Events

Up for a challenging drive up Mt. Hamilton to the Lick Observatory and back? Then come along as we meet up with the Abingdon Rough Riders for our annual trip over the tallest mountain in the area.

The drive is challenging, as there are a little over twenty miles of steep hills with some of the coolest (i.e. narrow and winding) roads in the Bay Area. The views from the road and the observatory are breathtaking.
This is not a trip for the faint hearted (or those prone to car sickness), and your car should be in good mechanical condition, as there are no services for over 70 miles. Please start with a full tank of petrol.

In a departure from our usual route, our ARR leaders plan to start on the backside and end up in San Jose (between 3-4 pm). We’ll be stopping at The Junction for lunch, and we’ll probably also stop at a winery in Livermore and the Mt. Hamilton Observatory.

When and Where: We’ll meet at 9:30 am at Starbucks, 3950 Mowry Ave., Fremont Plaza (corner of Fremont Blvd. and Mowry), in Fremont. Do NOT go to the Starbucks at 5034 Mowry Ave. (between Blacow and Farwell)!

ARR Contacts: Barry and Sue Swackhamer, 408-608-5695, barry_sue90@hotmail.com

The Chico Area British Car would like to invite the MG Owners Club of Northern California to its 19th annual All British Car Meet on Sunday, April 20, 2008 from 10:00am-4:00pm, located at Canyon Oaks Resort Lodge in Chico, CA. The event hosts British car owners and their families from all over the state to enjoy an afternoon of showing off their cars, along with food and beverage, entertainment, and a silent auction to raise money for the Chico Area British Car Club.

For more information, please visit our website and www.chicobritish.org where you can find additional show information, browse photo albums of past events, and pre-register for the meet. See flier here: http://www.mgoc.org/files/323.pdf

OK, so last year’s Run was rainy and windy; but if you were there, you received a special merit badge from Past President Bob Stine for surviving the journey! This year I predict sunny breezy weather.

Melissa Johnson and I will lead you on a wonderful winding and hilly tour route just made for MGs. Cecil Kimber, whose birthday was 120 years ago on April 12 would be proud to be part of this adventure.

Melissa and I are spoiled as this tour begins right near our home. It’s one of those 90-minute weekend drives you can take a few times a year when the sun is out and the mood strikes for a wonderful but challenging spin in the MG.

The fun begins at about 10:45 am. After some coffee and donuts (or bagels) and a quick driver’s meeting, we will award a prize to one lucky participant of our tour before we head out. What is it, you ask? How can I win it, you wonder? Come on the tour and find out.

We will leave our home in San Leandro at 11 am and head through the Berkeley hills by way of Skyline Drive and Grizzly Peak Blvd., stopping at a vista point which I believe is truly the most panoramic view of the entire Bay Area bar none (including that view from the Marin Headlands). On a clear day you can see four bridges which cross the Bay. When we reach the top of Marin Avenue, we will go down the steep long hill (Make sure your brakes are in good shape!) and go over to Solano Avenue for lunch at Zachary’s Chicago Pizza, which offers arguably the best deep dish pizza in the country. It is usually crowded, but not to worry. Solano Avenue is full of many marvelous restaurants of almost any ethnic cuisine imaginable, should you not wish pizza. The tour will officially end there, but for those wishing further fun, the Berkeley Marina is close by.

If you have any questions, call us at 510-483-3171. We hope you will join us. It will be a tour to remember.

When and Where: Meet 10:30 am at 874 Rodney Drive in San Leandro.