Monday June 21st - Friday June 25th

Economics being what they are, perhaps this isn't the year you're going to throw down five figures for that international tour. Or maybe you don't have the time? Nonetheless, you'd still like to take a trip that would take you to new places filled with scenery and lots of good roads. Something a little closer to home, a lot less expensive and that fits into your available vacation time.

Above: Post pile canyons abound!

The Sound RIDER! Road Trip 2010: OREGON tour may be just what you're looking for!

Sure, many of us have ridden through Oregon, you know - I-5, I-84, SR35, US 26, US97, 101. OK - how about these roads - East Side, Cooper Spur, Marmot, Pinhead Creek and Breitienbush? And those all come up before mid-afternoon the first day. We've got five days of back road experiences in store for you.

Road Trip 2010: OREGON - It's all about getting you off the main highways and taking you places you've never been before. Oregon is a great place to do that. For five days you'll enjoy majestic volcanic peaks, endless geologic wonder, wagon trails that are now nicely paved, covered bridges, cozy towns, friendly people and plenty of twisties - and those are just some of the highlights of this year's road trip.

We'll begin near Hood River and make our way along the back roads to Grant's Pass, then travel back and forth across the coastal range up to Astoria where the tour ends. Along the way you'll have no less than half a dozen points of interest to stop at and take in each day, so be sure to pack your camera gear.

We've taken great care to be sure there's good food along the route and plenty of fuel choices along the way. In the tour book we make notes about them for each day's route.

At left: Oregon's own little Ayers Rock

There will be times when you're sure you're riding in a foreign country. Riding over a moonscape-like volcanic surface, through a post pile filled canyon or past a rural farmland you've never explored, will put you in another place and time. But - you won't need to know a foreign language, convert your currency, update your passport, get any shots or endure an 18-hour plane flight to get here. Just register and join in on the fun!

Do the group thing or do your own thing - For this tour, all roads are paved. Riders are encouraged to ride at their own pace. Ride with a few others or ride on your own, it's up to you. We'll have a rider meeting each morning to provide any current road info we know about and answer any questions. You may come to the meetings or just hit the road when you want. At the end of each day there will be a suggested social gathering location for sharing stories and telling lies about the day's ride and otherwise. Join in whenever you want.

What's it cost and what do you get? Road Trip 2010: OREGON won't cost you an arm and a leg. Advance registration is only $95, which gets you the tour itinerary loaded with accommodation suggestions for each night, the tour book which includes numerous recommended restaurants for each day, maps and turn-by-turn directions for all nine legs of the ride and a GPS file of the entire tour. You'll have access to the two ride hosts who will be along on the tour to keep things running smoothly.

At Right: Blasting past the Three Sisters on Day 2

You determine your accommodations and where you dine each day. Once you register, you'll be sent a tour itinerary which provides three to nine suggested accommodations for each night. We include camping, motel, hotel and resort suggestions so you can put together your own itinerary that suits your budget. Then you book it yourself. The sooner you register, the sooner you get the itinerary and the sooner you can book your rooms and/or tent sites. If you decide to join us at the pre-ride party (see below) on Sunday, camping at the location is included at no extra charge.

Pre-Ride Party - Join us for the pre-ride party Sunday night, June 20th at 6 p.m., meet the tour hosts and get to know others on the ride. Bring your last minute questions, enjoy a great spread of food we'll have catered (no extra charge), enjoy the featured movie and get in on the camaraderie from the get-go.

The Cafe to Cafe Connection - Since a number of the suggested restaurants along the route are also included in this year's Sound RIDER! Cafe to Cafe Tour, you'll be entered into that event at no additional charge (normally $25). Cafe to Cafe packages will be mailed to all registered riders April 1st and thereafter.

The Fine Print - One registration per participant (rider and passenger require separate registrations). Please leave your loud pipes at home. The tour operator requires that all participants wear a full face helmet, motorcycle specific boots & gloves, and full textile or leather riding gear with armor in the knees, hips, shoulders and elbows. (For tips on how to keep cool on hot days with full gear on, check out our 10 Hot Weather Riding Myths Busted article). Motorcycle insurance is required in Oregon. Upon arrival, all participants will sign a waiver and will be issued a wristband that must be worn during the tour. If you have any questions, please call our office at 206-329-7808 or email sreditor@soundrider.com.

About Sound RIDER! Tours - Some years ago, when Washington State Tourism needed a guide for a five day press tour of the state, they tapped Sound RIDER! publisher Tom Mehren to take five other moto journalists through the back roads of the Evergreen state. Since then we've put on numerous rallies and rides throughout the Northwest. In 2009 our Sasquatch dual sport tour was a huge success and led us to now creating a Road Trip and Dual Sport tour each year. Over the years, we've published a number of touring guides including Motorcycling in the Columbia River Gorge, Dual Sport Rides Through Western Washington and the upcoming Motorcycling in Central and Eastern Oregon.