Attack of the Twisties

[Tyler]

Our adventure to Kings Canyon (KC) & Sequoia National Park (SNP) started off tentatively... it was a grey, drizzly morning and I hoped we hadn't waited too long in the season to make this trip. But our dauntless crew started the ride off with smiles anyway... Sue was the organizer for this trip and a spectacular job she did... but I'm getting ahead of myself!

Day One Route

We started the day's route with Tesla Rd. to Corral Hollow, making our way through the drizzly day and into the Central Valley... even with the gloomy skies, the scenery was still beautiful...

A bit of unplanned re-routing took us on Hornitos Rd. and then Bear Valley Rd. Both roads were a ton of fun but they put us further south on 49 than originally planned and past the infamous "Little Dragon" section that we had all looked forward to riding... so we did it twice... oh darn! You can see CC in the middle and Lothar further ahead of her towards the bottom...

We regrouped in Coulterville for a group photo opp at the old train on the side of the road... talk about herding cats...

Bummer we weren't going to be in town for this... but little did we know it a sign of things to come...

 

[Tyler]

Did an about face and retraced our steps back up the Little Dragon... just look at all that wiggly pavement!

On the way into Mariposa, I spied this sign... not really sure what it was all about but to each their own I guess...

Lunch in Mariposa was yuhMEEE!!

Aril and Curt...

Tummies full and happy, off we took our trusty steeds and chariots to conquer Ben Hur Rd...

Oops... sorry... wrong photo...

The trees were a gorgeous burnt orange color amidst the gold hills...

Once we got out to 41, a few of us decided to high tail it to the hotel while others continued the day's route along N. Fork Rd., Auberry/Powerhouse, and a few others for good measure... as we rode along 41, in the west the sun was bursting through some openings in the clouds creating what I've heard called "God's Fingers" as the light streamed down from the heavens to the earth... it was awesome to behold...

 

[Tyler]

We stayed in beautiful downtown Clovis for the evening and dined here...

Tejas and Lothar, gentlemen in waiting to escort Susan J. to dinner...

Scott was really happy... Geoff was a little nervous...

"Don't worry, Geoff... I'll protect you..."

Susan took over keeping watch over Scott...

Sue said "Hold me!!" So he did...

Then Sue said, "I'll hold you!" And she did...

Scott said, "You want me to hold what???"

The kids' table...

Marie and François may be married, but evidently uninvited sipping of your spouse's adult beverage is frowned upon...

And then it started...

Unbeknownst to us, Saturday was Karaoke Night at the restaurant... this kid was doing a Justin Bieber imitation and wasn't too bad...

As with all things karaoke, there were some surprisingly good singers... and, um, others... when in doubt, sway and shout...

We ended the evening with what all tired motorcyclists do... HOT TUBBIN'!

 

[Tyler]

Day Two Route

The next morning dawned with a lovely sunrise against blue skies... a good omen for the day...

The day's plan was to head up 180 to KC and then back out through SNP... the morning was cool, the sun was bright, and spirits were high...

The first ascent up 180 is simply a fricking HOOT! I didn't take any pics on the way up because I was just having too much fun riding it! But then about 2/3 of the way up, we encountered this...

It got pretty thick for a little bit and we were all a little worried that our visit would be hampered by it but even fog has its own kind of beauty...

I was so focused on getting the bikes in the fog, that I didn't even notice the sun streaming through the fog and trees until Lothar pointed me in the right direction...

And then we broke out of the fog into sunny, blue skies... we made quite a spectacle in the queue to get into the park...

"We made it!!!!"

But no trip with the Wades seems to be complete without a flat... and the tradition continued on this trip... how many motorcyclists does it take to change a flat? One to do the actual work...

And twelve to stand around to share their opinions... oh, I mean, for moral support...

