7 day trip in California....

[nusman68]

-Planning a roadtrip with the family; will be trailering my 2 bikes from TX to CA; then we drop off the kids w/relatives, park the car & trailer and hit the road on the bikes (I'll be on the the FJR, wife on the GS1100L). Will be starting from Sacramento, and need to end up in the Lake Shasta area 7 days later (I have a ride-in reservation at Russell seats that morning). We've been looking at maps; would like suggestions for the best roads/routes/places to go, etc. We would like to incorporate Redwood Nat'l Park into the mix...thanks in advance for any input.

 

[Toecutter]

Just PM OrangevaleFJR. That's his backyard and he's a Pashnit member. He can hook you up.

Got any dates yet?

Maybe there'll be a group ride during the time you're here.

 

[HIGHLANDER]

-Planning a roadtrip with the family; will be trailering my 2 bikes from TX to CA; then we drop off the kids w/relatives, park the car & trailer and hit the road on the bikes (I'll be on the the FJR, wife on the GS1100L). Will be starting from Sacramento, and need to end up in the Lake Shasta area 7 days later (I have a ride-in reservation at Russell seats that morning). We've been looking at maps; would like suggestions for the best roads/routes/places to go, etc. We would like to incorporate Redwood Nat'l Park into the mix...thanks in advance for any input.

Ok we could send you north out of Truckee on 89 , but then you could make Shasta in a day if you were determined, so... east out of Sac on 120 to just north of Healdsburg at 101, where there is Stewarts Point / Skagg Springs road, a great road to the coast, ( part of WFO 2 route ), head north on Highway 1 to Point Arena, ( Really nice Best Western at the cove $$$ but worth it )

Next day ride Highway 1 north ( You MUST do the 1 whatever your route finally is ) to anywhere around Fortuna for the night.This will take you through the Giant Redwoods area. ( you could spend the day here relaxing in the woods ) Also up in this area is the Lost Coast.... a slow, bumpy scenic area.

Next comes 36 east to 3 north to 299 west back to the coast at Arcata for the night. ( Arms will hurt after that ride, but so will your face from smiling so much )

Next Day 299 back to 96 north to Highway 5 south , to the town of Mt Shasta at 89 east, to 299 west back to Redding / Shasta.

This is a pretty twistie route through some of the greatest roads in Cali. I tried to break it up a little as your riding with the wife and you I'm sure you don't want any butt burner rides cause if mamma ain't happy papa ain't either !

Any questions, fire away, all the Cali guys with give ya 2 cents worth !

 

[SilveradoSlick]

Starting out from Sac, I'm guessing that what Highlander meant was go north and catch Highway 20 west. You could go east but it's kinda a long slog to the Atlantic and back.

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

-Planning a roadtrip with the family; will be trailering my 2 bikes from TX to CA; then we drop off the kids w/relatives, park the car & trailer and hit the road on the bikes (I'll be on the the FJR, wife on the GS1100L). Will be starting from Sacramento, and need to end up in the Lake Shasta area 7 days later (I have a ride-in reservation at Russell seats that morning). We've been looking at maps; would like suggestions for the best roads/routes/places to go, etc. We would like to incorporate Redwood Nat'l Park into the mix...thanks in advance for any input.

Oh boy! Seven Days!!! Woohoo! You are going to see some primo motorcycling!!!

I live in Orangevale, which is about 15 miles East of Downtown Sacramento on US-50, just across the American River from Folsom. No worries, the prison is at least 7 miles upstream and I didn't buy river-front property when it was still affordable.

Anyway, the ride you are talking about is a ride I have been contemplating for quite some time and it really does take 7 days to make this all worthwhile.

First of all, see this ride:

I think this ride should be your exit out of Sacramento. Of course, you wouldn't make it a round trip.

Sacramento To St Helena in Napa Valley

Now since that was a round trip ride, you can lunch in St. Helena, then go North from there to Calistoga and get a hotel with a spa and relax for the evening...or you can keep riding.

An example of a longer one way trip is here:

Ride from Sacramento to Bodega Bay

Now this gets you out to the coast in a really nice and fun part of CA 1. Beware of the fog in the summer. But most days it burns off early enough. Take the Coast North, and take some roads back and forth from the coast to US-101 and have fun. US 101 this far North is not your typical superslabbing...it's a nice ride as can be seen in this report:

Sacramento to the Avenue of the Giants (Redwoods) and Lost Coast Higheway

Those above rides are too cool for words...and pictures help a lot, but still don't get you all the way there.

