Reno, Yosemite, and the Redwoods

julie j · 07-23-2009, 12:49 AM

My husband and I returned from our trip to Reno, Yosemite, and the Redwoods about 3 weeks ago and I am ready to go again. I have been riding for a couple of years but this was my first experience at touring. My husband on the other has taken several motorcycle trips including a trip to Prudhoe Bay in 2007. Before this the longest I have rode in one day is about 250 miles. Two very different experience levels but one great ride.

Day 1 Saturday – Lynnwood, WA to Medford, OR (467 Miles)
Our first destination would be Reno, NV for a long over due visit with Brandon’s grandma. Since we had limited time off work we decided to skip the scenic route the first day and headed straight down I-5. This was a long and pretty uneventful day. We called it a night at a hotel just outside of Medford.

Day 2 Sunday – Medford, OR to Reno, NV (346 Miles)
We woke up the second day feeling pretty good. I expected to be somewhat sore from so many miles but all was well. We got some breakfast and loaded the bikes. With so many deer and elk in the area we decided to have a slow start and not leave at dusk. We headed out Hwy 140 toward Klamath Falls. I kept thinking this is such a great road, where are the locals? I would have my answer when it dropped to 38 degrees at the top of the pass and started to rain. Heated grips FTMFW! We came across this meadow on our way down the pass.

We continued down Hwy 395 experiencing some really heavy cross winds. In Standish, CA we stopped for fuel and a little breather. While we were there several BMWs pulled up. It turns out that they were headed home from a BMW rally in OR. If we had known about it sooner we would have added it to our journey. We stayed and talked to this really cool couple on an older BWM. I wish I had thought to get a picture of them. She gave me a big hug when we went to leave and I felt like I was truly leaving a friend. I hope I see her again someday.

We arrived in Reno about 4:00. We checked in, cleaned up and were off to find some dinner.

Day 3 Monday – No travel
Today was spent in Reno with Brandon’s grandma. We have not seen her in a long time and it was good to get a visit in.

The Silver Legacy is just another hotel as far as I am concerned but they did have excellent bike parking. At the hotel we took these picks of a fellow rider.

Day 4 Tuesday – Reno, NV to Buck Meadows, CA (196 Miles)
The original plan was to go from Reno to Yellowstone but the weather looked like it was going to be cold and wet. We decided that we could ride in the cold and wet anytime we like and change plans to head south. We heard rumors that Tioga pass into Yosemite can be a nasty pass so we opted to enter the park from the west. We looked at the map and picked Hwy 4 to get us down there. This has to be one of the craziest roads I have every traveled. It was 1st and 2nd gear switchbacks, huge cliffs, no guardrails and the road was so narrow that they did not bother to paint a strip. I forgot to mention the cars that come screaming around the corners at you. It did provide some awesome scenery!

Yes, that is snow

Day 5 Wednesday – Played in Yosemite
Today was spent just playing in the park. We saw some incredible sites and could have easily spent another day here. We did head back to the hotel about 2:00 because the heat was getting unbearable and the inattentive drivers were getting think.

julie j · 07-23-2009, 12:51 AM

Day 6 Thursday – Yosemite, CA to Redwoods, CA (441 Miles)
We left early this morning trying to beat the middle of the day heat. We both have had enough warmth and are looking forward to a nice ocean breeze. We took Hwy 29 straight to I-5 and then I-5 North to Redding. From there we took Hwy 299 and headed for the coast. This was another epic road and overall a great day.

Day 7 Friday – Redwoods, CA – Crescent City, CA (250 Miles)
Today we goofed off in the Redwoods before making our way to Crescent City were we stayed at a nice hotel right on the beach.

Day 8 Saturday – Crescent, CA to Lacey, WA (444 Miles)
Unfortunately we had to start heading home today. We took Hwy 199 into Grants Pass and then onto I-5. We really had no plans of making it all the way home today but as I started seeing signs that home was only 200 miles away I thought I could do it. I had to stop less then 100 miles from home because I completely hit a wall. I started to think about all the areas I still needed to ride through and knew I was just too tired. We stopped in Lacey and got a hotel. I was a little disappointed but knew that I was doing the safe thing.

Day 9 Sunday – Lacey, WA to Lynnwood, WA
Today was a really short day. Left the hotel and were home within an hour and half. It was my first time touring but definitely will not be my last. We are already planning where to go next!

Trip · 07-23-2009, 08:56 AM

epic trip, can't wait to get out there with ebbs. Still a ways away though.

G-Rex · 07-23-2009, 09:23 AM

Welcome to the touring bug! I've only taken one trip that didn't involve riding my bike on vacation in the last 6 years, and that's only because I couldn't ride to Italy.

Once you begin to plan vacations *around* riding. It's all over. You will vacation no other way.

Glad you had a great time! I've ridden through all those areas on my bike before and it is indeed beautiful area!

pauldun170 · 07-23-2009, 10:30 AM

That bear statue just aint right.

Lot of potential tables and chairs in those pics...and Kitchen cabinets?
hell yeah

julie j · 07-23-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Rex

Once you begin to plan vacations *around* riding. It's all over. You will vacation no other way.

We have a cruise to Alaska planned for September that I almost cancelled when I got home. I have wanted to cruise up the Inside Passage all my life and now I am not sure I can sit still on a boat for a week.

Trip · 07-23-2009, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by julie j

We have a cruise to Alaska planned for September that I almost cancelled when I got home. I have wanted to cruise up the Inside Passage all my life and now I am not sure I can sit still on a boat for a week.

