A last minute decision to embark on a big trip; Grindstone was watching his Ontario season close out quickly and found the always willing Atlas to join him in a trip up the remaining California coast, through Oregon, around Mount Olympus, down through Idaho and then back on to winter in Arizona.
The trip began with a mid-day rendezvous at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Grindstone made his way up from San Jose and Atlas got up a little earlier in Mesa AZ and left at 1am to make the noon meeting. 800 miles later Atlas arrived refreshed (a little late) and ready to join Grindstone for another 200 miles before settling in for a cold beer and a burger.
The journey begins in San Fran for Grindstone after eitht months of hibernation for the C14
Google Campus
Google
Rode Lombard Street
Waiting for Atlas, he’s late
800 miles later Atlas arrives for our noon kick-off
And we head up the California Coast
Starting into the Redwoods
Our new favourite home away from home. The Eagle House Inn lets you park your bikes in the Ballroom
Samoa Cookhouse; family style eating at its best
Town of Samoa CA (top of the state). Ate breakfast in the cookhouse; meals have been served here continuously for more than 105 years
Samoa Cookhouse
Samoa Cookhouse
Atlas don’t Shrug
Most of the Oregon coast is hidden behind dense forests. Very disappointing after the spectacular roadside views of CA
Beach-side living in Oregon
Heading up through Oregon. Getting some maritime history lessons
Crossing the Columbia River into Washington
Aberdeen WA, home of Kurt Cobain, who knew?
Top of America, hello Vancouver Island
Ferry crossing over to Seattle, WA
Atlas would like to try this place
Entering Idaho
Snake River
Tried to do a 5,000km trip on a 4,000km tire
New rubber in Boise, ID
Tires come well endorsed
Typical Idaho sign
On our way to Zion National Park
Zion National Park
View at breakfast outside the Zion gates
Waiting for the tunnel at Zion
Back down in Arizona
Colorado river heading into the Grand Canyon just West of Page, AZ
One of the few times we’ve had a chase vehicle on our run from Phoenix down through San Diego and on up to San Francisco made for a lighter load, but was a hamper on our California lane splitting
Grindstone and Apostle revisit their trip from 2011 going from Denver through the Rocky Mountain National Park over to the Million Dollar Highway (Montrose, CO to Durango, CO over to Utah where we picked up Atlas and then down to Phoenix
This was Mack’s first big ride at 17 year’s of age covered 5.,100kms from Ontario to Sturgis, SD on up to Yellowstone, WY and then on down through Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado ending in Denver. A great 8 day trip for the young man and his Dad Grindstone.
In the summer of 2012, The Chairman, Moto, Wazowski and U-Haul set out to tame America’s Switzerland at Ouray, CO on the Million Dollar Highway. The infamous Imogene and Black Bear Passes were tamed!
The Chairman and Grindstone sneak in a little bike trip before golfing at Pinehurst, NC covering the Blueridge Parkway and The Tail of The Dragon and a little jaunt out the coast.
In the middle of our Round America Tour of 2010-2011 we held up in Phoenix Arizona and 10 additional members of the 44s joined us for a loop around one of the most diverse States in the union. Great adventures were underway.
