A Pashnit Epic Adventure - Riding Northern California

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Jeff conversing with Haroldo

Photo by John


Bikes ready to ride

Photo by Jeff

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This time Jeff came with a rather interesting radar setup. I'm always interested in gadgets and goodies. Jeff had drilled two small holes in the dark smoke Zero Gravity windscreen, and mounted the bracket for the detector there. He could also quickly detach it at stops this way, and it was out of sight for the most part.



The heads up display which integrates into the helmet is wireless and runs off a little battery. It flashes a little light in the corner of your eye to let you know there's an alert detected.

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La Porte Rd, if you are not familiar, was a dirt/gravel road up and over the Sierra Nevada Mountain range only a few short years ago. For whatever reason, they've seen fit to pave it, and provide a stunning ride with intense views on the eastern side of the range.

Haroldo & Megan on the Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 along La Porte Rd

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During a construction stop, I snapped this. You have to admit, they are very becoming motorcycles.



Telling the folks about Pashnit.com

Photo by Alan

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After that bit of construction (the only of the entire ride) finally it was off to enjoy the views which stretched off to the horizon.

I've always been a sucker for a good view.


It occurred to me while riding La Porte Rd that well-known roads like Skaggs Spring Rd are mere appetizers when it comes to roads like this. I would do a eastern (from Hwy 89) approach to La Porte Rd, and it's an all uphill ride climbing rapidly through dreamy curves gaining rapidly in elevation. The new La Porte Rd also reminded me a lot of Wentworth Springs Rd, another nearby mountain pass that was only recently paved from its humble dirt/gravel existence.

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At the summit

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Tim rounding a corner on the FJR

Photo by Alan

Winding through the Sierra Nevada forests....

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Skaggs, eat your heart out. La Porte Rd is ten times better.


Haroldo & Megan on the Vulcan 1500

Photo by Alan

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Wee bit of snow up there still at this elevation


Starting to drop down to Quincy. In that valley there in the distance is Highway 89. Hwy 89 if you are not familiar runs on the eastern side of the Sierra's and can be quite the attraction for motorcyclists. Quite long (it bisects the northern portion of California), it's an excellent cruiser ride for those that want a kick-back route.

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The ride drops quickly down to Highway 89 snaking about to and fro. If I had a choice, I'd do a westernly approach, and enjoy these twists up to the mountain top. Riders headed eastbound will get the most out of the intense views looking east toward Nevada.



That's my road down there!