The author rides a 2008 Victory Vision Tour

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Portland, Oregon to Detroit Lake loop Part 4: Home stretch

scenic-motorcycle-routemotorcycle riding

Looking for a day-long scenic ride out of Portland, Oregon? This one winds along whitewater, meanders through forests, follows along lakes and passes through small towns and farms. Part Four: The home stretch...

Turn north on the Cascade Highway into the town of Sublimity. The Cascade Highway will take you all the way back to Oregon City. This northerly leg of the motorcycling loop wanders through farms, wineries, and beautiful rural areas.

The town of Silverton is picturesque and worth a stop for coffee or grub. Lots of art galleries and the nearby Silver Falls State Park draw visitors to the town. Leave Silverton on OR-213, and enjoy some excellent motorcycling to Oregon City, your return to urban reality.

See Part 1 of the Detroit Lake loop series for a map of this scenic motorcycle ride.

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Saturday, November 21, 2009

Portland, Oregon to Detroit Lake loop Part 3

scenic-motorcycle-routescenic motorcycle ride

Looking for a day-long scenic ride out of Portland, Oregon? This one winds along whitewater, meanders through forests, follows along lakes and passes through small towns and farms. Part Three...

After motorcycling through the Willamette National Forest, this scenic route meets OR-22 at the community of Detroit. Detroit is a favorite recreational area with marinas, campgrounds, and of course the spectacular lake.

RIDER ALERT-GRUB STOP: There is a great little restaurant in Detroit tailored for motorcyclists. Inside is a room with tons of motorcycle history and memorabilia displayed. Look for the place with the motorcycle on the roof.

From here, take OR-22 west as it follows the lake shore. The dam that creates the lake announces the North Santiam River, and the road shadows the river as it flows towards the Pacific.

See Part 1 for a map of this scenic motorcycle ride and check back later for Part 4 of the Detroit Lake loop series.

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Sunday, November 8, 2009

Portland, Oregon to Detroit Lake loop Part 2

scenic-motorcycle-route
Looking for a day-long scenic ride out of Portland, Oregon? This one winds along whitewater, meanders through forests, follows along lakes and passes through small towns and farms. Part Two... With Estacada behind you, OR-224 climbs east along the Clackamas River into the Northern Cascades.

A popular white-water rafting spot, the river roils and there are numerous places to pull over and watch the crazy people attempt to stay afloat. OR-224 becomes National Forest Road 46 about 60 miles from Oregon City and campgrounds appear every few miles.

RIDER ALERT-ROUGH ROAD: As you near Detroit, the last 20 miles of pavement has numerous ashpalt patches that make for a potentially rough ride. Slow down to minimize the bumps. Also be advised that on sunny days the sun/shade pattern coming through the trees makes it very difficult to pick out these road hazards.

See Part 1 for a map of this scenic motorcycle ride and check back later for Part 3 of the Detroit Lake loop series.

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Portland, Oregon to Detroit Lake loop Part 1

scenic-motorcycle-route
Looking for a day-long scenic ride out of Portland, Oregon? This one winds along whitewater, meanders through forests, follows along lakes and passes through small towns and farms.

Take OR-211/224 E out of Oregon City. This scenic route follows the Clackamas River past tree farms and small communities to Estacada, where OR-211 and OR-224 split.

RIDER ALERT-GRUB STOP: A cool place for coffee or lunch is the Cazadero Inn. Good food and huge windows look out over the river.

Once back on the road, be sure to continue east on OR-224 where it splits from OR-211. Check back later for Part 2 of this story.

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