395 North
Get Away Ride
US 395 is my favorite road north. I mean way north. I mean Carson City/Tahoe/ Reno and further north. But this is more about getting to 395 as it is about the road itself.
I have found myself needing to go north frequently and the map shows US 95 as the most direct route. That may be but I don’t think it is the best route. When I have time I cut west and ride up 395. This brings you into the foothills and base of the Sierras which is much more scenic than more desert.
Unfortunately, 395 doesn’t run very close to Vegas. The quickest route is to cut through Death Valley but if it’s warm enough to be riding north, it’s too warm to be riding through Death Valley. So I start out north on 95.
About a hundred miles up the road is Beatty. This is a good place for your first stop. There are several gas stations and couple of restaurants. The Burro Inn on the south side of town used to be a favorite stop, but it closed recently, so now I generally gas up at the big station on the north side of town. There are a couple of motels and a coffee shop there as well. Did I mention you need to gas up here? This is the rural west and you need to gas up when you can. It’s over a hundred miles to the next gas.
Continue north on 95 to Lida Junction. This is not a town. It is an intersection with a brothel. (They are legal in rural Nevada.) Nevada 266 is a left turn off 95 towards California and it doesn’t take long to leave the desert behind as you climb to the first of three summits. I recommend stopping here and taking in the view to the west. It is spectacular as you look at the distant ranges.
The first valley you enter is Fish Lake Valley. Here you enter California and pick up California 168 toward Big Pine. This stretch of road isn’t recommended for oversize vehicles. It is a motorcycle road, but be careful There is a lot of loose gravel and sand in the corners. The first fifteen miles are the most fun, then down into another pretty valley and over another summit. The road from Lida Junction to Big Pine is a great ride. Just be careful. You are a long way away from any kind of services or help.
Big Pine is where you pick up 395. Turn right, unless you are desperate for gas. Bishop is fifteen miles up the road to the north and gas will be cheaper. I’m usually ready for lunch in Bishop. It’s realistically the first town with real services since you left Vegas and there is just about anything you could want to choose from. The city park is a great place for a picnic lunch and break from the road also.
Leaving Bishop you have two choices. You can continue up 395 to Mammoth and June Lakes or head up US6. 
395 north is great road with spectacular scenery. It’s four lane divided highway and well maintained. US 6 will take you on a little more adventure. Make sure you have gas leaving Bishop, though.
US6 actually begins in Bishop. There is a sign on the outskirts of town informing you how far to the other end, but don’t worry. You don’t have that far to go. Ride up 6 until you get to Benton. Then turn west on California 120. This will take you up a winding road past the Benton Hot Springs. The road winds a little more then opens into a huge sage brush field. The road runs along through these fields with canyons and mountains to both sides, until it winds down past Mono lake to 395.
395 will continue to wind its way through mountains and valleys all the way to Reno and beyond. It is the only way to go north from Vegas, if you are not in a hurry. Even then you can make Reno in a days ride.
