Strat's Big-Assed ADV Tour, 2022 Edition

Bags are packed, chain tension is set, and the gas tank is full. My big ride starts tomorrow. The plan? Ride in a clockwise loop through a bunch of western states. Tomorrow's destination is Brookings, OR. On Sunday, I'll meet up with my bros in northeast Oregon. From there, only the road knows.

Wave at my mama when you ride through Brookings.

Subscribed to live vicariously..

Looking forward to seeing where the road takes you.

^^^
+1
This is gonna be good!

Yes on northeast Oregon!

Have a safe and fun trip.

cheez said:

Have a safe and fun trip.

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+1 … AT for the win in the west! arty

In with a grin

Have a great trip!

So...day 1: East Bay to Brookings, OR. 428 miles.



I left the east Bay this morning under gloomy skies. Grey, drizzly, and kinda ugly. It's almost like a metaphor for my feelings about the bay area...I moved here as a kid in 1986 and there was a time when I really loved it here. That time has passed and now I can't wait to leave. Alas, I was happy to get across the Richmond Bridge and point the mighty Africa Twin northbound on 101. I set the cruise control and tuned in a Rogan podcast using the Android Auto feature on my bike.

The biggest redeeming quality of the Bay Area to me is that it's only about an hour away from some spectacular countryside. True to form, once I got clear of Santa Rosa, the traffic let up, the scenery started to change, and I started to relax and enjoy the ride. It was starting to feel like a trip! Somewhere around Cloverdale, my bladder began to capture my attention so I pulled off the 101 for a quick bio break...


The sun started coming out at this point and it was turning into a nice morning...WATCH OUT FOR THAT DEER!!!

...It lived to terrorize motorists another day...

A little while later, I pulled off the 101 onto Briceland Road, a tight, twisty track heading northwest into the hills...



...and connects to Ettersburg Road, which leads to Honeydew.


When I got to Honeydew, it was lunchtime so I stopped at the local store and ordered a "Traveling Weiner." Because of course I would!

Continuing on Mattole Road out of Honeydew and through Petrolia, I came up on this pasture...Zebras and longhorn cattle peacefully coexisting is not what I'd expected!


Onward to Black Sand Beach and the fog started getting thick.


The rest of the ride into Ferndale was pretty damp. I paused for a quick photo op in town:


After Ferndale, I got back on the 101 and continued north to the state line


...and met up with Mrs. Stratslingr77 in Brookings for the evening.

I was in honeydew last Saturday. It's a pretty magical spot and Briceland road is so, so good.

Just did that Briceland Rd Mattoli rd the opposite direction last weekend with the Moto Melee. Have a great trip!

Reama did you see any melee folks in Honeydew??! Can’t believe you were there last Saturday too!

Cool.... tagging along!

Mattole to Ferndale is one of my favorite coast rides! Ride on! I'm jealous!!

1962siia said:

Just did that Briceland Rd Mattoli rd the opposite direction last weekend with the Moto Melee. Have a great trip!

Reama did you see any melee folks in Honeydew??! Can’t believe you were there last Saturday too!

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I didn't but we were also there later in the day after hitting Bell Springs, Dyerville Loop, and Bull Flat.

Day 2: Brookings to Baker City. 532 miles


The plan was to meet up with my bros from Washington, Jason and Ed, at the Bull Prairie Campground, but the day unfolded a little differently. I bid Mrs. Stratslingr77 adieu and we both got the road at 7:45 this morning. I dipped my toes back into California for a hot minute to catch 199 into Grants Pass and stopped at this oddity coming into Smith River.


Continuing on 199, a sublime stretch of pavement into Grants Pass


And a short spell on I-5 before catching 234 out of Gold Run. Another great stretch of pavement following the Rogue River into Shady Cove for a coffee stop.

After coffee and gas, I continued north on 230 and then 138 through lush forests as I gained altitude. Quick stop for a pee break with Mt. Thielsen as a backdrop.


Then a long grind up 97 from Chemult to Redmond. In Chemult, Jason called suggesting we meet up at Tiger Town Brewery in Mitchell. I got there a few minutes ahead of them and enjoyed the artwork in the bathroom before having a late lunch with the bros.


After a nice break off the bike, the three of us mounted up and continued on under ominous skies towards My. Vernon.


My Badlands suit got a workout--the skies opened up and dumped on us most of the way into Mt. Vernon but then cleared up a bit as we rode into John Day for gas. Here we are, on our Africa Triplets: me, Ed, and Jason


We rode on through the Burnt River valley, then caught 245 over Dually Pass into Baker City, rolling into town around 8:30 pm.




What a day! 532 miles of gorgeous country and an amazing sunset! We'll see what tomorrow brings...

Wow, fantastic write up and photos. Most enjoyable!

-Bill

great shots and great roads! ready to see more!