NorCal/SoCal ride 2011

[DefyInertia]

Hey Nate
Travis and I are sharing a room but Vegasrider is staying there also and may want to split a room. We're staying both Friday and Saturday nights.
Travis and I are leaving Friday morning around 8ish or earlier from San Jose. We haven't yet decided on our routes down and back.
Hope you can make it this year. :thumbup:

Edit: Woo hoo! Glad to see you signed up for the ride Nate.

:thumbup:

I can be in San Jose by 8 am or earlier. What time do you want to arrive in Buena Park? Around 5 or 6 ish?

Here are some route options, starting with the highest concentration of twisties roads and good scenery and ending with the quickest route:

417 miles of goodness, 10 hours of riding and we'd need to pack a lunch: MAP 1

460 miles, but less hours at just over 9. This route includes "Rossi's Driveway": MAP 2

447 miles, 9 hours, Rossi's driveway, no HWY 33, but some Malibu canyon riding thrown in followed by some beach cruising as we roll into LA like the pimps that we are: MAP 3

421 miles, 8.5 hours, similiar to MAP 3 but no Rossi's driveway: MAP 4

416 miles, 8.3 hours, HWY 33 included: MAP 5

414 miles, 7.75 hours, HWY 198 and HWY 33 included. This route is an ok compromise between back roads and making time. That is, it allows for a more leisurely pace but isn't quite as interesting as all the above: MAP 6

370 miles, 7ish hours, lots of HWY 5, a mile or two of dirt road: MAP 7

364 miles, 6.5 hours, tons of HWY 5: MAP 8

Ok, last one I swear...

Superslab highway the entire way, 361 miles, 6 hours, square tires: MAP 9

I don't really care what way we go so long as it's reasonably twisty. I'm not sure how many people will be heading down together but there are lots of bailout points for anyone that decides mid-route that they want to jump over on to the highway or vica versa.

About the room. I'd be willing to pay 1/3 of the room cost if you guys are willing to let me sleep on the floor and use the shower (I'd bring my sleeping pad). If not, that's cool...just throwing it out there. I usually camp but want to join the night-time festivities in the city with everyone so camping is not an option.

 

[Lefty]

Wow, great work Nate. :thumbup:
I just got home from seeing 3 bands so my brain ain't quite up to making a decision right now but I'll go over them tomorrow. I'm kind of thinking I'd like to get to Buena Park no later than 5:00 so we have a chance to clean up before the group dinner and get a good night sleep.
We could certainly leave earlier than 8:00 if it's o.k. with Travis and we'll wait to see what Tailgate wants to do about hooking up with us.
As for sharing a room, I'll talk to Travis and see what he thinks. No luck bunking with Vegasrider?
Thanks again for all the hard work on the route planning, I was dreading doing the work myself.

 

[Tailgate]

Yeah, you did mucho trabajo, Nate. :Flash:Thanks! I am ("Data" influence) already mulling over the options. Myself, coming from/going to the capital, I'll probably decide to Slab5 all or most of it one of the directions (not both). But, I'm all in for deluxe-routing it one of the directions. Side note: It would be nice to be a/have a wingman out of Sacramento area.

 

[DefyInertia]

I'm kind of thinking I'd like to get to Buena Park no later than 5:00 so we have a chance to clean up before the group dinner and get a good night sleep.
We could certainly leave earlier than 8:00 if it's o.k. with Travis and we'll wait to see what Tailgate wants to do about hooking up with us.
As for sharing a room, I'll talk to Travis and see what he thinks. No luck bunking with Vegasrider?
Thanks again for all the hard work on the route planning, I was dreading doing the work myself.

Before 8 and around 5 pm is fine with me. Just let me know where and when to meet up.

