Feeler: Sierra Adventure

[NevadaWolf]

FINAL SCHEDULE: Saturday August 10th

So, @CycleCam303 and I are talking about maybe hooking up to ride some of the roads in the Sierra Nevadas (between California and Nevada for those not from around here). Primary area would be between Sonora and Quincy-ish. I'd like to at least include looking at Tahoe.

Schedule is yet to be determined as we're looking for a Saturday maybe in August that is free for us, but wanted to toss out the idea to see if anyone else wants to join in. I tend to be a slower rider but my endurance is high enough that long days and distances are easily doable for me. This is going to be geared towards an enjoy the ride but I'll try to come up with a route that if you like trying to twist the throttle off you can still have fun.

Though the first question is how crazy are we willing to go in a day?

Ok, here is the route that looks good for us. It's a nice highlight route that has a fun mountain goat trail (I guess that's what those almost forgotten paved old mountain roads are called?) with a dead spot along 80 before coming down onto historic Hwy 40 and one very nice overlook, before heading up to the west shore of Tahoe. Then it's be a trip over Luther Pass and then Ebbetts Pass which is one of the more difficult ones around here. Very tight turns with some good elevation changes between the beginning and end of the turn.



Stats: Meeting from Placerville and parting ways in Angels Camp 346 miles, approx 10 hours

I love making routes, so if you are curious about some other options I came up with, here are some links.

Six Passes: http://goo.gl/maps/zSzvo, Calivada: http://goo.gl/maps/qrKtT, Hwy 49: http://goo.gl/maps/pFLnz

Any one interested in joining or suggesting routes? I was going crazy trying to link Ebbetts to Mosquito Ridge to Sierra City and every other road I know up here and came out with a whole weekends worth of riding. Oops.

I can also raid Sierra Sportbike Association and Nevada Sportbike Club's archive of rides to see if those may have some possibilities as well.

I'll update the top of this post whenever a firm date is decided on and the exact route when that is finalized.

[rojoracing53]

This weekend starting thursday Ill be camping at spicer lake right next to bear valley, Ca. I'm sure ill be taking the ninja out one of the days to do some exploring.

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

So, @CycleCam303 and I are talking about maybe hooking up

bow-chicka!!

[NevadaWolf]

Originally Posted by alex.s

bow-chicka!!

If ya knew me, you'd know why I am finding that insanely funny. But anyway..l

Back on topic!

[rojoracing53]

Just keep in under 900 miles in a day with an average of 70 mph and I good

Oh and no hwy or ill have to start tearing off mirrors and chucking them at people.

[alex.s]

900 miles a day at.... 70mph.... all surface road?

what the hell i'd be dead

[NevadaWolf]

Originally Posted by rojoracing53

Just keep in under 900 miles in a day with an average of 70 mph and I good

Oh and no hwy or ill have to start tearing off mirrors and chucking them at people.

Originally Posted by alex.s

900 miles a day at.... 70mph.... all surface road?

what the hell i'd be dead

So, no Hwys 4, 49, 50, 88, 89, 108 ... ?? :whistles: how you planning on pulling that off?

[rojoracing53]

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

So, no Hwys 4, 49, 50, 88, 89, 108 ... ?? :whistles: how you planning on pulling that off?

Sorry no freeways and that's our avg not the posted avg speed limit. Most people don't survive a full day of riding with me without some serious second thoughts along the way. Very few have tried to ride a full on Jason style dirt day, all have haunting memories of the adventure

[NevadaWolf]

Originally Posted by rojoracing53

Sorry no freeways and that's our avg not the posted avg speed limit. Most people don't survive a full day of riding with me without some serious second thoughts along the way. Very few have tried to ride a full on Jason style dirt day, all have haunting memories of the adventure

You take point, I'll be sweep and everyone else can spread out through the middle.

[CycleCam303]

Originally Posted by alex.s

bow-chicka!!

Eharmony wasnt cutting it so I went the motorcycle forums route
^
Off topic but that is a lot of wisdom to that joke....

900 miles? Gtfo! 500 tops. Two gas tanks. Fun twisties, obscure back roads, no cops, and cool places to stop at. Those are my parameters. I feel like I need to start training for this.

[CycleCam303]

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

If ya knew me, you'd know why I am finding that insanely funny. But anyway..l

Back on topic!

And if ya knew me... You'd know I could run very very far with this hahahaha.

