The annual Sierra Sidewinder weekend ride is headed to the northern end of the Sierra and we will be riding some of the epic mountain roads in the Feather River valley region. The event is planned for Friday, Sept. 20 through Sunday, Sept. 22. You can expect some riders coming up from So. Cal may be adding a night on the front and/or back of the weekend to extend the fun — so watch this space for updates.
Our base camp this year will be the 14-room Brownsville Motel in the forest village of Brownsville, east of Rattlesnake Peak. We are holding reservations on the entire motel and the owner is super excited to host us as her first ever group of motorcycle riders. They are cutting their room rate about 30%, with all rooms being $95 per night, plus tax if paid in cash (credit cards a few bucks more). Rooms vary in configuration and how many they will sleep, but I recommend you not delay in calling them for a reservation, because the next available motel is a few towns away. Call 530-675-2480 to reserve, and tell them you are with COG.
Of course the weekend is all about the riding and this should be great time to ride some new roads, including the epic Feather River Scenic Byway. From the west, it starts eight miles north of Oroville on Highway 70, winds through the magnificent Feather River Canyon, following the middle fork of the Feather River, the state's first designated Wild and Scenic River, connects with Highway 89 on through Quincy or north to Lake Almanor. According to the scenic byway website, “few California highways feature such natural beauty and diversity in terrain, landscape, wildlife and elevation as the Canyon Route. Cascading waterfalls and wildflowers in the spring and brilliant colors in the fall highlight the canyon’s natural beauty. The area also showcases the marvels of power plant, railroad and highway engineering between the steep, rugged canyon walls that drop down to the North Fork of the Feather River. The historic Pulga and Tobin bridges -- highway and railroad bridges that cross over each other -- and three tunnels blasted through granite are among the most frequently photographed sites. Seven hydroelectric powerhouses make up the “Stairway of Power” along the river with excellent views of the process in action. This is just one of the roads planned, with Highway 49 and Bucks Lake Road also options, plus routes over Deer Creek Pass and Yuba Pass for those checking off the rideable High Sierra passes.
Check the COG calendar and register there if you plan to attend.
Our base camp this year will be the 14-room Brownsville Motel in the forest village of Brownsville, east of Rattlesnake Peak. We are holding reservations on the entire motel and the owner is super excited to host us as her first ever group of motorcycle riders. They are cutting their room rate about 30%, with all rooms being $95 per night, plus tax if paid in cash (credit cards a few bucks more). Rooms vary in configuration and how many they will sleep, but I recommend you not delay in calling them for a reservation, because the next available motel is a few towns away. Call 530-675-2480 to reserve, and tell them you are with COG.
Of course the weekend is all about the riding and this should be great time to ride some new roads, including the epic Feather River Scenic Byway. From the west, it starts eight miles north of Oroville on Highway 70, winds through the magnificent Feather River Canyon, following the middle fork of the Feather River, the state's first designated Wild and Scenic River, connects with Highway 89 on through Quincy or north to Lake Almanor. According to the scenic byway website, “few California highways feature such natural beauty and diversity in terrain, landscape, wildlife and elevation as the Canyon Route. Cascading waterfalls and wildflowers in the spring and brilliant colors in the fall highlight the canyon’s natural beauty. The area also showcases the marvels of power plant, railroad and highway engineering between the steep, rugged canyon walls that drop down to the North Fork of the Feather River. The historic Pulga and Tobin bridges -- highway and railroad bridges that cross over each other -- and three tunnels blasted through granite are among the most frequently photographed sites. Seven hydroelectric powerhouses make up the “Stairway of Power” along the river with excellent views of the process in action. This is just one of the roads planned, with Highway 49 and Bucks Lake Road also options, plus routes over Deer Creek Pass and Yuba Pass for those checking off the rideable High Sierra passes.
Check the COG calendar and register there if you plan to attend.
