Topic: Nor Cal, Hwy. 49 Tour (Read 14990 times)

JCZ · « **on:** October 10, 2016, 09:12:23 PM »

A facebook post "Get your boots on....we're going on an adventure" is what kicked this off. I really miss the rides and roads of Nor Cal and so I posted, asking who wants to do a Hwy. 49 tour? Six or eight weeks later we were rolling north on Hwy. 395 to our meeting point, South Lake Tahoe.

I took and am going to post a lot of pics so that those of you that have never rode out here in the Nor Cal mountains of California can really get a sense of what this ride was for us and so you can feel like you were right there with us...

This first pic is taken at an overlook above Mono Lake.....waiting for Mike who is somewhere on the road down below....

Zoomed all the way in, the little black dot on the highway below is Mike......riding hard trying to catch up to me.....

JCZ · « **Reply #1 on:** October 10, 2016, 09:13:34 PM »

Several areas of US 395 had 20 and 30 minute wait times for road construction....

Then we'd roll for awhile....

After passing through Bridgeport, we run in to a couple of other road construciton waits.....

JCZ · « **Reply #2 on:** October 10, 2016, 09:14:35 PM »

But we're rolling again and all the way up to Topaz Lake.....

JCZ · « **Reply #3 on:** October 10, 2016, 09:15:26 PM »

I look up the highway half mile or so in front of us and recognize the LED tailights of a couple of 09 CVO Road Glides puttin like a couple of ol' grandpas.....we blew right by them. Yep, sure enough.....out there in the middle of nowhere is Don and Andy.

JCZ · « **Reply #4 on:** October 10, 2016, 09:16:28 PM »

The four of us rode on up through Carson City and Gold Hill to Virginia City....

JCZ · « **Reply #5 on:** October 10, 2016, 09:17:24 PM »

We finally arrived in Virginia City....where we planned to have dinner.

JCZ · « **Reply #6 on:** October 10, 2016, 09:18:04 PM »

We're hungry! Time for groceries!!

JCZ · « **Reply #7 on:** October 10, 2016, 09:19:16 PM »

JCZ · « **Reply #8 on:** October 10, 2016, 09:20:00 PM »

JCZ · « **Reply #9 on:** October 10, 2016, 09:20:44 PM »

JCZ · « **Reply #10 on:** October 10, 2016, 09:21:29 PM »

Time to roll.....some place Mike had never been....

SDCVO · « **Reply #11 on:** October 10, 2016, 10:52:22 PM »

I have been waiting for you to post this trip up! Gets me even more fired up about this week..

GregKhougaz · « **Reply #12 on:** October 11, 2016, 01:41:28 AM »

Nice ride, JC!

JCZ · « **Reply #13 on:** October 11, 2016, 08:33:23 AM »

And we haven't even got to South Lake Tahoe or Hwy. 49 yet.....

09nessrg · « **Reply #14 on:** October 11, 2016, 08:49:46 AM »

As usual, makes you feel as though you are riding with them!
Excellent narrative!

BigLew · « **Reply #15 on:** October 11, 2016, 12:17:25 PM »

Thanks JC would be nice to be back out there for another ride. That's a good piece from your current home isn't it? Where is the WCGTG next year?

BigLew

JCZ · « **Reply #16 on:** October 11, 2016, 01:22:42 PM »

Yep, Mike left his home here in San Diego at 4:00 a.m. (I rode to San Bernadino the night before, just to get a 2 1/2 hr. jump) and I believe we got to our hotel in South Lake Tahoe around 7 p.m.

It's going to be in Cody, Wy (Yellowstone) in 2017. It's posted in Events.

JCZ · « **Reply #17 on:** October 11, 2016, 03:11:40 PM »

Our next stop, just before we get back in to Carson City, we stop and visit the Kit Kat Ranch, The Love Ranch and The Sagebrush Ranch....some of the brothels of northern Nevada.... Many people do not know but all of these places have a bar in them and you're certainly welcome to just go in and have a drink or in our case....water or soda. You'll still get a tour of the place by one of the girls......but no pictures can be taken inside. So what happens in the red light district stays in the red light district. Sorry guys.......I told them it was for all of you but they weren't having it.

and the menu from The Sagebrush Ranch....

