Sierra Opener

[OMoaC]

Well Looking at maybe meeting up on Sat with you goofy riders. Maybe in Lee Vining. So who has a bed open for Sat night? NO SNUGGLING! Unless money changes hands.  :beerchug:

 

[CaffeineMan]

Well Looking at maybe meeting up on Sat with you goofy riders. Maybe in Lee Vining. So who has a bed open for Sat night? NO SNUGGLING! Unless money changes hands.  :beerchug:

Man if I’d known you were gonna dive in I would’ve gotten a cottage.

 

[OMoaC]

Well Looking at maybe meeting up on Sat with you goofy riders. Maybe in Lee Vining. So who has a bed open for Sat night? NO SNUGGLING! Unless money changes hands.  :beerchug:

Man if I’d known you were gonna dive in I would’ve gotten a cottage.

Yeah, I procrastinated and now paying the price.

 

[godzillat2]

I’m considering riding up with Old Man on a Connie on Saturday.  Just spoke with hotel.  One 3-bed cottage available for Sat night.  Any interest from someone to split 3 ways with him and I?  Cost without COG discount quoted as $220 plus tax.  Figure $80 each maybe?

 

[Wandrng]

Heck yea Godzilla, do it! You and OMC do it!

You talking $220 for Saturday night only?

Two days ago I looked into upgrading my 2 nights in a 1 queen room, to a cottage - was told no cottages available covering both nights.

Just FYI for anyone interested and thinking of joining for the ride, you can get a 1 queen bed room at AAA rate for $89 at their
  RLH corp site online here

 

[godzillat2]

Ok, got a 3-bed cottage for Sat nite only.  Need a third to split with OMC and myself.  Any takers?  Also, did anyone else see the notice that Tioga will be closed Saturday????

 

[santacruzrider]

Don't over-react!!! The closure on Sept. 27-28 is temporary. It might be related to my request that they set a giant slalom course and some timing gates -- but I can't confirm (or deny) that.

Beyond that, we're all set with an awesome window of clear weather and roads look good. Register, reserve a room, gas up ... and we will see you next weekend.

 

[OMoaC]

I shall be bringing my winter gloves and glue on foot heaters. Just in case. Hell, I rode to the bun cooler. Ain't skeert.  :beerchug:

 

[CaffeineMan]

Is the plan to take Wards Ferry Rd. on the way to 120?  Or is that too much of a goat trail?  Its gold on the Butler map.

 

[santacruzrider]

We discussed it, but decided against because it would delay our entry into Yosemite and we're hoping to beat some of the usual rush.

Could be a Friday option for those of us coming in from the south or even just an out & back warm up that afternoon.

Let's see what others say.

 

[CaffeineMan]

No prob i was really just curious.  I vote for less crowd in Yosemite myself!

 

[santacruzrider]

One week to the High Sierra Sampler. Here's the ride plan for Sunday.

Kickstands up at 9 a.m., Jamestown, CA

Today we ride Highway 4 past the resort towns of Arnold and Dorrington to where the pavement narrows to a lane-sharing mountain path as it ascends Ebbetts Pass. This is rumored to be one of the most scenic routes in the country, and the hairpin turns are a bonus.

Along the way we’ll make stops at Lake Alpine and Ebbetts Pass, then slide down the eastern Sierra flank, join 89 north and stop for lunch at Wolf Creek Restaurant in Markleeville.

After lunch we’re likely to see some riders head for home. The planned route is north on 89, then left/west onto 88 and back up in to the highlands and over Carson Pass, then down past Kirkwood, and pristine Silver Lake. We’ll make one last stop at Rosebud’s Café in Jackson.

Mileage: 175 miles (to Jackson)
Ride time: 4 hours (to Jackson)

Should be a great weekend. Please register on the COG event calendar if you're planning to play and we'll see you up there.

 

[OMoaC]

Suhweet! :motonoises: :beerchug:

 

[swedge]

Just booked the last Queen room and they gave me a break. They have one 3 bed room left for $200/night. They might have some cancellations but you never know. There may be some other options in Jamestown if anyone is still looking. Also, Sonora is only a few minutes away.

 

[Wandrng]

Detailed info above or at
http://www.cog-online.org/ClubPortal/EventDetailPublic2.cfm?clubID=1328&eventID=258474

Saturday is Tioga and Sonora Passes
Sunday is Ebbetts and Carson Passes

It's a free meet & greet and you can still make it.

