BILL'S BIRTHDAY RIDE. Sept 20, 2020

[bikeama]

Edit: One Week to Go.

I did the test ride. After more than 20 years of going over Tioga Pass, Covid has made my normal birthday ride all but impossible. The old ride was a 360-mile round trip. This year we will only ride 220 miles from Starbucks in Stockton and back. But we are riding Maps links are below. There are a few spots with lose asphalt and one spot with light sand from an aggregate plant. Both are on smaller roads and we will not be going that fast there. Just want everyone to be aware. Hwy's 132, 49, and 140 are in good shape and fun. There will be two spots for lunch in Mariposa next to each other. Happy Burger and The 1850 Restaurant. 1850 a little more upscale both good and both have outdoor dining.


Map Stockton to Mariposa

Map Mariposa to Stockton

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It is that time again, I am turning 70 and time for my birthday ride. Because it is 2020 a really Fucked Up year we will not be going over Tioga Pass. You need a pass just to ride across, so I am planning a shorter lower elevation ride. Back roads up to Hwy 49 and then south through the "Little Dragon" lunch TBD somewhere in Mariposa. Return on more back roads. The round trip will only be around 250 miles. May be a short goat road or two. :teeth We will be leaving later so anyone from out of town does not have to get up a 0-dark-30.


September 20, 2020
Meet at 8:30 AM at the Starbuck Hwy 99 and Arch Road.
4895 S. State Hwy 99 East Frontage Road, Stockton, CA 95215
KSU at 9:00 AM

NOTE: ROUTE SUBJECT TO CHANGE BECAUSE OF FIRES AND WHATEVER ELSE 2020 MIGHT THROW AT US.

 

[bikeama]

TTT

Two weeks to go.

 

[Tom G]

Damn it, with the latest fires in the Fresno area Mariposa doesn't look too good either.

 

[bikeama]

Damn it, with the latest fires in the Fresno area Mariposa doesn't look too good either.

The fire maps make it look like all of CA is on fire. Hoping air is clear in two weeks and the roads are clear. We may be riding through some burned areas. Doing a pre-ride Friday as I have not been on a couple of roads in years.

 

[thepretender]

Most of the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway is burned out a gorgeous big loop of nice road Hopefully the fire will stay SE of Oakhurst and leave Mariposa alone. This fire should be out by the 20th hopefully their is a short stretch of 49 just south of the 120 that recently burned but most can't be seen from the road so its good. The 120 going up to Big Oak Flat was just repaved and is smooth and fast (not that it was in all that bad of shape before) so you don't want to pass it up even if you just go up and down. I'll probably meet up with ya at 49 and do the Little Dragon and lunch with you. I do owe you lunch

 

[bikeama]

Most of the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway is burned out a gorgeous big loop of nice road Hopefully the fire will stay SE of Oakhurst and leave Mariposa alone. This fire should be out by the 20th hopefully their is a short stretch of 49 just south of the 120 that recently burned but most can't be seen from the road so its good. The 120 going up to Big Oak Flat was just repaved and is smooth and fast (not that it was in all that bad of shape before) so you don't want to pass it up even if you just go up and down. I'll probably meet up with ya at 49 and do the Little Dragon and lunch with you. I do owe you lunch

Where to you recommend for an outside lunch?

 

[thepretender]

Happy Burger Diner makes a great burger but most everything else looks just ok (breakfast burritos are great too) Right across the street is 1850 just a few $ more I'd suggest that. I really haven't paid much attention I"ll ride through town and make notice in the next couple of days to see not all places in town are open. The Tacos Sonora food truck across from the market is my goto cheap and great food but not there on Sundays

 

[derache123]

I'm new to BARF and relatively new to riding (been riding for around a year). I'm currently living in the Sacramento area, so this wouldn't be too far away - would I be welcome on this ride? I also have not participated in group rides before.

 

[bikeama]

I'm new to BARF and relatively new to riding (been riding for around a year). I'm currently living in the Sacramento area, so this wouldn't be too far away - would I be welcome on this ride? I also have not participated in group rides before.

Yes, you are welcome. Normally will have someone sweeping and watching out. We will stop at every turn off the road we are on to let everyone regroup.

