Topic: Best of California (Read 13326 times)

brassspike · « **on:** September 05, 2012, 09:37:03 PM »

Hi everyone. My wife and I just got back from a trip to California (from the east coast). We decided that it would be best to ship the bike out and ride from there. After much looking around, we deciced to book a motorcycle tour instead of just shipping the bike. The cost was about the same. Renting a bike would have cost more! We liked the idea of riding our own bike.
I had met Lynn Isenhour last year at the outer banks bike week(end) and decided to go with his transport and tour.
The trip was "Best of California". We flew into Reno Nevada and met Lynn at the hotel. Our bike was already unloaded and ready to go!

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=lynn%20isenhour%202012&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CCAQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lynnisenhour.com%2F&ei=z_RHUO6uLrG20QGypICQCA&usg=AFQjCNEtOnyiqQVPyBcl-CRvGMPVAOlXdQ

We are just getting back so I am just now going through the pictures so it will take a few days to post some pictures and description of the trip.
I will go ahead and say that the trip was FANTASTIC! East coast county boy (and girl) in San Fransisco.....you can only imagine!!
Here goes...
We are getting ready to pull out.

brassspike · « **Reply #1 on:** September 05, 2012, 09:55:03 PM »

If you don't like riding curves, don't take this trip! Lynn told me this would be the Dragon x3. I laughed...but not for long! There was one stretch that was 30+ miles of intense uphill and downhill that would rival the dragon. I have ridden the dragon three times so I can compare. You northern California guys have got some good riding! I don't have many pictures because the BSR was doing that "shut up and hold on thing.” I didn't get a peep out of her for the duration!!! The curves allowed a little more speed than the dragon and putting the street glide into a curve and powering out was great. Once above 2 grand the bike pulled out hard. On the uphill and with all the weight on the back, it felt like it was going to pull the front wheel!! I like that!
Lynn rides a CVO himself and allows you to ride up front if you want to ride a little "spirited" or lay back. Everyone got to ride their style.
Here is about the best picture I have of that part of the ride. More tomorrow night.

JCZ · « **Reply #2 on:** September 05, 2012, 11:21:28 PM »

I just viewed his web site and the route that you guys took. A great ride for anybody......even those of us that live here and have been to all these places many times. Looking forward to your pics and ride report!

brassspike · « **Reply #3 on:** September 06, 2012, 08:24:12 PM »

I got ahead of myself last night. We actually went through some nice forest roads prior to the twisties. We left Reno and headed to Lassen Volcanic park. Due to the fires in the area, we had to turn back before we could make it through the park. We did 17 miles and then turned back to the welcome center. We did get to see some beautiful sights though. Here is a shot of the ride in, and some of the firefighting camps we passed, as well as a shot or two in the park.
Lynn led us around the fire area on what I would describe as paved pasture roads. Thanks to Lynn we made it around and back to civilization. I'm glad we were with someone with experience riding in the area!

brassspike · « **Reply #4 on:** September 06, 2012, 08:26:51 PM »

Firefighter camp. I think this side of the road was IC.

brassspike · « **Reply #5 on:** September 06, 2012, 08:31:50 PM »

The other side of the road. Some of these guys/girls were sleeping in camping tents. My

hats of to them. Wildland firefighting is not for sissys!!

brassspike · « **Reply #6 on:** September 06, 2012, 08:34:32 PM »

The further we got the bigger the trees got. We don't have these out close to the outer banks.

brassspike · « **Reply #7 on:** September 06, 2012, 08:36:13 PM »

Entering the park.

brassspike · « **Reply #8 on:** September 06, 2012, 08:39:40 PM »

My wife and I at the welcome center.

brassspike · « **Reply #9 on:** September 06, 2012, 08:47:37 PM »

From one of the overlooks.

brassspike · « **Reply #10 on:** September 06, 2012, 08:54:17 PM »

There were no guard rails on this road! It was steep, narrow, and slow going. This was a good time to be at the front. Slow speed and the visual off to the side made some parts of this interesting!

brassspike · « **Reply #11 on:** September 06, 2012, 08:56:49 PM »

I think that this was called Lake Helen. Love the color!

brassspike · « **Reply #12 on:** September 06, 2012, 08:59:11 PM »

Since we did the twisties out of order last night, tomorrow night we will be breaking out of the trees and onto the Pacific Coast Highway and redwoods.

