California squiggles

[NevadaWolf]

So, being Sunday and knowing my Mom was out camping and the local riders were all down at Laguna Seca, I thought I would go try to round off my poor tires after the interstate abuse I have subjected them too.

In the learn from my mistakes category:

1) Never go out on a Sunday afternoon.
2) Never go out on the only road heading from a major tourist destination to a major urban area.
3) Never ever commit 1) and 2) on a 100*+ day.

So, at 11am, I found myself on Hwy 50 going out from Lake Tahoe heading towards Sacramento along with half the Western world squeezed onto a narrow two lane highway with many curves and a lot of campers.

Eventually made it onto Ice House Rd which is insanely nice and a very easy motorcycle route. Only got behind a few RVs and boats since Union Valley Reservoir is fairly close in. HOWEVER, once I passed that lake, the road became mine all mine, mine, mine, mine! And this time I was on a sportbike! 11 Pines Rd still sucks since the potholes are growing and colonizing the hillside, but Mosquito Ridge Road was ever so sweet as it snaked down into the canyon floor before climbing back up and dumping me into Hell. No, wait, that was Foresthill in 103*.

Then, decided what the heck, and opted to head north to Downieville along Hwy 49. One of the track instructors says his favorite stretch of road is 49 between Nevada City and Downieville. 49 is an epic road anyway, but that segment I hadn't been on yet, so got out the map to plan the route. While memorizing the roads, a fellow on a Harley asked if I was ripping up and down Mosquito. Nope, heading to Downieville! He got this look on his face that suggested he believed me to be a bit sunbaked. "That far? You're crazy!" now worried I had bit off more than I could chew since it was already 4pm, I measured the distance to make sure I could make it. WTH?!? It's only 87 miles ya old coot!

It was at this time I finally got my first squid picture! A whole school of them showed up on sportbikes and the prize winner was a two-up with the girl in thin summer shoes, shorty shorts, a small tank top, and helmet. Two others were similarly garbed and the riders were a bit more mature with longer shorts or pants, sneakers, and t-shirts. Stealth picture to not spook the squids in their natural habitat.

49 to Nevada City was bleh! But once I turned north, the road got very narrow and very twisty and very blocked by a truck. UGH!!! He pulled over to let me pass (ahh, Californians are so nice!) only to have an RV up ahead. GRRR! Eventually made it to Downieville, gassed up, continued onto Sierra City and Bassetts, where there is a sign up in a tree: "Bikers Beware - Dead Man's Curves Ahead!" Kewl!!!

The return home was nothing interesting, though I did practice trying to turn with no hands. I can manage as long as it's a sweeping corner. Otherwise, I can't yet get the bike to lean quick enough.

Anyway, here's the route:

[JohnnyBravo]

Sounds like a great ride

[Dano]

Where's the Squid picture??

[NevadaWolf]

Originally Posted by Dano

Where's the Squid picture??

Here: Squid school

It's a PITA trying to upload from my phone. The picture attachment doesn't recognize files when I select them.

[CycleCam303]

Teri I really like your routes that you pick. I noticed that its hard to find people that are down for long twisty rides. I seriously would like join you for one of your super rides. I need to learn to relax and just enjoy the ride.

[NevadaWolf]

LOL, you stick with me and you'll be feeling like the hare against the tortoise! I oddly have a visual of hiking with an energized puppy.

Yesterday's route was part of the SSA Fecta. I was hoping to do it all, but got started too late and ran into traffic which killed the northern legs of the ride, some of which look epic.

Hang on, lemme PM you.

[Jiggles]

Steering with no hands? Where's you get that idea?

[lgk]

looks like a great route

[NevadaWolf]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Steering with no hands? Where's you get that idea?

Dunno, some crazy guy on YouTube pulled it off. Not sure if I sure try mimicking him though, he was shooting fireworks at his riding buddy!

Originally Posted by lgk

looks like a great route

It was an awesome route, the traffic is the only part that really sucked. Just out too late and all the Sunday drivers had made it onto the road.

