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View Full Version : Scott n Sav Adventure #6 - California


J_Scott
08-02-2007, 12:35 AM
PICS 1 (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=3130&l=31081&id=515686234)

PICS 2 (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=3131&l=d84dc&id=515686234)

Disclaimer #1: It's late, my post may not be coherent. Also, many more pictures were taken... I just don't have them all yet.

Summary: Friday July 13th to Friday July 27th my GF, her father and I did a motorcycle trip down to Aptos, CA to see some friends of the family and go to the Moto GP race. Her mother flew down there to meet us as well. The purpose of this trip was to get away, do some great riding in California and completely skip the I5. I hope you enjoy.


Day # 1: Vancouver, BC to Eatonville, WA (map (http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=Vancouver,+BC&daddr=S+Burlington+Blvd+%4048.457270,+-122.335640+to:WA-9+%4048.483750,+-122.243100+to:WA-9+%4048.381100,+-122.221740+to:48.257599,-122.178955+to:Eatonville,+wa&mrcr=3,4&mrsp=4&sz=9&mra=dpe&sll=48.527519,-122.173462&sspn=0.862186,1.867676&ie=UTF8&z=9&om=1)) 366 km

Well we started out Friday the 13th (smart I know) and headed south from the border at about 4 o'clock due to a late start since Savannah had to work. We made it just to Eatonville, WA for the first night... nothing special here, just a mix of I5 and hwy 9

http://photos-234.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v117/8/69/515686234/n515686234_80368_8962.jpg

Day # 2: Eatonville, WA to La Pine, OR (map (http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=Eatonville,+wa&daddr=46.331758,-122.003174+to:la+pine,+or&mrcr=0,1&mrsp=1&sz=7&mra=dpe&sll=45.205263,-122.288818&sspn=3.475312,7.470703&ie=UTF8&ll=45.521744,-122.365723&spn=3.455936,7.470703&z=7&om=1)) 540km

Pretty much immediately after Eatonville you hit the nice roads leading up to Mt. St. Helens. The road wasn't in the greatest shape at the start, but by the time we were past the mountain it was just beautiful smooth blacktop. After leaving Mt. St. Helens we road along Columbia River on the north side and then went south through Hood River. Hood river is a gorgeous town and I'm really looking forward to spending some time there. With Mt. Hood overlooking it and the beautiful orchards to the south it's worth of a second visit. From here we burned quickly through Oregon on HWY 97 (Oregon is a trip on its own... we were headed for Cali) and went through Warm Springs, which is the most disgusting place on the planet and ended up in La Pine for the night. Not the best place for our first camping night.. but it was pretty funny being the only tent in a campground full of at least 200 RV's.

http://photos-234.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v117/8/69/515686234/n515686234_80373_498.jpg

Day # 3: La Pine, OR to Eagle Lake, CA (map (http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=la+pine,+or&daddr=OR-138+%4043.087500,+-121.990580+to:42.956423,-122.178955+to:eagle+lake,+california&mrcr=1,2&mrsp=2&sz=7&mra=dpe&sll=42.152595,-121.29804&sspn=3.860353,7.470703&ie=UTF8&om=1&ll=42.244785,-120.794678&spn=3.618825,7.470703&z=7)) 440km

This day we set out to see Crater lake in the morning. It was quite a sight, although the fog ruined out pictures... but I'd definitely go see that again. We went south from there and ended up in Klamath Falls, Or. Here we had the only problem on the entire trip. One of the tension clamps on my radiator hose was leaking, lucky we were in a town and also by fate... near the only radiator expert in town threw on a quick hose clamp for me and away we went. We ended up crashing at a really nice empty campground right overlooking Eagle lake which was one of the most memorable nights for me.

http://photos-234.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v117/8/69/515686234/n515686234_80388_5152.jpg

