god of motorcycle safety kept in eye on us; ride leader Amit triaged our riders and kept the crowd at bay until Chris and Bill recovered. They rode away before the situation deteriorated into a “police incident”. We were very glad to have Amit there to keep things under control!
In Jaipur Erin and I wanted to see a Bollywood movie. I found a classic art deco movie theater with a “meringue shaped auditorium” just a short rickshaw ride away. Ravi and Sandeep joined us. Loaded with popcorn and drinks, we sank into the plush seats to enjoy the latest Bollywood romcom. The movie followed the usual plot line (boy and girl fall in love, they sing to each other, boy proposes, girl’s mother objects but finally relents, they marry, everyone dances) but with a twist: the bride was a killer robot designed by the groom’s tech-exec auntie in California! This
was just what we needed to recharge our batteries.
In medieval times Rajasthan’s local rulers defended their kingdoms with extravagant forts in the largest cities at Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Udaipur. Each fort is a mini city with a palace at its core. The Mehrangarh fort in Jodhpur really captured my imagination. Its lofty palace and ramparts tower over the surrounding city. Inside the palace sprawls with a confusion of rooms and passageways ideally suited for palace intrigues. The resources needed to build and sustain these massive edifices would have far outstretched the wealth of European monarchs of that era. India does not quarantine its history behind velvet rope and glass. This was history that we could live in and touch. Visitors are free to roam the forts. I celebrated my birthday at a Moghul palace that the East India Company converted into a hunting lodge for the British Raj.
Erin with a Cobra - Fast Fatherly Facts About Cobras
At Jodhpur we stayed in a former haveli (mansion) with sprawling rooms and antique fittings. The walls and architectural details were softened by centuries of weathering.
We travelled through the desert to the far eastern border with Pakistan. We visited a desert water hole used by millions of demoiselle cranes to sustain their seasonal migration between Mongolia and southern India. We rode camels over sand dunes to see the sun set at Choki Dhani. With the arid hills of Pakistan behind us we watched the sun rise over the salt flats at Dholavira.
Leaving the desert, we made our way south through Gujarat and back into Maharashtra. We passed our starting point at Nasik on our way to Poona (Pune), one of India’s major IT hubs. In Poona, the Punjabi Cultural Association threw us a party even though we were very far from their home state. We heard speeches by a procession of eminent Punjabis, including the reigning Miss Punjabi, and then the dancing began (‘for men only’).
It was here that I finally understood why local TV news had been following us from city to city for weeks: Indians were fascinated by our collective age more than the audacity of our adventure. Reigning Miss Punjabi declared that our journey would inspire younger generations to pursue life with vigor “even when we are senior citizens”. We were, in short, viewed as a bunch of adventurous old geezers!
From Poona we made a final long push to Goa on the Arabian Sea, with its tropical climate and idyllic beaches. Our luxurious resort was the perfect place to end our journey.
Ravi and his best friend Sandeep masterminded the whole expedition. They assembled a team of family and friends, using their personal resources, to show us the best of their country with humble pride. Despite the challenging logistics and inevitable mishaps they kept us healthy, safe and on schedule.
Our group extends heartfelt gratitude to the following individuals: Sandeep Tawde, Nandini Ahirrao and her husband Snehal, Amit and his uncle Kiran Waghchoure, as well as Tenzin Bodh’s dedicated mechanic support team.
Camping Chicken Curry Indian Dhaba (Dinner) Style
by Ravi Verma
Step 1: Preparation (Before you leave)
For the best flavor, marinate the chicken at least 20 minutes before cooking. If you marinate it the night before while packing your motorcycle, the flavors will fully infuse, making it even more delicious.
Marination
1. Grind the spices:
• 1 tbsp black peppercorns
• 1 tsp fennel seeds
• ½ tsp cumin seeds
Coarsely grind these using a stone mortar and pestle.
2. Prepare the marinade:
In a bowl, combine:
• 1 lb chicken
• The ground spice mixture
• 10-12 curry leaves
• 1 tbsp store-bought ginger garlic paste
• 1 tbsp peanut oil
Mix well to coat the chicken thoroughly.
3. Pack for travel:
• Store the marinated chicken in a small icebox inside your motorcycle panniers or soft bags.
• Pack 1 cup of yogurt in the same icebox for later use.
Masala
1. Roast the following spices until aromatic:
• Coriander seeds
• Cumin seeds
• Black peppercorns
• Cloves
• Black cardamom
• Salt (to taste)
2. Grind the masala:
• Once roasted, turn off the heat and grind the spices into a fine powder using a mixer grinder.
3. Pack for cooking:
• Store the ground masala in a small Ziplock bag and place it in your camping bag.
Step 2: At Camp
Cooking the Rice
• 1. Use one stove for basmati rice and another for the chicken curry
• 2. Rinse 1 cup of basmati rice under the camp spout, then add 2 cups of water in a pot.
• 3. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 13 minutes until cooked.
