Ride from Omaha to Sacramento

[twistedcricket]

I have a hastily planned route to Sacramento leaving Thursday and arriving late Friday. At present I have a reservation in SLC.

Should I be concerned with weather through the mountains (i.e. snow) ??? Or Reno ???

Thanks in advance for the help!

EDIT: OH, and I'll be in the Sacramento area (Dixon, too) for almost a week and would appreciate meeting some people with FJRs

 

[twistedcricket]

Ok, after staring at google maps i've changed my route (thousands of times). Open to suggestions

 

[Dr. Rich]

I just watched the local weather and Sacramento is likely to be in the mid to high 70's when you arrive. The weather looks clear so you shouldn't have any issues coming through Reno and the Sierras at the end of the week. Looks like a clear ride. Have fun... Rich

 

[RsvlFeej]

EDIT: OH, and I'll be in the Sacramento area (Dixon, too) for almost a week and would appreciate meeting some people with FJRs

From Dixon, you are right between two excellent riding areas. My personal preference leans toward tight, technical twisties.

About 45 minutes East on I80 will put you on Hwy 49. There are about 20 great roads just off 49 (N or S) to play on (and 49 has some good places too). A MUST DO road is Hwy 193 off Hwy 49 just north of Placerville. You'll want to run the bit between Garden Valley Rd. and Placerville a few times in each direction. If that proves to be too tight, Salmon Falls Road out of Pilot Hill is a bit looser, but still fun. About 20 more minutes East off Hwy49 is Mosquito Ridge Rd. out of Foresthill. Road was in fairly good shape last weekend (still some debris here and there and you hit impassable amounts of snow about 50 miles in), but all the waterfalls are falling and the wildflowers were everywhere, plus the road is really fun, although a bit of a tire-eater.

About 45 minutes (very rough estimate) west/northwest of Dixon are Skaggs Springs Rd. out of Geyserville and a little further up Hwy 101 is a really fun loop on Hwys 128 and 253. Skaggs Springs Rd. has looooong, clean sweepers w/ very few side roads (but stupidly low speed limits - use your own judgement). We hit it on Dr. Rich's Pres. Day ride and the conditions were excellent then - Can't think of any reason they'd be worse now. Haven't been on the 128/253/101 loop this year. In past, they've scattered red cinder dust in the winter and I have no first-hand knowledge of current conditions (but I'd gamble it's okay - hasn't snowed that low in months).

I think a bunch of the Sacramento guys are down south at a Streetmasters course right now. Maybe they'll chime in when they get back.

Work schedule looks a bit tight for me to sneak off and play, but I should have a better idea of the load by the time you're in the area.

Maybe I'll see ya,

RsvlFeej

 

[RsvlFeej]

EDIT: OH, and I'll be in the Sacramento area (Dixon, too) for almost a week and would appreciate meeting some people with FJRs

From Dixon, you are right between two excellent riding areas. My personal preference leans toward tight, technical twisties.

About 45 minutes East on I80 will put you on Hwy 49. There are about 20 great roads just off 49 (N or S) to play on (and 49 has some good places too). A MUST DO road is Hwy 193 off Hwy 49 just north of Placerville. You'll want to run the bit between Garden Valley Rd. and Placerville a few times in each direction. If that proves too tight for your taste, Salmon Falls Road out of Pilot Hill is a bit looser, but still fun. About 20 more minutes East off Hwy49 is Mosquito Ridge Rd. out of Foresthill. Road was in fairly good shape last weekend (still some debris here and there and you hit impassable amounts of snow about 50 miles in), but all the waterfalls are falling and the wildflowers were everywhere, plus the road is really fun, although a bit of a tire-eater.

About 45 minutes (very rough estimate) west/northwest of Dixon are Skaggs Springs Rd. west of Geyserville and a little further up Hwy 101 is a really fun loop on Hwys 128 and 253. Skaggs Springs Rd. has looooong, clean sweepers w/ very few side roads (but stupidly low speed limits - use your own judgement). We hit it on Dr. Rich's Pres. Day ride and the conditions were excellent then - Can't think of any reason they'd be worse now. Haven't been on the 128/253/101 loop this year. In past, they've scattered red cinder dust in the winter and I have no first-hand knowledge of current conditions (but I'd gamble it's okay - hasn't snowed that low in months).

I think a bunch of the Sacramento guys are down south at a Streetmasters course right now. Maybe they'll chime in when they get back.

