Topic: What to do in the San Francisco area for riding?

[andy750]

I am here for work and have some time over the weekend to do some riding Saturday, maybe Sunday. Last week I went north on Rt 1 and then toured the area around Alices Resteraunt/Rt 35 -Skyline Drive. Already been to Napa and Sonoma.

So what to do this weekend? Yosemite area? Something else? Anyone got some good tips/ideas?

Thank you!
cheers
Andy

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Maybe Yosemite and down to either Monterrey or Sequoia.  Locals, pipe up!!

[scottly]

The area North of 'frisco near the Russian River is pretty nice, both inland and along the coast.

[ofreen]

How far do you want to go? Some interesting roads up around Tahoe.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

How far do you want to go? Some interesting roads up around Tahoe.

Definitely!

[andy750]

I have to work a little on Saturday and Sunday so I really have about 10 hrs of the day for riding. I could feasibly go to Tahoe or Yosemite or maybe back up North to Russian River again. Thanks for the suggestions.

cheers
Andy

[scottly]

If you have already been to the Russian River on this trip, then consider Yosemite to Lee Vining and Mono Lake, with a possible detour along the Walker River before heading to Tahoe.

Wait a minute, this is Labor Day weekend!

[mrbreeze]

Or how about going over highway 4, down Monitor Pass, 395 south through Walker and back over Sonora Pass. That's a lot of riding though. Just about anywhere in the Sierras is cool riding though. Are you renting a bike Andy? What bike?

[andy750]

MrBreeze that looks like a great ride! Unfortnately I found out today my weekend work schedule is a little more involved than anticipated so I wont have time for your suggestion. Looking to rent a Triump Tiger 800 from Eagle Rider in SF. Looks like Ill have only 3/4 Saturday now ;(

cheers
Andy

[mrbreeze]

Trumpet sounds good to me. If you're right in the city....how about a shot down hiway 1 to Santa Cruz or maybe even Monterey. You could go over the Golden Gate up into Marin Co. or over to San Jose and up to Mt. Hamilton. I don't live over that way anymore so most of my riding is in the Sierras. Whatever you decide...have a good ride and watch out for shi!!y drivers. This state has more than way too many of em!!

[Duanob]

When I asked about this a couple of years back, someone mentioned Bodie the ghost town. I went. It was pretty awesome the shear size and how many buildings are still intact. It's just north of Mono Lake on the way to Tahoe. Also if you bring a flyrod, I had one of my best evenings ever fishing the MarkleeVille River. Caught and released about 20 decent trout. And I was all alone!

All the roads are fantastic 2-laners up in and around the Sierra's. The Sequoia's are a must see as well except that the Nat. Parks are not much fun riding because of all the other touristas and slow crowded roads. If you're not in a hurry then you will be fine.   

[andy750]

So I ended up doing the Mr Breeze route but in reverse and in the rental car (as I left Saturday afternoon at 3.30pm from Stanford. Yes I know I should have made more of an effort to get a bike but it was all down to timing and so rather than not go I decided to do it in a car...oh the shame!

I went over Sonora Pass in the dark (lots of fun) and stayed in Walker and then this morning when over Erbett Pass and down Route 4 - great road! A lot of fires around though and the smoke was making it hazy. Here are some pics...

View as the sun was setting



Before Sonora pass - this always means a good road 



No barriers for the 1000ft of drop on right side





I was glad to finally see the motel in Walker -less than 10 miles from Nevada. Nice friendly place would recommend it







On the road to breakfast at Topaz Lake across the border in Nevada



A car show was  going on



And then back into CA after breakfast



Signs of fire - charred tree just off Rt 89 (great road!!)



The view from Rt 89



Empty roads!



Freshly charred trees



Notice the bark of these trees



Excellent surface



and canyons!



Oh yes....



More charred trees



You can just make out the road running along middle of rock face



Dont look down!



Amazing alpine scenery





Big drops



Cabins at Mosquito Lake



Look at those empty roads



and the rear view



Finally off the mountain and temps increase to 90s as speed across the brown scrub towards Stockton



'

Next time bike for sure!!

Cheers
Andy

[mrbreeze]

Glad you enjoyed it Andy. Much better on a bike and when half the state isn't on fire!!

[andy750]

Yes I bet it is  Thanks for the suggestion!

cheers
Andy

[BobbyR]

I lived in Palo Alto right down the road from Stanford on the El Camino Real in the mid 70s. As you noticed the advisory signs are not kidding. As the pictures illustrate, California still does not believe in guardrails on windy roads with several hundred foot drop offs. Nice pics. I always enjoyed the Big Sur  region.