Good twisty roads within 15 miles

[ScottRNelson]

One thing I miss now that I'm out of California is how many good twisty roads are nearby.

I mentioned in the "Photos of your bike on location" thread that there is only one road within 15 miles of where I live that counts as a good twisty road. Looking at it more closely, there are three, but two of them aren't all that good. Bogus Basin Rd is the good one, Cartwright Rd starting at the same point headed north instead of east is kind of okay, and Willow Creek north of Eagle Rd is also kind of okay. That's it. (By the way, all of the great dirt roads more than makes up for it, at least for me.)

I can come up with ten great roads within 15 miles of where I lived in Pleasanton. Miles from home listed in front of road name.

1. 12.0 - Redwood Road
2. 7.6 - Palomares from the north
3. 12.1 - Palomares from the south (worth counting twice, different feeling depending on direction)
4. 9.1 - Calaveras
5. 12.9 - Welch Creek (narrow, tight, but twisty)
6. 9.0 - Collier Canyon/Highland
7. 13.9 - Altamont Pass
8. 14.7 - Patterson Pass
9. 18.1 - Tesla (Rounded down to 15 miles :x)
10. 14.0 - Mines

I hope you guys appreciate all of the good riding available to you when you're complaining about traffic, or housing prices, or other stuff like that.

 

[moto-rama]

Idaho... Our place in Chester, ID (north of Rexburg) is like much of Idaho, south of the 44th parallel...semi-flat with lots of pastureland. Dirt roads and trails are about it for technical roads in SE Idaho.

Here in Northern California, we do have the great roads. But we also have plenty of people in cars to clutter them up.

ID has the best fishing, though, no doubt about that. Rivers, creeks everywhere! Next year, pandemic willing, I'll get a little trail bike and ditch the landcrusher for most fishing forays.

 

[bosco12]

Here in Northern California, we do have the great roads. But we also have plenty of people in cars to clutter them up..

And you better believe they were out there puttering along on those coastal twists this afternoon. After 20 miles I finally turned back, it was starting to be not so much fun out guessing their devil curves.

Tomorrow will be even worse, so I'll work on the bike a bit instead. It needs some euro running lights.

 

[mayorofnow]

I got lucky riding south from Jenner today: nice long stretches with minimal traffic. Went all the way from Pt Reyes to Bolinas Lagoon without any traffic. That guy turned out, then I got all the way to Stinson before I got stuck behind a long line of Marin drivers who don't think "slower traffic use turnouts" applies to their 18mph Subarus.

 

[dittoalex]

Marin traffic is so bad I keep a 6:20 AM KSU or cancel. Looks like my ride is canceled today because the lightbulb to socket adapter from which I charge my bike wiggled loose at 90%. It would take an hour for that extra juice I need, and if you don't make a 6:20 AM KSU there is lots of traffic both on the city roads, highways, and mountain roads.

 

[Gary856]

San Jose is the best location in the Bay Area to access great riding roads in all directions. Instead of thinking of which individual roads to ride, I think of which direction / region to ride, since so many great roads are linked together within each region.

- To the east, Mt Hamilton Rd links all the way to Livermore, and farther north to the Oakland/Berkeley hills.
- Santa Cruz Mountains and Peninsula mountains are one big region.
- Farther south there's Hwy 1 down to Cambria, Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd, Carmel Valley Rd, Coalinga Rd, Panoche Rd, etc.
- North Bay is a bit far. Yesterday I slabbed to Healdsburg (over 2 hrs) to ride Skaggs Springs Rd, then worked my way south along the coast. It was over 10 hrs of riding, great roads, but pretty tiring with about 3.5 hrs total on the freeway.


From my house in South San Jose:

1. 9.1 miles: Quimby Rd, connecting to Mt Hamilton Rd
2. 9.6 miles - Alamitos Rd, connecting to Hicks Rd / Mt Umunhum Rd. Or, McKean / Uvas going south.
3. 12.5 miles - Bear Creek Rd / Old Santa Cruz Hwy off Hwy 17 / Lexington Reservoir.
4. 12.5 miles - Hwy 9 after Saratoga Village.
5. When I used to commute to work, Calaveras Rd (the twisty part) was only 6.6 miles away, and I rode it a few times a week during lunch break.

 

[ScottRNelson]

5. When I used to commute to work, Calaveras Rd (the twisty part) was only 6.6 miles away, and I rode it a few times a week during lunch break.

That was an option whenever I had some spare time, either in the morning or in the afternoon headed to/from Santa Clara. Then they closed it for however many years it was and didn't re-open until after I left.