Ingredients –
• 1-pound skinless organic Chicken leg (thighs & drumsticks) from your favourite food store
• 1 bunch Curry leaves
• 2 tbsp Black peppercorns
• 1 tsp fennel seeds
• ½ tsp of cumin seeds
• 2 tbsp Ginger Garlic paste
• 4 tbsp Peanut Oil
• 2 Green chilies (if you like to add heat)
• Red Onions
• Key Limes
• Fresh Coriander bunch (cilantro)
Cooking the Chicken Curry
1. Heat 3 tbsp oil in a pot.
2. Once hot, add:
• 10 curry leaves
• ½ large red onion, chopped
• Salt to taste
• Sauté until onions turn translucent.
3. Add the marinated chicken and cook for 7-8 minutes over medium heat.
4. Stir in 1 cup of yogurt and the prepared masala powder from the Ziplock bag.
5. Cook everything together until the chicken is fully cooked.
Serving -
Serve the chicken curry over basmati rice with a side of:
• Freshly chopped sweet white onions
• A squeeze of lime juice
• A sprinkle of salt and smoked paprika
• Finely diced fresh coriander (cilantro)
Enjoy your flavorful camp-cooked meal!
Delf’s Safety Column
No excuses – get trained at the Rally
By now, y’all know that I consider regular training as one of the most effective ways to increase rider safety.
Getting quality training can require a bit of an effort though. Usually at least some travel is required, sometimes accommodations need to be booked, and quality training usually is not cheap.
If you are joining us for the 53rd 49er Rally in Mariposa this May, we’ll make it easy for you to participate in some top-notch training programs:
• No additional travel required: The training providers come to us!
• No additional cost for accommodation: You are already camping at the rally
• Very fair pricing:
Every single class at the rally is offered for a price of only $200. Given the high quality of our trainers, you’ll find that hard to beat. And if you are a MOA member, keep that as you’ll get $50 back via the Paul B Safety Training Rebate
The process to request the rebate has been streamlined a lot for 2025, now with no pre-approval required.
See details at:
https://bmwmoaf.org/paul-bachorz-rider-safety-training-rebate/
Riders who take their bikes of the paved road are regularly reminded of their limitations; therefore, they seem to be way more inclined to seek out additional training and expert guidance.
Our Off-Road training classes at the rally have always been well attended.
Riders who stick to the pavement seem to be more convinced that their skills are good enough: I have been riding for 20+ years and haven’t died yet – I must be good”, and (except for track schools) very few training providers are able to stay in business trying to teach these folks “new tricks”.
Last year, we were able to find a great school, and the feedback on their classes was outstanding.
2025 49er Rally #1—On Pavement Training: SlowRide:
After the great success last year, we are extremely happy to welcome Slow Ride back!!
Every rider can improve their slow-speed skills, and Slow Ride Motorcycle Training will be at the 49er Rally, offering their top-notch Police-Style Riding courses to help you do just that!
Slow Ride’s mission is to advance your riding skills through focused coaching in a relaxed, non-stressful learning environment. Their courses are led by certified police motorcycle instructors, all of whom are active or retired police motor officers with over 60 years of combined training experience.
Why Take Slow-Speed Training?
If you ride often, chances are you’ve faced challenges with lowspeed maneuvering whether making tight turns, weaving through obstacles, or executing a U-turn. When speeds drop below 12 mph, many riders struggle with balance and control, often leading to drops or tip-overs.
That’s where Slow Ride Motorcycle Training comes in! Their courses teach civilian riders the same techniques used by police motorcycle officers, all within a safe, controlled, and stress-free environment.
Slow Ride Course Options
Intro Course:
Perfect for riders looking to improve their low-speed control, this class focuses on clutch, throttle, and rear brake coordination to help balance the motorcycle at low speeds. Each technique is explained, demonstrated, and coached one-on-one for a handson learning experience.
Advanced Course:
Designed for experienced riders or those who completed the Intro Course, this session helps refine low-speed maneuvering skills, including U-turns, turns from a stop, and advanced obstacle navigation. Instructors guide you step by step, ensuring you build confidence and control.
Training Schedule
Friday & Saturday Morning: Beginner Classes
Friday & Saturday Afternoon: Advanced Skills Training
Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your slow-speed control, boost confidence, and ride like a pro!
https://bmwnorcal.org/event-6050111
#2—Off Pavement Training (Female Specific): Louise Powers
This class was another huge success last year! The ladies had a ton of fun many and showed of the skills and confidence they gained in the tailrides and during our event, the English Trials.
If you feel more comfortable learning riding skills in a femalecentric environment taught by a woman, this is the class for you! Louise Powers has been teaching the in’s and out’s of GS riding skill since 2015. She and her crew will take you through a fun day meant to boost your adventure skills to the next level and help you gain confidence in riding in the wild!
No matter your skill level in riding off the pavement you will build important skills and confidence to take your bike off the road. The clinic is designed for female riders who have experienced riding their motorcycle on the road and want to learn about or become more comfortable when riding off-road.
It will focus on four core elements:
Balance, Braking, Clutch, and Throttle Control
all of which are critical to achieving nearly all you would ever want to accomplish on an Adventure Motorcycle. These fundamental elements are where your training begins. Through a series of instruction, drills, and coaching, Louise and her team will hone, combine, and enhance these core elements, thereby building your skills AND confidence in an off-road environment.