As for the room, I didn't ask Vegasrider yet. I was hoping to keep the cost down just for the sake of keeping the cost down. Getting my own room or rooming with Vegas is not a problem, but I'm used to camping for free on my moto trips and with the cost of tires, fuel, maintenance, etc. I like to cut costs where I can so I don't feel bad asking my wife how much she spent on X when I'm always going on motorcycle trips. :BLAA:

Yeah, you did mucho trabajo, Nate. :Flash:Thanks! I am ("Data" influence) already mulling over the options. Myself, coming from/going to the capital, I'll probably decide to Slab5 all or most of it one of the directions (not both). But, I'm all in for deluxe-routing it one of the directions. Side note: It would be nice to be a/have a wingman out of Sacramento area.

My pleasure. Messing around with googlemaps to find good routes is practically a past-time of mine...I enjoy it.

Maybe if you take the 5 south you can meet up with us at the North end of 33 (if we take it) or do the opposite going back. 33 is a great road.

 

[VEGASRIDER]

As for the room, I didn't ask Vegasrider yet. I was hoping to keep the cost down just for the sake of keeping the cost down. Getting my own room or rooming with Vegas is not a problem .

You can camp in my room.

 

[Lefty]

Hey NorCal guys, looking over Nate's route options imo I'd prefer to take route #8 on the way down. Realizing that it involves a large chunk of Hwy 5 I'd like to get to SoCal a little earlier on Friday and be more rested for the epic ride on Saturday. :rockon:
On the other hand...coming back north on Sunday I would love to do route #2 since time and exhaustion won't be a factor as my old body can have the rest of the week to recover at home. :thumbup:
But I'm only 1 vote out of the 4 of us so far but you youngsters have to remember I'm technically a senior citizen.

P.S. Thanks Kenny for offering to let Nate "camp" in your room. Just make sure he doesn't want to start a campfire. :Flip:

 

[Jblk9695]

Hey NorCal guys, looking over Nate's route options imo I'd prefer to take route #8 on the way down. Realizing that it involves a large chunk of Hwy 5 I'd like to get to SoCal a little earlier on Friday and be more rested for the epic ride on Saturday. :rockon:
On the other hand...coming back north on Sunday I would love to do route #2 since time and exhaustion won't be a factor as my old body can have the rest of the week to recover at home. :thumbup:
But I'm only 1 vote out of the 4 of us so far but you youngsters have to remember I'm technically a senior citizen.

P.S. Thanks Kenny for offering to let Nate "camp" in your room. Just make sure he doesn't want to start a campfire. :Flip:

"Senior Citizen":rof::rof::rof::rof:

 

[Motogiro]

P.S. Thanks Kenny for offering to let Nate "camp" in your room. Just make sure he doesn't want to start a campfire. :Flip:

How do you expect them to make Smores!?!?!

 

[racebrooks]

I just saw on the news this morning and it was anounced that a 10 mile stretch of the 405 between the 101 to the 10 will be closed July 15-July 17 for a massive road repair. Kinda unprecidented to close the 405.

It is going to add traffic to the other routes like the 101 and the 5 as you guys try to get to LA.

Check with CalTrans for more details

 

[Tailgate]

Hey NorCal guys, looking over Nate's route options imo I'd prefer to take route #8 on the way down. Realizing that it involves a large chunk of Hwy 5 I'd like to get to SoCal a little earlier on Friday and be more rested for the epic ride on Saturday. :rockon:
On the other hand...coming back north on Sunday I would love to do route #2 since time and exhaustion won't be a factor as my old body can have the rest of the week to recover at home. :thumbup:
But I'm only 1 vote out of the 4 of us so far but you youngsters have to remember I'm technically a senior citizen.

:Flip:

Sipping my cup of coffee, this one (route #8) sounds good to me. I'm thinking that, coming from Sacramento, I could wait/rendez-vous for/with you guys in Coalinga at Burger King (Item #6 on Mapquest):

Restaurants in Coalinga, California | MapQuest

Or, maybe here (Hollister):

http://classic.mapquest.com/listings/Mc_Donald's_Hollister_CA_11981620?placement=results_org_map

Dang, is this weather ever going to "summerize" around here?---Stacy

The return , option #2 sounds kool EXCEPT that now we know the 405 between Int 10 and US 101 will be CLOSED. Aside from that, I would ride all the way and then on thru SF.

