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Favorite Corners

Funny that the first thing that came to mind was the exit off the bridge from San Francisco to Treasure Island. But the one that was on the left and is now gone.

During the time I was teaching at MotoGuild I took that exit so many times—hard sharp left up the hill that you could take as fast as you dared. But one bitch of a day in the perfectly wrong place was a full-size Caltrans yellow trashcan black lid. I don’t remember how it all went down but I did not go down—rather carried on with the customary white-faced pucker followed by belly laughs and curses.

Anyway that bitch lid ruined that turn for me forever and I’m glad the whole exit is gone 😆
 
I always used to just love the first mile or two of Palomares Road going in from Niles Canyon. You can really fly through there until you get to the first house on the right side of the road, then you have to switch to a more sane speed.

When I used to do the weekly Pleasanton/Dublin lunchtime rides we would occasionally have a new guy along and they would comment that the experienced riders "just disappeared" through that part.:laughing

I miss Palomares Road.
 
Does not do them justice but here is the section I am talking about.
1792339836901.png

Close up of the few corners that lifted my skirt for 50 years. Can't say that about many corners.
1792340026822.png
Downhill... perfect camber, good asphalt and foot out working the bars for a huge smile.
 
Favorite Corners? Easy. Highway 1's "13 Corners."
If you know, you know.
For me it's Highway 1 and the section everyone calls 13 Corners. I've ridden a lot of great roads, but that stretch never gets old.
Every corner seems to flow perfectly into the next, whether you're heading uphill or downhill.
Going uphill is probably my favorite. A few of the tighter, lower-geared corners let you roll on the throttle and lighten up the front end coming out. Not saying wheelies are required... but they sure seem to happen. 🤪
The whole atmosphere adds to it too. The eucalyptus trees, the smell of the coast, the light filtering through the canopy. After you've ridden it a few times, it gets burned into your memory. It's one of those roads that reminds you why you ride in the first place.
For a lot of us, it's a staple of the SMR. The combination of great pavement, flowing turns, ocean air, and good company is hard to beat.
There are plenty of amazing corners out there, but if somebody asks me for my favorite, I'm pointing them straight to Highway 1 and 13 Corners.
What's everyone else's pick?
PaulR🤪
 
ScottRNelson said:
I always used to just love the first mile or two of Palomares Road going in from Niles Canyon. You can really fly through there until you get to the first house on the right side of the road, then you have to switch to a more sane speed.

When I used to do the weekly Pleasanton/Dublin lunchtime rides we would occasionally have a new guy along and they would comment that the experienced riders "just disappeared" through that part.:laughing

I miss Palomares Road.
Click to expand...
I remember those lunch rides. I just took my FJR1300 on Palomares last Sunday. There are now speed bumps on the road just past the first house. Fortunately there is a gap that allows 2 wheels to pass unobstructed.
 
bikeama said:
All of Monitor Pass, East to West. Tight turns going up. Smooth sweepers after the top. Finish with fun downhill medium sweepers to Hwy 4.

Hwy 4 Ebbetts Pass. The uphill hair pins leading to the jump.
Click to expand...

And if you have Hp, there are two wheelie rises following the jump! :ride

I have a LOT of favorite corners. Here's one set that is so good that we always "do the triple", to keep going in the original direction. :cool: These corners are all steeply banked for logging-truck traffic coming down the hill!

(https://maps.app.goo.gl/YENrhWbaFKSeXZSE8)

Catfish ...
 
I used to enjoy the transition ramp from south 85 to south 280. Though one night as i was at speed and leaned over, and halfway through, I found a 4’x8’ section of sheet steel directly in my path. A quick straightening of my bike got me safely over it and a quick followup move to lean the bike again before I ran out of road sent me on my way.
 
There is also a short section of twisties on east bound 84 just before you get to Skyline that are a lot of fun.
 
It's funny that this has changed from favorite corner to favorite complex of corners to favorite road.

Honestly, I can't think of a favorite corner. Too many great ones. It's like picking a favorite among your children.
 
flying_hun said:
It's funny that this has changed from favorite corner to favorite complex of corners to favorite road.

Honestly, I can't think of a favorite corner. Too many great ones. It's like picking a favorite among your children.
Click to expand...

OK 🤪
In absolutely no particular order:

Highway 1 (Mill Valley to Fort Bragg)
Highway 36
Highway 253 (Ukiah to Boonville)
Highway 128
Highway 175 (Hopland Grade)
Mines Road
Mount Hamilton Road
Nacimiento-Fergusson Road
Mattole Road (Lost Coast)
Highway 33
Angeles Crest Highway
Palomar Mountain Road
Salmon River Road
Highway 299
Highway 3
Avenue of the Giants
Orr Springs Road
Fort Ross Road
Meyers Grade Road
Soda Bay Road
Stewarts Point-Skaggs Springs Road
Westside Road (Healdsburg)
Trinity Mountain Road
State Route 89 through Lassen country

Geez 🤪
PaulR
 
Thunderhill: T3
Buttonwillow: T3
Sonoma: T3

The coincidence is odd...most of my passes are in those corners. The simulation has a sense of humor, clearly.
 
The road along Keys Creek going inland from Tomales Bay to Tomales - ideally going towards the coast, but I'll take it either way...

The corners on Hwy 1 north of Dogtown - they don't look like much on the map, but I keep trying to improve my speed through them

1792431632148.png
 
senpai71 said:
The road along Keys Creek going inland from Tomales Bay to Tomales - ideally going towards the coast, but I'll take it either way...

The corners on Hwy 1 north of Dogtown - they don't look like much on the map, but I keep trying to improve my speed through them

View attachment 603441
Click to expand...

Agreed
The turns north of Dog Town are like a roller coaster….super good for sure
The section of Highway 1 along the creek near Tomales is also one of my favorites.
🤪 PaulR
 
Also most of Hwy 88 from Cook's Station east to Kirkwood. I mean, it's 30+ miles, and not all of it is corners, but it's hard to pick a favorite....

1792435726132.png
 
Seca. The corkscrew.

Anyone who has been through 8 and 8a knows it’s hella fun.
 
Not a big fan of the corkscrew. I enjoy 5 and 10 waaaaaaay more.
 
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