National Forest Development Road 25

thebigkr · 08-20-2011, 10:55 PM

Heading out for Bend tomorrow to pick up a used Ducati for the wife and was looking at routes for the return trip to Bellingham. Typical route would include lots of boring as hell I-5 which I'm not that interested in. Looking at Google maps I see this fantastic twisty gem of a road between Carson on the Columbia and Randle on Highway 12, National Forest Development Road 25. Wondering if anyone has experience with the road? Looks to be well worth the added 2 hours.

clapped_r6 · 08-21-2011, 02:44 AM

it's a fun road, worth the detour.

and, if you're detouring that much anyways, try to hit windy ridge. it's right off 25, shows some crazy volcanic devastation

thebigkr · 08-21-2011, 06:08 AM

I remember going to Windy Ridge with my wife when the access road was first put in; like 89 or 90? Just don't remember the road to get to the turnoff. Went for a hike and I remember the ground being a freaky volcanic rock that was like walking on styrofoam.

zoomdude57 · 08-21-2011, 08:41 AM

Awesome stretch of road. Road surface can be sketchy in places but otherwise breathtaking. You will get plenty of practice on the switchback!

Timmer · 08-21-2011, 08:51 AM

The road to Windy Ridge (FS99) was closed 2 weeks ago. It's a fun and twisty road to ride.

FS25 is a nice road to ride as well, but as has been noted, watch out for the pavement imperfections (frost heaves) and pay attention to the ride. On a clear day there are great pull offs for pictures.

mrazekan · 08-22-2011, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmer

...but as has been noted, watch out for the pavement imperfections (frost heaves) and pay attention to the ride...

+1

Perfect for long travel larger dual sports. It will buck the sportbikes if you are not careful. But well worth the detour.

thebigkr · 08-23-2011, 08:52 AM

Well I'm back from Bend and I ended up taking 25. Thanks for the heads up on the road condition, someone needs to let them know that road maintenance is more than placing "Rough Road" signs in the places where the road bed has failed. All in all it was a great ride with several moments of terror when the Monster's suspension decided that throwing me over the bars was the thing to do (might have been my fault for not slowing down...but I don't think so).

I would go back and do it over again, only next time I'd take the GSA.

tony the tiger · 08-23-2011, 09:15 AM

meh - it's a road, not a raceway.

fun ride though - just gotta' pay attention. Next time, take 23 to troutdale - on your GSA. Was a fun ride on the R90/6...

Easy-Z · 08-23-2011, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebigkr

Well I'm back from Bend and I ended up taking 25. Thanks for the heads up on the road condition, someone needs to let them know that road maintenance is more than placing "Rough Road" signs in the places where the road bed has failed.

Nah, keeps the motorhomes off the road. I like it that way.

And you can't say you weren't warned.

blkadvR · 08-23-2011, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebigkr

Amazing what a difference a few months make ... we were just snowmobiling up there at the end of May?

Glad you enjoyed the ride ... that area is beautiful, no matter what season it is!

08-20-2011, 10:55 PM	#1
thebigkr ^OP Stupid Freak Joined: Aug 2009 Location: B'ham, WA Oddometer: 132	National Forest Development Road 25 Heading out for Bend tomorrow to pick up a used Ducati for the wife and was looking at routes for the return trip to Bellingham. Typical route would include lots of boring as hell I-5 which I'm not that interested in. Looking at Google maps I see this fantastic twisty gem of a road between Carson on the Columbia and Randle on Highway 12, National Forest Development Road 25. Wondering if anyone has experience with the road? Looks to be well worth the added 2 hours.

08-21-2011, 08:41 AM	#4
zoomdude57 Studly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2004 Location: Seattle, WA. Oddometer: 637	Awesome stretch of road. Road surface can be sketchy in places but otherwise breathtaking. You will get plenty of practice on the switchback! __________________ Paul 2009 Husky TE610 2012 BMW R1200GS 2011 KTM RC8R 2006 KTM 200 XC-W

08-21-2011, 08:51 AM	#5
Timmer Beastly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2006 Location: Burien, WA Oddometer: 2,012	The road to Windy Ridge (FS99) was closed 2 weeks ago. It's a fun and twisty road to ride. FS25 is a nice road to ride as well, but as has been noted, watch out for the pavement imperfections (frost heaves) and pay attention to the ride. On a clear day there are great pull offs for pictures. __________________ Tim in Burien, WA '05 R1200GS (Sleeping in Germany) '03 F650GS '03 Wing '01 ST1100

08-23-2011, 08:52 AM	#7
thebigkr ^OP Stupid Freak Joined: Aug 2009 Location: B'ham, WA Oddometer: 132	Well I'm back from Bend and I ended up taking 25. Thanks for the heads up on the road condition, someone needs to let them know that road maintenance is more than placing "Rough Road" signs in the places where the road bed has failed. All in all it was a great ride with several moments of terror when the Monster's suspension decided that throwing me over the bars was the thing to do (might have been my fault for not slowing down...but I don't think so). I would go back and do it over again, only next time I'd take the GSA. thebigkr screwed with this post 08-23-2011 at 08:57 AM Reason: add photo

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08-21-2011, 02:44 AM	#2
clapped_r6 The Spoad Warrior Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Ridgefield, WA Oddometer: 2,188	it's a fun road, worth the detour. and, if you're detouring that much anyways, try to hit windy ridge. it's right off 25, shows some crazy volcanic devastation

08-21-2011, 06:08 AM	#3
thebigkr ^OP Stupid Freak Joined: Aug 2009 Location: B'ham, WA Oddometer: 132	I remember going to Windy Ridge with my wife when the access road was first put in; like 89 or 90? Just don't remember the road to get to the turnoff. Went for a hike and I remember the ground being a freaky volcanic rock that was like walking on styrofoam.