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3 Day Ride to the Redwoods
WOW!!! What a weekend I had. I went on my first "Boys Only Ride" with my brother and some friends. The last weekend in June each year this group goes for a 3 day ride in the PNW. There were 8 bikes in our group. We had 4 Harleys, (2 Ultra Classics, 1 Road King, 1 Fat Boy) 2 Hondas, (Valkarie, Goldwing) and 2 XS's (Midnight, Standard) This years plan was for a 3 day ride from Albany, OR to the Redwoods in CA. We all met up at a local eatery in Albany at 7am to have breakfast, and to go over plans for our route on the next 3 days. The weather when we left was great. The groups plan was to head south on I-5 and spend the first night in the Happy Camp, CA area, then head southwest into the Redwoods and ride north up the coast. The forecast called for temps in the upper 90's the first day so we decided to head south to Hwy 38 and ride along the Umpqua river to the coast and south on 101 and spend the first night in the CA. Redwoods. That wasn't only time we changed plans because of the heat.
Day 1.
Left Albany at 8am and headed south on I-5 past Eugene to the Hwy 38 exit. Traffic on 38 along the Umpqua was fairly light. Plenty of spots to pass so we could really enjoy the twisties. Road into Reedsport about 11am and headed south. We stopped in Charleston for a much need lunch. Back on the road the weather was starting to warm up. The southern Oregon coast is nicknamed the "banana belt". It is usually 20-30 degrees warmer than the central and northern coast. It is also, I think, the most scenic part of the Oregon coastline. Lots of huge rock formations jutting out of the beaches. Some them right on the beach, others way out in the surf. Temps were really starting to climb the farther south we went. We would ride through areas where temps were in the 70's only to crest a hill, or come around a bend and the temps would rise over 20 degrees!! Then it would drop down to 70's again after a couple of miles. This went on over and over until we crossed over into CA. Then the temps pretty much stayed in the upper 80's to 90's.
Stopped just north of the town of Klamath, CA to take a break, and get some water. We pulled into a little rundown store to get some info on a place to eat and somewhere to eat. The owners of the store were fantastic. They had a BBQ out front and said any meat they had in the store they could BBQ for us for only $2.00 extra. Then they told us there was a RV park only about a 100 yards down the road that had a grassy area for tents. Told us if we wanted, we could place our orders then go get our tents set up and they would have our food ready when we got back. We all placed our orders then headed to the RV park. The place was great. Showers, recreation room, and even miniature golf. We took two spots and it only cost each of us $4.50 to cover the costs. Parked the bikes and pulled our gear of to set up camp. We headed back to the store around 7:30. They had some table set up outside so we went in to get a few beers then went outside to relax and wait for dinner. The food and owners were great. We chatted with them awhile and they said it hardly ever gets this warm in this area.
Two of the riders in our group were brothers and have a sister that live in the area so they knew some of the sights. They said we had to ride to this spot they knew to check out the sunset. What an awesome spot!! We turned off 101 and headed up this bluff several hundred feet above the beach. It overlooks the mouth of the Klamath river and the ocean. We sat around and BS's and told stories while we waited for one of the most awesome sunsets I've seen. It was finally cooling off quite nicely. Then we headed back to camp to sit around the fire, tell more tall tales, and enjoy a few more beers.
Day 2.
Everyone was up by 5am. Packed up camp and were on the road south again around 6am. First we had to backtrack about a 1/4 mile north to the Trees of Mystery tourist attraction. They have a large statue of Paul Bunyon and Babe the Blue Ox in front of the entrance. One of the our group said he needed to go there to kick Babe for traumatizing him when he was there many years ago as a young kid. Another needed to rub Babe's balls and make a wish. After taking care of their needs we were off. The morning was cool, but not cool enough to need my heavy gloves. Sunny, cloudless, miles and miles of twisties ahead. We were in utopia. We spotted an elk reserve and pulled in. There were 30 to 40 of them grazing in the morning sun about 200 yards off the road. We spent a short time there admiring the large beast then are stomachs started calling for some food. We headed out again to find the nearest cafe. Pulled into the town of Orick around 7am and found a place for some coffee and breakfast. By the time we ate and hit the road again it was around 8am and the temp had jumped into the low 70's already. It was a sign of a very hot day to come.
