http://picasaweb.google.com/calif.msta/2009MammothLakes

Trip Reports (four reports, if you keep on reading).  Read the newsletter in the archive for the full accounts with pictures:

From Brian Wood:

Kellie & I (and our ST1300) met up with Lon & Pam (and their ST1300) in Valencia to head up to Mammoth together.  The first 190 miles or so up I-5 and Highway 99 were uneventful and went fairly quickly.  After passing through Fresno on Highway 41 (yea, twisty roads finally!) we stopped in Oakhurst for a quick bite to eat before heading up Highway 49 to Highway 140.  Beautiful, clean, curvy roads.  Moving on we got up into Yosemite and Highway 120 (aka Tioga Pass Road) for a beautiful cruise all the way through to Highway 395 -- 60 miles of beautiful parkland and scenery.  The weather was perfect and traffic light (for Yosemite), so it was pretty much clear sailing through to 395.  Considering the time and miles already spent on the road, we skipped the June Lake loop (saving it for the next day) and simply took the Mammoth Scenic Loop into Mammoth Lakes from the northwest side.

The Motel 6 was, well, a Motel 6.  Pretty much what one would expect.  We checked in, stretched a bit, chatted with other MSTA'ers gathering up, then headed out to find a meal (there were a variety of options within easy walking distance).  I don't think anyone stayed out carousing too late as we knew Jeff Smith would be calling us to order at 9:00 or so the next morning...

We had a great turnout for the ride Saturday morning.  Jeff called us all together, we got maps and rough directions, then headed out for the Benton Loop as planned.  Never mind the early missed turn and eventual re-gathering in Benton, this was a fantastic loop.  Looking at the map and Google Earth beforehand I was a bit concerned that this loop might not be as scenic as other areas around Mammoth, but I was easily proven wrong.  The Benton loop had a great mix of scenery, curves, performance testing straights, roller coaster whoops, and more curves and trees and curves.  Very entertaining.

After lunch at the Tioga Pass Mart (yes, gas station food can be good!) overlooking Mono Lake, we headed back to Mammoth in various small groups as everyone regrouped at their own leisure.  After a brief stint on 395 we took the June Lake Loop past multiple lakes and small communities.  Again, beautiful scenery and great roads -- calling us to get intentionally lost on the opposite side of June Lake -- just to find our way back (yes, GPS is handy).

Not content to simply head back into town, we went through the Mammoth Scenic Loop again, then headed up towards Devils Postpile National Monument (up Minaret Road).  The last section of road leading to Devils Postpile is closed to public vehicles -- requiring you to take a shuttle bus the last leg.  That wasn't what we were looking to do so we simply went as far as we could (Lookout Point), then came back visiting scenic stops and such until we ended up in town again.

There was still plenty of daylight left so we grabbed a cup of coffee then headed out to get lost again -- this time heading south looking for remote and/or one lane roads that might take us somewhere interesting.  After cruising around Twin Lakes, Lake Mary, and Lake George, we finally headed back to clean up and join the group for dinner at the Chart House.

Sunday morning saw us heading home...  The ride south on 395 wasn't nearly as bad as it looks on a map (better than heading up I-5 and Hwy 99 on Friday), though we were ready for something different by the time we got to Highway 14.  So, we took Isabella Walker Pass Road (hwy 178) west to Lake Isabella, then Caliente Bodfish (by far the tightest, twistiest road of the entire trip) south to Highway 58 and Tehachapi Willow Springs Road back into the Antelope Valley Area.  We meandered down some terribly boring roads before getting back to Elizabeth Lake Road and Bouquet Canyon Road home to Valencia.

All told, we put in over 900 miles during three days of scenic riding.  Special thanks to Jeff Smith for organizing this event (we hope to see a repeat next year!).  Thanks also to the 18+ riders and passengers who showed up for the event -- a great turnout and superb mix of bikes and riders.

Be sure to check out the pictures for a better feel for the overall event, roads, people, etc.

