Absolutely a great day’s ride! Perhaps the most enjoyable motorcycle ride of my life. I love the coast and the weather today was perfect. After all the hot days I had been experiencing, this was a welcome respite. And after getting off the 101 and onto the 1, the first 22 miles were twisties like I had never experienced before. Literally 10 and 15 mph switchbacks. And to top if off, the trees formed a complete canopy overhead. Quite an experience.
Then that changed to where I had a view of the coastline. I was able to pick up a bit more speed, but the twisties were still there. The first half of the day took full concentration. Between the tight turns and the drop off down the cliff to the water, it was quite an adventurous ride!
I could have saved a bunch of time and took the 101 (it also has some great countryside) but I really wanted to see the ocean. I left the motel in Arcata at about 9:30am and pulled into my host’s house in Monterey at 9:30pm. And that’s without stopping for any meals – I ate breakfast before I started and just snacked when I stopped for fuel the occasional picture stop. It was worth it.
The scariest moment in my life was in San Francisco after stopping for gas. After paying my toll for crossing the Golden Gate Bridge ($6) I wasn’t paying close enough attention and passed the turnoff to PCH (Highway 1). Since I needed gas I stopped and asked how to get back to the 1. The attendant told me, but I didn’t mention I was on a motorcycle, and he most not have noticed I was, so he didn’t take into account the steep hills.
I know S.F. is famous for its hills, but I didn’t think I would encounter them on such on intimate level so soon. But I sure did! This one seem seemed almost vertical! There were 3 “pitches” I had to negotiate. Each one had a stop sign at the top (listen to Bill Cosby’s routine on the hills in S.F. if you don’t know what I’m talking about). And I not only had a motorcycle (not a car with an automatic transmission) but a very top heavy load. It was never more apparent to me how precarious that combination is until today.
Fortunately for me, there was enough room to the right of the cars who were in line to take their turns at the stop sign, but I knew I would be picking my motorcycle up off the ground (after it had fallen over) if I didn’t make it to that stop sign in a single shot. I’m sure the car drivers were giving me the “stink eye”, but I didn’t have time to look at them. I just zoomed up to that stop sign, took a deep breath, and moved on to the next “pitch” and the next stop sign. Finally, I was at the top and started down. That was very easy and a welcome relief compared to the way up. Next time I will gladly go dozens of miles out of my way rather than deal with that again!
Mileage | Today: 468 | Trip To Date: 4,705
Wow, you certainly got some warm weather ahead of you but the destinations are going to be so cool! Have Fun!
Wow, great descriptions! Yeah, I don’t think I will be taking my bike into the heart of San Fran anytime soon. But the ride on Hwy 1 sounded wonderful! Over 4,700 miles, now that is quite an adventure!
Yup – and it’s not over yet (almost, but not quite). After Monterey I most likely will go Reno and Carson City (and possibly South Lake Tahoe). Then across Utah and down to Flagstaff and Prescott (I want to spend a bit more time in Flagstaff and I missed Prescott entirely). Then possibly back to my buddy’s place in Buckeye, AZ, or if not, then home after Prescott.