Napa/Sonoma back roads on a tiddler

[GB500guy]

I decided to give my little '75 CB125S some exercise today so I put together a route covering some favorite roads plus a new one to explore.

Link to google map

My route


The little bike's light weight and short wheelbase always take some getting used to after riding anything bigger, but on tight twisty roads I soon get in synch with it. "I'm turning 8,000 rpm but only going 63 mph." Yes sir, that's normal. "I can't get it to shift to a higher gear." Well that's because you are already in top gear. Soon enough I catch on to the game - hang onto the hard-earned momentum as much as possible, downshift whenever necessary, and just enjoy the feeling of flicking the flyweight bike around corners and over bumps. What it might lack in miles-per-hour it delivers big time in smiles-per-hour!



After heading around Lake Berryessa I took always-wonderful 121 over into Napa, crossed town and headed out Redwood Road.





Redwood becomes Mt. Veeder Rd., narrow, bumpy and loads of fun.




At the summit I see a heavy marine layer has pushed into Napa Valley, a huge relief after last weeks 100 + degree days.



Mt. Veeder ends at Dry Creek Rd. and I turned left toward Sonoma County.

Winding through redwood forest the road begins to climb with some of the steepest and tightest hairpin turns around.












Reaching a ridge top the scenery alternates between dense shady forest, sunny vineyards, and hilltop views toward Sonoma Valley.









More hairpin turns drop down to Hwy 12 where I turn south.



Lunch time! I stop at Juanita Juanita's Mexican restaurant for their great food and funky ambiance.









-Bill

[GB500guy]

After an excellent burrito I backtrack a couple of miles and turn off on Cavedale Road. This one was new to me but I had looked at Google street views and could tell it was a must-see road. It did not disappoint.



This marker shows donations of $5 to $165 were made to fund construction back in 1915.



Cavedale is narrow even for a single lane road, with a surprising number of driveways so I had to stay ready to take evasive action even on my tiny bike. But the scenery was stunning as the road climbed up, up, and up some more.












This vantage point looks south to San Pablo Bay.



It was hazy but you can see San Pablo Bay and the downtown buildings of SF in the upper right of this zoomed shot.



Continuing northward, Cavedale weaves a beautiful path through redwood forest before joining Trinity/Dry Creek Rd midway.






Cavedale was a wonderful discovery that I look forward to checking out in all seasons. Up and over Oakville Grade I ride 128 back home. Stopping at Lake Hennessey I admire my little tiddler and think, yeah, she gave me plenty of smiles-per-hour today.



-Bill

[Blankpage]

Damn those pictures make me really miss California.

[LiteRider]

Beautiful pictures! Thanks for the post.

[m0t0_ryder]

Cool little CB!
Very nice condition.

Nice roads too.
Thanks for sharing.

[bikeama]

Fantastic trip report.

[ichabodnt650]

Love those obscure little roads
... and love that little bike. It brought me back to my very first moto: a `78 CB125S

[GAJ]

Great route choice; beautiful little bike.

Great pictures.

Juanita Juanita's is excellent.

[two wheel tramp]

Originally Posted by Blankpage

Damn those pictures make me really miss California.

They make me want to go riding.

Thanks for a great set of photos!

[ETphoneshome]

Awesome pictures! Commenting so I can refer back to this post later. Thanks!

[BigCrank]

Your post is inspired my next day trip and is exactly what I need. Hope you don't mind me copying your route

[GB500guy]

Thanks for the comments everyone.

Originally Posted by BigCrank

Your post is inspired my next day trip and is exactly what I need. Hope you don't mind me copying your route

Are you kidding? Get out there and do it!

-Bill

[KazMan]

and I thought the XL report was fantastic....this CB125 report is friggin awesome and inspiring!! GO LITTLE BIKES!!

[flying_hun]

Love it!

[GB500guy]

Originally Posted by KazMan

and I thought the XL report was fantastic....this CB125 report is friggin awesome and inspiring!! GO LITTLE BIKES!!

Originally Posted by flying_hun

Love it!

Thank you all. You are so encouraging and enabling! You keep me pulling off to the side and whipping out the camera to grab the shots that will encourage others to experience the moto joy that is all around us in this amazing area. I did the same ride yesterday on the NX250 with a buddy.



-Bill