Trip suggestions/thank you

On 8/5 I posted a request for trip suggestions in this newsgroup.
I got plenty of responses, all of which were very helpful. I'm
especially grateful for the warm clothes suggestion, and for the
multiple recommendations to see Hwy 36 at all costs. Both paid off
handsomely.
The trip I took began in the bay area Friday morning, about 8 am,
which was a bit later than I had wanted. I took 580 out to Hwy 4, over
the Sierras, then 88 to 89 (got confused and lost some time there),
across to Nevada, onto Hwy 395. Of course I can't do justice to the
scenery with words, especially my words, both through the Sierras and on
the other, drier side.
Things got a bit tedious, and rather uncomfortable, on 395 going
through Carson City then Reno. I hit those during rush hour, and the
heat was insufferable. Luckily a friend had suggested a CamelBak, which
worked splendidly, managing to keep me as cool as possible, and fully
hydrated.
I stopped off to refresh and eat in the late afternoon a bit north
of Reno, then continued further to Susanville, where I spent the first
night. I actually had the forethought to bring a AAA travel book, and
managed to call ahead to reserve a hotel room before I got there. Lucky
I did--other weary travelers were being turned down for lack of space as
I was checking in.
I headed out again the next morning, around 7:30 am., east on Hwy
36. The first half of 36 was beautiful forest, through lake Almanor
with its gorgeous scenery (is that Lassen peak, with its perenial snow
covered peak in the background?) The warm clothes really came in
handy--my thermometer registered 56 degrees, without the wind chill. I
had lunch at Red Bluff, and was on the road again soon thereafter. The
second half of 36 was indeed as fun and scenic as had been described,
with a few scares along the way, especially given the whopping weight of
my otherwise docile beast (K1200RS).
I'm not proud of the remaining part of this story, but I'll tell it
anyway. Essentially, I reached 101, and began toying with the idea of
getting back home that same day. Insanity prevailed, and that was the
course of action I decided on, although along the way there were a few
half-hearted attempts to dissuade myself from such foolishness. One of
these attempts actually led me to inquire about accommodations, at Fort
Bragg, after the ride down PCH had almost thoroughly exhausted me, and a
close call there (see below) sobered me. But when the going rate for
the sorry excuse for a roadside motel was quoted ($179/night), I found
myself running back to my bike to continue my trek.
I contined through Fort Bragg, and cut back to 101, through Anderson
Valley, taking Hwy 128, and stopping along the way to eat trail
mix-turned-candy bar, thanks to heat and melted chocolate. It actually
tasted pretty good, but I'd venture that's more attributable to my state
of hunger than to any innate quality of the ingredients.
I refueled at Cloverdale, and was cutting through SF about an hour
or so later. 19th Street was a drag, as always, and soon I was on 101
again, finding myself at home in Redwood City at around 10 pm--about 15
hours after I set out that morning. Milage for that day was about 450.
Total trip milage, for both days, was about 850.
I was--and am--quite sore, but none the worse for wear. It was
fun, and again, I thank all those with helpful suggestions. And if I
were to make some suggestions myself, I'd say don't be as stubborn as I
was, and break up that second leg into two. I would have enjoyed it
more, and I would definitely have avoided a close call which undeniably
was the result of fatigue (after passing a pickup truck which had
graciously pulled over at a less than ideal spot on a very windy part of
Hwy 1 to let me pass over a double yellow, I foolishly tried to
simultaneously wave a thank you and negotiate a preciptous turn, at
passing speed. Disaster was barely averted.)
Ride safe!

Khaled

 

Essentially, I reached 101, and began toying with the idea of

DUDE! That last day was way too many miles. Jeeeeeeez. The best I can do is
Red Bluff to Fart Bag in one day, still about 275 miles of one curve after
another. Fort Bragg has the Chelsea Inn at the north end of town, normally
they have a room between 38-80 depending on if it's the season or weekend or
greed factor.
Also good places to eat in Fort Bragg include the Main Street Diner ( great
meat loaf with mashed potatos) and the little Thai place at the southern
edge of town.

--
Jim Stinnett
VTR1000
NT650
Too much motorcycle information @
http://moto-rama.com

 

Correction: Mileage for that second day was 550. Total trip mileage
was 950. I missed a digit when I first looked at the odomoter. I
guess I wasn't seeing straight either.
Khaled