California Coast | This Road Wasn’t Worth Taking

[@bp9749]

Am i the only one who thinks the road was great? I don't get all the negativity about the ride. So if there's no "epic views" its not worth it? The video was great. Positive attitude goes really far

[@pcatful]

I don't like looking at continuous trees either. Nice for a few miles and camping spot. But this didn't look like a place to camp. I wonder if this was the bike for that road.

[@smokypipe3547]

I think for more views he has a caption to draw attention. therefore he made it sound lousy

[@catdaddy3302]

When I get to tracks that are “monotonous,” I just admire the beauty of it all. Difficult tracks aren’t far away. Just relax and enjoy. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@transformwithcoachneal5585]

Your motorcycle adventures, no matter how mundane they appear from your perspective....are always entertaining, thank you for sharing video adventures👍🏾.

[@Zerotys_ADV]

All a matter of perspective. I just traversed this road last week, from the day this video was released. I thought it was interesting. Yes, there are no spectacular views and the road in many spots is chewed up, but it was a fun road. I got caught in a rut on a pretty steep switchback stalled the bike. Didn’t drop it fortunately. Probably at the same curve as Sterling. One thing to note, Sherwood-Fort Bragg Rd isn’t for beginning riders even though OnX denotes it as a 2 on their scale. Our group found this out the hard way. There are a few older KZbin videos (5yrs) detailing the route they make the road appear to be easier than it is in reality.

[@keithjose2581]

Good stuff! I am always riding up the north coast on my GS, usually to Eureka. Along my rides, I have taken a few of the older roads connecting 1 to 101 down around Fort Bragg or down by Stewart's Point. Love your video! Maybe I'll see you out there sometime. Would be cool to ride together.

[@Heliumisleaving]

If I remember correctly that trail is tens of thousands of years old and was established for trading. It is also a very popular route for the light weight dual sporters who come through every year. I think the aspects of it that you found unpleasant are exactly what draws them to it. But these Old roads are typically over grown and offer little in the way of views. For views, nothing beats hwy 1. You can also go east of garberville and get some amazing vistas. Highway 20 from willits to FB is much more scenic.

[@dogfeathers5646]

Gave up my Airhead GS (which I loved) and got a DR650 (which I love more) and lost about 150 pounds in the process. Should have done it years ago. I no longer ride freeways so have no need for all that blubber and power. My DR does all what the GS did and lighter is just soooo much easier.

[@scottmiller4516]

That is what I call an Adventure, Great job helping others on your ride!

[@pcatful]

I'm glad you were out there for the other couple whether or not they need not they needed help. Reassuring to have a fellow biker out there.

[@danielsims3424]

Thanks for the great video - and the previous ones. They helped me plan a trip up the coast to Usal beach and up to Matthole this weekend. Sherwood Road had been on my loose plan but I skipped it having had a couple of drops the day before on Cow Mountain and wanted the energy for Usal Road. Seeing your video I'm pleased I did!

[@WhY_ADV]

I rode that same Sherwood Rd, and actually came across and almost ran into the grader. We talked for a minute too. I totally got stuck on that same mud hill too. Must be a spring at the top of that hill.

[@radd6564]

As always, great day riding with you showing what and how you can create an adventure that we all can enjoy !

[@JCrozier1]

sometimes, the adventure takes us a different way then expected. Its nice to see the contrast from time to time. cant wait for the next episode.

[@peternaur]

Great episode, Sterling! I must say I think that road looked perfect for me! But tough on a big gs for sure. You did super well and kept your cool - often the hardest part. Thanks for sharing!

[@TerryManitoba]

Ya - the anxiety level increases significantly as the rubber leaves the road... Keeping your Cool is an acquired skill.

[@BTimmer]

One has to take the good, the bad, and the ugly. Thanks for sharing it all Stirling!

[@brianmcquirk7428]

Thanks for the ride Sterling.

[@marklawrence4596]

That muddy section looked like New England dirt (mud) roads in the Spring! I admire your ability to pick that GS up at all. I have a KLR and struggle to pick it up without help. And it's really great to see you all the roads you explore. I'm seeing a lot of the west through your journeys on my iPad in Massachusetts. Please keep the videos coming and thanks for all the work you do to allow us to join you!

