Hi all 1st post on this site but have been on ADVRider and KLR650.net for sometime. I am looking for some help.
I have September 11-30th 2010 off work and want to do a Big West Coast Loop Ride. The general plan is leave home (Denver, Colorado) and head south into New Mexico, then west to Arizona, Califorina, and then go into Baja for a bit probably only as far as Ensenada. Then turn North again and go up the coast doing all of California, Oregon, and Washington. Then head back for home via Idaho and Wyoming.
I will need to keep this cheap due to tight funds so I will be camping most if not all nights. I want to keep the planning loose and will just head for home from wherever I am at if I run out of time.
My question is never having been in most of theses areas. What do I not want to miss and what routes would you suggest I take.
I will be riding my 93' KLR 650 with some TKC 80's and pretty loaded. So although I like dirt I will want to keep it mild to medium dificulty and not too far from help since I will be solo. The one thing I want to avoid is the super slab. Twisty is GOOD!



THANKS FOR THE HELP!!!!!!

In New Mexico, I'd recommend heading up to the Gila Cliff Dwellings slightly north of Silver City. If nothing else, you'll sure get your twisties.

From San Francisco, take coastal highway 1 north along the coast. If that doesn't cure your bad case of the twisties, I don't know what will :-)

The Oregon Coast is stupendous and well worth it. If you decide to stay inland, try some of the routes north of Crater Lake, but west of Bend. Lots of paved roads with almost nobody on them. North of Oakridge/Westfir, Oregon you'll come across my infamous crash spot and that road is twisty and narrow. Stay at the Blue Wolf Motel if you're in the mood for a real bed. Candis took amazing care of me when I stayed there after my head first venture down the embankment.

In Washington try the gravel backroads from near Hood River up towards the east side of Mount Saint Helens. Also, the area around Mount Rainier is great and all paved. Highway 20 in the northern part of Washington is also pretty skookum (I think that's a Canadian expression, but it means "neat" ..or something like that).

From the Idaho side of Oregon the roads are great through John Day area and then up towards Washington a bit east of The Dalles



Have fun.


...Michelle
www.scrabblebiker.com