So I just saw the NWOL dates were changed to Labor Day weekend. Could we either start or end at the show?
Yes, of course. Right now we're playing it by ear till this virus thing settles down. I'm getting ready to put disc brakes on the front of the Willys in preparation for the old school run.
How many folks who want to do the Old School Run plan on going to the NWOL Rally?
Probably the smart thing to do would be to start after the show. Since I don't know exactly how long it would take us from start to finish (technically should be six days) I'd hate to be wrong by a day or so (you never know... breakdowns, detours etc.). Plus, doing it this way everyone has all the new toys & gadgets they just bought from the Rally vendors, and you're already set-to-go (other than refilling ice chests and such).
So I'm looking at the WA Back country discovery route (WABDR) map. I'm thinking this will be our Old School Run (OSR) this go-round. If you don't have a WABDR map, order one (every vehicle should have their own WABDR map in addition to any supplemental maps you might bring with you). Check it out - lots of info on the route:
This 575-mile route thoroughly explores the Cascade Mountains beginning in Stevenson, WA and making it to the Canadian border at Night Hawk.
ridebdr.com
The map costs $14.95. Link to purchase WABDR map:
Butler Motorcycle Maps - Washington Backcountry Discovery Route (WABDR) (yes you can take 4x4s on this route - and probably VW buggies too).
The NWOL Rally ends on a Sunday if I remember right (I've been to the last two NWOL Rally Events - I really enjoyed them). Figure we'll leave the Rally/Leavenworth in the morning and then it will take the rest of the day for everyone to get to the starting point (near Stevenson, WA on the WA/OR border) in the late afternoon/evening. So we would then head out as a group on Monday morning to start section #1 of the WABDR. I need to drive down to Stevenson WA beforehand and see what kind of campgrounds are there, and what would be a good rally point (any good sporting goods stores down there?). Anyone familiar with the area?
MapQuest says Leavenworth WA to Stevenson WA is 229 miles, and about 4.5 hours. Actually better than I thought.
Or we could put a day in-between, and plan on heading out of Stevenson WA on Tuesday morning (might work out better for some folks... thoughts?). Some folks might need an extra day for turn-around before starting another adventure. I might have a different camp set-up for the NWOL Rally (going heavy - truck and lots of gear) compared to the old school run (going light - whatever I can put on the passenger seat and in the back of the Willys). I'm near Vancouver, WA (Longview/Kelso area), so from home to Leavenworth is quite the trip in itself, so I doubt I'll take the Willys to the NWOL Rally (but you never know...). Planning for the trip is part of the fun!
MapQuest says Leavenworth to Longview to Stevenson WA is 325 miles and about 5.75 hours driving.
The WABDR is broken down into six sections. Sections 1 - 6 mileage goes like this (in order): 120 miles, 122 miles, 77 miles, 104 miles, 103 miles, and 66 miles (ends at the Nighthawk Border Crossing). I would like to do just one section a day - if we finish a section early that day - great! More time to set-up camp and explore where we're at (it isn't a race).
Once we get over this virus thing and can start planning thing out in the future, I'll post a Rally Point thing for this Old School Run.
Till then, tell me your thoughts.