 

[Tyler]

So while the repair was in progress, we ambled up the trail to see the General Grant Tree. From the brochure: "Measuring 267.4 feet tall and 107.6 feet around, it is the earth's second-largest tree. While still a youngster at 1,800 to 2,000 years old, the beautiful behemoth is the star attraction of a grove of 2,000 and 3,000-year-old sequoias."

Sue and Tejas in front of one of the smaller fallen trees...

Steam rising as the sun's glow warmed up the the moist trees...

Moss...

Gamlin Cabin

The tire repair required more extensive means so Scott took the tire off, drove it into Visalia to have it replaced, and the rest of us were set loose upon KC like kids in a big playground...

looking down at the sea of fog we had braved through...

Lothar is never difficult to find in his safety vest...

Heading for the canyon...

Do you see it?

Yeah that... we have to ride that road?? Oh darn...

 

[Tyler]

No stone can undermine Ma Nature...

Into the canyon we go...

A river runs through it...

Mineral deposits on the rocks made them practically glow...

Proof positive...

Heading back out of the canyon...

We hadn't seen much fall foliage in this area but there were little bits here and there if you kept your eyes open and paid attention...

Rather than riding back through the park, we took an alternative route down to Hume Lake on 10-Mile Rd. which actually was about 10 miles! The first section down to the lake is goat-esque...

Lothar was all smiles...

Until we arrived at Hume Lake for gas and lunch...

There are very few options for gas in the direct vicinity so you had to take what you could get... and we got it good alright...

While it was sunny, it was still quite chilly so we stayed layered up while we picnicked next to the lake...

Marie...

After lunch, we continued along 10-Mile Rd... Sue/CalifNative enjoying the journey...

 

[Tyler]

Then the famed 198, aka General's Highway... it starts out tame enough through the redwoods... it was damp through this section...

And as things started to get really interesting, we ran into this...

Roadwork resulting in up to 20-minute delays... it was a big road party as people visited with one another, enjoyed the sunshine, and soaked in the view...

Team Yellow - Leslie, Bob, Cathy, and Bill (deemed thusly because of their riding gear) - were a bit further behind in line...

It was our turn to traverse through the construction zone which was unpaved, hard-packed dirt but with a little mud thrown in for good measure... given the Spyder is rear-wheel driven, it got a little exciting in a couple of places as the back wheel spun up and drifted a bit... the car behind me finally got the idea he should back off when the rear kicked up a bunch of mud and rocks at him... I didn't do it on purpose... HONEST... that's my story and I'm sticking to it!!

And it seems that I got to bring some of that construction muck home with me...

Once clear of the construction, traffic slowly made its way down the extremely tight turns and switchbacks... I pulled over and let the rest of the line of cars go past thus ensuring me of no traffic ahead of me or behind me... the road was all mine and what fun it was!!!

Leslie and hubby, Bob, on their way down finally freed from the construction...

This is not a road for the meek and can challenge even the best of riders... but I am happy to say that everyone made it down in one piece!

We concluded our romp in Three Rivers at the Comfort Inn where we made new friends at the hot tub and then headed for dinner at the Pizza Factory... they were happy to see us...

And we were happy to be seen!

Michael had to work on Saturday but high-tailed it up to meet us that evening in record time... he was even early which is really great considering he didn't speed at all... that's his story and he's sticking to it!

Curt put a spell on Scott...

And it worked... I think...

We all toodled off for sweet riding dreams... but there was still more in store the next day...

 

[Tyler]

Day Three Route

Another gorgeous day dawned and we set out along 198 again...

And then Yokohl Rd...

The sun was out in force...

Which then turns into Yokohl Valley Rd... I think that must be some sort of code name for "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" because this one was a doozy! Twisty, Goaty, Bumpy, Snaky, Swirly, and Loopy (the seven dwarves of this road) kept me quite busy...

Pond at the bottom after things smooth out... whew!

Balch Park Rd. to 190 where we took a short break before continuing on another amazing set of tnt's (twists 'n turns)...

I followed the sound of running water and found a beautiful rock-laden river...

