Help with SS1000 Route from SoCal

[Rogue]

I’m planning on doing a SS1000 on a Saturday, mid-May coming out of SoCal—Orange County—to be exact.  It will start and end in Orange County.

Short of just picking and choosing places on the map to come up to the 1000 mile mark, I really have no clue what a good route should be.  I know I need to stick to a lot of Interstate to make time.  However, I would like to throw in a scenic route here and there to add some interest and some things to look forward to as destinations even if they are just in passing.  I originally had Hwy 50 in Nevada in mind but that turned out to be so far away from my start/stop location.  So now I’m thinking more like Kingman, AZ to Prescott, AZ and back, but only because I’ve been through there before.  I really want to avoid big cities along the way (like Vegas or Phoenix).  

Any suggestions for people who have done this from SoCal?  Would appreciate any help.

[karlfitt]

Do you absolutly have to start and stop at home?

I did one a year ago, but went the 1000 miles out then a couple of days back, can get in more scenery that way.
Very easy to do 1000 miles when all you do is interstate. I started at night, to get throuh Denver and Colorado Springs traffic. Six hours of sleep overnight, then the rest of the 1000. I even took a one hour lunch.

can be done quite easily. But if you want scenery it's harder.
If I was going to do a scenic iron butt, and wanted to start and stop at home, i would do Bunn Burn 1500. 36 hours to do it so two 750 mile days with plenty of time to rest between. Much easier to get some scenery in that format I think.

[cyclopathic]

Not from SoCal but a few suggestions:
US395 (watch for LEO in Bishop)
US66 (actually AZ66) from Seligman to Kingman
US93 to Vegas
190 through Death Valey

haven't looked at mileage but I-40 to Seligman, US66 to Kingsman, US93 to Vegas, 160 and 190 thru Death Valley and then US395 to LA would be roughly 1000mi.

Though to tell the truth the scenic part of US395 is north from Death Valley toward Tahoe, but going that way and coming back via I-80 and I-5 would be too much.

All roads listed are very scenic but not difficult, you can make good time.

Come to think you may be better riding loop in opposite directionUS395 in first then Death Valley, 190/160 to Vegas, US93, I-40 to Seligman, US66 to Kingman and I-40 back.

Section of US66 from Seligman is absolutely stunning, and you have to see it going west

[Giaka]

 So now I’m thinking more like Kingman, AZ to Prescott, AZ and back, but only because I’ve been through there before.  I really want to avoid big cities along the way (like Vegas or Phoenix).  

Thats the route I had picked when I was kicking this idea around.

[cyclopathic]

Also if you wanna be adventurous CA89 over Monitor Pass or CA120 over Tioga via Yosemite park, but they open later in the year, and would not be a good choice for SS1000, unless you wanna tough SS1000.

CA89 opens in late summer you can't go through Lassen until late July, but put it on to-do list.  Route will take you by Lake Mano, Tahoe, Lassen and Mt Shasta.

Also my absolute favorite CA2 via Angelis Forest, and of cause PCH.

[BrookR1]

When I did mine, I did the 5 to 80 to 395 loop. Didn't have any problems although the 5 was a snooze fest. The rest of the route was nice enough to make the mile go by pretty quickly. From the OC, I would look into the 99 to 108 to 395 and back. The 108 looks absolutely gorgeous.

What's your fuel range?

[miles]

Rogue, I'd hit the 15/395/80/5 route.  If you're resigned to freeways, at least a lot of this route will be scenic (once you get past Lone Pine, anyway).

If you have the time, continue past I-5 and take 101 south instead if you can.

Don't do the loop the other way- get the boring slab done at night.  In fact, I'd plan it so you leave OC EARLY and get through the crappy stuff before Ridgecrest as early as possible- maybe even before dawn if you're up to it.

[Rogue]

Thanks guys.  

Miles I like your suggestion and will look it up.  Brook, I'm taking the VFR so my range should be 160-180 miles on freeways.  I haven't confirmed that since I installed my PC III on the bike, which undoubtedly richened up the fuel mixture.  In any case, my plan is to stop every 150 miles with a big rest stop in the middle to catch some ZZzzzz.  

Plan to leave Saturday at dawn (5AM) and be back home around 10PM.  

[cyclopathic]

you might wanna cut refueling to ~120mi on 395 there are some sections with stations ~40mi apart, and don't go much over speed limit, I got ticketed for 10 over (240$ to Inuyo county).

Also if you have time to spare go up Tioga pass, as far as it will be open. It is an awesome road with breathtaking views, going 2UP my bike maxed out at ~65mph, and I think that's where we dragged side cases..  

[BrookR1]

I stopped every 130-150 miles or so and it took me 16 hours without any major rest stops. Total mileage was 1,060. The longest break I took was in Reno for about 15 minutes. The rest were under 6 minutes. I left around 5am and got home at about 9pm. I did the 5 first to get it out of the way while I was still waking up. If you're fatigued, the monotony of the 5 on the way home may cause you to lose focus. A throttle lock will increase your fuel mileage considerably because you're keeping it steady. I also brought a camelback, pain reliever (a life saver!), a few power bars, and 3 MSR bottles (didn't need them).

I highly recommend a 400 mile test ride to uncover any irritants or annoyances. My helmet seemed OK until I did my BunBurner Gold. At the end of that trip, I ended up with a dislocated jaw because the padding was a little too snug.

[Blunder]

Here's the idiot's idea.  

Reset the tripmeter in your driveway. Ride. When it hits 500 miles turn around and ride home.

[Bigwhited]

Here are two routes I have run for a SS1000

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=i+15+and+i+10&daddr=san+diego,+ca+to:phoenix,+az+to:Flagstaff,+AZ+to:i+15+and+i+10&geocode=FSa7BwIdxGb--CldFog_nErDgDHNpcG3Mz_bHA%3BFUEy8wEdeVIE-SlLHpKtD1PZgDF53xX9_SE6DQ%3BFblh_gEdy-JR-SnLeaFQ7RIrhzGsG0o1-MdpjA%3BFUghGQIdL4VY-SkxJi7a944thzEAs9vOoTwfjg%3BFSa7BwIdxGb--CldFog_nErDgDHNpcG3Mz_bHA&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=33.916013,-114.576416&sspn=4.147551,9.569092&ie=UTF8&ll=33.979809,-114.576416&spn=4.144445,9.569092&z=7

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=i+15+and+i+10&daddr=reno,+nv+to:sacramento,+ca+to:i+15+and+i+10&geocode=FSa7BwIdxGb--CldFog_nErDgDHNpcG3Mz_bHA%3BFaEsWwIdVcnb-CmdoJKSrkCZgDGH9zh0zsXFQA%3BFUS1TAIdgCTC-Cn5l4OycsaagDHbfxl0qmofkg%3BFSa7BwIdxGb--CldFog_nErDgDHNpcG3Mz_bHA&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=38.289937,-119.772949&sspn=1.96164,4.784546&ie=UTF8&z=6

[miles]

That second route is what I am recommending.

[karlfitt]

108 is a great road.
Might want to check snow pack in early may though

[cyclopathic]

108 is a great road.
Might want to check snow pack in early may though

it will be closed at the beginning of May, they usually open around Memorial day

88, 89, 108, 4, 41, 120 are all good

[1moreroad]

Back in 2004 we did Sequoia, King's Canyon, Yosemite, and Death Valley.  You'd hit 1000 somewhere on the way back from J-Tree, but the back way to J-Tree was flooded when we got there.  We just rode home (well, actually the end of the 55 in Costa Mesa for a gas stop).  1023 miles and all the i-state was in the very beginning or the very end.

[Lawn Dart]

Back in 2004 we did Sequoia, King's Canyon, Yosemite, and Death Valley.  You'd hit 1000 somewhere on the way back from J-Tree, but the back way to J-Tree was flooded when we got there.  We just rode home (well, actually the end of the 55 in Costa Mesa for a gas stop).  1023 miles and all the i-state was in the very beginning or the very end.

That was one helluva ride.  Greg, you introduced me to a whole new world.  





About 750 miles in...somewhere heading out of Death Valley we were chasing a storm to our left...always just away.  We were greeted by a sunset that pictures will never do justice...a nuclear inferno behind a lightning filled storm cloud.  

The second picture captures the color best.  Just unreal.

Jordan, I'd be honored to witness your forms.