Member Contributer thtanner Posted May 7, 2014 Member Contributer Posted May 7, 2014 Whatever's clever as far as route is concerned. I'd prefer not to travel all the way to SF and beyond though.
Guest Recalcitrance Posted May 7, 2014 Posted May 7, 2014 Forgot about the Norcal Tahoe ride. oops. I was just hovering around Google maps and found highway 190 which heads east into nowhere. Also 180 and 198 seem fun. Sierras look nice and I spend enough time on the coast. An experienced guide would be good to have if we're going with a larger size group.
BrianF Posted May 7, 2014 Author Posted May 7, 2014 Anybody who was on the NorCal vs. SoCal ride last year can vouch for the quality of roads in the Southern Sierras. And at that time of year, we'll be the only ones out there. So, if the Sierras are the location, the next question becomes: point-to-point, or base camp? For point-to-point, I'm highly inclined to follow the same route as last year and meet up in Kernville Friday night. There's a good bar across the street from the Kernville Inn where you can do karaoke, drink cheap beer, and try not to get stabbed. Leave Saturday morning and head up the Great Western Divide Highway. It was epic the first time I rode it (about 10 times ago), and remains so. People can peel off whenever as their schedule requires. Something like: Day 1 (Saturday) Option A (short) -- Stay at the Cedar Grove Lodge ($135 or so) in Kings Canyon. Day 1 (Saturday) Option B -- Stay at el-cheapo chain motel in Oakhurst Day 2 (Sunday) from Option A -- http://goo.gl/maps/tcmtu Day 2 (Sunday) from Option B -- http://goo.gl/maps/k7rRr If we base camp, Mariposa or Oakhurst has to be the winner. Because of their proximity to Yosemite, they have chain hotels, food, things to do for non-riders, and nearby camping for us cheap asses nature lovers. We could have a couple different ride options each day, sort of T-Mac style (as I understand it). Perhaps: Day 1 (Saturday) Long Option -- http://goo.gl/maps/aE1Jw Day 1 (Saturday) Short Option -- http://goo.gl/maps/j1X5o Day 2 (Sunday) Goat Option w/some dirt -- http://goo.gl/maps/NAiQU Day 2 (Sunday) Speedy Option -- http://goo.gl/maps/trUhm Hopefully no one I work with is on this forum, I'll be fired immediately. Thoughts?
Member Contributer ecn Posted May 8, 2014 Member Contributer Posted May 8, 2014 Nice work Brian..I spent quite a bit of time going back and forth...they're all good. Thank you. Let the voting begin. The base camp short day 1 with a speedy day 2 seems like a good fit. I might try the goat trail as a 3rd day desert...if you don't hear from me it means I got lost in the dirt.
Member Contributer Duc2V4 Posted May 8, 2014 Member Contributer Posted May 8, 2014 Hmm, I need to digest these for a few...Thanks for putting these together Brian.
Rogue_Biker Posted May 8, 2014 Posted May 8, 2014 You're fired. I keed. We don't have a branch office in Napa Valley so we probably don't work for the same company. I'm just lurking at this point to see where this leads to.
Member Contributer wagzhp Posted May 8, 2014 Member Contributer Posted May 8, 2014 I'm liking the basecamp idea, day 1 short, day 2 speedy, but any of those maps look excellent.
Guest Recalcitrance Posted May 8, 2014 Posted May 8, 2014 I'm also liking the base camp option. All maps looks great.
ridered Posted May 8, 2014 Posted May 8, 2014 I just realized that is soccer season, and I coach my Daughter's team, so I am most likely out.
Member Contributer dadofseven Posted May 9, 2014 Member Contributer Posted May 9, 2014 Start point around Lake Isabella is GTG...it's a straight shot down 395 from Reno, and well within 300 miles or so....still trying to convince the wife....right now she is in!
BrianF Posted May 9, 2014 Author Posted May 9, 2014 (edited) You're fired. Oh, thanks. I'm astounded that it's taken this long. In other, more depressing news, I might be forced into the base camp option. The event I'm hosting on September 29th just went from "pending" to "go," so I probably won't be able to take Friday off. Sunday may be out too, but that depends on a bunch of different things. I'll continue to act as though I'll be there Friday - Monday, because, well, I'm delusional. Basecamp is in the lead at the moment, and the more I think about it the more I like it. Edited May 9, 2014 by BrianF
Member Contributer ecn Posted May 9, 2014 Member Contributer Posted May 9, 2014 Delusion in moderation is what visionary cat herding calls for..we're lucky you came up with these options..thanks Brian.
Member Contributer ecn Posted May 10, 2014 Member Contributer Posted May 10, 2014 If a group liked the long point to point route more (i.e. most likely everyone who did it last year), they could meet up with a base camp group in Oakhurst at the end of day 1...right?
Member Contributer MBrane Posted May 11, 2014 Member Contributer Posted May 11, 2014 It would be great if you could edit your original post so one can easily find the date, and location info. Been doing a south Sierras ride every fall for 5-6 years now, but last one there were only 4 of us. If it turns out to be a bust this year might do this instead.
Member Contributer thtanner Posted May 12, 2014 Member Contributer Posted May 12, 2014 It would be great if you could edit your original post so one can easily find the date, and location info. Agreed. That or lock this thread and start an official thread once location and route are final. We're fine with any of the route ideas.
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