Yeah - I did wonder if the Owen valley would be a nicer route - stop off in Inependance or Lone pine maybe. Looks to be a more rural route s oposed to the other side where we would travel through bigger cities? Is that a fair guess?

Primo - I'll be sure to post a summary when we get back home.

Cheers
D

 

Oh yeah, The 395 down through Owens Valley is a nice two lane road with small towns and a lot less traffic and people. I normally stay in Bishop when i do that ride. I wouldn't want anything to do with Fresno on a vacation.

 

If you do the 395 ride there are a handful of small towns with speed limits of 25mph or so. Do the speed limit unless you'd like to pay some extra taxes while visiting.

 

Thanks for the tip - I'll be paying enough to get there and rent the bikes without paying any 'local taxes'!

 

Going over Tioga Pass to hwy 395 & Owens Valley then south to Death Valley is Ok but take hwy 178 thru Lake Isabella, you'll like it.

 

The little towns on hwy 395 are friendlier than on Hwy 99 thru the Valley and there is more to see.

 

Well we made it back safe after an EPIC motorcycle journey.
We chose the mainly California option and covered a little more ground than originally anticipated.
A map of the route we took here:
http://maps.google.co.nz/maps/ms?msi...89a56f98&msa=0
Eagle rider LAX – picked up bikes after a 90 minute wait – Tip – get there early and avoid the tour groups!
After we got out of the madness of La we hit the PCH.
The PCH was awesome and some real nice twisty roads in places. Lots of cycling events along the way but fortunately all running in the opposite direction to our travel so our progress and enjoyment was not really hindered. First overnight was Santa Maria.
Took some time to look around the Monterey area then over the Golden gate bridge.
Up to Healdsburgh which was a nice little town to spend the night.
Next day was a treat over the hills towards Yubba city was a real nice ride with interesting twisty roads and great vistas. Stayed in grass valley for the night.
Next day took us to Lake Tahoe and we followed the lake shore as much as we could until heading off to the 395 and onwards to Lee Vinning for our overnight stay. Lake Tahoe was spectacular.
Next day was the Yosemite national park which took up most of the day. At 9000 feet a hard frost and COLD temperature was experienced. We stopped and adorned all the clothes we had! Our thin gloves were an issue and painful hands soon warmed up as the sun did it’s job. Yosemite was again spectacular and the ‘Deer dodging’ an interesting to say the least experience! Yosemite - Stunning!
Next overnight was Bishop.
The temperatures were mainly cool up to now but as we dropped down towards Ridgecrest things really began to warm up. On to Barstow where we spent the night.
Next day was onto route 66 And over towards Needles and Bull head city. Parts of the old mother road were really rooted with holes almost big enough to swallow the wife’s sportster! Experienced some wind in the hair in AZ then another hot ride then down to Amboy and onto 29 Palms for an overnighter.
Next day took us through the Joshua tree NP. Early morning ride was cooler. We stopped off at a few Harley dealers on the way into LA for last minute shopping. The last 50 miles into LA was MANIC – not used to that kind of traffic! Thank god for the GPS too!
The bikes ran just fine (me – electraglide classic and Liz - a sportster). Liz deserves a medal in my opinion for putting up with that saddle for over 2000 miles!
Next – save up for the next trip!
Thanks to everyone for their prior help and advice – much appreciated. Take care and ride safe.
D

 

Nice to see you had some CA fun. Makes me want to go on a road trip again.