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June 2011 California Pacific Coast Tour

30 posts Started 5 Apr 2011 Last recovered post 7 Jun 2011 Wayback Machine snapshot 10 Jun 2011

#1
A group of us here on VFRD are in the planning stage of a 5-day ride along the coast of California. As of right now there are three confirmed riders, and we have decided to open up the ride to anyone who wants to join us. The more the merrier...

The date of the ride is June 16-20, and starts and ends in the Los Angeles area. The routes and stop points below reflect overnight stays in Mill Valley (16th and 19th) and Fortuna (17th and 18th). Routes and stop points are open to change as long as there is a group consensus.

This will be a "sport-touring" ride, but is open to all riders as long as each group (slow, average, fast) has leads/sweepers and agrees to meet at specific points along the ride. This will ensure each group rides at their own pace, and doesn't require faster riders to constantly wait on slower riders, nor encourage slower riders to ride faster than their abilities.

Anyway, feel free to post up if you want to join the tour.


PS: Click on the "Pashnit NorCal Tour" link in my signature...that's where we're going and will be riding the same roads.


Confirmed:
NVR2L8
vfr661

Tentative:
blackbrainedjohnny

==================================================================================================================
Here are the proposed routes:

Day 1 (June 16th) -- Los Angeles to Mill Valley via Hwy 1
http://maps.google.c....696167&t=h&z=8


Day 2 (June 17th) -- Mill Valley to Fortuna via Hwy 1
http://maps.google.c....696167&t=h&z=8


Day 3 (June 18th) -- Fortuna Area, Hwy's 36, 3, 299, etc
http://maps.google.c...674042&t=h&z=10


Day 4 (June19th) -- Fortuna to Mill Valley via Hwy 1
http://maps.google.c...85ac913&t=h&z=8


Day 5 (June 20th) -- Mill Valley to Los Angeles via Hwy 1
http://maps.google.c....696167&t=h&z=8


Mill Valley Lodging: http://www.abvimillvalley.com/

Fortuna Lodging: http://www.comfortin...8?promo=gglocal
#2
Man! I was just mentioning you to Wheatie from this forum yesterday and how I enjoyed riding with you on our Coyucos ride. I've got a possible ride going at about the same time. I'll see how my work is going. Pretty much have to work when it's available these days. Who's confirmed as of now? I'll see which ride fits my time off availability and let you know closer to the ride.
#3

[image: View Post]VFR Capt.Bob, on 05 April 2011 - 02:52 PM, said:

Man! I was just mentioning you to Wheatie from this forum yesterday and how I enjoyed riding with you on our Coyucos ride. I've got a possible ride going at about the same time. I'll see how my work is going. Pretty much have to work when it's available these days. Who's confirmed as of now? I'll see which ride fits my time off availability and let you know closer to the ride.



Bob,

You should have joined us last June when we spent 4 days in the Sierra's!!! That was fun... :cheerleader:

Original thread to be updated with the confirmed and tentative riders...hope to see your name on the list.
#4

[image: View Post]NVR2L8, on 05 April 2011 - 02:20 PM, said:

A group of us here on VFRD are in the planning stage of a 5-day ride along the coast of California. As of right now there are three confirmed riders, and we have decided to open up the ride to anyone who wants to join us. The more the merrier...

The date of the ride is June 16-20, and starts and ends in the Los Angeles area. The routes and stop points below reflect overnight stays in Mill Valley (16th and 19th) and Fortuna (17th and 18th). Routes and stop points are open to change as long as there is a group consensus.

This will be a "sport-touring" ride, but is open to all riders as long as each group (slow, average, fast) has leads/sweepers and agrees to meet at specific points along the ride. This will ensure each group rides at their own pace, and doesn't require faster riders to constantly wait on slower riders, nor encourage slower riders to ride faster than their abilities.

Anyway, feel free to post up if you want to join the tour.


