Oregon, Nevada, and Cal24 Rally

[keithu]

As described in my "Fuel Range Rant," I rode out to eastern Oregon and northern Nevada last week on my way to visit my Dad near Virginia City for a few days. Then last weekend I rode the Cal24 Rally, a charity event benefiting Polio Plus and cramming an unbelievable selection of twisty roads into 24 hours of riding. Highlights:
 
OR-380, Prineville to Seneca. Wow! This was my first time on this road, which is a must-ride for any motorcyclist in the Pacific Northwest. Fuel availability is a problem.
 
OR-205, Burns to Denio. This road runs the length of Harney County, which is the size of New Hampshire and has a population of just 8,000 souls. Great riding, but fuel is likewise an issue.
 
Cal24. Starting and ending in Minden, NV, during a 24 hour period I rode Carson Pass, Napa Valley, CA-128, Mendocino and Ft Bragg, CA-20, CA-70, CA-89, and NV-447 to Gerlach. If you know these roads, you know this is a truly epic number of phenomenal twisties to pack into a single day. I rode 998.2 miles in 23:40, and maybe 50 of those miles were on freeways. Incredible.
 
At the post-rally banquet I got to meet fellow forum member Eggman, who also rode the Cal24. And icing on the cake: I won the grand door prize, a custom Aerostich R-3 suit. Woot!
 

 

 

This was the first of two cattle drives I encountered. At one point I was completely surrounded by this herd.
 

I passed the spot on US-395 where Lavoy Finnicum was killed last winter after the Malheur Refuge standoff.
 

Below is the Malheur wildlife refuge. This is one of the most sparsely populated areas of the United States. This is also near the furthest spot from a freeway in the lower 48.
 

This is where the enthusiastic FJ rider starts to wish for a few more liters of fuel capacity.
 

 

 

I'm 45 years old and this still cracks me up.
 

I've never seen so much green in Nevada.
 

 
 
Unfortunately I didn't take many nice photos during the Cal24. I just took bonus photos like this:

 
And this:

 
And, uh... this:

Nevada isn't just known for casinos and hangovers.
 
On Monday I rode back home to Oregon. I was on a mission and covered the 490 miles in a record 7:50. I probably could have done it in 7:45 were it not for this road construction on CA-139.
 

[thruster8999]

Nice report and pictures. Looks like fun.
I am looking at taking OR205 on my way to Zion next month and you mention fuel on this leg. Did you take extra fuel and where did you fill up at? It looks like Fields has fuel but with a small town you never know.

[keithu]

There is fuel in Narrows, Frenchglen, and Fields, but it's all 87 octane regular only. Your bike will be fine, the road is well worth it.
 
There is a Chevron on US-95 with premium, but it's 210 miles from Burns. On a road like OR-205 you definitely won't make it. Plan to gas up in Frenchglen or Fields and just have some fun.

[thruster8999]

Cool thanks for the info. I looked at google maps and this looks to be a great route so I will be taking it on my way down.

[fanowater]

Awesome ride. 998 miles in one day - Holy Sh*t FJ Man! Most I have ever ridden was 680 on a Triumph Daytona 675. Thought I'd be crippled for life. Ha Ha
I know many of those roads very well (since I live near the Napa Valley) - awesome indeed. Glad you had fun!
 
Cheers

[keithu]

Awesome ride. 998 miles in one day - Holy Sh*t FJ Man! Most I have ever ridden was 680 on a Triumph Daytona 675. Thought I'd be crippled for life. Ha Ha I know many of those roads very well (since I live near the Napa Valley) - awesome indeed. Glad you had fun!
 
Cheers

I did several 1000+ mile days on my Triumph TT600. The longest was 1440 miles in 24 hours during the 2005 Cal24. The FJ-09 is a barcalounger by comparison.