Playing in the Passes - 4/19/2014

[NevadaWolf]

So this morning went to go rescue my poor girl from the shop sporting her brand new tires: Bridgestone Battleax BT-45s



And while doing that, also got to meet up with a fellow Ninjetter: @EMSRacer07 YAY! More riding friends! Stupido me got no still pics, but did give a short tour up to Virginia City via Geiger Grade since it was his first time up there. Guess I forgot to mention that the off ramp from 580 to 341 is flat and tightens up. Whoops! Today was a beautiful day, with only slight haze off in the distance which meant while the ride was sweet, the tourists heading to VC were slow. Ah well.

After parting ways, I decided i needed to give my new shoes a work out to see how they feel compared to the Pirellis. So headed up Mt. Rose Highway to Incline Village, luckily that road was less trafficy but the weather has not been kind and it was rough along with some scattered rocks in the lanes. Still, nothing beats coming over the summit and having Lake Tahoe just open up before you. Well, one thing does, the sweet overlook on the outside of a massive sweeping turn that just gives you an unblocked view of the lake.



Crusing along Hwy 28 allowed me a nice leisurely ride along the shoreline, admiring the sapphire and turquoise waters off the right side of the road. Stopped to get a few pics but was mostly just sailing along behind the rest of traffic.



Headed down Spooner along Highway 50 with its broad easy turns. Two lanes in each direction with a barrier in between keeps the traffic flow separate and moving nicely. Nothing too challenging and the traffic is heavy enough the road is kept debris free. Then turned south, taking Jacks Valley Road along the foothills of Carson Valley before turning west again and heading up Kingsbury Grade. These curves are tighter than Spooner and have more interestin views, along with being only a two lane road. Once back up at the Lake I headed south again, cutting into some local roads, as I made my way to the next twisty area, Luther Pass. This spills into Hope Valley where the West Fork of the Carson River as it flows down the mountain.



Next, I turned and went down 89 towards Monitor Pass. But I noticed the sign for Ebbetts Pass said OPEN. What?! That pass is over 8700 feet, has winter been that bad? I went to explore and sure enough, both winter gates were open and the road was clear and dry. Though the snow bank on either side of the narrow road was a trip riding through. Snow melt on the west side of the mountain as it descended towards had the river and waterfalls flowing heavily but the lakes were still frozen over. Gave up at Mosquito Lake as I had not planned on this detour.





Headed back to Monitor and just cruised up that Pass. No snow, clear open roads, and luckily no traffic to really slow me down. The tires weren't as fluid as the others had been but i felt stable enough to take the corners at my normal +5-10 mph speed. Stopped for a photo op over the valley below and just took a moment to enjoy the day.



To finish off the tour of the local passes, headed back north to Carson, cutting around the back roads around the Carson River before swinging up once again to the truck route to Virginia City. Locked onto the bike to try maximizing my lean angle to see how the tires would hold. No problems at all up or down the route so I am looking forward to seeing how long these last me over the next few months.

Throughout the day, I was seeing signs of Spring gearing up. Trees in bloom, desert peach flowering and smelling fantastic, the little snow we have melting. i love it!






Stats:
280 miles
About 9 hours
7 mountain passes

Geiger Summit: 6,789'
Mt Rose Highway Summit: 8,911'
Spooner Summit: 7,146'
Daggett Pass: 7,344'
Luther Pass: 7,740'
Ebbetts Pass: 8,730'
Monitor Pass: 8,314'

Link to original page on YouTube.

[misfitsailor]

Outstanding! Another great ride, another great report. You are an inspiration, Teri.

[Alex]

Looks like fun!

[NevadaWolf]

@misfitsailor I notice we both ended up on Hwy 4 today, though different places. Amazing how a single mountain range can produce two separate ride reports.

49 is one of my favorite highways, definitely going to have to cruise it this year, as many times as I can.

@Alex, it was a day spent on a bike. Of course it was fun!

[antiant]

You'll have to check out little dragon, if you haven't already on Hwy 49. Nice pics as always.

[NevadaWolf]

Had to look up where and pashnit names it between Coulterville and Bear Valley. That correct?

Have not been down that far south yet.... Google says three and a half hours to get there from here.... Hurm... Maybe once 120 opens up again.

[antiant]

Yep, that's correct, in Coulterville. Been wanting to try it as well.

