Ride Summary by Michael Plant
Marysville to Red Bluff (via Hwy 70 and 99): 95 miles.
This is a fairly boring route, but there is no real other quick way to get
up the valley. The views of the Buttes are nice. Also, all table dances
are only $10 at the strip joint about 15 miles north of Chico on Hwy 99.
The campground was not bad for a one-nighter although the camp hosts left
much to be desired. Steve did an admirable job of diffuse the situation.
Disappointed I didn't get to see Dreamboat Nance, but Sam the "seedy weed
makes me horny" was well worth the price of admission.
Red Bluff to Hayfork (via Hwy 36 and 3): 77 miles.
Hwy. 36 is as usual a most excellent route. Had a little scare on the part
where the road is going along the crest of the ridge about 10 miles or so
out of RB that kept me sane for the rest of the day I do believe. One of
these days we need to take 36 the rest of the way. Wonder if that priest is
still out there wandering the highway near Platina? The section right out
of Red Bluff as well as btw Platina and 36/3 junction are move vote for
favorite section.
Hayfork to Callahan (via Hwy 3 and 299): 89 miles.
Nothing too exciting about this route. Hwy 3 is a good road. Not great. Not
bad. Was kewl to get some flashbacks from earlier trips through the area.
The section right before you hit Callahan wear it climbs up the ridge is
usually pretty good, but sucked this time as I got stuck behind a
fifth-wheel. Just to tight to try to pass.
Callahan to Happy Camp (via Cecilville and Hwy 96): 106 miles.
Wow...talk about excitement. The first part was a pretty good road, but the
one-lane was a mind blower. It was hot, tight, with hardly any front vision
plus you had the killer views of the river down below. Trying to soak it
all up was maximum overload. Glad Dr. Steve was blazing the trail. The
road conditions were fairly shitty in the middle, but would probably do this
road again. Should get a little nimbler bike for these kinds of trips?
Definite killer road all together. Somes Bar to Happy Camp was a nice leg
stretcher after the tight twisties. Dr. Steve was an animal through here.
He was thinking about beer I do believe.
Happy Camp to Crescent City (via Indian Creek Rd and Hwy 199): 94 miles.
Indian Creek was a killer road. Would have been nice to know you were now
in Oregon, but then maybe I missed it. And of course, the redwoods are
always awesome. There is not much more that can be added about the route
into Jedediah Smith State Park. Excellent. (The mileage included the trip
in to CC and back to camp, but not all the futzing around we did in town.)
Crescent City to Arcata (via Hwy 199 and 101): 85 miles.
Fucking Cold!!! But still beautiful. The fog was pretty cool in some ways.
But mainly just cold and fairly miserable. Wondered a lot about the Harley
that went down. Why? How? Hope they weren't seriously mangled. Hesh's
selection for breakfast was great although I had some doubts that it was
going to be "Crescent City for dinner" thing all over again. However, the
food was excellent and the bathroom was so nice until ...
Arcata to Garberville (via Hwy 101 and Avenue of the Giants): 74 miles.
Half sucked and half was excellent. The sun coming out while in the
redwoods was nice. Plus the ride through the canopy is always cool. Graeme
passing cars is just an added bonus. I am fucking pissed that we didn't go
through one of the drive-thru trees...waaaahhhhh!!!!!
Garberville to Westport (via Hwy 101 and 1): 52 miles.
Another excellent road. Too bad it got foggy again, but not as bad as the
morning. It has been a long time since I have been of the north part of 1
and forgot how twisty it was. Excellent ride. [Note: Dr. Steve...those
shiny things at the end of your handlebars are called mirrors!] The beer
was still nice and cold.
Westport to Boonville (via Hwy 1 and 128): 69 miles.
This was another great section. Man, I am just repeating myself, but again
another great section of road. Traffic wasn't real bad and 128 is a killer
canopy road that I like so much. [Note to Graeme and Dr. Steve: I knew
we'd beat'em or I at least tried to set a pace that would.] The "kill
switch" trick south of Fort Bragg was like the ultimate memory. I almost
peed my pants laughing so hard. The Buckhorn Saloon was great. We'll
definitely be going back there. For the beer of course.
