PNW Riders

stuckeybowl · 09-01-2009, 11:23 AM

Hi PNW'ers,
I'm an east-coaster planning a mini-vacation to Portland towards the end of October. I'd really like to rent a bike for a day or two and head up to St. Helens and Rainier. Checking out some maps, and reading here, it seems like there's some great riding roads (NF 25 looks especially bitchin'), but I'd like to get some opinions on their likely conditions that time of year.
I could deal with a little rain if I had to, but I'm wondering about ice, mud, snow (at higher elevations) and general unpleasantness that could make for a tough day or two. For that matter, I see that some of these roads close for the winter; when does that start?
I'm fairly experienced, been riding on and off for ten years. I'm definitely no hooligan...not that there's anything wrong with that...my latest ride is an Intruder 1400. It looks like I'd be renting a 650 V-Strom, but might some other options. Any recommendations or opinions on rental places?
Thanks,
SB

UhOh · 09-01-2009, 03:00 PM

on when the roads close for the winter, they close when the snow gets permanent because they mostly don't run the snowplows up there.
With all the curves and deep shadows (ie., trees) you'll want to check.
I'd get the phone # for the ranger station and call them weekly starting in mid-October, just to be sure.

But you're on a special trip whose time is late October. About 40 miles east of Portland you get into the lower moisture area of Oregon.
As a quality back up, in case these roads are closed, I'd suggest an overnight ESE to John Day (JD), Oregon [or as far as you want to go]
thru Fossil, OR and stopping at the John Day Fossil Beds Visitors Center between Spray and John Day.
This is a kinda low elevation route and will show you nice wide-open scenery (few tree overhangs here) and the canyon west that you don't get back in PA.
Decide on a different way back once you get to J Day.
That time of year (excepting deer season, check when) you likely won't need lodging reservations anywhere, so you'll have full flexibility
(but I'd call the JD Best Western anyway and ask how their availability looks for your dates).

basically, have a fun visit.

Motorcycle Fred · 10-16-2009, 09:26 PM

I'd suggest the Fossil-John Day area also. I can take you on some incredible roads over here and were just a 100 miles or so from Portland. My schedule is 100% flexible (I work when I want to) so that leaves me lots of time to ride. The Weestrom will be perfect for these roads.....

I can take you to the Painted Hills, John Day Fossil beds and a few other cool places also.

Days are usually nice with the nights getting very chilly by the end of the month. Today it was about 80 degrees here in Redmond.

Let me know if this sounds good to you. I have lived in Central Oregon my entire life and there isn't a road that I haven't ridden.....

Best way to get me is by email...... Fred and Robin @ hot mail . com (remove spaces)

Here are some pics of where we would be going.....taken in the past two weeks...

I have tons more but I'm sure you get the point......all of these pictures were taken within a hour or so from my house.

MikieTaps · 10-16-2009, 09:27 PM

its gonna rain.

vville123 · 10-16-2009, 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by MikieTaps

its gonna rain.

Fuck you,

Today I forgot my rain gear.

MikieTaps · 10-16-2009, 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by vville123

Fuck you,

Today I forgot my rain gear.

fuck you,

fuck you.

Motorcycle Fred · 10-16-2009, 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by MikieTaps

its gonna rain.

In your area for sure......

But NOT in Central Oregon.....

Arnbo · 10-20-2009, 09:34 PM

Be riding longer this year than last


09-01-2009, 11:23 AM	#1
stuckeybowl Newbie Joined: Sep 2009 From: Langhorne, PA	Riding in late October Hi PNW'ers, I'm an east-coaster planning a mini-vacation to Portland towards the end of October. I'd really like to rent a bike for a day or two and head up to St. Helens and Rainier. Checking out some maps, and reading here, it seems like there's some great riding roads (NF 25 looks especially bitchin'), but I'd like to get some opinions on their likely conditions that time of year. I could deal with a little rain if I had to, but I'm wondering about ice, mud, snow (at higher elevations) and general unpleasantness that could make for a tough day or two. For that matter, I see that some of these roads close for the winter; when does that start? I'm fairly experienced, been riding on and off for ten years. I'm definitely no hooligan...not that there's anything wrong with that...my latest ride is an Intruder 1400. It looks like I'd be renting a 650 V-Strom, but might some other options. Any recommendations or opinions on rental places? Thanks, SB __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


09-01-2009, 03:00 PM	#2
UhOh Superbiker Joined: Apr 2006 From: Tri-Cities, WA I Ride: Hither, Thither and Yon ... mostly day rides	on when the roads close for the winter, they close when the snow gets permanent because they mostly don't run the snowplows up there. With all the curves and deep shadows (ie., trees) you'll want to check. I'd get the phone # for the ranger station and call them weekly starting in mid-October, just to be sure. But you're on a special trip whose time is late October. About 40 miles east of Portland you get into the lower moisture area of Oregon. As a quality back up, in case these roads are closed, I'd suggest an overnight ESE to John Day (JD), Oregon [or as far as you want to go] thru Fossil, OR and stopping at the John Day Fossil Beds Visitors Center between Spray and John Day. This is a kinda low elevation route and will show you nice wide-open scenery (few tree overhangs here) and the canyon west that you don't get back in PA. Decide on a different way back once you get to J Day. That time of year (excepting deer season, check when) you likely won't need lodging reservations anywhere, so you'll have full flexibility (but I'd call the JD Best Western anyway and ask how their availability looks for your dates). basically, have a fun visit. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-16-2009, 09:26 PM	#3
Motorcycle Fred Newbie Joined: Aug 2008 From: Redmond, Oregon I Ride: 2006 Kawasaki ZX14	I'd suggest the Fossil-John Day area also. I can take you on some incredible roads over here and were just a 100 miles or so from Portland. My schedule is 100% flexible (I work when I want to) so that leaves me lots of time to ride. The Weestrom will be perfect for these roads..... I can take you to the Painted Hills, John Day Fossil beds and a few other cool places also. Days are usually nice with the nights getting very chilly by the end of the month. Today it was about 80 degrees here in Redmond. Let me know if this sounds good to you. I have lived in Central Oregon my entire life and there isn't a road that I haven't ridden..... Best way to get me is by email...... Fred and Robin @ hot mail . com (remove spaces) Here are some pics of where we would be going.....taken in the past two weeks... I have tons more but I'm sure you get the point......all of these pictures were taken within a hour or so from my house. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-16-2009, 09:27 PM	#4
MikieTaps Zone Head Joined: Apr 2009 From: Bellevue, WA I Ride: CBR600RR RRRRed.	its gonna rain. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-20-2009, 09:34 PM	#8
Arnbo Pit Crew Joined: Jul 2008 From: Ferndale washington I Ride: 2000 Zx-9R 47cc pocket bike	Be riding longer this year than last __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter

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