Spring Trip Planning - Input Appreciated! - Turned Trip Report

[ST Guy]

Once, while I was staying at the inn, I attended an outdoor evening healing ceremony on the reservation for one of the tribal members. It was fascinating.

 

[Cornfish]

Once, while I was staying at the inn, I attended an outdoor evening healing ceremony on the reservation for one of the tribal members. It was fascinating.

Ayuasca?

 

[ST Guy]

I doubt it. Though possible but not public knowledge. A lot of chanting and dancing primarily.

 

[Cornfish]

Day 3:

This morning in Shelter Cove, it was 50 and foggy. Not exactly unexpected, but also not the sunny summer weather I was hoping for. There was a bit of dampness on the road, so I took it easy to give my tires and me time to warm up. Sure enough, it was sunny and warm at Redway and down 101 to Leggett.




The section between Leggett and the northernmost part of Hwy 1 at the coast is an incredible route, with fresh pavement and plenty of width so you don't feel like cars are in your lane all the time. I did not take pictures of that section, but stopped when I first hit the ocean.



I stopped at one more turnout on the north coast, but with holiday traffic, a long day in front of me (and 56-degree foggy weather that was kind of rude) I didn't get very photographic today.



My last phot-stop was across from Bolinas on Hwy 1.



I headed up Panoramic Highway, but instead of getting above the marine layer and getting warmer, it got colder and more damp. I dialed it back a bit (sad face) to give the damp pavement some respect before battling the sea of humanity that is Marin and San Francisco. I am safe and sound in El Granada tonight, after another 300+ mile day. That's 1,000 miles in three days, with ten more days to go on this trip! I sure hope it is warmer tomorrow!

 

[two wheel tramp]

if I know, I’m good. Usually I am only going the speed limit if I am lost or tired.

You're on their land and don't have rights. Better to be good

This morning in Shelter Cove, it was 50 and foggy. Not exactly unexpected, but also not the sunny summer weather I was hoping for. There was a bit of dampness on the road, so I took it easy to give my tires and me time to warm up. Sure enough, it was sunny and warm at Redway and down 101 to Leggett.

View attachment 594705
View attachment 594706

The section between Leggett and the northernmost part of Hwy 1 at the coast is an incredible route, with fresh pavement and plenty of width so you don't feel like cars are in your lane all the time. I did not take pictures of that section, but stopped when I first hit the ocean.

View attachment 594707

I stopped at one more turnout on the north coast, but with holiday traffic, a long day in front of me (and 56-degree foggy weather that was kind of rude) I didn't get very photographic today.

View attachment 594708

My last phot-stop was across from Bolinas on Hwy 1.

View attachment 594709

I headed up Panoramic Highway, but instead of getting above the marine layer and getting warmer, it got colder and more damp. I dialed it back a bit (sad face) to give the damp pavement some respect before battling the sea of humanity that is Marin and San Francisco. I am safe and sound in El Granada tonight, after another 300+ mile day. That's 1,000 miles in three days, with ten more days to go on this trip! I sure hope it is warmer tomorrow!

welcome back. I’m waving at you from Palo Alto.

 

[Cornfish]

You're on their land and don't have rights. Better to be good

welcome back. I’m waving at you from Palo Alto.

 

[budman]

Hoontang... love it.

 

[Lonster]

Thanks for the pics and ride reports.

 

[budman]

@Cornfish

I edited your thread title to reflect the continuation to ride report.

Thanks for the pics and ride reports.

Because... yes!!

 

[Cornfish]

Day 4:

I’m in Brookdale after a glorious day all over this biatch. No cell service and questionable WiFi, which is fine because I only took one picture at my personal Alpine Road Rest Stop.

Here was today’s trip log:

May 24th 2026 - SC Mountain Mayhem



El Granada, Lobitos Creek Cutoff, Tunitas, Kings (meet Kevin in RWC), Woodside wiggle, Tripp Road, Woodside Road, Portola Road, Portola Valley, Arastredero, Page Mill, Alpine, Pescadero, Stage Road, 84 up and over, Woodside Wiggle back to RWC. Woodside wiggle, Tripp Road, Woodside Road, Portola Road, Potola Valley, Arastredero, Page Mill, Alpine, Pescadero, Bean Hollow, Hwy 1, Swanton Road, Hwy 1, Bonny Doon, Ice Cream Grade, Empire Grade, Alba, Hwy 9, Skyline, Bear Creek, Hwy 9 to Brookdale.

