Finally the heat and commitments have subsided and it is time to let the FJR sit and ride the Pig! So I looked at the Air Quality layer on Google maps and noticed the Oregon side of Hells Canyon was smoke free while other places I had my eye on were not. I hate forest fire smoke.
So it was on to Lewiston Idaho and ride down the Old Spiral Highway, once again! Ha it is tough living here.
You can see the road snaking down to the Snake River.
My first destination was see Hole in the Rock and I did! Hole in the Rock is about 9 miles off the Rattlesnake Grade route near Anatone Washington. I have road by many times but the DR650 opens lots of opportunities to ride where I haven't been.
I am about to drop into the slot just above the bike. It drops about 2700' in 4-5 miles. Easy gravel road and this become a theme on this ride.
Down, down, down I go, this hill I mean. Later in the day down, down, down I go was more literal.
I arrive at the bottom along the Grande Ronde River.
These mountain sheep and one had a tracking collar. Perhaps the one with the collar might be Bust in an alternate universe living his dream.
I rode right by them after taking a photo, happy they didn't try to ram me.
It was very scenic here and I was in my happy zone. Life is good.
I have arrived!
Just on the other side.
Hole in the Rock was created by pioneers seeking at homestead along the river.
The next objective was to ride west of Hwy 3, on the west side of Rattlesnake Grade and on down to Enterprise Oregon on gravel roads where I have never been. Woohoo!
I was riding along a ridge line and this came in to view.
Add the Mighty DR650.
Then the adventure began. At an intersection there was a sign saying road closed. Not know which road at the intersection is closed, I suspect it refers to my route but plausible deniability, something Boeing is very good at, gave me the chance to risk it and keep on going. A few miles later I met with a Firefighter Medic who was very kind. We discuss why I didn't understand the sign and he provided some options. I could continue but the road was rough and there was active operations ahead or a I could just turn around. I choose to turn around and stay out of the way.
I was near the fire.
I went back out to Hwy 129 Rattlesnake Grade and rode it down to the Grande Ronde River. Tough duty. This is were I learned the newly installed IRC TR8 is very good on twisty pavement. It stuck like glue. Hardly new it was a knobby. Zow.
I rejoined the planned route on the Grande Ronde River near Cougar Creek. No Cougars where spotted of either the 2 or 4 legged variety.
Up we go.
The route climbs up into the pine forest at about 4000 elevation in ranch land. The gravel roads had been easy, no ruts, no sand, no baby head boulders that characterize the Idaho BDR. I rode the Lolo Trail Motorway in 2007 on a Vstrom 1000. It was an easy smooth surface. In 2014 the Lolo Trail Motorway was included in the Idaho BDR. Since owning the DR650 I have bailed twice on the Lolo Trail Motorway because it is extremely rough, rutting and overused, even the BDR web page has updates indicated expert sections. This was on my mind while riding on the nice gravel roads today and then it pops into my head BDR means Bad Dam Roads. And the next idea is to make my own routes to places I haven't been that are not on any BDR.
Of course the adventure wasn't over. There is a lot of gravel on these well maintained roads and it was like riding on marbles. I came into a turn too fast and low sided. The bike was fine and so was I. The Mosko Moto panniers are expensive but just paid for themselves, they didn't even get scratched. The right hand guards got scratched and I only had to bend the brake pedal back into position. I picked the bike up without much trouble as the tires were on the low side. Now at home I will inspect the upper triple clamp and handle bar mounts for damage.
The rest of the day was uneventful.
In Lostine Oregon is the Blue Banana Coffee shop.
End of Day 1
