NorCal Ride

[tomatocity]

We gotta get a NorCal Ride happening soon. Maybe a Lake Berryessa and surrouding area http://goo.gl/maps/7Fvv9 or... depends who wants to ride and where they are riding from.

Next week I am flying to Las Vegas for the SHOT Show and the following week I am going to ride (weather considerations) to Seiad Valley (Hwy 96) to visit a friend http://goo.gl/maps/gWpKG .

I am up for a weekday ride. Anyone else have week days available?

 

[Firefight911]

I do. Been pretty busy of late so planning isn't a strength but if you could put together something I will do my best to make it.

 

[markjenn]

Your Berreysea route is probably Okay, but some of your other route is unplowed and I doubt open in Jan, particularly the Hayfork bypass and road through Scott Bar. And 3 across Scott Mountain is absolutely treacherous in the winter - I personally have been on trips in March where several bikes have gone down on black ice. Even on the plowed routes, I wouldn't be mucking around in these mountains if there is any chance of precipitation and be super careful in shady areas. This is not a trip in Jan for the faint of heart.

- Mark

 

[tomatocity]

Your Berreysea route is probably Okay, but some of your other route is unplowed and I doubt open in Jan, particularly the Hayfork bypass and road through Scott Bar. And 3 across Scott Mountain is absolutely treacherous in the winter - I personally have been on trips in March where several bikes have gone down on black ice. Even on the plowed routes, I wouldn't be mucking around in these mountains if there is any chance of precipitation and be super careful in shady areas. This is not a trip in Jan for the faint of heart.

- Mark

Thanks Mark. I am familiar with these roads and the weather and is why I included (weather considerations). This route was only for my trip to Seiad Valley and I know the weather can change for the worse in a heart beat. There would have to be a reliable clear forecast for me to ride this very beautiful route. The route from Sacramento to Seiad Valley is below 3,000 ft el. My concern is ice. Hwy 3 from 36 to 299 is plowed but has some excellent sections with twisties and elevation changes. I would not want to ride those sections with ice. Wildwood Road is not a primary road but it is a lot of fun when clear. I have only ridden through Hayfork twice. My motorcycles have spoiled me and I almost refuse to drive through these areas. If the weather is not good enough to ride I will most likely not go and miss out on drinking beer, eating pancakes, shooting guns, and gold mining. I could do without drinking beer.

 

[markjenn]

Thanks Mark. I am familiar with these roads and the weather and is why I included (weather considerations). This route was only for my trip to Seiad Valley and I know the weather can change for the worse in a heart beat. There would have to be a reliable clear forecast for me to ride this very beautiful route. The route from Sacramento to Seiad Valley is below 3,000 ft el. My concern is ice. Hwy 3 from 36 to 299 is plowed but has some excellent sections with twisties and elevation changes. I would not want to ride those sections with ice. Wildwood Road is not a primary road but it is a lot of fun when clear. I have only ridden through Hayfork twice. My motorcycles have spoiled me and I almost refuse to drive through these areas. If the weather is not good enough to ride I will most likely not go and miss out on drinking beer, eating pancakes, shooting guns, and gold mining. I could do without drinking beer.

Sounds like you know what you're doing. I've been on these roads tens of times at all times of the year. Again, I doubt the route to the E of Hayfork will be open nor the cutoff through Scotts Bar. You'll probably have to just stay on 3/299 and go through Yreka to join 96. The worst spot will be across Scotts Mountain at 5500 ft or so. There will absolutely be ice on this road, no matter what the weather has been as in Jan this generally stays below freezing, even during the day.

While 36 is a great road from Red Bluff up to 3, there is a cutoff road called A16 which goes from Redding up to 36 which is tremendous and a lot more backwoods road. While unplowed, it doesn't get that high, so I doubt it will have snow/ice.

Have fun.

- Mark