Work schedule looks a bit tight for me to sneak off and play, but I should have a better idea of the load by the time you're in the area.

Maybe I'll see ya,

RsvlFeej

 

[twistedcricket]

Ok, here is route option #1

Google Maps Linky

I've added a route down to see worldbound4now then head home. I can leave as early as Thursday but I have to be home by the 17th (right now, that might change).

Of course, I'm open to suggestions, warnings, "hey take this road, it's better than that one" ideas and weather comments. I'm most concerned around Yosemite as several roads have "May be impassable.." warnings on google maps.

I had selected hwy34 through NE to Denver, but after staring at it that route isn't any more "fun" than i-80. (gawd, western NE *is* flat )

All slab is the alternate route all the way around.

I have new PR2s and the 8,000 mile server just completed, so I think the bike is more than ready...now is the pilot? :blink: This road trip will be the furthest I've ever driven, EVER. I've done several 400+ mile days (to rally events, etc) and I think I can handle a 10hr day on the bike. See signature link for pics of the adventures so far.

 

[madmike2]

Whoa there, big feller! From the CalTrans Website:

State Route 120 [iN THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA AREA]

IS CLOSED FROM CRANE FLAT (TUOLUMNE CO) TO THE TUOLUMNE/MONO CO LINE

/TIOGA PASS/ - FOR THE WINTER - MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE

As is Hwy 108 (Sonora Pass).

Hwy 88 (Carson Pass) and Hwy 89 (Monitor Pass) are open. Or go South to Bakersfield and take Hwy 58 East.

 

[HYCLE]

I have a hastily planned route to Sacramento leaving Thursday and arriving late Friday. At present I have a reservation in SLC.
Should I be concerned with weather through the mountains (i.e. snow) ??? Or Reno ???

Thanks in advance for the help!

EDIT: OH, and I'll be in the Sacramento area (Dixon, too) for almost a week and would appreciate meeting some people with FJRs

So if I understand you correctly you will arrive in Sacramento May 8th?

If so then you can catch the ZZ Top concert at the Dixon Fairgrounds. Then Saturday morning the Dixon May Fair Parade then Jo Dee Massina on Saturday night. The destruction Derby is on Sunday night at the Fairgrounds. Well at least that's what I will be doing and your welcome to join in the fun.

 

[Bugnatr]

To skip a really boring part of hwy 50 in Nevada ride hwy 722.

It starts 5 miles west of Austin Nv. (look for Airport sign), turn left on 722. It will be a bit flat for 30 miles but then it will wind up through the mountains and Carroll summit 7,400" before bringing you to Eastgate (old cattle ranch) and then will rejoin hwy 50 east of Fallon. Watch for the shoe tree on your right after getting back on 50.

This is a gem of a road, not much if any traffic. May be some light sand from winter conditions in the pass just ride easy. Gas up in Austin or Eureka.

Weather looks great for at least a week 70-80's. You will have a great trip!

 

[Bugnatr]

Omaha to Sac is over 1,500 miles, do a Bun Burner!

 

[Bugnatr]

Oh yeah, watch your speed in and near the towns on 50. Seen many a ticket written to unwary drivers.

 

[twistedcricket]

Oh yeah, watch your speed in and near the towns on 50. Seen many a ticket written to unwary drivers.

I *always* do the limit, or a little under, when going through small towns.

The Vegas stop is canceled. My friend isn't going to be in town when I was planning to go through. So just out and back.

I thought about a BB, however, it would be my very first attempt at something like that. I thought I would warm-up with a SS1K first.

Planning to arrive in Sac on the 9th. Good to know about the concerts and events. I was hoping to get some riding through the Napa region done on Sat/Sun with a detour to Bike Effects.

EDIT: New Route

 

[Bandit12]

I didn't look at your route, but I can tell you that 2 years ago in a mild winter, I moved from Delaware to Nor Cal in late April. I was fine till I got to Cheynne (sp?) Wyoming. When I woke up the morning of the 23rd, it had snowed about 2 inches. I took the interstate over the mountians toward Larmie and when I got down into Larmie, the Highway Patrol was shutting down the east bound side of the highway. You're gonna want to look really hard at the weather forecasts for the Rockies before you try to cross anywhere this time of year.

Good Luck with your trip, enjoy it and ride safe.

 

[twistedcricket]

I'm going through Denver to Grand Junction then to just south of SLC where I'll find NV HWY50 over. Over any route I'll be watching the weather.