We continued south from Orick and turned inland on Hwy 299 for Willow Springs. Headed up into the mountains and some more excellent twisties. At Willow Springs we turned onto Hwy 96 and head north for Happy Camp. By now it was around noon and temps were well into the 80's. The road starts out following the Trinity river and winds through the Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation. Then not far from the town of Hoopa it follows the Klamath river. We stop in some shade along the way to try to cool down and take a much need break. Temps were into the 90's and climbing by mid-afternoon. That didn't stop us from enjoying the beautiful vistas and wonderful road. We finally arrive at Happy Camp for a much needed water break. We discuss our route from here. Do we head NE for I-5 and head into S. Central OR for the night, or head north for the Cave Junction/Medford area for the night. The thermometer outside the store says 105 and it's only around 2pm. S. Central OR is usually one of the hottest places in the state so we decide to head to Cave Junction and try to find a cool place to set up camp.
Hot, hot, hot!!!! We head up Indian Creek Rd through Klamath National Forest. We find very little relief even at higher elevations. We came across a winter snow recreation area which has a warming hut made out of logs. We pull in to take a break and get out of the sun. Hut was about 20x30 with a large door and 2 large windows which were off for the season. It was about 20 degrees cooler inside with a nice breeze blowing through. After about a 45 min break we continue on. Turn north onto Hwy 199 and we pull into Cave Junction just before 5pm.
We stopped and found a place to go inside to cool off and get some fluids in us. The heat was getting unbearable and a couple of group were starting to have a hard time dealing with it. We decided it was time for another change of plans. With the heat wave we were having, it didn't matter where you went in interior part of the state it was going to be extremely hot. We all voted to head back south into CA again and the coast.
Off we were again south on 199 headed back to CA along the Smith river. About 15 minutes out of Cave Junction our decision to head south pays off. The temps drop about 20degrees into the low 80's. Everyone is feeling much better, and we found another excellent road for our journey. We stopped at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park and admire these massive beauties. After a short break we are off again for Hwy 101 and north into OR.
We arrive in Brookings about 7pm, hungry, hot, and exhausted. We noticed a motel with vacancies so we decide to pull in and get a couple of rooms for the night. After getting a late dinner we head back for our rooms for a much needed shower and a few beers to cap off the day.
Day 3.
We woke up on day 3 to a much welcomed overcast sky. Temps were very mild at 6am when we hit the road. Probably in the low 60's. We headed north to Gold Beach for breakfast. It was pretty windy from the heat low inland sucking the cooler air in off the coast. As we were getting ready to head out an older guy from TX. walks into the parking lot asking for help with his Harley. He said he can't get it to start and has just about run down his battery. We all head a few blocks down the road to give him a hand. He says he hasn't had a problem until this morning. We pull one of his plug wires to check for spark. Saw the spark and it sounded like it wanted to start so we popped the wire back on and told the guy to give it another try. First thing he does is open up the throttle before he hits the starter. Tell him to go easy on the gas cause we think he flooded it earlier. After a couple of tries he finally gets it fired up. After the old guy cries praise for our help he gives one of our guys a big hug and we're on our way.
Just before we got into Charleston on of the Harleys in our group started misfiring. After stopping for a bit it seemed to settle down and we rode on into town. Found a Harley shop in town hoping to get it checked out but it was closed. After discussing what might be wrong we guessed he got some bad gas. He was the only rider to not gas up the night before and stopped at a different station from the rest of the group. There was a station across the street so we headed over there and drained his tank thinking he may have got some water when he filled up. No way to pull the hose off the tank with out destroying the hose clamp so we siphoned it out with a small hose. After he refilled he took off for a test ride and came back with a thumbs up and we were off again.
