Solo Motorcycle Adventure

Any Journey Can Be Epic…Even if It’s Close to Home

- Cal Johnson

Can you have a motorcycle adventure in just 27 hours? I sure did! Recently I took a break, packed the bike and headed off on a solo overnighter. There's a remote campground about a four-hour ride from my home in Oregon that I've wanted to investigate for quite some time. Sensibly waiting for the two hottest days of the year, I loaded the trusty KO and headed off into the great unknown... well, maybe that's a bit of a stretch, but it felt that way, as I'd be going beyond my favorite riding spots and into new territory.

Even though it’s pavement, I look forward to leaving civilization behind and following a route along the Clackamas River. Eventually I make my way to a labyrinth of dirt and gravel forest roads I’ve explored many times. No GPS needed, I know these roads like the back of my hand. A familiar right turn here, go left there, follow this road and… I’m lost! One of the more unnerving things that can happen when riding solo. So, I take it really easy, carefully turn around, and retrace my path to eventually find the way to Timothy Lake where Mount Hood stands, spectacular, in the distance. Time for round two.