Day 2 Delano to Clovis.

Woke up early but had slept well. 0630, shower dress and then out to sort the power feed for the GPS. This was one of the things we thought was arranged, however we got the job done ourselves. Mine was straightforward, Pat got his done but willie had a bad connection - solder joint broken. Soon fixed enough to get him by.
Breakfast next then try and post my blog - nope, blogger site is down so 2 posts 2nite.

Fuel up next - pay first, then fill up, then go back to get change.
We are off, the 8 bikes together and the support bus at the rear. We set off up Highway 68 i think, for 30 miles or so then turn off onto a single carriageway. This is farming country big style, tho suddenly we pass an old airfield, part of it still being used for a club, but an old phantom and another plane i can't recall its name standing solemnly reminding us of what used to fly here.

We are now cruising at 55mph down miles of orange groves, big rigs are going the other way loaded up with them, trailers too, and there is a waft of fresh orange in the air for a few seconds as we pass. The groves are well maintained and orderly, machines are busy round the sides digging holes etc. There are huge pickups around many with raised suspension and large tyres - similar to those monster trucks at displays. Here they are for real.

Occasionally fields of horses and foals, then some cattle, its all here. Fairly straight roads, a few bends, but the foothils are getting closer. Then round a corner and something high up catches my eye - is that snow ? Out of the haze the high ridges of the southern sierra nevada break through with rugged skyline and large snowfields, then a burst of blue sky hardens up the skyline making the white stand out, stunning.

We stop for a drink then continue to the sequoia park. Ah, major works in the park, the road is only open at certain times. We decide to get lunch at 3 Rivers, just 2 miles down the road. WE ask if they can serve us in 50 mins as we have to get back for a 2pm slot. They can, and they do. Excellent service and food and we are on a stunning covered veranda next to a river thundering down below us. Huge boulders deflect the persistent water and yet the surrounding vegetation is dry and ground seems arid, desert like.

We get up to the works and after a short wait the road is opened and we get through. At this point we have been getting hot again and as we gain height, the views are amazing; we are now about 4000 feet up and looks like another 1000 to go. The temp starts to drop and still we climb, up and up, when will it level out - at about 7400 feet thats when. The strange thing is the trees are getting taller and taller as we get higher and higher. Amazingly, we get to General Sherman and it is 187 feet tall, weighs an estimated 1700 tons and it lives at over 7000 feet.

We get a shower of rain, the temp plummets and in the space of 5 mins we have gone from 60F to 46F. Thunder cracks overhaed and a flash or two of lightning, thought some of the trees looked like they had taken a strike down the trunk. There is an aroma of redwood in the air, it is stunning to see these old trees, some are over 4000 years old they reckon.

Getting cold now so time to get down. We continue on the road, going down the NW side. What a great twisty windy road, however speed limits are displayed warning of blind bends ahead and occasional small rocks fallen to the side of the road. The altitude on the gps goes from 2280 to 1960 then starts going back up, then down, up, down. After some 10 miles we are still at 7000 feet; and getting cooler. We stop at a view point and meet 3 bikers from Brazil, they are surprised to see the scottish flags flying from the aerials.

On again and at last the roads descends to the valley, and the air temp climbs up to 76F. The bends get longer and faster and soon we are carving them at 55mph, great road. Another 30 mins and another coffee break. 45 miles to go. We arrive in Clovis at 1830, 181 miles done, thirsty and happy.

More food after a shower and change and catching up on the days sights.