DK's Definitive Ride Report - Some of the Best Scenic Roads Out West - Tons of Photo'

[DK Custom Products]

Day 25 continued-

Perfect riding day...

...Rolling thru the curves and twistys with constantly changing scenery.

Idaho has some of the best riding roads and....

...views one could hope to see.

There's a little section of road (the 13) between Kooskia and Grangeville that is always fun to ride.* Steep, twistys, curvy and some knarly drop-offs.* Here's a pic looking back at one little part of it.

This looks like it could be fun ahead...

...cresting the top.

Hardly any traffic going our way, and what little there was, was easy to pass.* Fun ride down.

A look back-

Threading our way thru the hills along the canyon bottom...we are getting close to Riggins.

More on Day 25 as time allows.

Kevin

 

[floridaguy]

Wow just wow you two took some awesome pictures and it looks like a great trip so far.. Do you have a thread about what gear you two use on these long trips?

 

[Trent]

The River Kevin is following is the Clearwater River. That route from Lewiston to Lolo Pass MT is an amazing ride. That steep hill is WhiteBird Pass. It is pretty steep and long alright, but you shoulda seen the old 2 lane road used before they built that new one with all the runaway truck escape ramps carved into the sides. Awesome country to ride through.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Wow just wow you two took some awesome pictures and it looks like a great trip so far.. Do you have a thread about what gear you two use on these long trips?

I think it is listed earlier in this thread...but pretty simple-

Waterproof boots

Jeans (mine are kevlar lined, Mary has some too, but she does not like them, and does not wear them most of the time)

Wicking t-shirt

Mesh jacket

Breathable gloves

Modular Nolan helmet

When it is hot, Mary has a cool vest and we both have those Cooling Snap Towels that go around the neck

When it is cold-

Gerbing Electric Jacket Liners

Long sleeve shirt under the jacket liner

Gauntlet gloves

When it is really cold, even if not raining or snowing, we'll wear the rain suits

When it is raining-

Rain suit...sometimes just the jacket if it is not a downpour

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

The River Kevin is following is the Clearwater River. That route from Lewiston to Lolo Pass MT is an amazing ride. That steep hill is WhiteBird Pass. It is pretty steep and long alright, but you shoulda seen the old 2 lane road used before they built that new one with all the runaway truck escape ramps carved into the sides. Awesome country to ride through.

Yes! Idaho is a hidden jewel for riding!!!

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 25 continued-

I know this day is stretching out to a lot of photos. But it is a really great ride, and I'm cutting out huge chunks of it to keep it as small as it is.

Coming up on a big bridge, in the middle of "nowhere"...

...a look back at it as we get close to Riggins.

Stopped in Riggins for gas, and to eat lunch. Small town, many folks here for fishing.

Back rolling...

...a look back as we ride thru some beautiful country.

Here's a pic as we pass a motel that we stayed in a few years back. Very nice place, a bit outside of McCall.

There's a short, steep & tight section of road before coming into McCall. Lot of fun!

Rolling thru McCall.

Not far outside of McCall it looked like some heavy rain ahead. We stopped, put on rain suits and as soon as we started back rolling, the rain started coming down.

More on Day 25 as time allows.

*

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 25 concluded-

After getting thru the valley that McCall is in, the road turned tight and twisty.

There was a lot of traffic going the opposite way, guess they were headed to the hills for the weekend. Not much traffic going our way.

This fun road follows along side a river.

We stopped along side it...

...at a spot where there was a lot of white water, AND 2 kids unloading their kayaks.

We talked to them during the 20 minutes they took to prep...

...for their ride down.

Crazy! To me this looks...

...far more dangerous than riding a motorcycle. But they were pumped for their afternoon ride!

We're back rolling now. Beautiful afternoon riding!

About 10 miles down the road are a hundred plus vehicles...this is the end of the 10 mile ride down the river for many.

Fun road, elevation changes, curves, little traffic, good road surface, and great scenery!

Last post for today coming up!

*Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 25 Conclusion-

This afternoon is just a great day riding...

...along side the river!

A look back at the curve we (and the river) just went thru in the proceeding photo.

Getting near the end of the part of the road winding thru the canyon.* What a great ride!!!

The road has opened up now, and Mary got a ton of cool cloud pics.

Rolling up a steep and winding road, with a picture perfect "back-drop".

Looks like there is no more rain between here and Mary's moms, plus it is getting warmer, so we stopped and stowed the rain jackets.