Boonville to near Kelseyville (via Hwy 253, 101, 175 and 29): 64 miles.
253 is a pretty decent road, too bad about all the construction. I can't
believe that punk with the flag was trying to give us shit. 175 ROCKS!!!
Good pavement, tight curves, and an excellent view of Clear Lake from the
summit. Never been on it, but will definitely be doing it again. Hwy 29
and Hesh picks up a nail about Kelseyville. I was most impressed with his
demeanor and ability to quickly solve the situation. Steve and I of course
we a very big help as Steve provided the air and I documented the entire
process. What would you have done without us? (Probably finished 15
minutes faster.) I hope that you made it the rest of the way with now
problems.
Near Kelseyville to Marysville (via Hwy 29, 53, 20, River/Pass/Butte
House Rds and Hwy 70): 95 miles.
29 and 53 are boring. 20 was OK. Sorry to see Steve go Hwy. 16 by himself,
but I wanted to just get home as it was already 7:40 pm. It is always a
treat coming down out of the hills, or anywhere for that matter, and seeing
the Buttes. I know I am almost home. I stopped in Colusa and bought one
SNPA, took the River Road out of Colusa and up Pass Road to the summit where
I enjoyed the last beer and watched the first stars come out for the night.
There had been a fire burning somewhere in the hill south west of Stonyford
area that I could see the smoke off of while cruising down Hwy 20, but from
the Buttes and with the darker skies, I could see the flames (or a fairly
large glowing red area). Was an awesome and eerie sight. I finished the
evening by lighting a Flower firework, which I had been carrying around all
trip, but kept forgetting about.
Total mileage = 900 miles give or take a mile or two for rounding
All in all an excellent time. Definitely great seeing every one again. The
roads were awesome. Even in spite of the fog, it was just a fucking
excellent w/e.
I think next trip we should end up 1 day in Somes Bar. Arrive about noon
and set up camp early in the day in one of the nearby campgrounds. Then
take a case of beer down to that beautiful (paradise) swimming hole w/ cliff
diving rocks and kick back.
Maybe do something like 36 to the coast, 101 to Eureka, back on 299 to 96
and 96 to Somes Bar. Them finish 96 to Yreka, I-5 to Mt Shasta, and 89 back
down to Hwy 49. Some thing to think about. Although I like the case of
beer at the swimming hole idea as well.
My classic opines:
Hesh: My side is still killing me from the stunt with Graeme's kill switch
in Fort Bragg. That has to be an all-time classic. Also, the roadside tire
swap was most impressive.
Dr. Steve: Has one of the widest rear tires I have seen. I know because I
looked at it most of the trip. How it fell over in Hayfork with that rear
is hard to fathom. That thing should stand up by itself. BTW, you still
have about 3" of tread on each side that you can lean over on!!!
Grumbler: Watching you blaze up past traffic is one of my all time favorites
sights, but damn you are a noisy mother fucker in the morning. Could wake
the dead. But as usually, you mapped a great route. Here's too you!
[Interesting side-note: Microsoft Word recommends "motherfucker" as one
word not two.]
Steve: Disappointed in that I didn't see one wheelie. (Don't give me the
BMW excuse, 'cause I watch Hesh a few times.) Steve picked out the skanky
beer, I just succumbed to peer pressure. (I wonder if they call it Great
White 'cause if you drank enough of that skanky shit, even the sharks
wouldn't want you.) Too bad you didn't live closer so we could some more
riding in together huh?
Me: I think with a little more planning, I can get 1/4 cord of wood and the
ice chest packed on as well as a couple of more chairs for the rest of you.
You notice that I didn't even have to use the handlebars or front fender.
Maybe next time I'll throw in some Swiss Miss Instant Cocoa for you
non-coffee drinkers. Non-coffee drinkers?!?!?! ... that's just plain weird!
BTW...here is the URL for all the pics I took as well as some other minor
commentary; Photo Page
Well enough for me...and, oh yea, don't go to this web page with no fucking
wimpy modems. Or if you, don't whine about it.
Michael