Day 1: The Journey North Begins

Our adventure kicked off early Saturday morning as we pulled out of the driveway at 8:15 AM, ready to trade Southern California sunshine for Northern California's wine country. The drive through Los Angeles went smoothly, and by lunchtime we found ourselves in the small town of Gorman, where a simple chicken sandwich at Carl's Jr. provided the fuel we needed for the road ahead.

The afternoon stretch brought us to Coalinga, where we checked into the Best Western Coalinga Inn. The desert heat greeted us with a scorching 117°F—a reminder of just how intense California's Central Valley can be in summer. That evening, we discovered El Michoacán, a local gem where we savored authentic chicken enchiladas before returning to our room to unwind with the classic film "Pretty Woman."

Day 2: Navigating to Santa Rosa

Sunday's drive from Coalinga to Santa Rosa covered familiar territory on Highway 5, but the Bay Area had a surprise in store. Traffic flowed reasonably well until we passed the main metropolitan area, where we encountered an hour-long crawl caused by a nearby race event. Despite the delay, we rolled into Santa Rosa around 1:00 PM.

After checking into the Redwood Hotel, we grabbed a quick lunch at Subway before tackling the practical side of our trip. At Extra Space Storage, we unloaded our bikes and secured our truck in their gated lot—a smart move that would let us explore the region on two wheels. The bike ride back to the hotel gave us our first taste of what was to come. That evening, I enjoyed Denny's bourbon chicken at the nearby restaurant, though the bright hotel room required eye shades for a proper night's rest. Nine solid hours of sleep prepared us for the adventure ahead.

Our two-day drive covered 550 miles from Carlsbad to Santa Rosa, with 256 of those miles spanning the scenic route from Coalinga north.

Day 3: Two Wheels to the Coast

Monday dawned perfect for riding—cool and crisp with temperatures hovering between 60-65°F. After a breakfast of leftover bourbon chicken from Denny's (waste not, want not!), we geared up for our 113-mile journey to Gualala. My odometer read 7,398 miles as we set off, sporting new Daytona boots, Leatt knee guards, fresh gloves, and a new Schuberth helmet.

Our route wound through some of Sonoma County's most spectacular backroads: Bodega Avenue led us to Jonive Road, then Harrison Grade Road carried us through rolling hills to Green Valley Road. We connected to Guerneville Highway, following Martinelli Road to River Road, then Wohler Road to Westside Road. The adventure truly began on Sweetwater Springs Road, leading us to Armstrong Woods Road and a fuel stop in charming Guerneville.

From there, Highway 116 took us to Austin Creek Road, where the real magic happened. King Ridge Road offered breathtaking vistas and challenging curves, followed by the memorable Tin Barn Road. The technical Stewarts Point-Skaggs Springs Road tested our skills before Annapolis Road delivered us to the dramatic coastline and Highway 1's final stretch to Gualala.

The standout roads—Sweetwater Springs, King Ridge, Hauser Bridge, Tin Barn, and Annapolis—provided the kind of riding that reminds you why you love being on two wheels. We paused for a peaceful lunch of sandwiches under a shady tree along King Ridge Road, surrounded by towering redwoods and complete tranquility.

The day concluded at Gualala Surf Inn, where we picked up dinner supplies at the nearby Surf Market. Our room featured a firm bed and flat pillow, but the peaceful atmosphere more than compensated. After sharing frozen dinners with Wasa bread, we embraced the simple pleasure of each other's company before drifting off to sleep at 9:30 PM, tired but thoroughly satisfied with our coastal adventure.

Day 4: Into the Redwood Empire

Tuesday morning began with an unwelcome 6 AM wake-up call—courtesy of a previous guest who'd left the alarm set. After properly waking at 7 AM, we departed Gualala at 9:15 for what would become a 130-mile journey through some of Northern California's most diverse terrain.