JCZ · « **Reply #18 on:** October 11, 2016, 03:12:21 PM »

Time to roll on up over the mountain to South Lake Tahoe.....

and sunset over Lake Tahoe......please excuse the quality...these were taken at 80 mph.

Rooster · « **Reply #19 on:** October 11, 2016, 05:06:55 PM »

We have always enjoyed JC's rides. Be ready to keep up though

JCZ · « **Reply #20 on:** October 11, 2016, 05:19:36 PM »

Terry and Karen have never had a problem keeping up and they've been on a few of the rides I've put together.

But he's right.....we don't let no dust collect......

OhioDave · « **Reply #21 on:** October 11, 2016, 06:59:47 PM »

Quote from: GregKhougaz on October 11, 2016, 01:41:28 AM

Nice ride, JC!

JCZ · « **Reply #22 on:** October 11, 2016, 07:54:23 PM »

We left South Lake Tahoe early the next morning, heading north on Ca 89, up the west side of Lake Tahoe, going north. This is an incredably beautiful ride all the way up to Tahoe City....

Pay close attention to the road signs......lots of bears in this area.

and of course, normal for Nor Cal, lot's of twists and turns as you climb the mountains....but they did put down some really nice, new asphalt for us.

and no guardrails so you better be paying attention.....

JCZ · « **Reply #23 on:** October 11, 2016, 07:55:17 PM »

and our first view of Emerald Bay. For those of you from back east that made the Tahoe GTG, this is the bay that paddle wheeler took us up into and by the island visable in this photo...

JCZ · « **Reply #24 on:** October 11, 2016, 07:55:59 PM »

As we ride along the top of this ridge, with Emerald Bay visable looking down one side of the ridge, Cascade Lake is visable looking down the opposite side of the ridge. The top of this ridge is only as wide as the two lane road so don't take your eyes off of the road.....

JCZ · « **Reply #25 on:** October 11, 2016, 07:56:56 PM »

At the overlook at Emerald Bay.....

JCZ · « **Reply #26 on:** October 11, 2016, 07:57:33 PM »

The Don's bike.....

and all the rest of our trusty steeds....

JCZ · « **Reply #27 on:** October 11, 2016, 08:08:28 PM »

JCZ · « **Reply #28 on:** October 11, 2016, 08:09:33 PM »

RGlideKid · « **Reply #29 on:** October 11, 2016, 08:38:40 PM »

Man oh man, JC, that sure does bring back the memories. I lived in Reno for a year or so back in '91. Went to Virginia City and South Lake Tahoe many, many times. I love that drive around Lake Tahoe, but never once got to do it on a bike. That area is so easy to fall in love with.
Keep the pics coming and thanks for the memories!

JCZ · « **Reply #30 on:** October 11, 2016, 08:40:43 PM »

We finally arrived at Fanny Bridge in Tahoe City for another short break....

These are the guys, when I was a little guy, my mother used to tell me these were hoodlums.......

JCZ · « **Reply #31 on:** October 11, 2016, 08:42:39 PM »

The gateway to Squaw Valley. Many of you are old enough to remember back in the ancient days when Squaw Valley is where they held the winter olympics.....

and old enough to remember the ol' Flying A gas stations.....back when they were called "service stations" because you pulled in and got "service" like your windshield washed, air in your tires checked, water in your radiator, etc.

OK....time for a real breakfast. We're in Old Town Truckee.....

JCZ · « **Reply #32 on:** October 11, 2016, 08:43:26 PM »

Leaving Truckee, we continue north on Ca. 89....

JCZ · « **Reply #33 on:** October 11, 2016, 08:43:48 PM »

Rut-rohh.....road construction...again......

JCZ · « **Reply #34 on:** October 11, 2016, 09:09:50 PM »

The signs tell us that we're officially at the begining of our Hwy. 49 Tour.....

