HWY 49 Ride Report

[Eric Larsen]

5 Dust Devils headed out Saturday down HWY 49. Even Mr. Kurt showed-up on his brand new KLR650 (I got to touch it). We met another group of riders on rental bikes, out of the Bay Area, along the way. We had lunch in Grass Valley. Two Dust Devils peeled off shortly after that, and the rest of us headed south to Jackson. It was really hot, so the pool was nice. There was a heavy rain storm Saturday night do to tropical storm Hilary (Clinton, I’m guessing). All day Sunday it was over cast and pretty cold, for August. The roads were really nice, having been recently repaved. The HWY 4 pass was incredible. After a snack in Markleeville, we all headed home. Thanks to everyone who participated.

[Kurt138]

Thanks for leading this ride Eric. I just rode the first day, but it was a lot of fun to ride the turns on Highway 49.

Fun fact: Highway 49 is known as the “Golden Chain Highway” because it passes through several historic mining towns.

I also took a couple of pics from our first break at the Big Canyon overlook before Yuba Pass.

Here are Rick and Dave Keller busy not checking out the view:

Here’s Dean ready to saddle up after talking to the Bay Area guys with their rental BMWs:

The weather was perfect going over Yuba Pass, but as we descended to Nevada City it started to get really hot. We stopped for lunch in Grass Valley at a place called Margarita’s. One star less than Los Dos Hermanos in Sierraville, I would say, but it was worth it for the A/C. Nevada City was totally jammed with tourist traffic and we didn’t even stop there.

Rides: KLR650, KX250

[Kurt138]

I split off from the main group in Grass Valley and rode back to 80 via Highway 174 to Colfax, which passes the Empire Mine State Park.

Luckily for me I did not carry my rain gear for nothing. The temperature dropped way down and it started to rain hard over Donner Summit. However, after riding through the Gold Country the cool rain was a bonus.

Rides: KLR650, KX250

[Author]

Posts