ok ! that was fun, for anyone who cares. Here's my story for the route below to Tahoe from SF and back:
Time: 5.5iding. + stops = 6 hours.
580 is a 6 lane goat trail - but you all knew that. bumpity bumpity over concrete slabs and pot holes that make your head bobble.
99 starts to get into farm country which is pretty nice but still truck land.
88 & 89 is glorious.
Made for driving in the snow, so no big surprises, technical hairpins or sharp altitude changes. Pretty much big smooth sweeping curves. Good condition road. Gorgeous views. Only on baby deer I scared away with my horn.
Also, ... It was nearly empty! (Saturday AM) Not a car in my direction for miles! Lots of little towns with 35MPH posting that you want to actually go 35MPH in because of tractors and trucks congregating. Otherwise very smooth. [moto]
I stopped in Jackson for food and a stretch. As predicted, it got cold! Still snow on the ground up there!
One the way back I took 50 to 80 all the way. 70 degrees vs 55F on the other side on 88.
4 hours riding time. I only stopped once for gas down hill with tail wind most of the way.
50 was a blast. More big sweeping turns, plenty of passing lanes. Good road conditions, but very heavy traffic. Sunday Morning was a bumper to bumper parade from just after the lake to the bay with some open traffic after Sacramento.
It was 95F from Sac to the bay. Makes you want to go really fast.
80 is a slab, no need to tell you more. Sucky, endless traffic riddled slab where you can play, “dodge SUV.”
Thanks everyone for the advice!