Confirmed:
NVR2L8
Michaelf3
vfr661

Tentative:
blackbrainedjohnny

==================================================================================================================
Here are the proposed routes:

Day 1 (June 16th) -- Los Angeles to Mill Valley via Hwy 1
http://maps.google.c....696167&t=h&z=8


Day 2 (June 17th) -- Mill Valley to Fortuna via Hwy 1
http://maps.google.c....696167&t=h&z=8


Day 3 (June 18th) -- Fortuna Area, Hwy's 36, 3, 299, etc
http://maps.google.c...674042&t=h&z=10


Day 4 (June19th) -- Fortuna to Mill Valley via Hwy 1
http://maps.google.c...85ac913&t=h&z=8


Day 5 (June 20th) -- Mill Valley to Los Angeles via Hwy 1
http://maps.google.c....696167&t=h&z=8

May I suggest you check out CalTrans website to make sure the parts of Highway 1 that you'll be riding are open. All the heavy rains have brought slides and road damage all along Highway 1. Ride Safe!
#5
Thanks...I heard about the slip-out near Big Sur and I have reservations that it will be fixed before this ride. So...I have an alternate route near San Miguel that takes us to some non-slab inland roads before heading back to Hwy 1 north of Monterey.
#6
I am heading north on the VFR sometime in June so I will follow this thread. I saw the pictures on the RT 1 damage so keep checking on that.

Most likely the really high stuff will be closed till late June this year so the coast works!!!!!!!!!
#7
I live in Mendocino and since you are driving by me I would like to join up with you north bound. It would be just a portion of the day (June 17th) .
#8
Here is the latest good/bad news on the southern portion of Hwy 1. The good news is that the Rocky Creek slide just north of the Bixby Bridge is now open 24/7 to one lane signal controlled traffic. The bad news is the Alder Creek slide is still being worked, and it'll probably take several weeks before the road is clear. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the sourthern portion will be open by the time of the ride, but if not we can get around the Alder Creek slide by taking Hwy 101 north to Nacimiento-Ferguson Road if needed...great ocean views from this road but it's a little goaty.

http://www.pashnit.c...ead.php?t=29194
#9
Bay Area VFR here...will gladly join in for the Mill Valley portion...not sure if I can do the overnight thing, but will if possible!
#10
May be able to join in for days 2-4, what accommodations are planned?
#11
I may try to join as well but I need to see how work is going
#12

[image: View Post]vfrcapn, on 21 April 2011 - 09:58 PM, said:

May be able to join in for days 2-4, what accommodations are planned?


The plan for now is:

Day 1 stay is in Mill Valley
Day 2 and 3 stay is in Fortuna
Day 4 stay is in Mill Valley
#13
there are some very nice roads in Humboldt County and a couple of (4-5) breweries as well. I lived up there for 10 years or so
#14

[image: View Post]AKayaker2, on 21 April 2011 - 10:40 PM, said:

there are some very nice roads in Humboldt County and a couple of (4-5) breweries as well. I lived up there for 10 years or so


My preference on where to stay in Fortuna is at the Comfort Inn at the Kenmar Road exit. The room rates are comparable to everything else in the area, and they have a good mini breakfast area. Plus the Eel River Brewery is just down the street. :beer:
#15
might be able to meet up say in san fran and head north with you guys.... are you planning on doing 36 to red bluff then up to 299? done Hwy 1 end to end love it.. 36 has got to be at the top of the list... :fing02:
#16

[image: View Post]RonJohn, on 22 April 2011 - 02:14 AM, said:

might be able to meet up say in san fran and head north with you guys.... are you planning on doing 36 to red bluff then up to 299? done Hwy 1 end to end love it.. 36 has got to be at the top of the list... :fing02:


We're gonna ride Hwy 36 to Platina, and then turn around and take Wildwood Road to Hwy 3 to Weaverville. I still need to figure our fuel requirements and where we can top off, but for now that's the plan. :bliss:
#17
I'm gonna lurk on this one! Junes far enough away to plan ahead. I live in the OC, as they say, so the ride out wouldn't be solo. Perfect opportunity to stretch my new FJR's legs. If you all wouldn't mind riding with the black whale,
Mike,
#18
Would like to meet up for the Fortuna section of the ride, since your gonna be in the hood.
#19

[image: View Post]mhks73, on 29 April 2011 - 09:27 PM, said:

I'm gonna lurk on this one! Junes far enough away to plan ahead. I live in the OC, as they say, so the ride out wouldn't be solo. Perfect opportunity to stretch my new FJR's legs. If you all wouldn't mind riding with the black whale,
Mike,


If you decide to go, we can ride to meet Jeff and Cheng together. I'm in OC too.
#20

[image: View Post]michaelf3, on 02 May 2011 - 01:10 AM, said:

[image: View Post]mhks73, on 29 April 2011 - 09:27 PM, said:

I'm gonna lurk on this one! Junes far enough away to plan ahead. I live in the OC, as they say, so the ride out wouldn't be solo. Perfect opportunity to stretch my new FJR's legs. If you all wouldn't mind riding with the black whale,
Mike,


If you decide to go, we can ride to meet Jeff and Cheng together. I'm in OC too.

Four on the way up sounds great! But thats a long haul totally up the coast in one day then again I've done it b4 but that was in a car. I've done a 2 day down Hwy 1 from near Frisco on two wheels. Nonetheless the Fj is plenty comfy! Hope I can work it out!
Mike,
#21

[image: View Post]mhks73, on 02 May 2011 - 11:48 PM, said:

[image: View Post]michaelf3, on 02 May 2011 - 01:10 AM, said:

[image: View Post]mhks73, on 29 April 2011 - 09:27 PM, said:

I'm gonna lurk on this one! Junes far enough away to plan ahead. I live in the OC, as they say, so the ride out wouldn't be solo. Perfect opportunity to stretch my new FJR's legs. If you all wouldn't mind riding with the black whale,
Mike,


If you decide to go, we can ride to meet Jeff and Cheng together. I'm in OC too.

Four on the way up sounds great! But thats a long haul totally up the coast in one day then again I've done it b4 but that was in a car. I've done a 2 day down Hwy 1 from near Frisco on two wheels. Nonetheless the Fj is plenty comfy! Hope I can work it out!
Mike,


Yea, for the SoCal folks the first and last day are a haul. We need to be KSU early on both those days so we can end the day at a decent hour. No problem bringing a FJR on the ride...not sure which of my bikes I'll be riding for this trip. :comp13:
#22

[image: View Post]NVR2L8, on 02 May 2011 - 11:59 PM, said:

[image: View Post]mhks73, on 02 May 2011 - 11:48 PM, said:

[image: View Post]michaelf3, on 02 May 2011 - 01:10 AM, said:

[image: View Post]mhks73, on 29 April 2011 - 09:27 PM, said:

I'm gonna lurk on this one! Junes far enough away to plan ahead. I live in the OC, as they say, so the ride out wouldn't be solo. Perfect opportunity to stretch my new FJR's legs. If you all wouldn't mind riding with the black whale,
Mike,


If you decide to go, we can ride to meet Jeff and Cheng together. I'm in OC too.

Four on the way up sounds great! But thats a long haul totally up the coast in one day then again I've done it b4 but that was in a car. I've done a 2 day down Hwy 1 from near Frisco on two wheels. Nonetheless the Fj is plenty comfy! Hope I can work it out!
Mike,


Yea, for the SoCal folks the first and last day are a haul. We need to be KSU early on both those days so we can end the day at a decent hour. No problem bringing a FJR on the ride...not sure which of my bikes I'll be riding for this trip. :comp13:



Yeap. It'll be a long ride on those two days. Last year on the Sierra Nevada trip, we were on the road for 10-12 hours before we reach Fresno. Of course we took some rest stops along the way. About half the ride was through twisty roads. It was a blast! PCH 1 should be fun and in no time we'll be in SF. The key is to build up endurance. I'll be riding daily 2 weeks before this trip.
#23
Yeap, riding 2-3 days/week now hoping to get in shape. Will probably do five days a week in June and 200-300 mile trips on the weekend.
#24
I am still following the thread but it looks like I am headed to Idaho on the VFR in late June.