 

[GilesD]

I have a hard time explaining to my riding friends back in Texas how fantastically amazing the South Bay is for motorcycle riding. I don't even think I'd want to ride anymore if all I had was the riding I used to have back there...
Ignorance was indeed bliss :laughing

 

[RightCoastBias]

San Jose is the best location in the Bay Area to access great riding roads in all directions. Instead of thinking of which individual roads to ride, I think of which direction / region to ride, since so many great roads are linked together within each region.

- To the east, Mt Hamilton Rd links all the way to Livermore, and farther north to the Oakland/Berkeley hills.
- Santa Cruz Mountains and Peninsula mountains are one big region.
- Farther south there's Hwy 1 down to Cambria, Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd, Carmel Valley Rd, Coalinga Rd, Panoche Rd, etc.
- North Bay is a bit far. Yesterday I slabbed to Healdsburg (over 2 hrs) to ride Skaggs Springs Rd, then worked my way south along the coast. It was over 10 hrs of riding, great roads, but pretty tiring with about 3.5 hrs total on the freeway.


From my house in South San Jose:

1. 9.1 miles: Quimby Rd, connecting to Mt Hamilton Rd
2. 9.6 miles - Alamitos Rd, connecting to Hicks Rd / Mt Umunhum Rd. Or, McKean / Uvas going south.
3. 12.5 miles - Bear Creek Rd / Old Santa Cruz Hwy off Hwy 17 / Lexington Reservoir.
4. 12.5 miles - Hwy 9 after Saratoga Village.
5. When I used to commute to work, Calaveras Rd (the twisty part) was only 6.6 miles away, and I rode it a few times a week during lunch break.

I much prefer the remoteness of actual Northern CA and being an extra 1.5 hours south in SJ, does not tickle my fancy. I've ridden all those roads and while they're great and accessible, I'd much rather be out in the Trinity National Forest, even if it takes half a day's riding just to get there. Though I do understand the strong appeal of accessibility.

 

[moto-rama]

Marin traffic is so bad I keep a 6:20 AM KSU or cancel. Looks like my ride is canceled today because the lightbulb to socket adapter from which I charge my bike wiggled loose at 90%. It would take an hour for that extra juice I need, and if you don't make a 6:20 AM KSU there is lots of traffic both on the city roads, highways, and mountain roads.

Timing is everything. I'm not getting my old, uncaffeinated butt out of bed at Oh Dark Hundred to ride.
My recipe for the Shoreline Hwy and Panoramic, is be at Arco just after commute nonsense, which is 9ish, take Shoreline or Panoramic based on total number of cars making right or left turn at the Junction. I try to quickly get past any cars immediately after making my choice, if there are any, and I'll usually have the road to myself all the way to Stinson.

Or....use Lucas Valley Road to ride out to Pt Reyes , then ride South and Shoreline or Panoramic after Stinson.

The pandemic Has increased traffic ,too. So many people WorkingFromHome in Subaru Outbacks, bicycles, and Winnebagos.
Once those people run off back to Texas or Massachusetts, it will be Autumn, and things will be better.

 

[Lagwagonlead]

I recently moved to central WA. I now have over 100 miles in any direction before I get to anything that would be considered a good road! To add to the distance, it has been windy almost every day this year so just leaving the area is physically exhausting.

 

[moto-rama]

I recently moved to central WA. I now have over 100 miles in any direction before I get to anything that would be considered a good road! To add to the distance, it has been windy almost every day this year so just leaving the area is physically exhausting.

Bummer!

We're thinking hard of a move to Bellingham, WA. For me, there are a few compelling reasons. Not necessarily in this order but,
Great skiing at Mt Baker within 1.5 hours of BHam, my favorite pizza place on the entire planet, "Ovn Pizza" in the Fairhaven District, many great fishing opportunities, including halibut, salmon, Dungeness crab, stream fishing for trout, steelhead in Nooksack/tributaries....

and that road up to Mt Baker. OMFG We drove it one day in the car to check it out, and I rented a Transalp the day after to ride it...twice up and down.

Not to mention the real estate prices (high for WA, but compared to SF) and I love cold, damp weather, and the lack of personal income tax. Do I sound like a real estate agent?

Central WA isn't anything like the state west of the Cascades, you're right, but if you do a run to the West, stay over, then ride around for a couple of days. You know , like a ride to Red Bluff, stay the night, then over Hwy36 to the coast and Hwy One. Something like that?

