Grand
Tour 2011
The dates for the 2011 Grand Tour are July 9-24th. The following is a summary of the ride.
FROM THIS ... TO THIS…
Baggers Lost Coast
July 9 Sat. - Our lunch stop will be at our good friends Mike & Bev’s daughters home, Dawn & Paul Moreno in the Bakersfield area. Then a back road ride into Sequoia National Forest to our overnighter in quiet Kernville. Can’t make the Grand Tour! Ride out for lunch. 203 miles…
Sunday 10th- Kick stands up at 8 we head for General Hwy in Sequoia National Park to shade ourselves in the Giant Redwood Forest. This would be a good place for lunch. Our night stop will be in Fresno but since we have time a stop at a fresh local grown fruit stand will cool our rides and us. 225 miles…
Monday 11th- The Mother Lode Hwy... Moaning Cavern’s, Kraust Ironstone Vineyard. This is a few of the possibilities along this historic path that will be ridden from start to finish. And I hear you loud and clear “Where is the center of California”? You will be surprised at how this was calculated. 311 miles…
Tuesday 12th-Peter this one is for you. Gold Rush Gaming Parlor south of Nevada City. The riders that made it this far receive a certified “Atta Boy” will be yours to treasure for the completion of the Mother lode Hwy. 197 miles…
Wednesday 13th- Rex introduced us too Lassen Volcanic N.P. on the now famous GT09 Run to the Sun, and if you haven’t been, pack an extra jacket, like a nick name, volcanic only tells half the story. Just to be sure you get the theme for the day a cool ride thru Lava Beds National Park should get the message across. Our destination is Klamath Oregon it’s just across the border. 233 mi...
Thursday 14th- Dee Wrights Observatory. Crater Lake? Fort Klamath? (SR-62 nr. Chiloquin) Here again on are way too Three Sister we are snowed under with potential Points of Interests (POI’s).We leave the Hwy to take a path of less resistance about 69 miles up the road, a two lane road that will give us great views and open roads thru Willamette National Forest. 314 miles…
Friday 15th-As if being the largest electric power producing plant in the U.S. and one of the largest concrete dams in the world they now boast to have the best light show. Grand Coulee Dam laser light show could this be any better. Route SR 14 along Hood River is scaled high on all motorcycle web sites, we will decide for ourselves. 348 miles…
Saturday 16th- Heading north from the city of Coulee Dam you enter British Columbia Canada. I know it seems easy enough to cross over illegally but bring your passport card anyway. The passage thru Hedley and Princeton area are long sweepers that beckon for more throttle, I am told. Langley is our overnight stop. I look forward to tomorrow’s ship cruise and a break from the saddle. 344 miles…
Sunday 17th- This will be a full day; three hours will spent aboard a Ferry boat meandering the Strait of Georgia and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. A second leg from Victoria Island will encourage us to venture down into the galley for a beverage and grub before disembarking in Port Angeles U.S.A. 63 miles…
Monday 18th- Heading south we hug coastal contours anticipating the day’s journey’s payoff the famous Tillamook Cheese factory. Cheese, obviously but the ice cream is the real treat. But again will let Rex & Bob K. decide this.” Don’t look down; relax your hands “Bill Soberay said as a last minute word of advice before crossing Astoria 2 mile grate bridge. Wow! I could do neither. The Tillamook Air Museum located 6030 Hanger Road, is open from 9-5. With full bellies let’s make camp here. 331 miles…
Tuesday 19th- Everyone enjoys a Historic light house or two, that will happen on this easy riding stretch of Oregon coast. Yaquina light house has been in operation since 1873, standing at 93 feet high is the tallest in Oregon. 4 movies have been filmed here one as recently as 2002. What was the name of this movie? Umpqua light house has scanned the ocean since 1894 and the restoration continues. Will end this day with our lungs full of fresh ocean air as we head inland to our overnighter in Medford. 343mi…
Wednesday 20th- Lay over!! Oregon Cave day ride and/or fire fighter Helicopter assembly plant Tour. Still to be determined how this adventuress schedule will pan out .Stay tuned.
Thursday 21st – The engines breathe deep as we depart for Eureka making good time on I-5.Leaving the main artery of the western coast we head back to the seaside .Our search for the Lost Coast drawing nearer. In 1936 Arcata Covered Bridge was built, in 2011 the ADA rode thru, history in the making. 258 miles... “Trees of Mystery”. (End of day ride. About 137 miles, 2.5hrs.)
Friday 22nd_ The Lost Coast is the most under developed section of coast in California, mostly due to the cost of road improvements. Roads are single lane in sections and in winter can be blocked by landslides. If this sounds good to you follow along. Our nights stay will be in Mill Valley around the corner from Point Bonita Light House. 304 miles… Point Bonita Light House… (End of day ride.)Goggle this, it is closed for restoration but the views are still great of the Golden Gate Bridge. 304 miles…
Saturday 23rd- As the Golden State Bridge fades from rear view we will pass thru local red woods where the fog can be a different challenge for those open to the elements. Invigorating all the while. Our rest stop will include Missions, Natural rock bridge formations, maybe a pier or two or three all in Avila beach. The Farmers Market of Avila is a party. After a kick back journey down the 101 we split off too our nights stay outside Vandenberg Air Force base in the town of Lompoc. A Farmers Market/Food Fair will be my choice for the GT2011 completion dinner. 315 miles…
Sunday24th- Add lunch stop and were home. 183 miles…
Contact information:
ADA GRAND TOUR 2011
Jon E. - marjonhi2@aol.com/ 714-418-1615
