2024 "Festar Rides Again" or "2024 Flat White Tour"

[bigjohnsd]

Sisters OR enjoying our morning Flat White. 242 is closed due to snow, no ride to the observatory. Heading down 126 to Eugene then 58 to Beaver Marsh or Swamp?

[festar]

I’m sure y’all are having a blast on this trip/adventure, but could Brian smile for some of the photos, you know, to show what a good time he’s having?

Or…is he subscribing to the Redfish Stoneface Method of having his photo taken?

I smile on the inside

[bigjohnsd]

June 4, 2024 - Prineville OR to Medford OR, 375 miles and a few Flat Whites along the way.





It was a cool morning as we left Prineville OR. Cool and threatening rain over our multi Cascade crossing intentions.



First stop was Sisters OR for coffee and breakfast.


As we left Sisters the mist began and the temperature dropped. We stopped at Santiam Pass to plug in our electric jackets as the temp had plunged to 47f.



Our original intent had been to ride OR-242 over the Mackenzie Pass but the road is still closed due to heavy late snowfall so we rode what we could from the Western end if 242, about 15 miles before hitting the gate.





We continued on OR-126 towards Eugene and then turned South East on OR-58


By this time we were due for another Flat White so...we stopped in Lowell, OR





After sufficient cafinization we continued East to US-97, then South to OR-138/230/62 and our ultimate destination for the evening, Medford.

While heading West on 138 we rode toward the light



Still snow in the Oregon high country



Big city - Medford, OR



Dinner just across the street from our motel, Capons Pollo Asado, A great little unpretentious hole-in-the-wall place. $40 fed all three of us with a whole grilled chicken, rice, beans, tortillas, grilled peppers, macaroni salad?, soft drinks, and Lemon Meringue pie. We gave the leftovers to a fine gentleman looking for dinner.



Fred leaves us tomorrow, Brian and I have tomorrow and Thursday to get to our rendezvous with Tyler's group in Ukiah, CA Thursday evening. We may go SW, we may go SE? We will decide in the morning. Lots of good roads in either direction. Stay tuned!

[LKLD]

I’m sure y’all are having a blast on this trip/adventure, but could Brian smile for some of the photos, you know, to show what a good time he’s having?

Or…is he subscribing to the Redfish Stoneface Method of having his photo taken?

I smile on the inside

Oh, now I see it. You’re grinning from ear to ear!




Btw Brian, Marie says hi.

[Intech]

Surprised that you went right by Crater Lake. It is an awesome sight.

[Hppants]

".... We stopped at Santiam Pass to plug in our electric jackets as the temp had plunged to 47f."

This afternoon, it will be 94 F, and the humidity is over 60%. What a delta of climate we have in this country.

[wheatonFJR]

I’m sure y’all are having a blast on this trip/adventure, but could Brian smile for some of the photos, you know, to show what a good time he’s having?

Or…is he subscribing to the Redfish Stoneface Method of having his photo taken?

I smile on the inside

Oh, now I see it. You’re grinning from ear to ear!




Btw Brian, Marie says hi.

Brian closes and clenches both ends so as not to let the fun out. He looks like he's about to shove that camera someplace messy.

[Bugnatr]

I turned up the Kalifornia thermostat so you boys won't need the electrics unless your at the coast.


You're welcome

[bigjohnsd]

June 5, 2024 - Medford OR to Eureka CA via OR-66 and CA-96 - IYKYK! Just shy of 400 miles today.



OR-66 from Ashland to Klamath Falls reminded me of the roads in SEO or the Ozarks, very technical.

CA-96 was faster, more sweepers and much longer.

Both were roads that could be enjoyed at or below the posted speed limits.

Between 66 and the turnoff to get to Yreka and then CA 96 Mt Shasta dominates the landscape.



Coffee had to wait until Yreka today.





