CA-36 crosses over the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, then drops down into the Sacramento Valley, and finally over the Coastal Range, and it ends at highway 101, near the ocean. The temps today were nice and cool at the higher elevations, but it was 96 degrees at 1100 when I crossed the valley.
A short ways out of Red Bluff, in the valley, is this sign. I have seen it for years on web sites like sport-touring.net and pashnit.com. It's kind of a motorcyclists icon in northern California.
It was a long time from when I passed the sign, before the temps began to drop again and for me to gain elevation. It is a very fun ride. Traffic was light, and there were plenty of places to let other cars go by. I was in no hurry to reach the end. It was a heck of a workout, maneuvering a 650 lb, large, sport bike that's fully loaded for travelling, around all those curves!!! I'm beat!
When I came to the end of CA-36, I went south on Hwy 101.
I wanted to see some Giant Redwoods, so I went here.
The road is actually the old Highway 101. A newer, multi laned, road now runs almost right along side the old road. The giant trees are right next to the roadway. I still can't believe just how big they are. I saw pictures of them when I was in school, but they are so much bigger in real life. WOW, what a sight.
A couple more pictures from today.
Looks like another ride to add onto my bucket list.
ReplyDeleteThat 140 mile workout would have been heavenly, maybe even enough to turn around and do it again?
Chillertek, If the asphalt was better, and it wasn't as hot as it was, I would have turned around and done at least part of it again!
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