2012 Ride
We started our trip to California with a ride down I-5 then over via Raymond to Long Beach. There was a antique car show going on so the town was busy but we stopped at Adam Strutynski's house for some snack. We then rode across the Columbia River bridge on the 101 down to Newport. There we stayed the night and had some Mexican food for dinner. The next day we rode down the 101 in dry conditions past Coos Bay, the Sea lion caves and stopped in the Oregon dunes. After much discussion ATV's were rented and we had some nice rides in the dunes. Its about 5 miles long by 1 mile wide of hills and dips in the sand right on the coast.
We then rode down to Crescent City and overnighted in
Eureka. Across the street from a Mexican restaurant. The next morning we rode
down the 101 thru the Humboldt forest then down 1 to the coast. That great
section was packed with a bicycle race so we had to be careful but a great
winding section all the way down. The rest of the day was sunny and we continued
down the coast stopping for pics and sights till we rode inland to Rohnert Park
for a overnight. The next morning I suggested we stop for Dim Sum in San Fran so
we started out and stopped at the Golden Gate bridge then into town to Lombard
St before looking for expensive parking and a expensive lunch. It was tasty
though. In the afternoon we rode over the bay bridge and east to Jamestown for a
overnight and a steak dinner in the western town.
The next morning we rode south then east toward Yosemite,
the road before the park is great and the ridge coming up to the plateau was new
and clear of cars and twisty. After the entrance into Yosemite we rode down to
the valley floor, took lots of pictures of the cliffs and El Capitan then had
the worlds worst burger according to Paul at the cafeteria. Of course bumped
into Polish people from NJ then we started the ride up and out east of the park
along the high meadows. The road north towards Lake Tahoe was also a great road
up the passes as the sun was setting in the west we arrived in South Lake Tahoe
at dark . Toms GPS helping us to the hotel. The next day we slept in a bit then
rode along the NW side of the lake to Squaw Valley where the 68 Olympics were
and the Polish flag was on the sign into the entrance. We had some coffee then
rode back to South Lake Tahoe.
The next morning we rode north thru Truckee up towards
Lakeview thru the countryside of NE California across the state line where
we overnighted and had Mexican food and some beers from Safeway . The next
day we had a short day up to Bend and my tire rear looked a bit worn so Paul and
I rode up to a shop to get it changed then went to the lava fields in the
afternoon. Radek and Tom went west to Crater Lake then came up to Bend for the
overnight. The next day was up to the Columbia then via Goldendale and Yakima
home. A great ride and no rain at all even down the coast!
The next morning we rode north thru Truckee up towards
Lakeview thru the countryside of NE California across the state line where
we overnighted and had Mexican food and some beers from Safeway . The next
day we had a short day up to Bend and my tire rear looked a bit worn so Paul and
I rode up to a shop to get it changed then went to the lava fields in the
afternoon. Radek and Tom went west to Crater Lake then came up to Bend for the
overnight. The next day was up to the Columbia then via Goldendale and Yakima
home. A great ride and no rain at all even down the coast!