[NevadaWolf]

Got a weekend free later this summer?

Hurm, head down via 49, play down there a bit, then head back. I could jump over the mountain at 120. That might be doable...

[antiant]

It's possible, I would have to plan it a little in advance to notify my employer, as I work on Saturday's. I wouldn't mind a weekday too. That's probably even more doable for me, as it's easier to get coverage during the weekday. As long as you don't mind a noobie rider.

[NevadaWolf]

Riding buddy is a riding buddy, don't matter if new or experienced so long as everyone sticks together and has fun.

Lemme see how my vacation days are in July. I may be in the hole with time off by then but if I got them I'll use them. Do you have set days off or do they fluctuate?

[antiant]

Sounds good. My only day off is Sunday. Asking for a Saturday, shouldn't be too difficult, just need to make sure I ask before the schedule is up. I always have vacation time, as I save it like crazy.

[EternalNewb]

Ooooh, can I maybe crash this ride? I'm (much) further south, but I'm planning to head north for a little road trip on the ninjette, though I may be open to trying to just catch a ride and hang. :P

[antiant]

Come! I wouldn't mind. The more the merrier.

[allanoue]

You went right by where I got married.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ch...00c59c7aebafbb

[NevadaWolf]

@antiant @EternalNewb I'm thinking that a posting under the group ride section might be a good idea, then we can our western version of Ninjettes Fighting the Dragon.

@allanoue Nice! I used to help my mom deliver the cakes she would make for the weddings around Tahoe. Some of the chapels are very nice while the ceremonies along the shore are really pretty (if a bit windy at times).

[antiant]

Yes, that works.

[Motofool]

Thank you much, Teri !!!

As always magnificent views and descriptions.

[Kevin1956]

Again Teri, you should be a travel writer. What could be better than riding your bike, jotting down your thoughts and observations, and getting paid for it? I always look forward to reading your ride reports. Thanks!

[Yakaru]

Originally Posted by EternalNewb

Ooooh, can I maybe crash this ride? I'm (much) further south, but I'm planning to head north for a little road trip on the ninjette, though I may be open to trying to just catch a ride and hang. :P

Yes, go have fun on the western dragon... then keep heading north to WA

[tfkrocks]

I want to go riding with all of you! If it's planned at least 2 weeks in advance then I can request it off

[EternalNewb]

Originally Posted by Yakaru

Yes, go have fun on the western dragon... then keep heading north to WA

Shhhhh, who said I wasn't already planning that? If not for this ride, I'll definitely have to try during summer.

[cuong-nutz]

Great ride report as always, Teri! What kind of temps were you seeing?

[NevadaWolf]

Mid 60's based on a brief glance at the weather history. So given the elevation changes probably anywhere from 60s-70s.

Thanks everyone for the kind words, I do enjoy sharing my adventures with you all and hope they can let you see why I enjoy getting out into the back country so much.

@Kevin1956, think so huh? You're right, it would be. I could set up a KickStarter. You'd donate, right?



LOL

It's more fun doing it this way. I can write what I want and you all can ride along with me for free.

[NevadaWolf]

Hey! I do (kinda) have a picture of @EMSRacer07!

Working on the video for the day...

[EMSRacer07]

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

Hey! I do (kinda) have a picture of @EMSRacer07!

Working on the video for the day...

nice , you sneaked one in lol. Didnt even notice. Too bad I had to work that day or I would have joined you two.

[NevadaWolf]

YouTube is brewing up the video so it should be ready sometime soonish, maybe. Close to ten minutes but had some amazing scenery I wanted to share. Video is up in the OP.

[verboten1]

Looks awesome, no stop at the bucket of blood? Lol

[NevadaWolf]

No, no Bucket of Blood for me. i usually just wander in for the ghosts.

[jeffb502]

Some nice roads! The windy ones without center lines remind me of Tepusquet Rd (a nice road near me) but with pine trees and snow instead of the usual scenery I get. Was there ice on the road in some places?

[NevadaWolf]

Originally Posted by jeffb502

Some nice roads! The windy ones without center lines remind me of Tepusquet Rd (a nice road near me) but with pine trees and snow instead of the usual scenery I get. Was there ice on the road in some places?

Nope, was quite warm so the only thing on the road was water. But some of the lakes were and still are frozen.

Hwy 104 is the narrow road with no center line, its especially narrow when the RVs are up there.