As promised the weather was great and the roads traveled were even better. These roads were designed for motorcycles in mind or so it would seem. I think you will agree. Frank(Franksox) and Lauren were putting the finishing touches on a wonderful week of motorcycling in Arizona arrived second to Heck. Minutes later the family of Hakan (hedstrom), Marie and Christian pulled up. Mark(Heck) was already into a cup of coffee and a few adventurers opted for a similar jolt for the road. Only Mark braved the Kid’s uphill gravel driveway aboard his technologically appointed R1200GS. I understand. In a post the previous evening I informed Mark(mbelectric) that we’d be able to meet with him in Coulterville. So our adventure begins at 9:15a.m.
Turning out of my small community nestled in the foothills below Yosemite we ride roughly north on county Road 400. Passing grazing sheep, goats, llamas and a lonely longhorn bovine we come upon Road 415 and turned left. Enclaves of single-family dwellings and cattle ranchs populate this foothill area. The roads are challenging. Up and down hill curves, off-camber, on-camber, neutral-camber, meek water-crossings, road shoulder sand and dirt, and suicidal rodents all make for a challenging ride. I wonder what the beef herds are thinking as we roar by?
In the interest of motorcycling enjoyment I selected a short diversion onto Road 606. It follows a seasonal creek and passes a granite mining operation that has been in working for nearly 150 years. This route connects us with Road 415 just south of Raymond at Knowles Junction. Traveling north at this intersection we head through Raymond. Once a bustling stage stop and commercial center for travelers venturing into Yosemite National Park, today it now hosts a few hardy families, a US Postal Office, a café, granite stone works, a place of religious worship and what I believe to be a bikers saloon. We will take the turn off to Mariposa called collectively Road 613 and the Green Mountain Road until it connects with Ben Hur Road at a sharp dusty 90-degree bend. More cattle ranching for as far the horizon allows and snow peaked Sierras in the distance made for a great view. Along this stretch we stopped for more socializing.
SoCal adventurers stop to chat it up over the landscape, pace of ride and generally getting to know each other.
There should be a clutch lever over on that left bar. Christian checks over the FJR1300 he was testing for Zero to Sixty.
The temperatures were heating up and time was burning. This merry band of two-wheeled hooners headed to our next jog onto Buckeye Road. Buckeye Road takes us to CA 140 where we head east to Hornitos Road turn-off, heading north. In Hornitos we pick up J16. We stop while Heck cruises the town for Masonic brothers but comes up empty. So that he doesn’t get flack from the guys I can say he tried. After the brief sharing of orange slices, thanks to Lauren, we make haste to Merced Falls Road and head north through a corridor of communities surviving on boating and fishing enthusiasts. Shortly we reach CA 132 where we turn right and head to Coulterville. We weren’t there long and up walks mbelectric for introductions. Time 11:47am. I wanted to give the boys some more saddle time and the ladies opted for sightseeing the various antique stores in the 1850 mining town. So they went their way and we took a 35-minute counter-clockwise loop of the hills stopping for fuel in Greeley Hill. Back on the loop via the cedar shaded J132 and onto the normally busy CA 120 east bound through Groveland and Big Oak Flat. For that extra-added bonus I led the bikes down Old Priest Grade. The road is a steep and narrow excursion that was once infested with bandits and highwaymen seeking an easy take of gold and goods from the horse drawn coaches laboring up and sliding down the grade. Early auto drivers braved the tight and twisty dirt road during the wet season and dry hot summers. Today the pavement is smooth and no bandits. At the grade bottom we rejoin CA120 for a short blast to CA49 southbound for the eleven miles back to Coulterville completing the loop.
Since 1851 The Jeffery Hotel has offered rooms by the hour. Attached is the Magnolia Saloon, California’s oldest working saloon. I hear theres a 10% for bikers staying the night. Inside period actors portray shoot outs over ladies at the bar. Great food in the saloon.
After lunch we are back on CA49. This stretch of road is locally known as “The Dragon”. Every good motorcycling area has one. This one has no guardrails and freaks out the tourists onboard their lumbering motor homes. It’s a long way down to the Merced River below. “The Dragon” has many rockslides so be careful. Bush Lupine punctuating the Manzanita covered hillsides provides a purple hue. Unfortunately cages and yes, bikers too, cross the double yellow on “The Dragon.” If you ride this stretch I hope they don’t ruin your day. CA49 will take us through Mariposa and on to Ahwahnee where we turn on to Road 600 toward Raymond. Road 600 snakes it’s way through the foothills several miles until it meets up with this morning’s route at Road 415. Big loop you say. You’d be right. From here we head west for an easy ride back to Coarsegold. Frank, Lauren, Hakan, Marie, and Christian headed back to their hotel. Heck made a beeline home to bring his wife Jessica up to the Coarsegoldkid’s house for BBQ. The days ride officially ended at 4pm with about 200 more miles on the odometer and the sides of the tires showing full usage.
