[madchap]

Thanks for looking. While trying to decide where to ride for a week of vacation I had the brilliant idears to ride to places I remember from my childhood. I know, kind a geeky but hey...it's my ride. I'm primarily looking for route assistance in Northern and Central CA. I have no driving experience on the section from Lakeview through to the Redwoods. The Oregon stuff I've got figured out. Let me get to the basic facts without boring you with all the nostalgic details:

When: July 1-9th. I know....traffic and busy campgrounds, but it works for my job schedule.

Places I need to ride to:
Start in Madras, OR (north of Bend)
Will route through Lakeview OR as it's a pretty town and Klamath falls is ugly.
Lake Tahoe CA (Grandparents used to own a motel with a pool)
Angels Camp (Other grandparents lived here)
Eight Mile Lookout site, north of Dinsmore (Grandma worked the lookout after pa died)
Redwoods (old family photos)
Florence, OR (been there lots)
Cottage Grove, OR (family owned donut shop for about a year)
Blair Lake above Oakridge, OR (good camping memories)
Back to Madras

How I Ride
Riding Wee-strom with 50/50 tires 200+/- mile range
Try to travel light - no computer, not tons of crap
Love dirt and gravel, hate sand and mud when loaded
Twisties are what the bike was made for, so bring it on (36 looks awesome)
Will probably do 70% paved and 30% dirt but open to more dirt if it's awesome riding
Prefer to ride away from all the people, RV's, crazies
Enjoy the mountains more than the valleys
Will camp probably all but one night. Don't mind bush camping.
Don't like to plan my stops, but let the location tell me when it's time to set up camp
Food is not a big deal so restaurant ideas aren't important and I don't drink so the bar scene is N/A
Trying to stay off any 4 lane.


Here's a link to a Google route I threw together quickly. Looking for any and all ideas. This route currently is about 1,700 miles. Since I have 9 days, I can expand it some if there are places worth going. I usually don't ride more than 6-7 actual hours in the saddle. So with stops that comes out to 7-9 hours from campsite to campsite.

Madras, OR to Madras, OR - Google Maps

 

[darkshadow_old]

Looks like fun.
My quick reply is if you are doing 36, START FROM RED BLUFF. Thats the rollercoaster part of the route, DO NOT MISS IT!

My other .02 is take Carpenterville Rd. Right past Brookings. I think this is a bit of a secret because I have never heard or seen anyone ever speak of this. It is a well paved, twisty, banked awesome ride. I think its about 20 miles and it will take right back to 101. I had to run it twice it was so much fun:yesnod:

Visit pashnit.com for the best Cali help.

 

[motorat]

since you will be by the coast take mountain view road inland to booneville than 128 to calistoga. if you want a gravel road then look at fish ranch.

and don't forget to do skaggs springs rd. lake sonoma to stewarts point.

 

[madchap]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I don't know the area at all so will be digging into my map and looking up where you guys are talking about. I've been on Pashnit before, but will have to get over there and do some reading. I've not registered over there, but have posted the same question on ADV and am also getting some good suggestions there.

So far most of the suggestions have been for the Trinity/Humbolt county areas. Not many ideas for Susanville/ Tahoe stuff.

I've got to order the Benchmark Atlas for California so I have a better idea of the routes and trails. I love maps! But I also travel with GPS.

Keep the ideas coming!

 

[Cros2087]

Try this from Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe to Angels Camp, CA - Google Maps

 

[madchap]

Thanks cros2087 that looks like a good ride. That is the kind of local knowledge that is so awesome. I appreciate the route and will add it to my master route.

:thumbup:

 

[eye.surgeon]

go to pashnit.com, that's the place for California ride routing.

 

[notacop]

I was gonna say Tahoe to Arnold by way of Hwy4. It's a good run. Good coffee shop/cafe in Murphys, "Grounds".

 

[madchap]

Well, this ride never happened. I think it will some day, but not right now. Shortly after posting this question and digging into all the maps, my dad, who lives in the same town as I, was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. Needless to say, that put all trips on hold. After major surgery and several rounds of chemo he's holding his own and may have several more years to live. I'm grateful for every day I can spend with him.

I think this ride will be something I need to do once he's gone.

Thanks everyone for the help...

Tim