BMW F750GS...Portland to Gonein60

[pdedse]

I'm dedicating this trip and photos to forum member Gonein60 and Mrs. Gonein60 ...it should have been them doing this trip.

I don't even know the year of the bike, but left Portland area last Thursday morning on a BMWF750GS to deliver it to the Long Beach, CA area.

Wanted to get as far south as possible the first day as my goal was to leave plenty of time to ride hiway 395 as much as possible. I-5 south to Redding...


Mt. Shasta looming in the distance late afternoon, some forest fire smoke still lingers


Got I-5 fatigue and made time for a little loop on hiway 263 in northern California near Hawkinsville


This late in the year Shasta has lost its snow cover


Shasta Lake sunset


Felt very nice to swim all alone in the cool waters of the hotel pool after a day of riding

Friday...today was to be the main riding of interest on 395 south of Reno, a hiway I had wanted to ride for some time now. The goal was to get to Bishop, CA and either stay at a hostel I had reserved or look for a hammock-camping spot.


Started by heading east out of Redding through the chilly forests towards Susanville--heated grips and 5 or 6 layers upper body, 3 for legs kept the chill at bay. Then past Reno and towards Lake Tahoe.

The F750GS is easy to ride, passes vehicles easily enough with plenty to spare to really get up and go when necessary.

Just after lunch took hiway 50 west to briefly visit Lake Tahoe. It was the spot of one of my very first long distance mc trips back in 2004, so 20 years later, it was good to see it again. Very fun twisty, winding road up and down.









...
...There was a gorgeous view right before Mono Lake, but alas, truck traffic was thick right at the lookout point where I wanted to pull over. Had to settle with enjoying the long descent down with friendly, gentle curves to take at 85-90mph...very enjoyable. The view below closer to the lake wasn't bad.


Most of the day the elevation was at 7000' plus, and if the hammock was going to be a bed time option, I needed the elevation to drop...I was happy when it began to some time before Bishop.


I rode into Bishop around 6pm and the light was starting to fade. I went past the hostel where I had a bed--along with 9 others in the same room--and I didn't care for the vibe even though it had great on-line reviews. The temps had risen as the elevation dropped and the evening was still at 70f. I had seen a few established campgrounds 5 miles prior so I rode back and didn't like either one--too many skeeters at one site and too many people and $$$ at another. But...I found a baseball field with a concessions stand near the second camp site...it had a lovely row of mature oak trees, picnic tables, and a nice spot to hide the bike from view of anyone overly curious. So I set up the hammock and waited for drowsiness to kick in...



I'm glad I waited...some texts with Gone and a few phone calls to others, some star gazing...and soon it was 9pm and I thought it was time to try out the hammock, fully mc clothed. Right as I was about to get in the Gilligan-bed, the sprinkler system came on...and the sprinkler heads were heavy duty, max water pressure and dousing everything in their path. I sprang to action and removed the hammock.



Had to wait another hour for two sprinkler zones to turn-off, and then...off to bed. If interested, check the Bearbutt hammock system. It works great and is quite comfortable...but, my RLS knees began acting up and sleep evaded me...that and there was an animal trapped in the metal trashcan nearby scratching and clawing. Thought I'd let it out after an hour...but one quick lift of the lid and I realized it was not a racoon, but a ...skunk. Slammed that shut licketysplit. I'm sorry mr. skunk...you deserved to get out, but I was not about to risk getting sprayed. Perhaps you would have innocently scurried away. But perhaps you would have perfumed the area, my bike, my riding gear.