Shadow Pic-

Getting close.* We've ridden 142 miles since Riggins and have 12 to go.* Pretty excited about our stay in Meridian.* Tomorrow we celebrate Mary's 62nd birthday!

Last cloud pic of the day.

We'll be here for a few days, then head off for Klamath Falls, Oregon.

Kevin

 

[Gorilla]

Happy Birthday Mary

thank you for all the pictures

 

[LadyonaMission]

Happy Birthday, Mary.:birthday_balloons::birthday_balloon:

I love the pictures.

 

[DakotaTG]

Glad you enjoyed the Highway 55 ride from McCall to Eagle/Meridian. It is a fantastic ride! We love to ride the 90 miles (does take about 2 hours) up to McCall but we do it during the week and not on weekends. Lots of twisties, elevation changes and a beautiful river (Payette River) beside the highway for many miles. On a Friday afternoon the traffic from Eagle to McCall (going north) is almost bumper to bumper with many campers, RV's and vehicles pulling boats; while going the other way (south) from McCall will probably have very little traffic.

2016 Deep Jade Green and Black TG with many DK Custom Products installed.

 

[ol' school]

Happy Birthday Mary!!! :birthday_balloon:

 

[DK Custom Products]

Happy Birthday Mary

thank you for all the pictures

Happy Birthday, Mary.:birthday_balloons::birthday_balloon:

I love the pictures.

Happy Birthday Mary!!! :birthday_balloon:

Thank you for the sweet birthday greetings. Had lots of fun being on the trip on my birthday. - Mary

Glad you enjoyed the Highway 55 ride from McCall to Eagle/Meridian. It is a fantastic ride! We love to ride the 90 miles (does take about 2 hours) up to McCall but we do it during the week and not on weekends. Lots of twisties, elevation changes and a beautiful river (Payette River) beside the highway for many miles. On a Friday afternoon the traffic from Eagle to McCall (going north) is almost bumper to bumper with many campers, RV's and vehicles pulling boats; while going the other way (south) from McCall will probably have very little traffic.

2016 Deep Jade Green and Black TG with many DK Custom Products installed.

Yeah, fantastic riding y'all have!!!

Kevin

 

[Jack Klarich]

OOPS, Late as usual

Happy Birthday Mary

Keep the great pictures coming

:birthday_balloon:

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 26-28 in Meridian, Idaho

3 full days in Meridian!

We celebrated Mary's birthday with her mom, brothers, nephew & niece.

I met up with DakotaTG & his wife for a nice visit. (Wayne & Gayle)

We had dinner with Trent and his BETTER half. Good times!

Changed oil and cleaned oil filter, checked critical fasteners...all ready for the next half of the trip.

Mary & her cake-

Opening some presents-

At the mall, messing around on a kids solo merry-go-round thing-

Annual photo with her mom-

*

Kevin

 

[Gone2Three]

Day 26-28 in Meridian, Idaho

3 full days in Meridian!

We celebrated Mary's birthday with her mom, brothers, nephew & niece.

I met up with DakotaTG & his wife for a nice visit. (Wayne & Gayle)

We had dinner with Trent and his BETTER half. Good times!

Changed oil and cleaned oil filter, checked critical fasteners...all ready for the next half of the trip.

Mary & her cake-

Opening some presents-

At the mall, messing around on a kids solo merry-go-round thing-

Annual photo with her mom-

*

Kevin

Happy belated Birthday Mary! :bday_cake_candle:

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 29-

Today we head out for Klamath Falls, Oregon.* It's 420 miles, most of it 2 lane roads.* We may have time to veer off and see Crater Lake again.

Ready to roll after 3 days off-

Right off the bat, we can tell it's gonna be a good day!

About an hour out and we're in Oregon (one of two States we're rolling thru that is not reciprocal with my MS CCW)

Another cloud pic-

Speeding up to 80+ mph to pass this semi-

Oregon is not normally thought of as a desert area.* But until you get near the west coast, it is pretty desolate.

There are some nice curves and elevation changes thru this desert area.* btw, central and eastern Oregon is the only spot in the lower 48 where I've come close to running out of gas because there are so many miles between gas stations (that was a few years ago).

Cruise set at 65 mph, road is smooth and flat, just a couple of fingers is all that's needed to negotiate the gentle curves in the road.

Lots of long straight road...

...much of which requires no hands at all!