 

[islemann]

It's well worth it to get the Butler Motorcycle Maps for Washington (or any other region they offer). You're not 100 miles away - you just don't know the area yet.

 

[Lagwagonlead]

We're thinking hard of a move to Bellingham, WA.

I lived about an hour from Bellingham (Oak Harbor) for a few years. That's actually the area I lived when I started riding. North Cascade highway, highway 9, close proximity to 101 and 112, and yes, the amazing Mt. Baker! I would move there in a heartbeat if I had the opportunity!

It's well worth it to get the Butler Motorcycle Maps for Washington (or any other region they offer). You're not 100 miles away - you just don't know the area yet.

I've spent most of my life here. Most of the guys I ride with have spent their 60+ years here as well. Trust me, if there was an enjoyable road nearby we would have found it. I had only spent 5 years in CA.

 

[Manimal]

Man! Us in the South Bay (pretty much the whole Bay Area) are so lucky to have so many fabulous back roads and routes to our choosing. Really, we are blessed!

Altho', I have to confess that these days, I don't quite have the passion, therefore, the motivation as I had say 5yrs ago :afm199 Maybe just a phase these days :dunno OTOH, some of my fav roads are littered with tar snakes - a total turn-off, and ruins the fun of it.

My rides these days are solo and close to home; Sierra/Felter thru Calaveras (to the bottom), then back. Maybe Mt Hamilton up to The Lick then back, if I'm feeling it. If I'm really feeling it, the full loop up Mt Hamilton over to Liv'mo, then return home thru Calaveras. Outside of that, I'm just not motivated to venture out like I used to.

Otherwise, I scratch my other itch on the kart track w/ a Z125 :ride

 

[moto-rama]

I lived about an hour from Bellingham (Oak Harbor) for a few years. That's actually the area I lived when I started riding. North Cascade highway, highway 9, close proximity to 101 and 112, and yes, the amazing Mt. Baker! I would move there in a heartbeat if I had the opportunity!



I've spent most of my life here. Most of the guys I ride with have spent their 60+ years here as well. Trust me, if there was an enjoyable road nearby we would have found it. I had only spent 5 years in CA.

Oak Harbor, wow, close-ish to one of the Epic Washing Highways I love. Wa Route 112 from Port Angeles to Neah Bay.
Amazing road and incredible scenery, fresh air, and quirky road side attractions like the General Store in Joyce.

Just take the Ferry to Port Townsend and head West!

 

[alemeno214]

I might just be becoming a grumpy jaded asshole, but riding in Washington isn't as amazing as many say. I lived in Seattle for a few years and rode all over the state. Scenic as hell (those mountains are goddamn majestic), but the majority of roads are not that great. A few okay turns and then many long straight sections. Not to mention the godawful traffic and high level of speed enforcement on even the most rural of roads. And when there are "twistier" bits, it just doesn't flow like roads do in OR, ID, or CA.

There are a few exceptions of course, but even the "best" roads are middle of the road compared to neighboring states in terms of fun. Roads like the North Cascades Highway, Highway 9/101/530 are scenic as hell and good for slow cruising, but aren't good for much more. Highway 542 up to Mt. Baker isn't bad towards the end, but it's often pretty dirty and traffic filled on weekends. Highway 112 would be fairly fun, but the WSP patrols so heavily on that road, and you're frequently stuck behind slow cars out there. A few roads that would be amazing like up to Paradise near Rainier, and the road to Hurricane Ridge often have so much traffic you're stuck going 20mph behind a never-ending line of RVs and minivans. The better stuff in WA is often near the edges like down in Gifford up NF-99 or Highway 129 heading to Joseph, OR in the SE corner of the state. There is some okay stuff on the Kitsap peninsula that kept me from going insane when living in Seattle, but it was all pretty eh.

Hop down to Oregon or over to north-central Idaho and it gets waaay better. I'm in the Portland area now, and the riding situation is many times better than it was living in the Puget Sound. There's a lot to love about WA, but riding isn't in the top rankings there if you value fun twisty roads. Better than places like Nebraska, but probably one of the worst in the Western states.

 

[moto-rama]

I might just be becoming a grumpy jaded asshole, but riding in Washington isn't as amazing as many say. I lived in Seattle for a few years and rode all over the state. Scenic as hell (those mountains are goddamn majestic), but the majority of roads are not that great. A few okay turns and then many long straight sections. Not to mention the godawful traffic and high level of speed enforcement on even the most rural of roads. And when there are "twistier" bits, it just doesn't flow like roads do in OR, ID, or CA.