Twisty riding really does suck up the time and limit the amount of miles per day even on the longest days of the year but that is what it is all about. :cheerleader:
#25
I'd love to join you guys on day one and ride for at least part of the day. Just picked up my new (to me) 02 VFR on Monday and I'm stoked to get her on a good ride.
Scott
#26
The trip is now two weeks out, so for those who are "confirmed" we need to start thinking about lodging arrangements. The current plan is for two nights in Mill Valley and two nights in Fortuna, and on a previous ride I've stayed at both of the two locations listed below. The motel at Mill Valley is "okay", but if you want something nicer you'll spend considerably more since it's the Bay Area. The Comfort Inn in Fortuna is decent and not too expensive, and has a decent breakfast bar plus the Eel River Brewery/Restaurant right across the parking lot. Anyway, if you've been sitting on the sideline thinking about joining the ride, now is the time to do it. For those who want to meet up on one of the day routes, shoot me a PM with your email and cell number so we can connect.

Mill Valley Lodging: http://www.abvimillvalley.com/

Fortuna Lodging: http://www.comfortin...8?promo=gglocal
#27
I am ok with those two hotels. I am able to get government rate which is a little less than their best available rate. Let me know if any one want to share a room with 2 queen beds ( $90 per night )

Does any one have the latest status of PCH 1 through central Cal area?
#28

[image: View Post]vfr661, on 01 June 2011 - 11:25 PM, said:

I am ok with those two hotels. I am able to get government rate which is a little less than their best available rate. Let me know if any one want to share a room with 2 queen beds ( $90 per night )

Does any one have the latest status of PCH 1 through central Cal area?



Hwy 1 is still closed at Gorda due to the Alder Creek slide, but we can get around it by taking Nacimiento-Fergusson Road which dumps into Hwy just a few miles of the slide. The slip-out at Big Sur has been repaired to the point where there is one-way controlled traffic through that area, but otherwise Hwy 1 is open except for a few construction areas near Monterey and San Mateo, and there is also construction further north near Point Arena. Day 1 is going to be a long long day, and right now I'm more worried about the weather in NorCal in the Fortuna area...that area has been getting rain and even snow in some areas. We have two weeks for that ugly weather to be blown out and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will be cleared out for our tour days.

I assumed you and Michael would be roomies?
#29
I forgot to add...when we get to Mill Valley on Day 1 and decide that NorCal is "FUBAR" due to the weather, then we can always go inland and hit some of the Sierra Mountain passes. It would throw a wrench into the plan but it's an option as I hate touring in the rain... :mad:

The weather in the mountains has been crazy this year, so be sure to pack for all weather conditions.
#30

[image: View Post]NVR2L8, on 05 April 2011 - 03:06 PM, said:

[image: View Post]VFR Capt.Bob, on 05 April 2011 - 02:52 PM, said:

Man! I was just mentioning you to Wheatie from this forum yesterday and how I enjoyed riding with you on our Coyucos ride. I've got a possible ride going at about the same time. I'll see how my work is going. Pretty much have to work when it's available these days. Who's confirmed as of now? I'll see which ride fits my time off availability and let you know closer to the ride.



Bob,

You should have joined us last June when we spent 4 days in the Sierra's!!! That was fun... :cheerleader:

Original thread to be updated with the confirmed and tentative riders...hope to see your name on the list.

I'll definately be joining another one of these rides.
End of thread · 30 posts recovered Wayback Machine snapshot 10 Jun 2011