By Hank Bischoff
11/21/2007
Volume 1

Hello, my name is Hank Bischoff. I’ve been riding motorcycles since 1969 and have lived on both the East and West coasts of these United States. Since 1990 I’ve been fortunate enough to live in the Sierra Nevada and have discovered a lifetime of breath-taking, scenic Roads to explore.  The Sierra’s are a geologically “young” mountain Range, jagged and sharp with many rock formations and waterfalls.  But enough with why it’s so beautiful here, let’s get to riding…

The Ice House Loop

Starting in Jackson, California, take Hwy 49 North through Sutter Creek, Amador City, Drytown and Plymouth. Continue North on 49
To “Poor Reds Corner”. This little bar on the corner makes a drink with Galliano called a Gold Cadillac and they are listed in the “Guiness Book of World Records” as serving the most Galliano of any
Establishment in the world. A Road Pirate needs to know where the watering holes are and there’s some good ones on this ride.

Take a right and follow Pleasant Valley Road to Missouri Flat Rd and take a left. Take Missouri Flat up to Hwy 50 and head East to Placerville. A few miles east and Hwy 49 continues. Hang a left on 49
North to Coloma and Cool. Be prepared for twisting, mountain roads. Next Stop, Coloma State Park. This is where the California Gold Rush of 1849 began. It’s also a great place to stretch your legs after the canyon descent you just made. Make sure to check out Sutter’s Mill, the working blacksmith shop and the stores where employees are dressed in period clothing of the 1850’s.
 
Continue North on 49. The Coloma Club just up the road is a biker friendly bar, to wet your whistle after exploring the State Park.
 
Continue North on 49 to the town of “Cool”. This is a great break-off Point for other rides in the Sierra but for now, Take a right on Hwy 193 to Georgetown. Follow the scenic highway to Georgetown and go
Left on Main. On week-ends bikes are lined up & down the center of the wide, main drag. The Georgetown Inn and Clubs are both “biker Friendly” establishments. Be sure to gas up in Georgetown before completing ‘the loop’. It’s a long way to the next gas station.

Follow the main drag out of town to Stumpy Meadows. This is a Beautiful mountain lake with a nice, big parking area. Keep your speed down crossing the concrete spillway, the sharp right ahead is Deceiving. Several miles up the road you’ll see a sign for “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”. It’s a bar built back in 1864 and worth checking out.

Continue on to Ice House Road and take a right. You’re entering the Infamous Rubicon Wilderness. Creeks, waterfalls and switchback turns. A few miles ahead is the Ice House Resort. Cabins, tent camping, a restaurant, and of course, a BAR! Tell John the DJ says
Hello…

Just past the Ice House you come out of the woods and the view goes on forever…then it’s about 12 miles down the twisting canyon Road to Hwy 50. Take a right and go West to the Sly Park exit. Go left under the overpass and follow Sly Park Road past the lake to Mormon Emigrant Trail. It’s a sharp left at the edge of the lake. Follow Mormon Emigrant Trail to Hwy 88 and take a right. Go West Past Bear River Lake and follow 88 back to Jackson.

Welcome to Cool

Mural in Georgetown, next to fire-station

Stumpy Meadow Lake

Ice House Bar and Restaurant