Fall Bonus - Sunday, October 4, 2009 |
SUMMARY 
The Fall Bonus ride, inaugurated in 2008, says 'Sayonara' to ideal riding conditions till spring. Weather permitting, we get to ride another day before autumn leaves deck the blacktop and the rain turns cold. The route starts out by going south and west before looping north to cross the two main highways to Oregon's ocean beaches, Hwys 6 and 26. For just on 175 miles, the countryside's effulgent vine maples and larches line the roads. Lunch is in Clatskanie, at the northern end of one of the state's twistiest technical stretches. A fifteen mile side tour takes us through Mayger, to the east of Hwy 30 where the streets are named for the area's Finnish settlers. A 'bonus to the bonus' route follows after crossing back over Hwy 30 and looping west of it via Canaan-Meissner to re-emerge in Deer Island just north of St. Helens. After wringing out the demons of the working week, a leisurely ride back into Portland keeps the attentions of the law at bay and makes for a mellow warmdown.
OUT
- Meet at Elmer's Restaurant at 9660 SE Stark St., Portland, OR 97216 Tel: (503) 256-0333 at 9:00am
- Go south on I-205 and merge onto I-5 southbound following signs for Salem. Leave the freeway at the Wilsonville Exit 283 and turn right onto Wilsonville Road
- Continue west through Wilsonville on Wilsonville Road to the intersection with Hwy 219. Turn right on Hwy 219 and go north into Newberg
- In Newberg, follow road round to right and go left at traffic light onto Hwy 99 and into the westbound one way system
- In Newberg downtown, turn right onto College Road (Hwy 219 north), following signs for Scholls
- Continue north approx. 10 miles and turn left onto continuation of Hwy 219
- After approx. 4 miles, turn left onto Bald Peak Road
- After approx. 3 miles, bear right onto SW Laurelwood Road
- Continue through Laurelwood until intersection with Spring Hill Road and turn right
- Follow Spring Hill Road until intersection with Hwy 47 and turn right
- Go north approx. 1.7 miles and turn left onto SW Nehalem Hwy and then immediate left on Stringtown Road
- Follow Stringtown road west approx. 5 miles and turn left onto Gales Creek Road (Hwy 8)
- Follow Hwy 8 to intersection with Hwy 6 and turn left
- Follow Hwy 6 approx. 4 miles and turn right onto Timber Road following signs for Timber
- Continue through Timber to intersection with Hwy 47 and turn left towards Vernonia
- Continue through town to continuation of Hwy 47 and follow signs to Mist
- In Mist, turn right following sign to Clatskanie
- In Clatskanie, turn right onto Hwy 30 and STOP FOR GAS & LUNCH at Hump's Restaurant next to Shell station. (128 miles)
BACK
- At the restaurant, turn left from Hwy 30 onto SW 5th. Bear left onto Quincy Mayger Road and follow road through Quincy and Mayger approx. 15 miles back to Hwy 30
- On Hwy 30, turn left. Continue south approx. 2 1/2 miles and bear right onto Wonderly Road
- At cemetery on left, bear right onto Larson Road and continue approx. 1/3 mile and bear right onto Old Rainier Road
- After approx. 3/4 mile continue onto Apiary Road
- Follow Apiary Road approx. 7 miles and turn left onto Meissner Road at intersection
- Follow Meissner Road which becomes Canaan Road through to Hwy 30 and Deer Island. Turn right onto Hwy 30 and go south through Scappoose to Portland and END OF RIDE (75 miles)
STATS
- Total Miles: Approx. 200
- Longest Gas Interval Miles: Approx. 128
- Conditions as of 7/1/09: Paved forest roads with very occasional bumps and potholes. CAUTION ! Canaan Road at approx. 8 miles before Deer Island has a severe dip in the pavement on the left half of the right hand lane. Fall conditions apply. Wet leaves and debris can be hazards.
PHOTOS
© 2009 Open Road Rider / Contributors: Photographs and Itinerary
