I-5 or 395 thru California?
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Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 261
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From: Wild Rose Country
I-5 or 395 thru California?
Flying into San Diego tomorrow to pick up a used Ultra and \\;have 5 days to get back to \\;Canada (1700 miles). \\;Fastest would \\;be I-15 to Vegas and all the way to Montana but \\;would burn up this time of year. \\;I do like the heat, but heat to me is anything over 75. [8D]
 \\;
Looks like choices outside of \\;the PCH \\;is \\;I-5 all the way up, or 395 up through Mammoth Lakes and Reno. \\;Can anyone offer any \\;pointers on the best way to get \\;all the way thru \\;California south to north with minimal interstate but still able to make decent time, and not break a sweat?
 \\;
Thanks from an unclimatized canuck.
 \\;
Looks like choices outside of \\;the PCH \\;is \\;I-5 all the way up, or 395 up through Mammoth Lakes and Reno. \\;Can anyone offer any \\;pointers on the best way to get \\;all the way thru \\;California south to north with minimal interstate but still able to make decent time, and not break a sweat?
 \\;
Thanks from an unclimatized canuck.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 333
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From: Cal., work in Saudi
RE: I-5 or 395 thru California?
Agreed, I-5 in California is as boring as watching water boil on an unlit stove. Oregon and Washington are better. US395 is a fairly fast road most of the way at least to Reno, you'll hit the heat anywhere in the desert but 395 generally climbs in altitude faster than either of the Interstates as you leave the LA area. PCH (Ca 1) is the best riding road but is closed at Big Sur for fires. It's also the slowest. US 101 is not bad most of the way but it sounds like you would end up too far west. I 80 through Nevada and western Utah = Hot. Well, it is summer after all. Pack lots of water.
Guest
Posts: n/a
RE: I-5 or 395 thru California?
Another vote for 395 over the 5. \\; You'll still hit heat throught he desert but you really don't have any choices. \\; Even the coast can be hot if you hit it at the wrong time.
 \\;
On 395, besure that when you get to Lakeview, OR you get gas...there is nothing else for a very long timeout there. \\;
 \\;
On 395, besure that when you get to Lakeview, OR you get gas...there is nothing else for a very long timeout there. \\;
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Los Angeles
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Northern Arizona
RE: I-5 or 395 thru California?
+++ on 395, some of the most beautiful scenery you'll ever see. done it a few times in my truck, on top of my list for the \\;bike once I live on the west coast.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,942
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From: LAKESIDE CA.
RE: I-5 or 395 thru California?
have done the 5 many times and so it gets my vote yes it can be hot but not all that bad once you get past bakersfield.. the 395 is a better ride but is also high deesert and on the edge of death valley also much slower.. 5 has rest stops every 50/60 miles and always shade and water there plus gas is handy just watch your speed around yreka (don't ask how I know) have a good ride anyway you go..
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 114
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From: Yorba Linda
RE: I-5 or 395 thru California?
my take is 395 for scenic however many long miles without higher speeds can cause some serious monkey ***. now your avitar and name implies youve sat in a saddle before but this ultra may have a stock seat and that would hurt after even half of those miles. then theres the safety factor and while the scenic route might be nice there arent a lot of gas stations or even bike shops there. I would take PCH to 111 thru the bay and up the coast definitely cooler.