You can do more than you think
Some of the most common feedback received from past participants include, “I can’t believe what I can do that I couldn’t do when I got here!” The building block structure in which students are taught ensures that fundamental elements needed for safe, effective riding are learned, practiced, and built upon. In this way, students often find themselves excelling in areas they thought outside their reach.
Your instructors:
Louise Powers BMW MOA Board member is a world-traveling Adventure Rider with tens of thousands of miles racked up on her bikes. And at under 5’ 4” tall, Louise has a unique understanding of what it takes to ride “big” adventure bikes (she owns and rides a BMW R1250GS HP!).
Shawn Thomas is an Internationally Certified Off-Road Instructor with a passion for helping Adventure Riders be the best they can be.
Together, Louise and Shawn bring decades of experience teaching over 10,000 Adventure Riders worldwide. When you train with this team of Adventure Riders, you are in the hands of seasoned professionals who want to make you a better and more confident rider.
This course will be offered Friday morning and be followed by a guided tour to practice and develop your skills on an off-road trail.
https://bmwnorcal.org/event-6050108
#3 Off Pavement Training: ADVMotoPros
After many years of working with the great folks from RawHyde, we decided to try something new this year. Many of you will know Rob Day, the founder of ADVMotoPros. Both he, and his co-trainer Brian “Barty” Bartel, come from a long history of adventure riding training and competition.
Riders will gain essential off-road control techniques, focusing on maximizing traction, proper clutch control, correct vision, a relaxed riding posture, and confident body movement on the bike.
Courses are open to all adventure motorcycles, including BMW, Harley-Davidson, KTM, Honda, Triumph, Royal Enfield, Yamaha, and more. Riders must bring their own bike, equipped with a legal license plate for public roads.
Course Breakdown
Intro Course (Beginner-Friendly)
Designed for riders new to off-road adventure riding, this course covers:
• Safely lifting a dropped bike
• Proper riding position and vision for stability
• Weight shifting on footpegs for better balance
• Clutch friction zone control for smooth starts
• Slow-speed balance and maneuvering
• Rear-wheel skidding and front-wheel braking for emergency stops
• Slow-speed counterbalanced turns for tight navigation
Advanced Course (For Experienced Riders)
For riders looking to refine their skills, the advanced course includes:
• Steep hill climbs and descents
• Skid steering and throttle steering
• Faster-paced riding techniques
• Wheel lofting (lifting the front wheel over obstacles)
• Surmounting obstacles with confidence
• Riding in gravel, sand, and mud (conditions permitting)
Gear Requirements
To ensure safety, all riders must wear full protective gear, including:
• Helmet: Full-face or modular (open-face helmets are allowed but not recommended).
• Protective armor: Knee, hip, elbow, and shoulder protection. A spine protector is recommended.
• Boots: Sturdy with shin and ankle protection.
• Gloves: Reinforced palms for better grip and impact resistance.
Knobby or aggressive tires are recommended for better traction, but not required.
Training Schedule
• Beginner Classes: Friday and Saturday morning
• Advanced Skills Training: Friday and Saturday afternoon
https://bmwnorcal.org/event-6050109
Delf Hedde
Second Sunday Breakfast Ride (March)
9 March 2025 : 8am; Country Inn Cafe, 6484 Camden Ave. San Jose
March Board of Directors Meeting
12 March 2025 : Registration required
March Member Meeting and Campout at Death Valley
27 –30 March 2025 : Registration required
Photo repository: https://www.yogile.com/202503DeathValley
April Member Meeting and Campout at La Grange
26 –27 April 2025 : Registration required
The BMW Motorcycle Club of Northern California has been riding and camping since 1965! Join us on the last weekend of each month on our long tour, General Member Meeting, and overnight campout somewhere in the greater Northern California and Nevada areas. Membership is not required to participate in our events and all riders are welcome and encouraged to attend!
Team BMW NorCal
President Tresha Holloway president@bmwnorcal.org
(707) 364-6869
Vice-President Linda Rodda vicepresident@bmwnorcal.org (224) 622-5380
Secretary Steve Stein secretary@bmwnorcal.org (415) 999-7481
Treasurer Scott Noack secretary@bmwnorcal.org (650) 533-4439
Tour Captain Tresha Holloway president@bmwnorcal.org (707) 364-6869
Safety/Technical Director Delf Hedde safetydirector@bmwnorcal.org (408) 464-8094
Historian Nick Dutton newseditor@bmwnorcal.org (408) 476 9500
Communications Nick Dutton newseditor@bmwnorcal.org (408) 476 9500
Membership Directory Bricker Anderson bricker.anderson@gmail.com (408) 510-1187
Advertising Chair Manny Rubio adchair@bmwnorcal.org (925) 784-4856
49er Chair Mark Rodda emarkrodda@gmail.com (650) 213-6253
Second Sunday Breakfast Edward Perry edwardperryt@yahoo.com (408) 206-6069
BMW MOA Charter 9 | AMA Charter 06083