[@bmcossette]

I really like the camera shots of you resting on your handlebars and talking to the camera. It gives your videos a professional documentary feel to them. like something you would have seen on PBS back in the day. Keep up the good work!

[@rayrayray4116]

Great video. Yes, this is why I tour on a Yamaha WR250R with a credit card and hotel reservations.

[@samhill3496]

Good vid. Been in that area several times. You never know until you take that turm what will be ahead. My home turf is much the same. That makes adventure, sometimes more than we want. See you around

[@glennsmith1040]

Great ride Sterling. Always disheartening to find garbage along a wilderness course. Thanks for the video.

[@lorip2109]

It’s all about the adventure. Great episode as always!

[@kevinh8338]

Better than any road in Florida . . . . Actually quite a few roads in the Smoky mountains are similar - really fun on a small bike - get to slide through corners and spin the rear tires. On a loaded ADV bike not so much. Sad about the trash, find that everywhere.

[@bigjoe4020]

I never knew how heavy these big GS are until I had to help a friend wrestle his out of a mud hole much like you were in. In comparison I turned mine (cb500x) around like a bicycle :) Keeping your cool is the ticket. rsm8

[@aluisious]

They're stupid bikes. Riding a 500-600 pound bike offroad is a stupid plan.

[@odyshopody9387]

looked like a nice ride to me, I mean what was he expecting, Alpine views! I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[@k2bords]

Haha yes! I just rode Sherwood for the first time earlier this year and dropped my 990 at that exact muddy climb spot!

[@Porsche996driver]

Challenging mentally and physically taking an unknown sidetrack! Fort Bragg has some amazing sea cliffs and real estate.

[@pcthayer]

Guess you gotta encounter the bad so you can really appreciate the good when it comes along. Glad you and your bike weren't hurt from the fall. (Glad you got the hotel after that so both you and your bike could have a nice shower and get cleaned up after the day you had and have a fresh start for your next adventure tomorrow.)

[@davemcmahon8140]

Yep, I've been down one or 10 of those roads. But hey, it's great to see you as an ambassador of goodwill for others. Not many would stop to help out. Honestly, that's some good camera work using a lack of light in that dark forest. Dave

[@riderinsanjose337]

Sorry Dave. ANY motorcyclists would stop to help out.

[@ALinthePacificNW]

Glad you made it through uninjured Sterling. Thank you for sharing your honest experience and not shining a turd. These troubled rides are what we all think forward to with a mindset of how will we adapt, overcome or improvise and continue on. none of us will know until we are there. But seeing the Master in action certainly gives me some comfort that hopefully I too, will power through. Thank you for your work, your art and your passion. You seem tireless. How? -Al near Seattle

[@Ride_0n]

I posted a video that included Branscomb yesterday as well. GMTA. There is a lot of narrow pavement on that which I enjoyed. I liked Branscomb, it was unexpectedly nice. Not to mention, better than going 20 miles north to Leggett from Laytonville to get to the coast over that somewhat beat up road (it used to be nice).

[@dankorolyk5917]

Another adventure,well done

[@markpinnington1723]

Yeah that was a gutsy sort of track. Did really well to keep your composure Great footage

[@2ndborn186]

Cool vid. Not sure what possesses a human to leave their garbage in the outdoors. Sickening.

[@markchristianson8178]

I get you going and going were is this view just thick bush and bad roads . That was great you helped her out good on you it was a great trip thanks for showing you never know what's behind every corner glad you never got hurt .

