Mmmm - Heat may be a concern - not so much for me but for my lady who has an intense dislike for very hot places!
What alternative itineraries based out of LA could we consider that may be a little cooler or will most of CA be that hot? 9 days and 8 nights riding to burn up. Appreciate any alternative ideas?

Cheers
D

 

Up and down PCH/ Hwy 1 from So Cal to Northern Calif Border, a border to border run thru California from Mexico to Oregon along the coast or up to San Francisco at least?

Death Valley on the 10 day forecast shows 115 f/ 46c for Sept 8th.

Santa Barbara 100 miles or so north of Los Angeles is forecasted to be only 77f / 25c that day for instance.

A lot of your plot points are at elevation but getting to them could be a bear.

We're experiencing a late summer here out west.

We recently did a 4 day trip to San Francisco from Los Angeles. It was a comfortable pace but there is so much more we could have seen and done with the extra days you have to ride and explore.

 

Some of the AZ riding you have plotted on your second map is at elevations out of the desert. You likely won't see triple digits there - maybe mid 80s F.
If you like AZ riding, take 260 east from Cottonwood (on your map) and head thru Payson, Heber, Show Low on over to Springerville. Then head south on 191 (it was US666, the Devil's Highway). You'll go thru Alpine, which is about 9500' elevation. It will be cool in September there. Tal-Wi-Wi Lodge is a nice place to stay for a night. Take 191 south thru Three Way to 70, thru Safford to Globe. Take 77 north - this will take you up thru Salt River Canyon. Then head west on 260. That's some good riding.


You might consider heading up towards Reno, Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Donner. Good riding up there and along the way.

 

Don't forget : http://rideplanner.harley-davidson.c...p?locale=en_US to help regardless which direction you choose.

 

You are going to be hitting some very hot temps on that route (110 plus). Be prepared! Early Sept. Is best along the coast or in the mountains. Good luck! SJ Ron

 

Hi
By 'Mountains' which areas do you specifically refer to ?
Don't forget I am not from that part of the world!

 

For cooler temps you need to do the PCH again. From LA take the 1 north to Oxnard. Then the 101 north to Santa Barbara. There are many motels that you'll be able to get a room at along the route. Stop when you want to.

Just north of Santa Barbara is hiway 154 which is a nice two lane road through the back country. Take the 246 towards the 101 so you can go through Solvang and Buelton. Must see tourist towns. There's a bike museum in Solvang that you'll enjoy if you take the time. It's small but has some very nice bikes.

101 north. Santa Maria has a nice Harley dealer right off the freeway. Take the hiway 1 north to Hearst Castle. Take the tour. It's memorable. Continue north on the 1 to Carmel and Monterey. Go around Pacific Grove. The water will be amazing. You can't do the 17 mile drive on the bike but the free ride around PG will be just as amazing.


Continue north on the 1 to San Francisco and cross the Golden Gate bridge just to say you did. Take pictures. Even if you take your time it'll only be day three or so.

Continue north on the 101, not the 1, to Santa Rosa and up to Geyserville. Go see the Old Faithful Geyser in California. Not many know about it. There is also a petrified forest in the area but I don't remeber exactly where. Stay north 101 to Hopland and the 175. East to the 29 and north to the 20. Take the 20 east to Yuba City. Then the 65 south to the 80 east. Take the 80 to Truckee. From Truckee take the 89 south to Lake Tahoe. Stay a day. Check out the local sites.

Take the 89 south to the 395 to the 120 west. You're now going into Yosemite. If you haven't been there you are in for a real treat.

Take the 41 south to Fresno. Stay on the 41 all the way to Atascadero. Harley Dealer there too.

Take the 101 south back to LA.

Don't forget the camera. This ride will be a lot cooler in temps and have a lot of scenery to enjoy.

September is not a high tourist season time so getting lodging everywhere you go will not be any problem. Enjoy.

Your wife will enjoy the temps. Mostly cool to medium warm.

 

This is good advice right here. Cross over to the 395 and head north. You won't be sorry. That time of year you DO NOT want to be crossing Death Valley on a bike. The Reno, Tahoe area is nice with lot's of nice places to ride. Motel rooms are more frequent along with food stops ect. Kids are back in school and the roads will be wide open.

 

Ditto what Other Sheep and BlkBagger said. Both trips are very nice and you avoid the desert heat. SJ Ron

 

Thanks fella's - all real helpful stuff. These sound likee good alternatives.
So for this 'northern CA' trip in early/ mid september what riding aparell is advised? Should I bring leathers etc in place of vented jacket? Is rain likely? I know it's good to be prepared for most weather but we'll be travelling light!
Cheers
D