OK, here's what I've put together. I've read the recommendatiosn here, looked at maps, calculate ride times and balanced it against my overall plans and stops. The route is different than my original concept simply because Highway 395 caught my attention after the recommendations, so I'm running this gig cloclwise now, as oppsed to my original counter-clockwise plan.
Please don't be offended if your recommendation didn't make the cut.
Some basics about the trip:
- stopping for visits in Sand Diego, Escondido and Thousand Oaks - that's primarily what the trip is built around
- I'm balancing freeway/highway with more scenic routes. Unlike many, it seems, I have no issues with freeway riding - obviously it much more enjoyable when done in areas I haven't traveled before, but new-to-me- is new to me, so I don't mind some freeways during the trip - plus, they remain a great way of coverig ground in shorter periods of time in some cases.
- It appears that much of my coastal travel will take place during the week, which I hope helps with traffic a bit.
- My route planning used online maps with real-time traffic data - I prepped this route on a Sunday evening at about 5:30 - 8:00. In most areas, the difference with traffic was moot, but around the LA and SFO areas, obviously it added time. BUT, since my locations for nightly stops were planned base don the longer drive times between cities, I have less miles in those instances, and if I'm lucky (or crazy enough to try lane splitting on the Elephant (Super Tenere with panniers) I may actually arrive a bit earlier than my plans forecast. This planning also means all times-to-locations are based on posted speed limits - if i'm a bit faster, arrival times are earlier, or I may extend to another location "down the road".
- Built in one rest day, though may build in another - I'm flexible on this.
- *Thinking* of camping in Joshua Tree National Park one night, but the alternate here is a ride-through, maybe cook dinner there, then hit Palm Springs for a soft bed and warm shower.
- Based on roughly 8 hour riding days - my plan is ride for a few hours, rest a bit/eat/etc., ride a few more hours, rest/eat/etc., ride to desination for the night. Bike is set up for this, I need some prepping (stretching daily now, hydrating more, eating better). Plan to use all available daylight for riding - able to extend if needed/able.
OK, enough of my caveats. Here's the planned route. A gigantic tear drop encompassing Oregon and California!
Day 1 (Sat - August 8):
Redmond east on 90 to Toppenish
South on 97 through Bend to Klamath Falls
Day 2 (Sun - August 9):
Klamath Falls east on 140
South on 395 at Lakeview
Past Sparks/Reno
Pick up 395 again to Mammoth Lakes
Day 3 (Mon - August 10):
Mammoth Lakes south on 395 to Kramer Junction
Take 58 east to Barstow
Either end in Palm Springs or camp in Joshua Tree Nat'l Park
Day 4 (Tues- August 11):
East on the I10 to Indio, then South on the 86 passed the Salton Sea
West at El Centro on the I8
Stop in San Diego at Scooterwest
Stop in Escondido for Motoport measurements
I15 North past Corona to the 210
West on 210 to 101, continuing to Thousand Oaks
Rest Day (Wed - August 12)
Day 6 (Thur- August 13):
101 North from Thousand Oaks to San Luis Obispo
Take Hwy 1 North along coast to Santa Cruz
Take 17 to Los Gatos, then what looks like the 280 over the Golden Gate bridge to Santa Rosa (Map is busy at this spot, so I'll double check the actual route online)
(Alternate: Hwy 1 all the way to the Bridge)
Day 7 (Fri - August 14):
101 north to Cresent City - Avenue of the Giants detour
Day 8 (Sat - August 15):
Crescent City to Lincoln City on the 101
East on 18 to McMinnville - air museum
(may bail here, grab the I-5 and blast home - depending on how I feel a week-ish into this adventure - air museum is a repeat for me)
Day 9 (Sun - August 16):
Various options roughly all leading to the I 5 and home
The two biggest issues, traffic wise are obviously LA and San Fran, htough both are somewhat managable during the week during non-peak hours, inmy experience. Still heavy traffic, but moving.
Next biggest hurdle is vacation traffic along the coast - won't know what that looks like unless I go there...
So, reasonable route? Enough time? Any glaring issues I'm missing here?
