Goodbye empty Hwy. 58, Sweet twisties + Carizzo Plain High-Speed Testing...

[GTS_Rider]

Just caught wind of this from local prolific rider that passed though 58 on Monday. First clue things have gone bad out there, he had an encounter with a CHP, it was all good, but almost unheard of out there on the plain. At least I've never seen any chippies out there..

So, bottom line, there's two huge solar power plants starting construction along the 58 out there. Also, from the reliable on the scene report, all the truck traffic will be coming in from the Hwy 5/ Hwy 33 side over that short but sweet twisty section.  

One of the sites is right near where the twisties dump onto the Carizzo plain, that a itty-bitty 250 MW plan that I've heard started in September. Last time through there was mid September and no problems then. Then the larger 550 MW plan just started, that one's off the 58 near Bitterwater. It's a 2-3 year construction zone now. I read 9 million solar moduals (not sure if that's panels or they count each little collector array within each panel), but yeah it's huge either way. Read some other claims of the 800MW combined, the largest in the world...  

http://www.californiavalleysolarranch.com/

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2011/11/25/1849361/construction-begins-on-topaz-solar.html

 

[owrstrich]

thanks for the heads up...  

the view on a clear day from the top of the hill is one of the central valleys most scenic aproach... and that twisty part is 100% yeeehaaa...  

j o

[Pelagic]

That's unfortunate. Several years ago the locals refused a federal initiative to upgrade the Carrizo Plains National Monument to National Park status (next rung up in rank) because they were concerned about the park expanding. I imagine (hope) they're regretting that decision now.

That's a shame.  

[Sandaholic]

I was on the 58 last Wednesday, construction on the solar farm was in full force. It was also the first time I saw a CHP out there.  He was heading westbound, we crossed path right along one the epic straightaways.

[Rogue]

 

[Cafe Racer]

I just rode 58 from Mojave to the coastline!  (May 2011)  

What an amazing ride!  It definitely s one of the best motorcycle highways in California.  I am glad I filled up at Hwy 5.  No gas until the coastline!

Miguel

[owrstrich]

ca 58 saturday 4-14-12...

didnt encounter another west bound vehicle till we gotts to ca 229... big riggs are quickly tearing up the road... would not wanna be there monday - friday 8am - 5pm... that moe is gonna need a proper repave when this mess is over...























thats all...

j o

[jsp]

On Saturday, April 21, 2012, we ran 58 heading west to Santa Margarita, with little to no traffic. On Monday, the 23rd, we returned, again little to no traffic. The trucks have taken their toll on the pavement but you can still get her done.
john

[davenay67]

owrstrich,

Thanks for the photos..!! I was having trouble picturing the road, but your photos brought it all flooding back to me. Those 'whoops' nearly scared me to death about half way through....

[jeepinbanditrider]

that moe is gonna need a proper repave when this mess is over...

Hopefully it'll get it but I doubt it.  The roads here in North Central Texas get murdered by tank trucks and other oil/gas traffic and they basically go out and throw down a patch and the road just keeps getting beat into submission.   I predict most of our backroads here will be nothing more than gravel drives in the next decade or two.