[@ivorscruton5121]

That muddy section is nothing. Let me tell a story. A friend and I were conversing with two German adventures in a bar in Antigua Guatemala. They were telling us that they were going on an epic journey through the Petin jungle, from Chisec to Tikal, on their superior BMW GS boxer motorcycles. My friend, who has a disdain for those with a superior attitude, said we should follow them 12 hours after they had already left. The road, if you could call it that, was two ruts made by 4 x 4 oil exploration trucks filled with water in the clay jungle soil. Because they couldn't ride in the wheel ruts due to the cylinder arrangement, they had to clear mud from the wheels every half turn in order to proceed. We, on the other hand, rode in the ruts with our Yamaha XT 500's, passing them about 10 km into the jungle, waving as we passed on our not so superior machines. After a river crossing the road was a white clay base, which resembled an ice rink, we managed 60 km in 10 hours in constant rain. To this day, I wonder if they ever made it out. They were loaded with gear, unlike us, we always travelled light with less than 20 kg, despite being on a six month adventure. This was in the early 1990's, no cell phones or GPS.

[@kseniiaadv]

Oh wow, Sterling, I was just doing that same road this weekend! And went down with my GS at exactly the same spot where you did! 6:44 these muddy ruts uphill. What a coincidence, this is cool :) Thanks for the video btw.

[@deanmalkewich2366]

When people go to Europe and see castle after castle, there comes a point when even the most grandios castles become ordinary. Same can happen with waterfalls, mountain vistas, and in your case, motorcycle routes. You’ve ridden so many epic routes than now this gravel route through the forest that most of us stuck riding prairie gravel roads and tarmac would kill for, has become mundane.

[@fredclow9326]

That is why we ride, for the adventure and to discover and experience Gods' creation and ourselves. If you dump your bike your on the right adventure.

[@kennethvernonprivate]

Hay.....I've had a few days similar to that.....Thankfully just a few. Thanks again Sterling. All the best from Canada.

[@onerider808]

‘Just a bunch of trees’, lol. You are missing the point entirely.

[@steveh545]

I’d give my eye teeth for “just a bunch of trees”.

[@riderinsanjose337]

He misses the point on a lot of things.

[@lordvader2060]

Thanks for keeping it real, Sterling. Mama said there’d be rides like this. 😊

[@peterhewitson71]

Thanks for another video , all our trips can't be epic 😎 Pete Western Australia

[@psjasker]

I feel your pain. I don’t think people realize the amount of stamina needed to ride a road like that for hours (let alone having to muscle the machine back up). Great video and I love the Good Samaritan You

[@oldchicago3216]

Safe travels 👍

[@TheBikeguy72]

You should go to the Casper inn and listen to some live music. It’s between Fort Bragg and Mendocino.

[@rossjohnson2151]

That road looks awesome for a dirt bike. Thirty mile track with no traffic would be great fun. On my Multistrada, not so much.

[@DirtbikeXpeditions]

Just goes to show how “value” is a very personally subjective thing. What wasn’t worth taking for you is what I seek out. The backroad muddy more technical trail adventures are why I ride…the scenery is a bonus for me…enjoyed the video

[@JohnDoe-1000xt]

enjoyed the vid thanks..a lesson here as I see it.. if you can't pick up your dropped bike, it can put you in a nightmare situation. especially in a remote OffRoad location..

[@SBMotoZ]

Considering a GS , but after watching Videos like this. I’m unsure, the weight is a concern off-road, might just stick with my KTM 390 Adv, The GS a great touring bike for sure

[@AdventureTravelandScuba]

The end part of this ride seemed like most of our rides 😂, we always manage to find tracks that are challenging and at some times ugly to get through. Recently we did Lolo pass off road in Idaho very demanding and ugly at some spots, at least we had some beautiful views from top of the mountains

[@Ghostrider-71]

Looks great to me, better than what I have locally in Flat as a Pancake Ohio. New rider/New KLR650 owner here.

[@monokheros5373]

STAND UP! get off your duffus kick up your speed to something faster then a bloody crawl enjoy the ride.... If you are scared of a thing ... DO NOT DO IT if you are doing a thing ... DO NOT BE SCARED Jhenghis Qan

[@thenarrowpathoftruth9443]

I didn't find the scenery monotonous at all. The trash was regrettable but, I felt the scenery was very nice. I absolutely love your channel. Surely you must be on your way to a quarter million subscribers if you keep going.

[@SterlingNoren]

Thanks for sharing!