Our route took us northwest on Pacific Woods Road to Old Stage Road, then onto the day's highlight: Fish Rock Road. This fun but rough timber road provided the kind of challenging riding that makes dual-sport touring so rewarding. From there, we connected to Highway 128 and Highway 253, stopping for fuel in Ukiah before tackling the memorable Orr Springs Road and Comptche Ukiah Road. These winding routes through dense forest eventually delivered us to the picturesque town of Mendocino, perched dramatically on coastal bluffs.

Highway 1 carried us the final stretch to Fort Bragg, where we checked into the Best Western Vista Manor at 3 PM. The temperature contrast was striking—hot inland but a comfortable 60-70°F along the coast. Our only lunch was a simple apple enjoyed during a roadside break on Orr Springs Road. Unfortunately, our oceanview hotel came with a soundtrack of highway noise, making earplugs essential for sleep. Dinner at Denny's featured salmon, broccoli, and mashed potatoes—simple comfort food after a day of challenging riding.

Day 5: The Long Haul to Garberville

Wednesday tested our endurance with a 142-mile, six-hour ride from Fort Bragg to Garberville. The day brought heat, dust, and plenty of dirt and gravel—a true dual-sport adventure. Despite the challenging conditions, we maintained a respectable 24 mph moving average.

Our route followed Fort Bragg Sherwood Road to Sherwood, then Highway 101 through Laytonville before turning east onto Dos Rios Road. The remote Poonkinney Road provided our lunch stop, where we enjoyed sandwiches surrounded by wilderness. The route continued through Covelo on Highway 162, then to Mina via the scenic but dusty Zenia-Lake Mountain Road, Peak Road, and Alderpoint Road.

We gratefully arrived at the Best Western Garberville, where we shared an order of chicken fajitas at El Cora restaurant—perfect fuel for weary travelers.

Day 6: The Garberville Loop Adventure

Thursday brought a 116-mile loop ride from 8:45 AM to 3:00 PM, showcasing some of the region's most spectacular and challenging terrain. The morning began with dense fog along the coast as we navigated the tight, technical Usal Road. The afternoon featured gravel roads under clearer skies, with temperatures ranging from cool morning fog to moderately warm sunshine.

Our ambitious route included Redwood Drive, Briceland Thorne Road, Shelter Cove Road, and Chemise Mountain Road before tackling the memorable Usal Road along the rugged coastline. Highway 1 and Highway 101 provided brief respites of pavement before Bell Springs Road and Alderpoint Road completed our loop back to Garberville.

The day's luxury was checking into the historic Benbow Historic Inn, where we splurged on a $62 hamburger and fries in the hotel bar. The $280-per-night room came with a complimentary small bottle of crème sherry, though the outdoor band played until 9 PM, making earplugs necessary once again. Despite sore ears from constant earplug use, we managed 8.5 hours of sleep.

Day 7: Coastal Beauty to Fortuna

Friday's 109-mile ride from Garberville to Fortuna proved to be one of our most scenic days. Cool 60°F temperatures greeted our departure and remained comfortable throughout the day. With a 28 mph moving average over four hours of riding, we made excellent time while enjoying spectacular ocean views.

After breakfast at a local café in Garberville, our route followed Old Briceland Road and Briceland Thorne Road to Ettersburg Honeydew Road. Wilder Ridge Road led to the stunning Mattole Road, which hugs the remote coastline before Bear River Ridge carried us inland to Highway 101 and Fortuna.

We checked into the Super 8 around 3 PM, appreciating the upgrade to two queen beds. Dinner at Eel River Brewing Company was a highlight—their Cobb salad paired perfectly with an Emerald Triangle IPA. The combination of good food, local beer, and a reasonable bedtime of 8:15 PM resulted in 9 hours and 17 minutes of restorative sleep, though our ears continued to suffer from earplug overuse.

Day 8: The Marathon to Crescent City

Saturday demanded our longest riding day yet: 180 miles over six hours to reach Crescent City. The 30 mph moving average reflected varied conditions—cool and foggy mornings, hot inland temperatures, and windy coastal stretches along Highway 101. Much of the route featured gravel sections winding through towering trees, adding technical challenge to the distance.

