A little warning...

[PDXFJR]

Four of my friends and I went for a ride this afternoon. We planned on heading out of Aurora over to Newberg, over Bald Peak and down to Gaston and Hagg lake. However, that planned didn't last long. Bald Peak road out of Newberg and over the top is not a good place to be riding until the remaining sand from the multiple snow storms gets washed off of the road. We had some pretty interesting corners with a ton of gravel right in your line, and its the real smal, loose, and slippery stuff. That stuff may be great for the four wheel vehicles but not so good for the two wheeled variety. Just wanted to pass on a little info to everyone.

We ended up heading down the hill to Scholls Ferry over to Sherwood down to Wilsonville Road, back out to St Paul hwy. headed south for awhile then back through Donald and Aurora to home. Wilsonville road was great except for a ton of cagers were doing the same thing we were, out for a Sunday drive. One interesting thing was following a group of BMW riders that were having issues keeping up with the cars. I think they paid someone to take them for there first ride or something.

Ray

 

[KnuckleHead]

Four of my friends and I went for a ride this afternoon. We planned on heading out of Aurora over to Newberg, over Bald Peak and down to Gaston and Hagg lake. However, that planned didn't last long. Bald Peak road out of Newberg and over the top is not a good place to be riding until the remaining sand from the multiple snow storms gets washed off of the road. We had some pretty interesting corners with a ton of gravel right in your line, and its the real smal, loose, and slippery stuff. That stuff may be great for the four wheel vehicles but not so good for the two wheeled variety. Just wanted to pass on a little info to everyone.
We ended up heading down the hill to Scholls Ferry over to Sherwood down to Wilsonville Road, back out to St Paul hwy. headed south for awhile then back through Donald and Aurora to home. Wilsonville road was great except for a ton of cagers were doing the same thing we were, out for a Sunday drive. One interesting thing was following a group of BMW riders that were having issues keeping up with the cars. I think they paid someone to take them for there first ride or something.

Ray

I had roughly the same experience today. Was riding up my favorite local road (the Green Valley Road just south of Auburn heading toward the Green River Gorge) and deep into a left turn I hit some sand. The back slipped out a bit...felt like 6 inches but was probably more like 1 or 2, but then caught and all was good. Sure got my attention. Gotta watch out for that sand.

 

[650cent]

Hi Ray, A friend of mine and I headed up the Clackamas to Estacata and back through Mollala and Canby. Good roads the whole way with no gravel. Even stopped by the Oregon City dealer and looked at the new '08 FJR they had in stock. Good day to be out and enjoy the sun.

As the rest of you can see, after weeks of rain, seeing the sun can be almost a religious experience.

Bill

 

[SockMonkey]

Oh yeah, I had a "wake-the-f***-up" moment this afternoon on a road just outside McMinville. I set up on the left side of my lane for a sharp right-hander and as I came across the middle of the lane towards the apex, I hit that nice traction sand that ODOT is apparently so fond of. The rear-end slid out, caught clean pavement and stood the bike up blowing the turn. Long story short, I wound up in the opposite lane and damn near high-sided the bike (gotta love those brakes...). If there'd have been a car/truck/bus coming in the opposite direction, I'd have been a hood ornament. Needless to say, my spidey-sense was thoroughly engaged the remainder of the day... :blink:

 

[odot]

I'm not fond of traction sand. :huh:

 

[SockMonkey]

I'm not fond of traction sand. :huh:

Yeah, sorry about that, odot. I'd never want to imply that you're fond of traction sand. It's the other ODOT

 

[blufjr]

Four of my friends and I went for a ride this afternoon. We planned on heading out of Aurora over to Newberg, over Bald Peak and down to Gaston and Hagg lake. However, that planned didn't last long. Bald Peak road out of Newberg and over the top is not a good place to be riding until the remaining sand from the multiple snow storms gets washed off of the road. We had some pretty interesting corners with a ton of gravel right in your line, and its the real smal, loose, and slippery stuff.
Ray

Welcome Ray. Saturday, three of us did Blad Peak Rd. and down Laurelwood Rd. to Gaston. Lot and lots of gravel, 17% grade and very slow going in the corners. Still it was challenging. We then went out 47 to Vernonia and on to Astoria on 202. 202's asphalt is improving bit by bit on the Astoria side, but still some rough spots over the mountains. They are covering up that 1930's sectional concrete road, bit by bit. Gravel here and there along that road too.

Ken

 

[dbvolfan]

I'm not fond of traction sand. :huh:

Add those freakin heaps of road salt that fall out of the trucks as well....got some snow here last week and a lot of corners have these piles of sand a few inches high that will force you to change your underwear if not careful.