A Pashnit Epic Adventure - Riding Northern California

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An Epic Adventure across Northern California
Riding along on a Pashnit Motorcycle Tour

I'm beginning to understand why we ride motorcycles. But you have to spend several days on one to figure it all out.

For the July 4th holiday, had the exciting privilege of showing several riders around the wilds of Northern California. Through roads often exalted, lauded over, and drooled upon by that pashnit guy. Ah, that Northern California, a land of mountainous terrain criss-crossed with an endless choice of dreamy motorcycle roads, thrilling vistas, and typically you get to do it all by yourself. People? As in other people? Not many of those around these parts.

Meeting up on the edge of the Bay Area

Photo by Alan

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Alan hailed from the Central Coast and had originally planned to have his wife come along on the back of his '04 BMW R1100S. Alan is a Physical Therapist with a practice in Morro Bay- he was rather handy to have around for achy sore muscles.



Alan is quite the musician too.



Jeff, who had also ridden on a Pashnit Tour last summer, came back for more. Riding up from Los Angeles, he came full of youth and fervor, ready to assail some NorCal road and shave off some sidewall- and a puck or two.



Jeff works as a grip (think movies), and spends a lot of time riding on Angeles Crest Highway. His first bike was a Royal Star 650 and he quickly put thousands of miles on it in a couple months running all over the western United States.

Jeff, covered in bug guts, and having the time of his life

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Haroldo is an Electrical Engineer in the Bay Area. He found Pashnit Tours simply by doing a search on the internet for tour companies. As well known as the Pashnit site has become within the motorcycling community, he'd never heard of it. When he signed up for the tour, he also failed to let his wife know that she'd be riding along also. As the tour day approached, he eluded that he had something planned for the July 4th holiday. She in turn was thinking of lounging on an ocean beach somewhere, waves lapping at her toes.

But alas, it wasn't so. She was going on a Motorcycle Tour. A what?

Megan is an aesthetician. If you aren't sure what that is, neither was I until she mentioned it has to do with waxing. Ah yes, I've heard of that. These two were practically newlyweds and only 2 years into their marriage together.

Haroldo had only just gotten the Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 a short time ago, having only logged some 500 miles on it. He had traded in his Vulcan 800 after deciding it was a bit small. Nevertheless, he'd only been riding for a mere 6 months, and this would be their first big ride together.

Haroldo & Megan

Photo by John

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There were two other riders also, but one was ill, and another heading in for back surgery, ntm Tim's significant other bowed out too. So it turned out to be a small group which can have its advantages.

We also met up with John in Auburn, who rode with us for the day on his FJR. John hails from the California Foothills and runs a photography studio in Georgetown.

John, aka Far_Fast

Photo by Joe (Com3)

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We were also joined by Hugh (aka 'Hugh' on the Pashnit Forum), who met us with us in Fortuna and rode with us on his Harley.

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Then Tim, my fellow Tour Guide



And last but typically first, Yours Truly on the Super-Duper Pashnit Busa.


Photo by John

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After our usual safety brief, it was off to Auburn to meet up with John, and up to Nevada City where the ride finally got interesting.

Arriving in Auburn

Photo by John

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I had planned on riding Yuba Pass, but made a last minute change and we skipped north past Bullards Bar Dam to ride La Porte Rd.

Ready to ride up La Porte Rd.



Photo by Alan

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La Porte Rd


Midway point on La Porte Rd

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Alan, Jeff & John.


The Aprilia Tuono is with us once more. I still keep staring at it for some reason. Jeff came on a Pashnit Motorycle Tour during the 2004 season and had so much fun, he was back for more!!