LOST COAST ROAD condition ???

[exskibum]

I last rode Lost Coast Rd. in Sept. '06, but it's looking like WFO9 may put us in the neighborhood of this mysterious/beautiful road again. In 2006, I came in off 101, west on Bull Creek Rd (through the Roosevelt Grove of the Humboldt Redwood Forest just west of 101) which turns into Mattole Road before you get to Honeydew (which is just across that one lane steel bridge). That road between Honeydew and 101 was paved all the way to Honeydew, but a little rough in places. So, . . .

1) Does anyone have any recent experience or pics of that road (between 101 and Honeydew) or a reliable report on its condition?

When we got to Honeydew, looking left (south) from Honeydew at Wilder Ridge Rd toward Ettersburg, south of which it becomes Ettersburg-Honeydew Rd until it Tees into Briceland Rd (the road between Garberville and Shelter Cove), it appeared that the road south was dirt and gravel only. We went north on Mattole Rd. (i.e., most of the Lost Coast Rd), which is paved though rough in a few sections, all the way to Petrolia and then to Ferndale. I figured that one day I'd like to ride the southern unpaved section of the Lost Coast road, either on the FJR or on a dual sport if necessary. So, . . .

2) Does anyone have any recent experience or pics of the road between Honeydew and Briceland Rd., a reliable report on its condition or any advice, recommendations or stories about riding it in mid summer?

and

3) Does anyone have any recent experience or pics of Mattole Rd. from Honeydew to Ferndale, or a reliable report on its condition?

TIA

 

[MCRIDER007]

3) Does anyone have any recent experience or pics of Mattole Rd. from Honeydew to Ferndale, or a reliable report on its condition?

I guess it depends on what you call recent, I rode it in May 09. Lots of broken pavement and rough spots but there were not any washouts on the wall and very little gravel. Its a good road for a bike with long travel suspension but the FJR did fine on it...then.

 

[Old Michael]

3) Does anyone have any recent experience or pics of Mattole Rd. from Honeydew to Ferndale, or a reliable report on its condition?

Lots of broken pavement and rough spots

Sounds like a BlackBird road. You don't want to screw up your good bike, Rich.

 

[exskibum]

3) Does anyone have any recent experience or pics of Mattole Rd. from Honeydew to Ferndale, or a reliable report on its condition?

Lots of broken pavement and rough spots

Sounds like a BlackBird road. You don't want to screw up your good bike, Rich.

Nope, it's gonna be the FJR 2 up -- the Blackbird's hooligan suspension set up would shake my old bones too much nowadays on those roads.

What McRider described for the section he rode is pretty much how I'd have described it for my Sept. '06 traversing of the same section of road. Within the last couple years, though, it seems I heard an unsubstantiated rumor (or dreamed) that the road between 101 and Honeydew was now dirt (didn't make sense with the state of gov't budgets) and I don't really expect that to be what I'd find, but thought I'd ask.

I'm mostly interested in the state of the road between Honeydew to the north and Briceland Rd. to the south. I'll ride it on the FJR if it's dirt or gravel, so long as it's not a true goat trail with potholes and washouts everywhere, or populated with hillbillies or drug producers threatening motorcycle riding intruders with firearms.

For those who have not been on it, Lost Coast Road is the kind of place that is not only beautiful, but makes me wonder about those who once lived there, about what that place was once like when people could make a go of it living there. You know -- old barn pics, abandoned houses and still some operating horse ranches, etc. Unique place. BTW, the longest stretch of uninterrupted and undeveloped coastline to backpack on the California coast is over the ridge/mountain from (west of) Lost Coast Road -- between the Mattole Lighthouse and Shelter Cove (the actual "Lost Coast"), and that's another adventure I've always wanted to do.

 

[flying junior]

I last rode there in the fall of '08, and I came to the conclusion that the Humboldt County Road Dep't doesn't have a way to keep its hot mix hot when it sends the crews out to patch the potholes. The damn roads are covered with piles of asphalt that was put on cold and never smoothed out. Rough and unpleasant riding, but absolutely stunning landscapes to look at, nevertheless.

