Cedarville, CA!

[tomsp]

Tuesday through Friday - 1120 miles -- Stockton, CA, to Cedarville, CA and back by different routes .

 

Went my usual route into the hills in CA over HWY 4 - over Ebbits Pass and Monitor Pass (3 hours). Light traffic. Pic is at Mosquito Lakes on Hwy 4. Very little snow on the ground there now -- and that only higher up a couple of feet. Over the two passes I was getting ticked off at my goose for lacking some omphff (read grunt) ripping out of turns. I know I was really tired but I felt the goose limping along (again read ME!).

 

After Monitor Pass I looked over Lake Topaz. My plan was to get to Topaz Lodge (Casino), spend the night, and move on the next day through the desert in Nevada - Route 208 to 95 Alternate to 447.

 

Topaz Lodge ($58/night) looked OK but I got there too early so decided to go down the rode a bit and see if any other lodges were available for less or with more amenities. Wrong. Nothing really on 395 where I was. One guy told me to go to Smith on 208 and stay at the Walker River Resort. OK. I'm game here I ride to Smith (hint-- do not eat there! - although the people are really great!), found the turnoff to the River Inn 2 miles beyond town -- paved road turns into gravel -- oh well!

[tomsp]

Pic show my room at the Walker River Resort. Expensive room - $76/night. NO radio or tv in room! Had a kitchen and stuff but that did me no good. No restaruaunt there either - hence going back into to Smith to eat (don't do it!). They did have a terrific pool and spa , They also had a huge bar with big screen tv- which is what I was looking because they promised they could get the Giant's vs Dodgers game -- wron,g they couldn't I was beside myself at this point!

 

I left by 6:00 am, had breakfast in a casino (only thing open) in Yerington (great place with a terrific ride in -- Stunning scenery and twisty along the river

 

Had another great ride into Fernly (no traffic that early) and then on into Nixon on Hwy 447. Nixon is an Indian Reservation by Pyramid Lake. They do have a very visible Police Presence although the town itself is gone in one blink of an eye.

[tomsp]

Through Nixon and past Pyramid lake (forgot to take pics there!. This pic shows what the road looks like on 447 to Gerlach. I tried to be super careful and only went really fast when nobody was in sight I do not need a ticket But I did have 17 full minutes of over 100 m p h here with bursts up to 1 2 5. Each time I approached a ridge I slowed way down. I had read the Reservation police really watch you here

[tomsp]

2 miles out of Gerlach (a Company town), is a little place where I was greeted by this pic. This is where apparently they hold the Burning Man thing which I know nothing about. Millions of people come here (exaggeration) and walk around naked I'm told.

 

Past Gerlach the road is nice and twistie again but it's also rough. It's really remote feeling from Gerlach to Eagleville -- in the Surprise Valley. Home of the famous Squirrel Wars in Cedarville

 

First town is Eagleville. Nice people here too. And things are green again.

[tomsp]

Pic shows Fort Bidwell at the END of paved roads in N. CA. Ft Bidwell is 26 miles past Cedarville which I took early (7 am) the next morning after getting to Cedarville at 1:00 pm the day before. This road is gorgeous -- family ranches everywhere and long sweepers. Terrific speed and light traffic (4-6 trucks the whole way). I did pass several pick up trucks going opposite direction on this early morning ride. They ALL waved to me as I went by them, often in excess of 100

 

This is way beautiful country. Terrific people (did I say that enough)

[al_roethlisberger]

....great ride report, and hey, that tank looks familiar

 

al

[tomsp]

In Cedarville Paradise

 

The Drew Hotel - is a must stay if you guys ever get up there The family who run it are warm and real. Ranching backgrounds (figures). $36/night. Wonderful.. The Drew is right on the main street with an out of this world eating place two stores down. I mean fabulous food (lobster, etc.) for unreal prices. It's kind of controversial with the local people wven the lady who operates has been there for 20 years -- she's still kind of considered an "outsider" in some ways

 

The town is famous for their annual squirrel wars in March. That makes a terrific story in itself.

 

The road back--- big mistake!! I took 299 from Cedarville over the hill to Alturas where every policeman in the state must have been staying (I counted 17 in my pass through town). 395 from Alturas to Susanville -- Don't do it!!!! Long and tiring. The desert is better

 

Took me 8 hours on my bike to get to Truckee, CA!!!! THE WALL. From Seirravill to Truckee I rode through a tremendous thunder storm. I have never ridden in rain before riding in rain for the first time on twistie rodes is not fun. Every 2-3 seconds I'd wipe my glove over my face shield to see. Pouring! At Truckee, rain stopped. I turned into a B and B for $96/night -- only place open since the "Great Race" was going on.

