2024 National Rally: REDMOND Oregon

[graybuckley]

Coast to Coast Adventure

Suspecting those with trepidation about the long ride have not taken it. Advice: Avoid the big roads. Avoid big city centers. Sign up for Platinum Roadside Assistance & Tire Hazard Protection. Take one route west, a different road east. U.S. 36 through Kansas is worth it.

 

[flyhi2cfar]

It has been a while since I posted here. I see several familiar names. As you pour over maps and plan itineraries seriously consider a day trip through Shinako, Antelope, Fossil, and Service Creek. The drop from Shaniko to Antelope is epic. Then south to Mitchell or a longer loop through Spray and the fossil beds down to Hwy 26. The fossil beds have a neat museum. See Ya

That's near a 200mi R/T you've have outlined, and looks wonderful.
My issue is, as cool as the pictures are from google maps (of the towns themselves)... I would need about 4 more hours of off bike wonder'n around time!
But good intel for the area east northeast from Redmond. Thank you Bob.

 

[flyhi2cfar]

Suspecting those with trepidation about the long ride have not taken it. Advice: Avoid the big roads. Avoid big city centers. Sign up for Platinum Roadside Assistance & Tire Hazard Protection. Take one route west, a different road east. U.S. 36 through Kansas is worth it.

Solid advice from a seasoned Touring Pro. ...who knows a thing or two because he's seen a thing or two!

And the best doggone committee chairman to shadow a national rally site.

 

[MADDOG]

the empty quarter

Made my first 12 week trip as a 21 year old on a Suzuki water buffalo. And have been cross-country from Ct. more times than i can possibly remember, these last 50 years,including another 13 weeker in '04 with Mrs. MAD DOG on her own bike that had us in Alaska after the Spokane rally. Some suggestions...many state routes parallel the slabs, and as towns are sparse, you can make good time without the semis and RVs causing peril. You can always drop onto a slab for gas and a motel. Be aware that just because a dot has a name to it does NOT mean it has a gas station. Found that out the hard way once. Get a good road atlas that shows scenic rides. It will help plan your days better than a GPS. All old roads are fun. I even enjoyed SR 2 in Nebraska on my way to CARHENGE in Alliance. My point? Lots of really neat weird stuff out there. So stretch your comfort zone. The west coast would still belong to spain if it wasn.t for Lewis and Clark. { I know, just work with me on this.}
So go! You will enjoy it
MAD DOG

 

[gsinnc]

Made my first 12 week trip as a 21 year old on a Suzuki water buffalo. And have been cross-country from Ct. more times than i can possibly remember, these last 50 years,including another 13 weeker in '04 with Mrs. MAD DOG on her own bike that had us in Alaska after the Spokane rally. Some suggestions...many state routes parallel the slabs, and as towns are sparse, you can make good time without the semis and RVs causing peril. You can always drop onto a slab for gas and a motel. Be aware that just because a dot has a name to it does NOT mean it has a gas station. Found that out the hard way once. Get a good road atlas that shows scenic rides. It will help plan your days better than a GPS. All old roads are fun. I even enjoyed SR 2 in Nebraska on my way to CARHENGE in Alliance. My point? Lots of really neat weird stuff out there. So stretch your comfort zone. The west coast would still belong to spain if it wasn.t for Lewis and Clark. { I know, just work with me on this.}
So go! You will enjoy it
MAD DOG

All excellent advice. Speed limits on secondary roads out west are 55 and 65 mph so yo still make great time but get to SEE the USA. And as a riding buddy used to tell me follow the 3 rules … never pass up the opportunity to pee, never pass up the opportunity to top off your tank and never ever pass up a sign that says “homemade pie”.

Love crossing this amazing country and seeing all the cool POIs. Carhenge, Matchstick Marvels, Monovi NE, Iowa 80, Field of Dreams just to name a few. Slow down and enjoy the ride!!

 

[kbasa]

Made my first 12 week trip as a 21 year old on a Suzuki water buffalo. And have been cross-country from Ct. more times than i can possibly remember, these last 50 years,including another 13 weeker in '04 with Mrs. MAD DOG on her own bike that had us in Alaska after the Spokane rally. Some suggestions...many state routes parallel the slabs, and as towns are sparse, you can make good time without the semis and RVs causing peril. You can always drop onto a slab for gas and a motel. Be aware that just because a dot has a name to it does NOT mean it has a gas station. Found that out the hard way once. Get a good road atlas that shows scenic rides. It will help plan your days better than a GPS. All old roads are fun. I even enjoyed SR 2 in Nebraska on my way to CARHENGE in Alliance. My point? Lots of really neat weird stuff out there. So stretch your comfort zone. The west coast would still belong to spain if it wasn.t for Lewis and Clark. { I know, just work with me on this.}
So go! You will enjoy it
MAD DOG

Good stuff. Learn about General Vallejo and the Bear Flag Revolt.

https://www.nps.gov/goga/learn/historyculture/bear-flag-revolt.htm

 

[HSVPhil]

Jus Sayin, this place is worth your time & effort.

I got 'The Tip' from some Church ladies in Papillion, Neb when we were headed west along I-80 from Offutt AFB (headed west for a friend’s wedding).

Ole’s is a big game, taxidermy extravaganza “steakhouse" with an incredible pedigree.
113 N Oak St, I-80, Exit 145, Paxton, NE 69155-1343
Phone: +1 308 239 4500
N41° 07.416' W101° 21.369'
>>> https://olesbiggame.com <<<

Do not bypass it if’n you’re going through that sparsely inhabited neighborhood!!!
You’re greeted upon entry by a snarling Polar Bear; exhibits on every square inch of wall/floor space!