Just south of Florence I was leading the group up a long hill in the passing lane. While rounding a long left hand sweeper at the top I noticed a truck pulling a large camp trailer going a little too fast and tires riding right on the center line when I passed him. I didn't find out later that he almost hit some of the group behind me. Apparently when he passed me he was just starting to drift over the line. Some of the guys in the back said he crossed almost halfway into their lane. They said the guy was really pulling on the wheel trying to keep it on his side and his trailer was really leaning into our lane. One of the Harley riders said he only had about a 2-3 foot gap between his bike and the trailer and thought for sure he was going to hit it. Then a few miles past that I was behind another line of RV's when I hear a siren. All of a sudden cars are going every which way. I'm hard on the brakes and trying to signal to the group to slow down fast!! Two cars pulled over in the oncoming lane and a couple, including the truck pulling a boat just in front of me pull to the side in our lane. Some idiot pulling a trailer in front of the truck wasn't paying attention! He can't slow down for the cars pulling to the side if front of him so he swerves across the center line just missing the rescue vehicle coming the other way! It also has to swerve to miss the idiot and the cars pulled over on his side. It was quite a scene, and a wonder that there wasn't an accident.
Made it into Florence around 1pm and headed for Mo's for lunch. Winds were still blowing pretty steady, but it was still pretty mild when we inside for lunch. After about a 20 minute wait to get seated we all enjoyed a great lunch. While walking back to our bikes we noticed it was getting considerably cooler. Traffic was much slower north of Florence to Newport with very little chance for passing. By the time we got to Newport everyone was starting to get quite chilled and we were already to head back inland on Hwy 20 for home. Took a little longer than normal, but we were soon under clear skies and temps in the 70's. One by one we all broke off the pack and all headed for home.
Even with the heat we had to deal with it was an awesome trip. We rode through some absolutely beautiful country and got to experience some fabulous roads.
Info off my Sigma BC800
Total miles for trip: 902
Actual ride time: 17hrs 42mins
Max speed: 96mph
Madness ran flawlessly!! Mileage ran in the upper 30's to around 40 mpg.
I will try to post a link to photos from the trip when I get them uploaded.
Most of the same group are headed up to Eastern WA, OR, and Idaho the weekend before Denny Z's Rally in Aug. Looks like Madness is gonna get plenty of ride time this season.
Day 1.
Left Albany at 8am and headed south on I-5 past Eugene to the Hwy 38 exit. Traffic on 38 along the Umpqua was fairly light. Plenty of spots to pass so we could really enjoy the twisties. Road into Reedsport about 11am and headed south. We stopped in Charleston for a much need lunch. Back on the road the weather was starting to warm up. The southern Oregon coast is nicknamed the "banana belt". It is usually 20-30 degrees warmer than the central and northern coast. It is also, I think, the most scenic part of the Oregon coastline. Lots of huge rock formations jutting out of the beaches. Some them right on the beach, others way out in the surf. Temps were really starting to climb the farther south we went. We would ride through areas where temps were in the 70's only to crest a hill, or come around a bend and the temps would rise over 20 degrees!! Then it would drop down to 70's again after a couple of miles. This went on over and over until we crossed over into CA. Then the temps pretty much stayed in the upper 80's to 90's.
Stopped just north of the town of Klamath, CA to take a break, and get some water. We pulled into a little rundown store to get some info on a place to eat and somewhere to eat. The owners of the store were fantastic. They had a BBQ out front and said any meat they had in the store they could BBQ for us for only $2.00 extra. Then they told us there was a RV park only about a 100 yards down the road that had a grassy area for tents. Told us if we wanted, we could place our orders then go get our tents set up and they would have our food ready when we got back. We all placed our orders then headed to the RV park. The place was great. Showers, recreation room, and even miniature golf. We took two spots and it only cost each of us $4.50 to cover the costs. Parked the bikes and pulled our gear of to set up camp. We headed back to the store around 7:30. They had some table set up outside so we went in to get a few beers then went outside to relax and wait for dinner. The food and owners were great. We chatted with them awhile and they said it hardly ever gets this warm in this area.
