Washington Back Country Discovery Route

[byways]

[roostar]

Originally Posted by byways

Bryce, not to hijack a WABDR thread, but since UTBDR has come up ... your thoughts about its sandy segments and a big bike like a Super Ten.? You know me 'n sand ... ugh. I struggled on my KLR, as always, on those beachy segments north of Moab.

I'm still new to the S10 but what about deflating the tires to say...25 psi for the sand? I've heard this makes all the difference.

[Maddaddy]

Originally Posted by roostar

I'm still new to the S10 but what about deflating the tires to say...25 psi for the sand? I've heard this makes all the difference.

Tire pressure is relevant to the bike and terrain. 25 might be good for one bike, but not another. For deep sand, go as low as you can go for YOUR bike.

[Hangar14]

Originally Posted by 1911fan

lol... "Life is what happens while you are making plans." Headed out that way on the KTM earlier and froze my tookus off before I hit Orondo so turned around. Might drag the other half up to Chelan Butte for some pheasant chasing this weekend and come see you.
Aren't helos unsafe? Wings moving faster than the fuselage, and so on? PM me your number.


1911fan

PM sent.

Heli's are not that dangerous. The Bell 206 has the best safety record of any aircraft ever built, so I have been told.
I am doing a skids up restoration on a 1956 Hiller UH12. It has only crashed a couple times since it was built, not bad for an old bird.

[Curtis76]

Originally Posted by DeFens

I aborted the route last year with a broken rib or two, and my wife was not interested in continuing. I want to try it again (or at least a significant portion of it - say Sections 2 through 5 - next summer, probably as soon as the snow melts out in late July. Last time I took my heavily burdened R1200GS - next time I'll either be on a lightly-loaded F650 Dakar, or an even more lightly-loaded Husaberg FE390, anticipating much more fun with either than with the pig.

None of my friends or family will be interested in going this time, so it would be great to get a group together.

DeFens... I'm very interested in joinng a group for next summer... I'd be on F800GS and I'm just up the hill from you in Mill Creek. PM me if you're interested in doin some planning and/or getting out for ride.
- Curtis

[SeattleTrails]

Yes in reply to that awesome photo, Oregon has great things to view, but I think it was the long gravely sections with no views that stuck out for me. Probably a ratio of views to miles that is lower on the ORBDR than the WABDR. Both routes should be ridden by PNW folks and compared. Both are fun - the Oregon trip takes more time for sure. The Blue Mountains were stunning!

[SeattleTrails]

Originally Posted by byways

Bryce, not to hijack a WABDR thread, but since UTBDR has come up ... your thoughts about its sandy segments and a big bike like a Super Ten.? You know me 'n sand ... ugh. I struggled on my KLR, as always, on those beachy segments north of Moab.

Hey Tony, just a quick note and we'll keep this thread to WA. Yes your KLR was a bugger in the sand on the COBDR. I think you'll be fine on the UTBDR. We did a good job to avoid long stretches of loose sand. The worst is in Comb Wash after coming down off of Cedar Mesa. There are probably other small sections I'm forgetting but nothing else that compares to that deep section in Colorado. Deep knobbies plus strong throttle is the key. Low tire pressure helps but these sections are short and rocks are a plenty on all BDR's so I say don't lower pressure.

-Bryce

[tod701]

Originally Posted by Hangar14

Heli's are not that dangerous.

That is because they are so ugly that most of the time the earth repels them







(actually they are cool, but us fixed wing guys just can't help it )

[Jonas p]

Originally Posted by DockingPilot

Oregon

Hi Tony!

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Cool by docking pilot

[Craig McCurdy]

Just a side note here but the photo that you guys are talking about is not in Oregon! It's in Washington, Takhlakh lake on the WABDR looking Southwest at Mt Adams and Adams Glacier.....

[DockingPilot]

Good catch. Washington it was. Close to the border anyway. That's the problem with these mega mile trips. Some of them all run together and it's hard to recall where every photo was taken. Who h is why I have t started the rr yet. Still sorting them. Thanks Craig


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[DeFens]

Sound good - I would like to meet some folks for a bit of planning, after the holidays.


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[hayshaker]

Originally Posted by Craig McCurdy

Just a side note here but the photo that you guys are talking about is not in Oregon! It's in Washington, Takhlakh lake on the WABDR looking Southwest at Mt Adams and Adams Glacier.....

I almost camped there but stayed at Peterson Prairie instead. Good choice on my part with many campers wearing mosquito hats and netting. It did not look like fun!

TONY

[SeattleTrails]

Originally Posted by Craig McCurdy

Just a side note here but the photo that you guys are talking about is not in Oregon! It's in Washington, Takhlakh lake on the WABDR looking Southwest at Mt Adams and Adams Glacier.....

Now that is funny for sure. Thanks Craig. I glanced at it and it reminded me of a photo I have of Bachelor, but looking at it now with the massive Glacier it is clear. What's even funnier is that I should know Adams as I have climbed it twice from the north ridge. Jeez. Anyway... Bottom line is that both WA and OR have awesome volcanoes, lakes, and other sites to see. I hope many people get to ride both routes and compare. Then I hope they venture out to do the UTBDR and the COBDR - both are excellent routes to say the least. Next on our plate for 2013 and 1014 are ID and AZ so those will hopefully be ready by the time everyone gets the first four done!

-Bryce

[ezrdr55]

Originally Posted by hayshaker

I almost camped there but stayed at Peterson Prairie instead. Good choice on my part with many campers wearing mosquito hats and netting. It did not look like fun!

TONY

I'm planning to ride the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route at the end of September (2013). Are mosquitoes going to be problem this time of year? If so is there a time of year that's better to go?