Gentlemanly Adventures

[Visian]

... and Gentlewomanly, too, for that matter.

i am working on an "Always an Adventure" article that describes three rides that are adventurous more for their scenery, history and/or remoteness instead of the riding challenge itself.

iow, these are rides that can be taken 2-up, or while hauling a month's worth of gear, confident in the knowledge that the riding challenge isn't going to be too difficult.

another aspect is that they are good alternatives to the slab when you're trying to get somewhere while wanting for a nice detour at the same time.

the rides in my article will be three routes I strung together this summer as an alternative to I-90 and I-80 on the way to Oregon:

• The Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
  
• Big Sheep Creek National Back Country Byway (aka Medicine Lodge road)
  
• Lemhi Pass into Idaho.

These three will be in my article, which will also point readers to this thread.

It'd be great if there were some more routes for people to consider, so, how 'bout we take a minute to share the routes we know. And if you know how to do it, Google Maps links will be very useful.

Thanks!

ian

[Bobmws]

C'mon Ian, you know a gentleman never tells. Especially if he's been to Big Sheep Creek.......

[OldNuke]

Lemhi Pass- a scenic and gentlemanly ride.

[Polarbear]

Sometimes and more frequent these days, we are not the "gorilla's" we think we are to manhandle such a large Beemer offroad and the more sensable routes of dirt apply. So many exist. Great suggestion/article in the works for ya. My West Coast has so many but often turn into soft sandy terrain so these are offlimits, like Navada and such, which is incredably dirt road laden with these byways. North of Reno is a raod to Pyramid Lake and North from there to Gerlach(Burning Man home) and is worthy of your look see. Its an easy, from 25 to 70mph dirt kind of road to the end of the world, desert terrain and is easy to ride. Very remote. Take more water than gas. "Ohpir Pass" in the Colorado Alps is a nice two up, one of the easier Colorado Passes near Teluride/Silverton. One of my recent trips East, I found "OARK",Arkansas in the heart of the Ozarks. A very simple single lane paved road into Oark and ALL dirt byways out. This place reminded me of the movie "Deliverance"and was Sooooooo beautiful with tree covered dirt byways to awe at. Very nice Arkansas heaven here. Just some of my recent memories of GSA dirt, that many can enjoy, even two up. Randy"Polarbear"Owens....Happy Trails Ian, your friend Randy.

[Visian]

C'mon Ian, you know a gentleman never tells. Especially if he's been to Big Sheep Creek.......

these are rides that your wife wouldn't hate you for taking her along.

[Visian]

One of my recent trips East, I found "OARK",Arkansas in the heart of the Ozarks. A very simple single lane paved road into Oark and ALL dirt byways out.

Randy - I found this town on google maps and looked around a bit. this route sounds excellent.... a nice little diversion from I-40.

Do you remember much of the ride? It would be cool to map this out and make it available.

Thanks!

ian

also, what do you think about that Kaiser Pass road you wrote about before?

[mcmxcivrs]

Here's a couple alternate routes for those of you coming up north to enjoy the mountains.

Forrestry Trunk Road 940 from Crowsnest to Highway 40

Smith-Dorien trail Kananaskis to Canmore

[Visian]

Here's a couple alternate routes for those of you coming up north to enjoy the mountains.

Forrestry Trunk Road 940 from Crowsnest to Highway 40

Smith-Dorien trail Kananaskis to Canmore

excellent!

(i've actually ridden this road on a rented goldwing.... does that count as an adventure?)

ian

[Semper_Fi]

These are all great any chance for more Easterly routes?

[Visian]

These are all great any chance for more Easterly routes?

I am working on that!

this is a nice detour if you're riding from/through Atlanta on your way to Bloomsburg next summer.

oh, and West Virginia is next!

ian

[Polarbear]

Well, the Kaiser Pass(Sierra Nevada,CA mountains) is not a alternate route to anywhere. Its a dead end into the wilderness, but a great ride for those willing to find it. Its clearly a day ride from the freeway 99 of Fresno to go in there and enjoy it, camp out and so on. Camping is excellent with Mono Hot Springs at hand and other National Forest camps all along this high Sierra route. MHS has cabins too, but you need to call ahead, interent,etc for available cabins. Its rustic. ARKANSAS and my adventure there was neat. Oark is easy to find on Google Maps for ya. All routes out of there going North and East are dirt byways, from 15-25 miles of such. I took the Northerly mountainous exit from Oark on dirt, the only one North. Oark is famous for another item! Its home to the oldest continuosly operating general store in Arkanasas, dating back to 1800s. A grill and single pump gas are available. A NEAT stop in the center Oark,Arkansas. A stone can be thrown across this foresty burb, population is probably 15+, a guess. I enjoyed it and sat on the front porch(Oark General Store) sipped a cool drink and chatted with the locals and "dogs" a bit. NO leash laws here...They buy gasoline here, by how much change in their pockets, I witnessed it twice as I sat cooling off with my newfound doggy friends...My Beemer,GSA1200 was wierd and seemed out of place(alien), a story in this alone in Oark.. The dirt byways are very narrow and single lane much of the way North out of there. Ian, its a worthy look see for ya. I have some pics, but getting them to ya is my nightmare here on the computer. I can try. Oark, time capsule kind of place and I loved the visit. Randy

[sfarson]

Hey Ian, Here's one for you...

Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway

The Flat Tops Trail parallels Interstate 70 in Colorado for about 80 miles. It delivers a mix of 30 miles pavement, 50 miles graded dirt. Deep wilderness, serious views, massive aspen forests, huge elk herds, and a mountain pass (Ripple Creek) are the accompaniment. It is said this area was the inspiration for a wilderness preservation ethos in the west. Teddy Roosevelt hunted the area regularly 100 years ago.

BTW, Colorado 131 leading north from I-70 to the eastern launch of this ride at Yampa, is one of the finest motorcycle roads in Colorado.

Previews...

[Visian]

Well, the Kaiser Pass(Sierra Nevada,CA mountains) is not a alternate route to anywhere.

ha... once i turned on the "satellite" view, i see why. dem are some big mountains.

i was going from memory on that, some years ago, i had plotted a ride through the area that i wound up not being able to take. thought this one was it.

ARKANSAS and my adventure there was neat. Oark is easy to find on Google Maps for ya. All routes out of there going North and East are dirt byways, from 15-25 miles of such. I took the Northerly mountainous exit from Oark on dirt, the only one North.

That looks to be County Road 34.

Are your pictures digital? Maybe i can walk you through how to e-mail them to me.

ian

[Visian]

Hey Ian, Here's one for you...

Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway

oh, this is perfect... just a short jaunt from I-70...

i believe that i've ridding 131 before, as my sister used to live in Steamboat Springs.

thanks! oh, any video of Flat Tops available???

ian

[Voni]

Paul and I love Cottonwood Pass near Buena Vista, Colorado. The west side is an easy dirt road.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySD9X8lcp2Y&feature=fvst

Voni
sMiling