Sonora, Ca

[Droptarotter]

Hey Guys;

We are planning a trip to Sonora in September. I'm going to take the HP2 and my buddy will be on his R11S.

Any tips on where to stay for easy access to the good riding roads?

How about any tips on the better roads to ride,meals, things to see?

Cheers

[Paulaner]

Sonora? That's even better than Sonoma! x 10!!!

From Sonora you are right in the thick of the foothills, I think there are 7 great mountain passes you can hit in a day.... plus Yosemite!

49, 120, 108. Heck, even take 4 all the way up to Topaz! You really can't go wrong.

Here is a link to our local trip in a couple weeks, these guys do this every year and have a good routine figured out.......
Topaz May 24th-26th | South Bay Riders

Again, post up and let's ride! I've done day trips from Santa Cruz to Yosemite and back....

[Martin Glasser]

Drop, Are you trucking your exotic bikes down, or motoring?

[Droptarotter]

I am going to truck the bike down......we figure 2 days travelling each way.......6 days of riding.

I don't do freeway on the bikes, so trucking works best.

Cheers

[Martin Glasser]

Originally Posted by Droptarotter

I am going to truck the bike down......we figure 2 days travelling each way.......6 days of riding.

I don't do freeway on the bikes, so trucking works best.

Cheers

Excellent plan.

[LeftCoast Peter]

I have a buddy taking a R1100S as well.

[JT_R1200S]

Well Drop I would look at staying in the Minden/Gardnerville area to start.

Notable rides around this area:

Sonora pass
Monitor pass (must ride, take 89 just south of Topaz to Markleeville, loop to 88 then back to Gardnerville )

The ride into the backside of Bridgeport resivoir is nice. Out of Topaz head north, then just out of Topaz heading north take 208 east and then 338 back south into the back side of Bridgeport resivoir, this is a great ride.

Kingsbury grade 207

Mount rose highway 431 (patrolled)

Virginia City rides (VC)
Virginia city truck route from Carson city to VC (moderately patrolled most if the time it's clear)
Virginia city to Reno 341 (heavily patrolled)
Six mile canyon down out of Virginia city back to Carson city, take the truck route up to VC then six mile canyon back, its a good loop.

You can get a suvenier T-shirt at Bunny Ranch if you are so inclined, you drive right by it out of Carson City on the way to catch the VC truck route or the six mile canyon turnoff.


if you take Kngsbury grade then you can head north around Lake Tahoe, though its slow going, but if you head that way turn off at Kings beach, and head into truckee on 267, then take 89 into Sierraville (watch for CHP) then head up to Downyville it's a great ride to Downyville

If youwant to hit some of the lonely roads I recommend the following, though watch your gas and range

Look at the route from Carson city to Fallon nv (gas up in Fallon), head past sand mountain then to Middlegate nv, stop for a burger there, though you have about 200 yards of gravel to pull up to the bar/restaurant its a great place, from there either keep heading east and drop off highway 50 and take 722 to Austin nv, it's a great alterant route. It's pretty much wide open past sand mountain until you get close to Austin. If you don't turn off on 722 just down the road on 50 is a better store. Middlegate station has gas though I don't know if they have premium.

Another great ride is head out of Middlegate and keep going to Gabbs, Gabbs does have gas. and then if you are so inclined keep going until you hit 95, its 90 miles of only you on the road, then either loop back or head into Hawthorn for gas , then to Yerington and back to Carson City, though 95 is loaded with highway patroll

JT

[Droptarotter]

Hey guys;
Thanks for the tips........it is now in the hands of the human GPS event director!

Cheers

[SeabeckS]

As a once long term resident of Minden/Gardnerville/Reno/Fallon I COMPLETELY agree with JT's recommendations.

I occasionally truck my S down there just so I can enjoy those roads again...

Happy Trails!


Bill J

[szazbo]

DT send me your email, I have plenty of routes from Topaz. I have ridden from there last 4 years over labor day weekend

[Droptarotter]

email sent..........thanks

[SeabeckS]

Meal tip...if you do happen to go through Minden/Gardnerville during your expedition, try either the J-T or the French for a Basque family style dinner. Something a bit different, and especially good when accompanied by a Picon Punch (specialty potable of Basque dinner houses...yummy!)

[2wheelmike]

Originally Posted by SeabeckS

As a once long term resident of Minden/Gardnerville/Reno/Fallon I COMPLETELY agree with JT's recommendations.

I occasionally truck my S down there just so I can enjoy those roads again...

Happy Trails!


Bill J

I would only add that you consider going Sonora Pass East to West, ending in Sonora for a good meal (my favorite is El Jardin on main street), then through Columbia (and a stop if you're into historical stuff), to Hwy 4 and back east over Ebbett's Pass to Markleeville and back. There's also a cool working train museum In Sonora/Jamestown (where they can be found rebuilding steam engines and testing them ).

[SeabeckS]

Originally Posted by 2wheelmike

I would only add that you consider going Sonora Pass East to West, ending in Sonora for a good meal (my favorite is El Jardin on main street), then through Columbia (and a stop if you're into historical stuff), to Hwy 4 and back east over Ebbett's Pass to Markleeville and back. There's also a cool working train museum In Sonora/Jamestown (where they can be found rebuilding steam engines and testing them ).

I concur!

Sure is fun planning someone else's trip!

Bill