Day 3 - Wednesday June 2nd – Eureka to Marina (near Monterey)

Miles travelled = 398

Showers to start then dry, cloudy but foggy after Fort Bragg. San Francisco was sunny, sun glasses at last.

The Avenue of Giants was the first treat, twisties around the trees, and there was no traffic, amazing.

Some photos of the Avenue of the Giants

After the Avenue, I travelled H101 to the cutoff to H1 at Leggett. The journey across country for about 25 miles to the ocean was a scene setter for the rest of the day. Yesterday’s twisties were practice for today, 7 hours of gear changing and braking for twisties. Sports bikers delight. Heavy going with a fully laden Harley, but still fun. Not exactly those sweeping curves, more like 180 and tighten it hard as you go around. When it says 15mph it means it. This route is definitely not for the Iron Butt crowd, I averaged about 35 mph to-day.

Traffic was fairly light, and drivers actually pull over and use the turnouts.

North California is awesome scenery, no idea what the south is like, but will be hard to beat this. Rocks, cliffs, and sandy coves. The road bends around the coves, so curves are endless, 180 plus, and many of them.

Some photos of the northern shores of California from H1

It took forever to get to San Francisco, hitting the Golden Gate bridge about 4pm, and so rode through SF following H101. Rush hour of course, but once on H101 out of the city, the HOV lane is great, goes on forever. Of course you can lane split in California, but I haven’t done that since England, and don’t trust the drivers anyway. My reflexes aren’t as sharp as they were 50 years ago.

Photos at the Golden Gate Bridge. Now you see it, now you don't.

After leaving the city I just pushed on H101 to Marina

The helmet camera was a great asset to-day, with great video of the Avenue of Giants and crossing the Golden Gate bridge.

Stayed at the Quality Inn

I have pictures to post, Internet difficulties an issue at the motel. Same for Day 4. Stay tuned.