Comments for Motorcycle Roads NorthWest http://www.roadsnw.com Exploring the Asphalt Ribbons of the Pacific Northwest Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:49:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 Comment on Forest Service Road 19 ‘Robert Aufderheide Scenic Byway’ by admin http://www.roadsnw.com/rnw/67#comment-520 admin Wed, 27 Aug 2008 03:46:57 +0000 http://roadsnw.com/roadsnw_test/rnw/67#comment-520 Actually, most every single forest service road in Washington was still closed in early June. Gotta watch the elevations after a bad winter. Actually, most every single forest service road in Washington was still closed in early June. Gotta watch the elevations after a bad winter.

]]> Comment on Eastern Washington Roads by Van http://www.roadsnw.com/eastern-washington-roads#comment-387 Van Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:26:55 +0000 http://roadsnw.com/roadsnw_test/eastern-washington-roads#comment-387 I am trying to find the route from Cle Elum to Whistlin' Jacks on White Pass via forest service roads.  Any knowledge here?   I have a 1996 Suzuki DR 350 SE that is made for this kind of ride.  But....I need to know the route and mileage before I go off on a trek like that.....Thanks and best.  Great web site. Van I am trying to find the route from Cle Elum to Whistlin’ Jacks on White Pass via forest service roads.  Any knowledge here?   I have a 1996 Suzuki DR 350 SE that is made for this kind of ride.  But….I need to know the route and mileage before I go off on a trek like that…..Thanks and best.  Great web site.

Van

]]> Comment on Gifford-Pinchot Forest Service Road 25 by kegill http://www.roadsnw.com/rnw/135#comment-347 kegill Sat, 16 Aug 2008 17:42:15 +0000 http://www.roadsnw.com/rnw/135#comment-347 Experienced FS25 from mid-point (FS90) to Randle two weeks ago. From there to FS99 cut-off, the road remains scenic and a lovely ride. However, North of FS99 cut-off, the condition of the road is extremely poor. There are posted 10 and 15 mph signs due to bad pavement: don't ignore them. FWIW, FS-99 is closed only a few miles west of FS-25, due to road damage from winter storms. Experienced FS25 from mid-point (FS90) to Randle two weeks ago. From there to FS99 cut-off, the road remains scenic and a lovely ride.

However, North of FS99 cut-off, the condition of the road is extremely poor. There are posted 10 and 15 mph signs due to bad pavement: don’t ignore them.

FWIW, FS-99 is closed only a few miles west of FS-25, due to road damage from winter storms.

]]> Comment on Blue Slough Road (Cosmopolis, WA) by Bernie http://www.roadsnw.com/rnw/5#comment-292 Bernie Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:56:03 +0000 http://roadsnw.com/roadsnw_test/roads/5#comment-292 Fun road.  It gets used every year for a stage of the Doo Wop stage rally.  I haven't ridden it on my V-Strom yet, but it's pretty fun in a fast car. Fun road.  It gets used every year for a stage of the Doo Wop stage rally.  I haven’t ridden it on my V-Strom yet, but it’s pretty fun in a fast car.

]]> Comment on Mount Idaho Grade Road (Grangeville, Idaho) by Sam http://www.roadsnw.com/rnw/35#comment-277 Sam Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:11:13 +0000 http://www.roadsnw.com/rnw/35#comment-277 I don’t have the impressive vistas that you can get with Harpster or Whitebird. Instead, I have a load of fun on a road that isn’t so challenging that the novice is tired after a run or two. Idaho Loop though. This is some seriously rugged country. Sam I don’t have the impressive vistas that you can get with Harpster or Whitebird. Instead, I have a load of fun on a road that isn’t so challenging that the novice is tired after a run or two. Idaho Loop though. This is some seriously rugged country.

Sam

]]> Comment on Oregon Route 202 by admin http://www.roadsnw.com/rnw/134#comment-246 admin Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:30:01 +0000 http://www.roadsnw.com/rnw/134#comment-246 Just ran this road about a week ago. The logging trucks have been very active on this road, as evidenced by the extremely poor pavement quality between the top of the first ridge and Jewell. Between Jewell and Mist, the road wasn't nearly as twisty but the 50mph sweepers were extremely smooth and conducive to serious corner drives. Just ran this road about a week ago. The logging trucks have been very active on this road, as evidenced by the extremely poor pavement quality between the top of the first ridge and Jewell.

Between Jewell and Mist, the road wasn’t nearly as twisty but the 50mph sweepers were extremely smooth and conducive to serious corner drives.

