A fun fall dual sport ride - BARF

GB500guy · 10-26-2018, 07:50 PM

This time of year I'm yearning for two things - the first rains to settle the dust and end the fire danger, and the welcome appearance of fall color marking the end of late summer's drab foliage. But with no rain in sight and hungry for a long ride I decided to take a late summer look around some favorite riding areas, dipping into five counties along the way. The gravel of Old Toll Road east of Hopland was on my agenda so the nimble little NX250 was my bike of choice.

Google map link

On a cool Thursday morning I headed up Pleasants Valley Road enjoying the long shadows and peacefulness.

The placid waters of Lake Solano and Lake Hennesey reinforced my goal of taking it easy and enjoying the scenery.

Dropping into Napa Valley, Silverado Trail took me past endless vineyards and wineries. It's harvest season so the air was spiced with the perfume of fermenting grape juice. Peak foliage color is a couple weeks away though.

I followed Hwy 128 past Calistoga as it wound through the beautiful Mayacamus Mountains and into Anderson Valley. Light traffic, wonderful scenery, and twisty tree lined stretches kept me grinning.

Heading north toward Geyserville I had to stop once again for a photo op of the big boar sculpture at Soda Rock Winery. It's quite the beast.

I was grinning real big as I left 128 and began the climb up Geysers Road, 25 miles of remote road offering everything from smooth two lane to ratty single lane, fantastic ridge top views to secluded ravines. It's one of my favorite roads ever. First the climb out of Anderson Valley-

About half way through and after a steep descent the road changes personalities to funky single lane. I have the road all to myself as it meanders along Big Sulfur creek.

Near the end the road alternates between decent two lane and post-landslide single lane with plenty of surprise whoop-de-doos that will launch the unaware off their seats.

Reaching Hwy 101 at Cloverdale I headed north for a hearty lunch stop at the always-enjoyable Bluebird Cafe in Hopland.

Continued next post....

GB500guy · 10-26-2018, 07:57 PM

With both me and the bike refueled I headed east on Hwy 175 and turned off on another all time favorite, Old Toll Road, 22 miles of remote riding pleasure, mostly gravel.

After a couple miles the primitive pavement turns to gravel and I begin a climb back over the Mayacamus and back toward home.

Reaching a summit the road descends towards Clear Lake, eventually settling down to follow a canyon along Highland Creek.

Reaching Kelseyville I head east toward home on Hwy 175, my saddle sore 69 year old backside was complaining but my heart was happy. Life is good.

-Bill

Johndicezx9 · 10-26-2018, 10:07 PM

ichabodnt650 · 10-27-2018, 06:14 AM

Is your rear tire directional? In this picture, the way the knobs angle, it looks like it might be mounted backwards

spdt509 · 10-27-2018, 06:28 AM

GB500 guy, great write up,as always.did you encounter any burn areas/closed roads on this loop?

GB500guy · 10-27-2018, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ichabodnt650

Is your rear tire directional? In this picture, the way the knobs angle, it looks like it might be mounted backwards

Tire is directional, but it's installed according to the sidewall mark.

-Bill

GB500guy · 10-27-2018, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spdt509

GB500 guy, great write up,as always.did you encounter any burn areas/closed roads on this loop?

Thanks Jake. I forgot to mention that I was happy to see there were no burned areas alongside Geysers or Old Toll Rd. Only saw a distant hillside burned while riding Geysers and of course lots of devastated terrain from past years' fires along Butts Canyon and around Berryessa.

-Bill

**bikeama** · 10-27-2018, 07:05 AM

You live in a motorcycle paradise. I enjoy your reports.

spdt509 · 10-27-2018, 08:36 AM

right on,Bill. i'll be hitting those roads come January, when i'll have them all to myself....

DTM74 · 10-27-2018, 08:55 AM

Very cool ride. I never knew about Geysers Rd. I'll have to try it out.

thedub · 10-27-2018, 12:48 PM

Excellent!

**budman** · 10-27-2018, 02:07 PM

Right on Bill

buellistic · 10-27-2018, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ichabodnt650

Is your rear tire directional? In this picture, the way the knobs angle, it looks like it might be mounted backwards

I saw the same thing. It will get a little loose in the gravel that way...under power.or braking..
Thats the derection for a Front..

GB500guy · 10-27-2018, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buellistic

I saw the same thing. It will get a little loose in the gravel that way...under power.or braking..
Thats the derection for a Front..

Yeah, I could experiment with turning it around but I've been happy with mounting it the way Bridgestone specifies. On my third one with no complaints.

-Bill

buellistic · 10-27-2018, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GB500guy

Yeah, I could experiment with turning it around but I've been happy with mounting it the way Bridgestone specifies. On my third one with no complaints.

-Bill

Could be better .
The reason for directional tread is to push water and gravel out..
Not to gather it under the tread..and by looking at your Nubs.....
You can also benefit by lowering your air pressure to get more rubber on the ground..

better traction..

