Weekend trip to Reno

Discussion in 'USA - West' started by Lgn001, Feb 12, 2008.

  1. Lgn001

    Lgn001 Member

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    OK, I cannot stand it anymore. I have got to take my VFR on a decent longer ride to see if it is going to do what I bought it to do. So here’s my plan:

    This Friday, Feb 15th, I’m riding from Sonoma County (Northern CA) to Reno, NV. I’ll take Highway 80, mostly because it should passable and it has a long boring stretch that will tax my comfort. The destination is The Silver Legacy Resort and Casino. They have covered motorcycle parking, right outside the lobby. I’ll return on Sunday 17th, come back the same way.

    If one person wants to ride along (as in bring their bike), I already have a room reservation and one extra bed. The room is no charge, already paid for. I’ll even spring for one decent dinner, since the hotel owes me a food voucher.

    Whatever route you might want to take up and back is up to you. I’m happy to meet somewhere on the road, or at the hotel. I am guessing that there might be a bit of snow melting and consequent water run-off, but not too bad. Might be a bit gritty from whatever it is that they use on the roads in the winter, too, but manageable. It will most likely be about 28-34 degrees in Truckee:eek: , which should be the coldest part of the ride.

    I’ll leave my place about, well, early, and should be in Sacramento about 9:00AM or so, plan on arriving in Reno about 11:30AM. Part of the early departure is to beat the crowds.

    So if you are interested in going, let me know!

    If anybody has driven 80 through the Sierras this past few days, I'd appreciate some input on the roads!
     
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2008
  2. speed

    speed New Member

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    hey that sounds awesome, well execpt for one thing, im in southern calif. and its a long ride up there first ?
     
  3. Lgn001

    Lgn001 Member

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    Hi, speed. Yeah, it's a long one to Sacramento up Highway 5. It looks like you're in Ontario, and my crude measurements show it to be about 400 - 450 miles to Sacramento. It's about another 120 from Sac to Reno. I really like the last 90 miles of the trip going up, because most of it is mountains and corners. In the winter, well, one has to be a bit careful, and it is definitely on the cool side. Regardless, that would be one heck of a long haul for you!
     
  4. GenLightening

    GenLightening New Member

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    The last few days have been clear and somewhat warm. It's supposed to rain/snow today and tonight and then sunny for the next few days. But then the forecast seems to change every day!
     
  5. Lgn001

    Lgn001 Member

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    Yeah, mountain country in the winter... Thanks, BTW. I found a CalTrans website that has live cameras on 80 in several Sierra locations, and it looks quite passable. If nobody signs on for the trip, GenLightening, you're not too far away. Being a Nevada resident, casinos may be completely boring to you, but just a thought.
     
  6. Kevin_70

    Kevin_70 New Member

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    I did a Reno ride up 80 just recently. Prepare for a wide range of temps, going through Truckee it was below 20 degrees, on the way back on HWY 50 it was back around 60 degrees the closer we got to Placerville. A bit too cold for my liking during several stretches, but the roads were pretty clear and the scenery was nice.
     
  7. GenLightening

    GenLightening New Member

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    I've got a couple of co-workers coming over 80 today and going back tomorrow, so I'll get real road conditions for you. It's blowing in pretty good right now and the mountians to the west are disappearing. Thanks for the offer, but I'm still out with pneumonia for a couple more weeks. I keep tinkering with the bikes to give me something to do, but I can't ride yet. Good thing the snow only just melted this week.

    Oh, and the casinos? Yeah, not really into them, and since they're everywhere (supermarkets!:confused: ) it gets old.
     
  8. Lgn001

    Lgn001 Member

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    Bummer about the pneumonia, GenL; do be careful. It has a way of coming back twice as bad... Can't help myself, I'm a bit of a mother hen when it comes to health issues. Sorry! Thanks in advance for the "real" report.

    Kevin_70, thanks!
     
  9. Kevin_70

    Kevin_70 New Member

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    If you do the ride again in the spring I'd be happy to join you. It'll need to be a little warmer before I do that one again.
     
  10. Lgn001

    Lgn001 Member

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    What time did you go through Truckee last week, Kevin_70? I know before 10:30 - 11:00 it can be... brisk!

    I make the ride many times a year, schedule permitting. And now that my contributions have earned me free rooms, it is even more desirable. What can I say? Cigars, scotch and slot machines just go together!
     
  11. Kevin_70

    Kevin_70 New Member

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    We were only on a day trip, so we were going through there around 10:00. Yeah, quite brisk to say the least. I used to be into snowmobiling and use a lot of that gear to keep warm, does a good job. The afternoon warmed up nicely though, Tahoe was in the mid 40s on the way back. Dressing in layers was the key.
     
  12. derstuka

    derstuka Lord of the Wankers Staff Member

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    We better not find the ole viffer parked outside "the mustang ranch" or any bunny ranch of the sort.... :nono:
     
  13. Lgn001

    Lgn001 Member

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    Actually, I was going to try and bring it inside to...

    Uuuh, never mind...:biggrin:
     
  14. Lgn001

    Lgn001 Member

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    OK, gang. Last chance! I found a CalTrans website with live camera feeds, and the roads look really good.

    http://video.dot.ca.gov/

    So, the only probable issues will be a bit of dust and some cold spots. I need to know by about 1:00 PM today (Thursday).
     
  15. Taz

    Taz New Member

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    Dude just run up 395, it's a pc of cake & would be more fun (beautiful scenery)of a ride than he's doing :clap2:

    do it leaving so it's daylight all the way up & no problem with the exception of best not to exceed 10 over 100 miles B-4, to Mammoth/June Lake to 100 miles past Mammoth/June Lake because the CHP is a little pickier in that stretch:frown:

    Last Time I did that very ride (405 to 5 to 14 to 395 up) I did it in 7.5 hrs.
    That was of course doing on average 20 over the speed limit from EL Segundo/LAX to Mojave, but Mojave to Reno I took it down to no more than 10 over the rest of the way & gave me a aveage speed of 70 on my GPS (you have to slow down to a crawl in about 10 small cities on the way up, but a good time for fuel).
    total milage was 535 miles.
     
  16. Lgn001

    Lgn001 Member

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    I agree with you on that one, Taz! I've never ridden 395 on the southern end, but it looks good on the map. I actually enjoy 80 through the Sierras, other than the occasionally rabid and plentiful CHP. Boring as heck before that, though.
     
  17. drewl

    drewl Insider

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    Bright and sunshinie here in Susanville, but I'm an hour north of RENO.
     
  18. Lgn001

    Lgn001 Member

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    Thanks, drewl! I'm heading up in the A.M. If you have any interest in riding down (although the drive down from Susanville is kinda dull...), let me know. Like I said, the room's already paid for.
     
  19. GenLightening

    GenLightening New Member

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    We didn't get any bad weather, looks like it went away. And the temps are supposed to be high 50s over the weekend. You should be good to go!

    And you're right about the Susanville drive, I have to do it for work from time to time and really wish I had autopilot!
     
  20. Lgn001

    Lgn001 Member

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    Thanks, GenLightening. You guys are great!
     
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