Rally in Northwest????

[Jeremy_Sells]

Here is a quick write up on the Wilson River Highway.

What I am noticing here is that folks can be divided into two camps when it comes to group rallies. Some prefer to meet in populated areas with lots of attractions (and traffic) and spend time visiting tourist spots and exploring the immediate area around a central meeting place. Others may prefer a rally where folks meet up somewhere and then spend several days on the bikes, in a group, checking out some beautiful scenery and twisty roads and logging 2-300 miles a day with meals on the road. Past XS11 rallies have traveled across southern BC and seen some beautiful landscapes while staying in different campsites/hotels every night. What really seems to get the most XS11's in one spot is the longer, traveling style rallies. No one is going to ride down from Revelstoke, BC for an overnight in Tillamook (unless Ken and Shelia Talbot have absolutely nothing better to do! I do understand that some folks have no interest in sitting on their bikes all day and would rather ride somewhere to hang out and relax, after all, it is a vacation, right? What I propose is that we meet up several times next summer. I will work to organize a rally in central Oregon next summer and will start posting details this winter. Having spent the last 10 years exploring the roads of Central Oregon, I must assume that the only reason that you see nothing interesting about Mitchell or Central OR is that you have never been there and know nothing about its unique scenery and amazing roads like this one!

There are some organized rides that the Rose City Motorcycle Club sponsors every year and all are welcome to join in on any of those as well. Here is a link to those details. Another idea could be that one of us host a Saturday ride/meet up somewhere in the PNW on a monthly basis throughout the summer and grab some coffee/beer - Microbrew tours anyone?! Bottom line is that there is no such thing as too many reasons to get together and ride and there is no rule about limiting group rides to one-per-year so lets get planning!

[Yahman]

How far is it from Portland to Tillamook?

It's only 70 miles.

Larry

[tarzan]

How far is it from Portland to Tillamook?

[wa407mpp]

I was thinking of the Mt. Saint Helen's area, more centrally located and lots of good roads to ride. However, I did see an interesting road, the Wilson River Hwy., on Google, between the Portland area and Tillamook that might be interesting to ride, and would bypass 101. That would mean traveling I 5 for about 5 hours, but it might be a good way to meet other riders at gas stops on the way down.

[Geezer]

I don't see anything about Mitchell or the surrounding area that would make me want to spend the any time there, much less the time it would take to get there.

Agreed. I like Tillamook because there is stuff to do there and all along the way. The aviation museum alone is worth the trip and cost of admission.

Geezer

[wa407mpp]

I don't see anything about Mitchell or the surrounding area that would make me want to spend the any time there, much less the time it would take to get there.

[Yahman]

I'm not sure, I think we're just tossing some ideas around right now. They have a big festival in Mitchell around Labor Day so it would need to before or after that.

Larry

[tarzan]

That's only 6-7 hours from Spokane.I could do that pretty easily.
Are you guys planning this for september?

[Yahman]

How many days? It does sound good. When is it warm enough over there. I don't want to fight cold, ice, snow, etc. Ya i know i am a wenie. LOL

It seems to me that one would need two days there minimum, not counting travel time to and from. It is in the desert so it can get cold there at night, even in the summer. A good time weather wise would probably be from mid May to mid September.

Larry

[Rasputin]

Hmmm. Mitchell Oregon is 1383 km's from here one way and is like a 17 hr trip done non-stop. Methinks I would have to trailer my ride or have a few butt transplants done. Gotta try to make one of these runs tho.

[XS1100 Newbie]

How many days? It does sound good. When is it warm enough over there. I don't want to fight cold, ice, snow, etc. Ya i know i am a wenie. LOL

[Yahman]

I have always thought it would be great to have a rally based out of Mitchell, OR. (http://mitchelloregon.us/mitchell.html) There are a ton of great roads in the area, lots of scenic stops along the way and many geologic wonders, including the Painted Hills, etc. (http://www.paleolands.org/). There is lodging in Mitchell and they even let folks camp in the city park. Just some more thoughts...

Now that's what I'm talking about, it's almost like stepping back in time there. There is really a lot to see and do, a person could spend days there and probably not cover it all. Mitchell, OR. sounds like the perfect base location for seeing that area of the state.

Larry

[Jeremy_Sells]

I have always thought it would be great to have a rally based out of Mitchell, OR. (http://mitchelloregon.us/mitchell.html) There are a ton of great roads in the area, lots of scenic stops along the way and many geologic wonders, including the Painted Hills, etc. (http://www.paleolands.org/). There is lodging in Mitchell and they even let folks camp in the city park. Just some more thoughts...

[XS1100 Newbie]

I think i am going to plan a ride to over that way for next summer. know how far yet, but i have a while to work on it.

[tw1980]

Where Larry suggested is some of the best riding in the northwest.Also the weather is a bit more reliable on the east side of the cascades.I would really like to ride the coast roads but like Jeremy said we would probably be stuck behind RVRB'S(recreational vehicle road blocks)unless we scheduled rides early morning.

Terry