Hwy 36, Hwy 1, Mt. Hamilton and Yosemite

[VEGASRIDER]

Went on a 1500 mile 3 day trip to N. Cal. Hwy 36 between Red Bluff and Fortuna Ca its one of the top rated, if not #1 motorcycling road in the west. It did not disappoint, it had huge dips in the road where you can get air born if you're not careful, high speed sweepers, and real tight turns, and also narrows down to a one lane road with no guardrails. It has everything. Blew my right fork seal during this run, that's how demanding this roadway is, if you ride hard.

I did not go to the Lost Coast, all of the riders in my group were whining about how the road conditions were. The roadway is buckled from all of the tectonic activity, it's the epicenter where the plates meet if you know anything about geology.

Next day we hit Hwy 1 from Leggett to Fort Bragg Ca. Another great motorcycle road. Once we hit the coast, the views were amazing.

Spent the night in Milpitas, and hit Mt. Hamilton the next morning. Then we headed into Yosemite during the 4th of July holiday weekend. Riding a motorcycle is about making the right decisions. Not sure heading to this park was one of them. The traffic was beyond horrific. Glad we were on our bikes. But again, it was painful trying to get into the park. Traffic was stopped about a mile from the entrance, it was hot. Not only we were worried about our bikes overheating, we were worried about getting heat exhaustion.

But here's the million dollar shot. Look at all of that water from this year's record snow pack.

 

[darius]

Epic ride. Thanks for sharing. How did you address the blown seal?

 

[Ohendo]

Beautiful pictures! Thanks for sharing.


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[Motogiro]

Very inspiring Kenny! Great pictures.

Lisa and I hiked Sentinel Dome in Yosemite this year. Tough at those altitudes.

Love that sign.....~~~~~~ Next 140 miles!

 

[Cloggy]

Great pics kenny, it looks like an amazing ride, yes I'm a bit jealous now

 

[zixaq]

Nice trip! Through my neck o' the wood even.

 

[VEGASRIDER]

How did you address the blown seal?

I just rode like it never happened. But cleaned up the excessive fluid every time I fueled up. My bike is due for a major service in 400 miles, I'll have to check and see if the fork seals are covered under warranty.

 

[darius]

I just rode like it never happened. But cleaned up the excessive fluid every time I fueled up. My bike is due for a major service in 400 miles, I'll have to check and see if the fork seals are covered under warranty.

Glad it wasn't too bad especially since your forks are the wrong way up

A zip tie and a rag/shop towel could be used in a pinch to help guard against it dripping down to the brakes or tire.

When you talk to the dealer about the warranty don't tell them you were riding intermittently airborne on the edge of tectonic plates!

 

[Tuffy1982]

My wife and I are headed down there next month and going 36 to Lassen National Forest , been there before, but, yes it's a great road. We're also going down to Leggett to Fort Bragg and making that loop so I was curious how the traffic was down through there?

 

[VEGASRIDER]

My wife and I are headed down there next month and going 36 to Lassen National Forest , been there before, but, yes it's a great road. We're also going down to Leggett to Fort Bragg and making that loop so I was curious how the traffic was down through there?

Are you doing 36 between Fortuna and Red Bluff? Or between Red Bluff and Lassen, which is so so. Hwy 1 between Leggett and Fort Bragg is a great road. Traffic not bad, just maybe when you get into the center of town in Fort Bragg.

Make sure you grab a bite to eat at the North Coast Brewing Co.in Fort Bragg

 

[Tuffy1982]

Are you doing 36 between Fortuna and Red Bluff? Or between Red Bluff and Lassen, which is so so. Hwy 1 between Leggett and Fort Bragg is a great road. Traffic not bad, just maybe when you get into the center of town in Fort Bragg.

Make sure you grab a bite to eat at the North Coast Brewing Co.in Fort Bragg

Actually doing both, from fortuna to red bluff then on to Lassen ending up in Mt Shasta.

But the day prior we are making the loop around and down to Fort Bragg from Fortuna ending back in Arcata. I heard that was a good road so was curious. Thanks for the heads up on the brewery we'll have to give it a shot.


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[VEGASRIDER]

If you're planning to spend the night around Fortuna, there is a place called Bear River Casino, just a few miles north. They have a garage so you can park your bike. Gets really wet in the morning from the fog and mist, so it's well worth paying the extra money to stay there. Plus they have their own gas station on property so you can refuel. They just remolded so the hotel and rooms are excellent. I highly recommend you making a reservation and stay there for a night.