Day # 4: Eagle Lake, Ca to Aptos, CA (map (http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=eagle+lake,+california&daddr=40.696258,-120.804291+to:CA-70+%4040.019650,+-121.039530+to:Garden+Hwy+%4039.113770,+-121.617420+to:CA-113+%4038.923340,+-121.687700+to:I-5+S+%4038.544810,+-121.509250+to:CR-J11+%4038.225310,+-121.474970+to:CA-160+%4038.202440,+-121.558730+to:Aptos,+ca&mrcr=0,1&mrsp=1&sz=10&mra=dpe&sll=40.587885,-121.055603&sspn=0.494329,0.933838&ie=UTF8&om=1&ll=38.967951,-120.684814&spn=3.800651,7.470703&z=7)) 700km

Yes the map is correct, we took some major detours here. Savannah was sick of the camping and just wanted to get to a nice bed so we left Yosemite for another trip and went for a push to our destination. Leaving eagle lake was the most beautiful road on the way down... not a car in sight. We also happened along HWY 70 which is supposedly DH3 for Cali... I was disappointed to be honest. Too much traffic to be #3. The rest of this trip was gruelling as we dealt with heat, traffic and nutty traffic. We arrived in Aptos at 8 at night.

http://photos-234.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v117/8/69/515686234/n515686234_80390_5790.jpg

Day # 5: Local Cali roads:

I was planning on taking it easy this day, but the guy we were staying with lined up a bike for the week, so I went with him to pick it up, at the same time saying goodbye to the ladies. My gf's mom flew down there to see her friend (who were were staying with) and Savannah decided to join the girls in San fran for a couple days. This resulted in a lot of fun riding time. Pete, my host, picked up a really nice Triumph, and what I thought was going to be a blast up to San Fran and back turned into 300 km of nutty back roads all around Alice's Restaurant. Really a fun day.

http://photos-234.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v117/8/69/515686234/n515686234_80425_2391.jpg


Day # 6: Phil and Scott tour Carmel Valley:

http://photos-234.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v117/8/69/515686234/n515686234_80424_3346.jpg

More coming soon!
CrotchRocketeer
08-02-2007, 08:32 AM
New paint and mods look sick man. I'm still bummed I couldn't make this ride, stupid school :(
Duck
08-02-2007, 10:01 AM
Sounds like an awesome time. Thanks for posting the maps.
Fonix
08-02-2007, 10:07 AM
Looks like you had a blast! Thanks for sharing
spinnin
08-02-2007, 10:45 AM
Looks like it was a blast, kudos on finding someone to carry your luggage.
lud
08-02-2007, 10:48 AM
Scott what happened to the rear plastic piece?
J_Scott
08-02-2007, 11:01 AM
I'm at work so I'll have to add the other days tonight.

Yeah, it was nice having Phil carry our luggage. lol He was a pretty good pack mule and a blast to ride with. Riding with him really kept my speed in check and made me realize how much fun it is to ride 10-15 over the limit with no worries about cops and not constantly passing everyone. Also, the California roads are so damn tight it kinda makes up for the speed limits since you can be going through the corners at well under the speed limit and still be leaned right over. :thumbup

And Leedam... I nixed that piece as soon as I could. I went to a local machine shop and made a little aluminum bracket. It really cleaned up the back end. :) Thanks again for your great work (leedam) lud, I get tonnes of compliments on the paint. ;)
elevation
08-02-2007, 12:45 PM
Nice trip their Scott!!! Those were some good routes. I stopped in Eatonville on my way back, its a good 'jump off point' town. We should try to get next years motoGP trip somewhat timed so we meet up along the way.
J_Scott
08-02-2007, 12:48 PM
Nice trip their Scott!!! Those were some good routes. I stopped in Eatonville on my way back, its a good 'jump off point' town. We should try to get next years motoGP trip somewhat timed so we meet up along the way.

Actually, those were the bad routes. ;) The first couple of days down were just to get to Cali. :)
J_Scott
08-02-2007, 12:56 PM
Day 6: Aptos, Ca - Hunter Leggit, Ca and back (map (http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=aptos,ca&daddr=CA-1+S+%4036.593370,+-121.877240+to:Laureles+Grade+Rd+%4036.557640,+-121.751600+to:Carmel+Valley+Rd+%4036.309230,+-121.480480+to:Nacimiento-Fergusson+Rd+%4036.011230,+-121.436950+to:36.965255,-121.876831&mrcr=4&mrsp=5&sz=9&mra=dme&sll=36.778492,-121.808167&sspn=1.051542,1.867676&ie=UTF8&ll=36.476515,-121.58844&spn=1.05567,1.867676&z=9&om=1))

