Planning road trip: advice wanted

[Rich Coulter]

You need to go to the store and buy a map of California. You can go to
the Wine country, Gold country, far north into the mountains and far
south into alot of traffic. You need to decide what type of riding you
want to do, long straight hiways or some nice twisties. Joel is right,
think about the time of year you want to go.

Ride safe....Rich

[Joel Garry]

In article <32E1DD...@away.com> "Curtis R. Bond" <g...@away.com> writes:
>I live in San Francisco and i am not familiar with California as I have
>moved here from Michigan. I was looking for suggestions for trip
>destinations/routes which would make good use of about five days off
>from work. I have a Seca II (600 cc) and haven't done much time driving
>long distance (200+ miles or more) so I am unsure of my endurance. I
>wanted to end up some where I could enjoy some nature and not spend the
>whole time on the bike, although that is half the fun. I plan on camping
>out in a tent and would like to try and find fair weather if possible.
>
>Thanks for any advice in advance.
>
>Curtis
>--

You didn't specify which time of year, and it makes a difference. After
June, head for the hills! The Sierras south of Yosemite are just gorgeous,
and not nearly as touristy as Yosemite proper. I say after June, because
I've been snowed on in June there.

April/May check out the Ventana wilderness/Big Sur. The Tassajara hot springs
area is nice, except the few years after a major fire (haven't been there
recently so don't know current status).

February/March is the rainy season, even in Southern CA, so check the weather
reports before you go anywhere, then head for a southern desert, even Mexico.
Some of the Angeles National Forest and lower parts of the San Bernardino
forest can be quite beautiful this time of year, and excellent weather during
Santa Ana conditions (high pressure over the deserts forcing offshore winds).

Be sure and get permits for camping beforehand. Look in the phone book for
ranger stations.

--
Joel Garry joe...@rossinc.com Compuserve 70661,1534
These are my opinions, not necessarily those of Ross Systems, Inc. <> <>
%DCL-W-SOFTONEDGEDONTPUSH, Software On Edge - Don't Push. \ V /
panic: ifree: freeing free inodes... O

[Kai & Ken]

In article <32E1DD...@away.com>,

"Curtis R. Bond" <g...@away.com> wrote:
>I live in San Francisco and i am not familiar with California as I have
>moved here from Michigan. I was looking for suggestions for trip
>destinations/routes which would make good use of about five days off
>from work. I have a Seca II (600 cc) and haven't done much time driving
>long distance (200+ miles or more) so I am unsure of my endurance. I
>wanted to end up some where I could enjoy some nature and not spend the
>whole time on the bike, although that is half the fun. I plan on camping
>out in a tent and would like to try and find fair weather if possible.
>
>Thanks for any advice in advance.
>
>Curtis
>--

>By US Code Title 47, Sec.227(a)(2)(B), a computer/modem/printer meet the
>definition of a telephone fax machine. By Sec.227(b)(1)(C), it is
>unlawful to
>send any unsolicited advertisement to such equipment, punishable by
>action to
>recover actual monetary loss, or $500, whichever is greater, for each
>violation.
>
>
Curtis,
Joel had really good advice. Here's another priceless tidbit... MTS. Motorcycle Towing Services. It's like the Triple-A, but just for bikes. (God forbid something should go awry.) It's like having a guardian angel. Can't find their number right now, but they have an 800-number and are HQ'ed in Las Vegas. Better yet, join the AMA (American Motorcyclist Association)(***800-AMA-JOIN***) and you'll get MTS's "Mo-Tow" for about HALF PRICE as well as a bunch of other discounts and benefits.
As for touring CA, we really enjoyed Sequoia/Kings Canyon, and Redwood was cool too. The old addage is true: bring half the clothes and twice the money. And DON'T FORGET your camera and a notebook!
Don't worry about endurance... you're on vacation... go 'til you've had enough, then stop for the night. 200+ miles a day is easy. We rode 15,000 miles through 43 states in 77 days (we actually RODE 53 out of those 77 days). Take your time and enjoy the sights. Your itinerary should be a general guide, you'll have more fun if you're flexible and creative. If you're into the twisties and find a snotty road, double back and do it again! It's not a race... take an easy pace and make LOTS OF FRIENDS! You'll be amazed at who and what you'll stumble across.

Ride Safe!
-Kai

[Kai & Ken]

In article <32E1DD...@away.com>,
"Curtis R. Bond" <g...@away.com> wrote:
>I live in San Francisco and i am not familiar with California as I have
>moved here from Michigan. I was looking for suggestions for trip
>destinations/routes which would make good use of about five days off
>from work. I have a Seca II (600 cc) and haven't done much time driving
>long distance (200+ miles or more) so I am unsure of my endurance. I
>wanted to end up some where I could enjoy some nature and not spend the
>whole time on the bike, although that is half the fun. I plan on camping
>out in a tent and would like to try and find fair weather if possible.
>
>Thanks for any advice in advance.
>
>Curtis
>--
>By US Code Title 47, Sec.227(a)(2)(B), a computer/modem/printer meet the
>definition of a telephone fax machine. By Sec.227(b)(1)(C), it is
>unlawful to
>send any unsolicited advertisement to such equipment, punishable by
>action to
>recover actual monetary loss, or $500, whichever is greater, for each
>violation.
>
>

Curtis,

Join the American Motorcyclist Association *** 800 AMA-JOIN ***

The AMA has something called the International Help 'N Hands which is a network of fellow bikers who will help you out in (God forbid) a time of need and/or offer lodging, etc. As well as a host of discounts and miscellaneous benefits, the AMA also offers something called Mo-Tow, which is the AMA-discounted version of MTS (Motorcycle Towing Services). MTS is just like the Triple-A, but just for bikes. Both the AMA and MTS have trip-routing services and even things like cel-phone rental for while you're on the road.

As for your trip, GO! Bring half the clothes and twice the money, and don't forget your camera and a notebook. Don't worry about your endurance. Ride until you've had enough, then stop for a rest or for the night. Stick to the "Scenic Routes" on your maps, and if you find a particularly snotty road, double back and DO IT AGAIN!

If things are going sour, remember that the worse the misadventure, the better the stories about it are afterwards! Be flexible and creative. Slow your pace and make LOTS OF FRIENDS!

Looking forward to hearing about your trip. Post it, OK?

Ride safe!

-Kai

[InSF126718]

Curtis,

Kai has good advis. Also you shouldn't worry about the Seca II. A friend
and I went to Zion National Park approximate a 2000 mile trip and she had
no problems what so ever.

If you're looking for a great ride, try a going over Sanora Pass (Hwy 108
I believe) to 395 on the east side of the Sierras to Death Vally. I have
lived in California all my life and have not seen anything as beautiful as
Death Vally. Also, the Eastern Sierras is totally differnt that the
western side. This can easly be done in a week with time for camping and
other activities. If you take 395, there is a place called Keogh hot
springs....its a quasy open to the public hot sprins you can ride you bike
right up to....nothing better after or during a day in saddle.

Also highway ! up to highway 36 or 299 up north is a great ride through
the Trinity alps. There is a book out called something like the Best
Roads in California. The book details some great roads and provides
information about camping, geography, and smokies....great source for good
riding back roads throughout CA. good luck and have a good time.

If I can be of any other assistance, email me....

Mike

[Joel Garry]

In article <19970207021...@ladder01.news.aol.com> insf1...@aol.com (InSF126718) writes:
>Curtis,
>
>Kai has good advis. Also you shouldn't worry about the Seca II. A friend
>and I went to Zion National Park approximate a 2000 mile trip and she had
>no problems what so ever.
>
>If you're looking for a great ride, try a going over Sanora Pass (Hwy 108
>I believe) to 395 on the east side of the Sierras to Death Vally. I have
>lived in California all my life and have not seen anything as beautiful as
>Death Vally. Also, the Eastern Sierras is totally differnt that the

Eye of the beholder stuff aside, you must remember that both the mountains
and desert are wild, and can kill you. During many parts of the year you
can get snowed on in the mountains, and storms can come in extremely
rapidly. The desert (and Death Valley more than most) can get unbelieveably
hot during the summer, and can have severe weather at any time, including
lightning storms to rival Texas and sandstorms like Dune. Not to mention
the special hazards of being on a bike, such as sand or ice on the road,
Bighorn sheep in heat (yes, several bikers have died from being charged),
and overheating aircooled engines.

