2021 Pashnit Touring on a Hayabusa

[pashnit]

We lucked out in Gualala with the hole in the fog.

But the heavy fog would continue as we made our way north along Highway 1. Some days along the coast are like that. I have done all-day rides along the ocean where I never saw the water and other days it's crystal clear and perfect blue sky.

In Fort Bragg, we met up with Tim, who was riding down to meet us from Central Oregon. Tim is one of my oldest alumni, and started riding on these Pashnit Tours 15 years ago, back in 2006 on a SV650. Today he's on a S1000RR.

 

[pashnit]

 

[pashnit]

Finally, reaching the 22-mile Leggett section

Same corner on a clear day

 

[pashnit]

The Leggett Section of Highway 1

 

[pashnit]

I have photographed this section of road so many times, I figured I needed a theme for today to focus on, so I sent the tour group on ahead with Mark leading, and I went with trying to capture the hairpins

 

[pashnit]

Some sections are knee drag fast

Others are super tight, marked as 10mph blind corners

 

[pashnit]

 

[pashnit]

 

[pashnit]

Maybe someday, I'll only take pictures of the 15mph signs. There are lots.

 

[pashnit]

 

[pashnit]

Quick stop at Usal Rd, a dual sport road along the coast.

 

[pashnit]

Richardson Grove along Highway 101

 

[pashnit]

Next day greeted with a cold foggy morning.

 

[pashnit]

There are a bunch of road closures in NorCal due to the fires. I had to study all the fire maps to figure out a route a day prior to the ride. This delay was due to construction, but it's the weekend, and stuff opens up . We learned Highway 299 had a 90-minute wait time to get an escort through the fire zone on both sides of the highway. Don't want to do that.

The fire maps look like this, then overlaying the map with roads , and trying to weave through all this. But what this doesn't tell you is the age of the fire (it might be completely out) or if the roads are open. So it's a bit of guesswork and a bit of good luck.

Get it wrong, and we get stuck in this, This shot was a couple of years back on Highway 299 - same road that's closed on this ride that we're going to avoid.

 

[pashnit]

I had this idea for a 240-mile loop, but it involved Bald Hills Rd (#2 to #3) which has three miles of gravel on it and Forest Rd 1 (#5 to #8) (which we did a couple months ago and is really tore up). Then Ian shows up on a Goldwing, and that idea got nixed. Goldwings and gravel roads don't go together.

 

[pashnit]

Plan C is out-n-back, no loop.
Go for a 300-mile day on some super twisty super fun NorCal motorcycle roads. Highway 36 and Highway 3 Hayfork Pass are the roads that are open.

 

[pashnit]

 

[pashnit]

No smoke and nothing is on fire , I think we're in good shape.

 

[pashnit]

And now, for something completely different. Headed up Horse Ridge Lookout Rd, a dead-end 7-mile road up a ridgeline at South Fork Mountain Summit.

Any road that involves warnings, got to go check that out.

 

[pashnit]

It's paved. Mostly. Single lane and goaty.

Keep a sharp eye out for the potholes