SPEEDMADNESS.COM - Jim Sheldon in San Fransisco

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Another California town I've spent a fair amount of time around. But before I get to San Francisco, lets talk about north of the city and the roads that make getting to Frisco so much fun.

Basically if you own a sportbike, or any motorcycle for that matter there are some insane roads in Northern California.

(1). Hwy 199 Starts off around Grants Pass Oregon as you enter California. It's a high speed roller coaster that ends on the coast at Cresent City, home of the Samoa House resturant where you'll wanna grab some king sized flapjacks. Better yet bypass this and head further down the road to choice tow (below).

(2). Hwy 96. In the middle of nowhere. Starts off of I-5 just north of Yreka. A high speed roller coaster of a ride. Ends at Hwy 299 andother (lesser elevation changes) ride which ends on the coast at Arcata. However my all time favorite has to be a little further south on I-5 and that would be choice three (below)

(3). Off I-5 at Red Bluff right onto Hwy 36 a killer rock and roller road that offers a little bit of everything, speed, crazy elevation change culminating on the coast at Rio Dell. I've ridden this road so many times I can't remember the number. Absolute, first class fun!

Further East off of I-5, Hwy 36 to Hwy 70/89 from Shata to Tahoe is reasonably good. The ride over to Reno is very scenic and worth it just for the views of the Sierra Navada mountain range. And Lake Tahoe is just beautiful!

If you end up on Hwy One after 199, 96 or 36, the ride down 101 takes you through the Redwood forest. These are some serious trees and worth a look. If your still going you'll follow 101 to Hwy 208/Hwy 1and the you want to head south to Hwy 20 just past Ft Bragg which offers some cool tighter winding climbs that are a lot of fun, It will dump you back on 101 at Willits. Hwy 20 is a must do, at least once to decide if you like it. 600's and 750's will love it.

If your still going follow Hwy 101 south to Hwy Hwy 253 another nice section which will ends at Hwy 128 and you have to make a choice to either head back north or south.

And remember that most of these out of the way roads are somewhat "Open Range" so you may run across a cow, or two or three wandering down the same piece of pavement that you want.

We normally took Hwy 1 over Mt Tamalpais into San Francisco. This is a nice ride along the coast but traffic can be an issue at times. It is however a nice scenic ride.

San Francisco is not a place I'd live. It is far to congested and the weather is to crazy. However it is a kick ass town and you should check it out. Check out Alktraz Island, And you have to swing by Haight Ashbury, I mean if you are a 60's child this is where the hippe generation and a whole lot of Rock and Roll music was launched. Downtown has a lot of cool stores. Some ofthe houses along the way are worht checking out. Also check out Susolito, Half Moon Bay, there are so many areas to peruse in the Bay area.

If you've come in town off of Hwy 1 you will cross the awesome Golden Gate Bridge from which, on a clear day youll see Alcatraz Island off in the distance. And you don't want to miss Alice's Restaurant if your a biker. So roll out of town and hit Skyline and Hwy 9 which rises rapidly once you leave San Francisco, it then overlooks the valley below at one point and takes you on a winding curve strewn ride where you will run smack Alice's which is in Woodside. Once there you can check out some of the Steve McQueen memorabilia they have and enjoy an awesome breakfast. There is always a chance of running into celeb riders, magazine's doing car and bike tests. When you leave jump on one of the roads the magazines use to test bikes Hwy 84/La Honda Road for a kick ass twisty ride, but you have to keep an eye open for the bicyclists who also love this road.

Further on down the road you'll find Monterey Peninsula and Laguna Seca, Infineon Raceway, Sonoma Valley, Hearst Castle and Big Sur.

I've also attended many races at Laguna Seca. If you would like to view them, Click Here

To the East heading toward the Sierra Mountains in Central California, you have Yosemite National Park, and Hwy 120 from Mt Gibbs to Benton. Modesto is the home to King Kenny Roberts 3 time World GP Champion. You will also find "The little Dragon" Hwy 49 a winding twisy road that will keep you busy.

Also on the east side of the state is Hwy 108 which offers huge elevation changes on a winding run to Sonora Pass at 9,000 plus feet. Awesome rock formations abound.

So I've named a few of the many roads I have ridden throughout California. There are so many that I could build a page a mile long. Instead here is a link to a site where they cater to California twisties. It is a pay for site, but it has all the information you could ever want if you are going to ride California and your not sure where to go. Click Here to go to the site.

Weather you head north or south on Highway 1 you can not go wrong! This is an awesome experience in a car or better yet on a motorcycle. Be forewarned that once you start north you may not stop until you hit Oregon or maybe even Washington State. And should you head south you may not stop until you hit Los Angeles, possibly San Diego.

There is no question that California has some incredible sites, places to go and killer roads. If you are an avid sportbike rider and you have not ridden California, you are missing one of the reasons that sportbikes and sportscars were created!

And yes, this is one state that I could live in. Awesome weather, awesome roads, and years of new adventures.

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