Return of the Cool
Early Fall Ride Ideas
The long winter and spring made summer feel like it was about 15
minutes in the Northwest this year! But is riding season over?
Hardly.
We have a little rule when we’re putting on the Rally in The
Gorge. If it’s raining, simply ride east. It’s almost always drier
there. Ditto if you live anywhere west of the Cascades like
Portland, Eugene, Seattle or Bellingham. Simply get on the bike,
make your way over the Cascades and enjoy some late summer early
fall riding to the east.
The view from atop Step Toe Butte in the
Palouse region.
Need a few suggestions? Here ya go:
Walla Walla (WA) – The sweets are in and the fall colors
are kicking in. Take a ride along the Starbuck Highway, venture into
north eastern Oregon, check out a winery or two, grab some great
food at one of the fine restaurants like 26 Brix or Creek Town Café,
or take a walk through the local corn maze.
 Lewiston/Clarkston (WA/ID) – Your gateway to roads like The
Old Spiral Highway (shown at right), the Rattlesnake Grade and the many roads in the
Palouse. Take in a cougs game in Pullman and see the world from the
top of the Step Toe Butte.
Central Idaho (ID) – Hit Sun Valley before the skiers do,
make your assault on Galena Summit, take in the colors around the
Sawtooth range and take a eriei ride and walk through the Craters of
the Moon.
John Day (OR) – An excellent weekend HQ for a variety of
rides, ranging from desert to mountainous terrains. Perfect for
pavement riders, as well as adventurous dualsporters. Accommodations
are meek as is the level of food excellence, but it’s only a weekend
after all. For day rides make your way to Condon, Heppner and other
twisty destinations.
Eastern BC/Western Alberta (CANADA) – Check the weather,
and with high pressure permitting, make your way into the vast
solitude of the Canadian Wilderness. Ride across the ice fields near
Jasper, wind along Highway 3 from Osoyos to Castlegar, roar up to
Revelstoke and take a good look at a star filled sky in Kamloops.
The Old Spiral Highway. Best ridden from about
7-9 am on a Sunday morning. Repeat as necessary.
 Before you go remember it’s hardly summer anymore – or is it?
You’ll want to dress in layers and bring along some synthetic
heating. Got an electric vest and gloves? Pack it. Any kind of
synthetic heating will do on a chilly morning or day. If electrics
aren’t in your gear bag take along some
charcoal activated heating
packets.
Rain gear is your friend. Not only will it insure you stay dry if
some rain shows up, but it will add a layer of warmth when you need
it.
SR!/Fall 2008
Stopped for a history lesson along the
Sawtooth range in central Idaho.
For more ideas of where to ride check out our Scenic
Byways series:
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