You won't, you can eat your heart out with the neverending buffets and cruises always have some kind of activity going on you can do.

I couldn't do just moto vacations, because you need vacations from your vacation to recover from the energy it takes when you go road tripping even by cage.

I like nice relaxing vacations mixed in with fast paced vacationing. My wife doesn't ride, so she is not a fan of just moto anyway, so it wouldn't fly in my household.

Plus I live in an area where you don't need a vacation to have good riding days and I have yet to explore most areas around here that have now been opened up to me with dual sporting, so that helps.

07-23-2009, 12:49 AM	#1
julie j WERA Yellow Plate Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lynnwood, WA Moto: F650GS & XT250 Posts: 666	Reno, Yosemite, and the Redwoods My husband and I returned from our trip to Reno, Yosemite, and the Redwoods about 3 weeks ago and I am ready to go again. I have been riding for a couple of years but this was my first experience at touring. My husband on the other has taken several motorcycle trips including a trip to Prudhoe Bay in 2007. Before this the longest I have rode in one day is about 250 miles. Two very different experience levels but one great ride. Day 1 Saturday – Lynnwood, WA to Medford, OR (467 Miles) Our first destination would be Reno, NV for a long over due visit with Brandon’s grandma. Since we had limited time off work we decided to skip the scenic route the first day and headed straight down I-5. This was a long and pretty uneventful day. We called it a night at a hotel just outside of Medford. Day 2 Sunday – Medford, OR to Reno, NV (346 Miles) We woke up the second day feeling pretty good. I expected to be somewhat sore from so many miles but all was well. We got some breakfast and loaded the bikes. With so many deer and elk in the area we decided to have a slow start and not leave at dusk. We headed out Hwy 140 toward Klamath Falls. I kept thinking this is such a great road, where are the locals? I would have my answer when it dropped to 38 degrees at the top of the pass and started to rain. Heated grips FTMFW! We came across this meadow on our way down the pass. We continued down Hwy 395 experiencing some really heavy cross winds. In Standish, CA we stopped for fuel and a little breather. While we were there several BMWs pulled up. It turns out that they were headed home from a BMW rally in OR. If we had known about it sooner we would have added it to our journey. We stayed and talked to this really cool couple on an older BWM. I wish I had thought to get a picture of them. She gave me a big hug when we went to leave and I felt like I was truly leaving a friend. I hope I see her again someday. We arrived in Reno about 4:00. We checked in, cleaned up and were off to find some dinner. Day 3 Monday – No travel Today was spent in Reno with Brandon’s grandma. We have not seen her in a long time and it was good to get a visit in. The Silver Legacy is just another hotel as far as I am concerned but they did have excellent bike parking. At the hotel we took these picks of a fellow rider. Day 4 Tuesday – Reno, NV to Buck Meadows, CA (196 Miles) The original plan was to go from Reno to Yellowstone but the weather looked like it was going to be cold and wet. We decided that we could ride in the cold and wet anytime we like and change plans to head south. We heard rumors that Tioga pass into Yosemite can be a nasty pass so we opted to enter the park from the west. We looked at the map and picked Hwy 4 to get us down there. This has to be one of the craziest roads I have every traveled. It was 1st and 2nd gear switchbacks, huge cliffs, no guardrails and the road was so narrow that they did not bother to paint a strip. I forgot to mention the cars that come screaming around the corners at you. It did provide some awesome scenery! Yes, that is snow Day 5 Wednesday – Played in Yosemite Today was spent just playing in the park. We saw some incredible sites and could have easily spent another day here. We did head back to the hotel about 2:00 because the heat was getting unbearable and the inattentive drivers were getting think.

07-23-2009, 09:23 AM	#4
G-Rex Where to next? Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: OK to the C Moto: TL1000R, Hayabusa, R1150RT Posts: 1,333	Welcome to the touring bug! I've only taken one trip that didn't involve riding my bike on vacation in the last 6 years, and that's only because I couldn't ride to Italy. Once you begin to plan vacations around riding. It's all over. You will vacation no other way. Glad you had a great time! I've ridden through all those areas on my bike before and it is indeed beautiful area! __________________

07-23-2009, 12:51 AM	#2
julie j WERA Yellow Plate Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lynnwood, WA Moto: F650GS & XT250 Posts: 666	Day 6 Thursday – Yosemite, CA to Redwoods, CA (441 Miles) We left early this morning trying to beat the middle of the day heat. We both have had enough warmth and are looking forward to a nice ocean breeze. We took Hwy 29 straight to I-5 and then I-5 North to Redding. From there we took Hwy 299 and headed for the coast. This was another epic road and overall a great day. Day 7 Friday – Redwoods, CA – Crescent City, CA (250 Miles) Today we goofed off in the Redwoods before making our way to Crescent City were we stayed at a nice hotel right on the beach. Day 8 Saturday – Crescent, CA to Lacey, WA (444 Miles) Unfortunately we had to start heading home today. We took Hwy 199 into Grants Pass and then onto I-5. We really had no plans of making it all the way home today but as I started seeing signs that home was only 200 miles away I thought I could do it. I had to stop less then 100 miles from home because I completely hit a wall. I started to think about all the areas I still needed to ride through and knew I was just too tired. We stopped in Lacey and got a hotel. I was a little disappointed but knew that I was doing the safe thing. Day 9 Sunday – Lacey, WA to Lynnwood, WA Today was a really short day. Left the hotel and were home within an hour and half. It was my first time touring but definitely will not be my last. We are already planning where to go next!