Please note, I am not trying to discourage anyone - quite the opposite. I
just want people to be aware of the risks and deal with them intelligently,
there is no need to be macho and take on mother nature. Be sure and have
layers of clothing, so you can deal with the weather extremes, one of those
mylar survival blankets (especially if you are camping) and more water than
you think you need.

>western side. This can easly be done in a week with time for camping and
>other activities. If you take 395, there is a place called Keogh hot
>springs....its a quasy open to the public hot sprins you can ride you bike
>right up to....nothing better after or during a day in saddle.
>
>Also highway ! up to highway 36 or 299 up north is a great ride through
>the Trinity alps. There is a book out called something like the Best
>Roads in California. The book details some great roads and provides
>information about camping, geography, and smokies....great source for good
>riding back roads throughout CA. good luck and have a good time.
>
>If I can be of any other assistance, email me....
>
>Mike

[MINWHIT]

I've done the Sonora pass - - - in first gear - - - braking most of the
way - - - scared shitless... But.... go for it!

[Robert Allen]

In article <19970214000...@ladder01.news.aol.com> min...@aol.com (MINWHIT) writes:
>I've done the Sonora pass - - - in first gear - - - braking most of the
>way - - - scared shitless... But.... go for it!

Why so scared and in 1st gear? I did the Sonora pass about 2 winters ago, in September,
on my R100GS. My mistake was in not recognizing that just because it was warm in
Lee Vining it might not be warm at (what) 12,000 feet. And it wasn't. In fact
it was DAMNED cold. I didn't stop for any of the spectacular views, campgrounds,
or scenery, both because I was slowly going hypothermic (no winter gloves), and
because at that altitude my bike would stall whenever I came to stop. Also exciting
was when I met a herd of cows on a steep part of the grade. I stopped, the bike
stalled, the cows stared. I restarted the bike, revved the engine, honked the
horn. The cows bolted. Fortunately not over me. And of course there was one cow
(or bull, I was too cold to notice) that sat there staring at me until I honked
again. It then charged at me, and fortunately, past me. 2 weeks after my trip
the big winter storm came in and the road throug Tioga pass didn't open until
next June or July :-).

A nice 3-4 day loop is from your destination to Yosemite, stay in different
parts of yosemite for 2 nights (glacier point and toulemne meadows are nice),
then head down to Lee Vining where you can check out the volcanic areas around
Mono Lake. There are even hot springs within riding distance (I didn't make
them). You can make a daytrip down to Mammoth and take the bus in to see
the Devils Postpile, or you can ride about 30 miles in the opposite direction
to the ghosttown/old-mine at Bodie (10 miles off the main road, with 3 miles
of dirt washboard). Coming back from Bodie there's a roadhouse about 3-10 miles
outside of Lee Vining that has great steak, and a good view of Mono Lake, plus
wine and beer. Stop there :-). The next day leave Lee Vining and head over
the Sonora Pass. Stop up there and camp (dress warm) or go over and down
into Sonora. On the road into Sonora there's a strange restaurant (well before
Sonora that has fantastic breakfasts, with their own little donot hole type
pastries as an appetizer (I think the restaurant has a German motif; I was
too frozen when I pulled in to notice). Near Sonora is the Moaning Cavern.
You can (if you have more guts and more warmth than I did at the time)
rappell 180' down into the very humid cavern, or you can take the 100',
60+ year old, metal spiral staircasee down and back into the cavern. Then
you can ride home. Note that hotel prices are high in Lee Vining even
late in the year (like $70 a night base price), but there are also campgrounds
there.

California, particuarly in the areas I describe, has much to see.

Robert