 

[Wandrng]

If you are coming from the south or west on Friday and have a bit of extra time you might wanna try these roads out on your way to Jamestown (as alternates to 120) 

Hwy 49: Mariposa to Coulterville : One of the best twisty roads in CA. 16 miles of bliss (run it each way as a treat), with good roads leading to and from it as a bonus.
https://goo.gl/maps/o8uCtgWTKkrHpGu47

Wards Ferry - Algerine into Jamestown - Wards Ferry this is more adventure than raceway much of it is both directions in a narrow single unstriped lane with hair pins and some rough road. (road is used by rafting transport in season, so watch) It winds it's way down the side of the canyon to the Tuolumne River and then back up the other. Algrine then takes you through remote foothill countryside of oaks and ranches.
https://goo.gl/maps/2qN9b3TK3iUX1cNFA



If coming from the north (or west) maybe try

The whole Hwy 49 of course (there can be a lot of traffic)
https://goo.gl/maps/9CnPGGEDz4mmRXxDA

Pool Station Rd (off the 49)
https://goo.gl/maps/7ZwudYZgmb9u8EG98

Sheep Ranch and Rail Flat - you like lonely rough foothill roads through oaks (caveat: I haven't rode this in years - conditions may change - no guarantees - make your own decisions)
https://goo.gl/maps/yKb9nVmtBLQx3s6i7


There are many more. The Sierras are filled with good riding.


These roads are not part of the Saturday / Sunday routes, so it's all bonus riding!
(for the most part)

 

[Wandrng]

Enjoy this view in real life, on Tioga Pass this Saturday morning on the Sierra Sampler ride

It is one of our stops

 

[santacruzrider]

Outstanding set of options.
I think my route Friday will be 152 from Watsonville through Los Banos, then cut up to 140 to Mariposa.

From there I can take in both of your top 2 routes, from the south -- including Hwy 49: Mariposa to Coulterville and then
Wards Ferry - Algerine into Jamestown.

Looks epic!

See you tomorrow.

Dan

BTW: Anyone looking for me, I'll be the guy in the white helmet on a blue FZ1 sporting soft bags and COG stickers.

 

[Wandrng]

Dan.  What time you leaving?  Time you think you might hit Mariposa?

 

[MichiGlenn]

Have a great time!  Gotta say I’m a little jealous. My wife and I will be in the same area next week, but with a rental car. Still get to see some beautiful country we’ve never been to. Shooting for Yosemite, Sequoia, King’s Canyon and possibly Pinnacles NP on a ten day trip.

 

[Motomaniac]

Safe travels and have a great time to the riders heading up today and tomorrow!

Have a great time!  Gotta say I’m a little jealous. My wife and I will be in the same area next week, but with a rental car. Still get to see some beautiful country we’ve never been to. Shooting for Yosemite, Sequoia, King’s Canyon and possibly Pinnacles NP on a ten day trip.

You will enjoy the area in a car too! Breathtaking scenery and roads!

:motonoises:  :motonoises:  :great:

 

[connie_rider]

Ya'll ENJOY!!

Ride safe, Ted

 

[troymba]

Can’t even believe I’m missing this one but there’s always next year - send pics!

 

[santacruzrider]

Keith -- slow start today (flew back from business trip in Chicago last night), so will probably hit Mariposa around 3 p.m.

 

[connie_rider]

I'm watching this ride too.
I can't be there. So, can someone please abuse "Old Guy on a Connie" for me.

Ride safe, Ted

 

[OMoaC]

I'll text my progress tomorrow to meet up in Le Vining or Bridgeport. Ted 

 

[CaffeineMan]

This was a fun event!  Many thanks to Dan for organizing this!

 

[OMoaC]

Great event Guy's. Well done. I was actually sore from wrestling the pig at those speeds along those roads. Awesome!

 

[FTB530]

I enjoyed meeting all the guys and then following them everywhere!

 

[dgold]

Thanks for the fellowship and turning me on to those roads.
The drive home to LA was gruesome but the memories of the previous two days kept a smile on my face.

 

[swedge]

Great ride and great to meet new friends! I took Hwy 26 just to get in a few more twisties. Thanks again to Dan and Keith.

 

[santacruzrider]

I'm glad to hear you gentlemen had a great weekend. I felt super lucky getting the weather window we did.

When I put this out to COG, I was committed to riding it solo if nobody came. But even as amazing as these roads are, it wouldn't have been half as much fun without all of you joining in.

One more shout out of my own to Keith for not only sharing his expertise and planning, but for playing shepherd on all the rides. Nicely done my friend!

Thanks all -- and hope you have as great a time next month at Borrego.

 

[OMoaC]

I'm glad to hear you gentlemen had a great weekend. I felt super lucky getting the weather window we did.

When I put this out to COG, I was committed to riding it solo if nobody came. But even as amazing as these roads are, it wouldn't have been half as much fun without all of you joining in.

One more shout out of my own to Keith for not only sharing his expertise and planning, but for playing shepherd on all the rides. Nicely done my friend!

Thanks all -- and hope you have as great a time next month at Borrego.

