Possible Western U.S.A. trip.

This right here is a hoot, why I said what I said. Go for it, you won't be disappointed.

 

Some of this is pretty remote, so if you think you need gas grab it. Definitely fill up in Enterprise for sure

 

Here's some photos from that route.

Looking down at old spiral from the top towards Lewiston.



From somewhere on the Rattle Snake grade.


Overlook of Hell's Canyon from the scenic byway forest service road:


Somewhere on 19 near John Day River:


Oregon 218 between fossil and shaniko:



Crater Lake is pretty self explanatory:

 

I'll second what V4to says.

 

The salt flats are interesting, for a photo or two I guess. But I wouldn't plan my route based on passing through there. It's exactly what it sounds like, white flat nothingness with mountains off in the distance. That straight stretch where you just gun it to the Nevada border is pretty boring TBH. I was relieved on this last ride when I finally made it to Wendover. The stretch of 80 on the east side of salt lake city to wyoming is a much more visually intersting ride. winding grades, mountain canyons with river valleys.

 

I don't think there are any bad roads in Washington and Oregon other than the I-5. The spiral raod is great for sure. Done that twice. But be careful, Cop shop is at the bottom of that hill. I think they watch it fairly close. Given the chance, you would never regret going up the east side of Mount St. Helen's either. Fantastic roads everywhere around that and the sight is awe inspiring.

 

That's why I advised running it early in the morning. nthego: Before they get a chance to take their morning BM and grab their coffee. The only traffic I saw at 7 was another rider on a Victory. No cops.

 

Looks like I found my road going down, anyway! Looks pretty tasty!

 

I'm leaving on Friday, tommorrow. Need to be back in two weeks, two daze! Or so!

 

Being the "tech Phobic" guy I am, I don't have a smart phone, so any updates will need to be done on someone else's computer. Hopefully I can use one at a hotel/motel. I'll try and find a way to use the internet.Maybe a library or tourist info.? No bluetooth "stuff" either! I can hear the gasps from here! (ha ha) Would like to meet some people as well. Not going to take my VFR, but the GL1800 instead. Hopefully can save some cash and camp if it is appropriate.

 

wow, uh. short notice much. lol

anyway, tripcheck.com is Oregon's road status site.

 

Wow!!! Thanks! Super effort! I was going to start writing down what your post said, until I, luckily, looked at your map. I was thinking that I'd get lost, but not with this sweet map! Very helpful and nice. Cheers!

 

I put that together back in 2014. (except for the bit at the end for 97) but you're welcome !

 

LOL with all the "really cool roads" and advice if you take it all in shouldn't take more than aboot two months much less two weeks. Then of course there is the language barrier.

Hoping you'll beat the heat this time of year. If maps are taken in large chunks in the Western US and some imaginary vertical lines are drawn, there is a corridor of general weather that starts up there in the frozen North and runs all the way to South Texas. A good general reference to this can be found on Google. Try "texas blue northers"

Got a couple of GPSs that are great for general routing. Maybe the super-dupers are built with better overall specificity as to topography. Not a clue.. One of mine when on a bike goes into a Ziploc (tm lol) bag and into a pocket. For general overall mapping there are a shitload of types on the WWW.









Early California history will also show that before the work in general including dams and diversions of major rivers like the Colorado almost the whole of the "LA Basin" was a desert.

Riding in temps of 105+ F for extended periods anywhere unless preconditioned and well prepped ain't a great idea especially when the RH is drier than a popcorn fart.

 

Damn dude! If I didn't have my SAT phone, laptop, intercom, am/fm/tv rig, an Ipod plug in for my entire playlist of the Greatful Dead and Ernie and the Headbangers, I would be sore afraid even about going to Walmart.

 

I'm NOT saying anything about not having a smart phone at the Border!

 

Hope to at least meet a couple of you guys for a Coffee or a meal, at the very least.