Joined May 2015
925 Posts | 9+
Dallas, Texas
Video Link: https://photos.smugmug.com/Movies/2...7de1b2/960/Ebbetts Pass 2015 sm 6 min-960.mp4
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Joined Nov 2012
1K Posts | 9+
Mobile Al.
Joined May 2015
925 Posts | 9+
Dallas, Texas
I’ve ridden most of your roads from Denver west to Grand Junction, though mostly the western ones. The traffic as you go east becomes unbearable because of all the double yellow.
I have enjoyed 149 thru Lake City at times when the tourists are away, same with 92.
My favorite roads in the central area:
BTW: I used to ride Rampart Range, staying in Deckers, many many times. American Honda even paid for me to come ride their bikes one time.
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Joined Sep 2015
109 Posts | 0+
Westminster, CO.
Joined May 2015
925 Posts | 9+
Dallas, Texas
30 mph speed limit? Makes every motorcycle rider, except Harley riders, a criminal.
At least California, not known for small government, keeps the speed limits 55 on the mountain backroads.
The low corner speed limits, designed around the lowest common denominator - fat pickup farm trucks, are frustrating in Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado.
What I prefer are highways with no center stripe, which makes passing safely my concern. Constant double yellow, and no enforced slow vehicle turn-outs, make all of us violate laws to keep forward progress.
State Highways like this: 55 mph speed limit and NO center stripe.
At least California, not known for small government, keeps the speed limits 55 on the mountain backroads.
The low corner speed limits, designed around the lowest common denominator - fat pickup farm trucks, are frustrating in Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado.
What I prefer are highways with no center stripe, which makes passing safely my concern. Constant double yellow, and no enforced slow vehicle turn-outs, make all of us violate laws to keep forward progress.
State Highways like this: 55 mph speed limit and NO center stripe.
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Joined May 2015
925 Posts | 9+
Dallas, Texas
To speed fire crews in California forests the backroads are paved with asphalt. These make for the best motorcycle riding.
In many other states, like Colorado, Utah and New Mexico, these roads remain gravel, or unimproved. Great for adventure bikes with knobby tires, difficult for sportier bikes.
California backroads like this: HD Video Link: https://photos.smugmug.com/Movies/2...399f/1280/2015-Hyper-Blacksmith-Flat-1280.mp4
In many other states, like Colorado, Utah and New Mexico, these roads remain gravel, or unimproved. Great for adventure bikes with knobby tires, difficult for sportier bikes.
California backroads like this: HD Video Link: https://photos.smugmug.com/Movies/2...399f/1280/2015-Hyper-Blacksmith-Flat-1280.mp4
Have you been to the Oregon coast yet? It made me not want to return to California. They're that good. I thought it was Heaven...
Take the best CA pavement and make it even smoother. Now put 90% less traffic on it, and surround yourself with some of the most beautiful lush scenery. It's really not okay how good it is.
Take the best CA pavement and make it even smoother. Now put 90% less traffic on it, and surround yourself with some of the most beautiful lush scenery. It's really not okay how good it is.
Joined May 2015
925 Posts | 9+
Dallas, Texas
SW Oregon top rated roads. Crater Lake and Klamath west to the coast. Sport bike road and adventure bike roads.
Frankly, I'm happier in California. Good roads up there, but, like my Oregon dual sport ride promoter friend says, the top roads are south of the border.
Maybe it could be your list of roads in California?
I've ridden pretty much everything in CA by now. Not saying it's bad, but I was just blown away at how consistently good Oregon was. Aside from a few random dirt sections, it was perfect everywhere. It seems much more varied here. Maybe that's part of the allure.
Another big factor was the recommended speed signs. In Oregon they are all accurate, and every corner was labeled. We could consistently say how fast we could ride through a turn based on the sign, and it never let us down. In CA, it's kinda all over the place.
Joined Nov 2013
1K Posts | 1+
Inland SoCal
Last time I was riding in OR they had a 55 mph speed limit on all two lane roads. We get a bit more leeway down south. And northwestern OR is pretty much desert.
That said, I had more than one OHP ignore us on our '08 Road Glide, doing 10 - 15 over. They were pulling sportbikes over right and left on 395 north of John Day. I figure the cops that saw us were thinking "maybe I'll get one of those next time..."
