HOG Runnin' Sweet...

... as a maraschino cherry.
Sacramento to Reno's
2012 biker event, "Street Vibrations"

Just got off a project in the Carolinas 
So all I could make was the last day

A two hour run
Getting some wrinkles out
Of the Harley and me
After a couple months of inactivity

Partly cloudy, partly overcast day
Perfect riding weather
Not too hot.  Not too cold.

Chaps and jacket for the cold
Over Donner pass
Then lose a layer in the high Sierra Nevada desert
That envelops Reno

Reno area has three major vendor exhibit areas
Reno Harley Davidson dealer "Chester's": A mile or so out of town
Sparks, Nevada:  A couple miles out near the Nugget casino
Downtown Reno:  Main drag, Virginia Street
Closed off for foot traffic, booths, tractor/trailers
And a visitor from Sacramento

There are a lot of people here for the last day, a Sunday
No sign of the recession I am thinking
Judging from experience at this event over the years

Silver Legacy - replica of full working mine
inside that dome

Got a good, cheap room at the Silver Legacy for the night
So I have plenty of time to rubberneck
Accompanied by a fine stogie
Enjoying the great weather
All the chrome and leather eye candy
The outdoor bands
And some of the great junk food

Later, I join the players
Mostly locals
For a friendly Texas Hold'em game
At the El Dorado casino next to the Legacy

There is an elder gentleman (no, not me)
Who is there every time I attend
A fine silver mane
A lean figure
Who dresses in shirt, slacks and sportcoat
With just a little bling, a small cross on chain
Worn outside mock turtle

I always compliment him
As consistently the best dressed poker player
I have come across

I stick in the game a few hours
And finally quit when I am a few bucks ahead
He compliments me; "You are a good player."
I return the compliment.

Next day back to Sacramento
Via the longer but more scenic way

Highway 50 sweepers near Spooner summit

Through Carson City and Lake Tahoe

I have written before about the
Thirty or so mile run between those two towns
Half of it includes a stretch of long, gentle curves "Sweepers" up the mountain
To Spooner's summit
Speed limit there is "50"
That is for cars though

On a big Harley bagger it is very comfortable at 70
Tucking those handle bars inside each corner
Matching the natural rhythm the mountain offers
It unfolds as a ballet between rock, metal, pavement and man
The music that ties it being the bagger's pipes
We all work it together