10-26-2018, 07:50 PM	#1
GB500guy Veteran Contributor + + Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Vacaville Motorcycles: 1975 Honda CB125S 1989 Honda GB500 1989 Honda NX250 1989 Honda CB-1 1997 Honda CB50V Name: Bill	A fun fall dual sport ride This time of year I'm yearning for two things - the first rains to settle the dust and end the fire danger, and the welcome appearance of fall color marking the end of late summer's drab foliage. But with no rain in sight and hungry for a long ride I decided to take a late summer look around some favorite riding areas, dipping into five counties along the way. The gravel of Old Toll Road east of Hopland was on my agenda so the nimble little NX250 was my bike of choice. Google map link On a cool Thursday morning I headed up Pleasants Valley Road enjoying the long shadows and peacefulness. The placid waters of Lake Solano and Lake Hennesey reinforced my goal of taking it easy and enjoying the scenery. Dropping into Napa Valley, Silverado Trail took me past endless vineyards and wineries. It's harvest season so the air was spiced with the perfume of fermenting grape juice. Peak foliage color is a couple weeks away though. I followed Hwy 128 past Calistoga as it wound through the beautiful Mayacamus Mountains and into Anderson Valley. Light traffic, wonderful scenery, and twisty tree lined stretches kept me grinning. Heading north toward Geyserville I had to stop once again for a photo op of the big boar sculpture at Soda Rock Winery. It's quite the beast. I was grinning real big as I left 128 and began the climb up Geysers Road, 25 miles of remote road offering everything from smooth two lane to ratty single lane, fantastic ridge top views to secluded ravines. It's one of my favorite roads ever. First the climb out of Anderson Valley- About half way through and after a steep descent the road changes personalities to funky single lane. I have the road all to myself as it meanders along Big Sulfur creek. Near the end the road alternates between decent two lane and post-landslide single lane with plenty of surprise whoop-de-doos that will launch the unaware off their seats. Reaching Hwy 101 at Cloverdale I headed north for a hearty lunch stop at the always-enjoyable Bluebird Cafe in Hopland. Continued next post.... Last edited by GB500guy; 10-27-2018 at 06:10 AM..

10-26-2018, 07:57 PM	#2
GB500guy Veteran Contributor + + Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Vacaville Motorcycles: 1975 Honda CB125S 1989 Honda GB500 1989 Honda NX250 1989 Honda CB-1 1997 Honda CB50V Name: Bill	A fun fall dual sport ride, cont'd With both me and the bike refueled I headed east on Hwy 175 and turned off on another all time favorite, Old Toll Road, 22 miles of remote riding pleasure, mostly gravel. After a couple miles the primitive pavement turns to gravel and I begin a climb back over the Mayacamus and back toward home. Reaching a summit the road descends towards Clear Lake, eventually settling down to follow a canyon along Highland Creek. Reaching Kelseyville I head east toward home on Hwy 175, my saddle sore 69 year old backside was complaining but my heart was happy. Life is good. -Bill Last edited by GB500guy; 10-26-2018 at 08:05 PM..

10-26-2018, 10:07 PM	#3
Johndicezx9 Rolls with it... Contributor +++ Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Monterey Pen Motorcycles: :o) Name: John	__________________ "I used to be 'with it', but then they changed what 'it' was. Now what I'm with isn't 'it', and what's 'it' seems weird and scary. It'll happen to you!"

10-27-2018, 07:05 AM	#8
bikeama Super Moderator AMA #: 1097 BARF Moderator Contributor + 3% Join Date: May 2008 Location: Stockton CA Motorcycles: 2020 BMW S1000XR Lowride. Name: Bill	You live in a motorcycle paradise. I enjoy your reports. __________________ Keep your best wheel forward. Terms of Service: http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/info/tos.php RULES FOR CLASSIFIED. My travel Blog, see tab on Motorcycle Trips for ride reports

10-27-2018, 12:48 PM	#11
thedub Octane Socks AMA #: 2952025 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Gardnerville, NV Motorcycles: R6, Tiger 800, KTM 500, KTM 350 Name: Wiles	Excellent! __________________ AFM #77, D36 #166N Thanks for the support; Sidi\|Motion Pro\|C@TT\|Vortex\|Shoei

10-27-2018, 06:14 AM	#4
ichabodnt650 KLX300SM Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mountain View Motorcycles: KLX300SM, YW125 Name: Ich	Is your rear tire directional? In this picture, the way the knobs angle, it looks like it might be mounted backwards

10-27-2018, 06:28 AM	#5
spdt509 Veteran AMA #: 817931 Founding Member Contributor +++ Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: the city Motorcycles: 98 triumph speed triple Name: jake ryan	GB500 guy, great write up,as always.did you encounter any burn areas/closed roads on this loop?

10-27-2018, 08:36 AM	#9
spdt509 Veteran AMA #: 817931 Founding Member Contributor +++ Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: the city Motorcycles: 98 triumph speed triple Name: jake ryan	right on,Bill. i'll be hitting those roads come January, when i'll have them all to myself....

10-27-2018, 08:55 AM	#10
DTM74 It's not my fault... Contributor +++++++++1% Roadside Angel Contributor Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: 707 Motorcycles: Seven-Oh-One, Supah Dook Name: Dan	Very cool ride. I never knew about Geysers Rd. I'll have to try it out.

10-27-2018, 02:07 PM	#12
budman General Menace AMA Life Member #203453 Highway Aviator Founding Member Top Percent Poster Community Contributor + BB Moto Junkie Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Palo Alto, Ca. Motorcycles: Keep me rocking life Name: Budman	Right on Bill __________________ Your friendly neighborhood.... Budman BARF Terms of Service Be a BARF Contributor! Support those that support Barf! BARF Sponsors 1Rider introduction on KFOG Bone heads and bikers podcasts Racism and RIP threads on Barf - FYI Barf is more than a dub dub dub dealio Godspeed Mom Pit Ho Godspeed Nicky #69 Hoho AMA #203453

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