Giant Loop - Oregon, Nevada 08

[wachs]

What a great trip. 1209 miles of back country cruising through deserts, canyons, playas and several mountain ranges that we've seen before and some new territory too. So many stories and lots of photos. Hilarious jokes and situations that will be hard to translate but suffice to say we saw some top-drawer Oregon Hillbilly country, Nevada surprises and even a pretty good sized pile of modern day hippies. It started out in town where we all met up at the gas pump and headed out for the desert. About 30 miles into it we saw this cool guy and his partner on an R80 (?). Brad has lots more photos of the beginning of day one so I'll let him fill in.

[larryboy]

We'll be reading...

[Brauhausbier]

Brad21, where are the pics?

[brad21]

Wow. All I can say. Been wanting to tag along with Herr Gaylord of Wox for a few of his last trips out to the promised land. FINALLY my schedule meshed with his and it was ON BABY!

Day One:

Wox, Spongebrad and Pegz meet at the Chevron for a 10-ish departure. The plan was to make the Hart Mtn. hot springs by this evening with a gas-up in Plush.



the before:



We motor out of town via Ford Rd. and Sand Springs, where we saw the old Bimmers. Cool.



Wox collects a bee or something in his Tron suit and proceeds to dance like a hippie:



Motoring south to Fandango past Crack in the Ground:





more...

[Loud Al]

[brad21]

Left turn down Fandango and we shortly are presented with this WTF moment:



The vid kinda spells it out, listen for the Banjos:



Yeah, jeez guys you're miles from nowhere without the help of another vehicle and you're mudding the bunny wagon. Your Darwin award is in the mail.

Yes there was dust, but it could've been much much worse.



The first of many wild horse herds we saw during the ride:



Outstanding powerline road:




Short helmetcam vid of this section:



more...

[Flyin Brian]

I'm so jealous..... My riding this summer is done. Ended up with sugery to reattach the tendons in my thumb. I was soooooo looking forward to one of these long trips... Ok, enough about me.... More please!!!!!
Cheers

[DualSport650]

Oh, this ought to be good.

Bring on the ride report and pics!

[deadbird]

We need more!
Keep it comming.
-Ezra

[brad21]

Up to the end of the powerline and we make a left on top of the hill at the microwave station.



Wox knows a way thru these canyons to drop us into Plush. At least he thought he knew. In the end it was all good and we popped out on Hogback Rd. Some gas and beer and up the mountain we ventured to our resting place at the Hart Mtn. hot springs...

Little did we know the fate that awaited us in the form of little flying insects with pointy noses.

[Watercat]

[wachs]

Yeah so we head out like Brad says and it’s warm but not roasting, kinda dusty but windy and we know how to split up or ride side by side and basically, we know where we’re going. Best to just get out there quick like and not mess around too much so we didn’t shoot much of the first 100 miles or so. Brad has this road wired , even with all the camping stuff on:



Familiar stop on the way to hwy 395 is this lookout. Not manned yet but when the spring grasses all dry up it’s going to be busy.



The old Fort Rock volcano sitting out there, a nice day for sure.



We’re rallying this rocky canyon just minding our own business, trying to get as many miles done without flatting in the rocky sections and coming down the hill I see some weird shape in the middle of this usually dry water tank. Slowing down I’m talking in my helmet sayin: “ NO way, no fukin way, aw shit, no way!” As soon as I shut my bike off I hear someone saying the same thing but on the other side of the bog. Out of the sage comes these 2 fellas in camo with some kind of AK or AR and asking for beer and/or smokes. What were you thinking?!?!? We could produce a whole thread just about these fellow Oregonians but there’s so much more ahead.







Fun in places, slow and nasty in others, this route gets it done.





Almost to 395



Thought we’d check out a new section as a possible short cut.





Kinda didn’t work out - it went where hoped but after Fandango and this rock pile, I was ready for some high-speed gravel and this little diversion towards Plush.



Rode this line several years ago solo, the opposite direction in a driving rain storm. This is much better and not nearly as intimidating as I remembered it.



Of course, my tiny brain can’t remember exactly the way, we get all tangled up in some lush meadows and seasonal swamps but eventually hack our way through.





Found our way to a nice camp spot and broke out the frosties we bought in Plush.



Serious discussion in the hot spring that night. I think we did something like 230 miles of hard country to this first night’s camp. Would’ve taken more photos but the mosquitos tried to steal my camera and had to jump in the tent to keep them off.





The weather was perfect, no flats, a few wrong turns (is there such a thing?) and the bikes are drinking high desert air like a gambler with free drinks in Reno.

[taco250]

Bring it on boys. "I want some more" (add your own Oliver Twist voice here).

[StihlRigg]

Oh man, what a great start. I really wish I could have done the whole trip with you guys. I'm waiting anxiously to see the rest of the ride.

[DireWolf]

Originally Posted by wachs

The weather was perfect, no flats, a few wrong turns (is there such a thing?) and the bikes are drinking high desert air like a gambler with free drinks in Reno.

Looking forward to this.......