Girl Meets World on FZ-07 Motorcycle - Chapter 2 - Part 1

Tiff and I met at the track, where she races her Ninja 250 with more enjoyment and positivity than anyone else on the grid. When Tiffani got word that she’d be getting laid off from her job in Los Angeles, she didn’t fret. In typical ultra-optimistic Tiff style, she saw it as an opportunity to hit the road on her newly acquired Yamaha FZ-07. What follows are Tiffani’s reports from the road, originally posted for her friends on Facebook but shared here with her permission for all to enjoy. — Ari Henning

Whelp, it's been a while , but after a long month of rest and relaxation and losing my mind, I'm back on the road again. So, after much deliberation, delays, and obligations, I finally got back on my FZ-07 May 14th, exactly 31 days since my last 31 day trek, this time with the goal being to see all of the remaining lower 48 (passport also in tow just in case I get really ambitious, haha!)

Feeling much more prepared, calm, and relaxed this time, I headed out midday, split through typical LA traffic then rode up the snake for good measure, as Mulholland was one of the canyons that meant a lot at the beginning of my riding career, so it was only appropriate. I headed up the coast planning to camp somewhere in Big Sur, figuring that's the perfect first stop on any northern road trip. After coming across a couple full parks, I ultimately got a spot at San Simeon State Beach. Digging through my saddle bags, setting up my tent, and boiling some water for a freeze dried dinner really drove home how much I was missing this life after a month of normalcy.The next day, I headed up a foggy, twisty coast toward San Jose to hang with a friend from AFM . Caught up, got some great trip suggestions, then crashed there for the night.

I headed up the coast yet again for day 3 (seriously, this is the easiest write up ever). I stopped at the golden gate bridge briefly, where a few random people for some reason decided to take pictures with my FZ, before ultimately making my way up to the Sonoma coast, which I’m going to call one of the most gorgeous stretches of cliffs I’ve seen so far. Having never seen any of PCH north of Laguna Seca until now, I have to say that it only gets more and more glorious as you go. I could barely believe how drastically the scenery along Highway 1 changed just after crossing the bridge.

Day 4, I had planned to visit Fort Bragg then get as far as Shasta, but after exploring the admittedly disappointing glass beach for a couple hours, and 7 hours worth of tight and technical coastal roads, I called it a night in Fortuna and got a cheap hotel.Day 5, I turned onto highway 36 to head inland to see Mount Shasta. Something about riding through tunnels of moss covered red woods, while your helmet is filled with the scent of pine, as your bike quickly transitions back and forth under trail braking is some kind of moto ecstasy that I don't even know how to put into words. We are so spoiled by the roads in California.But after another 100 scenic miles of twisties (good freaking job, NorCal), I actually welcomed the 70-mile straight jaunt up I-5 just to relax a bit. Made it up to the 6500 feet parking lot of a snow blanketed Mount Shasta before the road was closed due to conditions, then ultimately found a campground on the mountain.

As I once again shove all my things in a bear box for the night, it’s time to attempt to overcome one of my hopefully irrational camping fears, haha. It’s hard to believe I’ve already been on the road for so long, as it feels so much easier this time!