 

[Tom G]

I'm new to BARF and relatively new to riding (been riding for around a year). I'm currently living in the Sacramento area, so this wouldn't be too far away - would I be welcome on this ride? I also have not participated in group rides before.

If you have not participated in a group ride yet, I would highly recommend you read the 1x1 about group rides. I have been to many, and unfortunately I have seen many bad mishaps. They were all easily avoidable if the new rider had known about the dynamics of group rides. They are typically very safe, and Bill has done them for a very long time.

 

[bikeama]

If you have not participated in a group ride yet, I would highly recommend you read the 1x1 about group rides. I have been to many, and unfortunately I have seen many bad mishaps. They were all easily avoidable if the new rider had known about the dynamics of group rides. They are typically very safe, and Bill has done them for a very long time.

Great reminder. :thumbup

Two good threads to read before your first group ride.

Advice to those that organize Group Rides and or participants!

Group Ride mentality.. you want to get home safe right??

 

[derache123]

Great to hear! And thank you both for those threads - will definitely read them over before I go.

 

[Smitherz]

Hi Bill. I have new tires on order for my BMW... If I can get them on the bike this week I wouldn't mind joining the group. It's been a year since I've been through the area.

 

[Heywood]

...we will not be going over Tioga Pass. You need a pass just to ride across ...

Hi Bill, where did you find you need a pass? Caltrans site shows no closures. Just curious, unfortunately I can't join in your ride but was maybe headed that way next month.

 

[thepretender]

The pass is more like a reservation. You need a reservation in order to use or buy a pass at the gate. They limit the number of people per day they release a month at a time then the a limited number for the next 2 days at 7am each day first serve basis.

https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/facility/300015

 

[Heywood]

The pass is more like a reservation. You need a reservation in order to use or buy a pass at the gate. They limit the number of people per day they release a month at a time then the a limited number for the next 2 days at 7am each day first serve basis.

https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/facility/300015

I'm pretty sure that is for entrance into the Nat Park, down in the valley, but if you stay on Tioga rd / CA-120 there's no pass required to drive / ride on the State hwy over the pass to 395. Is there? Maybe I misconstrued the original route of "over the pass" to mean to 395 and not 120 to 140 which would require a rezzie. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't in for a surprise when I headed to Mammoth.

 

[The Smokester]

Hi. Looking forward to joining you, if possible. What is the pace?

 

[thepretender]

120 over the pass to 395 goes though the park and a res is needed even if you just drive through and don't stop.

The pace is however you ride. Bill is sane on the highway and good for most every rider. In the twisties Bill can get spirited but will wait for anybody if you stop for pics or just take your time to enjoy your ride the pack will great you with a wave and a smile. On a group ride never feel like you need to go faster than what is comfortable. On my last ride with Bill I was trailing the pack even though most times I'm near the front and nobody mentioned a thing, I just wasn't feeling it that day.

 

[Tom G]

I'm pretty sure that is for entrance into the Nat Park, down in the valley, but if you stay on Tioga rd / CA-120 there's no pass required to drive / ride on the State hwy over the pass to 395. Is there? Maybe I misconstrued the original route of "over the pass" to mean to 395 and not 120 to 140 which would require a rezzie. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't in for a surprise when I headed to Mammoth.

Not 100% sure, but I would expect a reservation be required to pass through the park, since the gate is the only control point in operation. Looks like plenty of reservation available with all the fires going on. I arrived in the winter time before 8:00 AM, gate not manned, did not have to pay. Although they asked me for my receipt on the way out if I left before gate closing (usually 5:00 PM).

 

[bikeama]

Reservation is required to travel through the park on Tioga Road (continuation of Highway 120)
Traveling through the park on Tioga Road or any other road requires a reservation. Highway 108 (Sonora Pass) is the closest alternate route over the Sierra Nevada in most cases.


As was said already the pace is your pace. We will wait at all major turns. I will update with maps on Sunday. I am doing a pre ride tomorrow. You need to be able to go 120 miles on a tank. Will get gas after lunch. Chevron .3 mile from lunch, quick stop .1 mile. Two places for lunch across the street from each other. Happy Burger $ 1850 House $$. Total ride under 250 miles from Starbucks in Stockton and back.