Red Wazp
Super Member
Kid, why ride Hwy 80? Full of trucks, and as boring as Nascar. May I suggest Hwy 50 across Nevada to Hwy 40 or I-70 in Colorado. Good time can be made this way and much better motorcycle roads.
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Wolfpacks don't need underwear.
Kid, why ride Hwy 80? Full of trucks, and as boring as Nascar. May I suggest Hwy 50 across Nevada to Hwy 40 or I-70 in Colorado. Good time can be made this way and much better motorcycle roads.
why no 70? one word. "Kansas"
I have heard from a couple of people that I-80 is pretty cool with mountains and stuff. No?
why no 70? one word. "Kansas"
I have heard from a couple of people that I-80 is pretty cool with mountains and stuff. No?
No. Not much. Slabs are the most boring part of any ride. Once you get east of the rockies you can head north up to 80 for Nebraska
Above is the Nacimiento-Ferguson Rd which cuts through Fort Hunter Ligget Army Base. I haven't personally been on it for almost 20yrs, but I do know that people from my local group ride it every so often. It can be really tough spotting the turn for this off Hwy 1. Be prepared to show license, registration & insurance to get through the Base.HWY 1 looks a bit less windy than the stuff inland too.
This branches off from HWY1 and I just had to share this, WOW:
WOWOWOWOW
Updated my route to move from the 101 to hwy 1. Looking at streetview, the road along the ocean is BEAUTIFUL. That, and I love the salty air smell in my helmet.
(won't it also be close to July 4th?),
This is another type of route that looks good to me.
And I like narrow passes that scare the poodles out of me. ....but nothing beats taking a breather in the middle of nowhere sitting down with your feet outstretched over one of those cliffs with no guard-rail.
I like riding solo now and again anyways. That's part of the reason I'm heading out as well, to get away from every person and every thing.
P.S. Best thing about the murderous roads? There usually isn't much traffic on them
P.P.S. It is worth mentioning I am probably going to try to find some nasty gravel roads along the way. Not sure when or where, but somewhere, and some of the time. Love being lost! Something very liberating about it.
Just want to Warn you, I've made the trip from Salt lake to Oregon over a dozen times and that stretch between winnemucca and salt lake is (other than a couple mountain passes) long and straight and full of Jackrabbits of unusual size, I've hit 5 or 6 and one coyote in my car, Jackrabbits weren't much of a problem (one broken foglight) but the coyote... that was a different story. Just a heads up about the animals mostly if you take this route, especially if you're driving in the dark at all. Also, I don't know if it depends on the time of year but it has a tendency to get VERY windy through the Bonneville salt flats, some of the strongest winds I've encountered while driving.
It sounds like you and I are into the same type of touring. With that in mind plus the fact that you're going to be riding through my back yard, allow me to suggest a few things.
Central Cali
HWY 33 is a fast hard riding 55 mph two lane that goes over the mountains...great sportbike road...limited traffic and there are ample pull outs and passing spots.
HWY 229 is called Rossi's driveway...hit it if you can as it is very cool and a ton of fun.
HWY 25 is an absolutely great way to make good time, with great curves, and basically NO cars at all. It's also bueatiful.
Some of the other roads I tied things together with will seriously have NO cars...maybe the occasional farmer in a truck. They go through open country side and mountains. The pavement is 1 to 1.5 lanes at times and there will be the occasional short section of gravel road. Great stuff just make sure you keep your tank full!
Northern Cali
HWY 36 = not to miss....this is the highway with the famous "curvey road, next 140 miles" sign (SBR stands for SouthBayRiders...lol).
HWY 3 = this contains my absolute favorite piece of road so far. There are sections of this road that do not have straights....you are constantly leaned over....55 mph turn, flick it to the other side, 55 mph turn, flick it....etc. You also go through some the middle of no where with the occasional 500 person town.
HWY 299 = 90 mph sweepers if you want.....lots of fun at 65/70 too. More people on this road but you are way up north so not that many. Plus, tons of passing places. Great road.
HWY 96 = tighter than 299 but still fast. More like 36 and 3. In the middle of no where with not much gas around. Great road, great views, no traffic.
Beyond that it just gets better (if possible) and you eventually take this epic goat path across into Oregon.
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I can also offer many great alternatives to the above. I can make it faster but still good, or slower, more goaty, and more deserted. Lots of options.
Not sure how you want to tie it all together.
I know you don't want to get stuck in traffic, but San Francisco is surrounded by good roads and is really easy to get in and out of. You are welcome to crash in a spare bedroom at my place if you want to pass through here. We could then head out early in the morning.
This is a script I like to follow when getting hotel accomodations. I never (rather: rarely) book ahead so I can bargain for my room.
"*Sigh* Hi, how are you? I've been on my motorcycle all day and I'm exhausted." (this line garners sympathy) "It's __________ (use a reason why they should have dozens of their rooms empty for example: "late" "Tuesday" "economy down" etc) and I really don't want to have to get on my bike or even look at it again until tomorrow. What is the best deal you can give me on a room?"
Now, here's the kicker, no matter what price they give you, sigh again and either tell them you only have about half of what they quoted in the budget for a room. This line works like a charm: "I really only had about $40 free for a room tonight. Is that the very best you can do?"
Even if their first price was 1/2 normal price, that line almost always knocks off some more cash.
Works like a charm.
This is a script I like to follow when getting hotel accomodations. I never (rather: rarely) book ahead so I can bargain for my room.
"*Sigh* Hi, how are you? I've been on my motorcycle all day and I'm exhausted." (this line garners sympathy) "It's __________ (use a reason why they should have dozens of their rooms empty for example: "late" "Tuesday" "economy down" etc) and I really don't want to have to get on my bike or even look at it again until tomorrow. What is the best deal you can give me on a room?"
Now, here's the kicker, no matter what price they give you, sigh again and either tell them you only have about half of what they quoted in the budget for a room. This line works like a charm: "I really only had about $40 free for a room tonight. Is that the very best you can do?"
Even if their first price was 1/2 normal price, that line almost always knocks off some more cash.
Works like a charm.