exskibum
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On or about the 23rd or 24th of April, I'm riding south to see my Dad for several days, and I need a little guidance on mid to southern California routes (Sierra foothill side of Central Valley). I know the Hwy 88 and northernmost segment of the Hwy 49 part of my route well enough, and once knew a bit about southern California roads, but that knowledge is waaayyyyy out of date (moved away long ago). I hate superslab and want to try to make this a pleasant all day (or 2 day) ride through interesting areas to the extent possible. In addition to route suggestions, I'd appreciate any info about road conditions, adverse conditions, high LEO concentration areas, general cautions or closures that you may kow about. So, here's what I have in mind:
I'm flexible (see ** below) planning to leave the Minden/Gardnerville area around 7:30 am, heading west over 88 to Jackson, where I'll go south on 49 to Oakhurst. That's where I begin needing route planning assistance in hooking up with my most southerly planned route, which begins at Maricopa (west of Bakersfield). From Maricopa, my intention is to head southwest on 166 to 33 south to 150 southeast through Ojai to Santa Paula, then east on 126 to Fillmore, then south on 23 to Moorpark and on to Olsen Road (my Dad lives a couple miles from there).
I'll probably ride home along a similar path, but with the intent to taking a few different scenic roads, to the extent there are alternative roads that are feasible and worth riding. In that middle section between Oakhurst and Maricopa/Bakersfield, Whether going or coming back, I'd like to see the scenery on routes that go near or through Pine Flats, Kings Canyon Nat'l Park, Three Rivers, Springville, Balch Park, Tule River, Lake Isabella and/or Kern River if that's feasible. (A lot of this is memory lane stuff in areas I have a vague recollection of from way back, mostly with my parents, who aren't going to be around a lot longer.)
Time and/or mileage estimates for any of these sections (including Hwy 49 from Jackson to Oakhurst) would also be helpful.
** If I'm trying to ride too many miles that high speeds will be essential to making it before dark (considering these roads, as opposed to doing it on superslab, where I know it's an 8 hour trip or so), I'll probably leave early afternoon the day before and hit a motel or campground (budget value suggestions welcomed) somewhere around Oakhurst or south of there, making it a leisurely 2 day ride. In fact, the more I study maps and consider memories and photo opportunities, the more I like the 2 day variant.
Thanks in advance for your insights, experience and route planning wisdom.
I'm flexible (see ** below) planning to leave the Minden/Gardnerville area around 7:30 am, heading west over 88 to Jackson, where I'll go south on 49 to Oakhurst. That's where I begin needing route planning assistance in hooking up with my most southerly planned route, which begins at Maricopa (west of Bakersfield). From Maricopa, my intention is to head southwest on 166 to 33 south to 150 southeast through Ojai to Santa Paula, then east on 126 to Fillmore, then south on 23 to Moorpark and on to Olsen Road (my Dad lives a couple miles from there).
I'll probably ride home along a similar path, but with the intent to taking a few different scenic roads, to the extent there are alternative roads that are feasible and worth riding. In that middle section between Oakhurst and Maricopa/Bakersfield, Whether going or coming back, I'd like to see the scenery on routes that go near or through Pine Flats, Kings Canyon Nat'l Park, Three Rivers, Springville, Balch Park, Tule River, Lake Isabella and/or Kern River if that's feasible. (A lot of this is memory lane stuff in areas I have a vague recollection of from way back, mostly with my parents, who aren't going to be around a lot longer.)
Time and/or mileage estimates for any of these sections (including Hwy 49 from Jackson to Oakhurst) would also be helpful.
** If I'm trying to ride too many miles that high speeds will be essential to making it before dark (considering these roads, as opposed to doing it on superslab, where I know it's an 8 hour trip or so), I'll probably leave early afternoon the day before and hit a motel or campground (budget value suggestions welcomed) somewhere around Oakhurst or south of there, making it a leisurely 2 day ride. In fact, the more I study maps and consider memories and photo opportunities, the more I like the 2 day variant.
Thanks in advance for your insights, experience and route planning wisdom.
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