Club Lotus Northwest Mid-Central Oregon Fall Tour

When:  October 12 – Where: Southern Willamette Valley and Siuslaw National Forest areas.

This fall driving tour will consist of a 150 mile route during the early Autumn, hopefully late enough for some nice fall colors, but early enough to avoid any severe weather.

The route is a bit shorter in anticipation of some participants driving long distance to arrive at the starting point, which will be on the south end of Eugene at Spencer Butte Park.  From here we will travel south west through some rambling hills and valleys on the southern end of the Willamette valley, then further south.  Turning north, we will skirt along the Siuslaw National Forest, then head west toward Mapleton for a lunch break.  Thereafter, we’ll head back east towards Junction City on some mellow country roads for a nice cool down drive back to the valley.  From here, participants can hop on Hwy 99 and disperse north or south to I5 and home.

Routes will consist entirely of two lane tarmac roads.  This includes some state highways and also some county lanes.  Although the wider two lane state highways in this area are very nice, we will mostly avoid them as they are frequently heavily traveled, resulting in afternoons staring at the bike lashed to the back of a Winnebago.  Much of the route we will follow is highly technical, variable in elevation, narrow and twisty county lanes which will thoroughly challenge your Lotus’ superb handling capabilities and exercise your driving cravings even at normal highway speed limits!  We’ll have a few sections of epic state highway as well for moments to relax and lash down all the random debris, CD’s and old French fries that worked their way loose from their hiding spots through the curvy sections.

All manner of cars are welcome.  Other car clubs may join as well and it’s likely we will get some co-attendance from the local PCA region.

Note also that Spencer Butte has a very nice, short (but steep) ascent to the summit offering an excellent view of the Willamette valley and mountains to the North and West.  One could easily arrive early and get this hike stomped out in about 1.5 hours and then head out for the tour immediately after.

Schedule (Drive times are approximate):

  • 9:30 – 10:30 – Arrive anytime.  Light refreshments will be provided during this time.
  • 10:30 – Depart for morning
  • 12:30 – 1:30 – Lunch
  • 1:30 – Depart for afternoon
  • ~2:30 – Finish

Directions to starting location from I5:

  1. Exit I5 at exit 189
    1. From the north, exit 189.  At the end of the off ramp, turn right a the traffic light onto McVay Hwy and head south for about 0.5 miles.  Then turn right onto 30th Avenue.
    2. From the south, exit 189 and turn left onto 30th Avenue.
    3. Continue on 30th Avenue for 3.2 miles.  Turn left onto Hilyard at the traffic light (note Albersons on left)
    4. Immediately turn right onto 31st Avenue.
    5. After about 0.5 miles, turn left onto Willamette St.
    6. Proceed south on Willamette St. about 3.1 miles where you will find the entrance to Spencer Butte park on the left just prior to the crest of a hill.

Follow this link for a preview of one of the best sections of the route!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb_nkeyeCQs