From Jeff Smith:

We thought for sure the trip was bust. Two weeks prior we had maybe 1/2 dozen RSVPs. Thanks to a flurry of last minute commits and more market penetration from the MSTA Newsletter (thanks Leonard) than we expected, we ended up with 18 members and two guests.

The trip up was fraught with errors for me but my karma held fast. Riding up alone over Sonora Pass, I stopped for two dropped bikes, same scenario, both HDs that got confused by how technical the roads are in those parts. Both were unharmed, a little scratched chrome, a lot embarrassed, and left in need of MSF training. I did stop for a lot of pictures on the pass, a car and truck traveling together and my trusty VFR played tortoise and hare for miles. I passed them so many times their children were waving me on from the back seats. Yes bonding with the automobile drivers was good.

The Saturday ride was fun. Of course I blew the first turn! I asked John Button at least twice for directions, looked at the map three times and still missed it. Once we got underway things got interesting. Heading into the desert I was wondering what people really expected from this loop, fast, slow, medium? Well before I could make up my mind a silver ST1300, man and wife aboard, both school teachers, won't mention any names, blew by me like I was standing still, she taking pictures all the while. That made up my mind, they want fast… needless to say I am pretty sure we exceeded the posted speed limit, probably more than once.

From John Button:

CAMPING by MOTORCYCLE, Or, Riding with No Forward Motion.

Outdoors is the place we ride. For me, keeping that theme throughout a trip makes for a very enjoyable experience. When traveling on 2-wheels, I prefer to find a campground and set up my tent most nights rather than hotel it. There’s something about camping that seems to blend together with and enhance the riding experience. Both are, at least partly, about being out in nature. While riding or camping, we enjoy the fragrances nature provides and deal directly with the elements for better or worse.

So camping is how I attended this year’s Mammoth Lakes weekend. Conveniently, right in town there is a sizeable National Forest Park less than a quarter mile down the road from the Motel 6 event headquarters.

Bryan, my son, and I spent the better part of Friday enjoying all the turns Yosemite could provide. Our plan was to hurry across the Central Valley from Paso Robles early while the air was still cool, enter Yosemite near Oakhurst at Wawona, then finish off jumping over the Sierras through Tioga Pass to Mammoth. The plan was executed flawlessly.

I enjoyed the high air and views of Yosemite immensely. Of course, we were a bit challenged in the average speed department given all the other park goers using the roads, so we enjoy the sights. Westbound was to be our opportunity to wear down some side rubber.

We arrived in Mammoth around 3 p.m. and set up camp quickly so we could get to the hotel and hang with the group. Given we skipped a full lunch, it was great to immediately find Leonard Lloyd and Jeff Smith in the car park. After brief re-acquaintance discussions, as a group, we made for the Italian eatery across the street. Fine and filling group was provided quickly and insightful conversation enjoyed by all. The night in the tent was cool and restful. I sleep better in the outdoors than in the finest hotel bed. Go figure.

Saturday came early, but not too much so for riders anxious to re-discover some high-mountain roads. We tarried at the campsite long enough to rustle up a single pot hot breakfast that was extra tasty just because it was self-made on the camp stove.

After meeting up with the others at the hotel, route decisions were quickly made. Bryan inserted his Suzuki SV650 into the crowd headed off to experiment with gravity on the Benton Loop’s whoop-de-dos. I invited myself along with Leonard to enjoy a bit more scenery on the June Lake Loop. Our timing was spot on as we arrived at the designated lunch stop, Whoa Nellie Deli, right on schedule to link up with the Benton riders. Great food!!

After lunch, everyone pursued their own interests, headed out in search of more turns, sights or stores around town. There was even a group that traded MOTORcycles for Bicycles. What’s up with that?

Saturday dinner was a group arrangement at the Chart House, a restaurant that never disappoints. Discussion topics were numerous but my end of the table seemed to resolve healthcare and many other vexing issues. If only I could recall the solution.

