| Author | Message | ||
     V2win |
Hey guys, Racerboy and I are making plans to ride out for the Brag California tour. We will be leaving St. Louis on May 14. We figure it will take us 2 weeks to make it back home. Who else here is planning on going. Anyone else from the midwest or east riding out? | ||
| Racerboy |
Jeez John, looks like this is going to be a real popular gathering... | ||
| Firemanjim |
V2win and Racerboy,I know a bunch of us westcoasters from BADWEB and SACBORG will be there.Never fear it will be a riot. | ||
| Sparky |
FWIW, you won't want to miss out on riding the infamous Palomar Mtn switchbacks. But I believe this ride will only be a self-guided tour on Saturday, May 18, before the actual BRAG marathon ride starts. So, while you got the chance, come early and scuff those chicken strips away on this legendary SoCal road! Just how far can you lean into a turn? You'll find out! Sparky 96S1, 98S3 | ||
| Racerboy |
Thanks guys for the encouraging words...We've bought Clement Salvadori's book from Whitehorse Press on touring in California and of course he mentions Polomar...Our prelim plans are to try to get west as quickly as possible so we have a few days before the ride to do things like Polomar and Death Valley...My wife is a SD native (Hoover High)...John Duffy, the SD Sheriff for 20 years, was my bro-in-law...His wife now lives in Modesto and we have other relatives in the bay area (Livermore)...So over the years I've become a bit familiar with CA...From what I read and hear The Rock Store is best done on a Sunday...So we were thinking of riding up there the first Sunday and then rejoining the group...What do you think?...That's about as far as our planning now goes...I'll keep you posted as we learn more... See Ya! Bob | ||
| Rdrage |
Is anyone from SD going all the way up, then heading straight back to SD? I need someone to split rooms with... | ||
| FB |
Racerboy, i can help a bit with road choices in/near/around Death Valley (this place is surprisingly sportbike-friendly), pavement that'll have you guys lusting for more. ping me as your plans gel if i can help with some trip planning. ride to lean, Ferris | ||
| Racerboy |
Tnx Ferris...Here's what we're planning for Death Valley on the way our...From the east we will pass through Las Vegas and Pahrump (VERY interesting town from what I hear!)...From Death Valley Junction south on 127, west on Petro Rd, north on Furnace Creek Wash Rd, west out to Dante's View and back to continue north, north on 190, south on Torna/Wildrose Rd, to exit west on 178...Other than Dante's View, do you have any other "must do's" or rides?...If our timing is such that we have to stay overnite in the Valley, do you have any suggestions?...Thanks again...Bob | ||
| Sparky |
Ooh! As long as you're gonna be on Trona/Wildrose Rd, take a short detour to see the Charcoal Kilns up close (Click the photo for a slide show). These are immaculately preserved structures dating back to the 1800's, and the charcoal scent still lingers! Follow the sign at the Wildrose Ranger Station. The last mile is dirt & gravel but easily traversed on Buells. Sparky 96S1, 98S3 | ||
| Racerboy |
Charcoal Kilns it is...Tnx Sparky for the tip...Keep these kinda things coming guys... Also, to those further north...What do you think about "Mosquito Ridge Road" as a way either to or from Tahoe...Also, the tour books recommend the east side of Tahoe but my memory is that the west side was a better run...What with Emerald Bay and such...What do you think? Got mail today from Leslie and she now has a COMPANY MOTO...A Blue Streak S3T...About time they rewarded her...Last year her fiance Leigh had his Buell stollen and when recovered its was trashed...So now Leigh can ride the M2 and Les will have the S3T...I hope we'll get to see the S3T on this tour... See Ya! Bob | ||
| FB |
i was pretty sure Sparkster would chime in on Death Valley! :-) lessee Racerboy, if it were me i'd skip the road to Trona and Ridgecrest after you do the kilns. straight (mostly), flat, VERY bumpy from multiple layers of tar strips. about the best thing here are occasional high-speed, low-altitude fly-overs by the FA-18's fom China Lake. instead, after the kilns hang a right when you hit Trona/Wildrose, go north 15 miles, and take a left back onto 190 west. soon, you'll start climbing rapidly out of the Panamint Valley, on a very Buell-worthy piece of tarmac. in fact, if you're feeling REALLY frisky, when you reach the top, u-turn and head east on 190, back down into and thru Panamint Valley and then up, up, up to Towne Pass. some of this section you'll have missed by doing Wildrose and the kilns, and the return run is well worth the effort. west bound on 190 again, go straight ahead on 136 when you reach the junction of 136 and 190, on the east side of Owens Dry Lake (which is slowly becoming wet again via a bazillion dollar "sprinkler system" ordered by the Gov to try and keep the dust in check). the view of the Sierra's from here (you're lookin' right at 'em) is pretty bitchin'. you'll end up in short order in Lone Pine, notable, among other things, for being the location for more motion picture shoots than any other place in America outside of Hollywood. (remember "Tremors", with Kevin Bacon? :-) if it's getting close to call-it-a-day time when you get to Lone Pine, stay at the Dow Villa Motel (neat place, 24-hour spa, pizza right across the street). more to come, Ferris | ||
| FB |
oh, re: places to stay in DV, Furnace Creek is a good option, as is Stovepipe Wells. full accomodations (lodging, food, fuel, all relatively expensive) at each. me, i'd stay at Furnace Creek given the opportunity, and get in a round of golf :-) and while you're in the Valley, if you've got time and desire be sure to make the jog north at Sand Dune Junction on 190 (just east of Stovepipe Wells) and see Scotty's Castle (it's 33 miles from SDJ one-way, all paved). the Castle is almost beyond description, smack dab in the middle of BFE. and if you make it to the Castle, it's only another 5 miles (paved) to Ubehebe Crater. well worth the effort. | ||
| Ferris |
gents, i gotta shut down for tonite, will give you some tasty options for Lone Pine-South tomorrow. but before i go, a word or two why i like 190 and 136 from Death Valley to Lone Pine so much. first, the pavement is excellent to superb, there are plenty of smooth, gnarly corners, and in the span of less than 70 miles you'll gain, lose and regain a total of 13,000 feet in elevation. in fact, in an hour and a half you'll go from the lowest point in North America (Furnace Creek) to the base of the highest point in the continental United States (Mount Whitney at Lone Pine). g'night! :-) FB | ||
| Rdrage |
Anyone from SD going?? | ||
| Firemanjim |
Emerald Bay is east side of tahoe(SE),west side is Kings Beach Tahoe City etc.Road from Nevada south lake area toward Emerald Bay great m/c ride if you go on off tourist/motorhome time.SACBOG boys can give you lots of great rodes in that area.Ask Vik. |
