Sounds like a great ride!
I wish. :wacko:
I'm sure I've been on it, but not the entire length. That area is so amazing. I do wish I lived within range of it!
Ciao,
I was on that road last Fall, just when all the forest fires were starting in Tahoe and the day we went up 49 we got as far as Loyalton when the smoke started descending, made it back to the Yuba River bridge with the fire close behind whipping the wind up ...... I was told Downieville had it's utility cables burned up and they were in the street, did it get that bad?
The section from Vinton to Sierraville is not very scenic, flat and featureless, but once past there the road gets plenty twisty
If you stop on the South Yuba river bridge there's a whole mass of stones that the native Americans used for pounding acorn meal mush
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It is OK if you like California Gold. Lots of traffic thru this part......Not!
that looks like a nice road, not only is it twisted but not a pot hole in sight. we have some road that strive to be that twisted but they are full of holes. I wouldn't know what I would do if I didn't have to watch out for holes. learn how to ride fast by running this through your head....
deer, hole, car, hole, hole hole hole, deer, car. over and over again. lol
It is OK if you like California Gold. Lots of traffic thru this part......Not!
Is that on Highway 49?
I have always wanted to do that road ( Highway 49) from end to end - maybe this summer..............
Yes that is 49 at its best. About the only part that has serious traffic is between Placerville and Auburn, the stretch that connects RT50 and Interstate 80.
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I have only been on it near Sonora/Murphy's, and also up at the northern end by Loyalton when I popped out onto pavement exploring from Reno on the DRZ.............
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One can enjoy a good milk shake in Downieville!
Bear Valley to Coulterville is the best section. It's a destination road - bring your A game and a radar detector.
Having ridden both Deal's Gap and this section of Rt. 49 multiple times, on the same VFR, I can't resist weighing in and comparing the two.
The Dragon is a real scene, given the proximity to ATL and other cities, and also, once the BRP dumps you off in Cherokee you really have to slog it to the Dragon and ride it. If you like crowds cheering you on as you brake for a turn, this is your place on a summer Saturday.
Great pavement, mostly 2nd gear, lots of camber and lots of trees. Cops, photographers, and the occasional unknowing giant RV escorted through the road. Although you might get into a corner too hot and hit a tree, the biggest danger is a Gold Wing or Electra Glide missing a right-hander and heading straight at you over the double yellow. For me, the Cherohala is much more fun, far less crowded, and longer!
Of course, if you hit a corner too hot on 49 you will have several seconds of air time thinking about your mistake before you crash...
i had some clown on an Electra Glide overshoot a turn up on Bear Mountain in NY and cross my lane in front of me once....not a near miss but close enough that i had to brake and adjust my course
A friend of mine had this happen to her on Mount Palomar...but it wasn't a near miss, unfortunately. Recovery took years... :unsure:
Ciao,
Downieville is the best place to stop for a break. There are places to eat and the town is cute with plenty of shade in the Summer
The route north out of the Ville is flowing along the river and parts heading south are very tight but it is All Good! Perhaps my favorite part is the run south of Coulterville.
49 has it's nice sections, I ride the congested Auburn area part of it every day to work. The fun part is finding the roads off 49 for commuting back and forth.
49 has it's nice sections, I ride the congested Auburn area part of it every day to work. The fun part is finding the roads off 49 for commuting back and forth.
Please....list those roads.....!
Wow. Good on you man. I am surprised that is only 300miles. I have done 300 plus mile rides through yosemite and Sonora pass. Part of 49 from sonora to 120. Planning a road trip up that way in the spring or early fall. Love that area.
Riding the western Sierras slopes heading north out of Kernville in the Spring when most of the big passes are still closed is a high by any measure. From there drop down to Springville on 190 and then head north hugging the hills. Spring flowers, low traffic, all kinds of corners and up and downs all make for a sensational trip. Depending on the snow come back in late June and hit Sonora, Tioga and Ebbetts pass etc etc ......why leave the state and I have but superb roads are right here in the Sierras.
About ten years ago when I travelled lighter. Parked again in Downieville. Not a scenic shot till you look at a high performance twin built decades ago. Two Canadians on a destination trip were enjoying the moment on Rt 49.
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Butler maps does a good job of lining out the routes. The Quincy Laporte Road comes to mind . Icehouse reservoir, 120 up to Yosemite. 26 from the Mokelume Hill up to Pioneer are great rides.
Sigh. Some Day. I hope.
Sigh. Some Day. I hope.
Sigh. Some Day. I hope.
Keep the faith!
Will do Cogs. Some day I'll visit you too. You've been warned!