2012 OR-CA Pashnit Ride

[GeoNorskie]

As you may recall, after much discussion this year’s OR-CA Pashnit ride contingent gathered in Burney, up in the cool, piney breezes.




Home base was the Green Gables, where, after a few of us had arrived, no time was wasted before tires were kicked and tales were swapped.




Tire kicking and tale swapping continued until well after dark, after we’d returned from meeting Ray at the pizza parlor. Twas a beautiful sunset, and after dark JC treated us to a light show (JC and Terrie get the award for the best-lighted bikes).










con't....

[bigbull1]

great ride photos

[GeoNorskie]

We all went to bed Friday night with visions of sugarplum twisties and sweeping vistas of high mountains and rushing rivers in our heads, because Saturday’s plan was to motor west for a beautiful ride through the Trinities. But, you know what they say about the “best laid plans of mice and men”…and to that list we now have to add Pashnits.

The weather report as of bedtime Friday was 20% chance of showers and highs in the 70s – perfect riding weather. By 5:30 a.m., though, the forecast had deteriorated – 90% chance of heavy rain and thunderstorms in the Trinities. Now, the folks in this group are no panty-waisters. When necessary, they will ride through rain, hail, snow, and all of the aforementioned in the dark of night. But, when given options, who would want to?

So, Plan B was hatched over breakfast – head southwest on a toodle through the foothills of Shasta County on some good, but little known back roads, check out the Sundial Bridge, then head back into the hills to the southeast.

We headed west on 299, and then hung a left on Buzzards Roost Road just past Round Mountain. Stayed in the hills on various back roads, dropping down to the valley through Whitmore.

Phillips Road.


At the Volta Powerhouse.


Vineyard at Tuscan Heights Lavender Farm.



Took a stroll across the Sundial Bridge in Redding.



View west from the Sundial Bridge.



Here you go, Ron.


con't....

[GeoNorskie]

It was starting to warm up down in the valley, and the Oregonians were feeling faint, so we high-tailed it back up the hill. Made our way up Wildcat Road, where the landowner has built miles and miles and miles of rock walls using the local stone.



Made our way down towards Manton Road, across Lanes Valley Road to 36E, and thence to Mineral for lunch. Had a great meal at the Mineral Lodge – highly recommended. Everything cooked from scratch (well, except for the excellent burger buns), great service, and a very pleasant patio on which to enjoy your meal. And no food pix. Sorry. But, did get a shot of Terrie and JC posing with the Lodge Moose!



After lunch, it was an uneventful ride past Lake Almanor, through beautiful forests, with a stunning sky filled with puffy clouds, back to Burney.

Everyone got going fairly early this morning, under cloudy skies after a bit of rain Saturday night. The wind mills on Hatchet Mt. above Burney were in clouds as I headed west.



The skies were clearing to the west – too bad we all couldn’t stay another day and ride the Trinities!



‘Til next year!

[terriez]

It was great meeting you all and seeing old friends . Bonnie, thanks for leading a great ride!

[Ally House]

I am so sorry we missed it. Loved your plan B; those are some familiar looking roads. Next year for sure!!

[JCZ]

Thank you Bonnie for posting great pics and for leading a great ride. I really love it when it's roads that I've never rode before.....and they were all great!

I'll post up some pics when I get a few minutes....

[demenshea]

Gorgeous photos!!! Looks like good weather and a fun ride. Sorry we missed it!

[GeoNorskie]

Thanks, all! Yes, Ally, we did some of those same roads last fall.

Looking forward to seeing everyone else's pix. I didn't take many since I was leading the pack. Returning to Redding on Sunday, I retraced Saturday's steps to get a couple road shots to fill in. I think everyone else took lots more shots than I.

[JCZ]

I have a few minutes to post a few.

Terrie and I left Elk Grove at about 3:00 p.m. and headed straight up I-5 to Redding, then east to Burney.











We have arrived.....