Two of the riders in our group were brothers and have a sister that live in the area so they knew some of the sights. They said we had to ride to this spot they knew to check out the sunset. What an awesome spot!! We turned off 101 and headed up this bluff several hundred feet above the beach. It overlooks the mouth of the Klamath river and the ocean. We sat around and BS's and told stories while we waited for one of the most awesome sunsets I've seen. It was finally cooling off quite nicely. Then we headed back to camp to sit around the fire, tell more tall tales, and enjoy a few more beers.
Day 2.
Everyone was up by 5am. Packed up camp and were on the road south again around 6am. First we had to backtrack about a 1/4 mile north to the Trees of Mystery tourist attraction. They have a large statue of Paul Bunyon and Babe the Blue Ox in front of the entrance. One of the our group said he needed to go there to kick Babe for traumatizing him when he was there many years ago as a young kid. Another needed to rub Babe's balls and make a wish. After taking care of their needs we were off. The morning was cool, but not cool enough to need my heavy gloves. Sunny, cloudless, miles and miles of twisties ahead. We were in utopia. We spotted an elk reserve and pulled in. There were 30 to 40 of them grazing in the morning sun about 200 yards off the road. We spent a short time there admiring the large beast then are stomachs started calling for some food. We headed out again to find the nearest cafe. Pulled into the town of Orick around 7am and found a place for some coffee and breakfast. By the time we ate and hit the road again it was around 8am and the temp had jumped into the low 70's already. It was a sign of a very hot day to come.
We continued south from Orick and turned inland on Hwy 299 for Willow Springs. Headed up into the mountains and some more excellent twisties. At Willow Springs we turned onto Hwy 96 and head north for Happy Camp. By now it was around noon and temps were well into the 80's. The road starts out following the Trinity river and winds through the Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation. Then not far from the town of Hoopa it follows the Klamath river. We stop in some shade along the way to try to cool down and take a much need break. Temps were into the 90's and climbing by mid-afternoon. That didn't stop us from enjoying the beautiful vistas and wonderful road. We finally arrive at Happy Camp for a much needed water break. We discuss our route from here. Do we head NE for I-5 and head into S. Central OR for the night, or head north for the Cave Junction/Medford area for the night. The thermometer outside the store says 105 and it's only around 2pm. S. Central OR is usually one of the hottest places in the state so we decide to head to Cave Junction and try to find a cool place to set up camp.
Hot, hot, hot!!!! We head up Indian Creek Rd through Klamath National Forest. We find very little relief even at higher elevations. We came across a winter snow recreation area which has a warming hut made out of logs. We pull in to take a break and get out of the sun. Hut was about 20x30 with a large door and 2 large windows which were off for the season. It was about 20 degrees cooler inside with a nice breeze blowing through. After about a 45 min break we continue on. Turn north onto Hwy 199 and we pull into Cave Junction just before 5pm.
We stopped and found a place to go inside to cool off and get some fluids in us. The heat was getting unbearable and a couple of group were starting to have a hard time dealing with it. We decided it was time for another change of plans. With the heat wave we were having, it didn't matter where you went in interior part of the state it was going to be extremely hot. We all voted to head back south into CA again and the coast.
Off we were again south on 199 headed back to CA along the Smith river. About 15 minutes out of Cave Junction our decision to head south pays off. The temps drop about 20degrees into the low 80's. Everyone is feeling much better, and we found another excellent road for our journey. We stopped at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park and admire these massive beauties. After a short break we are off again for Hwy 101 and north into OR.