grayghost731 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 06, 2012, 09:49:10 PM »

Sound like a KOOL ride

D-N-D · « **Reply #14 on:** September 07, 2012, 03:17:15 PM »

Nice Brother !!!!

brassspike · « **Reply #15 on:** September 07, 2012, 09:49:16 PM »

There was a guard rail here but not much shoulder. We were on the lookout for rocks in the road (there were some). Not much room or time to correct.
One other thing, I never have had this happen in the Smokey’s. You get your line set on a tight curve and roll in....and there is some guy peddling a bike up a steep incline on the inside of a blind curve! I'm sorry, I just don't get 15 revolutions to the linear foot! Wow. What do these guys get out of climbing a mountain that way? How many healthy but squished corpses do you guys get?

Sorry, no pictures to share. (Refer to BSR's SUAHO). Scared the crap out of her when we ran up on each one.

brassspike · « **Reply #16 on:** September 07, 2012, 09:52:04 PM »

Here is one of the highpoints for me. Rolling along the curves and trees and around the corner....

brassspike · « **Reply #17 on:** September 07, 2012, 09:55:01 PM »

An opening and a familiar smell.....salt water?

brassspike · « **Reply #18 on:** September 07, 2012, 10:16:01 PM »

The Pacific! Hey, it was a thrill for us! Our coast has all right hand waves.

brassspike · « **Reply #19 on:** September 07, 2012, 10:19:13 PM »

Sorry about the blury pictures. Camera got dropped one too many times I guess.

SanJuanRon · « **Reply #20 on:** September 07, 2012, 10:24:19 PM »

Awesome! Love the pics! SJ Ron

brassspike · « **Reply #21 on:** September 07, 2012, 10:29:29 PM »

Lets try the cell phone.
Our next stop was lunch in Trinidad Bay.

brassspike · « **Reply #22 on:** September 07, 2012, 10:32:02 PM »

Sad when your cell phone out classes your camera. I've got to get a new camera!

brassspike · « **Reply #23 on:** September 07, 2012, 10:34:12 PM »

Our crew.

brassspike · « **Reply #24 on:** September 07, 2012, 10:39:44 PM »

I've been driving all day so this is it for tonight. So far we have been to Reno, Redding, and out to Trinidad. Next is the Redwoods. We are only into Lunch on day two so far! We were rolling faster than I am posting!

johno · « **Reply #25 on:** September 08, 2012, 12:07:44 AM »

Hey Brasspike, Great roads out here I am sure you enjoyed the time your rode through - you ht some great roads, but there are plenty more where they came from.

johno · « **Reply #26 on:** September 08, 2012, 12:13:00 AM »

In fact Erniezap just posted a tribute to JC - and I agree 100% didn't make all his rides but will miss him (and his wife) on the road. Nobody posted more great pics on the site of the roads we have out here! Thanks Ernie for the tribute to a great rider!

brassspike · « **Reply #27 on:** September 08, 2012, 09:17:02 PM »

Headed into the redwoods. The bikes against the trees gives you some idea of the size.

brassspike · « **Reply #28 on:** September 08, 2012, 09:21:58 PM »

Another.

brassspike · « **Reply #29 on:** September 08, 2012, 09:29:00 PM »

We could have stayed here all day. It was so peaceful. I got the same feeling that I got at the Grand Canyon. You look at something like this and feel like a speck of sand. These trees were here long before I was and will be standing there (hopefully) untold years after I'm gone.

brassspike · « **Reply #30 on:** September 08, 2012, 09:31:40 PM »

Another.

brassspike · « **Reply #31 on:** September 08, 2012, 09:33:16 PM »

brassspike · « **Reply #32 on:** September 08, 2012, 09:46:58 PM »

Now we headed back up the coast. Nice winding road (PCH). I was kind of supprised at the number of closed businesses along the route. Sure looked like prime realestate to me. There was one young couple sitting on the side of the road on the way up and in the same spot when we came down. Not hitching that I could tell. Not walking either? Maybe they were waiting for a ride to "Burning Man?" We had never heard of that until this trip. Hey, we lead a sheltered life!

