Windy Ridge is Forest Service (FS) road 99 and by many accounts is second best motorcycle road in Washington. Some think the North Cascades Hwy is better but I don't agree - especially since last year when WSDOT saw fit to chip seal the road from Rainy Pass to Winthrop. Grrrr........ So in my book this is
the best ride in Washington.
As Escapefjrtist noted FS road 25 from Randle to FS road 99 is interesting, ride it fast and you will be wishing for a dual sport with lots of suspension travel. It is pretty rough in places. South of FS 99, FS 25 become very nice.
The pavement on FS 99 is pretty damn nice especially the first 4 miles from FS road 25 to
Bear Meadows. Common baby let's do the twist! After Bear Meadows the pavement is pretty good but watch out for the road heaves in spots. It is all asphalt, not cheap seal - oh yeah!
The way out the road is a little rougher since it is on the downward slope side of the hill.
Here is a
of the ride. Awesome video by the way.
It is best to do this ride during the weekday, especially after Labor Day. Not a soul around if you get my drift. :yahoo:
I recommend doing this ride soon. The good sight lines are starting to disappear as trees are growing quickly in the blow down area.
On a more personal note Fontanaman was up to Windy Ridge in 1986 on his old Honda street motorcycle when the route was gravel.
Before Mt. St. Helens blew this and many of the other twisty road we enjoy today did not exist. This makes Fontanaman think it would be a good idea if another Cascade Volcano went off.
Of course riding Hwy 36 in California is even better as it is similar in twistyness but is about 120 miles longer.
