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Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



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  #1  
Old 13 Jul 2009
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North west vacation

My Buddy and I are leaving from Dillon, Mt. for a two week ride in the mountains of the northwest. Any advice about interesting, paved , roads would be appreciated. Omit Canada, as he doesn't have a passport. Oregon, State of Washington, Mt., ect Thanks
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  #2  
Old 14 Jul 2009
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Well he can get a up graded drivers licence and go to Canada on that.

Not given a time frame of when you are going how many miles you want to ride in a day or what you want to see its seems open to me.

Any of the pass seem to fit the bill, Lolo on 12 well do then back and forth on any will let you see the mounts here. But that will take a 2 days or so before I get sick of it and you have 2 weeks.

Given that time you can ride down to Utah hit some parks there ride across to LA in California then up 101 and 1 spending time along the way to see some of what is there.
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Old 15 Jul 2009
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For Washington, east to west, Hwy 20, then drop down to 12 if you are like me and want to miss the urban jungle. If you come over on one you could go back on the the other. Take the hwy 101 loop around the penensala. must run up to Mt St Helans, great road. My shop is one mile off of I-5 at exit 71, (349 state route 508, Chehalis) stop in and for more info and if you need to do any work on the motos.

For Oregon, Down the Coast and the ride down to Bend is always good.

Have a good ride
Bob
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Old 15 Jul 2009
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Places in northwest

Beartooth highway out of Red Lodge Mt. Highway 99 up to the windy ridge overlook on Mt. Saint helens. The york bar just outside of Helena Mt at the town? of york.
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Old 16 Jul 2009
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Thumbs up Thanks

Thanks guys. We generally take roads according to the weather. You have given me some good ideas.
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  #6  
Old 17 Aug 2009
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Take Hwy2, much better than 20. Go through Leavenworth (Old Bavarian style village) You can actually see white water kayakers as you cruise through the peaks less than 50 ft from the edge of the highway. Like riding in Europe. Plan on staying the night if ya wanna partake in the Bavarian Brew though.

Last edited by superskye; 17 Aug 2009 at 23:09. Reason: spelling
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  #7  
Old 17 Aug 2009
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I'm no expert on the sights of NW USA, but I did a wonderful bicycle ride a few years ago from Canada to Mexico. My route crossed from Canada into Montana at Roosville, went through Missoula, Dillon, Idaho Falls and south from there.
Yoho Park in British Columbia is cycling distance (3 days if I remember, so less than a day on a motorcycle) from Roosville.

I used maps from America's Bicycle Travel Inspiration & Resource - Adventure Cycling Association

These maps are something different. Specifically for long-distance cyclists, they list everything such a traveller needs. For instance, on a bicycle it's a major disaster to take a wrong turn and continue for two hours until you realise, especially if that two hours is downhill. So these maps are detailed enough to prevent that.

They also list all the sights and features that would be of interest to a cyclist, and as far as I can see they are the same as would interest a motorcyclist (I'm one, doing more motorcycling than cycling). They also avoid freeways, generally.

So I'd recommend these maps to anyone wanting to explore the 'quieter' parts of the US.

You need to note though that quite a few of these maps cover off-road cycling routes that maybe aren't open to motorised traffic. My journey was entirely on roads for motor traffic, but not all tarred. These maps show the surface nature of any un-tarred roads.
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Old 6 Sep 2009
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North Cascades highway to Winthrop and Twisp but drop off at Mazatala?, there's a great little store and coffee shop off the main road.

Look out for Hells Canyon too in eastern Oregon.

Description
The Journey - Leave the fast pace and fenced-in views of Interstate 84 and follow the contours of the land into slower times and wilder places.

Travel this 218-mile journey from river's edge to mountaintop and down to valley floor. While the Byway can be driven in eight to 10 hours, it is best when enjoyed at a leisurely pace so allow at least two days to complete your trip.

Have lunch overlooking a wild and scenic river. Share a canyon road with a cattle drive. Pass through lush valleys, rimmed by the snow-tipped Wallowa Mountains. Savor the scent of pine on the fresh mountain air. Enjoy panoramic views of rugged basalt cliffs and grassy open ridges.

Stand next to the majestic Snake River as it begins its tumbling course through North America's deepest canyon. Place your hand in the weathered track of a wagon wheel. Hear the wind rushing through the forest. You are surrounded by the music of birds and bubbling streams. Stars seem brighter, smiles friendlier. This is a journey you won't forget.

The Road - The route of the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway is a loop that encircles the Wallowa Mountains, intersecting with Interstate 84 at La Grande and Baker City. Small towns, scattered along the drive, offer visitor services. The entire route is on a paved highway.

Plan ahead - you'll find stretches of more than 80 miles without gas and with few services. A segment of the Byway between Joseph and Halfway closes with snow in winter, but allows access to winter recreation areas, offering a different kind of Northeast Oregon Adventure.
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