Hell's Canyon, John Day and beyond.

[bubba zanetti]

Did a quick ride over four days to Hell's Canyon and the backroads of Oregon with old buddy Dr. Zorko.


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We had good weather for a change as many of our recent rides have included far too much rain and cold.  We left Castlegar on Tues around noon and rode to Pasco Washington for an easy overnight. From there we made our way south and finally joined up with one of my favourite stretches of road, 395 from Pendleton to John Day. Then on to Baker City where we would stay two nights to enjoy the ride to Hell's Canyon and the big loop back to Baker via Joseph and La Grange.  Some wonderful roads in the area but the highlight has to be the ride out to the dam through Hell's Canyon.  We then headed back to John Day and north via Oregon Highway 19 to Fossil and to Biggs and one last night in Yakima before heading "into the great wide open"  of highway 2 and the delightful ride up FD Roosevelt Lake back to Castlegar via Creston Washington.

Twisty roads, good food and great company.  We stayed in Baker City at the Oregon Trails Motel and Restaurant where for $58 two can stay including a full breakfast. I would recommend staying there as it is an easy walk to town, the local Yamaha dealer etc.

It was a quick trip due to lack of time on my part and I wish we had more time to savour and enjoy the amazing roads of easter Oregon and just drift about. A great destination and the first real trip for me on the Guzzi, which performed very well btw and impressed me with its long range, comfy ergos, stellar engine and surprising ability in the twisty's. It shines in sweepers and is very comfortable on the brief interstate highways we travelled.

A few pics ....    oops ... I left my camera at home ... so had to make due with the Iphone.

West of John Day on 26



Hell's Canyon beckons ..



Hell's Canyon



Dr. Zorko riding in the distance



The road through Hell's Canyon



The "Sun Basin" in Washington near Dry Falls



I will see if I can salvage a few more and post a bit later ...

Oh yeah, Highway 2 in Washington is a speed friendly area .... and the Guzzi sounds good at the ton ...   



... video courtesy of Dr. Zorko ...

[endo]

   Wow, I can't wait to be on the road again...  It's great to see you had such beautiful weather  

[sleazy rider]

Niiiiice.  Even the phone pics look good.

[Dr. Zorko]

A great ride for sure with my old pal Bubba! Beautiful roads in that neck of the woods. Here's a couple of snaps from my new Go Pro toy...

[BigBlock]

Great pics Bubba and Dr. Z.   Looks like you guys had a great trip and weather. That Gootzie sounds awesome!! Makes me want one.

[stromgal]

Niiiiice.    That area has always beckoned.... perhaps this fall?

[Oxman]

very nice ....looks like great riding

[R Doug]

The scenery and roads look pretty good.  But, that bike looks gorgeous.  

[BwanaDik]

Timely!  We'll be in that area next week.  

How cold was it in the morning?  Looks to be just above freezing?

[bubba zanetti]

Timely!  We'll be in that area next week.  

How cold was it in the morning?  Looks to be just above freezing?

Yes, the mornings were cool at just above freezing as was the passes on the way to Joseph. There was still some snow on the roads in shady places and lots of winter tree fall, rocks etc. But things move fast and I see John Day is about 40F this morning so I would not worry. The heat will be on soon.

[UHOH]

nice report.

full camera next time, please ...

[sagerat]

Glad to see the Goose can hang with a mighty KLR.  

Razzing aside, beautiful country and that Goose is gorgeous.  

[Tombstone]

Very nice! Lots of good riding in that area!  

[james_g]

Good stuff. I like that bike a lot. Have you been happy with it?

james