The path down to the river kind of reminded me of Yokohl Valley Rd in some sections...

Now how do I describe the next 50 or so miles along 190, aka Western Divide Hwy? Sublime? Dazzling? Magnificent? Resplendent? How about all of the above! Traversing through beautiful vistas - from the lower to the higher Sierras - this has now earned a place in my top ten roads list which is a challenge because there are just so many in CA!

A small waterfall on the side of the road...

 

[majicmaker]

Outstanding Tyler! Thanks for sharing. :clapping:

 

[Tyler]

And then I rounded the corner just after Quaking Aspens Campground to this...

The sun lit up these trees as though they were plugged into an electrical circuit somewhere... I had given up hope of seeing any big show of fall colors so I was grateful to the powers that be to remind me not to ever give up hope...

We took a break at the junction of Western Divide Hwy and Parker Pass Rd. (M-50) and saw these guys hauling a** destined for a dirt road with their name on it, I'm sure...

Heading down for the flatlands, I came around a turn and found these critters loitering about... no warning, no signs, no fences... just a buttload of cattle smack dab in the middle of nowhere...

There were more groups of them on the way down so we delicately rode past them so they wouldn't get spooked... the view in the Central valley... and that's not fog...

And then finished off the morning's route with Hot Springs Drive...

Traipsing along road construction on Ave 56...

Landing in Ducor for gas and a gourmet snack stop... Curt's getting pretty good at the poser thing...

At this point, I knew it was time to put a fork in me cause I was done... lol Technical twisty stuff is exhausting on the Spyder so I decided I would just hightail it up I5 to 152 and home while the rest of the group continued on the day's planned route into Coalinga, 198, and finally 25 into Hollister before scattering for home...

But first we had to get to I5 and it was so exciting and scenic... NOT! Straight, straight, straight as far as the eye could see and a whole lotta nuthin' to look at... one of the necessary evils of getting over to that side of the Central valley...

Waiting for a train... tick tock...

I saw white stuff all over the side of the road and wondered what it was...

Cotton... but you have to say it like the Wicked Witch of the West says "Poppies"... hey, I was getting a little delirious by this time so sue me...

The jaunt up I5 was quick and easy with no traffic to hamper my forward momentum... along 152, I practiced my high-speed, on-board photo technique... didn't go too well... lol

Finally, scooted up 101... just me and my shadow... heading for "there's no place like home"...

I arrived home to happy pups who were thrilled to see me, a daughter who was glad I made it home alive once again, and the comfort of my home, a nice glass of vino, and a TempurPedic mattress just waiting for me to fall into... hard to put into words but it was simply... practically perfect in every way.

FIN

 

[wheatonFJR]

Great photos! :clapping:

 

[marcusorelius]

Great report! Can't believe that road construction is still the same as 1 1/2 years ago when we were there! (well ya it don't suprize me) Lake Hume (couldn't remember the name of that place) is such a pretty spot!

 

[user 28803]

Another great report and some beautiful pics ! Thanks!

 

[Panman]

Great report young lady, I'm a bit jealous here. The roads are starting to fill with wet leaves so they will be a bit nasty for a while! Looks like a great weekend.

 

[Longrider]

Excellent photos. Most of the area you rode through was land I managed for 30 years. Many of the roads were ones that were built during my administration. Most were constructed for logging purposes, but one of the standards we used insured they were paved. Unfortunately with all the law suits over logging, maintenance on the roads has about stopped.

Good you rode them now, as they are not going to get any better.

Bruce

AKA Longrider

 

[oldgun]

Those are hands down the best photos I have seen on any forum. The one with the Spyder in the curve should be in an ad for Can-Am.

Looks like y'all had a great time, thanks for taking me on the trip.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Wow...outstanding report Tyler and very tasty roads y'all have down thar!!

Take me on a tour one of these days...please?!?

--G

 

[Fontanaman]

Great ride report and photos. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Niehart]

Tyler, I think this one is my current favorite so far. Thanks!