I'm hoping to find someone who is up for playing hookey this Wednesday and taking advantage of this perfect riding weather. I have been riding over near Leavenworth the last couple of weekends, some on the 950 and some on the 520. The autumn scenery over there is phenomenal, and there are some really fun forest service roads. Now I want to explore some of the trails before the snow flies. This ride will be a mix of super fun and technical dirt road, a visit to Sugarloaf Lookout on top of Entiat Ridge, and some trails in the Mad River Valley/Klone Peak area. There are two limitations for this ride: 1. You'll need a license plate for the FS roads, and 2. you'll need a fuel range of at least 60 miles. It's likely we won't exceed 50 miles, but I want to leave some room for more exploration plus any unknowns. I'm attaching links to trail guides for a couple of the trails we might be riding- keep in mind these are for mountain bikes... http://www.nwsource.com/outdoors/scr/of_detail.cfm?category=biking&rt=41324 http://www.nwsource.com/outdoors/scr/of_detail.cfm?category=Biking&rt=41330 It's about 2-1/2 hours to the trailhead from my house near Northgate. Folks from the Eastside might want to take the 90/97 route over Blewett Pass. Depends on who wants to come along/carpool/etc. I'd like to leave around 6:30am. I think I feel a virus coming on, might need to take a sickday on Wednesday Brian
Brian, I wish I could go. I thought I would send you the link to Sundays ride report. I made the loop we had tried in September. Except this time I chose to use Trail #948 from Little Naches to get to Quartz mtn. It is quite a climb, but I think easier than those HUGE holes and boulders on the 4WD trails we rode. Here is the link to the ride report i just posted. http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=172607 Cheers, Skooks
I can make that ride. I've got an XR650L with a 4 gallon tank. Are you planning to ride over or truck the bikes? I've got a 4x4 pickup (a comfy Dodge quad cab hemi) and/or a nice flat bed trailer with ATK bike shoes mounted on it. We could use either. I live in Redmond. I can leave early and come home late.
Sounds good! I was planning to truck over with the 520 on board. This is more of a trail ride than a DS ride so bring the knobbly rubber. The XR should be fine, although there's a chance we'll run into some terrain that will make the extra weight less pleasurable. I live just up the hill above Lake City Way which makes for an easy run out 522 to Monroe. If you want to carpool, we could either meet at my place or in Monroe at the Monroe Plaza Starbucks. I'll be away from the computer most of the day, will check in this evening for updates and finalizing the plan for the morning. This is gonna be a beautiful ride!!! Brian
Sorry you can't make it, I was thinking it would be great if you could! I'll have to check out the ride report later, but it sounds like you found the route we were looking for. B
My XR is set up for full-on dirt riding and I've pounded out a lot of hard off road miles on XR650Ls. I've ridden an XR650L over all the same terrain I've ridden my race bikes over. Heavy, yes. Dirt worthy, you bet. Knobbies, of course, just worn down at the moment and no time to change before tomorrow morning. I'd ride my WR250F, but it has no plate.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o> <o></o> I guess it makes since to meet in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1:City><st1lace>Monroe</st1lace></st1:City> at the Starbucks. We should take one truck with the bikes in the back or we could take my Toyota Highlander and trailer. It's easier to load/unload and will get better mileage. Is there a place to park a car with trailer at the trail head or is a truck a better choice? And, can we leave a vehicle in <st1:City><st1lace>Monroe</st1lace></st1:City> with out worry? I could also ride over and meet you in <st1:City><st1lace>Monroe</st1lace></st1:City>. Tell me when to be there. I'll leave the windshield at home. <o></o>
I'm not worried about you and the XR. A plate is a must for this ride... We can leave a vehicle in the huge parking lot at Monroe Plaza where Starbucks is located. It's up to you which rig you want to bring. It sounds like both are better options than my Dakota. The road up to where we're parking at Deer Creek CG isn't very rough and plenty of space so the trailer would be fine if that's your preference. How about we meet at SBUX at 08:00? That will put us at the parking spot around 10:00 which allows plenty of time to ride and things to warm up a little. It's been down around 25-30F at Sugarloaf Lookout 5800' in the mornings... Let me know if I forgot anything. My cell is 206-818-7466. See ya in the AM!! Skooks, It's not too late to call in sick tomorrow. Brian
I've got the XR and ramps in my truck so we'll drive it. There's plenty of room for our gear. I'll see you at the Starbucks at <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1:time Hour="8" Minute="0">08:00</st1:time>. I'll PM my cell.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
The trip report and photos of the "Best day Riding" are here: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=173379