We finished the day at The Lost Coast Brewing Company



Where Festar actually



Festar may be smiling because he liked his beer, it may be that he liked 66 and 96, or it may be that we passed the 8,000 miles ridden since May 11th barrier. Whatever it is it is good to see!

Stay tuned - Ukiah tomorrow, no idea how we will get there.

[LKLD]

Now there’s a good photo of Brian!

[bigjohnsd]

Matolle Rd - IYKYK

[juniorfjr]

Left Medford and took Dead Indian Memorial road to Klamath then down to Doris, CA to pickup some cheap hooch. Coming back up 97 saw our two intrepid travelers heading south. I dead headed up 97 to La Pine and had a rubber at Harvest depot. The menu now shows it as Ray's corned beef reuben. Great tribute to a great guy.

[juniorfjr]

Dam autocorrect. A Reuben

[wheatonFJR]

Dam autocorrect. A Reuben

You eat Reubens and not rubbers? Very important distinction.

[bigjohnsd]

Thursday June 6, 2024 - Eureka, CA to Ukiah, CA via the "Lost Coast".



We left Eureka late for us at 1000. A brief spurt down US-101 put us into the old Redwood Lumber Victorian village of Fortuna, CA.

Of course it wouldn't be the " Flat White" tour without stopping for a coffee, so we did!











It wasn't the best coffee if the trip and they charged extra to make it right by adding more espresso. Sad situation.

But we had entertainment while we sipped



Initially he was afraid of us in our gear but soon succumbed to ear scratches and we were best buddies by stops end.



Fortuna really is a Victorian jem!


Main Street







Fortunately is also the Northern terminus of the famed "Matolle Road" the entrance to the "Lost Coast". Matolle Road is a goat path for most of the Northern section.



But soon opens to some beautiful vistas












It was in the low 50s on the coast, but just a few miles inland at Honeydew it was 92f when we stopped for a cold drink.





From Honeydew we made our way back towards US-101 through Ettersburg a few small redwood groves.





And then turned onto the famous CA-1 "Highway One" at Leggett.

Between 101 and the coast is a beautiful stretch of road that requires all ones attention, thus no pictures.

Between reaching the Coast and Fort Bragg there were multiple one lane construction sites, 5 in all, if I remember correctly. We got lucky at a few and sailed through but stopped at most.




Tough view while we waited!

In Fort Bragg we needed coffee.




CA-20 runs from Fort Bragg to Willits on 101. It is 37 miles of twisty paradise if you're not stuck behind slow traffic. These two kept up a good pace for 25 miles before finally letting us pass by pulling into a turnout. There are no "passing zones" slow traffic is supposed to pull over after 5 vehicles are following.



A short jaunt down 101 from Willits to Ukiah brought us to our home for the evening and a rendezvous with another riding group "Dangerous Curves".

We all walked across the street to a very warm inside Applebee's for supper.



Alas, at 72 I think I'm the " Senior Member"

Stay tuned, tomorrow we head back North to Shelter Cove for a night at/on the beach.

[bigjohnsd]

@ Shelter Cove
Crappy Internet. More tomorrow.

[fontanaman]

It was great riding with John, John and Brian today.

[Bugnatr]

Thursday June 6, 2024 - Eureka, CA to Ukiah, CA via the "Lost Coast".


Fortunately is also the Northern terminus of the famed "Matolle Road" the entrance to the "Lost Coast". Matolle Road is a goat path for most of the Northern section.

Goat path? Yer on a fancy GS. Come on man!!!

I have a KTM Supermoto lost coast story for you John.

Involves dense fog and 40+ mph winds off the Pacific

BTW at my youngest son's wedding two years ago I was the senior member. How the hell did that happen?

[Tyler]

.

Alas, at 72 I think I'm the " Senior Member"

You weren’t… Bob is 80, ya whippersnapper.

[fontanaman]

Matolle Road is goat road. They way to do it is from Ferndale to the coast then turnaround and be happy.