I know it may be unobtainable but get your happy A$$ down there! Won't be the same without you. You Guy's did a awesome J. O. B.

 

[mxhead69]

Sorry I haven’t been able to get my videos and pictures put together from this deal, I’ve been working long hours and my video software and iPad are not cooperating! I’ll get it done as soon as I can fella’s.

 

[santacruzrider]

After careful consideration, I feel I MUST ISSUE A WARNING to all SW COG riders who did not attend this year's Sierra Sampler rally --- DO NOT READ the Winter Issue of The Concourier.

Spoiler alert: The issue should be in members' mailboxes in the next couple of weeks and COG members who didn't attend the ride should either toss it out, or at least avoid reading the pages recapping the Sierra ride!

Seriously, if you see what you missed, you're just going to feel so sad -- and it might ruin your holiday. So please, don't read it.

Also, be especially careful to avoid seeing any of the photos... really, they will make you question your priorities and your ability to make decisions around how to spend your free time.  :-\

So if you're a SW rider and you didn't ride the ride, it's probably best to just entirely avoid your mailbox until at least mid-January.

If you can't do that, please accept my personal apology for potentially ruining your holidays. Go ahead and read the article, shed your tears, kick yourself repeatedly... and watch this space for a date for a repeat ride in 2020 -- and a second chance to "make better choices!"  :beerchug:

 

[troymba]

After careful consideration, I feel I MUST ISSUE A WARNING to all SW COG riders who did not attend this year's Sierra Sampler rally --- DO NOT READ the Winter Issue of The Concourier.

Spoiler alert: The issue should be in members' mailboxes in the next couple of weeks and COG members who didn't attend the ride should either toss it out, or at least avoid reading the pages recapping the Sierra ride!

Seriously, if you see what you missed, you're just going to feel so sad -- and it might ruin your holiday. So please, don't read it.

Also, be especially careful to avoid seeing any of the photos... really, they will make you question your priorities and your ability to make decisions around how to spend your free time.  :-\

So if you're a SW rider and you didn't ride the ride, it's probably best to just entirely avoid your mailbox until at least mid-January.

If you can't do that, please accept my personal apology for potentially ruining your holidays. Go ahead and read the article, shed your tears, kick yourself repeatedly... and watch this space for a date for a repeat ride in 2020 -- and a second chance to "make better choices!"  :beerchug:

 

[Motomaniac]

After careful consideration, I feel I MUST ISSUE A WARNING to all SW COG riders who did not attend this year's Sierra Sampler rally --- DO NOT READ the Winter Issue of The Concourier.

Spoiler alert: The issue should be in members' mailboxes in the next couple of weeks and COG members who didn't attend the ride should either toss it out, or at least avoid reading the pages recapping the Sierra ride!

Seriously, if you see what you missed, you're just going to feel so sad -- and it might ruin your holiday. So please, don't read it.

Also, be especially careful to avoid seeing any of the photos... really, they will make you question your priorities and your ability to make decisions around how to spend your free time.  :-\

So if you're a SW rider and you didn't ride the ride, it's probably best to just entirely avoid your mailbox until at least mid-January.

If you can't do that, please accept my personal apology for potentially ruining your holidays. Go ahead and read the article, shed your tears, kick yourself repeatedly... and watch this space for a date for a repeat ride in 2020 -- and a second chance to "make better choices!"  :beerchug:

I feel very bad that I did not get a chance to ride the passes with a great group of people and riders! I will still read your story Dan and check out the pictures because it will get me ready to go in 2020! Thank you for taking the time to write the story and post the pictures! It will just make more COG members envious of what great riding we have! Then they will come out and visit!  :motonoises: :great:

 

[dgold]

Great article in the Concourier. Great photos(since I am in most) but I was impressed mostly how you handle mentioning us. I'd love to do the same route again but in reverse order.
Maybe I'll see you all in Death Valley!

 

[santacruzrider]

Thanks. Not to get sappy (and I'll deny if called on it), but half the enjoyment of this ride for me was all you gentlemen who joined, swapped lies, took turns passing on the double yellow and otherwise made it a party. The other half were the amazing roads -- throw in 10-20% for the drinks and pizza, plus 12% for the "I'm taking my pants off" announcement. -- somebody my math...  :rotflmao:

I like your idea of reversing the route. It's awfully tough to argue with any of those passes -- but would be nice to change it up a little.  :great:

 

[FTB530]

I was the slowpoke  following you guys!

 

[CaffeineMan]

Haven't seen my ugly mug or my bike in that many pics in a Concourier before.  Fortunately it didn't spoil the pics.  ;D

Thanks to all who threw that party!  It was good to ride all those roads I used to ride when I lived in Reno.  And great to meet some people I'd never met.

:beer chug: