SF to LA: what's your best route near rush hour?

[nostatic]

I'm flying up to SF tomorrow to pick up a bike and ride it back down to LA. Want to make it as quick as possible (sorry, no hwy 1). I get into oakland at 1pm, then bart over to the city. Hope to be on the road by 3pm or so. Bay Bridge to 580 and 5, or south a bit and then cut over?

[jyl]

I would do 580 then 5. At 3 pm traffic should be still ok except getting on the bridge, but you'll be on a bike so . . . then 580 gets you out of the most congested area, you might hit some traffic around at some of the bedroom communities but shouldn't be too bad for long, and by 4 pm you should be on the 5 or pretty close. If you go south on 101/280, you end up in south bay at 4 pm, just in time for the heart of rush hour, and without a really convenient way to get to the 5.

[Joeaksa]

'bout 40 minutes, GPS Direct to the outer marker then land on the North runway. 28,000 feet at mach .85 does nicely...

Sorry, had to do it...

[Don Plumley]

Congrats on teh bike (tell more!) Pick your poison - John is right about south San Jose traffic - though you can cut over on 85 and bypass a fair amount, and you'll be carpool okay. 152 over towards Los Banos to pick up the 5 can be a bit trying

If it were me, I'd take 101 all the way. Might add 30 mins or so, but you have more places to pull out, catch a late dinner in SLO, take coast highway through Ventura and into Malibu. Fewer semis, fewer crazy drivers. Just a thought.

I'll PM you with an idea.

[nostatic]

Well, 101 and I have a history...with the kind CHP officer. One advantage to 5 is that flow of traffic is 85-90 so if I just hang out I should make it home quickly. 101 took my about 9 hours last time...I don't want to roll in that late.

Joe, if you can swing by SFO with a C130 I'll be glad to roll the Duc up the ramp.

[Joeaksa]

Todd,

So you got the Duc! Photos man, we need photos! Give us a ride report on the way up and back!

Would pick you up for sure but am heading overseas again on Sunday...

Joe

[cantdrv55]

580 to 5 before 4PM is the best way. You may not have to split lanes yet. Have a safe drive home and stay as dry as you can.

[Burnin' oil]

101 north across the Golden Gate, then across the Richmond Bridge and take 880 south to 80 East toward Sacramento. Pick up 50 East toward Tahoe, then down to 395 South. Turn right and then take 10 West to your destination.

[nostatic]

Originally posted by Burnin' oil
101 north across the Golden Gate, then across the Richmond Bridge and take 880 south to 80 East toward Sacramento. Pick up 50 East toward Tahoe, then down to 395 South. Turn right and then take 10 West to your destination.

burnin', I didn't get the Ducati Performance Snowplow accessory...they were out of stock.

[singpilot]

Todd;

jyl's got the right idea. I just did the same route at about the same time of day. I thought about the 101 as well, but it was colder at night the last time I did it on a bike.

I would gladly trade you jobs this week. Am in Antigua, counting the days to get out of here. This time of year in the West Indies is mosquitoe season. As well as election season down here, so everyone is nervous.

I'd trade a ride on a new bike for this anytime. Good luck on the 5. Watch out for the tread carcasses at night, and keep an eye peeled north and south.

[nostatic]

interesting...I'm a liittle worried about the Grapevine stretch. Forecast is COLD...it was snowing there this am, but it should be just partly cloudy tonight. Looks like the 101 route is a bit warmer, but interesting observation Michael...maybe I'll stick with going the 5.

[Steve Carlton]

Are you going to take into consideration the break-in?

[nostatic]

Originally posted by Steve Carlton
Are you going to take into consideration the break-in?

turns out the bike has 1200 miles on it. Already broken in. Should be able to ride it like I stole it...

[arcsine]

Got nothing to add about the delivery home except to say dress warm and try to stay dry. Congratulations on the new scoot.

[Burnin' oil]

Originally posted by nostatic
interesting...I'm a liittle worried about the Grapevine stretch. Forecast is COLD...it was snowing there this am, but it should be just partly cloudy tonight. Looks like the 101 route is a bit warmer, but interesting observation Michael...maybe I'll stick with going the 5.

If you're worried about the cold then skip the grapevine and take the southern route through San Diego

[Steve Carlton]

Originally posted by nostatic
turns out the bike has 1200 miles on it. Already broken in. Should be able to ride it like I stole it...

That's good. Seems like with the boxers that's the way to break it in almost from the get go. Don't know if that applies to air cooled Ducs, but Rory said yes.

So, when's the first service? Will it be done before you leave?

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Congrats - on a bike, traffic is more-or-less a non-issue. Don't sweat it.

[nostatic]

600 mile service already done so I'm good until the 6k valve adjust.

good point burnin. actually yhe ocean temps are higher than air temps, so I was thinking of heading west first. problem is the duc is aircooled.

[scottmandue]

Don't forget to stop as Casa De Fruita!

[Noah930]

Don't forget to stop as Casa De Fruita!

to watch the world famous cup flipper?