A Pashnit Epic Adventure - Riding Northern California

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Haroldo giving the Busa a try

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And before us... The Scott Mountain Summit. Race ya to the top. Oh, and don't forget the numerous 1st gear switchbacks that push the road up a mile into the sky above. An enjoyable ride to say the least!

Oh, did I mention the view!!

This is looking south as you make your way up through a series of sharp switchbacks to the summit. Large signs make it perfectly clear this is not plowed in winter.



*More sighing*




The Busa & Tuono awaiting their mounts

Photo by Jeff

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At the crest, there a sign indicating a 90 degree left turn ahead. A few feet beyond that sign was another sign indicating a sharp right hand corner.

That pretty much sums up the ride to the summit.

See the second one?!! Welcome to NorCal !!

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Alan's version of this shot was a little more creative than mine.


Photo by Alan

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Jeff on the Pashnit Hayabusa



Jeff and I swapped bikes and I got a chance to ride the Tuono. First off, it's a wheelie machine. Which I promptly couldn't resist trying out my wheelies & stoppies. Hard to do that while you're laughing so hard- your eyes are watering. It's interesting to follow someone like Jeff so in-tune with their own motorcycle. I'd watch him go around corners leaned over at full tilt, and think sheesh, he's leaned over. Man, he's flyin'. But then again, he's not getting any further away either!

The Wheelie Monster

Photo by Jeff

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First Ride on a Aprilia Tuono

You sit up high, almost like you're sitting up in a Semi, while my Hayabusa is the complete opposite- positioning you very low and sleek, integrated into the bike practically with the custom-cut Tobin Seat.

The Aprilia Tuono on the other hand is a beast waiting to be tamed. An exotic machine that begs to be man-handled, forced into submission, and all the while begging for more. This sit-up-high seating position almost felt awkward at first, that is until we hit the first curve.



The Tuono fell into the curve as if falling in love. It roared, it screamed, it blasted through the corner with a V-twin growl that had me giggling like a felonious school boy.

I dare not look down, but when I did, I realized I was only in 3rd gear. There were three more to go. The power band was the complete opposite of my Hayabusa which has gobs of oomph at any gear, any speed, any time.

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The balls of my feet perched on the edge of the pegs, fingers fondled the brake and clutch, and I hung off as if peering off the edge of the Grand Canyon for a better look-see at the bottom 5000 feet below. The Tuono railed through the smooth corner, and I rolled on the gas.

I get it now.



This third gear was such a sweet spot over such a wide range, I began to wonder why you'd ever need any more.

Imagine the press introduction in some exotic Italian city... "Introducing the Aprilia Tuono, 1000cc and only 3 gears... Trust me, it's all you'll ever need!"

*insert maniacal laughter*

A completely different type of riding, and pure unbridled fun! We dropped out of the mountainous twisties descending into a broad valley. Surrounded in farmland that stretched out to the mountaintops that lined all four corners of the scene. The road opened up with see-through stretching off for miles. Smooth corners, apexes that lasted a mile or more.

It was one of those times where you wish the ride would never end.

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After Etna & Callahan, and riding past the Forks of Salmon, a Y-shaped road that is a shortcut westward over to Highway 96, we rolled up to Fort Jones.

We also pulled up to a massive combine that was also filling up. He was off to cut alfalfa, we were off to pound out some more roads, and namely Scott River Road which I think is one of my new favorites.



Beginning of Scott River Rd


Jeff's vision of the road ahead

Photo by Jeff

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As you might guess, this ride starts off along miles of farmland surrounded in mountain tops, then off to meet and greet the Scott River. I was surprised a bit by the pavement. Better than I expected, and I knew this was a bit of a goat trail - at its narrowest point, it couldn't have been more than a car width wide. Parts of it even reminded me of Calaveras Rd in the Bay Area.

Note that pavement - not too shabby

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Jeff riding Scott River Rd


More swoopy frivolity climbing about this mountainous river that cuts the low mountain range in half. Scott River Rd clings to the rivers edge copying its snaky undulations writhing about hurriedly making for the mighty Klamath River to the north.



Tuono takin' a breather

Photo by Jeff