Hi All,
I get asked from time to time about visiting in CA (my home). Where to ride? Where to stay? and so on and so forth...
And, I'm always happy to hear from fellow riders and carpe members heading this way. So, please feel free to keep PMing me for input, free beer, etc.
But, just for the record, I have to post the link to the pashnit web site which is as far as I can tell the definitive reference for highlighting awesome rides around the gorgeous state of California. So, if you're heading this way, read up here, and by all means write me for the free beer. I might even be able to scrounge up some cake.
And, if you read this particular post, the blue/white K1200S is my bike, as in literally my bike, not one like my bike.
cheers,
Robert
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Stunning countryside you got there Robert - looks well worth a visit
How d'you keep up with all them Harleys on that K12 though [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rotflmmfao.gif[/img]
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Marked that in my favourites! I'd love to take the missus over there for a wee tour, looks fantastic!
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Looks great and quite different from the scenery you can expect in Europe.
I would consider it if I was going to the States. But I have a real difficulty to make my mind around the benefit of a"local" visit vs larger scale approach to visiting the US. For instance my wife is keen to fly 8 hours and spend a week at the Yosemite park only. I'd rather spend 3 days there and move on to another place so make the most of the journey. I can't get make my head around it.
My question for you may be : would you recommend to focus on California or a trip accross states (Route 66)? If Route 66 is too ambitious, which part of the states would you recommend to ride through before any other experience (eg, in Europe, most people would say the Alpes...I think)
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Well now that's a tough question. And, it depends on a lot of things: type of transportation; time of year; what you like to do; budget; etc.
My GF and I like to travel by bike, and not spend all our time riding, but rather take a few days here and there to soak the place in.
If you were going in October or early Nov, I would probably recommend New England, because it's lovely country in general and the fall colors of the leaves are spectacular if you catch them right. If you were going in winter, I'd probably recommend the South West (Utah, Arizona, New Mexico) since those places are chock full of fascinating scenery and culture, and are quite pleasant in the winter months. If you were going in the summer, it's hard to beat a North West loop like I did last year (posted here). And, California is pretty much unbeatable any time of the year as it includes everything from the incredible coastal highways to the redwood forests to the Sierra Nevada mountains (which are comparable to the Alps).
So, if it were me, I would go to one area, and take my time, stop here and there for a few days to check out the place in some depth. And, if I had only one state I could visit, California is the one.
YMMV
Robert
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Robert
Thanks for your detailed answer. I am thinking bike indeed.
One last answer (partly contained in the initial one :-) ) What is Route 66 worth ?
F
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LD,
Really useful link, love those roads too.
Thanks.
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Thank Robert
Very useful info
I was indeed thinking bike ride.
Can you give us your view on Route 66? Worth doing or just a survivance of something that use to be nice
F
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When my parents were young (a long time ago, in a distance galaxy), Route 66 was THE route from Chicago to Los Angeles. During that time, it was extremely interesting and lively. Now, most of it has declined, been subsumed by freeway, or generally taken over by f*&^ing strip malls. I'm sure I'm exaggerating there, but you get my point. There are for sure may interesting things along the way of what's left of the old Route 66, but it's glory days are long past.
I'm not saying it wouldn't be a good trip, but I'll bet you a beer you'd find superior rides elsewhere. For starters, fly to LA (which I hate, but who cares), head north and do the entire pacific coast (Hwy 1 and 101, staying on 1 as much as possible), turn east around Seattle and head through the Cascade range into Glacier National Park, then south through desolate Montana into Yellowstone National Park, continue south past Salt Lake City, then head west/southwest across the Utah/Nevada desert, come out of the desert into the east Sierras just east of Yosemite National Park which you then go through heading west, then down back into that shit hole (I mean lovely city) LA. For example. That trip would take 2-3 weeks, have a ton of camping or nice hotels, and you'd see some of the most beautiful scenery on the planet. And, there's some fine riding in there too.
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Robert
Thanks a lot. If you decide to come to Europe, I will prepare an itenerary for your visit of Normandie, Pyrennee and the Alpes (three regions which I know reasonabl well
Rgds
F
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Fender extension; Right miror extension; Tutoro oiler; Frank Thomas leather Bullit Retro Jacket with Knox back protector for normal time and textile jacket with forcefield 4 for long trips, monolock plate with E45 GIVI top case, Michelin PR2
Talking w/ GF now about possible Norway/Sweden trip next summer. We'll see if that comes together. After buying the 2010 GS Adventure I may have to work my way over on steamer and hitchhike around.
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