JCZ · « **Reply #35 on:** October 11, 2016, 09:10:47 PM »

JCZ · « **Reply #36 on:** October 11, 2016, 09:11:11 PM »

JCZ · « **Reply #37 on:** October 11, 2016, 10:43:58 PM »

We have finally arrived in Downieville, Ca.

JCZ · « **Reply #38 on:** October 12, 2016, 08:32:49 AM »

JCZ · « **Reply #39 on:** October 12, 2016, 10:21:33 PM »

Hwy. 49 fol
lows north to south along the Sierra Nevada Mountain range where all the old gold mining towns are located. Most everybody knows the history of gold being discovered in Coloma, California at Sutter's Mill in 1849 (thus Hwy. 49). They came from all over the country and Europe to find their riches in the mountains of California although the large majority died broke. One of those cities from the 1800s was Nevada City and so we passed through.....

We pass on through Nevada City and Colfax (another mining town) and head for another old mining community called Iowa Hill. Now this place is way, way back in those mountains, very narrow and very steep for many, many miles. I've shared with people before, Iowa Hill isn't a place you find when out for a weekend ride. You don't find this place by accident.....you find it only because somebody that knows about it took you back in there.

JCZ · « **Reply #40 on:** October 12, 2016, 10:23:07 PM »

Did I mention that it's a long, long way down.....way, way down the side of this mountain on the outside edge of this road and no guard rails?

Please excuse the quality of these pics. As I mentioned, they were all taken on the fly and with constant shifting up and down, trying to steer around all the twists and turns, snap a pic and not run off the side of the cliff......it was challenging, even for me.

JCZ · « **Reply #41 on:** October 12, 2016, 10:24:42 PM »

JCZ · « **Reply #42 on:** October 12, 2016, 10:26:08 PM »

And we finally roll out of the thick forest at the dam of Sugar Pine Resavoir. The pictures say it all.........

Not much on the down hill side of the dam.....

JCZ · « **Reply #43 on:** October 12, 2016, 10:27:14 PM »

That's the Foresthill Bridge in front of us....aka Auburn-Foresthill Bridge. This is the highest bridge (deck height) in Calfiornia at 731 feet. Tomorrow we're down below it. Here's some images of this bridge to give you different perspectives..... https://www.google.com/search?q=foresthill+bridge&biw=1920&bih=940&site=webhp&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwiu_fWW2NbPAhVMOj4KHRX2DNEQsAQIOw

We stopped at C & E Auburn Indian to visit old friends of mine for the past thirty years, Carlo and Emma Lujan. Some of you old drag racers may remember Carlo.....he raced for a lot of years. They owned C & E Auburn Harley Davidson for years until they sold it, retired and traveled the country on a motorcycle for many years and finally came back home and opened the Indian dealership.

Emma gave all of us a t-shirt with the dealership on it so we're probably the only CVO owners running around with Indian dealership t-shirts.

They still carry HD parts so they were able to replace Mike's broken headlight.....even installed it as a courtesy. Carlo and Emma.....great friends for many, many years!

Almost forgot to mention.........they have several used CVOs for sale. Go to their web site....

Mike has it rough tryin to hand with the big dogs day after day. I was at the counter checking in to the hotel and turn around to find Mike out!

Tomorrow we visit Coloma......where gold was first discovered at Sutter's Mill.

Panhead_Jimmy · « **Reply #44 on:** October 13, 2016, 12:17:57 AM »

Congrats on riding the Iowa Hill road again. That's about the most hair raising one lane road in the USA. Especially at the warp-JC speed.

JCZ · « **Reply #45 on:** October 13, 2016, 08:54:13 AM »

Uhhh......you see that I was following Chuck on his BMW. Took everything we had to keep up.

Chuck Pryor · « **Reply #46 on:** October 13, 2016, 10:53:38 AM »

Good times!

JCZ · « **Reply #47 on:** October 13, 2016, 02:27:08 PM »

Actually.....quite a few of my pics are taken from the middle or the back of the pack.....even from the side of the road.

Maybe we should call them the warp speed riders.....cuz it didn't much matter who was leading....we weren't letting any dust settle.

JCZ · « **Reply #48 on:** October 13, 2016, 03:15:49 PM »

The next morning we rode in to Coloma State Park. Coloma is where gold was first discovered in 1849 that started the famous California gold rush.

JCZ · « **Reply #49 on:** October 13, 2016, 03:16:32 PM »

and we roll on in to Placerville aka Hangtown.....

JCZ · « **Reply #50 on:** October 13, 2016, 03:16:54 PM »

Rooster · « **Reply #51 on:** October 13, 2016, 06:58:05 PM »

Harley's don't usually like rowing the gearbox 1st through 3rd and back to much mine gets angry and hot.

JCZ · « **Reply #52 on:** October 13, 2016, 10:30:10 PM »

JCZ · « **Reply #53 on:** October 13, 2016, 10:30:54 PM »

This is a prime example of just how low all the resavoirs in California are after seven years of drought.....it's not looking good.

JCZ · « **Reply #54 on:** October 13, 2016, 10:31:44 PM »

We finally roll in to Jamestown. Take a short break.......

JCZ · « **Reply #55 on:** October 13, 2016, 10:32:27 PM »

It was right along here somewhere that I was in the lead and went around a sharp left hand curve as a big SUV was coming from the other way, half way in my lane.

I was so greatful that I wasn't hugging the double yellow and was actually riding the outside of my lane, looking down in the canyon. I think the people in the SUV were also in my lane looking down in the canyon.

JCZ · « **Reply #56 on:** October 13, 2016, 10:33:59 PM »

Another old west mining town......Coulterville.

JCZ · « **Reply #57 on:** October 13, 2016, 10:35:04 PM »

JCZ · « **Reply #58 on:** October 13, 2016, 10:36:20 PM »

JCZ · « **Reply #59 on:** October 13, 2016, 10:36:40 PM »

This part of Hwy 49 starts getting really fun......

JCZ · « **Reply #60 on:** October 13, 2016, 10:38:43 PM »

I hope that all of you enjoyed this trip as much as we did.

There was much more to it.....Kings Canyon National Park, Sequoia National park, etc. but for some reason, my photos didn't turn out.

Al, Don.....the rest of you guys, I would sure appreciate it if you'd post up some of your pics.

Harvey Mushman · « **Reply #61 on:** October 14, 2016, 01:17:49 AM »

Thanks for taking the time to take all those pictures and telling the stories.
Looking forward to our next ride together.

tim_fenrich · « **Reply #62 on:** October 14, 2016, 09:02:15 AM »

JC, Thank you for having me along for the day, great ride, great guys to hang with. Your photos and narrative are excellent! T

Sent from my LG-V410 using Tapatalk

Big Al · « **Reply #63 on:** October 14, 2016, 11:09:31 AM »

Quote from: JCZ on October 11, 2016, 03:12:21 PM

Time to roll on up over the mountain to South Lake Tahoe.....

A few taken standing still....

Big Al · « **Reply #64 on:** October 14, 2016, 11:18:43 AM »

Quote from: JCZ on October 13, 2016, 10:38:43 PM

I hope that all of you enjoyed this trip as much as we did.

There was much more to it.....Kings Canyon National Park, Sequoia National park, etc. but for some reason, my photos didn't turn out.

Al, Don.....the rest of you guys, I would sure appreciate it if you'd post up some of your pics.

Here you go...
People and more people https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2gb40xce0lxg0rg/AADJu8CNK547m6IE_geClTFca?dl=0
Scenic Images https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5b38gsymh1pse0p/AAAlxHmOWteDvKrsRR-ZxIewa?dl=0

Hope this works!

Thanks again….Great ride!

ultrarider123 · « **Reply #65 on:** October 14, 2016, 11:59:39 AM »

JC, as always a great read while enjoying my lunch at the desk wishing I was outside doing what the pictures show, RIDIN'
Your ride reports are a joy, sir....

JCZ · « **Reply #66 on:** October 14, 2016, 12:21:22 PM »

Thanks a bunch Al for putting the links up of your photos. Nobody will want to look at the rest of our pics after they see ours.