We really needed to re-energize just before a snowstorm blew thru Cheyenne WY that night on our way toward N. CA.
Memorable fer sure!


Ciao, HSV-Phil & HSV-Karen

 

[bernieecht]

Registration completed

IN!
I made the reservations for Redmond after I returned from the Virginia rally.
First time I be going west of the Rockies since the Spokane, WA rally.
I reserved a room, but most likely be camping most of the trip.

 

[gsinnc]

IN!
I made the reservations for Redmond after I returned from the Virginia rally.
First time I be going west of the Rockies since the Spokane, WA rally.
I reserved a room, but most likely be camping most of the trip.

Ha !! At least I will have one familiar friendly face there !!

What hotel?? We don't camp

 

[bernieecht]

Ha !! At least I will have one familiar friendly face there !!

What hotel?? We don't camp

Ed, I made reservations at the Best Western, Prineville, OR. I plan to arrive Wednesday to Sunday.
I may volunteer again, but only if I am allowed to pump my own gas.

 

[gsinnc]

Ed, I made reservations at the Best Western, Prineville, OR. I plan to arrive Wednesday to Sunday.
I may volunteer again, but only if I am allowed to pump my own gas.

LOL ... we are booked in Prineville too but also at Best Western close to the site. My buddy did not book the Best Western soon enough and got a $230 per night rate there. Our rate in Prineville (country Inns & Suites) is $147 so we'll see where we end up. The ride each day from Prineville looks like no big deal. And I ONLY pump my own gas ... even in OREGON!

 

[bernieecht]

LOL ... we are booked in Prineville too but also at Best Western close to the site. My buddy did not book the Best Western soon enough and got a $230 per night rate there. Our rate in Prineville (country Inns & Suites) is $147 so we'll see where we end up. The ride each day from Prineville looks like no big deal. And I ONLY pump my own gas ... even in OREGON!

BaseCam
Yes the motel rates are a little strange. But if it really will be as cool as everyone claims, camping will be no problem.
But I remember going to the Vermont Rally and riding around Vermont the week before the rally in great weather and then suddenly during the Rally the temperatures jumped to 100F plus. Record breaking. Weather is something you can't predict, it just happens and it is best to be prepared. Now back to BaseCamp.

 

[graybuckley]

35 minute ride to Mt. Bachelor

Altitude: 3,365 ft — guaranteed cool!

 

[Wkoppa]

Suspecting those with trepidation about the long ride have not taken it. Advice: Avoid the big roads. Avoid big city centers. Sign up for Platinum Roadside Assistance & Tire Hazard Protection. Take one route west, a different road east. U.S. 36 through Kansas is worth it.

Take it from a very reliable source that Iowa has speed camera's.


Wayne Koppa
Grayling, MI
#71,449

 

[glenfiddich]

Take it from a very reliable source that Iowa has speed camera's.


Wayne Koppa
Grayling, MI
#71,449

Yet another reason to not wash the mud off your GS

Pete

 

[gsinnc]

BaseCam
Yes the motel rates are a little strange. But if it really will be as cool as everyone claims, camping will be no problem.
But I remember going to the Vermont Rally and riding around Vermont the week before the rally in great weather and then suddenly during the Rally the temperatures jumped to 100F plus. Record breaking. Weather is something you can't predict, it just happens and it is best to be prepared. Now back to BaseCamp.

OMG ... I was at Vermont too and we had a quad in the College dorms and A/C was only good to about 80 degrees. Yeah ... Vermont is cool in the summer ... not so much. Never count on the weather.

 

[PGlaves]

I can recall at least a half dozen BMW MOA national/international rallies where the temperature has been significantly hotter than normal. Spokane, Lima, Essex Junction, Sedalia, Salt Lake City and Doomsburg all come to mind. But of course the Lake Wales (Florida) and Fredericksburg (Texas) rallies were pleasantly in the 80s F.

It seems the worldwide weather planners have the BMW MOA rally schedule on their radar.

 

[gsinnc]

I can recall at least a half dozen BMW MOA national/international rallies where the temperature has been significantly hotter than normal. Spokane, Lima, Essex Junction, Sedalia, Salt Lake City and Doomsburg all come to mind. But of course the Lake Wales (Florida) and Fredericksburg (Texas) rallies were pleasantly in the 80s F.

It seems the worldwide weather planners have the BMW MOA rally schedule on their radar.

I just always keep in mind "IT IS SUMMER" and summer is hot. The worst for me were Lima and Bloomsburg but being from NJ I was not at all surprised that PA in July was hot and humid. I actually enjoyed Salt Lake and had a great hotel there. Lima was just a hot dust bowl !! So far my all time favorite(s) were West Bend, WI. and Great Falls, MT. Perfect temps, nice facility and we had a great lodging at both spots. I am looking forward to the trip to Redmond with high expectations.

 

[kbasa]

I'm moving to about a mile from the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. A rally there in September would be pretty terrific. The weather is great, the roads are mostly free of our summer tourist plague and the riding is just spectacular. Everything from the coast and Hwy. 1 (the northern end of PCH, called Shoreline Highway, is better than the tourist rut to LA), to redwoods to wine country in one county.

It'd be nice to have everyone visit some of the finest riding in the country. I'd love to share my favorite riding around here.

 

[gsinnc]

I'm moving to about a mile from the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. A rally there in September would be pretty terrific. The weather is great, the roads are mostly free of our summer tourist plague and the riding is just spectacular. Everything from the coast and Hwy. 1 (the northern end of PCH, called Shoreline Highway, is better than the tourist rut to LA), to redwoods to wine country in one county.

It'd be nice to have everyone visit some of the finest riding in the country. I'd love to share my favorite riding around here.

And your 1000 closest friends could camp in your backyard