Our ambitious route began on Highway 36, then Redwood House Road and Kneeland Road to Butler Valley Road. Maple Creek Road connected to Highway 299, followed by Bair Road, Hundred Acre Prairie Road, and Pine Creek Road. Bald Hills Road provided the final challenge before Highway 101 carried us to Crescent City.

The Super 8 accommodation proved disappointing—we had to change rooms due to a loudly buzzing air conditioner, and the poorly maintained facility featured a non-working sink stopper, plastic bag over the smoke detector, and a hole in the wooden walkway marked only by an orange cone. The bright spot was dinner at Good Harvest Café, where another excellent Cobb salad and Eel River IPA restored our spirits before an 8:30 PM bedtime.

Day 9: Border Exploration and Retreat

Sunday's 155-mile ride to Happy Camp included an adventurous detour that didn't quite work out as planned. We attempted Low Divide Road near the Oregon border, but eventually had to turn around when the route became too difficult, with steep grades and excessive rocks challenging even our capable bikes.

Our successful route followed Howland Hill Road to Highway 199, briefly Highway 197, then the problematic Low Divide Road before retreating to Highway 199. Waldo Road and Happy Camp Road, followed by Indian Creek Road, finally delivered us to Happy Camp after 5.1 hours of riding plus 2 hours and 22 minutes of stops—including our unsuccessful exploration.

The Forest Lodge Motel lived up to its rustic name with an old facility featuring a noisy air conditioner and a toilet requiring a plunger to flush properly. Despite the 89°F heat, we enjoyed dinner at the local Pizza Restaurant, where veggie pizza with chicken and another Eel River IPA provided comfort food perfection. We saved some pizza for tomorrow's breakfast—waste not, want not on the road.

Day 10: Fire Detour to Hayfork

Monday began with leftover pizza breakfast before a 142-mile, 3.8-hour ride to Hayfork. Nice twisty roads gave way to construction delays, and we had to skip our planned routes to Etna due to forest fires—a reminder of California's summer realities. The day started cool to moderate but warmed to 78°F by our 2:15 PM arrival in Hayfork.

Our modified route followed Highway 96 to Highway 299, then Corral Bottom Road, Packers Creek Road, and Big Creek Road. Lunch at Subway in Willow Creek provided a welcome break during the paved riding day.

The Timberjack Lodge proved memorably spartan—one clothes hanger for drying our sink-washed clothing, a very remote location, hard bed, and flat pillows. The room's urine smell added to the rustic experience. Dinner at the local Mexican restaurant featured chicken fajitas, and for once, we skipped earplugs at night.

Day 11: Rough Roads Back to Garberville

Tuesday's 147-mile return to Garberville tested our endurance with 5.6 hours of riding. Granola and yogurt provided breakfast fuel before we tackled what became a challenging day. The last two hours crawled along gravel roads with stutter bumps, including sections of rocky, silty trucking roads. Fortunately, some fun twisty pavement balanced the rough stuff.

Our complex route included Hyampom Road, Pelletreau Ridge Road, Berry Summit-Mad River Road, and South Fork Mountain Road. Horse Ridge LO Road led to Wildwood Mad River Road, then Mad River Road and CR502. Ruth-Zenia Road connected to Zenia Bluff Road, then Alderpoint Road, Fort Seward Road, and Dyerville Loop Road completed our return to familiar territory.

A small roadside salad served as lunch before we gratefully arrived at Motel Garberville. Dinner at Humboldt Bar and Grill featured a super burrito and Eel River IPA. The soft pillows, quiet air conditioner, and good sleep were welcome rewards after the challenging day.

Day 12: Coastal Route to Lakeport

Wednesday's 157-mile ride to Lakeport covered four hours of mostly paved, twisty roads—a pleasant change from recent gravel adventures. After granola and yogurt breakfast, we followed Highway 101 to Highway 1 along the coast, then Branscomb Road through Laytonville.

An attempted shortcut on Tomki Road ended when we wisely turned around at several creek crossings. The trash dumped by Willits residents made the route unattractive anyway, so we returned to Highway 101, then Highway 20 and Scotts Valley Road to reach Lakeport by 2:15 PM.

