Exploring Old Toll Road, Hopland to Kelseyville - BARF

GB500guy · 08-22-2017, 12:06 PM

Yesterday I took advantage of cooler weather to try out a road I'd only seen on Google street view. Mostly gravel, Old Toll Rd. runs between Hwy 175 just east of Hopland to Highland Springs Reservoir near Kelseyville. It turned out to check lots of my boxes for fun dual sport riding: Great secluded area, wonderful scenery, and a variety of terrain and road conditions. Two thumbs up in my book.

Link to Google map of my route

Riding up through Napa Valley as the eclipse was coming on I got a kick out of watching the eclipse watchers, looking like they were awaiting the arrival of space aliens.

Past Calistoga I headed on into the beautiful Alexander Valley in the oddly dim light of the eclipse plus heavy overcast.

Heading up Geysers Road it was a relief to get above the overcast since I had been shivering in my mesh gear for the past half hour.

I think I'm getting addicted to Geysers Road.

Reaching Cloverdale I jumped on 101 for the short run north to Hopland for gas, then headed east on Hwy 175 about a mile for my first taste of Old Toll Road. As much fun as the previous roads had been, I was starting to grin real big with the anticipation and excitement of an all new adventure.

Right away my excitement kicked up a notch as the road delivered fun funky pavement and spectacular views as it twisted and climbed uphill.

As the climb got steeper I was treated to a series of hairpin turns, the road doubling back on itself until reaching a summit.

.......continued next post

GB500guy · 08-22-2017, 12:07 PM

Continued..........

After reaching the summit Old Toll Road stays high for a ways and the terrain changes from brush to wonderful shady forest. There's a turnoff to a BLM camping & recreation area that I'll have to explore next time.

After a while the road starts a long steady descent into more brush and oak covered terrain. Reaching the bottom of a canyon it changes name to Highland Springs Road and meanders along Highland Creek before returning to pavement and reaching Highland Springs Reservoir.

Back to civilization I head south on Hwy 175. Once it leaves Hwy 29, 175 becomes a lightly traveled, well paved twisty road heaven with lots of perfectly banked turns.

But before reaching Middletown I couldn't resist one more bit of goat road, the narrow 2 mile side loop of Wildcat Rd. Half narrow pavement, half gravel, and all fun.

With a sore butt and a thirst for a cold beer I head home. It was another great day on two wheels.

-Bill

dowlinginchico · 08-22-2017, 12:10 PM

VERY VERY VERY COOL!!!

Thanks for sharing/inspiring.

Johndicezx9 · 08-22-2017, 01:07 PM

berth · 08-22-2017, 02:02 PM

Hairpins, creeks, bridges, and aliens. Looks like a winner!

two wheel tramp · 08-22-2017, 02:38 PM

I appreciate that you always post a map of your route. Thank you for your contributions here.

Dirtbandit · 08-22-2017, 03:48 PM

Epic looking route, great pictures, thanks

GB500guy · 08-22-2017, 03:51 PM

Thank you all for the kind comments.

-Bill

**Map8** · 08-22-2017, 06:24 PM

Can't get enough of Geysers Road. Thanks for the heads up about Old Toll Road. Another winner of a ride report.

Cincinnatus · 08-22-2017, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by two wheel tramp

I appreciate that you always post a map of your route. Thank you for your contributions here.

^^What she said.

magyarbetyar · 08-22-2017, 08:15 PM

OK that looks like an awesome ride!!!! Must do!!!!

**KazMan** · 08-23-2017, 05:09 AM

Your posts make me

Thank You!

Cabrito · 08-23-2017, 05:56 AM

you covered some of my favorites from when we had our place in Cobb, but never did check out Wildcat road.. I'll make sure to check it out next time I ride through there.

**budman** · 08-23-2017, 06:31 AM

Awesome write up and photos.

A day well done.

mean dad · 08-23-2017, 06:35 AM

Nice pictures, man. I really need to stop more often when I ride and take some clicks.

08-22-2017, 12:06 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	Exploring Old Toll Road, Hopland to Kelseyville Yesterday I took advantage of cooler weather to try out a road I'd only seen on Google street view. Mostly gravel, Old Toll Rd. runs between Hwy 175 just east of Hopland to Highland Springs Reservoir near Kelseyville. It turned out to check lots of my boxes for fun dual sport riding: Great secluded area, wonderful scenery, and a variety of terrain and road conditions. Two thumbs up in my book. Link to Google map of my route Riding up through Napa Valley as the eclipse was coming on I got a kick out of watching the eclipse watchers, looking like they were awaiting the arrival of space aliens. Past Calistoga I headed on into the beautiful Alexander Valley in the oddly dim light of the eclipse plus heavy overcast. Heading up Geysers Road it was a relief to get above the overcast since I had been shivering in my mesh gear for the past half hour. I think I'm getting addicted to Geysers Road. Reaching Cloverdale I jumped on 101 for the short run north to Hopland for gas, then headed east on Hwy 175 about a mile for my first taste of Old Toll Road. As much fun as the previous roads had been, I was starting to grin real big with the anticipation and excitement of an all new adventure. Right away my excitement kicked up a notch as the road delivered fun funky pavement and spectacular views as it twisted and climbed uphill. As the climb got steeper I was treated to a series of hairpin turns, the road doubling back on itself until reaching a summit. .......continued next post