]]> Comment on Forest Service Road 19 ‘Robert Aufderheide Scenic Byway’ by sarah http://www.roadsnw.com/rnw/67#comment-232 sarah Sun, 08 Jun 2008 19:36:37 +0000 http://roadsnw.com/roadsnw_test/rnw/67#comment-232 Be careful of Willamette National Forest's Road 19, also known as Aufderheide Scenic Drive--we were stranded there overnight June 4, 2008, in the snow!! They have bulldozed out up to the junction 1958 for a treeplanting project off the spur there, but not farther up--there are tire tracks (through to the asphalt) further up, but no more dozing--Willamette National Forest does NOT have adequate signs--we deterred a couple on hogs just before the drift we were stuck in, and 2 elderly couples-- the Forest Service pretty much shrugged about the whole thing-- What we propose is that the reference on maps (AAA, Rand McNally, etc.) be changed from "closed in winter" to "check for road conditions yearround" and get the forest service to put up 2 (two) signs with the phone number of the McKenzie ranger station, before Box Canyon, and 2 (two) signs when coming up from the Highway 58 side--Oakridge and Westfir both have forest stations, even though they're about 5 miles apart-- We were lucky--we knew to keep to the main road and did have some water, but the Willamette National Forest rangers need to put up clear warning signs--the regional office in Eugene even tried to pass it off as a problem the state should take up, as the road's formal name is the "Robert Aufderheide Scenic Drive"... Be careful of Willamette National Forest’s Road 19, also known as Aufderheide Scenic Drive–we were stranded there overnight June 4, 2008, in the snow!!
They have bulldozed out up to the junction 1958 for a treeplanting project off the spur there, but not farther up–there are tire tracks (through to the asphalt) further up, but no more dozing–Willamette National Forest does NOT have adequate signs–we deterred a couple on hogs just before the drift we were stuck in, and 2 elderly couples–
the Forest Service pretty much shrugged about the whole thing–
What we propose is that the reference on maps (AAA, Rand McNally, etc.) be changed from "closed in winter" to "check for road conditions yearround" and get the forest service to put up 2 (two) signs with the phone number of the McKenzie ranger station, before Box Canyon, and 2 (two) signs when coming up from the Highway 58 side–Oakridge and Westfir both have forest stations, even though they’re about 5 miles apart–
We were lucky–we knew to keep to the main road and did have some water, but the Willamette National Forest rangers need to put up clear warning signs–the regional office in Eugene even tried to pass it off as a problem the state should take up, as the road’s formal name is the "Robert Aufderheide Scenic Drive"…

]]> Comment on Oregon Route 47 by admin http://www.roadsnw.com/rnw/54#comment-209 admin Thu, 08 May 2008 02:59:18 +0000 http://roadsnw.com/roadsnw_test/rnw/54#comment-209 Different Strokes for Different Folks, I suppose. For those of the V-Strom persuasion, I'd consider that northern section of OR 47 one of the best in Western Oregon. Especially in light of the rhythm to the corners and the high technical marks for the curve difficulty, it's one of the few roads that I've been to Zen and just ride flawlessly without any outside distractions or considerations. Indeed, South of Vernonia certainly isn't dull, but is more mid-speed sweepers and highly-technical twisties. And of course, south of US 26, I'd say don't even bother. Go find something else more entertaining to ride between there and Route 223. Looking forward to riding down through there this summer and giving it another go. Different Strokes for Different Folks, I suppose.

For those of the V-Strom persuasion, I’d consider that northern section of OR 47 one of the best in Western Oregon. Especially in light of the rhythm to the corners and the high technical marks for the curve difficulty, it’s one of the few roads that I’ve been to Zen and just ride flawlessly without any outside distractions or considerations.

Indeed, South of Vernonia certainly isn’t dull, but is more mid-speed sweepers and highly-technical twisties.

And of course, south of US 26, I’d say don’t even bother. Go find something else more entertaining to ride between there and Route 223.

Looking forward to riding down through there this summer and giving it another go.