 

In the morning (after watching the Giant's Dodger's ) I went to Lake Tahoe on hwy 89. At Emerald Bay I met up with 3 guys from Minnesota on 2 R6's and 1 F4i. They pack the bikes in a hauler and drive to where they want to ride. camp and get the bikes out!

 

I picked up hwy 88 and went home (tired again). Zero police on 88 all the way from tahoe to my house-- highly unsual. I did not like riding hey 88 high up in the hills. There was lots of traffic, all of it going FAST and of course the rode up there is very twistie (higher speed twisties). I hate twisties, at 70-80 mph, in traffic (my past accident thing no doubt).

 

OK- the Goose

[tomsp]

The Goose was PERFECT- after that first day which I admit being too tried/stressed The Le Mans handling 100 mph mile after mile and going 1200 miles with zero problems -- hey-- when I got to Cedarville (*TIRED) I tried to park my goose. The road was too steep and I let her drop Unbelievable. Broke the left side front turn indicator plastic thingy (lens). I immediately bought a tube of glue of some kind at the market and glued it back on-- can't tell. I also immediately called MG Cycle and ordered another one plus ordered front brake pads -- when I left I was meaning to replace those pads -- no time! On the trip I hardly used my brakes for fear of those pads!!!

 

The Bike- 100% perfect. I swear, the goose reads your thoughts!

 

The guzzi tank bag -- expands nicely and held all my stuff plus the stuff I bought on the way- the squirrel war book in Cedarville and a Great Race JACKET in Truckee. My gas mileage kept improving as I went too -- what's with that? My last tank I got close to 170 miles before the warning light flickered (flickered once and went out).

 

The goose felt secure in high winds (on 395 from Susanville to Hallelujah junction), through heavy rain in the mountains (sorry. I feel like a woos saying that considering some of you guys ride in Europe, etc, where rain is common).

 

My ideal day is still 4 hours riding! I like to get to someplace, check in to a nice room, and have fun. 8 hours was way beyond my comfort zone!

 

Harley guys don't wave. I wave to them just to bug 'em.

 

Oh, forgot, just before I left I bought a pair of riding type pants with armor in the knees and nice padding in the hips and stuff. First day I hated them. (figures). But the rest of the ride, they were great. In the desert they kept my cool, in the cold of the Storm they were warm! The protection helped my head

[Mike Stewart]

Fantastic ride report!

 

Sorry about dropping the Goose, it happened to me one day when I was on my 94 BMW R1100 RSL. Sogging wet, I pulled into a gas station in Oregan and while putting the bike on the center stand to get the most fuel into her, my foot slipped off the center stand and the bike went over. All I could think of was broken parts. Well, I picked it up (with the help of my wife) and lord and behold, only a scratch on the valve cover. Still was embarrased.

 

I have been up Ebbits Pass many a times on a bicycle but never on a motorcycle. Your bike most likely did not like the altitude at that time. Each pass is at least 12 miles and is a must thing to do up in the Tahoe area. Should of stayed at the hot springs in Markleville.

 

We need to meet up once Carl gets one of his bikes together for a Yosomite valley ride.

 

Mike

[tomsp]

Thanks Mike and Al -- Al, you'll have to tell me more about that ride in San Luis??? Will you be there???? I know, baby 'n all

 

Mike, let me know. Acutally- I know I'm nuts- but I'm planning another Cederville trip maybe late July- There's women in those hills Sorry about the beamer! On the altitude -- good possibility. My last 2 rides over though the goose seemed to roar over. This time, sluggish. I did put in a brand new air cleaner before I left which seemed to really help things at lower elevations.

 

Safe Riding.

[Orson]

Thanks for the great pics & ride report

Northern Cal has some of the best motorcycling roads around

The Le Mans looks bad ass in black

 

What don't you like about 70-80 mph twisties? Those are my favorite! With its long wheelbase, the Le Mans is really in its element 4000-5000 rpm...yah baybee

[tomsp]

Hey Orson -- good to hear from you. What I don't like about 70-80 mph twisties is TRAFFIC. Light to none- I'm in my element and I can relax and really enjoy 5 yrs back or so I got bumped off the road going 55 in a tight turn by a guy in a pu going the opposite direction in my lane!. I can now ride in traffic but I sure don't like it!

 

As to the le mans wheelbase-- it is fantastic and stable -- totally agree - and that adds greatly to my confidence (being built back up!)