Heading back south we dropped down into the avenue of the giants. Yep, more big trees

Sequoia this time.

brassspike · « **Reply #33 on:** September 08, 2012, 09:58:29 PM »

You guys have the big trees but you're kind of hard on some of them!! Sign at the base in the next post.

brassspike · « **Reply #34 on:** September 08, 2012, 10:00:42 PM »

I'll try to get this big enough that you can read it all.

brassspike · « **Reply #35 on:** September 08, 2012, 10:03:57 PM »

If they put it on there someone must have tried!

Here is Lynn, our fearless leader. I wonder what he was thinking!

brassspike · « **Reply #36 on:** September 08, 2012, 10:06:56 PM »

Back out on the PCH. This is what I came 3,000 miles to see!

brassspike · « **Reply #37 on:** September 08, 2012, 10:17:30 PM »

One more.
We stayed in Eureka for the night. Not anything to see there for sure.
Next down the coast and headed for Napa.

JCZ · « **Reply #38 on:** September 08, 2012, 11:02:52 PM »

When in Eureka, I sure hope you had the good fortune to eat at least one meal at the Samoa Cookhouse.

cvobiker · « **Reply #39 on:** September 09, 2012, 06:51:03 PM »

Nice photo shoots ,, thanks

brassspike · « **Reply #40 on:** September 09, 2012, 08:15:49 PM »

Quote from: JCZ on September 08, 2012, 11:02:52 PM

When in Eureka, I sure hope you had the good fortune to eat at least one meal at the Samoa Cookhouse.

Man, I wish we had known about that

We ended up riding down the street to a Subway. Not a very good one at that.

brassspike · « **Reply #41 on:** September 09, 2012, 08:34:26 PM »

We left Eureka and headed inland toward Legett where we visited the drive through tree.

brassspike · « **Reply #42 on:** September 09, 2012, 08:39:36 PM »

Back on US 1, PCH, we ride along the shoreline through Fort Bragg to Albinon.

brassspike · « **Reply #43 on:** September 09, 2012, 08:53:22 PM »

Oh a curve!

brassspike · « **Reply #44 on:** September 09, 2012, 08:57:30 PM »

The camera is killing the shots but here goes.

brassspike · « **Reply #45 on:** September 09, 2012, 08:59:26 PM »

brassspike · « **Reply #46 on:** September 09, 2012, 09:00:48 PM »

brassspike · « **Reply #47 on:** September 09, 2012, 09:03:23 PM »

brassspike · « **Reply #48 on:** September 09, 2012, 09:08:40 PM »

Then we moved inland again, through wine country and toward Napa.
Artesa Winery

brassspike · « **Reply #49 on:** September 09, 2012, 09:11:35 PM »

brassspike · « **Reply #50 on:** September 09, 2012, 09:15:24 PM »

brassspike · « **Reply #51 on:** September 09, 2012, 09:17:11 PM »

brassspike · « **Reply #52 on:** September 09, 2012, 09:20:03 PM »

Bike picture.

brassspike · « **Reply #53 on:** September 09, 2012, 09:25:30 PM »

If you are into wine this is your dream. Several of us would have been more impressed in Milwaukee.

brassspike · « **Reply #54 on:** September 09, 2012, 09:28:09 PM »

Putting it in the bottle.

brassspike · « **Reply #55 on:** September 09, 2012, 09:30:21 PM »

brassspike · « **Reply #56 on:** September 09, 2012, 09:32:45 PM »

Thousands of acres of grape vines on the way into Napa.

brassspike · « **Reply #57 on:** September 09, 2012, 09:36:00 PM »

After the stay in Napa, we headed back towards the coast. We got to see some landmarks that we have seen in pictures and tv all of our lives. I'll post those tomorrow night!

brassspike · « **Reply #58 on:** September 10, 2012, 08:23:21 PM »

I never dreamed that I would get to ride a scoot across the Golden Gate!

Not far from here we had the privilege to get pushed out of our lane by a semi. Apparently he needed to get our lane really bad. He almost hit the bike ahead of us in the butt. The air off the front bumper of the truck actually upset the bikes ass end and the next thing I know he put the tractor tandems on me! With all the other traffic around us it took a 90mph blast to get back in place.

brassspike · « **Reply #59 on:** September 10, 2012, 08:50:57 PM »

brassspike · « **Reply #60 on:** September 10, 2012, 08:53:06 PM »

brassspike · « **Reply #61 on:** September 10, 2012, 08:59:00 PM »

brassspike · « **Reply #62 on:** September 10, 2012, 09:00:37 PM »

brassspike · « **Reply #63 on:** September 10, 2012, 09:02:15 PM »