[@AzTurboMini]

Dang dude! You've already forgot about the day from hell you had on your KTM trying to climb that goat trail made of baby heads. 😂✌️

[@UltralightMotorcycleCamping]

On my last motorcycle camping trip, I dropped my baby GS20 feet from camp on the way out in the morning. It landed downhill in a weird spot between trees where I couldn't spin it. Even though I pack very light, I was unable to lift the bike, even after removing the luggage. I had to improvise a Spanish windlass to lift the bike. It was hot and muggy on the 4th of July and that took all of the starch out of me.

[@KSAdventures72]

That's what Adventures are made of ...

[@Wingnut_Stickman]

I say take a page out of Principal Skinner's Handbook, and make a game of it. See how far you can ride with your eyes closed, or swap your hands on the grips, the monotony will fall away suddenly. Excellent video, thanks for sharing.

[@lifesjourneyat50]

Sterling...we know you can ride and always fun in those situations....ha!!!....biggest disappointment is people leaving their trash allover...I see a lot on the East Coast...disappointed in people...keep it up great job

[@tomtruelock8215]

Freestyle Adventure is never boring and Northern California coast has great B roads. Ride safe Ride free friend.

[@pigeonpallz1733]

Everyone is untitled to their opinions but i disagree. The road was beautiful and trees were beautiful. Maybe it was just an off day? Thank you for all your hard work and sharing your feelings about your adveo

[@darrellhay]

As a guy who owns and loves an R1200GSA I cringed at that road and the rut and the 45 minutes of work it took to get out of that. Watching that makes me want to ride my smaller lighter bikes more (like her KLR lol). BMW R bikes are big and heavy and unwieldy and not suited for that type of riding, especially alone.

[@TerryManitoba]

I've had 2 R GSs who has done plenty of LONG trips. Problem is on a long trip (especially alone) you will not likely do any challenging trails as it could be the end of the trip. & since 97.5% is done on paved roads - why bother? That's why I don't own an R GS anymore & ride an Yamaha FJ 09 (best one up Sport touring Bike IMO) If you are not on a super long trip riding a smaller Adv bike (KLR or smaller) is way more fun anyhow & you are more likely to be in a group.

[@jonnyrountree851]

Garbage in the road. Some people just have no love for this planet. You should see usal Beach on the forth of July. Unreal!

[@11BADV]

Fort Bragg is a pretty cool coastal town.

[@3goldfinger]

With a score of 99/100 on good roads, keep smiling.

[@marcjohnson7882]

I live on the California coast, just north of this area, and you have just described most of the of the riding up here. Let's face it, if you're in a heavily wooded region, and the roads are surrounded by trees without being on a hilltop or a scenic vantage point, all you're going to see is trees. If you want more open land and hilltop type riding, it's not here.

[@mototaco2132]

There is a Sea Urchin factory in Fort Bragg.... I hoped you were able to pick up some fresh uni.

[@kittycorner8526]

I'm not very familiar with BMW bikes. What model is the bike you're riding in this video? I'm retired now, but I used to haul gasoline from Martinez to Ft. Bragg, Garberville, and Fortuna.

[@SterlingNoren]

BMW 1200 gs rallye

[@enduromotorradtouren]

@ worthwhile tracks: You cherish good trails when you experienced mediocre ones. Cheers, Günter/Nürnberg

[@MaxAdventure66]

Nice video! Saw the similar tent like mine 😅

[@yowser8780]

Sherwood or USALroads at night. Then stop and turn out all the lights. Wait a minute. Woods are so dense that no light comes through. Total darkness. Then the woods start closing in...

[@SCORPi0N5150]

Just rode Sherwood Rd for first time ever this last tuesday. Didn't see all that trash around then. I enjoyed the road just because it wasn't slab but definitely not a lot of unique scenery there..

[@dougarchbold2370]

I solve boredom with speed, every road is a good time.

[@markbevans8564]

This road is nothing special, I’ve ridden it 10+ times, but just a dusty rutty “bridge” road between inland and the coast, but I’ve done it every time on dual sport bikes, not big adventure bikes. Love your tenacity, great job in poor conditions 😉

[@chriscm6461]

Thanks Sterling, think I'll just stick to the tarmac😄

[@Liberty4Ever]

It seems that you're seeing the word through the eyes of a video artist, looking for spectacular vistas. I enjoy those when they happen but I'm mostly in search of nature and serenity so I'm happy with "monotonous" trees and camping in the woods away from people. The trash would have bugged me though. I pack it out when I can but when you start seeing trash bags full of garbage and child car seats, that's not feasible. That was trashy for California.

