2022 Pashnit Touring on a Hayabusa

[pashnit]

Temps starting to rise. Soon, we're into the high 80s & mid-90s by the other side of the range. Not hot enough for cool vests, but pouring water over oneself works too. It'll all be dry within the hour.

Headed over the range. Wiggle Wiggle.

 

[pashnit]

Highway 175, Lake County | California Motorcycle Roads | Pashnit

Ride Middletown to Hopland, California Motorcycle Ride

www.pashnit.com

 

[pashnit]

I've ridden this low pass many times on many different bikes. Never disappoints.

Highway 175, Lake County | California Motorcycle Roads | Pashnit

Ride Middletown to Hopland, California Motorcycle Ride

www.pashnit.com

 

[pashnit]

 

[pashnit]

But today, it was just plain hot, and we went in search of ice cream.

Black Rims still growing on me. Give it time.

 

[pashnit]

It was time to escape the heat, get over the coast range, and get out to the ocean. Temps will drop from the mid-90s to the low 70s.

We did something a bit different and I changed up the route to take Skaggs Spring - Stewarts Point Rd.
I once wrote this ride was The Holy Grail of California Motorcycle Roads.
It starts off as a racetrack, and narrows to single-lane goat the nearer it gets to the ocean.
Multiple personality road.

 

[pashnit]

The racetrack segment is only limited by the size of your, well, you know.
No one out here to tell you can or can't.

It's all super green during spring, but the summer heat bakes the hillsides.

 

[pashnit]

 

[pashnit]

 

[pashnit]

Then, as Skaggs reaches the half-way point to the ocean, it progressively gets more narrow, and devolves into single lane through the redwoods.

 

[pashnit]

Skaggs reaches the ocean at Stewarts Point and the temps went from nearly 100 degrees to 65.

 

[pashnit]

Plus, the highlight is the Stewarts Point store along Highway 1, there are always bikes hanging out here along with expensive gas.

 

[pashnit]

Reaching Gualala, our stop for the night.

Good times with the fellas after a hot days ride

 

[pashnit]

 

[pashnit]

Keeping with tradition, I had to text my wife a shot of the menu, so she could choose what I'm gonna order, since she knows better than I do what I like. That's what happens after 25 year together.

In case you were wondering, it was delicious. And, thanks for asking.

But you're paying for the view, right?

Closing out another awesome day of riding!

 

[Zerks]

After our visit to the airplane museum in Santa Rosa, headed over to one of my all-time favorite roads, Hopland Grade, a superfast, tight curvaceous romp over a low range.

Highway 29 outside Calistoga - It's a fun as it looks.
View attachment 1659549

Highway 175, Lake County | California Motorcycle Roads | Pashnit

Ride Middletown to Hopland, California Motorcycle Ride

www.pashnit.com

Highway 175 - Hopland Grade
View attachment 1659550

I lived in Clearlake from 91 to 93 and worked in the Geyers geo thermal drilling field. My commute included Socrates Mine Rd ( right off the 175 I believe if I remember correctly ) where the steam powered generators were fed super heated steam from the wells that were drilled up there. We use to be able to drive on nice paved roads to the top where you could look westward towards Santa Rosa and the Pacific Ocean. They have guard gates put up since then so access is limited. My V65 Sabre used up 7 rear and 5 front tires in about 2 & 1/2 years. I think I was using Bridgestone SE 11 dual compound tires that were my favorite tire at that time. Tire wear is high up there because they grind up volcanic rock and blend it in with the asphalt for the roads in that area... cheap filler material is my guess. I hit a deer in 91 up there... it was a rough encounter but I was able to ride home.

 

[pashnit]

I lived in Clearlake from 91 to 93 and worked in the Geyers geo thermal drilling field. My commute included Socrates Mine Rd ( right off the 175 I believe if I remember correctly ) where the steam powered generators were fed super heated steam from the wells that were drilled up there. We use to be able to drive on nice paved roads to the top where you could look westward towards Santa Rosa and the Pacific Ocean. They have guard gates put up since then so access is limited. My V65 Sabre used up 7 rear and 5 front tires in about 2 & 1/2 years. I think I was using Bridgestone SE 11 dual compound tires that were my favorite tire at that time. Tire wear is high up there because they grind up volcanic rock and blend it in with the asphalt for the roads in that area... cheap filler material is my guess. I hit a deer in 91 up there... it was a rough encounter but I was able to ride home.

Zerks - that's awesome learning you worked here, such an interesting area, and the geothermal stuff around the Mayacamas Range is super fascinating to me.

And Socrates Mine Rd was indeed a 'find'. What a place to work, atop these ridgelines every day!

 

[WuzzaCBXRider]

Say Tim, have you got a good recommendation for a bike to bike intercom?

 

[Zerks]

Zerks - that's awesome learning you worked here, such an interesting area, and the geothermal stuff around the Mayacamas Range is super fascinating to me.

View attachment 1659616

And Socrates Mine Rd was indeed a 'find'. What a place to work, atop these ridgelines every day!

View attachment 1659619

View attachment 1659620

I will take a look and see where those pictures went that I took when I worked up there. It really was a beautiful area with some days bringing in low fog so as you climbed up to the rig location you would pop out into the sunshine. Sometimes you would see steam coming right out of the ground in small amounts that served as a reminder of how thin the Earth's crust is in that area. Many little earth movements occur every day up there that reminded me that Mother Earth is alive and well. I did manage to climb to the top of Cobb Mt one time.... the manzanita trees made a bleeder out of me.

 

[pashnit]

Say Tim, have you got a good recommendation for a bike to bike intercom?

I don't use one. Not even music. Kinda strange, I know.

20 years ago, everybody had Autocomms.

But today, the most common one I see on tours that riders have, are the Sena's.

The Best Motorcycle & Action Sport Bluetooth Devices | Sena

Sena's motorcycle Bluetooth communication devices and video imaging systems are designed to inspire your pursuit of adventure. Find out how here.

www.sena.com