Help with route to/from CCR

[rmg08057]

Hey gang

I am off to CCR in a few weeks. Unfortunately I need to slab it most of the way. I will however take the southern route (the 40) out there and the northern route (the 70) home. For the sake of this discussion leets say I am going out on the 40 and back on the 70.

Questions about the southern (40) route on the way to CCR
1. The map shows the best way as down the 5, get off for Bakersfield, across on the 58 to Barstow and onto the 40. Is the 58 a road that you can keep up a decent speed on?
2. Do you advise a better way of getting onto the 40?
I am trying to do the run in 2 days (as I can't leave until early Monday morning) so I am after the fastest route.

Questions about the northern (70) route on way back from CCR
Lets say we have got to Ely on the 50 in Nevada. I know the rest of the 50 route as I just did it 2 weeks ago on the way across from Philly.
1. Is the fastest way to continue on the 50 to Reno and then down on the interstates?
2. Is this a reasonable (fast) alternate route from Ely:
6W to Warm SPrings
6W to Benton
120/105 W
to..5/580
....can you comment on which would be faster?

BTW I am taking 3 days on the way back.

[kdog]

Hey Ralph, 58 is the quickest route. With the exception of a little congestion around Bakersfield, it's smooth sailing. The ride through the Tehachapi mountains is very nice. There's a great temptation to speed through the mountains there, but be aware it's heavily patrolled. Once you get out of the mountain range, you can go as fast as you want for hundreds of miles.

If you ever have more time to kill, Route 178 past Lake Isabella is a fantastic alternative to 58. Great pavement, scenery and endless twisties.

You will of course be riding through Kingman on your way out, so plan on a meal and maybe a night a Chez Joel. Don't make me throw the tack strips out. :histerica

-joel

[rmg08057]

Joel

I am going out on the 80 thru Reno, SLC and Wyoming. Leeaving early Monday morning 8/27, trying to do it in 2 days. Coming back via your neck of the woods in 3 days, how about Sunday 9/2 afternoon/evening. May take you up on the offer of a mattress. Email coming this week. Thanks for the offer, looking forward to it.

[RdcrzR]

Ralph,

If you're still going to be on I-80 around a little town called Ogallala, Nebraska, a couple of years ago a friend of mine and I stumbled onto a small restaurant just North of the interstate called "Hoke's Cafe." If it hasn't changed, a really good mom & pop place with good food and price. And biker friendly. Riley, the cook is a bike nut, leaning towards Harleys, but still an OK guy. Parking lots on both sides of the building are gravel, so they encourage you to drive your bike up on the sidewalk under the front awning to park while eating. They have small signs "BIKERS PARKING" just below the front windows.

Well worth the stop there for good eats, at least it was 2 years ago.

IF I inserted the photo correctly, this is what the front of the cafe looks like. There's some other pictures inside the place at this website.
file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/John/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-2.jpg

[RdcrzR]

Maybe this time it'll go through.

[kdog]

Joel

I am going out on the 80 thru Reno, SLC and Wyoming. Leeaving early Monday morning 8/27, trying to do it in 2 days. Coming back via your neck of the woods in 3 days, how about Sunday 9/2 afternoon/evening. May take you up on the offer of a mattress. Email coming this week. Thanks for the offer, looking forward to it.

Cool! We've got you on the calendar and will look forward to it. Have a great trip and CCR. See you then!

-joel