 

[Tailgate]

I just saw on the news this morning and it was anounced that a 10 mile stretch of the 405 between the 101 to the 10 will be closed July 15-July 17 for a massive road repair. Kinda unprecidented to close the 405.

It is going to add traffic to the other routes like the 101 and the 5 as you guys try to get to LA.

Check with CalTrans for more details

Great! Thanks for the heads up. (how did Caltrans know that these dates were coinciding exactly with our arrive/departure plans?)

Addendum: I see that July 15 will not be impacted until later in the evening so we'll probably be okay. Returning: that's going to be a different story! In fact, it knocks part of route #2 out since it includes the 405. The 53 hour freeway closure will result in the mother of all traffic jams (don't you love the hype?) and a LA supervisor referrred to it as a possible "car-mageddon" (all the reason to get an early Sunday morning start).

http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist12/press/405closureAdvisory (2).pdf

 

[Cali rider]

Just a quick update...
I rode the full proposed path yesterday. I am considering shortening the route slightly to allow for more time to eat, get fuel, pictures, etc. It took me almost 7 hours by myself, only stopping for fuel and snacks that I brought. In other words, getting 13 riders through this ride at a respectable pace with time to enjoy it will certainly take longer than it took me solo.

Look for more details later today. I have a few things I want to discuss with those involved but have to think about them before posting.

 

[Cali rider]

I have not forgotten this, just a busy weekend. Monday update with detailed points for sure.

I am considering a fuel mileage challenge for the route, with lunch on me if anyone can beat my economy for 300 miles. Again, details to follow...

 

[Jblk9695]

Twisties+fuel economy=Does Not Compute Ha Ha Ha Ha:BLAA:

Jerry

PS:you don't weigh over 200lbs either

 

[Lefty]

Twisties+fuel economy=Does Not Compute Ha Ha Ha Ha:BLAA:

Jerry

PS:you don't weigh over 200lbs either

Edit:
Twisties+weight of rider + 42 psi x mph / #hrs on route = ah nuts...I'm screwed on this one! :spank:

Great contest John although I have no chance of winning. At least Jerry and I can commiserate together at the finish line.

 

[Cali rider]

Hold on...I am in the same basic age range and weight is irrelevant, it's about throttle control and corner speeds.

I averaged over 55 MPG on this loop the other day, I want to see if anyone can beat that.

 

[DefyInertia]

I want to see if anyone can beat that.

Doubtful

I'm up for the challenge but you're a better rider than me and I don't know the roads. Do you use 6th much?

 

[VEGASRIDER]

I am considering a fuel mileage challenge for the route, with lunch on me if anyone can beat my economy for 300 miles. Again, details to follow...

Hold on...I am in the same basic age range and weight is irrelevant, it's about throttle control and corner speeds.

I averaged over 55 MPG on this loop the other day, I want to see if anyone can beat that.

I'm not going there, as I have seen it for myself when John fueled up on our last ride.

Absolutely amazing on his MPG. I don't know how he does it, I mean it's the same bike, relativley the same weight, same road, same pace as I'm usually following him.

But again, it's kind of like my tires, I challenge anyone who can beat the mileage I get out of mine. I consistently get over 16,000 miles out of my tires, most recently my Pures at 16,054 which everyone can read and see pictures of my tire under the Tire Tech Forum. People will say I baby my tires, but I ride just as fast and hard around the twisties, along many of the same roads. How is it possible?

 

[Jblk9695]

55mpg
You win, I'll buy you lunch as the best I've done in the mountains is around
47mpg
I guess I can coast on the down hill parts and do better
Lefty, we can take turns towing each other and maybe up our mileage:BLAA:

Jerry

 

[Motogiro]

I lost already! But then again if you think about it.... The big difference should be at idle. If my motor is as efficient at burning fuel I should be able to get pretty close fuel mileage if I were using my torque, gearing, turn entry and throttle control more efficiently. The SV1000s might even be a pound or 2 lighter than the FZ6....

John has brought up an excellent idea in this challenge in that if you needed to stretch fuel and you try to see what techniques make a big difference it would apply in an emergency as well as habit to conserve fuel. :rockon: