The most challenging motorcycle roads?

[flying_hun]

I approve many of the roads mentioned, particularly those I've ridden with Andy.

Based on observations of other riders and myself, the two things that screw up most street riders in terms of technical challenge from the road itself (leaving the issue of riding at night in a storm out of it for a moment) are switchbacks (I mean real tight ones) and loose surfaces.

I'll throw in a few videos of some I love. First is the Col de la Sarenne, over the top from the Alpe d'Huez. I've heard it's been repaved, but I hope not. Switch backs, gravel that blends in with the surface color of the road, and enormous cobblestone culverts across the road. Here's a clip where I scare myself with a little slip.

[youtube]iRQwPxosV88[/youtube]

Paso di Gavia, near Stelvio. Mostly challenging because it's so narrow. Not nearly as many switchbacks as Stelvio.

[youtube]fy2UoUrTgt0[/youtube]

I thought my camera was on when riding Stelvio, but I was mistaken. Themimoto did a better job anyway. There are 48 switchbacks on the northern ramp, which is what he's riding up. I believe the total for both sides of the pass is over 80.

[youtube]M1y9GIC60A4[/youtube]

And in reference to Andy, here's footage from Leesville-Lodoga. It's pretty fun.

[youtube]t-F5scB4Tn8[/youtube]

Forks of Salmon is great! Glad I didn't ride it at night!

 

[flying_hun]

880

Truth. Scares the shit out of me.

 

[joespeedfast]

Truth. Scares the shit out of me.

Yes. And the downtown SF and Oaklamd smacks of truth too!

 

[monkeythumpa]

Morgan Territory, Bolinas-Farfax Rd. but those are not that long. The hairpin on Pinehurst always seems to sneak up on me. The west end of Skaggs Springs is good.

 

[MadEnglishCow]

So far, for me my experience on Mattole Rd out of Ferndale (thanks HyperGirl), unmarked gravel sections, thick coastal fog, cows on the road and epic scenery.

 

[joespeedfast]

So far, for me my experience on Mattole Rd out of Ferndale (thanks HyperGirl), unmarked gravel sections, thick coastal fog, cows on the road and epic scenery.

Lost Coast in either direction from Ferndale to the Redwoods/101 def a top choice. More "pavement motocross".

 

[revnort]

So far, for me my experience on Mattole Rd out of Ferndale (thanks HyperGirl), unmarked gravel sections, thick coastal fog, cows on the road and epic scenery.

Yep one of mine too. Except we got to the beach at sunset and did the second half in the dark. One of my hariest rides ever. Ill never forget cresting a hill and being surrounded by glittering deer eyes. Oh that and the switches to dirt in the dark. Also the weird asphalt anamolies I bounced over.

 

[GPzPop]

580 out of oakland the day the bart shooting verdict was to be read, such panic in those cagers eyes that made the usual gridlock that much more intense

 

[motoclubhouse.com]

hunter pass in death valley, go ride it now

 

[jimboFosho]

The most challenging are the unexpected roads: sandy, mossy, wet, icy, decreasing radius, pothole midcorner, left turner, right turner, just the general numbnut at the wheel. Those are the challenges.

 

[Karbon]

Pretty much all the local roads i find "festive at pace" have been listed. One that recently stands out was Old Coast Road. I recall riding that road for the 1st time, descending a powdery switchback and thinking, "what kind of bullshit is this...hell naw.." So of course like a retard i went on it again the next day.

 

[H.D.30-06]

The 635 turns in 35 miles of Mosquito Ridge Rd.
Then over the dam and onto French Meadows Rd.
(Nice and goaty).
Then onto Wentworth Springs Rd for some really smooth twisties

 

[hypergirl]

So far, for me my experience on Mattole Rd out of Ferndale (thanks HyperGirl), unmarked gravel sections, thick coastal fog, cows on the road and epic scenery.

Great thread topic! I've been wanting to do mosquito ridge road/French meadow, etc.

FYI: There are two Forks of Salmon Roads, a north and south.
The south route has sheer steep drop offs, tight blind turns, is narrow, has rocks in road, and mini grand canyon-like views..... Even on a dry sunny day, it is plenty challenging.

 

[SlideSF]

Leeseville/Ladogo /thread


Oh wait, 162/FH7/162/Buck's Lake Oroville HWY.


Berryessa/Knoxville
Reyhouse


Tomki rd


Geysers rd (In winter )


Chew on that Danny boy

*EDIT* Dun added sum pics fer yer viewing pleasure

Leesville/Ladoga is surely the most tooth-rattling road I know of in the vicinity. I would also like to nominate Sweetwater Springs rd. and Orr Springs road for their narrowness and technicality.

Sorry, no pictures. Maybe later.

 

[flying_hun]

Leesville/Ladoga is surely the most tooth-rattling road I know of in the vicinity. I would also like to nominate Sweetwater Springs rd. and Orr Springs road for their narrowness and technicality.

Sorry, no pictures. Maybe later.

Hmmm, I really like Orr Springs, but I've never ridden Sweetwater Springs..... Maybe Saturday. arty

 

[EQPlayer]

Most challenging bad road: TV Tower Road near San Luis Obispo. It's a craterscape of turbulent gasping chasms with more potholes than asphalt. It has pretensions of roadhood.

Most challenging good road: Bonnetti, off of Mormon Emigrant Trail. It's one of the best goat trails in the entire state. Bonus, it connects to North-South road, also one of the best roads anywhere.

 

[CalBergenser]

880

You beat me to it. Hands down the worst, regardless of weather or bike!

As for BAD (as in FUN), a recent ride on 299 from Arcata to Redding stands out.

 

[Wardwell]

Agree on Mt Hamilton and 880 for completely opposite reasons. As to Mt. Hamilton, puting aside just the technical aspects of the road, there is wildlife, gravel, wet areas where the trees are (even in the dead of Summer), cyclists etc. As to 880, dangerous morons in cages and sh*tloads of tractor trailers. Not really sure which is more dangerous, but I am going with 880.

 

[CykoKlr]

Soda Spings Road is a good one...

This video starts about half way down Soda Spings Road going south west on my way to French Meadows Road. It totalled about 31 miles of dirt road. It is hard to see but the road is not that great and you can not see the elevation changes that well either (very steep in parts). It was a blast and kind of freaky at times. No GPS and my map was about 10 miles shy of this location. I started on the road after a late lunch at a Hostle and Cafe in Soda Spings. Nice little place and a great samich! So needless to say the shadows were getting long.


I have a lot more pictures of my 7 day riding trip in the photo section under Mini Touring - Long Day Rides out of the Auburn Area.

[youtube]Js8Wc7qNFhc[/youtube]

 

[ThumperX]

I commuted 880 for a number of years, I kind of find 880 my zen ride. Different mind space and a river like flow
I think whatever road, if you ride it daily you really tune into it, not saying you get complacent, just well tuned.