Day 10: San Francisco, CA to Langlois, Oregon

(January 29, 2017) On Day 10 of my 17-day ride to the west coast and north on the Pacific Coast Highway, I left San Francisco and headed north US 101 to California 1 (Shoreline Highway) and then back on to US 101. My destination for the night was a KOA in Langlois, Oregon.

With my cousin Ray's help and help from the doorman, I was able to retrieve my bike from the parking garage, pack it, and be on the road by 7:30. It was perfect weather on the best day of the week to do this...Sunday! 

Of all the days of my trip, this was the one that concerned me most about reaching my destination on time. I needed to traverse a long distance at relatively slow speeds to arrive at a KOA campground before registration closed around 8:00 p.m. As it turned out, I made it with only about 40 minutes to spare.

Because I had spent so much time studying the map of San Francisco over the last few months and because Ray and I traversed so much of the northern end of the peninsula the night before, I was able to weave my way knowingly through town -- there a many one-way streets -- To US 101 and the Golden Gate Bridge. Just before I got on, I used my iPhone to queue the GoPro camera mounted on the top of my helmet to record my ride across the bridge. (First video below.)

Soon after I crossed the Bay, I got on California route 1 and saw amazing trees and vistas of mountains and the Pacific Ocean, also much of which I recorded with the GoPro. I filled up the first of two 64 GB memory cards I have for it. (Unfortunately, I drained all three batteries, which made them unavailable for Day 11.) I did feel very good about getting so much video of the key part of my ride.

California 1 and US 101

CA 1 is easily the most fun motorcycle ride I've ever taken. It's like the Blue Ridge Parkway next to the ocean. It did wear me out though. It's a very intense ride; mistakes could easily prove fatal, so I had to be very careful and focused. A the end of the day, my shoulders were very sore from having two hands on the bars for 99% of the time. I was grateful to reach US 101 and some straight, multi-lane sections where I could set the cruise control for short periods.

Mileage Summary (@ the  KOA in Langlois, OR): 

• Tripometer = 3,816 (Approx. halfway point of the ride.)
• Day total (actually yesterday and today) = 565
• Odometer = 16,201 

Videos

Leaving San Francisco northbound across the Golden Gate Bridge

I removed the audio track on this file because it was just noise. Note there is no toll for the Golden Gate Bridge in the northbound direction. I liked that very much. Also keep in mind that I rode this route at 7:30 on a Sunday morning. I've been told that the traffic can be horrendous here. Plan accordingly.

Muir Woods Overlook

CA 1 - GoPro 1 of 3

This is GoPro video of me riding my Harley northbound on CA 1 north of San Francisco on my way to US 101 and then on to a KOA campground for the night in Langlois, Oregon.

CA 1 - GoPro 2 of 3

This is another GoPro video of me riding my Harley northbound on CA 1 north of San Francisco on my way to US 101 and then on to a KOA campground for the night in Langlois, Oregon.

CA 1 - GoPro 3 of 3

This is a third GoPro video of me riding my Harley northbound on CA 1 north of San Francisco on my way to US 101 and then on to a KOA campground for the night in Langlois, Oregon.

Sonoma Coast Overlook (California)

June 19, 2016. This is video I took using my iPhone 6 at a stop along California Route 1 as I rode my Harley northbound on CA 1 north of San Francisco on my way to US 101 and then on to a KOA campground for the night in Langlois, Oregon.

Salmon Creek Coleman Beach CA

June 19, 2016. This is video I took using my iPhone 6 at a stop along California Route 1 as I rode my Harley northbound on CA 1 north of San Francisco on my way to US 101 and then on to a KOA campground for the night in Langlois, Oregon.

Irish Beach area overlook - Manchester, California

June 19, 2016. This is video I took using my iPhone 6 at a stop along California Route 1 as I rode my Harley northbound on CA 1 north of San Francisco on my way to US 101 and then on to a KOA campground for the night in Langlois, Oregon.