Fly ride around San Francisco

[Mutley]

I'm planning a trip for a couple of weeks in September (to San Francisco and the Napa Valley etc.) and wondered if anyone has any advice on where to hire bikes?

I know it's a bit sad but I'd like to do it on a Harley and I've found the obvious sites:

www.eaglerider.com
www.flyrideusa.com
www.hctravel.com

I just wondered if I was missing a trick?

Any other advice welcome too

 

[BTBR]

I know it's a bit sad but I'd like to do it on a Harley

........ ......you said it......

Any other advice welcome too

If yer on a Harley take some anal lube.

BTBR

 

[Toad]

Napa Valley can be a fiercely expensive place to stay.

I'd recommend staying at the Comfort Inn in Calistoga. It's at the northern end of the valley, and calistoga can support a quiet gentle kind of night out, but not much more.

The comfort inn is quite basic, but is clean etc and is really easy to find. The Calistoga Inn is at the other end of the high street and does great bar food, and has it's own microbrewery.

Just outside Calistoga is the T-Vine Winery and is an absolute must if you're going to do any wine tasting. It's a boutique winery and is run by Greg Brown. Ring first to make an appointment. Speak to Rachel Davies and she'll set it up for you. All contact details at http://www.tvinecellars.com

Rachel is really great, and would probably be able to make some more local recommendations as well.

Hope that helps.

 

[Deleted account W]

Wolfgang Taft at Dubbelju bike rentals in San Francisco is the chap I hired a Harley off when I was over there. Good personal service and he'll give you route advice and maps.

He has GS's as well

www.dubbelju.com

 

[Earache]

Wolfgang Taft at Dubbelju bike rentals in San Francisco is the chap I hired a Harley off when I was over there. Good personal service and he'll give you route advice and maps.

He has GS's as well

www.dubbelju.com

I was the first to rent their brand new GS1200 - bright yellow - last summer.

Good guys to hire from, but they don't have many bikes so book as early as you can.

If you have the time, head north and skip the wine country altogether. Much better riding.

 

[Mutley]

The wine country stays in I'm afraid. I work in the industry and it's one of the main reasons for the jaunt!

 

[Earache]

The wine country stays in I'm afraid. I work in the industry and it's one of the main reasons for the jaunt!

You could do a lot worse of course <gg>. I just like the area north of there better.

Have a great trip!

Eric

 

[jimbo]

when over the US I hired a Harley from the main dealer. I think most of them do 'rentals'
Cracking good fun, I'd never buy one, but it was a real experience.

 

[Mutley]

Bloody hell! I was going to hire one of those for me and Mrs. Mutley to do a 2 week tour on. Is the luggage capacity so bad you need a roll bag as well just for one?

 

[jimbo]

Is the luggage capacity so bad you need a roll bag as well just for one?

Well, I wasn't travelling particularly lite, I did have a DJ with me, amoungst other clothing....

The panniers are pretty small and the top box very shallow..

 

[Deleted account W]

Well, I wasn't travelling particularly lite, I did have a DJ with me, ..

Was it that ginger twat Chris Evans?

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Napa Valley

Wolfgang at Dubbleju will give you a very good deal so he`s probably your first call. Don`t worry about renting a tractor, the roads are great on anything..!
I did all those roads last in October last year and they are unbelievable and unforgetable. I`m back out in two weeks to check them again!
I`m just in the process of setting up a guided tour company in the area and have taken some bookings already for this year. We will be based just north of San Francisco and specialising in tours to this region on GS`s but you can have a Harley if you`d like!
If you`d like, we could organise something for you or just advise on the best roads. There are a lot of routes not on the map so give me a shout if you`d like some help.

 

[Earache]

Check out Mad Maps for bike specific roads in the area. Great source of routes for the fiirst time visitor.

Dubbleju has them at the counter or go to www.madmaps.com


Eric