JCZ · « **Reply #67 on:** October 14, 2016, 12:23:13 PM »

Quote from: Haird on October 14, 2016, 11:59:39 AM

JC, as always a great read while enjoying my lunch at the desk wishing I was outside doing what the pictures show, RIDIN'
Your ride reports are a joy, sir....

Thanks a bunch Haird!

I always enjoy others ride reports when they put up the pics and tell us what we're lookin at. And, often it leads to putting that location on my next destination, long distance ride.

Big Al · « **Reply #68 on:** October 14, 2016, 12:26:28 PM »

Quote from: JCZ on October 14, 2016, 12:21:22 PM

Thanks a bunch Al for putting the links up of your photos. Nobody will want to look at the rest of our pics after they see ours.

They are all good and tell the story. Easier for me taking pics standing still....I cant do what you do while riding!

Al

JCZ · « **Reply #69 on:** October 14, 2016, 03:51:42 PM »

Quote from: Big Al on October 14, 2016, 12:26:28 PM

They are all good and tell the story. Easier for me taking pics standing still....I cant do what you do while riding!

Al

Especially with the bike on cruise control and turned completly around in my seat like Linda Blair in the exorcist.

JCZ · « **Reply #70 on:** October 16, 2016, 11:02:27 PM »

Below are the photos of Yuba Pass as we rode through, week before last (I was wearing only a T-shirt). Here's a link to what it looks like today...

Quote from: JCZ on October 11, 2016, 09:10:47 PM

longlast · « **Reply #71 on:** October 17, 2016, 06:23:40 AM »

Having a great adventure. Thanks for sharing

JCZ · « **Reply #72 on:** October 18, 2016, 08:48:26 AM »

Quote from: longlast on October 17, 2016, 06:23:40 AM

Having a great adventure. Thanks for sharing

Glad you liked it. With over 700 views.....looks like all the others on this forum enjoyed it also. Happy to put it up for you guys.

JCZ · « **Reply #73 on:** January 07, 2017, 02:02:14 AM »

I've been asked by several members of this forum to let them know when we do this ride again. In particular, my friend Alan has never experienced any of Nor Cal on a motorcycle and so I told him that I'd take him on this route. Alan wants to roll now but we have to wait until they cleared the roads of snow. So, we will be doing this ride in the spring and quite possibly on a short notice of only a week or two.

If you've never rode with me and my road dogs before (not talking about a GTG), you should know that we ride at a spirited pace. If you're interested in joining us for this next ride, shoot me a PM (private message) or just post it here.

We will be changing the route just a bit. As we leave San Diego we will go up over the grapevine, up Hwy. 99 through Madera, Mariposa, to Angel's Camp (where we'll hook up with other Nor Cal members). Then we'll ride Hwy. 4 up over Ebbetts Pass to 395 North to Lake Tahoe.

If you've never rode Ebbetts Pass before, let me just say it's one of the most interesting motorcycle roads in this country. You can go back through this report to see photos of some of the places we'll be riding but below are pics just of Ebbett's Pass.....

JCZ · « **Reply #74 on:** January 07, 2017, 02:03:17 AM »

JCZ · « **Reply #75 on:** January 07, 2017, 02:04:00 AM »

click on any of these pics to enlarge them.....

JCZ · « **Reply #76 on:** January 07, 2017, 02:04:35 AM »

...............

JCZ · « **Reply #77 on:** January 07, 2017, 02:05:35 AM »

When is the last time you've rode though something like this (no salt used in Calif.)

JCZ · « **Reply #78 on:** January 07, 2017, 02:06:41 AM »

And did I say high.....very high altitude.....

JCZ · « **Reply #79 on:** January 07, 2017, 02:07:38 AM »

And when is the last time you've rode a steep, narrow, winding mountain road at a 24% grade?

25 MILES OF PURE, UNADULTERATED FUN!

JCZ · « **Reply #80 on:** January 07, 2017, 02:14:19 AM »

All of this and more on one of the best motorcycle roads in this country!