 

[Monica A]

Kenny, I can't see the pics. Says you need to update your account.

Was this your first time on Highway 36? Sorry we weren't able to tag along on this ride. I LOVE 36. We were suppose to be riding the Canadian-Alaska Highway, but we switched to cruise ship. lol Much more comfortable and probably better drinks

 

[Red Wazp]

First time? Great road both ways. Too bad you missed the lost coast but it is a bit bumpy. FJR, FZ6 and FZ1 were all fun on 36 but on my KTM Supermoto it's another level.:rockon:

Another awesome place to eat in Fortuna is the Eel River Brewing Company. Hotels next door too.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/E...3beeae6!8m2!3d40.5793977!4d-124.1530007?hl=en

 

[Tuffy1982]

Kenny, I can't see the pics. Says you need to update your account.

Was this your first time on Highway 36? Sorry we weren't able to tag along on this ride. I LOVE 36. We were suppose to be riding the Canadian-Alaska Highway, but we switched to cruise ship. lol Much more comfortable and probably better drinks
View attachment 68280

Where about is that sign we're on our way there in 3 weeks and don't want to miss it like last time. We'll be leaving from eureka in the AM.


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[Monica A]

Where about is that sign we're on our way there in 3 weeks and don't want to miss it like last time. We'll be leaving from eureka in the AM.


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The sign as you get into Red Bluff. Coming from Eureka, it'll be on your left-hand side just before you cross the railroad tracks. If you cross railroad tracks, you've gone too far. turn around and you'll see it. Have a great trip.:cheer: I love that road. So fun.

Highway 299, which parallels it. is fun too, but in a different way. It goes from Arcata to Redding. It has more wide sweeping turns, but they are doing a major construction job on it in one section. Don't want to do it except on a Sunday. Otherwise you could have 45 minutes to 1 hour delays. No fun. They are taking some twisties out, bummer.

 

[Tuffy1982]

The sign as you get into Red Bluff. Coming from Eureka, it'll be on your left-hand side just before you cross the railroad tracks. If you cross railroad tracks, you've gone too far. turn around and you'll see it. Have a great trip.:cheer: I love that road. So fun.

Highway 299, which parallels it. is fun too, but in a different way. It goes from Arcata to Redding. It has more wide sweeping turns, but they are doing a major construction job on it in one section. Don't want to do it except on a Sunday. Otherwise you could have 45 minutes to 1 hour delays. No fun. They are taking some twisties out, bummer.

Yes 36 I've ridden many times it is awesome, but thanks for the info on the sign and 299 because I was thinking of riding that possibly one of the days, so thank you.


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[VEGASRIDER]

Photobucket now wants like $500 in order for me to post pics to 3rd party sites. Guess I'll have to find another source.

 

[Red Wazp]

Photobucket now wants like $500 in order for me to post pics to 3rd party sites. Guess I'll have to find another source.

Yes, Photobucket have pissed off many people. Another fun road is Forest road 1 from Mad River to Hwy 299 or it's called Titlow rd off 299 west of Willow Creek,. No center line but paved the whole distance and quite nice up on the ridge.

A side note....whenever riding the back roads of Humbolt county be sure to stay way right on the road. The local pot growers drive like assholes in big lifted pickups. They don't care who is on the road.

 

[Monica A]

Hahahaha Yes, need to lookout for Pot growers. Don't take any unmarked roads. You'll never be seen again. If you see someone in Camo on a quad, they will be packing heat - large. I wonder if pot being legal in CA will cut into their business.

I'd done highway 3 from 299 to 36. That's a fun road. I'll look forest road 1.

The Triumph Triple Triplets (2 of my friends got Street Triple R's this year) will be doing 36 and 299 in a couple weeks, Girls ride. :cheer: I'll post up pics.
We plan to leave Reno Friday 4pm. Stay in Chico then head to Red Bluff (where the men are men, and the women are too lol) take 36 to the coast. Stay in Eureka. Return via 299 on Sunday. Might take run up 96 to Happy Camp a bit, we will see how we are doing on time. Doing Lost Coast Brewery Saturday night so we might sleep in a bit. lol