PNW Riders

SilverDawg · 08-05-2008, 09:13 AM

So I am making a trek from my humble home in Kitsap County to Mardon Resort on the south end of the Potholes Reservoir this weekend. Not really a lot of ride options for my Triple, but was wondering about Vantage Highway. I've seen it on riding maps, but haven't tried it yet. What's the condition these days? Does it really add 30-40 minutes to the trip? Is it even worth the detour?

Thanks for your input.

RumpigCBR · 08-05-2008, 09:29 AM

Not really, IMHO. Lots of tractor and farm traffic this time of year, and its a fairly narrow two-lane road with little to no exits if you needed them.

Have fun though!

SilverDawg · 08-05-2008, 09:42 AM

I thought that might be the case. I'll have lunch and cold beer waiting for me at the resort, so faster could be better.

Slygrin · 08-05-2008, 09:53 AM

I ride it all the time. I much prefer it over I-90 for that stretch. The farmland is pretty much on the straight part. The east end closer to Vantage has some nice sweepers and the traffic is generally pretty light. It's not all that much longer, depending on where you get on it's less then a mile difference. That's cutting through Ellensburg which will slow you down a bit though.

Fut1lity · 08-05-2008, 09:54 AM

You're better off staying at the state park there....camping at Mardon is not what I'd call pleasant or relaxing.

Delta01 · 08-05-2008, 10:04 AM

I was actually on Vantage Hwy about 2 weekends ago with the group from moses lake. We had a great time, little to no traffic, beautiful sweepers that we were taking at a "good" pace. all in all it was a great ride.

VFRMike · 08-05-2008, 10:17 AM

The "Old Vantage" hwy is nice if you don't want to slab it, but Hwy 10 from Ellensberg to Cle Elum is one of the prettiest rides in the state along the river.

edash · 08-05-2008, 10:17 AM

bunch of coppers..go slow or jus run..

SilverDawg · 08-05-2008, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by Fut1lity

You're better off staying at the state park there....camping at Mardon is not what I'd call pleasant or relaxing.

I'm not going to argue. You are probably right. My wife and her family have been camping at the resort for a long time. I've gone the last three years with them. We camp down on the beach. Not my idea of camping, but they like to vedge in the sun. I'm just there for labor. Can't even take the YZ up to the dunes anymore. Now I get to chase my two year old around the beach, trying to make sure she doesn't get ran over by the yahoos driving around.

SilverDawg · 08-05-2008, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by VFRMike

The "Old Vantage" hwy is nice if you don't want to slab it, but Hwy 10 from Ellensberg to Cle Elum is one of the prettiest rides in the state along the river.

Yeah, I plan to hit that. Not as much of a detour. Been on it a few times.

SilverDawg · 08-05-2008, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by edash

bunch of coppers..go slow or jus run..

Probably riding with my (new rider) sister on her 250. Pretty sure going slow will be the way.

coder · 08-05-2008, 10:23 AM

Sweet, I'm 5 min from Mardon's. I'll pop in with my camera over at Mardon's and snap a few for ya. I can probably show up with a small crew and we can do a scenic ride if you like. This area has some great views.

Personally I would stay on the main route as the highway is already scenic in the Vantage area especially once you get to the bridge on I90.

I recommend to here (I think it's called wild horse monument or something like that):

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sadd...,0.135784&z=13

Or head here to see amazing scenery along the river:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sadd...3&ie=UTF8&z=10

These locations are about 40 min from Mardon's.

PM me your cell phone if you'd like to get anymore area info.

Tire Man · 08-09-2008, 06:28 PM

Hit old vantage hwy.....Its a blast!!!!!!!!!

SilverDawg · 08-12-2008, 11:28 AM

Well I did take Vantage Highway. Nice road. Almost zero traffic and clean roads. I didn't realize (and was quite surprised by) how well maintained the stretch is. I thought it was basically a forgotten pass mainly just used to access the PSE power station.
On the way over I let my sister try my bike, so I was riding her 250 from Kittitas to Vantage. It was actually pretty fun. It was her first time on my bike. Of course it blew her away with the ease of acceleration. Then again the lack of wind protection nearly blew her small frame off of it. We were cruising at about 85-90 the majority of the way. Let me tell you, at 6-2 and 190 pounds that 08 250 was getting a test. I had the thing pegged for more than half of the pass. Pretty fun trying to keep up with my sis.
I rode back solo on the Triple and got to enjoy the highway a bit more

The worst part of the ride over was as we approached the resort. Instead of taking 26, I decided to hit Frenchman Hills Rd. At least 10 miles of it had been resurfaced recently. Loose gravel and dust all over the place.
No time or desire to joy ride during the weekend. Heavy winds/thunderstorms/rain off and on and a cooler full of beer kept the Triple under cover.


