Need destination advice for First Big ride planned ~April 8-13th

[WenWa]

Me and a buddy are wanting to do a 4-6 day ride April 8-13th. No off road, cause we don't have the guards and skids, nor will we, by the time we go.

We are starting in central Wa state and have three possible itineraries:

1) Get to Edmonds, next day take Kingston ferry and do loop around Olympics, stay in Edmonds and come back to Wenatchee on third day.

2) Ride along the Columbia River To the Oregon Coast, and follow south to California, cut across to I-5 around Bakersfield, and come back up. Plan 5-6 days, camp along the way.

3) Use buddy's RV, strap bikes to a trailer and haul butt to Utah, do 3-single day trips, then high tail it back home. Problem is, neither of us have been to Utah, so don't know how the weather will be or which part of Utah to go.

4) ? (Any ideas on where to ride in early April that will avoid snow?)

I'll be on a '14 S10, he'll be on a '93 Yamaha Venture or a '14 Vstrom 650.

I'm very open to suggestions. We want to do Option 3, but not if riding conditions will be poor.

Thanks a ton inmates!
Wayne

 

[Ramseybella]

Average temp in April Utah>>

http://www.currentresults.com/Weather/Utah/temperature-april.php

Never been to Utah in April, but I do know in New Mexico it starts to get crazy windy late march through April..

 

[munsterlander]

I love the Olympics and the Oregon Coast, but the chances of almost constant rain during that period are very high for #1 and #2 areas. Now if it were me, I would head from the west side to your home hoping for some dry conditions to ride in during April. Oddly enough, I recently looked up those dates for a trip I was considering, for chance of sunshine/precip for a number of NW areas and Wenatchee is about best chance for decent weather anywhere in OR, WA, ID during that time.
But I am sure you want to see some new territory, so if you don't do #3, I would do your planning, but wait for the 7 day forecast to make your final decision between 1 and 2. Maybe this unusual weather this year will give you the clear break you need.
I live in the rainy country, and don't mind riding in it. But both riding in it and camping in it for several days can get old fast.
How about staying east of the cascades and heading south into OR or north into Canada?

 

[WenWa]

Heading south crossed my mind. We talked about shortening up the ride, because conditions can change so fast this time of year. The current thought is head south to the Columbia river, west then cross the river closer to Portland, then head back east on Oregon side to south of Walla Walla. We could stay there overnight (have a place to stay), then head back to Wenatchee next day.

Heading north to Canada, I'm worried about it getting too cold. But looking at the map, we could do the Hwy 97 route. North to Penticton, 97 loop to Kamloops, then back again. Looks like fun if warm enough, and buddy has his passport.

 

[oldbear]

Please don't trailer your bike.....you'll have a LOT more fun/adventure if you RIDE to you destination. You aren't that far from Utah (700 miles or so). Ride down, do a loop where you want and ride home via a different route. Motorcycle trip time spent in a car/truck towing your ride is wasted time, time you've "lost" for riding. If I'm taking a trip to ride, I ALWAYS do a loop. Look at that as an option, you won't regret it ::012::

 

[escapefjrtist]

I think I'd have to choose #2 but modified to stay in NoCal area for a couple days.

LOTS of fabulous riding all around the Redding / Yreka / Eureka triangle. Check out 299, 36 and 96 for a sampling of roads. If you have or can get one, spend some time with Destination Highways maps for NoCal...you won't be disappointed.

That time of year definitely keep an eye on weather and adjust your schedule as needed. Six days will be gone in no time!

Have fun!

--G

 

[SuperTenSteve]

I vote Utah. A buddy of mine has done several of those and he raves about Utah. Especially Zion

 

[Gee-Tee]

I vote Hyder, AK and back.

 

[Velvet]

Utah is an absolutely gorgeous state, especially the southern part ranging from Moab to Zion. The weather may be a bit iffy in April. If you ho there it would be worth your while to check out highways 95 to 24 then 24 to 12 then 12 south. Beautiful! Please don't trailer your bikes though... ::001::

 

[tomatocity]

Utahnis an absolutely gorgeous state, especially the southern part ranging from Moab to Zion. The weather may be a bit iffy in April. If you ho there it would be worth your while to check out highways 95 to 24 then 24 to 12 then 12 south. Beautiful! Please don't trailer your bikes though... ::001::

This http://goo.gl/maps/otOC0 has been on my list for years. Where is Hwy 95?

 

[Anwar Namtut]

Here you go:

http://goo.gl/maps/RZUE4

Between H and I, you can get off the main highway and stay at Wild Rose Campground.

 

[tomatocity]

Here you go:

http://goo.gl/maps/RZUE4

Between H and I, you can get off the main highway and stay at Wild Rose Campground.

Same route with a few enhancements. H is good for F-18 flyby's. I is a 10,000 ft el ride. J is a 8,200 ft el ride. K is a stunning 10,000 ft el ride. 168 is very fun and beautiful. Benton has drink, food and fuel. Mammoth Lakes and June Lake are very beautiful.
http://goo.gl/maps/L6rLV

This addition would be a very beautiful fun route. The only road I have not ridden is Owens River Rd but it looks good. 120 is, maybe, my favorite roads in this area. It has Very Big Dips. The first time I rode 120 I got 'AssLight'. Scary and fun at the same time.
http://goo.gl/maps/4RSz4

 

[tomatocity]

I agree with Idaho and Utah and Arizona and Death Valley and California and Oregon http://goo.gl/maps/MNG5X Speaking for California... miles of beautiful connecting roads.

Pyramid Lake and NE California has some gravel roads which could be bone dry or wet or icy or snowy.

I would beware of elevation on any of these sections. Could be wet, cold, icy, snow, or perfect riding conditions. I am betting on good riding conditions.

This April, I am hoping to ride the California Oregon section to Cedarville and Bend to visit friends. If not April it will be on the tail end of trip in June/July ish.

GoogleMaps selected the routes for Idaho, Utah and Arizona.

 

[escapefjrtist]

I vote Hyder, AK and back.

Too early in the year. Hyder would be OK...getting there potentially risky!

--G

 

[Velvet]

This http://goo.gl/maps/otOC0 has been on my list for years. Where is Hwy 95?

It's in the south east quadrant of the state.

 

[tomatocity]

It's in the south east quadrant of the state.

http://goo.gl/maps/LlBgE

http://goo.gl/maps/dB2AY

 

[Beakless]

Nice time of year for Death Valley!

 

[greg the pole]

if you see two blue tenere's on a trailer, on april the 8th... heading south, follow us to Brooking Oregon. We're unloading there, and riding around california for 7 days ::015::
mostly on road

 

[tomatocity]

if you see two blue tenere's on a trailer, on april the 8th... heading south, follow us to Brooking Oregon. We're unloading there, and riding around california for 7 days ::015::
mostly on road

Wahoo! Who is coming with you Greg?

 

[greg the pole]

Wahoo! Who is coming with you Greg?

CAmshaft.

My buddy Matt was joining on his fz-09 but instead he went to ride a dirt bike in Nepal....

oh well. I'll send you the routes shortly.

we're starting in Brookings Or, then the third night we will be in Ojaj. I have some business to take care of in LA, so there for all of half an hour then the rest of the day in the mailbu hills. Then back up to Brookings Or via the lost coast.