Yes, that was two laps on Page Mill and Alpine/Pescadero Creek.

 

[Cornfish]

Here is a snap of my Garmin route tracking from yesterday. Apparently, Garmin thinks some was accelerating going on!



Day 5:

I started my day with a ride through Big Basin and down Bear Creek, before stopping at the Grove in Felton for a snack. Gas in San Lorenzo wasn't super cheap, but the bike needs what it needs!





A quick photo stop in Moss Landing to check out which boats were in the harbor. Being a former commercial fisherman, including a short stint fishing for squid out of Moss Landing, I am always curious about what is going on.



Then it was off to some slab to Monterey, and out Carmel Valley. Gas doesn't get any cheaper in these parts.




Then it was off to King City. There were cops staged at the turn to connect with 101; one at the Elm Road turn and Carmel Valley Road, another at the bridge at the bottom of the hill, and a third at the top of the hill across the bridge. Thankfully, a rider and someone in a truck all gave me the heads up that police were out, so I was going slow and waving at them as I putted past!



Then, after an uncharacteristically restrained ride down Jolon Road, I entered Hunter Liggett.

 

[budman]

That Garman snap shot is my hood.

Some good stuff for sure.

 

[Cornfish]

Day 5 continued:

Nacho-Fergy was just as fun as I remembered, maybe even more so.





Traffic was very light up to this point, except for the suckers going north on 101 at King City. Bumper to Bumper! But Nacho heading down to Hwy 1 was primo.





Most of the traffic on Hwy 1 was heading north, but enough cars were going south to be aggravating. The 890 is surprisingly quick, and I slipped into "passing mode" and was having quite a bit of fun with that. In one of the slow-turny sections, I had to pull up in the line of traffic, just as two of California's finest CHP motorcycle officers were heading north. Both gave me a friendly wave, which I gleefully returned. If I had crossed paths with the Moto-Patrol a few minutes earlier, I think they would have been using different hand signals! I'll take a little luck any day.

One last pic in Cambria before I checked into my room for the night.



I am burning up my second pair of Michelin Power GP 2's on this bike, and I do enjoy the rubber. I keep thinking I should get something that will last longer, but I hate tires getting stale in the frozen tundra of Central Oregon all winter, and it is nice to start my spring trip with fresh tires.

 

[Cornfish]

That Garman snap shot is my hood.

Some good stuff for sure.

You have a wonderful backyard, Budman! I am back in El Granada tomorrow night until the 29th, so there will be more fun up there before I start working my way back north.

 

[two wheel tramp]

You have a wonderful backyard, Budman! I am back in El Granada tomorrow night until the 29th, so there will be more fun up there before I start working my way back north.

I owe you maps. Will work on them tonight.

 

[budman]

100% on board with your tire philosophy.
Which reminds me to do the Hoho review.

You look like you are getting your money’s worth.

 

[Cornfish]

100% on board with your tire philosophy.
Which reminds me to do the Hoho review.

You look like you are getting your money’s worth.

I get deeper into the front tire on the 890 than on any other bike I have ridden. I could speculate why, but it is probably just bike geometry. I do feel very good on this bike, so maybe I just levelled up a bit?

 

[Lonster]

I am burning up my second pair of Michelin Power GP 2's on this bike, and I do enjoy the rubber. I keep thinking I should get something that will last longer, but I hate tires getting stale in the frozen tundra of Central Oregon all winter, and it is nice to start my spring trip with fresh tires.

View attachment 594827

I love the cup 2's with my 890. I have 2 sets in my garage for this summer and I'll probably have to get a third set of everything goes according to plan.
Thanks again for the pics and to notes.

 

[Cornfish]

I love the cup 2's with my 890. I have 2 sets in my garage for this summer and I'll probably have to get a third set of everything goes according to plan.
Thanks again for the pics and to notes.

What tires are the "cups"?

 

[Lonster]

Sorry. I mis read your post.
You said GP2's and I thought I read Michelin Power Cup 2's.
The cup 2's are basically a 90/10 street legal slick. I get about 2500 - 2800 miles per set.
The GP 2's are a '50/50' street/track tire. Still fantastic.