49

[Old Michael]

I had a long (and at times unpleasant) week at work. But it coulda been worse.

So, I took a ride on my motorcycle yesterday.

And I took pictures.

First, I ran a couple of errands in Roseville.

Haven't been here in months. :lol:

I'd decided to follow Highway 49 south. This time of the year, the mountains are very cold,

and the valley has only straight roads. So the foothills it would be.

I took 50 to Latrobe Rd.

It's a lot of this.

Then quickly, I was winding my way toward Ahwahnee.

No, that's not a song title......but it should be.

I have no idea why I always stop and take pictures at signs like this.

Angels Camp

Gritty urban landscape version.

New Melones area.

I turned here, staying on 49. Yosemite is up that hill there.

Looking back.

49 gets better down in this area.

Stay where?

Whoa! What the hell?

Where were we? Okay. Everybody was out riding, enjoying the last day

before the rains are to start.

This is the kind of road where you just know there's gonna be

a parking lot full of sportbike riders, socializing between runs back and forth.

There was.

But I didn't stop for pictures, 'cause I'm an old guy on a touring bike just

cruising along singing Neil Young songs to myself.

Here's another one of those pictures I mentioned earlier.

I stopped for gas and a drink in Ahwahnee,

and then turned west on something called Road 600.

(Couldn't they name it after somebody or something?)

This is the kind of road where you wouldn't be surprised if you ran into RenoJohn.

Lots of fruit trees are in blossom right now.

I got a bit lost on some of the back roads out east of Madera,

but I eventually found my

way to 99 and headed back north, arriving home just before sunset.

I hope ya'll weren't expecting

this report to end with a bang.

Your comments will be appreciated.

Next Saturday - the Dr. Rich ride in the valley. I hope to see everyone there.

Thanks all. Have a good week.

 

[Tyler]

Good stuff, OM... look forward to sharing a few (s)miles with you on Saturday! B)

 

[biknflyfisher]

The section of 49 where it drops down and crosses the Merced River at Lake McClure, and then climbs back out is great fun! I loved your pic in Angels Camp with the HD rider looking longingly at your feejer - that's classic.

When you took Road 600 west, did you get to the town of Raymond? That's another interesting little town with lots of history.

Great pics.

biknflyfisher

 

[Old Michael]

When you took Road 600 west, did you get to the town of Raymond? That's another interesting little town with lots of history.

Yup, I did pass through Raymond. I'll Google the history.

I got stuck behind a classic car procession on the way there. I felt rude passing them, but geez, I had to.

 

[Brodie]

Boy, that road 600 sure looks promising...

Thanks for the ride report, makes me want to get off my butt and go out and ride!

Brodie

 

[Toecutter]

Don't you know that unprecedented misfortune will befall you if you allow your license plate to seen on the internets?

Oops!

 

[Tyler]

BTW, who is that in the side view mirror? It looks suspiciously like another forum member who lives in the area... or did you get a haircut? :lol:

It's a lot of this.

.

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

Some of those roads looked familiar from my Yosemite trip a ways back. Good memories. Fun reading your comments, and I was hoping this ride ended well

Made me chuckle and want to get down that way again. One of the dams for the Damtour is down there... hmmm

Thanks for posting. good'n

 

[Dudewado]

Nice report Sparky.

Great pics as usual. You'll have to show me 49 some day.

 

[USPS Bike-Nut]

Thanks for sharing...

 

[Old Michael]

120?

 

[Toecutter]

49, on my way to the OrangevaleFJR memorial luncheon....

 

[Old Michael]

Some of those roads looked familiar from my Yosemite trip a ways back. Good memories. Fun reading your comments, and I was hoping this ride ended well Made me chuckle and want to get down that way again. One of the dams for the Damtour is down there... hmmm

Thanks for posting. good'n

Dam. I've gotta sign up Shiny.

 

[Tyler]

49/Little Dragon from a different vantage point

120?

 

[biknflyfisher]

Nope - that's a vista on 49 looking north. You can see the bridge that crosses the Merced River at the bottom of the canyon (where there should be a lake - dang drought).

Good pic.

biknflyfisher

 

[Old Michael]

BTW, who is that in the side view mirror?

You can't prove it.

... show me 49 some day.

Hell, I'll show you my tattoo, if you buy the beer brother.

49, on my way to the OrangevaleFJR memorial luncheon....

I don't recall that vantage point, but then I often had my eyes closed. Mountain twisties scare me.

 

[Tyler]

Hell, I'll show you my tattoo, if you buy the beer brother.

Hell, I'll bring the camera...

BTW, who is that in the side view mirror?

You can't prove it.

Prove what? I just asked a question, silly... methinks he doth protest too much...

 

[zip]

Old Priest Grade Road. I'd never drive the new grade up to Groveland. That's for RV's & grannies. And a stop at the Iron Door Saloon?

You are really making me miss California, man. Especially in its rare emerald cover and prettiest. Been up that beast a hundred times on my way to guiding whitewater rafting trips on the Tuolumne and Class V Cherry Creek - the hardest commercially run section of river in the US. Love highway 49. All of it. Especially those backwater towns and side roads that put you into other worlds that seem forgotten, even in the most populous state in the union.

Thanks for the great pictures and stories.

At least I got to ride yesterday here. Now we're getting 6" of snow again tonight.

 

[Khunajawdge]

OM

Good Report, but ya know what this CenCal rider does?

When I am leaving from a ride in the Sierras out of Sacramento (with you NorCal types), I usually opt to head south avoiding Lake McClure, departing 49 at China Camp on 120 to J59 through La Grange to Merced. 59 /33 is nearly a straight shot for me to end up back on I 5 before I take the cutoff through Avenal back to 33 then to 41/46 to 101 (Paso Robles) to 41 (Atascadero) and back to the barn (near Morro Bay). Saves me some miles, and a lot of time.

I do like to ride north on 41 which from Morro Bay is a straight shot to Oakhurst, then north on 49 from there, so there! :huh:

Probably too much information? Who cares anyways? :blink: