as Bill CC's it
Licked 		Map to Lunch

Map from Lunch

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 trip to
 Lick Observatory
2004 PICS
2005 PICS
      
  1. This isn’t a race; though to the untrained eye, it may on occasion appear otherwise.
  2. We travel at a brisk pace that an experienced rider should enjoy. But don’t worry there’s room for less seasoned riders.
  3. We always wait at ALL turns on the ride route for the group to re-form and verify we haven’t lost anybody.
  4. Individually, we should always travel at a pace that’s within our capabilities and comfort level for the current conditions.
  5. If you’re holding someone up, don’t stress, we’re all friends. WAIT for a straight away and wave them past.
  6. If someone is holding you up IN THE CORNERS, Wait and give them a little space, than pass them safely in the straight.
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One of the best times for this ride is in the winter or spring.  The hills are very green and the weather is perfect when you ride in-between the rain storms.   There can be fog in the valley below- Silicon Valley, and rising above it as you head on up to the observatory can be exhilarating.  

Expect to meet other motorcyclists at the top, as this is a busy ride on weekends.  Not always a lot of places to allow for that sportbike pass as the road is extremely curvy in places.


Sometimes there will be fog in the valley and the road will rise right above it as if you were above the clouds.  This also happens on nearby Mount Diablo.  Riding this in summer or fall can greet you with lotsa golden brown grass all burnt to a fine Californian crisp.

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We stop at the Junction Cafe for a coffe break, There's no fuel here so you need to fill up in Livermore.

From here we head up to the observatory. Do keep in mind that the Hamilton Road portion is by no means a high speed playground.  Try other roads for that.  Although it's likely if this is a weekend, you'll get passed by a couple guys on 600's riding hell-bent up the hill.  While these pics show some amazing twisties.  Much of Hamilton Road has some very tight corners.  


Lick Observatory


  
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The observatory, part of the University of California, was constructed in 1876 and was ready for business in the 1880's. The Observatory was originally slated to be built in the Sierra Nevada Mountains although the plans were scrapped.  It was doubtful the Observatory would be of any use due to the snowfall in the high Sierra's.  

This location on Mt. Hamilton was chosen in part because James Lick would be able to see it from his bedroom window.  Seeing as how he was bedridden at the time, he could view the dome at any time.   He is said to be buried under a support pillar for the 36-inch refractor telescope.

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from Lick Observatory we head through San Jose get gas and head out HWY 17 to Black rd.

Some think this is the best part of the ride. Your  in the zone and as you climb up black RD. headed towards Skyline BLVD  you realize how great these roads really are. The sun will be getting lower and the light golden by now as we head towrds Alices and Our last stop.
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After some Coffe and gas at Alices we'll head back to the city.
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