Sunday, our return day, was to be the brisk ride. Our planned route was up 395 to Hwy 108 and the Sonora Pass, one of my favorite Sierra roads. But, we arrived at the 395/108 intersection to find a large contingent of Harley Davidson riders waving us down. It seems an 18-wheel truck had attempted the road with a bit more speed than appropriate. The truck was jack-knifed just a few miles ahead blocking the entire road. Extraction help was not expected for many hours.

A U-turn and change of plans seemed in order. We “enjoyed” Yosemite once again. While I certainly like the place, I really was looking for some unimpeded travel on the return trip. It was not to be.

We adjusted the route a bit, leaving Yosemite on 140 and riding the always fun Hwy 49. A late lunch stop in downtown Mariposa was rewarded as our soon to be waitress saw us pull-up through the window, ran out on the street to usher us into a booth 5 minutes before they stopped serving for the day! A good tip was assured.

After wading through both the park tourist traffic (once again), and the weekend “Go home” flock, we made it back to Paso Robles around 6 p.m. The hot tub was never more inviting! Camping. I recommend it for your next multi-day motorcycle outing. Besides, it opens up your possible routes and adds a whole new form of flexibility to the places you can list as your temporary home. Try it some time.

Jeff, thank you again for putting this weekend together. Good job! I really appreciate it.

From Leonard Lloyd:

My ride to Mammoth Lakes kept to back roads as much as possible, starting with the Knightsen Road and Byron Hwy, Orwood Road to Bixler and the Delta Highway, headed for French Camp, one of the oldest communities in San Joaquin Valley with a colorful history to tell, Dairy country for miles takes me to Valley Home and Oakdale to top off on fuel, just in case.

I catch the Yosemite Highway (142) in Waterford, riding into the foothills of La Grange, with its general store and popular saloon. The road climbs to the right and to the left before leaving town, the first of what follows all the way to Coulterville. Public restrooms offer a stop for relief, as well as the several cafes and stores.

Greeley Hill Road leads out of town, with climbing turns across very appealing countryside. I pass the road to Moccasin and catch the road to Smith Station in Greeley Hill, which offers a new Shell Station , a large hardware store and an attractive café. At Smith Station, I head directly to the Oak Flat entrance to Yosemite, where Steve Cagan catches up to me on his way for his massage appointment in Mammoth Lakes. That guy plans ahead.

As we ride from Crane Flat toward Tuolumne Meadows, Steve passes a few slow moving vehicles and I am riding solo once again, enjoying the magic that is Yosemite and the obvious happiness evident in the visitors. I take a break in Tuolumne Meadows before heading for Tioga Pass at 9900’.

After the descent from Tioga Pass, I stop to top off with fuel a the Gas Mart, noting 52 mpg, for the second time today. Could have waited for town. It is a fast clip on US 395 to Mammoth Lakes, amidst an assortment of vehicles, from 18 wheelers to SUV’s who pull a U-turn, both of them, over all four lanes, right in front of me. The Bandit has a wide and bright front light, how can they not see me?

As I pull into the Motel 6 lot, I see others are arriving and join the check-in line, handled with dispatch. My room is on the outside, whereas the bikes already here are in the inside area, betwe4en the wings of rooms. But soon, I am joined by Steve Quaday on his Honda VTR 1000 and his friends on an Aprilia 1000 Race and a classic Ducati 900SS in red.

As the afternoon cools, there is talk of early dinner, brought up by those who skipped lunch. Since I did, as well, I am happy to agree. We head for Italian cuisine across the boulevard. After dinner, the temperature drops quickly and the elders complain of a need to get some rest.

The enthusiasm for the morning’s planned ride was evident in conversation and readiness. Every brand, solo and two up, ready to ride. The sun was breaking through the overnight chill, riders in layers to defend against the moving air they would encounter in the high desert.

Meeting the group for lunch, smiles and good mood everywhere I looked. Conversation groups inside and out in the sun. Good times!