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Springtime on the Pacific Coast Highway

April 23, 2004 - Bridgeport, California to Portland, Oregon
12 hours, 15 minutes - 694 miles

TODAY'S MAP: (from the H.O.G. members trip planner & MapQuest)

There's not much to be said about this day after the first four hours or so. My camera had now toally given up, so it was packed deep in my luggage. I guess I could have tooled around in the Sierras for a while and I suppose I could have done more sightseeing. But, after being on the road for two weeks as of today, frankly, I just wanted to go home. I honestly didn't expect to do the whole trip in one day, but I kept that as an option. Essentially, I decided about mid-day that I would press on for home if I made the Oregon border before 3:00 PM. After all, worst case, I could always have pulled off at a hotel in Southern Oregon, if the day got too late, and finished up on Sunday morning.

In Bridgeport that Saturday morning, at an elevation of about 6800 feet, it was the first day of fishing season.

...and it was 34 degrees and sunny.

I knew something was up when the sand in the parking area behind the Inn was frozen. There was frost all over my bike and the bike had a bit of a hard time deciding whether cranking the engine fast enough to light was a good idea. The engine started with no problem, but on my speedometer, the left turn signal indicator and the "security" indicator were both on. I decided that the bike would be happier sitting in the sun out in front of the hotel while I ate some breakfast inside.

By the time I finished my Omelet, the temperature had warmed to a balmy 36 and I was getting out the winter gear, fleece, heavy gloves, etc. After a quick gas stop, I was off into the Sierras again.

I pulled off in Carson City at about 10:00 AM to have a coffee and strip out of the warm clothes - the temp had gone up to almost 70 now and i was suddenly overdressed.

Once past Reno, I headed off toward Susanville and then out into the Lassen National Forest and the Shasta National Forest and eventually, Mount Shasta.

Riding through any national forest is pretty nice most of the time. Today, the air was crisp and clean, there was a heavy scent of balsam and pine in the air and Mount Shasta kept poking her head out in between the trees every so often. I made very good time through the forest as there wasn't a ton of traffic and I was passing what little there was. I made a short stop a the shore of Lake Britton and took in the total silence broken only by the lapping water and the light breeze.

I arrived at Mount Shasta and I-5 at about 2:00 PM with only 60-odd miles to go from there to the Oregon border. I had stoppped just a few miles back in McCloud for gas and lunch and had done some final calculations - based on current speed and travelling style, I should be able to make my driveway by 8:30 PM.

I made pit stops in Ashland and Albany for gasoline and rolled in to my driveway at 8:45 PM - just a little off my initial estimate. My backside bore the imprint of my saddle by now, but I was home and would sleep in my own bed tonight.

Unpacking would have to wait until Sunday. I went out and got some food in the house, had a late dinner and was sound asleep by 10:00 PM.

GO back to Bikestuff home

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