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

READ: I am not saying the roads the OP specifically asked about are dirt. I have no knowledge of them.

Small hijack: I read a bit on ADVrider about it being fun on a dual-sport. Sections are dirt. if it has been raining for a few days, then the ruts are awful.

 

[Aasland]

I rode Mattole Road in Aug 2009.

Honeydew to Ferndale is rough, but not too bad, and this isn't what you're asking about.

But Honeydew to 101 (along Bull Creek) is crap. I will not ride that road again until they repave it.

Close to Honeydew we hit a deep pothole with a sharp edge which dented our rims. That cost $200 and took months to fix. Buddy on his ST1100 had an even bigger dent. Third guy (VFR) saw us hit it and managed to avoid it.

They were repaving a small section on the western edge of the Humboldt Grove, but most of it was in very poor condition .. flying junior describes that road accurately. It's a peg-stander the whole way.

I have not ridden Wilder Ridge Road.

 

[Auburn]

Did the road in July 2 up pulling a trailer. The scenery is spectacular. The road is so rough it would have been better if it was gravel. The end from Honeydew to Ferndale has one of the steepest patch paved roads I have ever ridden. The only steeper road I can recall is the section at the Stewart Point end goint to Lake Sonoma.

If you want to go slow and ejoy the scenery, this road is for you. But it is rough as hell.

 

[FarWestFastEddie]

Maybe ask a local? they generally know which county roads are

geared towards a dual sport and which roads favor a sport-crusier.

The major highways all favor the FJR, many of the old connector

roads and county roads also favor the FJR, some of the very old

connectors are more for the Dualsports.

Highways 101,299,96, 36 and 3 all work great for the FJR

lots of big looping trips can be had based from this area.

FWFE

 

[exskibum]

Maybe ask a local? they generally know which county roads are geared towards a dual sport and which roads favor a sport-crusier.

The major highways all favor the FJR, many of the old connector

roads and county roads also favor the FJR, some of the very old

connectors are more for the Dualsports.

Highways 101,299,96, 36 and 3 all work great for the FJR

lots of big looping trips can be had based from this area.

FWFE

OK

That's why I was hoping someone like you would respond1, but you didn't answer any of my questions. :unknw:

I have ridden each of the highways you cited from three to a dozen times in the last decade, so I'm not concerned that they've changed markedly. I've also ridden a few lesser known connector roads in the area a few times, but I am specifically asking about Lost Coast Rd.

As I stated in my initial post, in September 2006, I rode my FJR west over Bull Creek Rd. from 101 to Honeydew, and then north on Lost Coast Rd. to Ferndale and then to Fortuna, where I was staying the night. Again, as stated, all of that was paved, with some rough spots and some areas for as much as maybe a hundred or so yards that were gravel. So, if you know: IS THAT THE CONDITION WE CAN EXPECT ON THOSE STRETCHES OF ROAD IN JULY 2010?

Also as noted, on the same ride, I could see that south of Honeydew, Lost Coast Rd. (aka Wilder Ridge Rd?) was all dirt or gravel, but I did not ride that section. I would like to ride that section this time, depending upon what I can expect of the road between Briceville Road2 and Honeydew. So, if you know: WHAT IS THE CONDITION OF LOST COAST ROAD BETWEEN HONEYDEW ON THE NORTH AND BRICEVILLE ROAD ON THE SOUTH, AND IS THERE ANY REASON TO THINK AN FJR CANNOT NEGOTIATE IT3 THIS JULY?

1[SIZE=8pt]I thought you WERE a local from the location info under your avatar.[/SIZE]

2[SIZE=8pt]Briceville Rd. is the east-west road from just north of Garberville to Shelter Cove.[/SIZE]

3[SIZE=8pt]If the road's condition is such that a 2 up FJR cannot go ~ 5 to10 mph through its worst sections (e.g., it's riddled with potholes, badly rutted, or is covered in water, deep fine dust or soft gravel), then I'll pass on that section again this trip and do it some other time on my dual sport.[/SIZE]

 

[FarWestFastEddie]

Well, you seem to have made yourself rather clear, I was thinking you had

been reading the others comments on various roads, so here is some local

input.