THIS IS A GUYS ONLY RIDE. WE USUALLY SHARE ROOMS, TWO TO A ROOM BUT YOU CAN CERTAINLY ROOM ALONE IF YOU'RE SHY. LET ME KNOW IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN JOINING US FOR A FOUR DAY RIDE?

Jock · « **Reply #81 on:** January 07, 2017, 11:39:41 AM »

Quote from: JCZ on January 07, 2017, 02:07:38 AM

And when is the last time you've rode a steep, narrow, winding mountain road at a 24% grade? 25 MILES OF PURE, UNADULTERATED FUN!

Can't say for sure but one of the last times was with you for sure....Always a pleasure!

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JCZ · « **Reply #82 on:** January 07, 2017, 09:58:15 PM »

You'll remember this Jock. Chip and Nancy took the picture but it was taken when we were all headed over Ebettss Pass after we left the Tahoe GTG.....

SDCVO · « **Reply #83 on:** January 08, 2017, 01:39:55 AM »

Quote from: JCZ on January 07, 2017, 02:14:19 AM

All of this and more on one of the best motorcycle roads in this country!

THIS IS A GUYS ONLY RIDE. WE USUALLY SHARE ROOMS, TWO TO A ROOM BUT YOU CAN CERTAINLY ROOM ALONE IF YOU'RE SHY. LET ME KNOW IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN JOINING US FOR A FOUR DAY RIDE?

Cant wait!!! Will be crossing off a couple of line items off my "bucket list"...

RoadTrip · « **Reply #84 on:** January 08, 2017, 09:04:10 PM »

JCZ, you have given me soooo many riding ideas with this trip report. Thank you!

Panhead_Jimmy · « **Reply #85 on:** January 09, 2017, 12:25:05 AM »

Quote from: JCZ on January 07, 2017, 02:02:14 AM

If you've never rode with me and my road dogs before (not talking about a GTG), you should know that we ride at a spirited pace.

I'm available and interested. I've followed JC and the boys in the past and find it slightly exceeding exhilarating. Sounds like fun! Keep me informed

JCZ · « **Reply #86 on:** January 09, 2017, 10:34:31 AM »

Quote from: RoadTrip on January 08, 2017, 09:04:10 PM

JCZ, you have given me soooo many riding ideas with this trip report. Thank you!

If you're coming out to Calif. to ride (now or later) I'd be happy to help you lay out your routes. I've been accused of knowing every single back road this state has.

Jock, Chip & Nancy and many others from back east or up in Canada can share with you some of the routes that I've laid out for them. Of course it always helps if you have a local leading the ride that way you can focus on the scenery instead of focusing on the gps.

RoadTrip · « **Reply #87 on:** January 09, 2017, 08:42:55 PM »

Thank you. Working on a multi-state ride plan in the June/July timeframe - taking advantage of my nephew's upcoming wedding (Portland) in early July and the birth of our 3rd grandchild in late July (Colorado Springs). Will contact directly as the planning progresses (aka, have to talk the boss into the BIGGER picture!).

JCZ · « **Reply #88 on:** January 09, 2017, 11:07:42 PM »

Quote from: Panhead_Jimmy on January 09, 2017, 12:25:05 AM

I'm available and interested. I've followed JC and the boys in the past and find it slightly exceeding exhilarating. Sounds like fun! Keep me informed

Will keep you posted once the passes start clearing and we've got some dates Jimmy.

ak · « **Reply #89 on:** January 10, 2017, 01:01:40 PM »

I'M In----Andy

Jock · « **Reply #90 on:** January 10, 2017, 08:47:17 PM »

Quote from: JCZ on January 09, 2017, 10:34:31 AM

If you're coming out to Calif. to ride (now or later) I'd be happy to help you lay out your routes. I've been accused of knowing every single back road this state has. Jock, Chip & Nancy and many others from back east or up in Canada can share with you some of the routes that I've laid out for them. Of course it always helps if you have a local leading the ride that way you can focus on the scenery instead of focusing on the gps.

I feel blessed to have a personal travel agent and tour guide! I see a business opportunity in your future!

Author Topic: Nor Cal, Hwy. 49 Tour (Read 14990 times)

ultrarider123