I don't need no sticking alpinestars to look good

[rojoracing53]

I've been training for this weekend for like a couple weeks probably 12hrs on the 250 and another 12hrs or more on the MTB. Going to have to bring a generator just to keep the GoPro's going.

[NevadaWolf]

Originally Posted by CycleCam303

900 miles? Gtfo! 500 tops. Two gas tanks. Fun twisties, obscure back roads, no cops, and cool places to stop at. Those are my parameters. I feel like I need to start training for this.

Going with the 500 tops, assuming that is from wherever we all meet up vs home, the Six Pass zig zag works (the first one I posted) or this one has several nice overlooks but might have traffic issues coming south along the west shore of Tahoe...

[AlanDog]

Down for a fun all-day ride, but my idea of an epic all-day ride is like 350 miles with lots of breaks. I hate feeling like I'm on some sort of endurance event; 30 minute breaks every couple of hours is my pace. I just did a great loop from Auburn: backroads to Oroville, Hwy 70 up to Quincy, then up to LaPorte (if you have not done this, you're missing out), we went around to Bullards Bar, you can go up 49 to Downieville or farther from there, then back to Auburn.

But whatever you guys plan, I may be up for it, although if you're really planning a 500 miler, I may turn around at some point.

[NevadaWolf]

Hey all,

I edited the OP to show the route that Cam likes and the one we'll ride. I figure meet in Placerville and then part ways in Angels Camp that way anyone from the various California places can head home the best way they know and I can cut back over Carson Pass to head back to the desert.

So, just the ride would be about 346 miles and take 10 hours according to Google.

If you are faster, then obviously that will be a shorter time, but if you are like me and for the most part just cruise then I found I am usually on target with what Google thinks I should be doing.

Along the route there are several places that would be good to pull over and admire Nature's handiwork, enough towns that we can easily decide where to have lunch, and more than enough gas stations that wherever the needle reads empty we can all fill up (though looks like Truckee is the midpoint so filling up there for all might be the best course).

Plus, if this route is too long or too short for your needs, then there are enough places to either cut out early or add in a few more passes before you head home. Standard group ride rules there, please let us know if you plan on cutting out early.

So... there's the update!

Next to work on is the weekend. Some Saturday in August is probably going to be the goal as the rest of this month I'm garaged for maintenance. Ugh.

[tfkrocks]

This sounds interesting. I'll probably come if it's not the 24th. I'm not too concerned with the length of the ride.

[CycleCam303]

We can ride down together then. Cool.

[AlanDog]

Looks good, I have done Mosquito Ridge but have not done the connection to Ice House and Hwy 50. I can at least go Placerville to Auburn... if I can get the weekend off.

[NevadaWolf]

*If* I can plan things correctly, I'll be busy during the weekend of the 17th. If weather or conditions fail me that weekend, my backup may be the 24th. I live on several "if's" lately. LOL

So, still open the 3rd, 10th, or 31st.

[tfkrocks]

I think the 10th would work best for me.

[NevadaWolf]

Originally Posted by tfkrocks

I think the 10th would work best for me.

@CycleCam303, @AlanDog, how about you guys? Heard anything on when a Saturday may or may not be free for you?

I found out I need new brake pads so I hope I'll have everything done before that weekend. It'd be fun to go out and just cruise around the mountains.

[AlanDog]

Well, don't plan for me, if I can make it, I will, likely be a last minute decision, "Is my brain so cooked I wouldn't be productive anyways??? I might as well go for a ride." Later in the month might be more likely, my brain may be deep-fried by then.

[NevadaWolf]

Originally Posted by AlanDog

Well, don't plan for me, if I can make it, I will, likely be a last minute decision, "Is my brain so cooked I wouldn't be productive anyways??? I might as well go for a ride." Later in the month might be more likely, my brain may be deep-fried by then.

I'm not opposed to making multiple trips into the mountains.

[CycleCam303]

The 10th could work for me. Just a heads up our bikes are gonna run like crap up there lol.

[NevadaWolf]

Originally Posted by CycleCam303

The 10th could work for me. Just a heads up our bikes are gonna run like crap up there lol.

Yay, I won't be the slowest turtle in the pack!!

So, a tentative date of Saturday the 10th? What's a good time for everyone?

If we meet in Placerville (at maybe the Shell on the west end of town?) it's about 120 miles to Foresthill and the next gas station. There may be another one along 50, I don't have that road memorized.

