Cool roads in N. California

[dcorbell]

Anybody here live in Northern California? I'm planning a week long trip with a buddy of mine up the coast from Los Angeles basically up to Redwood National Park near the Oregon border. We don't have a route planned yet and I'm looking for some input. Are there any places we need to see? Roads we just shouldn't miss?

[buzlin]

Check out www.pashnit.com, for sure, his stuff is pretty spot on.

I just rode up 101 and 1 from SF to Fortuna (north end of the avenue of giants). It was about a 300+ miles, took the better part of the day, total ride time about 8 hours.

A road that stuck with me was Skaggs, from the Healdsberg area, north of Santa Rosa west of 101. It gets tight and slow as you approach 1, but the first part is AMAZING (as you head west from 101).

Not to be missed, I felt the stretch of 1 that reconnects with 101, was one of the best stretches of road I've ridden.

Another stretch that is good, is Highway 84 to and from 1 and 101, south of SF, along the penninsula. This is a short enough stretch that you could ride up from 1 and back again. Ride all the way up the highway 35 (skyline), a great detour.

I'm sure you'll get a lot of recommendations. Mixing it up on the way up and back should give you a lot of options.

Also, regarding Pashnit, take what he says about tight/bumpy roads as "warnings". Those seem better suited for bicycles and small dual sports.

I just noticed that you now have to suscribe to Pashnit, $20/year. It used to be free. I think it's worth it, especially if you're willing to look for "alternate" routes. Otherwise, PM me and I'll help you out as best I can.


Good Luck!
Tom





[ This message was edited by: buzlin on 2006-01-11 18:17 ]

[Madhouse]

How far north? Try 36 ,299 , 101 , 299 west out or Redding is a classic. Email for info :razz: :razz: :razz:

[s3hooligan]

Madhouse -- you liked the 05 s3 so much that you bought an 06? Same bikes aren't they?

[Madhouse]

05=Wife, she also had 97 509
06=mine, traded in 98 595 :razz: :razz: :razz:

[Curmudgeon]

You've gotten good advice. Both 36 and 299 are superb roads, with connect I-5 and Eureka, CA, but I prefer 36 to 299. It has less traffic and, at least as importantly, less enforcement.

My last speeding ticket was on Hwy 299, near Willow Creek. :evil:

[PaloAlto]

Dcorbell,

You mention you'll go up the coast from LA. An alternative, especially if coastal weather is poor, is to take Hwy 33 north from Ojai. There's a dull and boring stretch as you're coming into Coalinga but north of that, 198 and 25 through Hollister have some splendid rides.

As Buzlin mentioned, Pashnit.com is a great way to plan trips. Maps are somewhat interactive, letting you plan in detail from one road to another. I hadn't known that he now charges for access but it should still be worth it.

[Speed_tripin]

Hmm... I didn't know he started charging either. I found some great roads closer to me (89) in the Pashnit.com site too. I hope to make the opposite trip north coast to south this summer.

I took 36 out from Red Bluff to Fortuna in my truck on a camping trip, all the while thinking I need to come back on this road with my bike!

Al

[dcorbell]

either on the way up or down, we're planning on doing the 33, etc, through Ojai. I've got some family there, so that may be our last night on the way back to LA. Thanks for the info on the 36 / 299. Looking at the 36 on Google Earth makes me want to leave today!

I've driven the 101 / 1 to Fortuna from SF before. It is an amazing road. I'm hoping to find some cool offshoots that wander through the trees.

[Curmudgeon]

What is your tolerance for bumpy, broken asphalt? I can suggest several roads, if you don't mind bumps.

[ This message was edited by: Curmudgeon on 2006-01-12 10:30 ]