]]> Comment on Oregon Route 47 by Magna Man http://www.roadsnw.com/rnw/54#comment-208 Magna Man Wed, 07 May 2008 20:08:07 +0000 http://roadsnw.com/roadsnw_test/rnw/54#comment-208 I live in Vernonia, and there is indeed a gas station that you would be blind to miss, although its slightly spendy. Highway 47 North of Vernonia is riddled with poor pavement and is very narrow. South of Vernonia, the highway is the best curvy highway in all of Oregon. It is sloped and the pavement is nearly perfect. Truck traffic is not as bad in the area as compared to the elderly drivers and bicyclists illegally using the roadway (not using the separate bike path).  It's best to travel on early mornings or mid to late evenings on the weekends and mid day on the weekdays.   There are rarely cops outside of 5 miles of city limits, so this is a good area to test upgrades. I live in Vernonia, and there is indeed a gas station that you would be blind to miss, although its slightly spendy. Highway 47 North of Vernonia is riddled with poor pavement and is very narrow. South of Vernonia, the highway is the best curvy highway in all of Oregon. It is sloped and the pavement is nearly perfect. Truck traffic is not as bad in the area as compared to the elderly drivers and bicyclists illegally using the roadway (not using the separate bike path).  It’s best to travel on early mornings or mid to late evenings on the weekends and mid day on the weekdays.
 
There are rarely cops outside of 5 miles of city limits, so this is a good area to test upgrades.

]]> Comment on Coyle Road / Dabob Road by JeffBremerton http://www.roadsnw.com/rnw/22#comment-203 JeffBremerton Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:42:17 +0000 http://roadsnw.com/roadsnw_test/rnw/22#comment-203 Yea I rode this last week. If you take a left midway down going south it will take you up the coast back to the hood canal bridge. 104 is along boring road and this is a great way to dodge it.And for some reason when I was going 5 over I had 2 trucks pass me on these roads. Scared my girl nearly off my seat! Yea I rode this last week. If you take a left midway down going south it will take you up the coast back to the hood canal bridge. 104 is along boring road and this is a great way to dodge it.And for some reason when I was going 5 over I had 2 trucks pass me on these roads. Scared my girl nearly off my seat!

]]> Comment on Oregon Route 103 ‘Fishhawk Falls Highway’ by Zweck http://www.roadsnw.com/rnw/144#comment-179 Zweck Mon, 17 Mar 2008 21:38:12 +0000 http://www.roadsnw.com/rnw/144#comment-179 I remember driving this one on the way to Astoria when I visited Oregon. The first thing I thought was; "Man, I can't wait to take the bike on this!" I remember driving this one on the way to Astoria when I visited Oregon. The first thing I thought was; "Man, I can’t wait to take the bike on this!"

]]> Comment on Oregon Route 223 by Kyle http://www.roadsnw.com/rnw/42#comment-175 Kyle Sun, 17 Feb 2008 22:59:36 +0000 http://roadsnw.com/roadsnw_test/rnw/42#comment-175 This was my favorite short little jaunt while I was at OSU.  Great little road. This was my favorite short little jaunt while I was at OSU.  Great little road.

]]> Comment on Oregon Route 540 ‘Cape Arago Highway’ by admin http://www.roadsnw.com/rnw/148#comment-169 admin Thu, 17 Jan 2008 17:18:01 +0000 http://www.roadsnw.com/rnw/148#comment-169 Please note, as of July 2007, this road was not signed as Route# 540 but only by its name. Please note, as of July 2007, this road was not signed as Route# 540 but only by its name.

]]> Comment on 7 Devils Road (Charleston, OR) by Motorcycle Roads NorthWest » Blog Archive » Oregon Route 540 ‘Cape Arago Highway’ http://www.roadsnw.com/rnw/63#comment-168 Motorcycle Roads NorthWest » Blog Archive » Oregon Route 540 ‘Cape Arago Highway’ Thu, 17 Jan 2008 17:09:13 +0000 http://roadsnw.com/roadsnw_test/rnw/63#comment-168 [...] at Empire Boulevard and follows the edge of Coos Bay out to the South Slough Bridge after which 7 Devils Road branches off and Cape Arago Highway heads out towards the rather famous lighthouse that bears the [...] [...] at Empire Boulevard and follows the edge of Coos Bay out to the South Slough Bridge after which 7 Devils Road branches off and Cape Arago Highway heads out towards the rather famous lighthouse that bears the [...]

]]> Comment on Old Whitebird Grade Road by Grumbler http://www.roadsnw.com/rnw/20#comment-134 Grumbler Fri, 14 Dec 2007 20:44:45 +0000 http://roadsnw.com/roadsnw_test/rnw/20#comment-134 Due to the decaying condition of Old Whitebird Grade Rd, we've stayed on US-95 btw Whitebird and Grangeville. We were looking forward to stopping at the Whitebird Cafe, but a chartered bus was disgorging tourists that day so we decided to kept going. Due to the decaying condition of Old Whitebird Grade Rd, we’ve stayed on US-95 btw Whitebird and Grangeville. We were looking forward to stopping at the Whitebird Cafe, but a chartered bus was disgorging tourists that day so we decided to kept going.

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