Two weeks out from the Sierra Sidewinder and plans are definitely falling into place. We've got some longer routes this year, plus lots of options for those who like to log more miles, plus some new restaurants to try -- and a few of the old favorites. I'll be sending details to everyone who is registered for the ride weekend. plus printing out ride guides for those who want something to tuck into their tank bags.
But in the meantime, here are a few highlights:
Thursday, Sept. 14
Riders coming up from So Cal, Arizona or Nevada will be meeting for the night at the Best Western California City Inn & Suites, California City, CA. Russ, the SW AD, will be gathering riders from there and leading the ride up the east side of the Sierra on Friday.
Friday, Sept. 15
The rally point is the Andruss Motel in Walker, Calif. Arrive as early as you want, but ideally get there by 6 p.m. as we will be walking two doors down to the Mountain View BBQ for dinner -- and they close at 8 p.m.
For riders coming from the west side of the Sierra, I will be stopping for lunch on Friday at ~12:30 p.m. at the Rosebud Cafe, downtown Jackson. From there it will be KSU at 1:30 p.m. and then up Hwy 88, over Kit Carson Pass to Woodfords and we can debate whether to drop into Gardnerville or take the twistier route on 89 through Markleeville (which everyone knows will be the option chosen!!).
Riders coming up from California City will be making their own fun and as with last year, I expect there to be stories of bikes running out of gas, riders going up the wrong pass, and other shenanigans.
Saturday, Sept. 16
KSU at 7:45 a.m. and a ride north to breakfast and cheap gas at Topaz Lake, Nev. (Anyone wondering why we aren't headed back to Out West Cafe in Markleeville - they are out of business.) From Topaz it's west over 89, then across the Sierra on Hwy 4 -- a ride that I'm personally conflicted about whether it's the most beautiful Sierra Pass there is ... it's 1 or 2 in my book. Once in Gold Country on the west side of the Sierra (and with suitable stops for photos and refreshment), we will head east on 108 -- stopping for lunch at Mia's Pizza in Cold Springs. We will drop down through Sonora Junction and head to gas in Bridgeport. From there, riders have options that include taking the adventurous gravel road to visit Bodie Ghost Town, doing the June Lake Loop, riding north into Nevada and the Wovoka Wilderness and looping back past Topaz, or just riding back to Walker and cooling heels. Personally, I'm conflicted about which of the first three I want to do, and thinking maybe the answer is ALL (I blame Doug for this ridiculousness.)
Dinner will be a casual affair (no ties or collars required, but pants and shoes recommended) and we will have a choice of either a repeat of Mountain View BBQ or hitting the even closer Walker Burger, which has a surprising large menu and much more than just burgers.
Sunday, Sept. 17
Breakfast at Walker Coffee Company - opens at 7 a.m.
KSU as close to 8 a.m. as possible, then south to 108 and back across the Sierra, through Railtown and south on 49 to Coulterville, with a lunch stop at the Coulter Cafe.
From there its down the Little Dragon and into the Central Valley where I expect we will have folks peeling off for home.
If you haven't registered yet and this looks likes fun, please visit the Events Calendar and log your interest. If you have questions, please let me know. Cheers - Dan
