Nieman's Motorcycle Rentals

Highly Reccomend Niemans Professional Services

My wife and I took a "dream cruise". Booked it a couple weeks out and stopped by the day before asking about an early start, before 7am, Mike Niemans the owner said no problem I will meet you here bright and early. That morning Mike, explained that the bike we originally reserved had come back in late the day before and with the early start he did not have time to prep it so he had to switch bikes. I requested a cruiser with saddle bags, windshield and floorboards....the bike had all the above plus an upgraded comphy seat, nice. Beautiful Road King Classic!

We started the adventure heading north to Calistoga and took Petrified Forest to Mark West then on over to the coast by way of the Russian River on River Road all the way to Jenner where the Russian River meets the Pacific. Arriving just before 9am it was a bit foggy still so we stretched a bit and enjoyed what we later exclaimed as the best cup of clam chowder we ever had! Cafe Aquatica, saw the chef picking fresh herbs outside the cafe and commented on the chowder, fantastic only needed a shot of sherry or Pernod to reach perfection, said he used to work that into his roux...

We headed north climbing the cliffs towards Fort Ross before heading back south. As we arrived back in Jenner the sun was quickly burning off the remaining early morning fog as the view opened up to rocky outcroppings, huge Goat Rock and beaches lined with seals, breathtakingly beautiful. We saddled back up after an extended picturefest.

Heading south along the Shoreline Highway we enjoyed the constant change of vistas as rolling meadows of farmland gave way to little towns like Bodega Bay famous setting for Hitchcock’s "The Birds", Valley Ford and Tomales. We stopped again for BBQ oysters at Nicks Cove in Marshall on Tomales Bay, fresh and delicious. Pushing south again we hit Point Reyes Station then on to Olema and Bolinas Lagoon. At Stinson Beach we hopped onto the Panoramic Highway that traverses the headlands and snakes through Muir woods with switchbacks and 15 mph turns, allowing phenomenal canopies that breakout into incredible views high above the rolling meadows and lower tree covered peaks. Not HEAVEN, but we could almost see it...

We had covered quite a few miles and 9 hours in the saddle so it was time to conquer the bridge! I was invigorated to push on and enjoy one of my favorite meals...1 lobster, one crab and a pound of 26-31 shrimp into the boiling cauldron all to be gorged on with a loaf of Sourdough bread. We sat on the fishing docks behind the restaurant in order to take in the seaside aroma, squawking seagulls, the breeze off the bay and the distant cacophony of the tourist on Fisherman’s Wharf, 5 STARS.

Time now to cross the Golden Gate again and back to Napa Valley, would have liked to tour the battery encampments overlooking the bay and seaward but too little time. Enjoyed the lowland view of the valley floor as we headed inland on 37 to 121 and on into Sonoma then Napa. We arrived back in St. Helena after 8p and Mike Niemans again met us after hours. I had been thinking about the last minute bike switch all day and asked, sure nuff "he had given us his bike for the day" how phenomenal is that!

The only reason I said all this, aside from the visceral reliving of each moment, was to offset the stinging comments made about the owner Mike Niemans character, all because a previous renter did not return the bike with a full tank of gas, duh.

Oh! one more little story, in the taxi that morning driving to St Helena the early morning temp was a bit nippy. I was already reconciling the fact without gloves I was going to be white knuckling it till at least 10am, drag. But much to my surprise the owner had a set of gloves already laid out for me, that was nice.

Mike Niemans is tight and runs a good business, I highly recommend his professional services. As I stated when I called that evening to arrange the drop off, Mike asked how was it? I replied I have good news and I have bad news...I could almost hear his heart skip a beat. It was by far the most enjoyable ride I have ever taken, nothing left to do but go home and sell my bike!

THANKS Mike,

Steve, Alicia Rehburg
Central North Carolina
Dream Cruise 5-9-12