route to Laguna Seca

[OldYam]

For many years I've been camping at the track Saturday night, and right there for the Sunday action. But this year, I have to ride down from Santa Cruz on Sunday morning, and I forget what's the best way to get to the track without getting stuck in traffic. I usually go on 68 from 101, but there's also Reservation Road IIRC. Can you split lanes or ride on the shoulder if there's a lot of car traffic? Suggestions from the experienced appreciated.

 

[Oh My Sack!]

Coming from the north on Hwy 1 on a motorcycle you'll just catch Reservation Road and head east to the track via the "back way". That IS the motorcycle entrance and required route. This past year, that was how all motorcycle traffic was routed. No more entering from 68 with the cars.

If you do come down 101 and pick up 68, you'll catch the right turn onto Reservation Rd and very quickly come upon the left turn into the small one lane road that takes you into the track. I was there for 2 days, riding in each day, and it was smooth sailing the whole way in with no auto traffic whatsoever. The CHP are set up to guide you onto the appropriate turn to get to the track.

 

[zphreak]

Just beware of the gravel that's across the road

 

[ST Guy]

'Can't split if there's only one lane. Ride on the shoulder at your own risk. (Watch for cops.) Leave early.

If you're already on the coast, it doesn't make much sense to go back inland. I'd take 1 all the way down. And again, leave early. And if there is traffic, it's a good idea to study a few maps before you leave if you must make a detour.

 

[clutchslip]

No seriously. You are going to ride inland to MORE traffic rather than just a straight shot down One?

Leave at 8 am. No problems. Take Reservation. Coming back is a different matter. Jam-o-reno. Split till the cut-off for One, then following me up the right side. See ya' Sunday. I am glad you are planning WAY in advance.

Just beware of the gravel that's across the road

Good advice at any time, but what-the-heck are you speaking about here?

 

[Oh My Sack!]

You'll come in from Reservation Rd on Watkins Gate Rd and that quickly takes you to Barloy Rd all the way into the track parking. Barloy is very gravelly in spots as warned about above but the reality is...at least in my experience, bike traffic ran single file to staggered at about 25 mph all the way to the ticket gate. There was also a Sheriff hanging out on the side of that road watching riders go by. There's no room for hot-dogging, everyone is headed to the same place at the same pace, just cruise it, it's really easy.

Coming out, we took Reservation Rd back to one and it was not crowded at all after the race on Sunday. Once we hit Hwy 1, we headed south down the coast for home here on the Central Coast. It didn't look any busier headed north bound at the time. I think the bottlenecks occur when headed back toward Salinas and on the 101 either direction. I was home in no more time than it takes me when we ride up there on a non-race weekend.

 

[clutchslip]

Bah, blah, blah.

Wow was that complicated. And in usual barf fashion, we get advice on traffic from someone going the opposite direction. Great.

I have done every single motorcycle event at Laguna for every single day, that includes Thursdays through Sundays, since 1990, and I live just south of Santa Cruz. The highway gets jammed on Sunday for MotoGP, coming back, NORTH.

 

[danate]

Keep in mind the reservation rd gate isn't always open. I'll probably be coming down Sunday morning as well and will go through fort ord to get to 68 and the main entrance.

 

[zphreak]

Good advice at any time, but what-the-heck are you speaking about here?

Barloy Canyon road, from the Watkins Gates entrance, off of Reservation Rd has a ton of gravel on it most of the way to the gates. Seen a few people that were ahead of me get a little squirrely from it.

 

[Oh My Sack!]

Wow was that complicated. And in usual barf fashion, we get advice on traffic from someone going the opposite direction. Great.

I have done every single motorcycle event at Laguna for every single day, that includes Thursdays through Sundays, since 1990, and I live just south of Santa Cruz. The highway gets jammed on Sunday for MotoGP, coming back, NORTH.

Really? WOW, you're my fucking hero. Who pissed on your Wheaties? It would seem your assuming a typical "barf fashion" with such a douchebag response that didn't really need to be said. Reread my post. I expressed my experience that there was never any slow traffic on Reservation Rd headed toward Hwy 1 after the race on Sunday. We didn't see any congestion headed northbound on 1 at that point we went south. I offered no info beyond that location since I wasn't there to see it. It's quite obvious, you live in the wrong direction.

Pardon my attempt to relay my experience to the OP that is seeking information.

 

[OldYam]

Thanks, folks. That's the info I needed.

 

[afm199]

Traffic? MotoGp? Direction?

 

[OldYam]

Traffic? MotoGp? Direction?

If that's a mocking tone, I don't appreciate it. I'm not some NOOB. I was only asking for some clarification since it's been so many years since I have had only one day to spend at Laguna Seca. I now realize that I also mentioned coming from Santa Cruz on 101, when clearly it's Hwy. 1. I guess you could laugh at me for that, too, unless somebody already did. Maybe I'm just getting too thin-skinned to hang on this tough forum.

 

[Maddevill]

We went in the Hwy 68 gate with our bikes no problem. Of course this was on Thursday. So Sat and Sun I don't know if they restrict them.

 

[Caddywumpus]

Pretty sure Saturday and Sunday unless you have a parking pass for your bike you are sent to Reservation Road.

EDIT-

Tom,

The best way to go would be to take Reservation road. The whole road is shut down to through traffic and only bike traffic is allowed in. Once you get on the Fort Ord Roads, the going is pretty slow, but steady.

 

[Hank Wong]

Anyone been ticketed from splitting on the right, either on 156 or hwy 1?