2023-06-28 NorCal Ride - "Steve's Sissies" - Day 3 - Red Bluff to Fortuna

published by dcarver on Wed, 07/05/2023 - 15:53

Forums:

Day 3  
2023-06-29
Red Bluff to Fortuna

Day 1 - Home to Jackson
Day 2 - Jackson to Red Bluff
Day 3 - Red Bluff to Fortuna
Day 4 - Fortuna to Petaluma
Day 5 - Petaluma to Home
Relive - Entire Ride

After a good nights sleep, also knowing it's a 'light' or CBA kind of day, we slept in, with a 10:00 AM start. Gotta say, it felt FABULOUS!
Steve casually says "Why don't you lead today, Don?" Ain't that just something? Shirking his fearless leader duties and all?

I quickly figure there ain't but one way there, how hard could it be? I mean, I mean.... 

It ain't like trying to navigate little towns in the San Bernadino mountains, like Crestline, right Steve?

I quickly figure there ain't but one way there, how hard could it be? I mean, I mean.... 
It ain't like trying to navigate little towns in the San Bernadino mountains, like Crestline, right Steve?

Besides, Steve is aka 'Mr. Basecamp' and provided .gpx routes to everyone but Jim. No GPS or Comm yet for Jim. 
Can't wait to see what's there at Beegum Rd! 

36 is one my favorite roads. I think it's better than Leggett to the 1, which is Steve's favorite.

There's a sign with a twisty arrow that says 130 miles of curves ahead. I wanted a pic. But blew right by it. Decided to not pull a u-turn, risking a low speed tip over. It's a sentimental thing.
My good friend, Tim Bates, aka TwoWheelNut on fjrforum.com and I rode 36, with Barry, in 2007. 
Sadly, Tim is no longer with us, heart attack while cruising in his recliner.

That's Tim on the right.

The road isn't as twisty as it used to be. DOT declared portions too dangerous for general motoring public and put a straight edge to the maps.

Never the less, still a great ride getting to the twisties, headed West.

Can't wait to make the video, riding in the twisties.

...and guess what happened again?

I hear these guys just love to lead a parade.. 

Super fun times.  Find myself wondering how Barrie C is doing with that arm issue.. and how much he would like this ride.
The weeds are everywhere, even this far north. Fire season is here.

FrienYet another construction zone. It's nice having fast nimble motobikes to blow past them...Phil and Charlene moved from Hayfork to Idaho. They got out before the fires.

Even a section of new asphalt to play Rickey RoadRacer on...

Yet another construction zone. It's nice having fast nimble motobikes to blow past them...

Jim R, Steve S (I think) and Brian L in the rear view mirror.

Arriving in beautiful downtown Mad River.

Say Whaaaaat? Closed? Closed every Wed. There's a 'new' food trailer, walking distance, East.. It's open Wed, closed Monday. 
Also found a small shop selling custom meats. Owners had a beautiful 9 month male yellow Labbie.  I bought some beef jerkey.

Or so I thought. Ate a stick or two, then tossed into top case for later.
 Later, discover a label.

" RAW! MUST BE COOKED. KEEP REFRIGERATED"
 

There's a little road, south bound, to Ruth Lake. I couldn't recall if I went to Ruth then back North on Zenia or did a U-Turn at Ruth. 
The burger lady mentioned something about a dirt road and we all said 'Pass'. 