I'm hoping to find some fellow Vmaxers in North Western Washington State, who might be willing to take a ride together, when warmer, drier days return.
Are There Any Other Puget Sound Vicinity Vmax Owners Out There
- Thread starter Mr. Hyde
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I’m not in Washington but just south of Portland OR. A few years ago I took my V-Max around the Olympic Peninsula solo. It was quite a trip. Company would be more fun.
Good to hear from you Hoove. Thanks for taking the time.
I actually live on one of the spurs that leads to Highway 101, which is the road that circumnavigates the Olympic Peninsula. There are a lot of wonderful riding routes on my beautiful peninsula, and I would love to share some with you sometime.
You also have a lot of great riding roads down your way. Along the Oregon Coastline, and through the mountains. I suspect you've ridden North up I-5 and then taken the 504 spur up to Mount Saint Helens, haven't you?
That's a beautiful ride on beautiful 40 year-old blacktop highways, that culminates at the Johnson Ridge Observatory (on the Northwest side of mountain). You're looking across the Lahar flood pain, up to the open crater. The devastation and subsequent rejuvenation is nothing short of amazing.
That said, have you ever ridden your bike up the back side of the mountain on Forest Service Road 99, to the end of the road? It's only open for a few months in the Summer (due to snow).
This is one of my top 5 all-time favorite rides. Unfortunately, there's a whole lot of National Forest Service maintained gravel forest roads you have to endure before you get to the final paved cut-off (FS-99) up to the Northeast side of the mountain, and heading back, downhill can be treacherous, if you're not paying attention.
Unlike 504, this ride allows you to clearly see Spirit Lake below, and the volcano on your right is almost at eye level. This is one of those places where the destination is almost as good as the ride to get there. Note: Last time I was up there, the return lane (heading down hill) of FS-99 had several areas where the shoulder had dropped away, so you should go slower heading down hill.
Heading up though, is terrific! Banked corners and lots of whoop-de-does, and quarter mile straight-aways in between. If you are an aggressive and talented rider, and you like to pull Gs whenever possible, heading up to the summit on this road will absolutely light your fire (in my humble opinion).
I actually live on one of the spurs that leads to Highway 101, which is the road that circumnavigates the Olympic Peninsula. There are a lot of wonderful riding routes on my beautiful peninsula, and I would love to share some with you sometime.
You also have a lot of great riding roads down your way. Along the Oregon Coastline, and through the mountains. I suspect you've ridden North up I-5 and then taken the 504 spur up to Mount Saint Helens, haven't you?
That's a beautiful ride on beautiful 40 year-old blacktop highways, that culminates at the Johnson Ridge Observatory (on the Northwest side of mountain). You're looking across the Lahar flood pain, up to the open crater. The devastation and subsequent rejuvenation is nothing short of amazing.
That said, have you ever ridden your bike up the back side of the mountain on Forest Service Road 99, to the end of the road? It's only open for a few months in the Summer (due to snow).
This is one of my top 5 all-time favorite rides. Unfortunately, there's a whole lot of National Forest Service maintained gravel forest roads you have to endure before you get to the final paved cut-off (FS-99) up to the Northeast side of the mountain, and heading back, downhill can be treacherous, if you're not paying attention.
Unlike 504, this ride allows you to clearly see Spirit Lake below, and the volcano on your right is almost at eye level. This is one of those places where the destination is almost as good as the ride to get there. Note: Last time I was up there, the return lane (heading down hill) of FS-99 had several areas where the shoulder had dropped away, so you should go slower heading down hill.
Heading up though, is terrific! Banked corners and lots of whoop-de-does, and quarter mile straight-aways in between. If you are an aggressive and talented rider, and you like to pull Gs whenever possible, heading up to the summit on this road will absolutely light your fire (in my humble opinion).
