Polar Bear 5 Ride ~ Rescheduled from Dec 2022

CE – THIS IS A CLOSED RIDE TO THE PUBLIC. MEMBERS MAY BRING TWO GUESTS WITH THEM.

PLEASE ARRIVE 20 – 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE PRE-RIDE BRIEFING! (This will allow you time to visit other riders, use the restroom, fuel up, get a cup of coffee, etc.)

PLEASE BRING YOUR SM HOG MEMBERSHIP CARD FOR CURRENT STATUS!

So, this ride would have been just before Christmas in December 2022 but Mother Nature decided to rain on our parade.  I have rescheduled it and we’ll see how she treats us in late April with the weather.  I am leading a ride to Oakhurst near Yosemite and would like for you to join me!  This is going to be the Polar Bear Ride V and we will spend one night of socializing and relaxation at the Yosemite Sierra Inn in Oakhurst just outside Yosemite National Park.  This is one of my favorite places to go and for several members this place has created some great memories.  Everyone that went on the last four Polar Bear rides have had an absolute BLAST!  So, let’s make some more great memories this year!

I don’t think any of us want to pay over $220+ resort fees and taxes a night in what I consider an off season time of year.  So since the Best Western we usually go to fits into this category we will stay just north of their location and there is a Denny’s next door and a BBQ place across the road.

Yosemite Sierra Inn
40662 CA-41
Oakhurst, CA 93644
(559) 642-2525

https://www.yosemitesierrainn.com/

I found that if you join Hotels.com for free that the prices are better rather than booking them online with the hotel website.

King Bed – $135.20 + $14.88 tax = $150.08
There are also 2 Queen Bed rooms available.
https://www.hotels.com/

No breakfast available so you will need to go to Denny’s next door.

After our pre-ride briefing, we will head north on Highway 101 to Highway 46 west Chevron / McDonalds and pick up north county riders, take on fuel and take a break (58.6 miles).  After our break we will continue north on Highway 101 for a short distance to Highway 46 east.  We will continue east and turn off on the Highway 41 exit to Fresno and we will make our next stop at the 76 Station in Kettleman City topping off the tanks (57.4 miles).  We will grab a bite to eat here (Subway located inside the station) or you can walk across the street to one of the local fast food places.  This is so we are not eating so late by stopping in Fresno and end up having a late dinner in Oakhurst.

We will continue north on Highway 41 through Fresno.  If the group would like to stop at either of the Harley-Davidson dealerships in Fresno then we can do that and this will alter our route and timelines slightly.  After passing through Fresno we will then be traveling from the plains and we will start getting into some twisties, elevation changes, start seeing lots of rocks and a lot more trees as we head through Coursegold and on into Oakhurst and our destination (39.3 miles). We will stop at the Chevron Station on the right as we come into town and before we go to the hotel, so we don’t have to fuel up when we leave on Day 2.  Total mileage: 220

We will discuss dinner activities after we settle in, socialize, and relax at the pool.  Some like to eat at the restaurant on the Best Western property (5 minute walk) while others like walking a short distance to the Smokehouse 41 BBQ (2 minute walk) or Denny’s (1 minute walk) just next door.  All have pretty good food.

After breakfast on Day 2 we will head back south on Highway 41 and head to Lemoore where we make a fuel stop at the Chevron Station in off the Bush Street exit and just before crossing Highway 198.  From here we will get back on Highway 41 and continue to head towards Paso Robles passing through Kettleman City.  We will stop off at the Highway 46 west Chevron / McDonalds for a break, fuel up, and say our goodbyes as we head back to the Santa Maria area to terminate the ride.

Now….I just hope it is cold for the Polar Bear Ride!  If you have any questions, please let me know and you can contact me at PhilipRietz@comcast.net

Phil