400+km

This was the best day by far. We ripped down #1 to Carmel, then over to Laguna and down Carmel Valley Rd. Greatest ride ever (so we thought). Then after bombing down 101 for a while we crossed through Fort Hunter and down the best road experience of my life. 30 miles of hairpins, and I loved those. The road kept going up and up and up and then we saw the Ocean. Then the road goes down and down and down. Definitely the best experience of my life. Coming back along #1 was exceptionally good as the traffic was light and roads were perfect. :)

http://photos-234.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v117/8/69/515686234/n515686234_80423_2951.jpg
elevation
08-02-2007, 01:02 PM
Eatonville is just better than the I5. The rest of the routes look pretty decent.

Your day 2 map shows day 1. I hope you went up to Mount St. Helens and back. 16 miles of pure bliss. Certain death on one side of the road and horribly mangled on the other side :P
scooter
08-02-2007, 02:58 PM
I didn't get to go down to Big Sur thats a great area.

Lets see which way you came back. I add more pics to my post. Went to the Oregon Caves, just on the boarder of Cali and OR. That was interesting.

Maybe next year stay more on the western part of the Seirra Nevadas and use Hwy 49 as my main route.

It seems like the limited few who actually get on their bikes and ride that far. They don't know what there missing besides looking at the pics.

Good on yeah Scott
J_Scott
08-02-2007, 09:16 PM
Well Scooter, we wanted to. Our original plan was to go THIS (http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=eagle+lake,+california&daddr=CA-70%2FCA-89+%4039.895410,+-120.786950+to:CA-88+%4038.797810,+-119.796690+to:CA-49+%4038.314050,+-120.721050+to:CA-4+%4038.506610,+-119.943860+to:CA-120%2FTioga+Pass+Rd+%4037.939630,+-119.136120+to:CA-140+%4037.556240,+-119.930580+to:Hwy+49+S%2FCA-49%2FN+CA-49+%4037.460150,+-119.943080+to:CA-41+%4037.534660,+-119.649980+to:37.361426,-120.157471+to:aptos,+ca&mrcr=8,9&mrsp=9&sz=7&mra=dpe&sll=37.72728,-119.003906&sspn=3.86628,7.470703&ie=UTF8&z=7&om=1) way. But we had a change since Savannah wanted to get to the destination.

Lake Tahoe, Sierra and Yosemite will have to be another trip.

Same with HWY 36/3 and 96 up to happy camp, Mount St. Helens and Mt. Hood.
Smoke
08-03-2007, 06:44 AM
Sounds like a good trip, I can't see pics 'cause Facebook is blocked here. Your day 6 sounds like Nacimiento-Ferguson road. I fluked onto that N-F road about three years ago not knowing anything about it just trying to find my way to the coast. That was the kraziest road I've seen out of the 250,000 kms of roads I've played on.
Once I saw it in some magazine as the top 10 motorcycle roads in the world.
My opinion is it's almost too tough to ride.
J_Scott
08-03-2007, 08:33 AM
Sounds like a good trip, I can't see pics 'cause Facebook is blocked here. Your day 6 sounds like Nacimiento-Ferguson road. I fluked onto that N-F road about three years ago not knowing anything about it just trying to find my way to the coast. That was the kraziest road I've seen out of the 250,000 kms of roads I've played on.
Once I saw it in some magazine as the top 10 motorcycle roads in the world.
My opinion is it's almost too tough to ride.

That's the one! My goal next year is to go back down that road with a dual sport and head off one of the dirt roads at the top. I'll link more pics here when I have time. Sorry :)
elevation
08-03-2007, 09:27 AM
My opinion is it's almost too tough to ride.

I would say this road is the equivilent of 30min run. After finishing this road you feel like you accomplished something. A 10min rest is almost mandatory after riding it. Each time I down in California I will have to do this road. It is so mentally and physically demanding, you just can't pass it up.