Skylark Shores Resort featured a persistently barking dog next door, requiring intervention from the front desk after hours of noise. Hard pillows continued the accommodation theme, but dinner across the street at Renee's Café offered another excellent Cobb salad. Unfortunately, I experienced atrial fibrillation Thursday morning, possibly due to stress or the highly processed meat in the salad.

Day 13: Final Riding Day

Thursday marked our last day of riding with a relatively gentle 72-mile journey from Lakeport to Santa Rosa. Breakfast at Renee's Café included a veggie omelet before we tackled Highway 175 and Bottle Rock Road. The very twisty Highway 29 provided classic Northern California wine country riding, followed by Petrified Forest Road, Porter Creek Road, and Mark West Springs Road.

This concluded our epic 11-day, 1,500-mile dual-sport adventure through Northern California. At ExtraSpace Storage in Santa Rosa, I spent from 12:30 to 3:00 PM loading  and securing our Honda CRF300L Rally bikes back into the truck while Julie enjoyed leftover breakfast. My lunch was just a protein bar in the hotel room before we returned to the Best Western.

Dinner at Denny's featured the beloved bourbon chicken skillet—a perfect ending to our riding adventure.

Day 14-15: The Journey Home

Friday morning required paying for breakfast at the Best Western Santa Rosa—unusual for the chain. Oatmeal, scrambled eggs, pancakes, and coffee fueled our departure for the long drive home. Highway 5 drivers proved "crazy" as we made our way to Lebec, stopping at Subway for lunch before checking into the Best Western Liberty Inn at 4:30 PM.

The comfortable pillows and bed provided a good night's rest, though the shower lacked shampoo and the air conditioner ran quietly. Dinner at IHOP featured salmon, broccoli, and mashed potatoes—delicious comfort food.

Saturday's final 180 miles from Lebec to Carlsbad went smoothly except for the predictably slow traffic between Los Angeles and Oceanside. As we pulled into our driveway, we reflected on an incredible journey that showcased Northern California's diverse landscapes, challenging roads, and warm hospitality—despite some memorable accommodations along the way.

In September 2025, Mr. and Mrs. Knobby set out on a ride that would stretch nearly 3,000 miles and etch itself deep into memory. Two Honda CRF300L Rally motorcycles hummed beneath them as they pulled away from home on the 9th, the morning still cool, the promise of adventure as wide as the desert horizon.

The first day gave them a taste of what was to come: the baking heat of Blythe, California, 106 degrees and relentless, reminding them right away that adventure often comes with discomfort. They laughed it off with salmon at Sizzler and tucked in at a Days Inn that proved to be less than restful. But the journey had begun, and nothing could dim that spark.

Through Prescott, Payson, and onto the Mogollon Rim, they found roads both beautiful and brutal. The gravel and rocks tested their balance; the hotels tested their patience. Some rooms were noisy, others overpriced, with pillows either too hard or too soft — Goldilocks would have gone home. Yet in every stop, in every small frustration, they found a rhythm together. One would lube chains while the other sought out dinner. One would scout a better hotel room while the other managed the gear. The partnership was constant, unspoken, strong.

By the time they crossed into New Mexico, they’d faced long rocky climbs, twisting canyons, high-altitude chill, and the occasional sketchy meal. They rode through mountain air so crisp it felt alive, only to be soaked later in sudden storms. Narrow roads forced decisions: sometimes pushing on, sometimes turning back. What mattered most wasn’t whether they conquered every trail, but that they made those calls together.

In Capitan, rain pounded the little town as loud voices carried outside their motel. In Cuba and Taos, the trails turned nasty with rocks, sand, and dust. Mr. Knobby’s ears grew sore from plugs, Mrs. Knobby’s patience was tested by trail after trail that seemed to dare them forward. And yet — they carried on. Even when dinner was inedible, even when pillows were lumpy, even when the days stretched long and the nights short, they pressed forward.

