|
HOME KTM Vehicles Contact/ About Copyright ReadMe Site Map Davies Family Photos
|
|
"What's the Dual Sport riding like in Spokane?" I've received Private Messages at several online forums asking just that, so I decided to write up my feelings here. That way I can just post a link and not repeat myself ;) Idahoo is Dual Sport Heaven. Spokane can only be considered that way because it is so close to Idahoo... First you must understand a few things about local climate and geography. The high plains of NE Washington ram into the Idahoo mountains at approximately the WA/ ID border. Climate: Systems roaring in off the Pacific Ocean dump much of their moisture on the west slopes of the Cascades (Seattle), then gradually regain their strength as they pass over the dry Interior region. They generally pass over Spokane without doing much, and then dump their loads on the mountains 20 miles to the east. After five years of residence, I'm still surprised to see those nasty dark clouds come flying by 1000 feet overhead... and then nothing happens. Spokane is essentially semi-desert with less than 20 inches of precipitation annually, much of that falling as snow between December and February. The 2007-2008 Winter, at the time I write, is close to a record snowfall, with nearly 8 feet of snow. Most winters it is far, far less. It's frustrating to own a big fancy snow thrower and only _really_ need it every three or four years. Nearby Coeur d'Alene sits nestled at the foot of the mountains and gets hammered by twice the precipitation Spokane receives. Snowfalls are far more frequent and heavier, and the snow just PILES up in the higher elevations. It makes for fantastic snowmobiling, but it can ruin Dual Sport riding the following spring since the very best areas may remain under many feet of snow until June or later, especially when there are record snowfalls. Geography: South and west of Spokane, the property is mostly open rolling farm land or private timberland, universally posted and gated. An hour north of Spokane lies National Forest, with some really prime riding, including some great singletrack. To the northwest lies Indian Reservation lands belonging to the Spokane and Colville Tribes. So, in the immediate Spokane area, for Dual Sporting you are limited to County maintained dirt and gravel roads, unmaintained farm "Summer Roads", illegal gate-crashing onto posted private forest lands, or going way up north to the National Forest around the Deer Park/ Colville/ Republic area. The Spokane Reservation is indeed close by, but it's not a welcoming place for non-tribal visitors. The Colville Reservation, OTH, though two hours away, is heavily forested, bike friendly (as long as you stay on maintained roads) and has a low enough elevation to be snow free early in the year. I intend to explore this area in Spring 2008. http://www.colvilletribes.com/fishing.htm Colville Indian Reservation MAP To summarize Spokane and the immediate Washington area....if you just like cruising pretty gravel roads, there are 6000 miles of them in Spokane County alone. Off road - not much at all, unless you are willing to travel an hour or two north or northwest. Idahoo is whole 'nother story. There are 40,000+ miles of gravel and dirt roads within a 100 mile radius of Post Falls, an absolute maze of National Forest paved/ gravel/ dirt/ doubletrack/ singletrack, and the great (and often busy) Canfield Mountain ORV area due north of CdA. You can pick a 20 square mile area of forest each summer, explore it thoroughly and then move on to the next and never run out of new places to ride. The high country along the MT border is simply amazing, isolated and very wild - this is Brown Bear country, and you should ride prepared for the worst. The downside to the mountains is that in a snowy year like 2007-2008, you will be forced to stay on the busy, dusty low elevation valley roads until the snow melts above 3000 or 4000 feet. It may be late June before we can get to the very highest ridges at 6000 feet and above. The terrain can be best described as long, winding, high ridges snaking back and forth above narrow, heavily treed canyons, with pretty streams along the bottom. The best Dual Sport roads are the ones leading up the side canyons to the ridge tops, and the ones that wind along the ridges - that is where the washouts. deadfalls, rocks and cool summer temperatures can be found. The views are rare due to heavy tree cover, but breathtaking. Along the stream valleys you find the fly fishermen, campers, logging trucks, sometimes heavy weekend traffic, and DUST! The Idahoo DOT, unlike Montana, does not apply dust suppressants to the forest roads, and the gravel that is pulverized by all that traffic blots out everything when a truck flies by. On hot August days, it's most advisable to stay off these main valley routes, and stick to the more fun ridges. LINKS: Spokane Dual Sport Riding Click on some of my Ride Report links. You will find lots of pics and info, as well as gps data. ADVrider - Search Another way to get to my reports. Do the following: Click the Search button at the top tool bar. Go "Advanced" by clicking the little orange dot under the new search window. Enter "John E Davies" (no quotes) under "User Name" Select "Find threads started by user". Be sure the Exact Name box is checked. Select the "Ride Reports and pics, pics, pics..." Forum. Click "Search Now". I tried a direct link but it just won't work. You don't to put anything in the other subject box. WIRM - Spokane Area Dual Sport Riders List WIRM is a group of local area DS riders that I helped form in January 2007. It is THE place in Spokane area to find out about group rides and to make new friends who share your interest in off-pavement riding. Post your ride invitations so you don't ride alone, or hook up with several other riders for a weekend or afternoon. WIRMdualsport : WIRM Dual Sport The Yahoo Group, where you can talk or access group files. Group membership is open to everyone. To become a WIRM, you must have a street legal Dual Sport bike and live within an approximate 100 mile radius of Spokane. See the Links on the Home Page there. Join the WIRM Yahoo Group and post your questions. If you want to visit the area, bring your bike and some of us will be delighted to show you around. This Page Created April 18, 2008 return to John Davies' KTM Index Page |