45 Days on a Gen3 Hayabusa - 2023 Pashnit Touring

Good news is they've replanted some regions, and the forest grows back really fast. These tree can grow 12 inches in height per year.

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Watch those blind corners.

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This region along Eleven Pines Rd was extensively burned by the King Fire in 2014. In two weeks, the fire razed nearly 100,000 acres of forest originating from the edge of Pollock Pines, a mountain community at the 4000 ft level about 30 minutes east of Sacramento. Prevailing winds blew it away from the town, saving the town of Pollock Pines from the fate of Paradise where in late 2018, the entire town of Paradise with 25,000 residents burned to the ground in the Camp Fire.

The 2018 Camp Fire burned 153,000 acres, killed 86 people, destroyed 18,804 structures and is regarded high on the list of the world's deadliest wildfires. The 2018 Camp Fire was the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California's history, and the most expensive natural disaster in the world.

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Reaching French Meadows Reservoir

This reservoir is at 5200 ft and much lower than the other one we were just at (Loon Lake).
The reservoir is at the eastern terminus of a very famous road in local riding circles: Mosquito Ridge Rd

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If you know anything about what's been going on in California the last couple of years, there has been no water.

But check this out: Completely full. Such a beautiful sight.

I've been riding up Mosquito Ridge to French Meadows Reservoir for 25 years and I've never seen it this full. I first rode up here on my '90 Yamaha FJ1200. Long time ago.

My then girlfriend (now wife of 23 years) on this same road on the FJ.

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We were also amazed to see water in the overflow spillway. The lake is so full of snowmelt, it's overflowing. Beautiful sight.

25 years, I've never seen water in this spillway coming out of the lake.

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I love a warm day and a dry road...but there's nothing like goat paths and harsh weather, it adds to the adventure.
All these posts are alwaya great.
 
Mosquito Ridge is a famous road for local bikers. It's a mountain road that runs up the spine of a mountainous ridge line.
It's famous for 600 curves in 36 miles. (someone actually counted them)

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It twists into the bottom of the canyon, then back out of the canyon and rides the spine to French Meadows Reservoir.


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However, drum roll please, it was closed. But we didn't know that. And, we didn't have enough gas to backtrack. And, there was just enough room to get by the gate, which we mistakenly thought was to prevent people from going any further towards the reservoir.

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And, there was enough room to get by, even the Goldwing.

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The title of this tour is the Race Tour, I designed this ride to visit the Speedway Races in Auburn.


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1/8 mile track, single cylinder Jawa's: the bikes go from 0 to 60 mph in less than 3 seconds and have no brakes.

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Very entertaining

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Next day we awoke to Danny & a low tire on his Ducati. Quick top off of air.

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And a review of the day's route with the fellas. The ocean at left, the mountains at right, that's riding in California.

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A quick peek inside the tour guide's tank bag.

Ah, the secret to his powers revealed. :D

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:D
 
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