We arrive in Brookings about 7pm, hungry, hot, and exhausted. We noticed a motel with vacancies so we decide to pull in and get a couple of rooms for the night. After getting a late dinner we head back for our rooms for a much needed shower and a few beers to cap off the day.
Day 3.
We woke up on day 3 to a much welcomed overcast sky. Temps were very mild at 6am when we hit the road. Probably in the low 60's. We headed north to Gold Beach for breakfast. It was pretty windy from the heat low inland sucking the cooler air in off the coast. As we were getting ready to head out an older guy from TX. walks into the parking lot asking for help with his Harley. He said he can't get it to start and has just about run down his battery. We all head a few blocks down the road to give him a hand. He says he hasn't had a problem until this morning. We pull one of his plug wires to check for spark. Saw the spark and it sounded like it wanted to start so we popped the wire back on and told the guy to give it another try. First thing he does is open up the throttle before he hits the starter. Tell him to go easy on the gas cause we think he flooded it earlier. After a couple of tries he finally gets it fired up. After the old guy cries praise for our help he gives one of our guys a big hug and we're on our way.
Just before we got into Charleston on of the Harleys in our group started misfiring. After stopping for a bit it seemed to settle down and we rode on into town. Found a Harley shop in town hoping to get it checked out but it was closed. After discussing what might be wrong we guessed he got some bad gas. He was the only rider to not gas up the night before and stopped at a different station from the rest of the group. There was a station across the street so we headed over there and drained his tank thinking he may have got some water when he filled up. No way to pull the hose off the tank with out destroying the hose clamp so we siphoned it out with a small hose. After he refilled he took off for a test ride and came back with a thumbs up and we were off again.
Just south of Florence I was leading the group up a long hill in the passing lane. While rounding a long left hand sweeper at the top I noticed a truck pulling a large camp trailer going a little too fast and tires riding right on the center line when I passed him. I didn't find out later that he almost hit some of the group behind me. Apparently when he passed me he was just starting to drift over the line. Some of the guys in the back said he crossed almost halfway into their lane. They said the guy was really pulling on the wheel trying to keep it on his side and his trailer was really leaning into our lane. One of the Harley riders said he only had about a 2-3 foot gap between his bike and the trailer and thought for sure he was going to hit it. Then a few miles past that I was behind another line of RV's when I hear a siren. All of a sudden cars are going every which way. I'm hard on the brakes and trying to signal to the group to slow down fast!! Two cars pulled over in the oncoming lane and a couple, including the truck pulling a boat just in front of me pull to the side in our lane. Some idiot pulling a trailer in front of the truck wasn't paying attention! He can't slow down for the cars pulling to the side if front of him so he swerves across the center line just missing the rescue vehicle coming the other way! It also has to swerve to miss the idiot and the cars pulled over on his side. It was quite a scene, and a wonder that there wasn't an accident.
Made it into Florence around 1pm and headed for Mo's for lunch. Winds were still blowing pretty steady, but it was still pretty mild when we inside for lunch. After about a 20 minute wait to get seated we all enjoyed a great lunch. While walking back to our bikes we noticed it was getting considerably cooler. Traffic was much slower north of Florence to Newport with very little chance for passing. By the time we got to Newport everyone was starting to get quite chilled and we were already to head back inland on Hwy 20 for home. Took a little longer than normal, but we were soon under clear skies and temps in the 70's. One by one we all broke off the pack and all headed for home.
Even with the heat we had to deal with it was an awesome trip. We rode through some absolutely beautiful country and got to experience some fabulous roads.
Info off my Sigma BC800
Total miles for trip: 902
Actual ride time: 17hrs 42mins
Max speed: 96mph
Madness ran flawlessly!! Mileage ran in the upper 30's to around 40 mpg.
I will try to post a link to photos from the trip when I get them uploaded.
Most of the same group are headed up to Eastern WA, OR, and Idaho the weekend before Denny Z's Rally in Aug. Looks like Madness is gonna get plenty of ride time this season.
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