Newb to the Washington area

[knobnose]

I just got back from a burger and brews at Three Fingered Jack's in Winthrop after riding hwy 20 for the first time on my new Street triple. In spite of all of the glowing reviews I was kind of underwhelmed- by the road not the saloon.
It was certainly as beautiful scenery as you could hope to find but the road was mostly sweepers that needed to be taken at 20+ over thee speed limit to be fun - potentially very expensive and not much of a challenge. The NP visitor ctr is very interesting and worthy of a couple of hours.
A very nice ride but  ...

[Mrs. DantesDame]

A very nice ride but  ...

In that case, try Hurricane Ridge and Windy Ridge (if you haven't already). Those should fit the bill of twisty roads. For even more of a challenge, maybe go up to 112 west of Port Angeles. I've only been on it a couple of times, but it was uncomfortably tight for my liking

I agree that Hwy 20 is a mixed bag. I personally love the sweepers just east of the Dam (right after the tight stuff), and since I'm more of a scenic looky-loo than a ricky racer, I'm just fine with the beauty of the area vs the challenge of the road  

[bubba zanetti]

Highway 20 is a scenic ride and not an all out set of twisties.  Mid summer, with lots of snow still on the peaks it is a beautiful ride. One of the things I like most about it is the terrain and climate change. Riding from Omak to Annacortes you leave a northern desert and come out in a Pacific rainforest. Sagebrush to Sasquatches ...  I love routes like that.  

[Hambonee]

Welcome to the PNW!

Lots of great suggestions but understand if you do head over the mountians the seasons can change dramatically. It can be sunny and 75 in the flat lands but hit the mountians and it can REALLY change. Here is a picture from early June heading to Sun Mountian Lodge:



This was along Highway 2 if remember which we then hooked 97 to 20 to Winthrop then just took 20 back home to 530 down 9.

But man the views are worth it! on the way home


As for the riding season..not bad if you dont mind a bit of rain!

[Squijummonkey]

Thank you all! I can't wait to get started on all of the suggestions you've all given.

I went to a dealership to see about winterizing my bike or storing it...imagine the looks I got!  

[highside]

Thank you all! I can't wait to get started on all of the suggestions you've all given.

I went to a dealership to see about winterizing my bike or storing it...imagine the looks I got!  

We don't winterize bikes on this side of the mountains, just ride it a couple times a month, it never gets all THAT bad for more than a week or two at a time.

[Need For Speed]

We don't winterize bikes on this side of the mountains, just ride it a couple times a month, it never gets all THAT bad for more than a week or two at a time.

And today was one of the couple of times this month for me - awesome weather for December. Just couldn't get as far up the Mt. (St. Helens) as I would have liked, but I did have it to myself!

Thanks goodness for heated gear...

[stefrrr]

 

[Squijummonkey]

  I think I just swooned. Is that's where all the snow is?

[Stray Cat]

How about a blackbird in the snow?  

[Need For Speed]

How about a blackbird in the snow?  

How about 3 in the snow?  

[Stray Cat]

 

[Need For Speed]

Much better road conditions yesterday, didn't have to ride through any snow. Had the roads all to myself as well