It'll take me about two hours to get to Placerville, so no über early start, please? maybe 8-9ish?

The only hitch on my end is if I'm unable to get my bike out of the shop before that Saturday. Hopefully that won't happen. :fingers crossed:

[tfkrocks]

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

Yay, I won't be the slowest turtle in the pack!!

So, a tentative date of Saturday the 10th? What's a good time for everyone?

If we meet in Placerville (at maybe the Shell on the west end of town?) it's about 120 miles to Foresthill and the next gas station. There may be another one along 50, I don't have that road memorized.

It'll take me about two hours to get to Placerville, so no über early start, please? maybe 8-9ish?

The only hitch on my end is if I'm unable to get my bike out of the shop before that Saturday. Hopefully that won't happen. :fingers crossed:

Lol it'll take me a bit over 2 hrs to get there directly from my city. If I remember @CycleCam303 's general location correctly and we're meeting up first, probably closer to 3 hours :P I don't care too much about the start time though so it's up to you.

[algs26]

How technical is the mapped route? I found some video of mosquito ridge and riding the direction alongside the mountain didn't seem too bad. I'm not too fond of bare cliffs.

I usually just ride lotus, 49 and just tried salmon falls and then head home so I probably don't have the endurance to keep up with you anyway.

[AlanDog]

There are bare cliffs on Mosquito ridge. I know some of the roads between Ice House and Mosquito ridge road are bumpy and narrow (but is all paved, I checked). Well, just ride your own pace, and take those turns as opportunities to practice focusing on where you want to go, not fixating on where you don't! If you live in that area and haven't done Mosquito ridge, it is a must-do.

Actually, I shouldn't talk. A few weeks ago two friends came up from SoCal and we did Mosquito Ridge and I followed my newb friend (with about 3 months riding experience) across the double yellow on a right-handed turn. I was following too close and fixating on him. I've had the problem before where you think the guy in front of you helps you pace yourself, but when he goes in too fast, so do you.

Now that I think about it, going that direction on Mosquito Ridge, you're on the hill-side of the road almost the entire time, whereas going out to french meadows from foresthill you're on the cliff side. So it's the right way to do it if you hate cliffs...

[rojoracing53]

Last weekend I rode hwy108 from hwy49 to hwy395

sudden sierra thunder and lightning storm force me to find the biggest tree to hide under for like 15 mins till it blew over. Also when my bike made it to 6k feet it started to really lose power and as I kept climbing it started to sputter and cough from 8-9000rpms but was fine everywhere else. By the time I made it to 9000' it felt like I had 15hp and I had to keep it above 9000rpms to get it to climb anything. I seriously though I had blown my motor but after descending back down to 5000' it cleared up and by 3000' all my power had returned.

I was a great ride and I look forward to doing it again.

[NevadaWolf]

Originally Posted by algs26

How technical is the mapped route? I found some video of mosquito ridge and riding the direction alongside the mountain didn't seem too bad. I'm not too fond of bare cliffs.

I usually just ride lotus, 49 and just tried salmon falls and then head home so I probably don't have the endurance to keep up with you anyway.

What do you ride and how long have you been riding?

In my opinion, the toughest part of that route is Ebbett's Pass since those are some tight turns. But if you don't like cliffs, Mosquito may make you nervous. I think the local club rates that section of the road as "intermediate" riders. I know the route down, so we're on the outside lane once the road crosses over the ridge. There are trees and bushes on the side of the road so it isn't a mesa style cliff but it does drop down quickly. On tight right handers, if you take your eyes off the road and look over the shoulder to the right you will see down the mountain.

That said, it is a two lane road and I just right in the middle of the lane taking things nice and easy. It is wide enough i haven't felt cramped when approaching oncoming traffic. I tend to ride the equivilent of a C-group pace, meaning steady but sane. I don't race down the mountain but I also don't crawl around corners. I like sticking with the speed limit the whole way down.

If you want, you are more than welcome to just join us for whatever part of the journey you want. I unfortunately don't know California too well so am unfamiliar with lotus or salmon falls. But parts of 49 I know. If you are around Nevada City to Sierraville and feel comfortable on those roads, I invite you to try Mosquito at your own pace and just take things easy.

