I'm planning to do this run in the next week, counter-clockwise. I have ex-girlfriends I can stay with at 'D' and 'F' flags, I will probably do a cheap motel upstream someplace. Take 4 days to do the loop.

4 days to do 500 miles? Looks like some good twisty roads.

When will you reach destination E? 49 to 193 are my weekly ride. I can ride from E to Davis if you like.

mrwoo -

I will be in Georgetown for that part, might be Monday though... I'm burning up some free time before I start a new job which means no more vacation for awhile... so this is my summer fun.

Sonora Pass will be interesting to see how the bike performs in that thin air as it climbs that hill. The last section before the summit of Hwy 108 is a very steep climb.

@mrwoo....

My plans are starting to gel. I will ride Saturday from Pioneer on 88 down to Jackson, then Hwy 49 to Placerville, then 193 up to Georgetown for the night. Sunday from Georgetown, Auburn then freeway riding back to the bay area.

* Last updated by: OpenRoad on 7/22/2014 @ 12:54 PM *

There has got to be a better way than slabbing on 80 all the way home?

Mad

"....There has got to be a better way than slabbing on 80 all the way home?"

Yeah, thinking the same thing, but it's all flat and the choices are unimproved farm roads or the freeways.

Once you get to Sacramento you can take 160/river rd to Vasco rd then to 580.

I cut part of the trip short due to heat and a fire.... but did the best parts.

Route from Santa Cruz was 129, 101, 156, 152, I-5, several county farm roads meeting up with Hwy 108 in Oakdale / Sonora for day one. Day two was 108 over the summit to Hwy 395 north, then 89 and 88 going back over the Sierra, stopping in Pioneer for the night. Day 3 basically getting back home fastest route, 88, 99, 4, I-5, I-580, etc back to the Bay Area and Santa Cruz. Damn hot out, 100 in the valley going to-from. No jacket, had it in my backpack but wore a T-shirt and still had to make lots of stops for water. Once in the high country things were much nicer, high temps at 8,000 feet and above were in the low 70's.

Meadow at 9,000 feet elevation, Sonora Pass area.

Silver Lake, Hwy 88.

Actual route.

Also, the bike performed perfectly above 8,000 feet. It was a bit noticeable in throttle position and power, but not easy to compare apples to apples because the climb grade on these mountain passes is massive, 25%. I was able to accelerate and pass nicely at steep grade and elevation, just had to keep the RPMs a few extra clicks higher.

Here is a snap shot of the climb. Not sure if you can tell how steep, but automobiles were struggling here.

Bummer about the heat, but looks like a great ride. Good luck with the new job.

I did learn from this ride is that I can handle 7-8 hours of riding in a single day with breaks. (The day I was in the cooler high country).

Baking in 100 degree heat though is torture, even at 85 mph wearing a t-shirt doesn't help much. Need to make a stop once per hour and down a quart of water, hang out inside of the air conditioned mini market as long as possible.

If I did this again, I would make the run across the hot valley early in the morning before the heat cranks up.

Fire problem on my original route.

Wildland Fire, Hwy 49

House burns near Hwy 49

* Last updated by: OpenRoad on 7/27/2014 @ 2:37 PM *

My original plan with fire zone mapped out... I probably could have gone through there, but would rather not.