Cyclerides.com Weekly Update
9/17/08 

Greetings Riders,
 
Here we are in mid September and I can feel "Fall" in the air. Isn't that funny? It gets down to 79 degrees for a low and Arizonans start getting all excited because we feel what we think is a hint of cool air when we walk out the door in the morning. You folks back East have no idea what I am talking about. But around here, it is a big deal after a few months of 100+ degrees every single day to finally get a sniff of something below 80. Not only is it more comfortable to live in, it is also more palatable to consider taking those putts around the valley on your scooter that has been piling up more dust than miles. With that hint of cool air I alluded to above usually comes with increased desire to tack on a couple hundred miles before noon.
 
A week ago it was Skull Valley for a 200 mile breakfast run, this past weekend added another 180 miles taking my favorite ride in the Valley out past Saguaro Lake and on to Tortilla Flat for breakfast. For those of you new to the area, or even if you have done it many times like me, it doesn't get much better than that. The 14 miles from Brown and Apache Trail to Tortilla Flat are exceptional riding. And don't forget to ride the additional 6 miles of asphalt past Tortilla Flat, it is some of the prettiest of the route. Believe it or not, I didn't take photos this time, but here is a gallery of some that I shot in March. Click Here to View. Haven't been to Tortilla Flat, Click Here for the Day Ride.
 
Have you ever heard the old expression, "What a difference a day makes?". When it comes to riding, it couldn't be any more true. Timing is everything especially when it comes to riding in the mountains, and particularly the mountain passes. We all try and pick that perfect time of the season to go do the ride of our life, but sometimes Mother Nature has other ideas. Last week I wrote about riding the Sonora Pass. We chose to ride through there on June 20th, thinking it would be a good time to do it. We were right, it was 70 degrees and beautiful. A Cyclerides newsletter reader emailed this picture, which is the exact same shot that I took this year. Steve's was from June 8th, 3 years prior. You will not believe the difference. Click Here to view.
 
Fortunately for us on this California Trip 2008 we didn't run into any of that. The weather was perfect the entire trip. If you are new to the letter or missed a week or 2 in the past, Click Here for links to the past reports on this ride. When I left you last week we had spent the night at the Yosemite View Lodge just outside the gates of Yosemite National Park. This is an excellent place to spend the night if you are stopping in this area. Our next destination was Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park. We took one last lap around Yosemite Valley and headed South through Fresno and East into Kings Canyon. But before we got out of there, we were greeted by a small bear just off the side of the road. We pulled over to watch him and within a minute he was running across the road right in front of us. Here is a 10 second video clip of him crossing the road.
 
Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks are really a must see if you have not experienced the largest tress in the world in person. Even though these 2 parks are right next to each other, they are very different. Kings Canyon takes you on a 35 mile one way ride into the canyon along the Kings River into the forest. It is a 70 mile round trip but well worth it for the scenery and the ride. On your way back be sure to take the turnoff to Hume Lake. This will take you on a narrow winding road to Hume Lake which is also a Christian Camp in the Summer. We found it to be a nice place to eat lunch and enjoy the scenery.
 
From Hume Lake take Ten Mile Rd. on up to connect with 180 that will loop you through Sequoia National Park. There seems to be some confusion on the status of Redwood and Sequoia Trees. From what I understand, Redwoods are the tallest trees and Sequoia's have the largest circumference. The Sequoia National Park possesses 3 of the largest Sequoia's in the world including the General Sherman that is 275 feet tall, 102 feet circumference and 36 feet diameter at the ground. In comparison, the tallest Redwood Tree in the world is "Hyperion" in Redwood National Park at 378 feet tall and 700 years old. Regardless of their recorded stature, these trees are HUGE! Bigger than you can imagine.
 
Sequoia National Park is full of these trees and you get an eye full as you serpentine your way through the forest seeing one after another of these giant old trees. There is one place that is particularly memorable where there are four of these trees in a row that frame the split road on both sides. I positioned my bike sideways in the road to show how big these guys are. Click Here. Riding through Sequoia National Park is really a unique experience and there is NO BETTER WAY to experience these big trees than on a motorcycle. If you keep your eyes open, you might even spot a Bear on the side of the road. I would highly recommend it.
 
On your way out of the park heading down the hill to Three Rivers or Visalia, you will encounter multiple 15 mph switchbacks on a narrow mountain road along the way. There are a couple of motels in the small town of Three Rivers, but I would suggest going on in to Visalia for a better selection of Motels and restaurants. From Yosemite Village on the West side of Yosemite National Park, this is about a 300 mile day to Visalia and it will take most of the day.
 
Click Here for Photos of Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park.
Click Here for Google Map of Route.
 

Highlights This Week 

Saturday, September 20th
Bikers Bay Glendale Grand Opening Party.
The Bikers Bay Glendale location is ready to continue the Bikers Bay experience...
Personal customer attention, the convenience of "Ride In - Ride Out" service. 

Extras 

I had this video in the letter over a year ago, but it is still one of the funniest that I have seen, especially since we are in the home stretch of a political campaign when truth gets blurred with perception. Just reinforces that you can't trust a politician when he is trying to spin the truth. Click Here to View.
 
You can try a lot of things to psych out your opponent in boxing, but kissing your opponent in introductions might be too much. Click Here to View.
 
The commercial makers are at it again. Here is "How to avoid a parking ticket". Click Here to View.
 
Want to attract some attention to your bike? Put a jet engine in it. Here is a video shot by Paul Yaffe in Australia a couple of weeks ago. Click Here to View.