Looking for Local Input

[psychocycle]

Hi Guys,

A group of us will be taking a tour early in June 2010, departing Edmonton, Alberta and heading into BC and working our way over to Washington and then south down the Pacific Coast Highway down to around Los Angeles, from here we are maybe going up through Las Vegas and heading north through Yellowstone Park and up through Montana and across the boarder to our return destination. Total distance is somewhere around 7,400 kms (4,625 mi). Just wondering if any of you guys local to these areas have any recommendation on sites, roads, must see and do etc. Any input you may have would be appreciated.

Thanks
Al

[schoeney]

How far west are you going to go into BC before you cross?

Hwy 25 through Kettle Falls ,Rice,Hunters, and Davenport is awesome and very little traffic. If you do this I would take 25 to Odessa then make your way to HWY 12. If NF-25 is open in June you can stop and see the east side of Mt St Helens for a great break.

Then take 503 to I-5. Then take I-5 into Portland. Just remember 1-5 sucks (lots of traffic) in all of Washington and from Portland into about Salem in Oregon. If you want to actually see the city of Portland you will have to take I-5. But if we can coordinate our times I could escort you on some great roads around Portland to the south and ride some great roads to avoid traffic and I-5.

You can head to the coast pretty much anytime after you hit Salem and have a great ride. If you want to eat miles you may want to ride 1-5 in Oregon (much better than Washington) to Grants Pass then head west through Crescent City into California. The ride from Grants Pass to Crescent City is good.

The Columbia Gorge (I-84) along the Columbia River is very scenic but I would only ride it before noon as the wind picks up in the afternoon.

Give me a few clues to where you want to start and I can give you more specifics about the chosen areas.

HWY 97 from the Columbia River to the California border gets alot of heavy truck traffic.

There are some great rides in Washington and Oregon. If you narrow down where you will cross then I think Kris (Netnorske) and I and others can steer you to some good roads, sites, eats. We can also send you it from the HD ride planner or Google.

I would love to meet you when you come through my area...and if schedules allow I could ride with you for a while! Don't let that scare you...the training wheels come off next week!

Hope that helps...I can get more specific later.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by psychocycle

Hi Guys,

A group of us will be taking a tour early in June 2010, departing Edmonton, Alberta and heading into BC and working our way over to Washington and then south down the Pacific Coast Highway down to around Los Angeles, from here we are maybe going up through Las Vegas and heading north through Yellowstone Park and up through Montana and across the boarder to our return destination. Total distance is somewhere around 7,400 kms (4,625 mi). Just wondering if any of you guys local to these areas have any recommendation on sites, roads, must see and do etc. Any input you may have would be appreciated.

Thanks
Al

Sounds like a great trip. You'll be in for some pretty high temperatures in the 110+ range in the Mojave Desert. Get an early start and drink lots and lots of water while in the desert.

Since you are going to Vegas and then on to Yellowstone, you might consider riding through Zion National Park and checking out Bryce Canyon in Southern Utah. This is some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth.

You could leave Vegas on I-15, go through St. George UT, then exit I-15 and ride through Zion NP. When you exit Zion on the east side, you will be on Hwy 89, which will take you to Panguitch, then Bryce Canyon is just a few miles away. After Bryce, you can go back through Panguitch and then take Hwy 20 over to I-15, and superslab it up through the Salt Lake City area. Yellowstone is 300 miles from there.

[Sin City Stan]

Ditto Cactus Jack's suggestions. Draft jackets are the norm in the Mojavi in the summer months and carry water. Sounds like a great trip. Remember . . . pictures, pictures, pictures.

[psychocycle]

Thanks for the info so far guys. I will provide more details as soon as we hear from our BC Group. It is their turn to plan our meeting place this year so were not sure of the exact location that we will depart from the large group and head off on our trip from the main meeting. Some where around Salmo area or somewhere in Washington has been thrown out, but they will be confirming soon. The only comments from our smaller group was that they initially wanted to get on the Pacific Coast Highway fairly far to the north but we have yet to get together and do any detailed planning. The entire ride will be roughly planed out but no set destination times or locations and flexibility and sight seeing will be high on the agenda. The only thing set in stone will be to return home at a set date for work. And who knows, that could be flexible as well. Your input is much appreciated as this area is fairly foreign to most of us. And for sure it would be nice to meet up with some of you guys along the way.

Thanks
Al

[patmahoney]

The Going to the Sun Road in Montana is a do not miss. Though you will need to check on the status of the road as your trip gets closer, they have been doing multi year renovation project on the road. From what I hear they are trying to do most of the work at night to keep the road open for tourists during the day. With or without Going to the Sun, Glacier would be great way to finish the US leg of your trip before heading back across the border.

Depending on the timing you might hit Calgary in time for the Stampede, always a good time!

[Sin City Stan]

Originally Posted by psychocycle

Thanks for the info so far guys. I will provide more details as soon as we hear from our BC Group. And for sure it would be nice to meet up with some of you guys along the way.

Thanks
Al

Just give a heads up if you pass through Vegas. We could meet up a number of places.

