dandiego
Turbocharged
Day 3: Bishop to San Diego
I rolled out of Bishop at 7:45 am under brisk weather and sunny skies. There was no snow overnight, as was predicted, and it looked like it was going to be a perfect finish to a really good ride. (SPOILER ALERT: It was!)
The 395 in California winds its way north-south somewhere between the I-15 and I-5. It follows the edge of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, though I didn’t see the elevation that I did yesterday.
Not unlike Highway 50, this portion of US Route 395 is high desert with lots of the same mountains, scrub brush and nothingness.
I passed right through Big Pine and Lone Pine.
Fun fact: Lone Pine is noted as an access for both the highest point in the contiguous US (Mount Whitney) and the lowest point in North America (Death Valley). Mount Whitney and the mountains surrounding Death Valley are visible from the 395.
I kept seeing signs for Death Valley, 100 miles to the east. Not today, thank you very much.
On I rode by Independence, then through the sad little town of Johannesburg. That place should be listed as a ghost town.
After riding 178 miles, I stopped at 395/58 crossroad (named “Kramer Junction”) and gassed up; it was the last time I would need fuel today.
In no time flat I had reached San Berdoo and was on the I-215 (that feeds into the I-15). We’ve discussed THAT highway, so you know it’s nothing but a high-speed contest where-as the residents of LA try to get back to their homes as quickly and dangerously as possible. There are some seriously bad drivers out that way!
From Kramer Junction to san Diego it was 176 miles of hot asphalt. Nothing spectacular to speak of. For some reason, I was listening to instrumental tunes on my MP3 player today. Here are a few for your enjoyment:
To wrap up this ride report on Highway 50: The Loneliest Road in America, I’ll say that it’s a fine road for those who enjoy the high desert and old west. There aren’t a lot of entertaining sights but there are a whole lot of friendly people.
While Highway 50 stretches all across the US, I highly recommend the portion that crosses Nevada.
I did it late in the year…maybe too late. But I enjoy cool weather riding. Much more than hot weather!
Dress appropriately, see the sights and make sure your bike (and YOU) are in good shape. Because there ain’t nobody gonna go get you if something happens to either of you in the middle of nowhere.
I rolled out of Bishop at 7:45 am under brisk weather and sunny skies. There was no snow overnight, as was predicted, and it looked like it was going to be a perfect finish to a really good ride. (SPOILER ALERT: It was!)
The 395 in California winds its way north-south somewhere between the I-15 and I-5. It follows the edge of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, though I didn’t see the elevation that I did yesterday.
Not unlike Highway 50, this portion of US Route 395 is high desert with lots of the same mountains, scrub brush and nothingness.
I passed right through Big Pine and Lone Pine.
Fun fact: Lone Pine is noted as an access for both the highest point in the contiguous US (Mount Whitney) and the lowest point in North America (Death Valley). Mount Whitney and the mountains surrounding Death Valley are visible from the 395.
I kept seeing signs for Death Valley, 100 miles to the east. Not today, thank you very much.
On I rode by Independence, then through the sad little town of Johannesburg. That place should be listed as a ghost town.
After riding 178 miles, I stopped at 395/58 crossroad (named “Kramer Junction”) and gassed up; it was the last time I would need fuel today.
In no time flat I had reached San Berdoo and was on the I-215 (that feeds into the I-15). We’ve discussed THAT highway, so you know it’s nothing but a high-speed contest where-as the residents of LA try to get back to their homes as quickly and dangerously as possible. There are some seriously bad drivers out that way!
From Kramer Junction to san Diego it was 176 miles of hot asphalt. Nothing spectacular to speak of. For some reason, I was listening to instrumental tunes on my MP3 player today. Here are a few for your enjoyment:
- Watermelon in Easter Hay: Frank Zappa
- Cliffs of Dover: Eric Johnson
- Last Date: Floyd Kramer
- Theme from Endless Summer: The Ventures
- Black Star: Yngwie Malmsteen
- Guitar Boogie: Arthur Smith
To wrap up this ride report on Highway 50: The Loneliest Road in America, I’ll say that it’s a fine road for those who enjoy the high desert and old west. There aren’t a lot of entertaining sights but there are a whole lot of friendly people.
While Highway 50 stretches all across the US, I highly recommend the portion that crosses Nevada.
I did it late in the year…maybe too late. But I enjoy cool weather riding. Much more than hot weather!
Dress appropriately, see the sights and make sure your bike (and YOU) are in good shape. Because there ain’t nobody gonna go get you if something happens to either of you in the middle of nowhere.