From the Bay to Virginia City and back.

[yelow748]

Had a nice little weekend ride starting from Newark, stopping in Modesto
to stay with friends then heading out on Saturday morning.
Took a half day on Friday ( the 9th) to head out through traffic and stay the night in Modesto.
Saturday morning all fresh and prepped we stop at Perko's on Oakdale for breakfast. Myself and my GF on the ST2 with my friend ( Rick ) and his daughter ( Alicia ) on his HD Glide. WE then headed out on 132 towards Coulterville for a short break and stretch. The original plan was to go up 49 and jump on 120. After talking with a couple of lovely women at the Trading Post on Main St ( J20).
They recommended going up Greely Hill Rd ( J132) and Smith Station Rd
( J20) and then jump on 120. Well worth it I might add :thumbup
Next we make it to the 120 Tioga Pass and take a short break.
Let me tell you it was smoky out there. Visibility was poor due to fires and
air quality was poor. Still a few breathtaking views.
I didn't take any pictures due to the smoke in the air. Visibility was one or two peaks out, then nothing but grey .....
Up and over 120 at a snails pace. Ricks HD had a hard time going up and needed a decent run for passing. We took a short break at the Tioga Lodge parking lot. Up and out to 395 with a stop for gas and decide on where to eat. A short trip up to Bridgeport for a much needed food stop at Sportsmans Inn and Restaurant next to the Bodie Victorian.
Bacon Mushroom Swiss Burger and Garlic Seasoned Fries. Juicy and Dripping I'll stop there.
After a late lunch we continued up 395 crossing over to 50 and up 341 to Virginia City where we unpacked and spent the night at The Silverland Inn and Suites.
But for dinner we walked up to C Street and found Frontier Trading Post
Comstock Corner. Good food nice owners and dessert was , was ,was,,,
I can't finish because I'm drooling.
Next post the ride back .

 

[yelow748]

Sunday morning arrives to soon :mad
We hiked back up the hill and had breakfast at the same place .
BTW good food there. Walked around a little to get things moving.
Going out 341 down the hill towards Reno. Stayed on the old 395/430
until jumping on the newish 580 at Washoe lake.
Taking the 88 exit we started down the hill. Traffic was light making passing
lines of RV and trailers easy peasy.
Stopped at Silver Lake for a break and to enjoy the scenery ( still a lot of smoke in the air ) and caught a glimpse of a Bald Eagle and a pair of juveniles circling above for a few minutes.
Soon after departing Silver Lake we came upon the dreaded Loose Gravel
signage on the sides of the road. But fear not , all was good and almost
dirt free all the way to Jackson where we stopped at Strings Itailian cafe for lunch.
After lunch we doubled back down to 49. Going south through
San Andreas, Angels Camp and across New Melones Lake taking the
E5 / Rawhide Rd turn off and hooking a right in JamesTown on to 108 / 49. Then the dreaded run across the valley to stop in Modesto and then fight traffic over the Altamont through Libmo and Niles and finally home.
It was a good three days ride ( 2 1/2 really ), roads were good. Light winds, I was expecting worse in the high wind areas. Hazy but not that bad compared to the conditions up there now. Going to do it again next year with some sight seeing detours along the way.

Almost on the road

A few from Virginia City

Comstock Firemen's Museum
The Emeryville FD Patch belonged to my best friends ( Rick and Ron ) father and mine too.
He was an Engineer with the Emeryville FD. He passed away from cancer September 2011.

 

[budman]

Cool stuff Brian... like the pic of the church. :thumbup