Now...from there, look into taking 36 from Humbolt over to Shasta...there is a road off of 36 that will take you straight to Shasta. I still need to go do a ride report on 36 for the FJRForum (and me).

Coming back...look to 89 Southbound. Take it all the way to Truckee, and then look at these ride reports and incoporate 49, 20, Georgetown Road

49 to 89 to Truckee and back

oops...cant find the other one...not that important.

Now...all that said, if you can crank that into 5 days and have two more days of rides, let me know!

For a great road report page, go to https://www.pashnit.com (pronounced Passionate). The money he asks for is worth it and that he completed these ride reports of HUNDREDS of great motorcylcing roads with a deep passion for his craft is beyond question.

Oh! And if you want some action photography of you and your wife in any of these rides, let us know! We'd love to come for a ride with you and share our day with the FJRforum!

 

[HIGHLANDER]

Starting out from Sac, I'm guessing that what Highlander meant was go north and catch Highway 20 west. You could go east but it's kinda a long slog to the Atlantic and back.

Doh,,, I meant the other east , and I was trying to head WEST on 128, not 120! Hey it's late OK, and the meds are kicking in! :blink:

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

Starting out from Sac, I'm guessing that what Highlander meant was go north and catch Highway 20 west. You could go east but it's kinda a long slog to the Atlantic and back.

Doh,,, I meant the other east , and I was trying to head WEST on 128, not 120! Hey it's late OK, and the meds are kicking in! :blink:

Okay Highlander...we're sick of waiting for you. Do we have to get you a GL1800 or have Wilbers create some '65 Sedan DeeVille Retro shocks for the FJR

That looks like a great set of roads you put up there...especially the 36 299 Arcata stuff...I'm jonesin for that ride!

 

[SilveradoSlick]

Doh,,, I meant the other east biggrin.gif , and I was trying to head WEST on 128, not 120! Hey it's late OK, and the meds are kicking in! blink.gif

Well, I guessed right on the direction and wrong on the highway. I do like 20 over to 101, though. I really like 20 from 101 to 1.

I guess the advantage to a bad back is the meds. How's the back coming?

 

[nusman68]

I appreciate all the great replies and ideas! Once again this forum proves itself! As things stand now, the plan is to leave Sac. (actually Tracy) on June 7, probably about noon after dropping off kids, etc. Need to be at Russell seats the morning of the 13th.

Spoke to wifey about the possibility of hooking up with some of you; she's game, but reminded me she's no speed demon and wouldn't want to hold anybody up. She's still new to it with a couple of thousand miles under her belt, although she rides faster than the typical cruiser crowd. TC/Orangevale: I'll probably PM ya'll as the time draws closer...see if there's a ride going on.

Regards all

Brad

 

[HIGHLANDER]

Okay Highlander...we're sick of waiting for you. Do we have to get you a GL1800 or have Wilbers create some '65 Sedan DeeVille Retro shocks for the FJR

NO GL1800 for me... a need a trike right about now !

I guess the advantage to a bad back is the meds. How's the back coming?

My Insurance flipped over finally in May, records are being tranfered, hope to talk to a surgeon soon

And Nusman no worries about the speed , your wife will be protected.

 

[Toecutter]

My days off fall June 9-12. Looks like it might be a good weekend to ride.

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

I appreciate all the great replies and ideas! Once again this forum proves itself! As things stand now, the plan is to leave Sac. (actually Tracy) on June 7, probably about noon after dropping off kids, etc. Need to be at Russell seats the morning of the 13th. Spoke to wifey about the possibility of hooking up with some of you; she's game, but reminded me she's no speed demon and wouldn't want to hold anybody up. She's still new to it with a couple of thousand miles under her belt, although she rides faster than the typical cruiser crowd. TC/Orangevale: I'll probably PM ya'll as the time draws closer...see if there's a ride going on.

Regards all

Brad

We'd love to ride with you no matter the speed. Speeding around the mountains and such is a lot of fun, but it does tend to make you miss the beauty! With the riding you'll have here, you might just make this an annual event! Maybe Sherri and I should see if we can schedule a similar Russell day!

 

[nusman68]

Toecutter, OrangevaleFJR, highlander...you all have mail (oh, sorry for the 'multi-PMs', toe..this system works a bit differently from my work interoffice E-mail). Thanks