08-22-2017, 12:07 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	Exploring Old Toll Road, Hopland to Kelseyville cont'd. Continued.......... After reaching the summit Old Toll Road stays high for a ways and the terrain changes from brush to wonderful shady forest. There's a turnoff to a BLM camping & recreation area that I'll have to explore next time. After a while the road starts a long steady descent into more brush and oak covered terrain. Reaching the bottom of a canyon it changes name to Highland Springs Road and meanders along Highland Creek before returning to pavement and reaching Highland Springs Reservoir. Back to civilization I head south on Hwy 175. Once it leaves Hwy 29, 175 becomes a lightly traveled, well paved twisty road heaven with lots of perfectly banked turns. But before reaching Middletown I couldn't resist one more bit of goat road, the narrow 2 mile side loop of Wildcat Rd. Half narrow pavement, half gravel, and all fun. With a sore butt and a thirst for a cold beer I head home. It was another great day on two wheels. -Bill

08-22-2017, 12:10 PM	#3
dowlinginchico Home Wrecker Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Pleasant Hill Motorcycles: DRZ400SM, KTM 990 SD, Ducati 848 SF Name: Derrick	VERY VERY VERY COOL!!! Thanks for sharing/inspiring. __________________ Never trust anything in a cage.

08-22-2017, 01:07 PM	#4
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!"

08-22-2017, 02:02 PM	#5
berth Veteran Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Orange County Motorcycles: KRS-1200 Name:	Hairpins, creeks, bridges, and aliens. Looks like a winner! __________________ #69 #45 NP

08-22-2017, 02:38 PM	#6
two wheel tramp exploring! AMA #2771957 Mod Alumni Rally Junkie who needs another fix Barfie Winner 2017 Contributor + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 3% + GOP Roadside Angel Alumni Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: SW OR, Hoonited States Motorcycles: '03 DR650, 09 DR650 w/ RMZ450 front end, 2009 FZ1, 2019 KTM 790 ADV S, 89 Transalp Name: Triple R	I appreciate that you always post a map of your route. Thank you for your contributions here. __________________ HoHo To all my dog friends relax, be smooth, find yer zen flow ~ banjoboy "get your leg, throw it over your god damn bike, quit wastin your time here and spend it ridin the shit out of your motorcycle." ~ redpine i don't get lost. i explore alternative destinations. IBA #66001 R3 alone

08-22-2017, 03:48 PM	#7
Dirtbandit Rookie Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Fairfield/Green Valley CA Motorcycles: Beta RS 520 and Harley Name: Dane	Epic looking route, great pictures, thanks

08-22-2017, 03:51 PM	#8
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	Thank you all for the kind comments. -Bill

08-22-2017, 06:24 PM	#9
Map8 I want nothing BARF Moderator - BARF Sponsor Barfie Winner 2017 Contributor + + + + + + + + Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: West Sacramento, CA Motorcycles: 2017 Df3, YZ250F/SM (parting out), DRZ400SM, KTM 450SMR Name: Steve	Can't get enough of Geysers Road. Thanks for the heads up about Old Toll Road. Another winner of a ride report. __________________ Only stickers increase horsepower. Duh. -mikhail “Valentino is just a super down-to-earth, right on dude,” -Brad Baker BARF Terms of Service

08-22-2017, 08:15 PM	#11
magyarbetyar Veteran Mod Alumni Founding Member Contributor Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: somewhere Motorcycles: 2001 929(yel/blk the faster color) 2016 BMW R1200 GSLC Name:	OK that looks like an awesome ride!!!! Must do!!!! __________________ BARF Terms of Service The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the powa of the FORCE "Use the forks Luke" - Obi Wan Gillespie "You don't have to go fast to enjoy riding....just enjoy riding...." - V4 "One of my pet-peeves is people on motorcycles who think they don't have to wait in traffic like everybody else... Nothing would make me happier than to watch somebody, and I've actually seen this happen, somebody open a door and take you out as you are trying to squeeze through..." - DJ Woody 01-12-06

08-23-2017, 05:09 AM	#12
KazMan 2012 Fifty is Nifty Tour! AMA #2086825 Barf Racer / BARF Moderator Barfie Winner 2017 Contributor ++++ 1% Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SF Bay Area Motorcycles: anything I can throw my leg over Name: Eric	Your posts make me Thank You! __________________ Thanks to \| Budman - BARF Racing \| Z2 Racing/Z2 Trackdays \|CT Racing \| D.M. Nishihara \| Motion Pro \| BBJK - Jesse Koeller \| Racer Gloves USA\|OxyMoron Photography \| Suomy Helmets \| Cycle Gear Racing \|CRG \|Optimal Racing bodywork \| GP Suspension\|Family & Friends! barf Terms Of Service

08-23-2017, 05:56 AM	#13
Cabrito cabrón AMA #: 2820219 Contributor + + + + + + + + 1% Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Too much work, not enough riding Motorcycles: Mostly Red with big Orange spot Name: Michael G	you covered some of my favorites from when we had our place in Cobb, but never did check out Wildcat road.. I'll make sure to check it out next time I ride through there. __________________ _________________

08-23-2017, 06:31 AM	#14
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	Awesome write up and photos. A day well done. __________________ 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

08-23-2017, 06:35 AM	#15
mean dad Veteran AMA #575843 Contributor ++++++++++++++++++++ Barf Roadside Angel Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: California Motorcycles: Smoke and mirrors Name:	Nice pictures, man. I really need to stop more often when I ride and take some clicks. __________________ . . Fuck around and find out.

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