From the wharf.

brassspike · « **Reply #64 on:** September 10, 2012, 09:04:37 PM »

The rock from The golden Gate.

brassspike · « **Reply #65 on:** September 10, 2012, 09:12:27 PM »

We spent some time at fisherman's wharf.

brassspike · « **Reply #66 on:** September 10, 2012, 09:15:26 PM »

The old wharf.

brassspike · « **Reply #67 on:** September 10, 2012, 09:18:49 PM »

Parked just up from the wharf.
Someone told me that the shop keeper had his picture taken with our bike. Thats a switch. A local taking a picture of a tourist bike.

brassspike · « **Reply #68 on:** September 10, 2012, 09:24:11 PM »

Headed out of town. Anyone know what this building is?

RidinRuby · « **Reply #69 on:** September 10, 2012, 09:31:23 PM »

I believe that's San Francisco City Hall, hope you got a chance to go inside

JCZ · « **Reply #70 on:** September 10, 2012, 09:32:07 PM »

That's in the Civic Center and I believe it's city hall.

*edit* Chris was posting while I was typing.

I promise I didn't look over his shoulder.

brassspike · « **Reply #71 on:** September 10, 2012, 09:36:39 PM »

Headed out of San Francisco Was hot as hell. Traffic was really heavy and stop and go. The glide was in parade mode quite a bit. Oil temp hit 281. Ouch!
I would love to go back to San Fran but in a cage. I would have to say traffic, especially with a group was the most stressful of the trip. You guys that ride it every day have my respect.
I was exposed to the California lane splitting out side town. What is the life expectancy of these guys?! One sped past us, then slowed down beside us, gave a thumbs up, and took off through traffic flapping his arms. No joke!

brassspike · « **Reply #72 on:** September 10, 2012, 09:41:43 PM »

Quote from: RidinRuby on September 10, 2012, 09:31:23 PM

I believe that's San Francisco City Hall, hope you got a chance to go inside

No. but I did have a very serious looking cop point a radar gun directly at me when we pulled out of the toll plaza.

Thanks for the replies. I was concentrating on traffic and only got a quick glimpse. We'll have to stop there next visit.

brassspike · « **Reply #73 on:** September 10, 2012, 09:44:39 PM »

Next stop Monterey and Carmel.

johno · « **Reply #74 on:** September 11, 2012, 01:47:51 AM »

Quote from: brassspike on September 10, 2012, 09:36:39 PM

Headed out of San Francisco Was hot as hell. Traffic was really heavy and stop and go. The glide was in parade mode quite a bit. Oil temp hit 281. Ouch!
I would love to go back to San Fran but in a cage. I would have to say traffic, especially with a group was the most stressful of the trip. You guys that ride it every day have my respect.
I was exposed to the California lane splitting out side town. What is the life expectancy of these guys?! One sped past us, then slowed down beside us, gave a thumbs up, and took off through traffic flapping his arms. No joke!

Yup I lane split when I head to work and back, but some guys are far more aggressive than is either required or safe. My understanding is the law was put into affect because of the traffic and heat, it's not so bad in the bay area, but in the LA area the drivers are just not very accommodating.

brassspike · « **Reply #75 on:** September 11, 2012, 08:28:36 PM »

Quote from: johno on September 11, 2012, 01:47:51 AM

Yup I lane split when I head to work and back, but some guys are far more aggressive than is either required or safe. My understanding is the law was put into affect because of the traffic and heat, it's not so bad in the bay area, but in the LA area the drivers are just not very accommodating.

I "had to" in Fresno but I just don't trust the cage drivers. Law of gross tonnage takes over!

brassspike · « **Reply #76 on:** September 11, 2012, 08:45:40 PM »

We had a free day in Monterey. My wife and I went off on our own. I had hoped to meet up with some area members of the board and get the inside on what to do and where to go. "In town" didn't pay off so we just got some brochures and maps and headed out. First stop was the wharf. There were several beggars in the parking area which was pretty sad, but once out on the pier it was wonderful!. There was any kind of food that you could want and the view was spectacular.

brassspike · « **Reply #77 on:** September 11, 2012, 08:47:18 PM »

Fog headed out.

brassspike · « **Reply #78 on:** September 11, 2012, 08:53:26 PM »

