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| *Elk Mountain Road north of Upper Lake, California* |
The first leg of the run took us north from where Hwy 20 hits Hwy 101 just a couple miles north of Calpella. Then it was rumble up 101 through Willits to Leggett. That's a nice and easy run with plenty of sweepers to keep life interesting... and warm you up for the unknown that lays ahead.
Our first stop was right there as we turned off U.S. 101 onto California 1. I mean... you Can't ride PAST the drive through tree... Right? ;)
The tables on the edge of the meadow behind the gift shop made for a pretty fine lunch break spot. We sat in the sun eating our crackers, cheese and summer sausage... checking out the nice rides that were passing through as we ate...
... and then captured a portrait of one of the croakers hiding in the shallows of the lake that shares the meadow.
Hwy 1 is a narrow, twisting asphalt ribbon that tests a man's patience. Especially when the urge to scrape the pegs is strong... and you've got a gal sitting on the pillion. ;)
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| *California 1 above Fort Bragg* |
Short straights dump into tight switchbacks on the roads that wind through the coastal range. It's often that you find them tighten up halfway through. I misjudged one later in the day after we'd turned back east onto Hwy 20 south of Fort Bragg going toward Willits...
After cranking the bike around several dozen 15 and 20 mile bends it started to feeling pretty routine...
...until I caught one that was apparently a bit off camber... so that I ran out of lean at the same speed I'd run cleanly through all the others...
Herself on the back seat reeeeallly don't like the sound of scraping pegs and pipes... as the bruises on my back attest.
... and I'll admit... this time... when the bike wobbled a touch as the weight came off that back tire a mite... it kinda got my attention. :) Good thing I tend to ride within' my ability to "cope" ... another couple of miles an hour and she'd have been a whole lot more upset with me...
All the roads that branch out from Hwy 101, such as California 1 and Hwy 20, 128 and the myriad of other Ribbons of Asphalt up and down the coast could keep a biker exploring all summer... for more than a few summers...
Just keep it cool. Rock fall, branches off the overhanging trees, tightening radius turns and broken pavement aren't uncommon finds along the PCH. Keep it easy and the ride will be one of the best you'll ever make.
I keep seeking out ever more tantalizing tunnels through the trees...
They tease me on as much as a far distant horizon fading away in the haze of miles...
Grab Your Handles and Ride
Brian
2 comments:
I love the tunnels through the trees. Looks like a great ride, scrapes and all.
Now you've made me want to ride back down to Northern Cali. It has been almost 4 years since we did and I was on the back of Hubby's cruiser at the time.
And having been the pillion rider when those pipes scrape I can tell you it is an odd feeling from the back knowing you aren't in control of that lean angle. Gets the heart racing.
Thanks for sharing the pictures.
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