There are a few exceptions of course, but even the "best" roads are middle of the road compared to neighboring states in terms of fun. Roads like the North Cascades Highway, Highway 9/101/530 are scenic as hell and good for slow cruising, but aren't good for much more. Highway 542 up to Mt. Baker isn't bad towards the end, but it's often pretty dirty and traffic filled on weekends. Highway 112 would be fairly fun, but the WSP patrols so heavily on that road, and you're frequently stuck behind slow cars out there. A few roads that would be amazing like up to Paradise near Rainier, and the road to Hurricane Ridge often have so much traffic you're stuck going 20mph behind a never-ending line of RVs and minivans. The better stuff in WA is often near the edges like down in Gifford up NF-99 or Highway 129 heading to Joseph, OR in the SE corner of the state. There is some okay stuff on the Kitsap peninsula that kept me from going insane when living in Seattle, but it was all pretty eh.

Hop down to Oregon or over to north-central Idaho and it gets waaay better. I'm in the Portland area now, and the riding situation is many times better than it was living in the Puget Sound. There's a lot to love about WA, but riding isn't in the top rankings there if you value fun twisty roads. Better than places like Nebraska, but probably one of the worst in the Western states.

Interesting.... I have been cited in Oregon (in my cars) almost every time I have visited. Twice by Trooper Hazelton just over the CA/OR border on 101. She has no sense of humor.

Maybe I have gotten lucky in WA, but the 6 or 7 times Ive ridden 112 it was deserted. July, one year, and October the next time. Same on 542, although I rode it at the crack of OhDark30 each time.

I lived in Oakalnd growing up in the 50-70s and got spoiled by the many roads and lack of competition, then the East Bay got discovered, so I moved in to SF, giving me a whole new bunch of roads, Marin and San Mateo.\\

I still pitch a bitch if I encounter any traffic on my favorites. I think my native California (Chumash Indian and Espanol) give me the right to complain bitterly, and pass people without a thought.

Last time I was at T-Hill I was a little grumpy over the number of slow-ish B riders I had to negotiate, but not confident enough to step up and ride in the A group, where I would be like a dirt clod glued to the track.

I have to remember, the roads are not mine exclusively, and if I want solitude, I need to get up earlier. KSU at dawn....

 

[alemeno214]

Interesting.... I have been cited in Oregon (in my cars) almost every time I have visited. Twice by Trooper Hazelton just over the CA/OR border on 101. She has no sense of humor.

Maybe I have gotten lucky in WA, but the 6 or 7 times Ive ridden 112 it was deserted. July, one year, and October the next time. Same on 542, although I rode it at the crack of OhDark30 each time.

I lived in Oakalnd growing up in the 50-70s and got spoiled by the many roads and lack of competition, then the East Bay got discovered, so I moved in to SF, giving me a whole new bunch of roads, Marin and San Mateo.\\

I still pitch a bitch if I encounter any traffic on my favorites. I think my native California (Chumash Indian and Espanol) give me the right to complain bitterly, and pass people without a thought.

Last time I was at T-Hill I was a little grumpy over the number of slow-ish B riders I had to negotiate, but not confident enough to step up and ride in the A group, where I would be like a dirt clod glued to the track.

I have to remember, the roads are not mine exclusively, and if I want solitude, I need to get up earlier. KSU at dawn....

Yeah Oregon always posts up troopers on the main highways like 101 and I-5. I just avoid those and have been lucky so far :teeth WA on the other had has WSP stationed in the middle of nowhere too, I have no idea how I've managed to avoid a ticket in that state so far. I always chalked it up to no state income tax means the police departments need to make up the shortfall in ticket revenue.

Riding at the crack of dawn makes the roads like 112 and 542 bearable, but even that doesn't work on the roads up to Rainier and Hurricane Ridge.

 

[moto-rama]

Yeah Oregon always posts up troopers on the main highways like 101 and I-5. I just avoid those and have been lucky so far :teeth WA on the other had has WSP stationed in the middle of nowhere too, I have no idea how I've managed to avoid a ticket in that state so far. I always chalked it up to no state income tax means the police departments need to make up the shortfall in ticket revenue.

Riding at the crack of dawn makes the roads like 112 and 542 bearable, but even that doesn't work on the roads up to Rainier and Hurricane Ridge.

Trooper Hazelton got me for....7 mph over , 2 years later, 5 over. Tickets were cheap ,though, compared to CA. Like 90 or 100.

Me : you pulled me over in 2002, do you remember?
Trooper: Here's your ticket, and no I don't remember.


Showed up as points, though!

Dang me.