We ate at Rappa's for lunch. The wife liked the pier so much we came back and ate at Isabella's for supper. I'll reserve a couple of spots for pictures of that when I download her phone.

brassspike · « **Reply #79 on:** September 11, 2012, 08:54:15 PM »

Reserve

brassspike · « **Reply #80 on:** September 11, 2012, 08:54:58 PM »

Reserve

brassspike · « **Reply #81 on:** September 11, 2012, 09:03:36 PM »

While we were in Monterey, we all took a trip to the coin laundry. One of the group found a way to avoid paying for the dryer. His wife was not amused but was a better sport that mine would have been!! I have better pictures but I'm not putting faces to this one!

brassspike · « **Reply #82 on:** September 11, 2012, 09:07:51 PM »

Took the trip to cannery row but did not do the aquarium. I hear that was great but we wanted to cover some ground.

brassspike · « **Reply #83 on:** September 11, 2012, 09:17:48 PM »

Had to put up a picture of my two pretty girls that were with me.

brassspike · « **Reply #84 on:** September 11, 2012, 09:23:01 PM »

The coast between Monterey and Carmel was beautiful. We would stop and just take it all in for a few minutes and then move on. If we had our way this trip would have lasted a month!

brassspike · « **Reply #85 on:** September 11, 2012, 09:26:27 PM »

Stumbled on this shot on the way up from a stroll on the rocks.

brassspike · « **Reply #86 on:** September 11, 2012, 09:29:33 PM »

Ok local guys what the heck is this? Looks like something from a science fiction movie,

brassspike · « **Reply #87 on:** September 11, 2012, 09:39:32 PM »

As I found out prior to the trip, We motorcyclist are not welcome on the Pebble Beach 17 mile. Us heathins did get a shot of what I think is the Pebble Beach golf course where they do the high end car shows.
This shot was from the beach at Carmel by the sea. We did not do the high end shops here.
Why is every stop sign on an incline in California??

brassspike · « **Reply #88 on:** September 11, 2012, 09:46:17 PM »

Due to the camera being fubar most of our pictures here were unusable. With the cell phone dead this is all I have left at Carmel. It was beautiful and the closest to the kind of beach we have on the outer banks.
I will be getting some pictures from others on the trip. I'll see if I can find a way to add them to what I have here. I'm a lot of things but photographer is not one of them!

brassspike · « **Reply #89 on:** September 11, 2012, 09:54:29 PM »

We loved the coast so well we decided to head back that way. Well at least after we got side tracked in a residential neighbourhood. Real men never get lost!

brassspike · « **Reply #90 on:** September 11, 2012, 09:57:34 PM »

They do shamelessly try to get better shots of the bike though.

brassspike · « **Reply #91 on:** September 11, 2012, 10:02:15 PM »

Like I said the wife loved the pier so we stopped in on the way back and ate at Isabella's. This was the best food that we had in Monterey, maybe the entire trip.
we saw the seals (How did that one in the far corner get on the top rail?) and......

brassspike · « **Reply #92 on:** September 11, 2012, 10:05:43 PM »

The sunset from the pier.
Next morning we head back out on the PCH and into the fog.

brassspike · « **Reply #93 on:** September 12, 2012, 08:43:47 PM »

It was pretty foggy when we pulled out.

brassspike · « **Reply #94 on:** September 12, 2012, 08:52:00 PM »

Lynn had a planned breakfast stop at this place in Big Sur. We killed some time here waiting for the fog to clear.

brassspike · « **Reply #95 on:** September 12, 2012, 09:09:03 PM »

They had a nice little stream out back in the trees.

brassspike · « **Reply #96 on:** September 12, 2012, 09:11:27 PM »

Some of the fog did clear in places.

brassspike · « **Reply #97 on:** September 12, 2012, 09:13:53 PM »

But not in others. It was still beautiful.

brassspike · « **Reply #98 on:** September 12, 2012, 09:18:20 PM »

There was one spot where we had to stop and do one lane past some construction. I think this was a place that the road slid off and they were rebuilding.

brassspike · « **Reply #99 on:** September 12, 2012, 09:20:36 PM »

These guys didn't care about the fog or the road conditions.

brassspike · « **Reply #100 on:** September 12, 2012, 09:28:45 PM »

When we hit Cambria, we left the PCH for good and headed inland.

