OK, so it is official. This is the way to Hell. Meet up at the Plymouth Tavern at the end of SR-14 Just before the Umatilla bridge across the Columbia River. Jason, owner of the tavern, will have specials ready for you which include ROCKSTAR, the official energy drink of the rally. I’ve had the food here many times and I wouldn’t send you there if it wasn’t great! After you tie on the feedbag you have two choices. You can take the quick route to Baker via I-84 OR you can take the official route in the map below. This is a great route. You’ll see rolling fields of wheat, mustard seed, and all sorts of crops. Then at Ukiah you’ll venture into the forest, some of it recently burned, and experience some of the best motorcycle riding this side of Hells Canyon. Then you’ll drop down into mining country at Granite and Sumpter. Finally you’ll follow the Powder River into Baker City! Don’t miss this great route. SteveF
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30 Responses to “The Ride over–”
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Sweet route, might be just the ticket for the Friday ride there!
Steve……
I think your plan has merit for those of us in the NW. The only drawback is for those that come from down south to ride and may have a limited time frame for the rides and festivities. I’m not sure just how many riders come from out of state to the south but you might consider a ralley point for them. Coming into Baker City from 2 or possibly 3 different directions might be quite impressive. Hope this helps REBEL
Rebel,
For the riders coming from the south check out the BearCat Lodge in Seneca. It’s right on Hwy 395 and it’s owned by a biker. We will have more info on alternate routes soon.
Steve
What time would we meet up at the Plymouth? Is this route any better than Hwy 129 (Rattlesnake Grade) out of Lewiston? That is one of the best M/C roads in these parts so I have my doubts.
Looks good to me, I’ve been on the stretch from Pendleton down to Ukiah. Nice road with lots of curves. I usually go on down to Mt. Vernon so the new run to Sumpter will be cool. Might warn everyone to keep their deer scare on if they have one or make it through to Baker before 6 PM. What are the thoughts on getting to Umatilla from Portland area?
From PDX I-84 to The Dalles – just to get some quick miles and spread everyone out a little. Then cross to SR 14 and follow the warm side of the Columbia to Plymouth. Posted at 65 and a nice motorcycle road. Plymouth would probably be serving lunch from like 11am till 2 or 3pm. The late guys would have to take the freeway, but when you snooze, you loose!
We are coming from Roseburg on friday, anyone else traveling that day that want to join up?
The road from Ukiah to Granite is kinda rough with a fair number of potholes. At least there were last time i drove it a couple years ago. It is a beautiful drive though. If someone is looking for a diversion off the highway, try taking the Heppner exit off I-84 and going through Ione, Lexington and Heppner. After you leave Heppner, leave town past the Reservoir and then up into the mountains and into Ukiah that way. It is a bit shorter than I-84 and much nicer drive.
Sounds like a great ride for those coming from WA. My concern is a group ride with people that that I am unfamilier with and their experience level. How about a meet & greet then depart at our own leasure?
Well, it’s very remote past Ukiah. The pavement is good, the corners are many, the scenery is fantastic. There is gas and food in Ukiah and Sumpter. This is a great route for any biker. Experienced riders will find their mojo, while novice riders will discover what this biker thing is really all about!
Haven’t been on the road from Ukiah to Sumpter for some time, but much of it use to be gravel. If it still is, let the belt-drive people know. As for us rock crushers(KTM)bring it.
Cheers
Cool It Is something different I like to take different way each time make the trip real enjoyable.
There ain’t nuthin like rolling down super-slab all the way in to one’s destination. I’ll be sticking to I-84. The safest and most direct route than you very much. You fellas have fun getting lost!
hi steve this is jim in redding ca , i dont think the upper rout will work for us , we are leaveing from the TA TRUCKSTOP, 3 MILES SOUTH OF REDDING ON I-5 AT THE KNIGHTON RD EXIT , ON 6-11-09 AT 6:00AM , ANYBODY IS WELLCOME , WERE TAKING 299E , TO 395N , FIRST TIME , BUT THAT LOOKS TOO BE THE WAY TO GO , TRUCK STOP HAS FOOD AND GAS , THANKYOU JIM
Sounds like a good ride, but I’m too far south to take advantage of it, besides I usually find my own way to Hell quite well, although it’s fun to have someone show me the way out and back home. Too all others I should be in John Day for lunch, Black/Blue Pearl ZZR 1200. Ride along if you want. Keep it twisted.
Dan H12
Sounds like fun though I’m too far south to take advantage. I’ll be in John Day for lunch for any others traveling that route, riding a Black/Blue Pearl ZZR 1200. Anyone can tag along or lead the way to Baker City and Happy Hour.
Too early to check in so might as well have a beer.
Dan H12
Steve, we have a bunch riding in from Washington, and will consider taking that route just to break the monotony. Is the name of that road from Ukiah to Sumpter hy 220 ? That’s the only thing I see on the map anyway. What is the current condition of the pavement? My map may be way out of date, but it shows that parts may be gravel. We will have one newbie with us riding to her first rally, and don’t want to get into anything that may make her feel uncomfortable.
Krazy~
Mtn. Home, Id
Steve according to mapquest the time difference between your sugested route and from the I-84 from Umitilla to Baker City is two hours and 15 minutes.Thanks for the suggestion but we’re probably going to stick to 84 to get there. We’re riding from Vancouver BC EH.
The road from Ukiah to Sumpter is all paved. Just watch out for the potholes, cows, and deer. A great motorcycle road.
STEVE,
SO…is this ride now confirmed or what? Should we be planning to meet at the Plymouth at 11am-12noon? Sounding good!
This is EXACTLY what you should do! Plymouth Tavern is the place. More to follow.
I’ve decided to take an extra day, Thursday, and head down to BC early. I’ll be following your route. I only ride the slab when I have to.
I’ll be comming out of Spokane on Friday if anyone is interested.
I can’t believe this has been going on in my own back yard for ten years and I haven’t heard of it, I must have been asleep. Here is another proposal. Leave Plymouth/Umatilla area early. Instead of going through Pendleton take the rout through the historic towns of Helix, Athena and Weston. Then take Hi-way 204 over Tollgate. Plan to arrive at mile post 12 at the 4,000 foot level in the Beautiful Blue Mountains at about noon. I’ll have one of the local bike clubs set up the Bar-B-Q’s in my back yard, and we can enjoy lunch in the forest. (I have 5 acres to park bikes and there is a private camp ground across the hiway for more.)Then take Hwy 204 to Elgin, Hwy 82 to Joseph, the paved forest service road the Hell’s Canyon Overlook, then on to Halfway and Hwy 86 into Baker City from the East. By the time you get to Baker City in the late afternoon you will have already taken one of the most incredible rides on the face of God’s earth. Let me know what you think. If we can’t get it orginized for this yeay, mabey next?
Will being riding through baker Thursday (night) from SLC Ut on the slab. Pick up the riding partners on Friday morning in Kenewich. Maybe we see all you folks in Plymouth for lunch. First time for us on the Baker run, friends in Granite putting us up. how far otu is that?
Big Jim
Jimmy J from Spokane…What time are you rolling out from Spokane? What are you on and what’s your route?
SpokaneGlide : Rolling out mid to Late Morning going via 27 to Palouse, Colfax, Dayton, Walla Walla, tollgate, LaGrande, Baker City or Down to Lewiston to 129 to 3. Haven’t really decided yet.
Ride on baby!!!!
Jimmy J. what time and where are you leaving from spokane on friday the 12th?
have you used this route before? Is it quicker then Spokane to Tri cities and
then over?
Not looking for speed, Nice scenic ride…