That said, I had more than one OHP ignore us on our '08 Road Glide, doing 10 - 15 over. They were pulling sportbikes over right and left on 395 north of John Day. I figure the cops that saw us were thinking "maybe I'll get one of those next time..."
Joined May 2015
925 Posts | 9+
Dallas, Texas
Anyone who, like me, has been riding California backroads for decades knows well that road maintenance has gone from pretty good to nearly never. When well maintained I’ll ride California every time. Now it is left to trial and error to find those roads or even road sections still smooth enough for spirited riding.
It is apparent that California has decided to spend the considerable gasoline taxes for things other than roads. Must be what Californians want. The hard to understand part is why the Forest Service isn’t keeping up with the repairs to their roads.
A big reason why I purchased the Hyper and replaced the suspension. Now only the worst pothole sections force lines to avoid wheel damage.
I was challenged by difficult road sections on Oregon backroads too. E.G.: Bear Camp Road up and over to Grants Pass.
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Joined May 2015
925 Posts | 9+
Dallas, Texas
I'm finding a lot of superior roads in the Sierras in very good to excellent surface condition.
Lots of repaying with real asphalt being done on the passes. Two 2" asphalt on Carson Pass going on now. Long delays warrant going another route.
Lots of repaying with real asphalt being done on the passes. Two 2" asphalt on Carson Pass going on now. Long delays warrant going another route.
Pretty much anywhere that had damage to the rains is getting nicely repaired, not that it was bad, but I'm excited to go try redwood road once it opens.
I did a "road" called Morgan Valley back around the time of the eclipse, it was essentially like offroading on hardpack as the roadway looked more like an asphalt quilt. I haven't done anything to the 'tards suspension yet and I certainly used all of it on that road. Rough enough that I ended up snapping the rubber strap that holds the battery down. Despite (or maybe due to all that) I'd definitely ride that road again.
Joined Apr 2017
244 Posts | 1+
California
The serious budget cuts happened during 8 years of Arnold the Terminator's rein. During his 8 years it seemed road work virtually stopped. Things got really really bad regards roads.
Jerry Brown has ... slowly ... been restoring road works after years of neglect. We've somehow got a huge budget surplus now, but often repair choices are misplaced. Cal Trans is such a HUGE entity ... can't imagine trying to coordinate their activities. Massive. Huge employer, taken thousands off unemployment rolls.
2 years ago whole sections of Highway One in Marin and Sonoma counties were repaved ... even though those roads were IN FINE SHAPE! Yet severely beat up rural roads were ignored. Still going that way today. The Post Card touristed roads are maintained like the family Jewels ... back roads ignored.
Some of this is politics and it's why certain counties are neglected.
The UPSIDE is these beat up roads keep the tourists OUT .. so we've got them all to ourselves with little enforcement. We know where these roads are, don't advertise them too much. Never talk about Fight Club.
My DR650 and my Tiger 1050 and Vstrom before, all handled these roads pretty well. The Hyper is good too with it's upgraded suspension. If I ever get it back, plan to do a Sierra ride in October. Fingers crossed!
We used to do a fun one day ride called the Five Pass ride. 5 Sierra passes in a day. But the Crown Jewel of course is Sherman Pass. Most challenging and diverse of all. Late to open, early to close.
Jerry Brown has ... slowly ... been restoring road works after years of neglect. We've somehow got a huge budget surplus now, but often repair choices are misplaced. Cal Trans is such a HUGE entity ... can't imagine trying to coordinate their activities. Massive. Huge employer, taken thousands off unemployment rolls.
2 years ago whole sections of Highway One in Marin and Sonoma counties were repaved ... even though those roads were IN FINE SHAPE! Yet severely beat up rural roads were ignored. Still going that way today. The Post Card touristed roads are maintained like the family Jewels ... back roads ignored.
Some of this is politics and it's why certain counties are neglected.
The UPSIDE is these beat up roads keep the tourists OUT .. so we've got them all to ourselves with little enforcement. We know where these roads are, don't advertise them too much. Never talk about Fight Club.
My DR650 and my Tiger 1050 and Vstrom before, all handled these roads pretty well. The Hyper is good too with it's upgraded suspension. If I ever get it back, plan to do a Sierra ride in October. Fingers crossed!
