Sport Touring California-A moto ride blog

2021 is off to a great start for riding. This is my 4th day ride of the year already. I am very fortunate to have this great weather. This ride was yesterday, Feb 20, 2021. Thanks to @staudio for the pics of Knoxville-Berryessa Rd that sparked me to return there. This road has not gotten any better since I was there in maybe 2014 the last time. Very beautiful area tho. I actually stopped at the same spot he did, simply by chance. Pic of that spot below.
I lost both my parents in 2018, the day prior (Feb 19) would have been their 72nd wedding anniversary. I wanted to visit the gravesite in Santa Rosa. I left at 7:30am and took some backroads out to Santa Rosa, some I had never been on before.
After SR, I went over to Calistoga, to Middletown, to Lower Lake, to Morgan Valley Rd, Knoxville, 121, Wooden Valley Rd.
Pic of the Rever route (a figure eight):





This pic is at the intersection of the above pic. Not sure what winery? Nothing but wineries in this area of course.


Morgan Valley Rd.


Same spot from @staudio report.


Not a soul out here.......

I did finally figure out the leveling issue on the Sena cam. Looks a bit better now, but a slight tweek will still be needed. These pics are on CA hwy 12. This first one is the Rio Vista bridge. This CA delta region has quite a few bridges and many windmills.


This is a few miles before getting to Fairfield.


Entering Sonoma county wine area.


Lots of green already. Vineyards will be a theme today.

I turned right (N) on 116 for a short bit then straight on to Arnold DR. The next few roads I have never been on before. Arnold Dr is a bypass around the busy town of Sonoma. Goes to the town of Glen Ellen:
https://www.sonomacounty.com/cities/glen-ellen
Less then 1000 people. Jack London State Park is here. Stunningly beautiful area.
This is Arnold Dr. Sonoma.



This is a 'ritzy' area. You need lots of $$ to buy property here.



This is Glen Ellen. Yep, folks wearing masks just walking outside.



This place had a bunch old cool old gas pumps.


I tuned here onto Warm Springs which will turn into Bennet Valley Rd.


Just beautiful roads like this for miles. I'm wondering why I have not been on these roads before.....

This post is all from Bennett Valley Rd on the outskirts of Santa Rosa. I got some nice pics here, the morning lighting, the greenery, just lined up. I loved this road.












I had this all to myself, just a few cyclists for the most part. Glorious.





The shadow.






I stopped just up the road here at the cemetery.
Then up and over to Calistoga.

I forgot how beautiful that area is, I really need to do some riding down there.

I went through a bit of Santa Rosa to get to Calistoga Rd. I think this was my first time on this one. It had rained the night before, roads were slightly wet.






It turns into Petrified Forest Rd just before the town of Calistoga.





Down this road (Tubbs Ln) to CA 29 which will be a very 'bendy bit' up those mtns ahead. Poppies already.

CA hwy 29 out of the Napa Valley up to Middletown is a twist-fest. Outstanding, curves and pavement. It certainly does have traffic. I stopped and waited for the traffic to clear a bit, then headed up. It has some passing lanes tho. I got thru with very minimal hold up until just before Middletown. These pics are of 29.

I went through Middletown, then it's about 20 miles on 29 to Lower Lake. This is the Clear Lake area. Just mostly straight for the 20 miles. Then I turned right (S) onto Morgan Valley Rd. This next set of pics is all Morgan Valley Rd.
This is the town of Lower Lake.






This road is super fun. The pavement is a bit rough is a few spots, but still can keep up a quick pace. I was fortunate all day with the lighting, clouds, etc for decent pics.


Literally no one out here.











I had a blast out here.





It get 'goaty' after this........

Morgan Valley Rd turns into Knoxville-Berryessa Rd. This is where the pavement turns to crap. Very scenic. I have been thru here years ago, I remember is was very HOT and DRY. I got here on a good day. Not exactly 'suspension friendly' for the FJR, but I do enjoy these rough, remote California backroads. This one reminds me of the pavement on Mattole Rd in Humboldt county at The Lost Coast.












Very remote.





Many of these causeways on this road. It's been a while since water was running across this one.

Same traffic issues I have....

The Sena grabbed so many good pics on this road. Here is the rest of what I have for the day. The Sena somehow did not say the memory card was full. I recorded video here too, but can't seem to open the file. More Sena gremlins.
Knoxville-Berryessa Rd:









No water today.


Basically a dirt road here....














Too bad the Sena cam checked out. It was superb after this too. This rough stuff ends after this, then it runs along the Berryessa shoreline to Spanish Flat. I had chili at Turtle Cove there right by the 128/121 intersection. I too 121 toward Napa. Another great road. Then left (S) on Wooden Valley Rd. I never had been on this one before either. A fun surprise as it was full of fast sweepers with great scenery. This brings me to the interstate 80 junction, where I droned it on the slab freeways home. A fun 'figure eight' loop (as it looks on the map).
More great weather on the horizon.
Until next time......