Hwy 36 Ride...to Hayfork

[Sbyllek]

She Said:

The last weekend in August, we headed up to Hayfork to visit some close family friends and attend the Trinity County Fair.
Seizing the opportunity to ride the much lauded section of Hwy 36, hubby eagerly counted down the days until our departure.
The Friday morning of our journey I had no trouble rousing my usually very sleepy night owl.
We were on the road by 1000 hrs. I am the one who needed coffee!
We made great time on Hwy 99 to Red Bluff and stopped briefly for lunch at Del Taco, where hubby patiently urged us to finish our meals so he could ride.
Wearing all the gear, he made quite the sexy picture as he threw his leg over his blue metal beast…
We were off.
We moved quickly through Red Bluff and crossed the railroad tracks onto Hwy 36…The girls and I were happily singing along to Veggie Tales when hubby suddenly stopped.
A little concerned I pulled over at the next turnout and waited.
Minutes later he pulled up alongside of me and explained he was going to be stopping periodically to take pictures for all our fellow Pashnites to enjoy later…
We leap-frogged along Hwy 36 this way for some time…him pulling over, me passing him and pulling over to wait, him passing me again…back on the road again…over and over and over…until I suggested he leave the camera with me and I would take some pictures of him riding…
Well…due to all the photo stops; our trip took a good 4+ hours…
But I didn’t mind at all because, despite the screaming baby in the back seat, I was riding that road with my hubby. I felt every turn, dip and drop in that road as if I was on that motorcycle.
We pulled into Hayfork around 1500 hrs.
We enjoyed a relaxing 2 day visit that included good food, great company, a test ride on a Vulcan 500 for hubby (before we convinced the owner not to sell the bike because he loved riding too much), a wall-raising at the Hayfork Community Church (where our host is the pastor), a fair, a parade and my first time riding pillion with hubby. (Note: It is my opinion that cruisers are much more comfortable than sportbikes for pillion riders…)
We had a great visit and all too soon it was time to leave…
Having taken so many pictures on the ride to Hayfork, we opted to shoot “straight” through to Red Bluff without stopping.
Hubby noted that Hwy 36 is more challenging headed East…
At any rate, we arrived home exhausted (me) and exhilarated (hubby) after traversing this glorious section of Hwy 36…
So without further ado…here is a slideshow I put together of the best of our photos…
Enjoy!

Hwy 36 http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2343613399614945365http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7129835444312550977

[Oddball_One]

HE SAID:

First off it must be said that Highway 36 Rocks

That being said the trip was wonderful and my wife and I fully intend to return to explore the area on bikes.
Now I know what everybody is thinking...4 hours to ride 98 miles?
Yes, yes I know I was taking my time and soaking in all of the twisty mountain goodness that abounded...and also taking lots of pictures. Furthermore I rode like a bat out of hell on the way home and the only thing keeping me from reaching Ludicrous Speed was my "Support Crew” and other Traffic. I did see one LEO; unfortunately it was on the way home. I think I passed him doing approximately, go straight to jail MPH fortunately my wife totally missed him and he never pulled out. He was probably looking at the beautiful surroundings.

For next time: Check road conditions first. There was too much gravel in the apex of the corners. Especially as you get close to the Highway 3 junction.
No support vehicle.
My wife NEEDS to ride this road.
Hwy 36 all the way to the coast, and lastly...
Ludicrous Speed

[G8ESCAP]

Very Cool. Nice road. Love the credits!

[pashnit]

Matt, Kelly, that was really cool. Your little ones are absolutely adorable! My 2 yr old really liked it too. And looks like you thoroughly enjoyed the world famous Hwy 36. Always a fun ride. Completely changes personalities when you get west of the Hwy 3 junction too.

You can also double back to I-5 via Platina Rd too if you are ever in the mood to do a loop, and include the best part of Hwy 36 outside Red Bluff. Platina Rd is quite fun too, and great views!

Btw, if the 1st part of that vid (of Hwy 36) were cut to a single file, it might make a good addition to the Hwy 36 webpage.

I have a very similar photo.

[Oddball_One]

Originally Posted by pashnit

Matt, Kelly, that was really cool. Your little ones are absolutely adorable! My 2 yr old really liked it too. And looks like you thoroughly enjoyed the world famous Hwy 36. Always a fun ride. Completely changes personalities when you get west of the Hwy 3 junction too.

You can also double back to I-5 via Platina Rd too if you are ever in the mood to do a loop, and include the best part of Hwy 36 outside Red Bluff. Platina Rd is quite fun too, and great views!

Tim, how much further is it to the coast from the Hwy 36 and Hwy 3 intersection? Just to know for future planning.

I was also thinking of making a loop from Chico out to the coast and back. Maybe in one day if my butt will hold up.

99 to Red bluff
36 to Platina(Break)
36 to 101
Headding back I'm not sure which way to go... maybe 36 to 3 to 299 and back down? I kind of want to avoid having to slab it back to Red Bluff. Thanks !!!!!

BTW Kelly is working on the movie edit right now.

[noynrz]

Fun video! Looks like you had a great time. Here's to many more, including some eventual "side-by-side" rides.

[motorrad]

Very nice report Kelly. I really liked the music and picture show.

[Chocoholic]

Great report and video. Your little ones are adorable.

[bonedoctor]

Nice. Always fun to see rides in other parts of the country.

[Sbyllek]

Originally Posted by nonixayu

Great report and video. Your little ones are adorable.

Thanx...couldn't resist throwing them in there!!