Guy Boutin's Motorcycle Touring and Travel Pages

Adventures in Sport Touring with the Honda ST 1100, 1300 and the BMW 1200RT

Exploring North America...One Road at a Time


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                                      Oregon

 

 From Pendleton, Oregon, US 395 South -SR 74-SR 206-SR 218-SR 293 ending on US 95. (2002)   In a connection of great roads these highways in Oregon offer some of the finest riding anywhere.  Road surface is good, and so is the elevation.  These highways are why we ride brothers.  Lots of curves and twists, no intense switchbacks, but plenty of long sweepers.  The landscape is farmland, and grassy hills, which translates into good visibility.  Often you can look past the apex of the sweeper to check oncoming traffic and conditions.   Frontier towns such as Fossil offer cafes for Mountain Dews, and good conversation.  

Oregon SR 35 (2004)-  Traveling near Mount Hood on this route was a special day.  Oregon is not like Colorado, her mountain peaks stand alone, making them easy to spot from long distances.  SR 35 shot us up and over the peaks as Mount Hood looked over us.  Downhill right angle curves sneak up with alarming regularity so use caution.   Pull to the side and enjoy views of Mount Hood.  The leaning and scenery on this road are good, but traffic on the weekend can be a problem.  Have fun. 

Oregon SR 86 (2005)-  The route into Hell's Canyon.  It is my belief East Oregon is one of the most underrated areas of the country for riding, vastness, and challenging roads.  This road has high elevation, anytime a highway rises the leaning is good.  The route is also peppered with deadly drop offs, and steep climbs.  The area is remote, and help could be a long way off.   The route follows the Powder River when it comes down out of the mountains.  Long sweepers stick to the river, and grows in intensity as you go in the mountains.