[schoeney]

If you want to hit the coast "in the north" I suggest you start with Chuckanut Drive in Bellingham (an amazing 25 mile stretch) then take Hwy20 through Deception Pass/Whidbey Island and catch the ferry to Port Townsend then hit 101 either west to Forks or South to HWY 108. Either way is awesome.

It tends to rain alot more toward Forks (Olympia Rain Forest) but what a great start to a ride and the absolute farthest point north to follow down.

It is a slow ride south due to many turns and towns but if you have the time it will be fantastic (weather permitting). We still get a bit of rain in June.

[psychocycle]

Sounds great Schoeney, I will certainly be posting again once we find out a bit more detail on our jump off point. Look forward to hooking up with you and/or any other members along the way.

Thanks again.

[Netnorske]

Originally Posted by psychocycle

Sounds great Schoeney, I will certainly be posting again once we find out a bit more detail on our jump off point. Look forward to hooking up with you and/or any other members along the way.

Thanks again.

Hey Al,
I'm late to the party here, but for sure get in touch with me (us) before your way through. Schoeney has mentioned some great options, but it all depends where you plan to come into the US from BC.

If you come across at Osoyoos take 97 south to Okanogan then west on 20 across the North Cascades. I do believe that is Washington's #1 Motorcycle Rd. You can ride 20 westward all the way to Whidbey Island.

If you come across at Sumas, I absolutely love riding Hwy 9, it is a popular bikers route. Taking it south, it's good all the way to Arlington, but like schoeney says, if you want to hit 101 west out to the NW tip of Washington then down the coast....take Hwy 9 south to Sedro Wooley, then go west on 20 to Whidbey Island.

Run across Deception Pass Bridge, but be sure to stop at one of the turnouts and walk out onto the bridge, it will take your breath away! Then proceed down the Island on Hwy 20 to the Port Townsend ferry. From there on 101 is an absolute pleasure to drive.

From Port Townsend, 20 will take you to Hwy 101. While you can go west on 101, you can also take 101 south along the west side of Hood Canal through Hoodsport....another beautiful run that will bring you out to the coast at Aberdeen, WA. There are a few more connector roads with that route, but like schoeney also said, we can certainly plan some great routes through this area for you on the HD site or Google maps and be happy to do so. I love doing that stuff, just let us know where you plan to come in and where you want to end up. We'll keep you on the best route(s).

It would be fun to hook up with you guys on your ride through, even if only for a short bit. Do you know the exact dates of your trip? Keep in mind early June here in the NW USA can still be a bit gloomy. We call it the June Gloom. It may or may not rain on you, but it will still be gray and overcast most of the time...but you can get some really nice days too. Our best weather here really begins after July 4th.

[Jared]

On your way up from Vegas to Yellow Stone, you really ought to ride through Zion National Park to get onto Hwy 89 and than take that all the way north to Spanish Fork Canyon. At that point you can get back onto I-15.

There are several very scenic ride throughout Utah. You'll be missing a LOT if you just take I-15 up the middle. If you haven't, you really ought to consider seeing Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Aches National Park, Canyon Land Nation Park, etc. They are all within a few hour of each other and they are all amazing.

Also, the SW regional rally will be held June 14-16 in Cortez CO, which is in the 4 corners area. It would be real nice to have you stop in.

I don't know if you are camping or not, but if you are, I have a huge back yard with a fire pit and I live 1/2 mile from I-15. If you need a free place to stay, let me know.

[dantama]

If I had a couple of days of heavy riding, this is how I'd get through Utah.

click here

If you went this route, you'd get hwy 12, one of the greatest in the country, the Nebo Loop, Alpine Loop, East Canyon, Logan Canyon, and Zion's and Bryce. Can't go wrong if you have the time. Zoom in on the map and check it out.

[psychocycle]

Originally Posted by Dan Lund

If I had a couple of days of heavy riding, this is how I'd get through Utah.

click here

If you went this route, you'd get hwy 12, one of the greatest in the country, the Nebo Loop, Alpine Loop, East Canyon, Logan Canyon, and Zion's and Bryce. Can't go wrong if you have the time. Zoom in on the map and check it out.

I did zoom in and check it out, that looks like a great ride. We will be compiling a ride route from all of these suggestions so keep them coming they are very appreciated.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Dan Lund

If I had a couple of days of heavy riding, this is how I'd get through Utah.

click here

If you went this route, you'd get hwy 12, one of the greatest in the country, the Nebo Loop, Alpine Loop, East Canyon, Logan Canyon, and Zion's and Bryce. Can't go wrong if you have the time. Zoom in on the map and check it out.

I agree with your route in Utah, Dan - but, from Brighton to the top of Guardsman Pass is not paved road, and even in June there is still snow up at 9,000'.

I rode up there from the Park City side in June of 2008 and there was still quite a bit of snow on the Brighton side.

[dantama]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

I agree with your route in Utah, Dan - but, from Brighton to the top of Guardsman Pass is not paved road, and even in June there is still snow up at 9,000'.

I rode up there from the Park City side in June of 2008 and there was still quite a bit of snow on the Brighton side.

Cactus, I meant to mention that there is about 1/2 a mile of dirt road connecting the two, but both sides are usually plowed by then. It would be good to know that you might have to skip the Park City bit, and go back down to I-80 to get to East Canyon.