08-05-2008, 09:13 AM	#1
SilverDawg Zone Head Joined: May 2005 From: Port Orchard I Ride: 06 Speed Triple, YZ125, 04 R6 KIA, 93 Katana sold	Vantage Highway So I am making a trek from my humble home in Kitsap County to Mardon Resort on the south end of the Potholes Reservoir this weekend. Not really a lot of ride options for my Triple, but was wondering about Vantage Highway. I've seen it on riding maps, but haven't tried it yet. What's the condition these days? Does it really add 30-40 minutes to the trip? Is it even worth the detour? Thanks for your input.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

PNW Riders

About PNW Riders

Advertising


08-05-2008, 09:29 AM	#2
RumpigCBR Pit Crew Joined: Jun 2006 From: Snoqualmie, WA I Ride: 2008 CBR1000RR	Not really, IMHO. Lots of tractor and farm traffic this time of year, and its a fairly narrow two-lane road with little to no exits if you needed them. Have fun though!


08-05-2008, 09:42 AM	#3
SilverDawg Zone Head Joined: May 2005 From: Port Orchard I Ride: 06 Speed Triple, YZ125, 04 R6 KIA, 93 Katana sold	I thought that might be the case. I'll have lunch and cold beer waiting for me at the resort, so faster could be better.


08-05-2008, 09:53 AM	#4
Slygrin Superbiker Joined: May 2006 From: Moses Lake, WA I Ride: '06 Moto Guzzi Breva 1100	I ride it all the time. I much prefer it over I-90 for that stretch. The farmland is pretty much on the straight part. The east end closer to Vantage has some nice sweepers and the traffic is generally pretty light. It's not all that much longer, depending on where you get on it's less then a mile difference. That's cutting through Ellensburg which will slow you down a bit though.


08-05-2008, 09:54 AM	#5
Fut1lity WMRRA Qualifier Joined: Mar 2008 From: olympia, WA I Ride: 2003 Suzuki Bandit 1200S	You're better off staying at the state park there....camping at Mardon is not what I'd call pleasant or relaxing.


08-05-2008, 10:04 AM	#6
Delta01 Training Wheels Joined: Jun 2008 From: Warden I Ride: '07 Kawasaki Ninja 500	I was actually on Vantage Hwy about 2 weekends ago with the group from moses lake. We had a great time, little to no traffic, beautiful sweepers that we were taking at a "good" pace. all in all it was a great ride.


08-05-2008, 10:17 AM	#7
VFRMike Pit Crew Joined: Nov 2007 From: Edmonds I Ride: Honda VFR750F	The "Old Vantage" hwy is nice if you don't want to slab it, but Hwy 10 from Ellensberg to Cle Elum is one of the prettiest rides in the state along the river.


08-05-2008, 10:17 AM	#8
edash Endorsed Joined: Oct 2006 From: Tacoma/Ellensburg (CWU) I Ride: Highchairs	bunch of coppers..go slow or jus run..


08-05-2008, 10:23 AM	#12
coder Pit Crew Joined: Apr 2008 From: Moses Hole, Wa I Ride: K4 Gixxer thou	Sweet, I'm 5 min from Mardon's. I'll pop in with my camera over at Mardon's and snap a few for ya. I can probably show up with a small crew and we can do a scenic ride if you like. This area has some great views. Personally I would stay on the main route as the highway is already scenic in the Vantage area especially once you get to the bridge on I90. I recommend to here (I think it's called wild horse monument or something like that): http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sadd...,0.135784&z=13 Or head here to see amazing scenery along the river: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sadd...3&ie=UTF8&z=10 These locations are about 40 min from Mardon's. PM me your cell phone if you'd like to get anymore area info.


08-09-2008, 06:28 PM	#13
Tire Man Endorsed Joined: Jun 2008 From: Moses Lake, WA I Ride: 07 Ninja 500r	Hit old vantage hwy.....Its a blast!!!!!!!!!


08-12-2008, 11:28 AM	#14
SilverDawg Zone Head Joined: May 2005 From: Port Orchard I Ride: 06 Speed Triple, YZ125, 04 R6 KIA, 93 Katana sold	Well I did take Vantage Highway. Nice road. Almost zero traffic and clean roads. I didn't realize (and was quite surprised by) how well maintained the stretch is. I thought it was basically a forgotten pass mainly just used to access the PSE power station. On the way over I let my sister try my bike, so I was riding her 250 from Kittitas to Vantage. It was actually pretty fun. It was her first time on my bike. Of course it blew her away with the ease of acceleration. Then again the lack of wind protection nearly blew her small frame off of it. We were cruising at about 85-90 the majority of the way. Let me tell you, at 6-2 and 190 pounds that 08 250 was getting a test. I had the thing pegged for more than half of the pass. Pretty fun trying to keep up with my sis. I rode back solo on the Triple and got to enjoy the highway a bit more The worst part of the ride over was as we approached the resort. Instead of taking 26, I decided to hit Frenchman Hills Rd. At least 10 miles of it had been resurfaced recently. Loose gravel and dust all over the place. No time or desire to joy ride during the weekend. Heavy winds/thunderstorms/rain off and on and a cooler full of beer kept the Triple under cover.