2012 West Coast Rally Discussion

[Klavdy]

Rightyo then,
looks like next years West Coast Rally will be held around PORTERVILLE, CA.

You'll be told the dates a bit later, first off is sorting out the accommodation,the rides are pretty much open to interpretation.

The roads around there are fantastic with unbelievable scenery.
It's worth going there.
Zoom in on the 190, the clockwise Hwy 245 to the 198 Loop is a destination ride all of itself, that's one of the best road sections I've been on, really good.
Check out  the racetrack to Wofford heights on the 155, you have to stop and calm down at either end and there's fantastic bars, restaurants, diners at either end, The Crazy Horse at Glennville is a beaut cowboy bar, friendly, motorcycle aware and has great food,music etc on the weekends.
It would be a great halfway stop on a ride.

Then there's the 190, holy mackerel, that's thrilling,incredible climb on smooth two laners up a long steep
mountain, see right through the corners and plenty of easy overtaking,it's got another cracker of a pit stop up on top,one of your big log built lodge/bar things, sell all sorts of food and drink with parking just outside where you can sit on the sunny deck with the bikes right in front of you.
Charge back down the mountain then stop at California Hot Springs for a soak , putt back to the lodging.

Our trip to NthnCA when we stayed at the Dude Ranch thing was pretty good,better than staying at a KOAS so here's somewhere on the same lines,don't let the Hippy shit put you off.
It's just one suggestion, there's also the option of staying IN Porteville/Visalia etc at a Hotel/Motel, they can be O.K but it's not really a get together with fires and stuff when you stay in those types of places.
There's shopping and bars/restaurants galore though.

The plan is to go there, meet up, thems that are going to Colorado can head there afterwards.

The next bit is important but, so pay attention.
This is where your suggestions come in,don't be shy, out with them.
If you don't speak up, you might regret it.

What Say Ye?


 

[Derek Young]

I hope the dates are still the first weekend in June as we have booked that time off work.  Not sure how well received a bunch of bikers would be at a religious retreat..... but, if we can have fires, it kicks the shit out of a hotel. 
The roads look great around there.  Looks like a stop in Vegas might be in order on the way to Colorado.

Derek

[Marsh White]

Klavdy and I talked about this last night.  We've been discussing it since the ride to last year's WCR.  The area around Porterville has some awesome rides!  Last year we hooked up with a sport touring group who has held rallies there for the last 16 years and we rode with them a bit and got all of their ride maps.  The other group has been staying at a Holiday Inn in Porterville and they have been sectioning off an outdoor area for them in the parking lot.  That is just not our style of course.  So, the problem is to find a place to hold our rally at around the Porterville / Springville area.  There is a KOA in Visalia that might work in a pinch - but it would be better to find someplace closer to said area.

So that is where we stand.  Yes, the WCR is planned to be at the same dates as usual: the weekend after Memorial Day.  June 1st - June 3rd.  Any help finding a place where we can have a fire and hang out and NOT have to bring tents and stuff would be greatly appreciated!

[moparman70]

The ride sounds good - because I am fairly new I don't mind KOA's so I am ok with either.  I haven't been on most of the roads mentioned except for the 198.  If that is planned while it looks like a nice switchback road ( which it is ) it is the main road through the park and it will be busy and speed is only 35mph maybe 25 in spots... no doubt patrolled.  It will be a very nice easy scenic type ride but not good for a "spirited" ride.   BUT -- I would still recommend it, especially for thosethat have not visited the park -- the short hike to Moro Rock is a must .... as is a stop at any of the Sequoia forests ..Giant Forest with General Sherman tree.   Some of us saw the drive thru tree in Legget ( Chandelier Tree ); this would take us to the King of all Trees.

I think a group ride through the park would be great -- a group photo on Moro rock would be awesome ( just gotta figure out how to get the FJ's up there as some of the turns on the stairway to the top are pretty tight).  Make the loop to the 245 then head south and get the fun speed ride on the way back to camp.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=218295389539508427664.0004b35c62f8a1c7bb632&msa=0&ll=36.535571,-118.782206&spn=0.051999,0.077162


I am in for one of these rallys -- my only issue is trying to figure out how to do both. Uggggg

stevecc

[moparman70]

Moro Rock

Group shot -- I dont know who this people are but just what could be per earlier post



stevecc

[Pat Conlon]

 Porterville works for me     This makes the WCR much more accessable, rather than having to ride up to Southern Oregon. Whew!

Don't forget, we're stopping by Colorado on the way home..... Fr Paddy.

[winddancer]

That's sweet it only 3 hr from my home count me in this year 

[nvmike24]

Looks like a good area for my first FJ Rally. It is an easy run in from Las Vegas for me. I should have no problem having the 1100 back on the road way before then. I am not a tent kind of guy. Ruffing it for me is no Pool & Spa at the Hotel. Is there anyone on the forum in Las Vegas that is active?

[tqmx1]

Looks like a good area for my first FJ Rally. It is an easy run in from Las Vegas for me. I should have no problem having the 1100 back on the road way before then. I am not a tent kind of guy. Ruffing it for me is no Pool & Spa at the Hotel. Is there anyone on the forum in Las Vegas that is active?

+1

[Mark Olson]

Porterville ? really ?   


wherever we go there we are. 

Bring it on.

[Klavdy]

Yeah, Porterville.
It's a big enough town to have everything you'd need.
It's only a base, there's Visalia and Tulare as well.
The mountain roads are really close,and excellent riding.
The weather is generally clear that time of year as well, unlike that "June Gloom" you get near to the coast.
Where would you suggest it be held?
Seriously, where would you like to go?

[Dan Filetti]

Yeah, Porterville.

What's the pine cone density that time of year?

Dan

[FJmonkey]

Porterville is so close to me, I could drive back home to get the ridding boots I forgot, before the second ride on the first day. Count me in!!!

[moparman70]

I would like to see us ( SoCal ) boys cruise up together maybe on the Thursday -- for any SoCal people that are interested let me know -- its a short run but we can make a pretty good day of it -- "take the long way round"

stevecc

[Mark Olson]

Yeah, Porterville.
It's a big enough town to have everything you'd need.
It's only a base, there's Visalia and Tulare as well.
The mountain roads are really close,and excellent riding.
The weather is generally clear that time of year as well, unlike that "June Gloom" you get near to the coast.
Where would you suggest it be held?
Seriously, where would you like to go?

bring your allergy meds . 

As for my choice of a great rally location , research is ongoing.