The Ride Home - Day 2 (and 3)

Starbucks for breakfast, a mocha and nut bread, and a chance to update my notebook. The skies are gray and overcast this morning and the news predicted showers and thunderstorms, even snow in the Sierras above 7000 feet tonight! Joy. I need to get going as it is already after 9am. I quickly ran into Wal-Mart to see if I could find something more comfortable to sit than my towel. 800 miles in 2 days is just too much for me. I found a nice gel pad that fits my seat perfectly for only $20. I hit the road at 9:30am.

About 20 miles out of Susanville my speedometer stopped working. That sucked, but at least I have an aftermarket tachometer to guess by. I only made it to the town of "Likely" before it started raining. I pulled over and quickly put on my waterproof gloves and snowboarding pants. Problem is that I didn't really bring real riding boots, but ankle high shoes. So by the time I got to Alturas my socks were pretty wet. I debated what to do in Alturas because after the next town (Lakeview) there is nothing for 150 miles to Burns. And I really don't feel like riding for 200 miles in the rain. I considered getting a motel for the night but opted for an early lunch to see if the rain would pass. Another great breakfast for lunch around 12:30pm at the "Main Street Family Diner" while the rain got worse. Just as I finished eating there was a break in the clouds. So I jumped on the motorcycle and headed off to Lakeview.

I could see the storm just ahead of me to the north east (which is the direction I was headed) and eventually I caught up to it about 15 miles from Lakeview. It poured. I was very wet and not a happy camper. I decided to get a room and wait out the storm and hope for better weather the next day. I found a pretty decent motel, "Interstate 8" for $53. So did 9 other motorcyclists. Seems we all had the same idea so obviously it was the right decision. I had a Subway sandwich for dinner and fell asleep to "Deadliest Catch" on the TV.

I left the motel at 8:30am for Burns. It was only 50 degrees and still cloudy but dry. I stopped in Burns for a really good burger at "R.J.'s". And I talked to another motorcyclists at the gas station that was heading to Boise for a concert that evening. He had his daughter with him and it was her first long ride (Eugene to Salt Lake City) and she looked like I felt. They blew by me in a blur about 15 miles outside of Burns.

 I could see thunderstorms ahead of me most of the day, but didn't catch up to one until Vale Oregon. I had to wait there a good half hour and the same at Ontario to let the rain pass. But I finally made it home in one piece no worse for wear.

What a great trip. I did some incredible turns, saw some beautiful country, and got to visit with my family. Next time I will definitely break up the miles per day to make it more enjoyable and allow for some spontaneity. I did get to know my motorcycle real well and she did great (except for the speedometer and that scary noise). Next year... Montana!

The Ride Home - Day 1

I left Sonora a little late in the morning at 10:45am, after an excellent and hearty breakfast of eggs, bacon, hash browns, fruit, toast and coffee. I consulted with my Dad about which route to take home. I was considering taking Hwy 108 over the Sierras and then just hoping on 395 the rest of the way. However we decided that Hwy 49 would be a better route through some more familiar and yet very pretty country. Lots of rolling hills and oak trees, horse ranches and the like from Sonora to Auburn.

They have some kind of annual frog jumping contest in Angels Camp, thus there were frog signs and such throughout the town. Its hot here, 80 plus degrees and its not even noon.

I followed a white Harley from Jackson to Jct. 50 in Placerville. He gave me a real run for my money at 65mph+ through some great turns and hills. There is a pretty steep gorge down to the American River between Cool and Placerville (photo below). I almost lost my trailer (no brakes) coming the other direction last year on our way to a family reunion. This time I missed a couple of 15mph hairpin curves and ended up in the other lane, thankfully there were no cars there when I was. At 2:30pm I ate lunch at "In-N-Out Burger" in Auburn near I-80 and Hwy 49. Its now 88 degrees and getting hotter.

I grew up in the Sacramento Valley so this is my old stomping grounds. I pulled off the highway at Grass Valley and tootled up the road to the historic Empire Mines to take a short break. I need to get gas in Nevada City before heading up into the mountains again. Somehow I thought there were more exits to come before I turned off of Hwy 20/49 back onto Hwy 49 and quickly realized that there wasn't any more town (or gas stations). I thought that I could make it to Downieville, surely there must be a gas station there?

Soon I came to the Yuba River and man was it running. I couldn't resist and walked down to the water and dunked my head and shirt in to cool off. One of my favorite fishing trips of all time was with my good friend Tom from Honcut along the Yuba River. Thankfully I found a gas station in North San Juan and filled up (looking back I don't think I would have made it to Downieville). Then I passed an old swimming hole on Oregon Creek about 5 miles south of Marysville Road. Boy did I want to go swimming, but not enough day light to make it to Susanville.

I stopped in Downieville for a break and a beer. Thank God they have Sierra Nevada Pale Ale on tap at this little dive in the middle of nowhere. Downieville is a neat little town. It would be fun to do some camping along the river in this area. Just beautiful from there to Yuba Pass, awesome riding to with 45-55mph turns and hills following the river up to its origin in the snow pack. Again there is about 5 feet of snow on the side of the road at the pass.

Then the road quickly drops down to this high mountain valley to Sattley. I find myself traveling on the same  road from Sattley to Sierraville (Hwy 49/89) in the same direction that I came on the way to Sonora--wierd. I  had to get something to eat before hitting Hwy 395 at Hallelujah Junction, so I stopped at Hotel Restaurant and Lounge in Loyalton. This was a big mistake. I should have gotten a cold sandwich and a small salad. Instead I got chicken fried steak (that was drowning in a gallon of gravey) and beef barley soup. Horrible food and the service was sooo slooow.

Twenty minutes later I hit 395 just as dusk set in. 60 miles to Susanville. I was scared to death that I was going to see deer, but at 75mph there isn't a lot to do about it but get in behind a car and pray. I finally made it to Susanville about 10pm. I pulled into the same motel, the "Pine Inn", and the guy gave me the same exact room I had on my way to Sonora. Thank God they have a comfortable bed!