2022 Pashnit Touring on a Hayabusa
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Leaving Weaverville, the real highlight of this day ride is Hayfork Pass that connects over to Highway 36.
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We were amazed to discover the northern half had brand-new pavement. No lines had even been painted down yet. It was like a ribbon of chocolate. Pure bliss.
Highway 3 Hayfork Pass | California Motorcycle Roads | Pashnit
Best Northern California Motorcycle Rides - Ride Highway 3 Hayfork Pass
www.pashnit.com
We were amazed to discover the northern half had brand-new pavement. No lines had even been painted down yet. It was like a ribbon of chocolate. Pure bliss.
For many years, we used Hayfork Pass as the perfect photo shoot location. This is where we came to shoot all the knee drag photos. At the summit are several perfectly smooth hairpins with a wide pullout and zero traffic. We might see one or two other vehicles for the length of the pass.
Looks like fun, eh? It is.
Highway 3 Hayfork Pass | California Motorcycle Roads | Pashnit
Best Northern California Motorcycle Rides - Ride Highway 3 Hayfork Pass
www.pashnit.com
Hayfork Pass ends when it reaches Highway 36 at this huge intersection we call The Triangle.
From here, we'll take Highway 36 for 90 miles out to the Pacific Coast. It's a very fast high speed run for the ocean. There are several stops along the way, Horse Ridge Lookout, the South Fork Mountain summit, Lamb Creek Grade at Mad River, we're going to skip all those and head straight for the ocean instead.
What makes this stretch so beloved by riders is Highway 36 goes up and over a series of ridgelines, the summit is a mere 4077 ft, but high enough for snow in April. Twisty up, twisty down. Great fun.
From here, we'll take Highway 36 for 90 miles out to the Pacific Coast. It's a very fast high speed run for the ocean. There are several stops along the way, Horse Ridge Lookout, the South Fork Mountain summit, Lamb Creek Grade at Mad River, we're going to skip all those and head straight for the ocean instead.
What makes this stretch so beloved by riders is Highway 36 goes up and over a series of ridgelines, the summit is a mere 4077 ft, but high enough for snow in April. Twisty up, twisty down. Great fun.
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We talk about Highway 36 a lot. But there's good reason for that.
While there are lots of twisty roads in California, it's an unusual road, and there aren't many motorcycle roads in the state that compare to it. The most unusual thing is the length. 140 miles is a long, long way to ride at these speeds and negotiate 1800 curves in 140 miles (yes, somebody actually counted). The other super odd thing is the lack of any commercial development. There's nothing. Not even towns. Very rural and very remote. That keeps any other traffic to a minimum, and it's not a trucking route. When you come here, you'll have the road all to yourself.
This is The Sign at the start of the western half outside Red Bluff. It's obligatory to get a photo with every bike you've owned for the last 20 years with the sign. Or so I've heard.
While there are lots of twisty roads in California, it's an unusual road, and there aren't many motorcycle roads in the state that compare to it. The most unusual thing is the length. 140 miles is a long, long way to ride at these speeds and negotiate 1800 curves in 140 miles (yes, somebody actually counted). The other super odd thing is the lack of any commercial development. There's nothing. Not even towns. Very rural and very remote. That keeps any other traffic to a minimum, and it's not a trucking route. When you come here, you'll have the road all to yourself.
This is The Sign at the start of the western half outside Red Bluff. It's obligatory to get a photo with every bike you've owned for the last 20 years with the sign. Or so I've heard.
Highway 36 | California Motorcycle Roads | Pashnit
Best Northern California Motorcycle Rides - Ride Highway 36
www.pashnit.com
There is one small general store for the locals at Dinsmore that has gas.
They also have ice cream. That means an obligatory stop.
Ferndale is also the start of Mattole Rd - The Lost Coast. But, we'll do that another day.
Centerville Rd is a country lane that leads out to the coastline.
Centerville Rd is a country lane that leads out to the coastline.
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