You will be hard pressed to create a three-day route anywhere in the world with the geographic diversity, scenic beauty, and insane twisty roads than this ride. It has everything from mountains to deserts to picturesque high mountain ponds with giant sequoia trees. You should be an experienced rider to tackle this extremely twisty and technical paved road (mostly) ride. All off road sections of this ride are easily by-passed. The high technical rating is due to the remote, narrow, paved (slightly broken) mountain roads with thousands of tight corners for hours on end. Maintaining pace and concentration for such a long time warrants a high technical rating. Best time of year for wildflowers is late May/early June just after Sherman Pass opens, and again in October-November before the first snow fall in Kennedy Meadows and Sherman Pass.
DAY 01 BMWMoR to Ridgecrest
Take the scenic route from BMW MoR to Rodeway Inn/Ale Steak House in Ridgecrest for the first short day of this three day ride. Be in position to complete a challenging Day 2. Take- Highway 18/Rim of the World – Stop at Rim Of World Overlook – Stop at Big Bear Lake – Regroup at Lucerne Valley – Stop at Rte 66 Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch *Helendale Road dirt Option to Hwy 58 – Kramers Junction – Randsburg is an option. Suggested Hotel: Rodeway Inn 1050 N Norma St, Ridgecrest, CA 93555. Try a molcajete at the Ale’s Steakhouse and Bar next door.
Route Stats
| Length (miles) | 202 |
| Duration (hours) | 4 to 6 |
| Technical Difficulty / Terrain (1-10) | 7- Paved – Twisty |
| Elevation Change (feet) | 11,151 |
| Scenic / Historic (1-10) | 7 |
| Two-Up Friendly | Yes |
DAY 02 Ridgecrest, CA to Springville, CA
Extremely technical riding for hours on end over beautiful Sherman Pass. 15 mile dirt option to Bald Mountain Fire Lookout Tower overlooking Domeland Wilderness. View of Mt. Whitney from the Sherman Pass Vista Point. Kern River waterfall and unforgetable short hike at the Trail of 100 Giants (Sequoias). Fantastic road to Springvale. Stay at the Historic Springvale Hotel or push on to Porterville for less expensive options. Ride Balch Park loop this evening if you still have any fight left in you, or save it for the morning.
Route Stats
| Length (miles) | 148 |
| Duration (hours) | 8+ |
| Technical Difficulty / Terrain (1-10) | 10 – Paved – Narrow and Twisty |
| Elevation Change (feet) | 16,670 |
| Scenic / Historic (1-10) | 10 |
| Two-Up Friendly | Yes, except optional Bald Mountain Fire Lookout |
DAY 03 Balch Park to Porterville and twisty ride home to Riverside
Very technical and long ride. Massive elevation changes. Incredible views. Do you have the stamina for this many corners?? See the world famous Tehachapi Loop–a destination for all railroad buffs. Start the morning at a very remote high mountain lake with reflections of Giant Sequoia trees near hidden gem Balch Park. Not a bike friendly road for big touring bikes–but a perfect, low-speed GS goat path.
Route Stats
| Length (miles) | 323 |
| Duration (hours) | 9.0 |
| Technical Difficulty / Terrain (1-10) | 10 – Paved – narrow and twisty. It doesn’t get harder than this. |
| Elevation Change (feet) | 32,659 |
| Scenic / Historic (1-10) | 8 |
| Two-Up Friendly | Yes – have to be a real gamer |
