Riding in Caifornia

[Vindaloo]

Hey guys,

Am off on an ... ahem ... business trip to San Francisco next week ... I've made it a two week trip for the one week of 'work' to make the most of it and was thinking about hiring a bike for the second week.

Just wondered if anyone here's got any experience of riding in the states, got any good ideas of places to go in California or indeed know reputable people to hire a bike from?

cheers,

Adrian

[STRAMASHER]

Was over last June, no bikes although I was as happy as a pig in **** with a Mustang!

SanFrancisco and its surrounds has a massive biker presence. Bikes on evry residential street (mostly SV's from what I saw) Some amazing roads south of the city. One of the most famous spots is Alice's Resteraunt at the crossroads of Skyline Blvd.35 and La Honda 84. Big biker haunt at the weekends and cracking scratching roads abound in them thar mountains.

If you can wangle the time head for the Big Sur coast. Monterey - Morro Bay. Quite a way south but I would imagine do-able over a weekend. (We drove leisurely from SantaCruz - Santa Monica easily in daylight, as a measure). Mind blowing road, twists and turns, up and down. Have rode similar in Europe but this is a beast and goes on for ever. Jaw dropping views too.

Yosemite National Park is another must if you have time. Not that great to get to from the west (stereotypical flat straight american roads) but some top roads heading north out of the park towards Sonora and all the old gold mine towns.

In the city check out http://www.acecafesf.com/ . Ex-Brummie owner. Loads of race memrobilia on the walls, good beer and food. Show the racing if its on. Some cracking characters. Don't chip the ball off the pool table unless you want a heartattack.;):)

Like anywhere else, where the hills and mountains are, are the best roads. And they have plenty. Enjoy.:)

[Alpinestarhero]

Wow, I would love to go to america and spend a week riding there

jelous.

[thulfi]

Yeh I'm off to LA in August for about 4 weeks for elective this August, and am also looking to hire a bike out, albeit for a day or two if that. Riding in the states would be more fun than my average central London rides.

If anyone does know good places to hire from in Cali, as the OP mentioned, you'd be helping out more than one of us!

[sunshine]

i think more importantly is where can i hire a bike from without being 21? and with out a credit card would be even better.

[Drew Carey]

http://www.ridetheworld.com/californiamotorcyclerentalandtours.html

[Vindaloo]

Cheers guys. A couple of good tips there.

I'm really winging it at the moment as I've got nothing set in stone. It looks like at this time of year, you can't make any guarantees about the weather, so I'm pretty much hoping I can hire a bike out there ... which could be awkward, but if all else fails, there's no shortage of places to hire c*rs from.

If this (http://www.uwsp.edu/geo/projects/geoweb/participants/dutch/VTrips/Ca1South.HTM) is the road you're thinking of, it does indeed look pretty. I've probably got to leave at least a day or two spare contingency, so the range is probably a couple of days out of San Francisco. I'm thinking the coast road south sounds very cool indeed.

Went out on the SV earlier today as the sun came out ... I really really fancy it. Either way ... bring on the summer!

thanks again,

Adrian

[monkey]

Eaglerider.com I done a lovely trip a couple of years ago. They have loads of routes to choose from and you can have them book and pay for the hotels in advance although I don't think I'd do it that way again.

Have fun!

[Vindaloo]

That looks a real winner. Only a few blocks from the hotel/flea pit I'm staying in and where I'll be based, a reasonable range and even not *that* expensive.

I think I recognise the name from the last time I was over there. I rang them, but they didn't have any left.

Cheers!

Adrian

[thulfi]

Just wondering, would you have to luggage your gear out all the way to the states?

[TEC]

As you said, weathers debate-able this time of year in N.Ca but average should be ok. If you know for sure you are riding its worth taking own lid & gloves at very least, know I am taking all own kit out in May :)

Hiring from Eagle Rider (http://www.eaglerider.com) which for me will be an ST1300, some places have limited bikes but most are Harleys unless booked in advance, not seen anywhere hiring SV's but worth looking about you might be lucky.

Due to time of year don't be sucked into riding up into the mountains unless you have the right kit to wear, it gets pretty cold at 4k feet :smt107

[gfewster]

Hired a Harley from Eagle Rider for a couple of days when I was out there back in late September. Great fun. I'd recommend them - they dealt with a late notice booking very well.

The Harley (it was a heritage softtail) was fun - I appreciated it for what it is and it was very comfortable for travelling a long distance. Wouldn't want to ride one regularly though - so little power considering the (enormous) size of the engine and brakes are lethal - you hit the levers and nothing happens.

Attitude to safety is a bit cavalier though. I asked to rent some kit (the website said they did) and all they were able to offer was unarmoured leather jackets and open-face helmets. Not even any gloves. I suppose that goes with the Harley territory though.

I imagine it would be pretty tricky to hire without a credit card or if under 21.

[TEC]

I imagine it would be pretty tricky to hire without a credit card ....
Would be more than tricky unless you have loads of cash to leave with them

.... or if under 21.
That would be the impossible bit, must be 21 or over

[monkey]

Just another quick note. I didn't like the lids they had so bought my own whilst I was there. It cost about £50 as fas as I remember.

[Vindaloo]

Cheers guys.

Another friend recommended Dubbelju (http://www.dubbelju.com/) - it's two or three blocks closer to the union square region (and probably means you don't have to walk past all the hookers and drug dealers I did) but the range doesn't look quite as good. They do hire SVs. I thinkit's a good opportunity to ride something I'd otherwise never ride.

Booked myself a HD Roadster from EagleRider in the end. Guys in there could hardly be more friendly. There's an equipment shop around the corner, too. Just need to sort out the ride now. Got five days and I think a ride around down the Pacific coast looks pretty spectacular.

cheers guys, may even post pictures,

Adrian

[metalmonkey]

I would suggest highway 101 which is the costal road, I went at the the end March for spring break was stuuning we drove there which was great from San Fran to San Diego. My aim one day it to ride all the lenght of the Western Sea Board. Oh if you can get to Santa Baraba its totally awesome.

Aviod LA at all cost its a s*** whole and thats just the people.