As an added bonus most of the car/rvs/trucks on this road will pull over to let you by. They know your in twisty heaven

:cheers I would like to buy a beer to the individual who thought this road was necessary.
J_Scott
08-03-2007, 09:36 AM
I would say this road is the equivilent of 30min run. After finishing this road you feel like you accomplished something. A 10min rest is almost mandatory after riding it. Each time I down in California I will have to do this road. It is so mentally and physically demanding, you just can't pass it up.

As an added bonus most of the car/rvs/trucks on this road will pull over to let you by. They know your in twisty heaven

:cheers I would like to buy a beer to the individual who thought this road was necessary.

So when should we do this California Road addicts get together? lol
elevation
08-03-2007, 10:18 AM
So when should we do this California Road addicts get together? lol

Labour day long weekend... 12pm Sunday... at the base of Nacimiento-Ferguson road!!!!!
J_Scott
08-03-2007, 10:42 AM
Did you go West to East or East to West?
elevation
08-03-2007, 11:01 AM
West to East. A little easier on the gas but I prefer going uphill into corners.

I was on my own when I did this as luck would have it I ran into three riders ahead of me with very similar riding patterns as I have. Couldn't have worked out better.
Incantation
08-03-2007, 11:05 AM
looks like fun. i can't believe your girl rides on the back.. i could never take a passenger for that long a trip and i don't know how she doesn't die of discomfort on such a small seat
elevation
08-03-2007, 12:31 PM
Adam, Next year you should put your stock sprocket back on and come with us. Some of these roads are just as much fun as a highchair followed by an endo.
Commuter Boy
08-03-2007, 03:56 PM
Verra nice. I'm hitting NorCal in two weeks for the annual Wetleather gathering at Eagle Lake, it's going to be a blast.
silverD
08-03-2007, 09:40 PM
I would say this road is the equivilent of 30min run. After finishing this road you feel like you accomplished something. A 10min rest is almost mandatory after riding it. Each time I down in California I will have to do this road. It is so mentally and physically demanding, you just can't pass it up.

Parts of Hwy 36 are like that, you're happy when it straightens out a bit.

Sounds like a great trip Scott!!
pika
08-04-2007, 06:48 AM
Great post. What a great trip. I'll have to live vicariously through you until I can find a girl that is willing to sit on the back of my bike for 2000+ km.

Love the pearl white monster. My favorite color. Too bad 1098 didn't come in that color.
J_Scott
08-04-2007, 03:14 PM
Great post. What a great trip. I'll have to live vicariously through you until I can find a girl that is willing to sit on the back of my bike for 2000+ km.

Love the pearl white monster. My favorite color. Too bad 1098 didn't come in that color.


We she probably wouldn't sit for that long on the back of a 1098. And btw... your bike does come in Pearl white, you just have to strip it down and paint it all like I did!
pika
08-04-2007, 07:12 PM
We she probably wouldn't sit for that long on the back of a 1098. And btw... your bike does come in Pearl white, you just have to strip it down and paint it all like I did!

really? it's a custom color? I guess it's easy on monster, there's really only two pieces to paint. I know another fellow that has a pearl white s4r, but with red stripes. I thought he bought it off the showroom floor.

yeah. If I ever decide to race it, and get shark skins, That's the color I would paint it. I'd want to get all the mechanicals and frame painted black. That would be a great look.
J_Scott
08-04-2007, 08:25 PM
really? it's a custom color? I guess it's easy on monster, there's really only two pieces to paint. I know another fellow that has a pearl white s4r, but with red stripes. I thought he bought it off the showroom floor.

yeah. If I ever decide to race it, and get shark skins, That's the color I would paint it. I'd want to get all the mechanicals and frame painted black. That would be a great look.

It's not exactly as simple as "two pieces to paint" lol CLICK HERE (http://bcsportbikes.com/forum/showthread.php?t=83931)

You can buy an S4RS with factory pearl paint. Mine was custom painted and the frame stripped to do the colors I wanted. :)
pika
08-06-2007, 12:08 AM
ouch. hadn't noticed the painted frame. you're right, when you do something, you do it right. I'm curious, how do they get the ducati lettering on there? is it decals, and clear coat over?

are the wheels painted to match? or a "normal" white?

great looking bike. I might have to follow your lead. have to rethink painting the frame tho.