California Winter sun and snow

[Sgt Bilco]

After a particularly torrid time for me personally in the last few months, I decided to escape over to my favourite riding area in California. Nice cheap flight courtesy of our national flag carrier whisked me across the frozen wastes of Canada to San Francisco. Great views from the aircraft and if you ever fly into SF, always sit on the left side.

The light was fading a bit but the view over Golden Gate and the Bay was stunning

 

[Schtum]

I've just been talking to a friend in Folsom. He was complaining about it being cold and right enough the weather up there is currently about the same as it was here a couple of days ago.

Probably best to head into the Central Valley or down to San Diego, if you want warmth.....

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Borrowed my cousins 1200GS and met up with the lovely Speedgoddess http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=254003&page=4 in Tomales for a good 3 day ride up the PCH and across to Lassen. One of the ideas for the trip was to check out routes, motels etc for upcoming tours so a bit of business mixed with pleasure. Speedgoddess is now the proud owner of a 650 V-Strom which is a cracking little bike and highly underated I reckon. She rides it like her 916 though so I had to be sharp!

Sun shining, we left Novato and headed up what is no doubt the best part of the PCH through Bodego Bay, Stewart Point and Fort Bragg. The road hugs the coast and is an endless succesion of twisties with unbelievable views over coast. Best part of this road is the last 25 miles to the point where it meets Hwy 101 as it twists through the forests and quickly wears out the sides of the tyres!!

It really in the classic PCH and much better than the southern section between SF and LA in my opinion.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

I've just been talking to a friend in Folsom. He was complaining about it being cold and right enough the weather up there is currently about the same as it was here a couple of days ago.

Probably best to head into the Central Valley or down to San Diego, if you want warmth.....

Yeah, tell me about it!! Heavy rain in SF at the moment!

 

[Schtum]

I'm sure you know but if you hang a right at Stewart's Point, the first part of the road to Skaggs Springs is on a par with some of the Bay Area's finest goat tracks and then, after the bridge, turns into the fast sweepers of a racetrack built by the US Army. It makes for a good route over to the Napa Valley.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Overnighted in a small town called Garberville in Humbolt County which is famous for Dope growing apparently.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

I'm sure you know but if you hang a right at Stewart's Point, the first part of the road to Skaggs Springs is on a par with some of the Bay Area's finest goat tracks and then, after the bridge, turns into the fast sweepers of a racetrack built by the US Army. It makes for a good route over to the Napa Valley.

I know Skaggs well. One of my favourite all time roads

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Rode up through the Avenue of the giants which is a fantastic ride. The giant Redwoods are just magnificent and it's hard to believe these things are so big!!

 

[Sgt Bilco]

After the Giants we hung a right onto what must be one of the best motorcycling roads anywhere. It' s called Hwy 36 and It's a bit of a hidden jewel in these parts and it winds for nearly 100 miles and is just fantastic. It rises and falls through some great scenery and was totally deserted!

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Although the weather was nice and sunny, we were at an altitude of around 3500ft so a bit chilly in places so we stopped for a nice warming bowl of soup and a hot chocolate complete with the old american staple of aerosol cream Check out the tosser sized piece of coconut cream pie

After this heafty lunch, headed south a little way onto Hwy 59 toward Lassen with the superb view of the 14,000ft Mt Shasta for company

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Stopped overnight in a small town called Burney which being sunday night everything was just about shut. Woke nice and early eagerly anticipating a nice run through Lassen national park only to be confronted with snow WTF, this is California and I didn't order it!

Speedgoddess doesn't like the rain so the prospect of snow wasn't good. She rode like a trooper though and we had snow, freezing rain and thick fog before we got to a lower altitude. No pix of this because the weather was as bad as I've ridden in and stopping for a photo opportunity would have been dull in the extreme. Still, she is now known as the snowgoddess in these parts

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Having made the decision not to go to Lassen, we shot down I5 and onto Hwy 20 past clear lake which is feckin huge. It reminded me of the Lochs bonnie Scotland and the weather was just the same as well

Still, we rode back down Hwy 101 in wind and rain but I have to say I'd rather be in California in the bad weather than anywhere else. At least teh sun shone as we crossed the Golden Gate

Anyone fancying a short break on great roads would do worse than to get over to California. Bike rental is available from a few places but the speedgoddess is my personal guide and not for hire!!!

 

[Timolgra]

Good one Chris but we want more photos of Speedgoddess

 

[SkyGod]

 

[Racey]

Chris

Thanks for taking the time to post... Brought back some happy memories.

Hope time on the bike, good scenery, good company and good pie help you put a few things in perspective.

Seeing your photos has made me question whether I should ship the bike over to USA again when I get to Magadan / Vladivostok instead of riding it back

Simon

 

[(RIP) Bobble]

Looks like a nice jaunt, take it your not at the cafe later then

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Good one Chris but we want more photos of Speedgoddess

Those are for my private collection only Here's a couple of the moody weather on the PCH last night overlooking Stinson Beach.

The pub is called the Pelican and serves the worst London pride I've ever had but hey, it's a long way from home

 

[chad]

one day , one day i will drag my sorry ass over there and ride

 

[Bikerjim]

one day , one day i will drag my sorry ass over there and ride

You should go well worth it

Those pictures remind me of last year

Jim