If you want to put up with me babbling, here's my first ride down the road on a Shadow which is larger than I was expecting so I did drag the pegs on a few corners.

http://youtu.be/CwxbBFpp4W0

Or here is from weekend before last which does have a part of me heading down the mountain again (may have issues on a mobile device since I acknowledged I'm using copyrighted music).

http://youtu.be/yOjL4fIm6OQ

[NevadaWolf]

Originally Posted by rojoracing53

Last weekend I rode hwy108 from hwy49 to hwy395

sudden sierra thunder and lightning storm force me to find the biggest tree to hide under for like 15 mins till it blew over. Also when my bike made it to 6k feet it started to really lose power and as I kept climbing it started to sputter and cough from 8-9000rpms but was fine everywhere else. By the time I made it to 9000' it felt like I had 15hp and I had to keep it above 9000rpms to get it to climb anything. I seriously though I had blown my motor but after descending back down to 5000' it cleared up and by 3000' all my power had returned.

I was a great ride and I look forward to doing it again.

Wonder if mine has been set to run 'normal' at those elevations since it hasn't felt that bad when I run over Monitor at 10k...

[ally99]

Sounds fun! I wish I could join you guys!

[CycleCam303]

Well might as well count me out for next week. I'm typing this with one hand because I had a bad crash racing supermoto this morning. My left hand is jacked up pretty bad. I don't think it's broken but I can barely move my thumb and its getting really swollen. I'll make a thread

[rojoracing53]

Originally Posted by CycleCam303

Well might as well count me out for next week. I'm typing this with one hand because I had a bad crash racing supermoto this morning. My left hand is jacked up pretty bad. I don't think it's broken but I can barely move my thumb and its getting really swollen. I'll make a thread

You see! MTBing with me is safer then at least Russian roulette and Supermoto

[CycleCam303]

I can't imagine crashing in the street. Or how guys wear mx gear racing sm. my leathers have solid street cred now haha.

[NevadaWolf]

Well, phooey!

Oh well, I'm still up for it. Got my bike back with a brand new rear tire and brand new brakes front and back. Got to break them in.

[algs26]

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

What do you ride and how long have you been riding?

I just crossed 1800 miles on my 300 (got it around thanksgiving).

Looks like I'll be autocrossing next weekend so I won't be there to slow you guys down. Also need to clean my chain and wash my bike.

[rojoracing53]

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

Wonder if mine has been set to run 'normal' at those elevations since it hasn't felt that bad when I run over Monitor at 10k...

Not sure but I can't imagine any carbed 250 running any better then mine below 2000' if if yours is a bit leaner then mine it could work great at 5-6000' and ok at sea level and 10000' but it would take 13000 feet for it to start acting up like mine did. Then there the fact that among everyone I've ever come across in racing I'm the most sensitive to throttle response and power fluctuations, so I notice things many others miss. I've come in after practice and told the engineers that the bike seems down 15 hp and has a flat spot from 15,500-16,250. After running it on the dyno it was down 14hp and had a rich spot from 15-16,000 due to a mapping error.

I'm not about to rejet my carbs to accommodate the higher elevations because dealing with the carbs is a bitch.

[NevadaWolf]

Originally Posted by algs26

I just crossed 1800 miles on my 300 (got it around thanksgiving).

Looks like I'll be autocrossing next weekend so I won't be there to slow you guys down. Also need to clean my chain and wash my bike.

Have a great time! If you want to come up definitely let me know and I will gladly join you on a run around the Sierras. I'm a turtle usually when I am solo so it'd be hard to slow me down any more than I already go. and I adjust to the pace of the person I am with (unless they are superman on crack) so whatever speed you are comfortable with is perfect for me.

[NevadaWolf]

Originally Posted by rojoracing53

Not sure but I can't imagine any carbed 250 running any better then mine below 2000' if if yours is a bit leaner then mine it could work great at 5-6000' and ok at sea level and 10000' but it would take 13000 feet for it to start acting up like mine did. Then there the fact that among everyone I've ever come across in racing I'm the most sensitive to throttle response and power fluctuations, so I notice things many others miss. I've come in after practice and told the engineers that the bike seems down 15 hp and has a flat spot from 15,500-16,250. After running it on the dyno it was down 14hp and had a rich spot from 15-16,000 due to a mapping error.

I'm not about to rejet my carbs to accommodate the higher elevations because dealing with the carbs is a bitch.

Ah, I am definitely not sensitive to mine and just go with whatever she hands me. I only notice problems when the grade gets steep but never anything directly related to the elevation. I can keep up or I can pokey along and accept whatever the engine gives.