The Hayfork Loop and Hwy 36

[MikeB]

This weekend was big bike weekend in Redding. Yesterday my wife and I

rode down to Redding from Burney on the Rocket, had a nice lunch at

the Olive Garden and then we did a little hanging out at the

Convention Center. After an hour or so of that we headed back up the

hill, which is a nice ride if nothing else.

Today, I hopped on the RT and rode down to Redding to launch a day

ride to somewhere yet to be determined.

I stopped by Starbucks on Dana Ave for a Latte and muffin, while I

pondered where to ride (we have so many choices here in NorCal). I

decided to head west on Hwy 299 and make the Hayfork loop, as I refer

to it. That would be Hwy 299 west out of Redding, then south on Hwy 3

through Hayfork and on to Hwy 36, where I would go east to Platina,

then left on the Ditch Rd. back to Redding.

I would like to say this could have been one of the best rides by

myself that I have ridden in a long time, if not the best.

As I started out of Redding on 299 to start the loop, I was taking it

easy, staying within the posted speed limit. Two guys on Harleys

passed by me on a four lane portion still in the city limits of

Redding. As they passed by I wondered how long it would be before I

repassed them. It wasn't a mission for me, I just knew that when I

hit the more technical pieces of road like Buckhorn grade and others

that I would be making much better time than they would, so I

patiently waited behind the traffic until I reached the grade and its

passing lanes. Buckhorn grade is some of the tastiest twisties

anywhere around, and if there isn't much traffic, a rider can have a

fantastic time as I did.

I passed the Harleys about a quarter of a mile from the summit. The

RT was feeling exceptional today, the suspension settings and tire

pressure were perfect for my style of riding. The next fun patch

would be Hwy 3 between 299 and Hayfork. If it weren't for the tar

snakes ( and there was a whole new set of them), I would shred my

tires off in the turns, I like this stretch of road so well. I laid

back just enough to save room for an emergency, which is the way I

ride anyway. As I was riding today, I thought back seven years ago

when I re-entered the bike world and the first time I rode this road.

I remember covering about about three quarters of this road and had

to pull over because of fatigue. It had so many turns and it was so

fun, but I was tense (big time novice) and my arms felt like they

were going to fall off the bars. I pulled over to rest and reset my

mindset. Today I just ate this road up as I commonly do now days. I

cruised through Hayfork, thinking I might pull over and stop

somewhere to take a break, but my bike just kept rolling (do you ever

have days like this?). The scenery going south out of Hayfork was

just beautiful with all the oaks in the splendid colors. There were

just enough leaves on the road to stir up as I rode by, but not

enough to cause any traction problems. Did I mention the lack of

traffic to keep a good ride going? There was almost nobody out there.

The pavement was clean and dry, until I reached Hwy 3. In some of the

deep recesses of the mountain, there was a little dampness on the

road surface, so I just laid up a little in those areas. Hwy 36,

between Hwy 3 and Platina is so much fun. It is a challenge as well

with it tight right hand blind turns and left hand turns that you can

see all the way through which allows you to carry much more speed. I

really like the feeling of the bike digging into the pavement as its

tires grip the pavement like they are in a grove. When I finished

with the turns, I felt like turning around and do them all over. I

stopped in at Wildwood for the first time.

It has always looked closed to me, but this time I saw people at the

gas pumps and others sitting on the porch, so I thought I would stop

in and buy a soda and take a break on that front porch. When I

entered the store I found out there was a cafe inside. I changed my

mind and decided to sit down and have lunch. I entered the cafe at

the same time as two other guys and ordered a hamberger. It was like

everyone was waiting for someone to try it out, because by the time

my order arrived the place was full. My lunch was very good, I really

liked the seasoning they put on their hamburger.

As I sat there eating, I thought to myself it has been a good idea to

stop for a break, because I could feel myself settling down

emotionally and decided that I would slow down a little when I

returned to the ride. So, I saddled up and continued east of 36

towards Red Bluff. As I was riding I was debating if I should

continue on 36 all the way to Red Bluff or turn left on the ditch

road (that's what I know it by). I love the rollercoaster section of

36, but it would put me in Red Bluff with 25 miles to go just to get

back to Redding. I finally decided to turn onto the ditch road and

that was a very good choice.

I had a blast on that road. My pace was brisk, but with lots of

safety margin to handle the unknown. The pavement is fairly course

and I wondered how much rubber I was wearing off my recently new

tires. This road has some very tight, very tight switchback turns,

and I didn't get the bike leaned over near as much as I did on the

other roads, but I still enjoyed the ride.

There was the slight interruption of fun from some young men in a

Nissan Toaster who I caught up with and decided they would get racey

with me, but I dispensed with them when I was tired of watching them

blowing the turns and crossing over the centerline. I was back in

Redding with plenty of time to make the trek up Hwy 299 to Burney,

which isn't a bad road by any means, it just that I do it all the

time.

The RT ran flawlessly, even with the hard bags and top box

attached.

[flyingreg]

Mike,

 

I enjoyed reading your ride report. I lived in the Redding area for many years and still consider it home. The roads you wrote about made me feel closer to home for a while. Thanks for that!

[Francois_Dumas]

Nice ride report, thanks for sharing !

[jcousins]

nice report - i live in weaverville and the loop you describe is one of my favorites -we do have some sweeeeeeet roads up here in northern ca.

 

jerry

[Bill_Walker]

Nice report on some great roads! Is the "ditch road" the one that goes through Ono and Igo? If so, I'll second your opinion that it's a very, very tight, twisty road. Fun, though.

[MikeB]

Yes Bill, it is better referred to as the Platina Rd. I just couldn't think of its name last night.

 

Thanks all, I just was on such a high from the ride I had to get my report in while it was still feeling good.

[stubble!]

Nice report. I love those roads!

[deejones]

I have to agree, the stretch of road between 299 and 36 is fantastic,its hard to fine roads this fine. My best friend lives in Hyampon, thats a little towards the coast between Hayfork and Peanut. I love to ride out from Carolina just to enjoy this stretch of road.Thanks for the post and pics.

[hazmat]

My daughters ex-college room mate lives on Black Ranch, her parents manage the ranch for some guy who lives in SF. That picture of the cattle grazing reminded of the Ranch. Great area!

[MikeB]

The Black Ranch is a very beautiful ranch. The ranch in my picture is the Haynes Ranch, which is the one you see as you come off of Hatchet Mountain summit coming into Burney. I really do love the Burney area. We feel fortunate to live here.

[Fasterpill]

The 36!!! Must....not....be....jealous...

 

I need to hit that one when I come back for the un.