Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125613
; HURRY! OR YOU WILL -MISS THE BOAT 10fl :. (W.ere sltall we go) Southern California1I10torcycUsts who f1nd themselves without a destination or excuse to take a little jaunt may llke tb1s sbort tour that we enjoyed recently • With the demise ot the 83-year-old Coronado Ferry Co. scbeduled for July 1st, 1969, we decided to take a nostalgic "Last ride" on one ot tile old boats that we have come to 1098. The first authentic ferry boat, the "Coronado" arrived In San Diego Bay on August 19, 1886. It was a 100 ft. side wheeler with a 75 bJl. stsam engine. It could carry 3 borses and buggies amld- sbips wb11e passengers sat In tile cabins on either side. By 1922 ber capacity ot 8 automobiles was too small and sbe was sold to a Hollywood studio for tile filming of "Captain mood". The next boat, the "Ramona" Is the one that we recall with tear dimmed eyes. She started service on July 4th, 1903 and was In use until 1931. On this boat, we recall our mother along with a neighbor lady would take a group of cbildren with a basket luncb and have a picnic for us on the top deck, rid1Dg back and forth across the bay 1br bours and pay only the oJ1g1nal 5~ fare, a custom which foot passengers enjoy to this day. Now the California Toll Bridge Authority lias sold all ot the existing ferry boats and when the new bridge from San Diego across the bay to Coron&*lopens, the romantic old boats will be taken 01 away, nevermore to ply the bay. We-understand that the l5~ charge for a motorcycle and driver w1ll be upped to a ~ toll charge to cross tile bridge. It is rumored that the view from the lolty span is breathtaldng, but no provisions have been made for a vebicle to stoP while crossing and no foot trattlc w1ll be permitted. If any cyclists feel the same way about the old vessels as we do and want to have one last ride before they pass lnto oblivion, come down 10terstate 5 and turn 011 at the sign that polnts to San Diego Airport. As you come to the old PacWc Highway turn- South and witbln a few minutes you w1ll see the big arched sign, "CORONADO FERRY" and you It's often been saldllMlworldisasmall place and here's an _ustng little tale that proves it. John Rice'S brother-lnlaw Frank Townsend Is serving on a sb1p olf Vietnam. One day the talk got around to motorcycles ad Frank was bragg1ng on John being IIlIIIIber one. Up pops another guy and says it's not so, bis friend Kirk McDowell Is number one. (Tb1s happened in 1868.) So a little wrangl1ng goes on w1tb tile end result that Tammy Rice fOUDd 1$rSe1f clipping UP old Issues of Cycle News to seod ber brother so be could prove bimself rigbt and also prove that tile otller guy wasn't lying. McDowell'S buddy didn't know we have two number ones 10 our District and next year we'll have tbreel If you're wondering whY the current point standings haven't appeared yet, it's because the stewards are b.-g upon the GriPsters results. They haVWll't received them yet so therefore can't post the polnts earned for that event. Rigbt now Ste'fe Nichols bas a good lead In the ultra-ligbtwe1ebt but that lightweigbt plate is In for some competition this year. Larry Taylor is bound and determlned to get it and stands agoodcbance. He also wants to prove that a rider without beavy sPonsorsb1p can do It. Last guy that proved it could be done was Pat Patrick who really did it on bis ownsome. At times we all get grumpy at a scrambles and wish tblngs were simple like In the good old days before our scrambles turned into what Is almost semi-protessional racing but think ot it this way: 11 you get to travel around to different Districts llke we do try to take an impartial look at their riders and ours, and we hope we're not going to hurt anyone's feelings! But, the fact remalns that if you start your racing career 1lj District 37, even as a little kid on a 50, you're exposed to tbls semi-professionalism and you don't develop a lax attitude towards racing. 11 your career eventually extends into protesslonal .racing you have a back- Coronado ferrl.. pass In 1I1lkbaanel. N••• I)' fln l&IIed ... brIe In baekpoWld will rltlt. IIPlace tbt romantle _ By B1ll HU'm.er can enjoy a simple pleasure that w1ll 800II be gone forever. Once In Coronado,youmayturnarOUDd and come lIlck, if JOu wtsb, but we recommeod tbatyou tour tbe qu1et streets of the little Navy retirement town and maybe see the grounds ot the famous old Hotel Del Coronado whicb first opened its doors In 1888 as one of the most fabulous aDd mndern resort hotels ot tile day. No less a personage than Thomas A. Edison himself, supervised the Installation ot the 1ncadescent ligbting In the hotel. The electric generating plant of the botel was so great that it supplied electricity for the entire city ot Coronado for qui te a wb11e. Then you may con tlnue south along the famous Silver Strand. There you w1ll see the U.S. Navy Amphibious Base where the Pueblo Investigation was beld. You will see an authentic Vietnamese village built along the beacb, whicbis used totralnsoldlers. Other. places along the strand that may be of interest are the Navy bousing and the exclusive Navy Salling Club. Tbe road (Higbway 75) turns East at Imperial Beacb and returns to 1oterstate 5. A left turn w1ll start you on your bomeward journey and a rigbt turn will lake you to the Tijuana border crossing which would start another story. No matter whicb way you decide to follow, bY all means take your farewell cruise on the Corooado Ferry. 11 you walt too long you w1ll have missed the boat and In tbis instance, there won't be another one 'along tomorrow. Santa Maria Motocross (Golne on a trip? n.n take sam. pix, Ind send story to e)'e'. N.ws. II It sounds like flin, we'll publlsb It at our u su11 rat.s.) ground of following rules, rid1Dg properly set-up programs etc. Also, you've been through the wars with the competition out bere. You may complain bitterly as a Novice, especially In the Ligbtweight divisions, trying to make the maln with five or six beats In your class, but how good a rider do you think you'd be If you only bad tile same ten guys to ride against every week? 11 you're good you'll eventually make the main and if you just want to ride for fun and not get really serious, you'll sttll ride, and have fun. our system works and 1.8 easily proven. Look at tile biggest protemona! names at Ascot, espec1allY the TT riders. They're almost all from our District. The new young names destined to take over In a year or so, all from bere, sucb as Keith Mashburn, David Aldana, Tom Rockwood etc. are veterans ot our scrambles. And because scrambles and motocross are the same tblng, look where most ot the Americans live (with apologies to John DeSoto and Bob Grossi) wbo are currently campaigning abroad? District 371 So, the next ti'l1e you bave a gripe, think kind thoughts, but I'll be rigbt alongside you griPing too about having to walt so long while beats are fun otfl F REE..~:" NEW MOTORCYCLE & OTHER PRIZES GRAND OPENING MAY 1 7 '3 ST OF D TH ........................~----..,LilO M ITA Neil Haney - welcomes you A modem new Harley-Davidson dealership for your convenience See all the newest Harley-Davidson products 100% financing and Insurance Parts - service - Custom Accessories 2212 Pacific Coast Hvvy. (between Crenshaw & Western) Regular Hours - 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday 534-5530 P'owder Putf willi'" Carol Davis pushlS h. Sms .oWld I IItnd.