Riding the NV/CA mountains with no particular place to go!


Hugo coerced me, made me pack all the wrong stuff, took me the cold way and then didn’t allow my gerbing to heat. How’s that for a third date and does that make the romance a one sided type? Oh dear, I had a lot to consider as I attempted to scoot through a huge group of American iron on Hwy 88 and my mind was reeling.

Originally I was going to Torrey, UT for a yearly rally put on my BMWsporttouring.com. In theory the gathering sounded fun, but the temperatures plummeted and snow was found in the higher elevations, all of which I had to cross to get there. So the plan changed and then changed again. As I rode over Carson Pass, I couldn’t help but notice the roadway was full of motorcycles and CHPs. Yep, inadvertently, I had joined the masses traveling to Street Vibrations in Reno. I maneuvered through the groups and changed course. Monitor pass going southeast couldn’t possibly be full and lucky for me it was wide open. Hugo performed effortlessly and at the junction of Hwy 395, I went North only long enough to get gas in Topaz Lake.

Lovely fall colors!

The station was full of leather clad half-helmet riders all freezing with the falling temps. I had my heated gear, but had already discovered it was not working so I was almost as exposed. At least my full face helmet held back the icy wind. After gassing, I decided since it was nearly 5pm, an over night at the West Walker Motel was in order. I headed to visit the girls who owned the motel and see if maybe I could sort out what was up with my heated gear.

After a good night of sleep, a fine meal and good company, I set off in the direction I had sworn off. I was bound for Carson City, to see a friend and seek help with my ‘lectric, but not without going over Monitor Pass one more time! The road was again wide open and the colors amazing. This time I actually stopped to snap a couple of shots.

While stopped in Markleeville, a CHP was talking to a group of riders saying that not everyone should attempt riding over Ebbetts Pass. Knowing the technical aspect of that highway, I listened in. It seemed a group of riders had one member crash breaking his leg in two places and needing to be helicoptered out. Sigh…I hate it when that happens!!

Some of the machines in Markleeville.

Carson City

After arriving at Mike’s house, neither Mike nor I could figure out the outlet issue. It was time to seek a pro. I had posted on the most knowledgable forum around, the motorcyclistcafe.com and got an offer from an amazing friend in Sparks. I took the bike to him and he diagnosed the problem was Gerbing controller. The jacket and gloves were fine as were the powerlets once the 5amp fuse was replaced with a 15amp. Ahhhh, knowing this stuff is awesome! I was back in business, but now where to? I got a gerbing switch so I could use my gear if necessary and soon escaped Reno as the Street Vibrations escapades began.

A cool hack I spied at the BMW dealer in Sparks, where I bought the switch i now needed for my Gerbing.

A couple of shots from Scott’s place…sadly I didn’t get one of the whole family…shame on me!

The machine…

A cool poster of Scott on the side of “the machine”.

Scott busy trying to find info on the canbus.

Scotty’s offerings to the god of speed.

The wall of pride!

One shot i particularly liked.

The busa clan and one Scotty who didn’t expect this shot…sorry man!!

While I was in Reno attending to Hugo, Mike was having a big dead tree removed. I couldn’t help but get a last shot of it.

I snuck back to Carson City for another night with friends as the cold snap seemed to dissipate and left at a reasonable hour, heading south to ride some of my favorite pass roads.

Here’s a couple of other Monitor Pass shots…just because I rode it several times, 😉 as I’m getting to know Hugo better.

The fall colors were gorgeous.

Hwy 395, though a highway is pretty darned scenic. It runs through varied elevations each with their own micro-climate. The beautiful open valleys are lined with the majestic Sierra Nevada Range on one side and the rugged White Mountains on the other. As you descend south one follows the backside of Yosemite NP as well as Kings Canyon NP, so the views are breathtaking.

My chosen route was zigzagging through this area enjoying the empty alternate roadways and glorious ever-changing sky shows.

The morning began cloudy as I took my first side road off 395 to go over Sweetwater Pass, Hwy 338.

But when I stopped to take a photo of Mono Lake along the overlook, the clouds were dissipating replaced by azure blue sky.

Funny how random things occur. As I was shooting the shot above, I heard someone calling my name. And pulling up next to me along the highway was my friend Sarah’s (roxxierae another pashnit girly rider) father, Dan! The world had just gotten a bit smaller.

Someone must have borrowed my car!

This cloud formation could be so many things.

Dan shared with me one of his favorite offshoot roads from 395. Since I had never taken Benton Crossing, I decided it was a must, however it kept me longer on 395 than planned. It was worth the extra miles.

The White Mountains

A little monochromatic offering…

Dropping down off the mountain is a quick but twisty offering, but the fun is certainly felt!

Once at the bottom, Benton Springs comes into view. It’s a little iconic piece of history offering hot springs baths to those passing by.

Needs some work…

After a long and dull ride through the Fish Lake Valley in Nevada, I re-entered California and a bit of sweeping glory found on Hwy 168 heading to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine forest. The forest contains trees 1000 years older than any other tree in the world. They are know to be 4,750 years old. One just has to stop and see them.

Hwy 168

The road to the The Methuselah Grove

There are beautiful trails to hike to view the trees. I arrived late in the day, after 4pm and trying to make the most of the light, I only hiked about 2 miles, but saw some beautiful old trees.

The road back down to Hwy 168 was amazing. What a glorious road to ride!

The views went on forever.

Just can’t get enough photos of my beautiful bike!

I got to Big Pine and stayed in my favorite old motor lodge, the Bristlecone Manor Motel. I grabbed a croissant sandwich at the gas station and called it a night.

Stay tuned…Next: out of the White Mountains and back into the Sierra Nevada Range.


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