brassspike · « **Reply #101 on:** September 12, 2012, 09:31:23 PM »

We saw hundreds more acres of vineyards. its amazing how neat they are kept.

brassspike · « **Reply #102 on:** September 12, 2012, 09:42:34 PM »

We started off from Monterey in full leather. Things had gotten a little warmer in Cambria. Now, as we passed over the mountains, things were getting warmer until we hit around 110 F heading for Fresno. I mean it was hot! When people tell you about a dry heat...well its still hot. You just don't sweat much. It was like sitting in an oven! The 110's oil temperature started rising again. Around 167 this time.
We did see some almond and Macadamia orchards along the route. Strawberries too. Due to the heat we didn't dally around! Straight roads and hammer down! to Fresno.

brassspike · « **Reply #103 on:** September 12, 2012, 09:49:40 PM »

After a night in Fresno, we headed to Yosemite. I actually have some in focus pictures here! I would have to say some of the best sights of the trip were here.
So far, calling this the best of California has lived up to the name, at least for a right coaster!
No post tomorrow. Duty day.

Mrs Rooster · « **Reply #104 on:** September 12, 2012, 09:56:10 PM »

Quote from: brassspike on September 11, 2012, 09:29:33 PM

Ok local guys what the heck is this? Looks like something from a science fiction movie,

I believe you are holding Bull Whip Kelp aka seaweed.

johno · « **Reply #105 on:** September 13, 2012, 10:02:43 PM »

Quote from: brassspike on September 11, 2012, 09:29:33 PM

Ok local guys what the heck is this? Looks like something from a science fiction movie,

Kelp

Vyscera · « **Reply #106 on:** September 14, 2012, 01:15:22 PM »

Glad to hear that you enjoyed riding in "my" neck of the woods. I love going home, if for nothing else than the mountain roads.

brassspike · « **Reply #107 on:** September 19, 2012, 10:55:02 PM »

Busy the past few days.
We rolled into Yosemite.I had expected more human damage that we saw considering the number of people that visit the park. Nice roads. Not much for shoulders or guard rails though.

brassspike · « **Reply #108 on:** September 19, 2012, 11:02:33 PM »

brassspike · « **Reply #109 on:** September 19, 2012, 11:08:44 PM »

Photo opp

brassspike · « **Reply #110 on:** September 19, 2012, 11:14:38 PM »

The group courtesy of a visiting German fraulein. Very nice youn lady!

brassspike · « **Reply #111 on:** September 19, 2012, 11:28:53 PM »

Can you tell how impressed I was with the giant Sequoia?

brassspike · « **Reply #112 on:** September 19, 2012, 11:34:10 PM »

After another beautiful ride we came to this view. Lynn told us not to stop until he did. he said that we would be tempted to stop when this first came into view...we were tempted but the wait was worth it! We came through a tunnel and this was at the other end! WOW! I hope these turn out.

brassspike · « **Reply #113 on:** September 19, 2012, 11:37:42 PM »

Half dome and El Capitan. WOW! If we lived close by, I think we would come here an just sit.... LOT!

brassspike · « **Reply #114 on:** September 19, 2012, 11:40:45 PM »

I would love to be there when the waterfall was going full tilt.

brassspike · « **Reply #115 on:** September 19, 2012, 11:43:46 PM »

Had to have one of the scoot!

brassspike · « **Reply #116 on:** September 19, 2012, 11:52:56 PM »

After we left this stop we headed up through Tioga pass. This was a hard climb for the bike and shear drop offs everywhere for our viewing pleasure. I had some more SUAHO from the BSR!
I just didn't get a close up of the drop offs. Someone had mentioned how people seem to follow their eyes toward things when driving so the BSR politley asked that I didn't look over the edge.

I was busy following the.....curves! We stopped here before hitting the pass.

brassspike · « **Reply #117 on:** September 19, 2012, 11:58:49 PM »

Up we go!

brassspike · « **Reply #118 on:** September 20, 2012, 12:05:31 AM »

Along the way.

brassspike · « **Reply #119 on:** September 20, 2012, 12:07:33 AM »

Getting on up there! Yep, thats the asphalt in the bottom left!

brassspike · « **Reply #120 on:** September 20, 2012, 12:11:05 AM »

brassspike · « **Reply #121 on:** September 20, 2012, 12:18:56 AM »

There is the delineater.....and an indenture off the edge. I hope it wasn't anyone we know.