The county road from 101 at the south fork to Honeydew go thru the

Albee state campground, from that point to the top of Panther Gap there

is quite a bit of road damage every year due to storms, and by July may

not be repaired, the western slop from Panther Gap down into Honeydew

is generally smoother. Not much more can be said from Honeydew to

Ferndale, thru Petrolia is a very remote stretch, Petrolia up the hill, which

have spectacular views of the Pacific, and at that point are at one of

the most Western reaches of the continental US, Though I digress..

These roads when exposed are very rough and subject to washboard

and potholes, almost any inside turn in canopied areas have a tendancy

to slough off, and you can expect gravel.

Film at 11!

 

[exskibum]

Gracias. Looking forward to the promised film.

Cool so far, but I have ridden all that. And I guess what you're telling me about those stretches is what I suspected: road repair budgets are such that it is bound to be getting rougher by the year, and like the Sierras, winter's worst damage takes a while each summer to be repaired even when there is money to do it.** In other words, that part sounds FJR RIDEABLE to me! :clapping:

BUT . . .

What I'm most interested in is that stretch south of Honeydew -- from Briceville Road at the Shelter Cove end to Honeydew. More guidance por favor?

** [SIZE=8pt]I suspect the same for other connectors, like Alderpoint Road from Bridgeville to Garberville, or NF1 between Mad Creek on 36 and 299.[/SIZE]

 

[FarWestFastEddie]

Briceland Road to Shelter Cove is a main artery and fairly well

maintained road, I have not been on Shelter Cove-Briceland

to Honeydew, so only can say it must one rough some *****,

I work for the utitlity industry, and have been over almost

every road in Humboldt County, over the last 35 years,,,

some, not is over 20 years, in the north east part of the

county. Hope this helps, remember to pack your fog screen.

 

[exskibum]

Briceland Road to Shelter Cove is a main artery and fairly well maintained road, I have not been on Shelter Cove-Briceland

to Honeydew, so only can say it must one rough some *****,

I work for the utitlity industry, and have been over almost

every road in Humboldt County, over the last 35 years,,,

some, not is over 20 years, in the north east part of the

county. Hope this helps, remember to pack your fog screen.

HA!!! Yeah, that says a lot. As I feared. Oh well, I put together two Lost Coast routes on MapSource for the GPS -- one with and one without that dirt section south of Honeydew. Looks like the one with it will have to wait 'til I get over there on the KLR, which is a shame. But if we can avoid getting a fog burn, we'll have some fun anyway!

Thank you sir -- you are a gentleman and a roads scholar.

 

[humboldtfjrz]

hope its not to late to chime in , could some one send me a map of this run- I can relay the message to some county acquaintances, if they dont know they will never get out and fix these roads - its worth a shot. but it will take alot of luck and $$$$$$$. I have only had my FJR for almost a year so i havent ventured off to far. 299,36,20 fun /warm, 101pretty /cool / sometimes wet fog , i would love to get on a run with a bunch of FJRs so if i can help hala

 

[humboldtfjrz]

whats the dates in july, do i ride south and meet up with a crew and head north ?? i also heard ther might be a fjr get together in Medford OR every year ? thats a good ride 299 to weaverville, really nice ride to Yreka on 3, up 5 yuck to Medford , come back on 199 to 101south. im ready

 

[Fairlaner]

Dude you are going to be invaded........

July 22nd thru July 25th.

Make sure you have lots of beer in your fridge......

R

 

[SacramentoMike]

Dude you are going to be invaded........
July 22nd thru July 25th.

Make sure you have lots of beer in your fridge......

R

And leave some out of your fridge for the Englishmen.

 

[tcfjr]

And leave some out of your fridge for the crazy Englishmen.

Fixed it for you, Mike...