Aufderheide?

[Summer4ever]

I need some advise for Sundays ride...having never ridden Aufderheide before. It sounds like it might be best to head in from 126 and then turn around and head out the way we came in once we hit the gravel strips/construction?

Also...anyone know aprox how long of a ride this will be time-wise?

[Fly n Hawaiian]

The strips are all paved except for 1, we were just there 2 weekends ago and it was much better:thumbup:

[TRON]

I was there with Green last weekend and FLY_N_HAWAIIAN is right about the road conditions. Only 1 strip, approx 3ft. wide, is filled w/ gravel and unpaved. Otherwise, road conditions couldn't be better.

Regarding time... With a group, I'd allow at least a 4hr time slot for the round trip.

[dansrc51]

if your interested in only the smoothest pavement, then yeah, just go up the 126 side until you hit the rest area at the top. but... you'll be missing a really enjoyable ride. best suggestion in my opinion, go up the 58 side, take it easy until after you are done with the long straight sections. that side of the ride is bumpy in many areas, but still a good ride. then rest at the little cabin at the top, and shoot down the rest of the way to 126. If you end up going with out anybody who has gone before Karen, then just go at an easy pace. the last section onto 126 can be a little tricky with a few turns that come up fast and a couple of corners that suddenly dump into tourist stops (watch for people near the warm springs) sorry for the long winded exp. :blah-blah if you have anymore questions, feel free to p.m. me or even one of the others as I'm sure they would be happy to help.

[r1speedemon]

Regarding time... With a group, I'd allow at least a 4hr time slot for the round trip.
I think you could do it in 3....:crash:

[Summer4ever]

:yes: Thanks everyone! That really helps. Now we don't have to go all the way to 126 from Creswell in the morning either. Plus I would have been bummed missing part of the ride since it's my first time. I am taking this ride really nice and slow... too many crashes this year, I really hope that we all make it the rest of the year without any more.

[TRON]

I think you could do it in 3....:crash:Only if you ride like a demon...:flamebike LOL!

Can't forget about the photo ops, breaks, and who knows, maybe the ladies may want to check out the clothing optional hot springs?:thinking:

[r1speedemon]

maybe the ladies may want to check out the clothing optional hot springs?:thinking:
+1

its a long ride... i was just givin karen a bad time. 4 hours sounds about right :)

[Green]

3.5 hours. :mooning:

[kneedragger26]

Length: About 60 miles.

Technical Difficulty: Easy if ridden slow.

Location: Scenic Hwy 19 connects highways 126 and 58. On Hwy 126, find it 3.5 miles east of Blue River (N44° 09' 54.74" and W122° 15' 38.08"). From Hwy 58, find it by turning to Westfir (N43° 45' 35.46" and W122° 31' 55.87"). Although mostly a river run, this road is closed during the winter.

Amenities: None

Places of Interest: Enough that the local Forest Service (http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/willamette/recreation/scenicbyways/index.html) has an audio program which can be checked out for the ride. Highlights include Box Canyon, the largest rock filled reservoir in Oregon, and Oregon's longest covered bridge.

Review: Robert Aufderheide served as Willamette National Forest Supervisor from 1954 to his death in 1959. He devoted his life to forestry and public service during his 25 year career. Aufderheide Memorial Drive (http://gorp.away.com/gorp/activity/byway/or_aufde.htm), one of the nation's first national scenic byways, is one of the best rides in the area.

In a nutshell, Hwy 19 offers a blend of corners and scenery guaranteed to put a smile on any rider's face. While easy to navigate at slow speeds, the tight corners on Aufderheide are technically challenging, not to mention thrilling, when ridden in haste. Pavement is pretty good although there's little run off or shoulder in most parts. The southern end does have a bit of sunken grade. Hwy 19 offers something for every rider and during summer days one sees everything from Harleys to the latest sport bikes enjoying the ride.

Riding from Hwy 126 in the north and toward Hwy 58 in the south works best. In this way, the smoother, tighter, and stickier pavement north of the Box Canyon Summit can be attacked while working uphill. The road south of Box Canyon Summit tends to be rougher with more sweeping corners.