I understand that the road is closed a good portion of the year. Lynn said he moved his tour time back a couple of weeks after getting snow while up here and having to ride down to the park gates in the snow. They were the last to leave the park before the road was closed. I don't want any part of that!

brassspike · « **Reply #122 on:** September 20, 2012, 12:31:22 AM »

No picture for this one. We were too busy holding on! There was a wind sock at the top of the pass. I thought it was for helicopters or planes. Supposedly it was for vehicles. I believe that too. The wind was so strong that I could hardly hold the bike on the road. One rider said he thought he was going to have to lay the bike down to keep from going over! Of course that was not the case and everyone made it over just fine.

brassspike · « **Reply #123 on:** September 20, 2012, 12:34:21 AM »

After the 10,000 feet of Tioga pass we head down hill...mountain again.

brassspike · « **Reply #124 on:** September 20, 2012, 12:39:26 AM »

Passing Lake Mono on our way to a welcome rest in Bridgeport.

brassspike · « **Reply #125 on:** September 20, 2012, 12:41:47 AM »

Next we head toward Lake Tahoe and the only accident of the trip.

brassspike · « **Reply #126 on:** September 20, 2012, 09:19:45 PM »

We stayed in the little town of Bridgeport. Its a nice small town that apparently relies on fishing. we all got together and at at a little bar and pool hall called Rhino's. Excellent food and service. If you go through here stop in and enjoy a good meal.

brassspike · « **Reply #127 on:** September 20, 2012, 09:23:45 PM »

After leaving Bridgeport we passed miles of cattle ranches.

brassspike · « **Reply #128 on:** September 20, 2012, 09:25:19 PM »

brassspike · « **Reply #129 on:** September 20, 2012, 09:28:03 PM »

Views headed towards Tahoe.

brassspike · « **Reply #130 on:** September 20, 2012, 09:48:30 PM »

Breaking out of the mountains to Lake Tahoe. Tahoe turned out to be a bit tourist for me personally. I would compare it with Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge for us on the east coast.
We stopped at a shopping plaza for lunch. The parking lot here was pretty much a free for all. It was not designed for "traffic flow". On the way out a pickup ran into the back of one of our street glides. Broken tail light, dented fender and banged up bag but no injury. After the delay, we headed out to a less crowded area of the lake that Lynn knew.

brassspike · « **Reply #131 on:** September 20, 2012, 09:51:11 PM »

brassspike · « **Reply #132 on:** September 20, 2012, 09:54:40 PM »

brassspike · « **Reply #133 on:** September 20, 2012, 09:56:26 PM »

brassspike · « **Reply #134 on:** September 20, 2012, 10:00:16 PM »

brassspike · « **Reply #135 on:** September 20, 2012, 10:05:50 PM »

brassspike · « **Reply #136 on:** September 20, 2012, 10:33:03 PM »

Well we made it back to Reno! I just noticed the dirty faces!

The trip was a blast! The riding required undivided attention at times but thats what riding is all about. There was nothing that anyone couldn't handle. Lynn has his times and stops well planned so there are no strained butts or bladders. If you are not from the area, I highly reccomend Lynn's tour to get you around safely and without worrying about missing anything along the way. If you want to do your own thing, there is a day for that too. Lynn spends time with each of his customers. its almost like you are on a personal trip.
I am a bit picky (most of us CVO'ers are). My bike got to California and back without a scratch. (along with two other CVO's, a total of 13 bikes) When we arrived in reno, the bike was off the truck and ready to go.
I'll admit that I was a bit apprehensive about the whole thing but it really worked out well. So well, in fact, that my wife and I have already booked another trip with Lynn!
Riding cross country would have been nice but time just did not permit that. This was definitely the way to go for us. If you are thinking about something like this, get up off the coin and do it! You will not be disappointed!

brassspike · « **Reply #137 on:** September 20, 2012, 10:46:11 PM »

Quote from: Vyscera on September 14, 2012, 01:15:22 PM

Glad to hear that you enjoyed riding in "my" neck of the woods. I love going home, if for nothing else than the mountain roads.

We're trying to decide how to get back ourselves!

Cyclegirl · « **Reply #138 on:** September 22, 2012, 11:42:11 PM »

Great pictures

now I want to ride in California

Author Topic: Best of California (Read 13326 times)