So MM2 and I have been chatting and it's time to meet for the annual spring North Bay run. Last year it was Occidental, both the previous years it was Konocti Harbor. So book your weekend now as the natives are getting restless
We will meet at Moskowite Corners [intersection of 121 and 128] @ 0900, for the meet and greet. If it's a large group we will try to split up for a " shared destination " type of ride.
THE ROUTE
SO……. here’s the plan , weather permitting. We need no days with a hard freeze between now and ride date otherwise the route may change. The problem being the Hopland Grade, over HWY 175. It was covered in crushed red cinders last weekend, as there was a freeze a few days before. I rode the single tire track over the grade and it still stepped out front or rear more than a couple times. It’d be no fun for the two uppers. It will still probably be dirty and caution is the key word here, but we need this road to transverse the mountain , our other options are too far north or south.
So we start off at the junction meet point of 121 / 128, North on 128 to a right on Berryessa / Knoxville road, then left on Pope Canyon, link to Pope Valley, then Butts Canyon.. Left on 29, then quick right on 175 to a left on Bottle Rock Rd ( Bottle Rock’s out if there’s a freeze ). This dead ends at 175 / 29 again, left again, then left to the Hopland grade to the town of Hopland. Right at 101 for a couple hundred yards to the BlueBird Café.
We’ll break for lunch at the Blue Bird Café, pretty easy to find.
After lunch we head south for Mt House road, to 128 east, then south to Dutcher Creek road. Dutcher to Skaggs Springs road, we’ll run the 15 miles to the dam and then turn around and run it out. If you’ve never done Skaggs it is not to be missed. One of the best short roads in the state, it’s one of those roads that goes nowhere but to a goat trail, it has smooth surface, more miles of guard rail than Interstate 5 !. A true politicians pork belly road, lot’s of money spent for nothing !
LEO enforcement can be heavy, or non existent, so riders beware !
Back out of Skaggs to go south on Dry Creek rd. A quick on / off the 101 to Westside Dr, south till it hits River road. East on River, crossing 101, to Mark West Springs / Porter Creek / Petrified Forest rd to Calistoga.
We’ll review time left for riding at this point, depends how much Blah, Blah, Blah happens at lunch.
The optional ending from Calistoga is to head south on Silverado Trail , left on Deer Park through Agwin, up Howell Mtn, rd, right on Chiles/ Pope south, to east on 128 to the Junction where we began..
If there any feedback on the route, PM me, and in a couple days I’ll move this up to the initial post.
I think it’s a pretty long route, so get to the junction early for the tire kicking session. I’ve been known not to stop till we’re out of gas, so get your groove on !!
BTW…..The Café is now open at the junction for breakfast………didn’t get the hours written down though.
I’d like to split this into two groups at least, maybe a 9-30 and a 9-45 departure ???
The run is earlier this year, it may be cold, it may be wet, so be prepared, 'cause it'll be fun anyway. B)
If rained out we'll move to the next weekend.
Post up & I'll keep the list updated please.
MadMike2
Highlander (2up )
Jb
Bike Effects
Weekend Rider
Ric-in Sac (2up)
Orangevale (2up)
Bluestreek (2up)
Painman
ds_928 - out as the dealer dropped his bike !!
Yamalude
Tinker
NightShine
FJRay ( maybe )
Skyway (2up)
Last Chance
rontoride
Silveradoslicks..... no show ..SWMBO overuled !!
12handler
MrWizard
DR.Rich
exskibum (2up)
JREW (2up)
glas1/2ful
Racer157 solo
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!MANDATORY READING !!!!!!!!!!
might want to put these links in the original post:
Group Ride Safety Thread
Hand Signals Thread