​​​​​​​More on Day 29 coming as time allows.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 29 continued-

This is a desolate place...

...we're on the 395 now and it's not much different, other than the road surface is not as good.

A look back...

...and a look ahead- 30 miles LATER! It's pretty devoid of humans and any kind of man-made anything...other than the road.

We finally pull into Christmas Valley and get some fuel.

Not sure why it's called that...and I did no research, because (no offense to anyone in Oregon) not much in Oregon interests me...we're just passing thru to get to where we really want to be.

A little bit out of Christmas Valley, this is what the GPS is showing...a big lake dead ahead...

...but there is no lake there....this is where a lake used to be!

Trees and curves! Been a few hundred miles since we've seen any real trees!

Not long after getting into these trees we saw some BLM land. Pulled a bit into it and stopped to have lunch.

More in next post.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 29 concluded-

Back rolling...trees & curves- yay!

Shadow pic-

Entering Klamath Falls Marshland-

This is some beautiful curving road...the speed limits here are insane...guess it is all part of the west coast thing to "protect people from themselves". They have 35 and 45 mph signs in gentle curves that almost anywhere else would be 55 and 65, and in Montana would be 70-75. No one around, we rode what was safe.

This is an elevated road, that goes for quite a few miles. Marsh on either side. Can't really tell in the photo, but some of the mountains in the distance are snow covered.

As we were riding I caught a glimpse of these ducklings following their mama. Turned around and went back, pulled to the side of the road and watched them paddle around for awhile.

We're getting close...

...Upper Klamath Lake. This is one BIG lake!!!!

Pulling into Klamath Falls. Soon after passing this sign we saw the first Super 8 and stopped there for the night. It is right next to a Subway, so we did not go to a grocery store tonight. Mary got some sandwiches while I filled the TG up with fuel.

Tomorrow we head for Northern Cali.

Kevin

 

[Trent]

The speed limits in Oregon are insanely low. Especially in this section that you posted here. Having lived in Oregon before, my theory, and a lotta other guys too, is that since Oregon has no state sales tax, they make up for some of the lost revenue with more traffic citations. Mainly high dollar speeding tickets. The small communities really keep those limits low so almost every town is speed trap,, to pay the salary for the 3 deputies in that county. Two years ago they finally raised the speed limit on I-84 from 65 to 70. So now you can cruise at 70 to 75 on a freeway built for 90 without getting nailed. It was very frustrating to cross over the state line from Idaho with an 80 mph speed limit to a 65 that was very heavily enforced.

 

[rhino 2]

The speed limits in Oregon are insanely low. Especially in this section that you posted here. Having lived in Oregon before, my theory, and a lotta other guys too, is that since Oregon has no state sales tax, they make up for some of the lost revenue with more traffic citations. Mainly high dollar speeding tickets. The small communities really keep those limits low so almost every town is speed trap,, to pay the salary for the 3 deputies in that county. Two years ago they finally raised the speed limit on I-84 from 65 to 70. So now you can cruise at 70 to 75 on a freeway built for 90 without getting nailed. It was very frustrating to cross over the state line from Idaho with an 80 mph speed limit to a 65 that was very heavily enforced.

Jersey has an even sneakier way of raising funds.....When they raised the speed limit in some sections of hi-ways from 55 to 65...They put in a provision that ''All'' traffic violations are double in a 65 zone not just speeding....So if you have a light out or something minor, They can wait till you cross over into the 65 zone then stop and ticket you for the light infraction.....

 

[DK Custom Products]

The speed limits in Oregon are insanely low. Especially in this section that you posted here. Having lived in Oregon before, my theory, and a lotta other guys too, is that since Oregon has no state sales tax, they make up for some of the lost revenue with more traffic citations. Mainly high dollar speeding tickets. The small communities really keep those limits low so almost every town is speed trap,, to pay the salary for the 3 deputies in that county. Two years ago they finally raised the speed limit on I-84 from 65 to 70. So now you can cruise at 70 to 75 on a freeway built for 90 without getting nailed. It was very frustrating to cross over the state line from Idaho with an 80 mph speed limit to a 65 that was very heavily enforced.

Jersey has an even sneakier way of raising funds.....When they raised the speed limit in some sections of hi-ways from 55 to 65...They put in a provision that ''All'' traffic violations are double in a 65 zone not just speeding....So if you have a light out or something minor, They can wait till you cross over into the 65 zone then stop and ticket you for the light infraction.....

Yeah, do not like the Oregon thing, and doesn't sound like I'd like the NJ way either!

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 30-*

We're headed for Willow Creek, CA today.* We've ridden the 299 once before, and ever since I've been looking forward to riding it again.* PLUS, we'll be stopping at Shasta Lake!

Leaving out of the Super 8 in Klamath Falls...

...headed for the California border!

Pulling up to the Inspection Station, where they will either let us in to Cali or not...

...guess we look harmless enough, they did not inspect anything.

Rolling along some hilly sweeping road!

Pulled over at a Scenic stop for a view of Mt. Shasta...

...after reading thru some of the specs, and taking in the view, we're back rolling.

Miles and miles of amazing views of this 14,000+ foot monster!

We get to Weed, California and hop on Interstate 5....

...and we still have a great view of Mt. Shasta!

More of Day 30 as time allows.

Kevin

 

[Marc H]

Really late to the party here but I just read through to this point this week.Happy very belated Birthday Mary!!!You take great pics.You guys are having great trip through gorgeous parts of the country.Stay safe.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 30 continued-

Normally we travel secondary roads when possible, but today we're going to follow Interstate 5 all the way down to Redding. I want to see Shasta Lake again, plus I have ants in my pants to get on the 299. lol

We saw no bears, but...

...for a freeway, the 5 in this section is pretty curvy, light traffic, and fun to ride.

Ate up some miles and we're at the lake. Took a small access road....

...that was 1 lane gravel for about a mile...

...down to the lake. Parked in the shade, had a snack, hung out for a while...

...enjoying the view.

Headed back up the hill...

...the road is pretty narrow, but the view is great!

Back on the asphalt now...

and back onto the Freeway.

Conclusion of Day 30 in next post.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 30 concluded-

We're on the 299 now. Been thinking about this road for a few years (since the 1st time we rode it). About 1/2 of it is very fast and curving, the other 1/2 a bit tighter and more narrow. ALL FUN!

299 Rocks if you like the curves!

The views are varied and all good!

Lots of elevation changes mixed in with the curves. The photo's do not do it justice.

A look back, and...

...another look back. (a lot of times, when we've gone thru a section of curves at a pretty good pace, Mary will take a photo looking back at them, since she may have been holding on too tight while going thru them to get any pics. lol )

Not any room to make the road wider without blowing up the mountainside. Beautiful riding!

Newly finished road surface. If you google the map from Redding Ca to Willow Creek Ca, you will see all the twists, turns and curves of this road!

View of Trinity River at 60 mph.

If you have a chance to ride the 299, if you like the curves, I think you'll enjoy it.

At Willow Creek we decide to stay in the BIGFOOT Motel. lol It is a novelty, but a bit old, not sure we'll stay here again.

Tomorrow's a Full Day! We're going to the Redwoods, then riding PCH and I've made reservations at a hotel in Point Arena Cove. It's a surprise for Mary.

*

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 31-

We're leaving Big Foot territory, and headed for the California Coast.

We still have about 80 miles or so of riding on the 299 !!!

These are some great riding roads...

...and beautiful countryside...

...with good road surface, elevation changes, and lots of curves!!!

Shadow pic-

Could not ask for a better riding day...

...virtually no traffic, and curve after curve!

Then the California curse...traffic ahead...

...but we manage to get past it. Getting closer to the coast!

More in next post.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 31 continued-

Even though we got past that first little bunch...

...it was pretty much a solid line of cars, going at a snails pace thru some really great riding roads...

...all the way to the coast.

On the coast now, just for a brief bit, before turning inland for awhile.

On the 101, passing thru Eureka...

Chewing up a few miles on the 101, headed for The Avenue of The Giants!

We've hit parts of the Redwoods on previous trips, but today we are going to ride every road we can thru the Redwoods, taking our time and fully enjoying them.

Checking out all the possibilities!

Wow!

These trees are BIG, and there's a LOT of them!

More in next post.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 31 continued-

We're amazed as we ride thru miles and miles of these incredible trees.

Even though it is sunny out today, most of the time we are in the "dark".* So much so, that I have to take off my sunglasses.

Looking straight up at a hole in the canopy-

Gonna pay to do this-

I left Mary on the TG, inside the tree...

...while I went out and took a photo.

Back rolling.* These trees are Monsters!

Absolutely stunning as we take our time riding thru them.

More on Day 31 as time allows.

​​​​​​​

Kevin