Although it was quite coincidental, I recently happened to read about someone who grew up in Grants Pass, Oregon. That reminded me of a ride I took sometime - at least 15 years ago - from Grants Pass to Gold Beach, Oregon. I don't recall whether the entire route is designated as Bear Camp Road, but that is what I remember the majority of it was named. I can't remember the circumstances as to how I first heard about that route, or even why I decided to take it. According to the map, it didn't look all that far and, in fact, it is less than 60 miles. However, Bear Camp Road is narrow, winding, mountainous, at times rugged and exceedingly desolate from start to finish, and the "as the crow flies" distance pales in comparison to the actual riding distance. I seem to recall it took me nearly 4 hours from the time I left a small town near Grants Pass (it might have been Merlin) before I arrived in Gold Beach I was riding solo on a 2007 ST1300 . On many occasions since that journey I have realized how little I knew about the route or how poorly I had planned ahead. I suspect there are many others who have recalled a past journey and asked themselves "why did I do that?", or "that wasn't too smart" while, at the same time, remembering the thrill one felt after successfully, safely and luckily, completing the trip.
I stopped riding over four years ago but still get back to this site with some regularity. Thanks to Joe for keeping it going.
I stopped riding over four years ago but still get back to this site with some regularity. Thanks to Joe for keeping it going.