Less than a mile after leaving Hwy 126, the road begins winding up a steep incline. The naked rock of canyon walls shoots straight up from the road while plush vegetation makes it difficult to gauge the amount of ascent. Perfectly banked corners make opening the throttle and hauling an almost visceral need. Do plan on dodging rocks and other debris.

Car traffic can become painful on this road because it's very tight and has few passing areas. Fortunately there's not much traffic and the least polite vehicles generally are headed toward Terwilliger Hot Springs. This stunning place to soak is well worth the hike but suffers from overcrowding by people with a thing against bathing. If planning to soak, go early and grab an upstream seat.

After leaving the reservoir, Hwy 19 follows the McKenzie River to Box Canyon's summit. While doing this it passes some fantastic camping, fishing, and sitting sites. While some of the forest has been logged, even the second growth is nicely maintained. The road will start a steep climb before cresting at Box Canyon. There's a wicked decreasing radius corner here that's worth watching out for. It's shortened more than one peg.

While different from the McKenzie side, the southern half of Hwy 19 has some excellent river stretches. Watch this road in the evening. In 2004, two friends nearly hit deer and another found an elk mid corner.

Take note of the covered bridge where the scenic highway officially ends in Westfir. At 180 feet in length, this is the longest covered bridge in Oregon. Also take note that the Oakridge police department patrols the Westfir area. It's reported that in an effort to boost a flagging economy they've become very aggressive with ticketing. Two miles of extremely strict speed limit - perhaps the only dark mark on this amazing road.

:yes:
:crazy: like a donkey!

P.S. I stole the info and I didnt know its 60 miles.....

[kneedragger26]

Im starting to think that its the same road.....

[Summer4ever]

Can't forget about the photo ops, breaks, and who knows, maybe the ladies may want to check out the clothing optional hot springs?:thinking:I already have a clothing optional hot tub at my house...lol. Think I'll pass on the hot springs....and NO...it won't be clothing optional on Sunday!!! :mooning: :lol:

[Summer4ever]

Im starting to think that its the same road.....
It is...:yes:

[TRON]

I already have a clothing optional hot tub at my house...lol. Think I'll pass on the hot springs....and NO...it won't be clothing optional on Sunday!!! :mooning: :lol:So... you're saying there's an invitation for something "hot and wet" at your place?:laughing: :runaway:

[Crazymofo]

So... you're saying there's an invitation for something "hot and wet" at your place?:laughing: :runaway:
:lol:Now THAT is funny as hell!!

[kneedragger26]

So... you're saying there's an invitation for something "hot and wet" at your place?:laughing: :runaway:

:eek: :shhh:

[Summer4ever]

Aufderheide was FABULOUS today. A bit on the chilly side, but clear, barely any rocks or gravel, and not much traffic. It was just my 2nd ride on it. It was much less eventful than the first, but at least as fun! ...or maybe more so... no crashes today.
:bounce:

[kneedragger26]

10-22-06

Rocks and gravel in the North side and the South side refuses to dry out. Slippery and wet with leaves and and debris resembling pine needles.
The group took it pretty easy today.
Also quite a bit of automotive traffic and people around.


The same depressions that leave a memorable feeling in the groin area are ALL still there, and even the only gravel spot left, now has a bump before it that makes it even more fun to negotiate while leaning.

......Least I didnt bend the crap outta my plate this time......:laughing:

[FJMam]

:eek: :crash: :eek:

Drove the Aufdehide today. Couldn't possibly be fun for 2 wheels right now.

Lots of wet slickery spots. Leaf mash everywhere and the rocks were no joke either.

The section that had washed out is narrow and pretty squirrely. (Old news?)

Recommend coming up from 58 so there isn't so much glare from the low sun position.

Or just avoid it until we have some real good gushing raiin and wind to scoure the road clean. :wtf: :smilewink

[lotsamtbottls]

thanks for the update keshtie.. does it look like a road you are going to want to ride when it dries out? its my favorite :bounce:

[FJMam]

:thumbup: :bounce: :thumbup: :bounce: :rad:

Most certainly!
Looks like we're going to get our bonus at work and that'll get the FJ some new rubber and a tune up it sorely needs. So....Next year should be a kick ass riding year for me! :D

WoooooHooooooo:clapping: :bounce: :clapping: (I do like that bouncy guy)