California here I come

[rschween]

Well, almost loaded and ready to go! :D Leave in the morning for Shasta Lake and a ride in with Russell. No superslab for me, down the middle of Idaho and then over to Hermiston on Monday. Tuesday through Bend and then on to Shasta for the Wednesday morning ride in. Hoping to do Lassen Volcanic Park on Wednesday if I don't have to hang around all day, I'm taking my Top Saddelry seat too.

Thursday going to do HWY 36, and The Avenue of the Giants and then up to Crescent City. Friday to Lincoln City for a Styx concert that night.:butt1:

Saturday up the coast to Astoria, then over to Longview and Back down to St. Helens, past Mt. St. Helens, Randle, Yakima and then overnight at Wenatchee.

Sunday it's off to Omak, cross the border at Grand Forks and then along Highway 3 home to Cranbrook. I've got it pegged at about 2500 miles, looks like the weather is going to be great, can't wait!

Rod

[Finewest]

Watch your wallet! And good luck! Sounds like a great trip!

[dond]

The Mt Shasta KOA is A-OK.

[curmudgeon]

When riding north out of Yakima be sure to take Canyon road to Ellensburg. It is a beautiful canyon that follows the Yakima river. I believe the map shows it as highway 821.

Phil

[Horst]

that's the one !

never miss Canyon Road when I'm in the area ..... :D


he he ... :biker:

PS: Have fun, and hope the temp's are down a bit ... Redding in 116F is not what I would call fun .... :)

[rschween]

Well 7 days and just a tad over 3000 miles later, I'm back safe and sound. I missed the post about the canyon road (I'll have to remember that one for next time), but I did find some other beauties and got some great pics that I'll share once a get some rest and catch up with the family and work.

Yeah it was hot all the way down to Redding, I've been have problems with the connector on the temp sensor and (un)fortunately it wasn't working for this trip, but I remember going through a little town somewhere between Lewiston Idaho and Hermiston Oregon and thinking thank god it's cooled down some, just a moment later I passed a sign reading 101 degrees, so I can imagine how hot it really got. The best investment I made for this trip was a camelback, I'm not good at drinking enough water at the best of times, but I don't think I would have made it.

[joeca43]

Rod,
Glad you're home safe. It sounds like a trip to be envious over for sure.
Post the pictures soon so we can all see what we're missing.
Joe

[LL27]

:D Leave in the morning for Shasta Lake and a ride in with Russell. Rod

Hey Rod,

Great trip! I'll be tracing at least part of your route, 36 and the redwoods for sure, possibly Oregon if time allows.

That is, after my Russell ride-in in about 3 weeks! How did the seat job go? Anything I should know before going in?

Thanks,

Larry

[rschween]

Larry,
The ride in went great and while it is a lot of money, I think it's definately worth it. Make sure you know your particulars, inseam, weight, the common sense stuff. The one thing I missed that was almost a problem was the issue many have posted on about the feeling they were sliding into the tank. I had forgot about that on the stock seat, because I have been riding a Top Saddlery seat for the past year, and I'd forgotten that sensation. First thing I noticed when I hopped on the Russell was that feeling again of sliding into the tank, Fortunately it wasn't that bad, and it went away by putting the front of the seat in the middle position and the back in the lowest.

I had an 8am appointment, was there for half an hour, they had me come back about 10:30 for 15 or 20 minutes and then back about 3:30 to pick up the seat. It worked out great, I went to the dam in the morning, and then a 200 mile round trip through Lassen Volcanic Park in the afternoon, out on 44 from Redding, back on 36 to Red Bluff, I really enjoyed the trip through the Park, reminded me of going to the Sun in Montana.

Once I picked up the Russell, I rode over to Redding and the out to Hayfork on Hwy 299 and 3. About 2 miles before Hayfork there is a road the locals called Wildwood Hwy, I can't remeber the number but tons of twisties and for about 8 miles no center line, just a one lane paved road with little or no traffic. At Widwood I was going to head back to Red Bluff on 36 and up I-5 to Shasta Lake. But I found another little secondary road running back to Redding. On mapquest it shows as A16 or the Platina Road. The intersection is just East of Platina on Hwy 36, it runs through Ono and turns into Clear Creek Road and connects with 273 in Redding. Another great back road, lots of twisties pretty good pavement and almost no traffic.

If I remember right it was a couple hundred miles and was a great test run for the Russell.

Rod

[LL27]

Rod,

Thanks for the info...good to know what to expect once I get there. I found a motel within walking distance so I'll probably roll in the night before and still be able to hang out between trips back to their shop.

Your shakedown cruise brought back alot of good memories. I hunted with friends for 10 years in that neighborhood - Platina to Wildwood in the hills on both sides of 36. Well, hunting might be overstating. More like camping, eating, and hanging out in the woods with rifles! Good times. And yes, you're right, some very cool side roads around there that will be great to re-visit on the ST.

Thanks again,

Larry

[Danny C]

just a moment later I passed a sign reading 101 degrees, so I can imagine how hot it really got. The best investment I made for this trip was a camelback, I'm not good at drinking enough water at the best of times, but I don't think I would have made it.

Did similar trip in July from Calgary (actually starting point was Trail B.C.
Hit 118 degrees just south of Redding. No camelback but many stops to hydrate.

[rschween]

ride report at http://www3.telus.net/public/pschween/Rodstrip.htm

Rod