FlynFink Vacation Ride report

[flynfink]

California MC trip May 27 – June 3, 2008
Day 1 and 2

Well, we started this trip renting a 2006 Honda Goldwing from Big Valley Honda in Reno, NV. Quite a bit larger than my Ducati ST4S, but for my lady’s comfort on a 7 day MC trip and the ability to carry “stuff”, it’s turned out to be the right choice. The plan was to head north towards Oregon and make clockwise loop north and then west and then south along the California coast, down thru the wine country, then east back towards Reno. But cold weather and snow in the northern Sierra’s had me concerned. After consulting with a local rider in Sacramento (thanks Dogboy), the decision was made to reverse the loop, going clockwise and coming up the California Coast.

We got to Reno from Sacramento via a 3 hour Greyhound bus ride. Let me say, never again. It’s been probably been 30 year since my last Greyhound ride, and I must have forgotten how bad it was. Rode like a dump truck and filled will some folks that liked to talk to themselves and smelled like their last shower was days ago. Anyway, upon arrival in Reno, Brody from the Honda shop picked us up from the bus station and took us to the shop, where the rental bike and the gear we shipped out was awaiting us. After filling out paper work, we geared up and at 3 PM, we were off. Oh, it started to drizzle, so we had full rain gear on.




From Reno, we headed south on 395 to Carson City. The plan was to bed down for the night around Minden, NV, then continue down 395 the next morning and head over 108 across the mountain ranges at Sonora Pass. We stopped for the night at Minden, and while unloading, talked to a couple that had come across Sonora Pass that day. They told us a horror story of 2 inches of ice, overturned vehicles, etc. The decision was made to reroute.
In the morning, we geared up and headed north again and picked up 50 West to South Lake Tahoe. The sun came out and we were encouraged. The ride into Tahoe was pretty and uneventful. On the west side of S. Lake Tahoe, with the sun shining,



I decided to abandon 50 and headed south on 89 and then hit 4 west. This would take us over Ebbetts Pass, past Alpine Lake and down along the Stanislaus River. The ride was pretty, but as we climbed to Ebbetts Pass, the temp dropped into the upper 30’s. Snow was all around, but the road was dry.
As we crested the pass and headed towards Mosquito Lakes, the clouds dropped in and the tree tops were filled with snow.





When we hit Alpine Lake, the trees started dropping the snow on the road, this made the roads a bit slick, and the descent a bit tricky. We thought we were in the clear when the roads dried out, but once again Mother Nature proved who was boss. The clouds moved back in and started drizzling and then turned to sleet. At least it wasn’t sticking to the road. It finally stopped and as we pulled into Arnold for lunch, the sun broke thru. We warmed up over lunch at a nice little Chinese restaurant.
After lunch we continued on down 4 and enjoyed a nice ride to Angels Camp. We turned South onto 49 and enjoyed a the ride into Sonora. After Sonora we rolled down 49 to Coulterville. The hotel and the Magnolia Saloon (claims to be the oldest operating saloon in CA) made a pretty picture.



After Coulterville we rode a twisting, roller coaster of a ride into Bear Valley and Mariposa. The sun was out and we where grinning from ear to ear.
At Oakhurst, we turned south on 41 and rolled into N. Fresno, where we stopped for the night. A quick trip to the grocery store for a bottle of the local vino and off to the hotel. We cracked the bottle and headed for the hot tub to warm up and soak the sore muscles.

Route for day two.


Day three to follow..

[Bill_Anderson]

Good photos. I am glad to see someone else who rides in snow.

[scott]

Good stuff! That's the area we get to ride every weekend

[Desmo_Demon]

Jeff.....good to see the two of you are having fun. Keep the updates coming!

[butch]

Jeff- looks like a great trip man I'm jealous.


Butch

[flynfink]

Bill - who said I liked snow ?? LOL
Scott - be back in SAC Wed. eve.
Terry and Butch - wish you where here.

So -
Day 3 ride report

Left Fresno headed south on 41 across the Valley. It was a pretty boring ride, other than figuring out what farm field was producing what. Wonder how many gallons of fuel are burned per day producing each crop and what the rising cost of fuel will do to the prices of everything. The roads started getting interesting again just after Kettleman City, when we ran into road construction. Sat stopped for about 15 min. on freshly paved asphalt, waiting. The road was down to one lane and we had to wait for the southbound traffic’s turn to roll. The best part of the road was one lane and we were following about 30 other vehicles at 25-30 MPH.

Picked up 46 west for the run to Paso Robles. Lot’s of vineyards along the way.





We hit the coast and stopped in Cambria for a quick bite at a great little bakery/restaurant. We had an awesome éclair for dessert. Then back on 1 headed north. Next stop was the elephant seal vista just north of Hearst Castle. Lot’s of females hanging around molting and some young males.





Then on north again, the views were spectacular and most of the traffic behaved itself.








We rolled into Monterey for the night, tired and ready for a shower and meal. Tomorrow, we’re headed to Sonoma and wine country.

Today’s ride.

[flynfink]

Day 5 (Saturday) Ride Report
After a nice soak in the Jacuzzi and a good night’s sleep, we set out from Windsor, headed north to Fortuna, CA. The sun was out and we headed north on 101 with little traffic. When we got to Cloverdale, we turned west towards to coast on a great road, 128. This road was incredible, lot’s of elevation change, sweeping turns and light traffic. When we reached the coast, I needed a potty stop and the first place we found was in Little River. It is a small place, this building was the post office, a general store/gas station and it had a restaurant too.

Onward up the coast the sun came back out and the scenery was breathtaking, flowers were blooming everywhere.

After a little town called Hardy, Highway 1 turned inland towards the intersection with 101. This bit of road was every bit as good as any road I’ve ridden anywhere (for those that know, even better than the Dragon at Deals Gap). Chris was brave enough to snap a few shots while we moving. I don’t thing we ever got over 40mph. Check out the image in the GPS..


At Leggett, we turned north again. We stopped in Garberville (an old logging town) for quick lunch at a quaint little pizza/Mexican joint just off of the main drag. Then back onto 101 for a few miles. This road is called the Redwood Highway and the name speaks for itself.
Just north of Garberville we turned off onto a little road that parallels 101 called the Avenue of the Giants. It’s a small, barely two lane road that has some of the biggest, oldest redwood trees lining each side of the road like a picket fence.



We stayed on the Avenue for quite a while. The clouds rolled back in and started threatening rain, so we jumped back on 101 for the finals miles into Fortuna. Just as we reached town, the sprinkles started, but as we pulled into the hotel parking lot it stopped. Checked in to the hotel and then onto the local Brew house.

Tomorrow, east on the famous Hwy 36 and into Lassen Volcanic Park.

Today’s route.

[Desmo_Demon]

Looks like a lot of fun!

[John]

Wow, Lake Alpine off HgWy 4. From what I recall years ago the road past there was pretty twisty. I went camping with my parents there for the first time when I was 16. They towed a rented trailer behind the 57 Chevy while I followed in a 61 Metropolitan. That place was a blast, caught a lot of great tasting trout and had a couple bear cubs run right through our campground and up a tree. I never did see the momma, good thing perhaps.

BTW, how did you like the Goldwing? You can PM me the answer if you want, lol.

[flynfink]

Day 6 (Sunday) Ride Report-
Waking a bit groggy from the festivities last night, we were greeted by a cold fog outside. After a light breakfast we geared up with rain gear, even though it was dry, just to try and keep warm. Turns out this wouldn’t be a problem. We head south on 101 for a few miles till we found 36 headed east. This is a 120 mile road that goes from the coast to Red Bluff, CA on Interstate 5. This road has been written up in many car and motorcycle magazines. It rises, falls, twists and turns its way through the Trinity National Forest. Some have called the mountain peaks here the Trinity Alps. Some awesome views, tight mountain switchbacks (interesting on a fully loaded, two up Goldwing) and towards the end, a roller coaster ride as the road rises and falls in a “scintillating ribbon of whoop-dee-doos."


We reached Red Bluff and after a quick lunch, headed east on Hwy 36 again headed for Lassen Volcanic Park. This had been our original first day destination. The ride from Red Bluff to Lassen was a pretty ride thru the valley. I thought I was going to have a close encounter with CHP, but either I wasn’t going fast enough to make it worth his while or the officer was asleep. In the below picture, you can just see the peaks of Lassen in the distance.


Just after the town of Mineral (population about 30..), we turned north on Rt. 89. It was mid afternoon and I was concerned about temperatures at elevation, but when we got the entrance to the park it was such a beautiful, clear day, we decided to push on up, hit the north end of the park and turn around and come back thru to get to our destination for the night. Turned out to be a great decision, the roads were clear and dry and the views were spectacular. Temperature at the highest point on the road (8600 ft.) was a brisk 42 degrees.





We doubled back after viewing Lake Manzanita at the north entrance to the park and started back east on Rt. 36 to the town of Chester, CA. Lot’s of small hotels to choose from, so we checked and went looking for a place for dinner. Oops, It was Sunday night in a small town and we found one small diner open. Had a small dinner and called it a night. It had been an awesome day.
Tomorrow, Lake Tahoe.
Today’s route.