The defining moment came near Quemado. A flat front tire. A storm rolling in fast. Suddenly the sky split open with rain and hail, and the Knobbies scrambled for shelter. They propped the bike up on four concrete blocks under an awning, soaked to the bone, hands gritty, tools slipping in the storm. It was miserable, and it was magnificent. A memory forged in hardship, sealed with teamwork. A flat tire became a story to tell for decades — not just about a wheel, but about resilience.

From there, the road began to bend back toward home. In Cottonwood, a kind mechanic seated the stubborn tire bead for free — a small act of generosity that felt enormous after so many miles of struggle. In Blythe, they finally found a hotel where everything worked. And then, on the 25th, they rolled back into their driveway. Home

Seventeen days. Nearly 3,000 miles. From scorching deserts to mountain storms, from chain lubes in hotel parking lots to fajitas shared in roadside cafés. More than the miles, more than the maps, this journey was about what it always is for Mr. and Mrs. Knobby: two people, side by side, tackling the road together.

Years from now, when they think back on this ride, they’ll remember the heat of that first day, the quiet of Cloudcroft, the storm in Quemado, and the long arc of asphalt leading home. But most of all, they’ll remember how it felt: challenging, exhilarating, sometimes exhausting, but always together.

The Southwest gave them its best and worst — and they rode through it all, one mile at a time.

Let’s say you’re looking at your map in Google My Maps, but it feels a bit small, and you want to see it bigger. Here’s how you can do that:

1. Look for the Expand Option: When you’re viewing your map, check the top-right corner of the map area. You might see a little square icon. Click that. This makes the map fill your whole screen or at least a larger part of it.

2. Open in Google Maps (Alternative): If you’re previewing your custom map and see a link or button that says 'View in Google Maps' or 'Open in Maps,' click it. This takes your map to the full Google Maps website or app, where it’s bigger and easier to explore.

3. Zoom and Adjust: Once it’s larger, you can use your mouse wheel to zoom in or out, or drag the map around to see more details.

That’s it! You’re just telling the map to take up more space so you can see everything better.

This works whether they’re on a computer or a phone, though the exact buttons might look slightly different. If they’re stuck, they can also hit the 'Preview' button in Google My Maps to see it in a cleaner, larger layout.

How to Export a Track from Google My Maps

1. Open Your Map

   • Go to Google My Maps on your computer and sign in.

   • Select the map containing the track (e.g., a line)

2. Identify the Track

   • In the left panel, find the layer with the line or route you want to export.

   • If it’s not already a line, you’ll need to have drawn it as one (e.g., a path between points).

3. Export the Map or Layer to KML/KMZ

   • Click the three-dot menu next to the map title (at the top of the left panel).

   • Select "Export to KML/KMZ".

   • A dialog box will appear. Check the box if you want to export only a specific layer (e.g., the one with your track), or leave it unchecked to export the entire map.

   • Choose KML (for broader compatibility) or KMZ (a compressed version of KML).

   • Click Download. This saves the file to your computer.

4. Verify the File

   • Open the KML/KMZ file in a program like Google Earth to confirm your track (the line) is included. It’ll appear as a path or shape you can view.

5. Convert to a Track Format (Optional)

   • If you need a true "track" format like GPX (common for GPS devices or apps), use a third-party tool:

     • Online Converters: Sites like GPS Visualizer or MyGeodata Converter let you upload the KML/KMZ file and convert it to GPX.

     • Steps: Upload the file, select GPX as the output format, and download the converted file.

   • Alternatively, software like QGIS or Garmin BaseCamp can also handle this conversion.

6. Use Your Track

   • Once you have the file (KML/KMZ or GPX), you can import it into a GPS device, a mapping app (e.g., Gaia GPS, AllTrails), or another platform that supports tracks.

Notes

• What’s a Track?: In this context, a "track" is typically a recorded path with timestamps (like from a GPS device). Google My Maps doesn’t record timestamps, so your exported line is more of a static route. Converting to GPX might add basic track-like properties, but it won’t include speed or time data.