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

So
It was at this time I finally got my first squid picture! A whole school of them showed up on sportbikes and the prize winner was a two-up with the girl in thin summer shoes, shorty shorts (very cheeky), a small tank top that she was busting out of, and helmet. Two others were similarly garbed and the riders were a bit more mature with longer shorts or pants, sneakers, and t-shirts. Stealth picture to not spook the squids in their natural habitat.

No gloves?

[Dano]

Originally Posted by CycleCam303

Teri I really like your routes that you pick. I noticed that its hard to find people that are down for long twisty rides. I seriously would like join you for one of your super rides. I need to learn to relax and just enjoy the ride.

Hell it would be nice to find some people that actually have the time to ride, mine and my buddies schedule always seem to conflict. West Virginia twisties are good for all day rides.

[NevadaWolf]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

No gloves?

Her hands were around the guys waist so that is an unknown. It would have been funny if she did protect only her hands.

[NevadaWolf]

Originally Posted by Dano

Hell it would be nice to find some people that actually have the time to ride, mine and my buddies schedule always seem to conflict. West Virginia twisties are good for all day rides.

One day I want to get out that direction. Heard of some seriously awesome roads there.

[Alex]

Fun route! All great roads.

[Dano]

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

One day I want to get out that direction. Heard of some seriously awesome roads there.

The one nice thing about the PA, WV and down these areas is that you can get almost anywhere taking backroads, but sometimes it takes alot longer(not a bad thing). There are endless backroads, some are in ****** shape but you learn to live with it.

[NevadaWolf]

Originally Posted by Alex

Fun route! All great roads.

Wanna come up and play some weekend? I'll join ya!

Originally Posted by Dano

The one nice thing about the PA, WV and down these areas is that you can get almost anywhere taking backroads, but sometimes it takes alot longer(not a bad thing). There are endless backroads, some are in ****** shape but you learn to live with it.

I'm always amazed at the number of backroads other people have. Unless you have a dirt bike or some form of off pavement transportation, Nevada is rather restrictive on how to get from point A to B. which is why I love my truck! There are some great off roading opportunities here and I really really really want an enduro.

[CycleCam303]

Aww great. Now I want a crf250l. Dual sport stuff looks like a ton of fun. How deep into Nevada do I have to go?

[Dano]

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

Wanna come up and play some weekend? I'll join ya!



I'm always amazed at the number of backroads other people have. Unless you have a dirt bike or some form of off pavement transportation, Nevada is rather restrictive on how to get from point A to B. which is why I love my truck! There are some great off roading opportunities here and I really really really want an enduro.

Our backroads were once dirt and gravel now paved, your's are still dirt and gravel....not enough poplulation for the size of the state..I would rather be out there in the wide open areas on a dual sport.

[NevadaWolf]

Originally Posted by CycleCam303

Aww great. Now I want a crf250l. Dual sport stuff looks like a ton of fun. How deep into Nevada do I have to go?

BWHAHA oh you really need to get up here and see just how very little pavement is actually here.

I can point you to several great trails that runs along the border of CA. Never have to leave the Sierras. The question is more "How deep will your gas tank get you?" My dream is to go Idaho to Arizona on dirt.

Originally Posted by Dano

Our backroads were once dirt and gravel now paved, your's are still dirt and gravel....not enough poplulation for the size of the state..I would rather be out there in the wide open areas on a dual sport.

True, towns are few and far between. And at the times that ghost towns were popping up, horses and mules drew wagons to get there. Who needs pavement? The Pony Express trail is actually fun to do in a truck (really rocky though may not be fun on a bike) and the California Emmigrant Trail - 40 Mile Desert is an easy path. I love cutting across the Black Rock Desert at 60 and seeing the wall of playa dust billowing out behind me...

And I really need to stop and focus on work.

[NevadaWolf]

Here's video that includes this ride. Got lazy over the last week and needed to make a combo video rather than just my weekend stuff.

If you don't like Meatloaf, turn the volume down.

Link to original page on YouTube.