[@druegeme]

maybe the reward was some really good practice. And for the girl and her friend perhaps you saved the day!

[@rayfriedman6107]

Those spills are inconvenient-next time you should assign the cleanup to your film crew and chase van!

[@Erik-rp1hi]

You need to go fast on dirt roads. That makes them so much fun.

[@michelboekkerink8848]

Hey, nice video(s). I started to look at certain of your videos since I’m planning a trip in Baja California. In this episode you mentioned an APP that showed you the Sherwood Road. I have not been able to find the APP probably since I did not catch the name correctly from the video… Can you point me in the right direction…??

[@squiretomasie7003]

Was that flashing light turn out to be of your drive line failure?

[@johnyoungieyoung123]

That is a great road and I will definitely be taking that, you need to have the right tools for the job and a 700 pound behemoth of a tank with the kitchen sink strapped to it is not the right tool. You make good videos regardless. In my opinion *ANY* adventure ride should be able to copy with a little bit of mud and crashing is all part of the adventure. Those bike are not made to go down those trails with an average rider.

[@captlarry-3525]

Either you use google earth, so you know what you are getting into, or you just go with eyes wide open, and say "And this too", accepting what you discover as it unfolds. We have lots of micro climate, lots of different terrain, flora, California is nothing if not big, varied, full of contrasts and surprises. I always say Boredom is a sure sign of a lack of imagination.

[@curlybill3966]

Bad roads and big bikes are not fun, but it’s the ride not the destination.

[@marcoluoma3770]

Maybe it’s your good videography, but what was boring to you looked beautiful from this side of the screen. Thanks, and see you on the flip side.

[@fabiopunk1661]

As someone says here, monotonous roads are welcome as they are a break from the challenges ahead…..

[@jayzee1968]

A Suzuki DR650 is a lot easier to pick up. 1/4 the price too :)

[@josephd5715]

I guess the road was worth taking after all. 🙂

[@elilevine2410]

I wouldn't take a heavy bike like that anywhere...

[@briansmith2933]

The point of all the trees in the dirt road is to be impressed by mother, nature and enjoy no cars.No asphalt, and you're improving your writing skills.That's what the payoff is and then the payoff could have been even bigger if you took five minutes and pick the trash up and at least put it in a bag. I hope one. Day your attitude improves about what motorcycle riding and adventure riding is all about getting away and getting better.Have a great day and keep this shiny side up.😂

[@striker17]

What gps unit are you using?

[@BillWrites-t2e]

You want to bring a saw, trees are hard to move without one.

[@BillWrites-t2e]

I might lay down a few tree just to keep you guys out of the woods

[@samtech79]

That whole place turns into a mud slog… like all of it… that soil turns into baby shit. I left my pride there a few times.

[@ExhibitTruth]

How is that Touratech helmet?

[@SterlingNoren]

I love it. Light, comfortable.

[@ExhibitTruth]

@@SterlingNoren Thank you! I enjoy your videos..

[@mrfdr12]

Agreed!!! I hate when Yahoos trash BLM areas and places to ride! I hate that!!!

[@matt281075]

👌👍

[@franktaylor7978]

Where are you from? The way you say “inland” makes me think canadian

[@s-code-b]

It all looks suspicious. He must have deleted the clip where he turned into Incredible Hulk to break free of that rut. His complexion still looks a little greenish actually.

[@SterlingNoren]

Yeah, I wish I would’ve filmed that but I had my hands full just getting the bike out of that rut!!!

[@s-code-b]

@@SterlingNoren 😄👍

[@RoadDogSteve]

Sometimes a payoff isn't necessary....... That area is beautiful to me.... I do riding in the AZ backroads and same trash etc here too.... It's everywhere almost....

[@aluisious]

Why would someone complain about sand on a dirt road?