Portland to Prescott on a Ural Solo

[Scott Brady]

Instead of doing something logical, like shipping the motorcycle, I have decided to ride it from Portland to Prescott, and try to take a few interesting routes doing it.

Here is the route I have planned so far:
Wednesday: Portland to Eugene, 110 miles
Thursday: Eugene to Eureka, 303 miles
Friday: Eureka to San Francisco, 271 miles
Saturday: San Francisco to Tioga to Mammoth, 259 miles
Sunday: Mammoth to Essex (parts of Route 66), 366 miles
Monday: Essex to Prescott (more parts of Route 66), 271 miles

If anyone wants to connect along the way, let me know. Breakfast - lunch - scotch - ride along for a section? I am trying to keep the miles under 400 per day, as the last time I rode a bike like this from LA to SF (in one day), I nearly needed intensive care. . .

I arrive in Portland on Wednesday afternoon and will start heading south. Not really planning on camping as I don't have luggage for the bike. Of course, I can always wrap a tarp around myself and sleep in the riding gear.

My steed for the trip

My greatest fear (look at that seat!) :violent-smiley-031:

This makes the "brap" noises

Here we go!

More posts from the road as the trip kicks off.

I also plan to use a different camera for this trip too. I hope it does better than the iPhone

 

[haven]

More about this custom Ural here

http://icon1000.com/bike/quartermaster/
http://www.imz-ural.com/the-quartermaster-icon-1000-x-ural-project/

 

[haven]

Scott, if you can extend your ride on Friday by 50 miles, you can visit Cape Mendocino, the western-most point in the lower 48 states. This route is on many "most scenic drives in USA" lists.

Ride south from Eureka to Ferndale. Gas up, since there no services ahead. Take Mattole Rd (CA 211) south from Ferndale. The road is paved, but very narrow and potholed. Three tectonic plates meet under the ocean off Cape Mendocino. Frequent ground movements keep the pavement fractured.

Cape Mendocino is about 35 miles from Ferndale. Continue on Mattole Rd for another twisty 40 miles to Humbolt Redwoods State Park, where you can rejoin US 101.

Note that it can be very foggy this time of year at Cape Mendocino. If it's foggy in Ferndale, you're likely to be riding in fog all along this route.

 

[Scott Brady]

Scott, if you can extend your ride on Friday by 50 miles, you can visit Cape Mendocino, the western-most point in the lower 48 states. Ride south from Eureka to Ferndale. Gas up, since there no services ahead. Take Mattole Rd (CA 211) south from Ferndale. The road is paved, but very narrow and potholed.

Brilliant!

 

[haven]

A couple of notes about road conditions in California:

The Golden Gate Bridge (US101) charges a toll for southbound drivers. Toll collection is all electronic. Drivers slow to 25 mph through the toll plaza, but do not stop. There are several ways to pay the toll. For someone who does not have an account set up before crossing the bridge, the automated system takes a photo of your license plate, and mails the registered owner a bill. More information here http://www.goldengate.org/tolls/

The Oakland-San Francisco Bay Bridge (I-80) will be closed next weekend for road work. The San Mateo Bridge (CA 92) to Hayward is an alternative.

A huge forest fire is raging north of Yosemite, causing road closures into the park. If this is not contained by next weekend, you should consider alternate trans-Sierra routes such as CA 88, CA 4, or CA 108. All connect to US 395 north of Lee Vining.

 

[WLNordy]

Scott,
If you are in need of transportation when you arrive in Portland I would be happy to assist.
Chris

 

[mhiscox]

Scott,
If you are in need of transportation when you arrive in Portland I would be happy to assist.
Chris

And if you're worried that the bike could have shakedown issues and you want someone to ride to Eugene with you in a support van with tools, etc., I can follow you down in the Sprinter. (And as I would probably stay Wednesday night, you're welcome to camp out of the Sprinter if you didn't want to hassle a motel Wednesday night.)

That said, I'm sure the trip is among the least intimidating you've made (except for the seat, which seems to cry out for an Airhawk), so I know it's likely you have it all under control. But let me know if you can use assistance of any type.

One other thing . . . I don't know where you're starting from, but the traffic in and around Portland on a workday afternoon can be pretty tedious, especially on a moto. If there's any chance you want trucked in the Sprinter until things open up, that can happen, too.

 

[UK4X4]

I think your going to need some extra foam for that saddle !

 

[MattScott]

Lost Coast.

 

[MattScott]

I can see you sideways around this turn...

 

[Ozrockrat]

I think you might need one of these.



And one of these:



And some of this:



Or you end up like this:



But it should be a blast. Have fun and stay safe.

 

[haven]

The best food on US 395 is at the Whoa Nellie Deli, located in the gas station complex on Tioga Rd, 100 yards west of the intersection of CA 120 and US 395. The deli is inside the convenience store.

If you're stopping in Mammoth Lakes, check out the Mammoth Brewing Company at 94 Berner Street. They're open to 7pm. Mammoth being a resort town, there are plenty of bars open to all hours. Also spa services to work out the kinks from a long day on the road.

After leaving Mammoth, a nice place to stop for early morning refreshment is Erick Schat’s Bakkerÿ, 763 N. Main Street, in Bishop CA. The bakery is noted for breads and pastries. Stock up for a snack later in the day.

Also in Bishop is the Mountain Light gallery, representing the photography of Galen and Barbara Rowell. The Rowells are world famous landscape and nature photographers. They lived in Bishop for many years. The Rowells died when the private plane they were riding in crashed on approach to Bishop Airport in August, 2002.

 

[hobietony]

I think you might need one of these.

View attachment 181281

And one of these:

View attachment 181282

And some of this:

View attachment 181283

Or you end up like this:

View attachment 181284

But it should be a blast. Have fun and stay safe.

Bah! Tequila on my monitor!

 

[Scott Brady]

Mike,

Forgot you were in Portland. Would be great to say hello for dinner. Maybe we can pick a restaurant on the south side of the city a small group of us can meet at?

Would be nice to meet up

 

[Scott Brady]

View attachment 181284

But it should be a blast. Have fun and stay safe.

HA!

I am seriously afraid