We used to do a fun one day ride called the Five Pass ride. 5 Sierra passes in a day. But the Crown Jewel of course is Sherman Pass. Most challenging and diverse of all. Late to open, early to close.
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Joined Apr 2017
244 Posts | 1+
California
Which Redwood Road are you talking about? Goes from Where to Where?
Morgan Valley?
I think you might be referring to "Morgan Territory Road". yes? It's like a Motocross track, perfect for my DR650 or a well set up Hyperstrada. I used to ride Morgan Territory way too fast.
No longer. We started that ride outside Concord, headed South on Morgan Territory, continued South to Mines Road all the way to Mt. Hamilton, then down and headed West then North over on secret back roads all the way back up to Sunol. A good day ride. Watch for Squids over riding the road on Mines Road.
Joined May 2015
925 Posts | 9+
Dallas, Texas
One of my all time favorite roads still has perfect pavement, except there is one bump in one lane. Mile after mile of serpentine curves. 4th gear all the way. Hope this road remains the secret it has been for years.
2 hours to go out and back. That’s two hours of motorcycling bliss. Oh, and with traffic ahead of me that I can count on one hand.
West coast riders who don’t spend time exploring the forest backroads in the Sierras are missing out.
Spoke with contractor working on spring damaged roads in the forest. Pre-con in October and all of next year to age the necessary repairs. So, it will be 2019 before my backroad north/south shortcuts are again available.
Where? On this map. All I will disclose.
From today:
2 hours to go out and back. That’s two hours of motorcycling bliss. Oh, and with traffic ahead of me that I can count on one hand.
West coast riders who don’t spend time exploring the forest backroads in the Sierras are missing out.
Spoke with contractor working on spring damaged roads in the forest. Pre-con in October and all of next year to age the necessary repairs. So, it will be 2019 before my backroad north/south shortcuts are again available.
Where? On this map. All I will disclose.
From today:
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Which Redwood Road are you talking about? Goes from Where to Where?
Morgan Valley?
I think you might be referring to "Morgan Territory Road". yes? It's like a Motocross track, perfect for my DR650 or a well set up Hyperstrada. I used to ride Morgan Territory way too fast.
We started that ride outside Concord, headed South on Morgan Territory, continued South to Mines Road all the way to Mt. Hamilton, then down and headed West then North over on secret back roads all the way back up to Sunol. A good day ride. Watch for Squids over riding the road on Mines Road.
Redwood road in Castro Valley (I wasn't aware of the others) not sure if it's open yet but last time I tried it very much wasn't: https://www.google.com/maps/place/R...2529971aa59979!8m2!3d37.7444267!4d-122.088032
I've only ever ridden Morgan Territory on a bike, I was definitely jealous of the motorcycles I saw though.
It's this section from Clear Lake to Berryessa: https://www.google.com/maps/place/M...b117ffb65ce10!8m2!3d38.8856382!4d-122.5032772
Streetview doesn't really do it justice but it was a really fun and at the end, really rough, road.
Are you guys interested in a group ride since you're local? I know there are a few other bay area guys too. I like riding Mt.Hamilton and try to do it weekly or every other week. PM me if that sounds fun!
I've ridden redwood and pinehurst before, but only a couple times. Pretty fun roads. Berryessa is SO bumpy. Oh man, the pot holes out there can take out a wheel if you aren't careful.
The most insane road I have ever ridden, by far, was Mattole road up in the Lost Coast area. It was borderline dirt biking. The most nasty, torn up roads with massive 2 foot dips, jumps, gravel, pot holes. I probably caught it at the worst time ever since there were about 50 loaded gravel trucks going up and down for construction.
I've ridden redwood and pinehurst before, but only a couple times. Pretty fun roads.
Berryessa is SO bumpy. Oh man, the pot holes out there can take out a wheel if you aren't careful.The most insane road I have ever ridden, by far, was Mattole road up in the Lost Coast area. It was borderline dirt biking. The most nasty, torn up roads with massive 2 foot dips, jumps, gravel, pot holes. I probably caught it at the worst time ever since there were about 50 loaded gravel trucks going up and down for construction.
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