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Early warning that construction will likely slow traffic on popular motorcycle road, Mount Baker Highway (SR 542) east of the town of Glacier. The Washington State Department of Transportation says that construction will last through the riding reason from April – October.

Expect delays on your motorcycle journeys to Mount Baker this year. During construction, crews will alternate one-way traffic on SR 542 near milepost 39.

Here’s what’s going on. WSDOT will shift a quarter-mile of the highway away from the Nooksak River east of Glacier. They say this will protect motorists from the repetitive bank and roadway damage in the area.

“We’re taking a proactive approach that will help reduce flooding and maintenance-related closures, save money, and protect vital fish habitat,” says Chris Damitio project engineer for WSDOT.

Crews will also build a new bridge at Chain-up Creek, along the same stretch of road that is being shifted, to improve fish passage. The existing culvert is a barrier for fish.

Plan for delays in this area during your summer motorcycle rides to Mount Baker. Also take note of where they’re replacing the bridge. It sounds like it might be a good spot for fishing until the culvert is replaced.
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What is adventure touring? Is it riding minimum maintenance roads or single track roads through thick forests? Forging the raging rapids of rivers and sleeping on the floor of a small hut in the woods that requires cleaning out the manure prior to laying your sleeping bag down? How about riding your motorcycle through politically hostile areas on roads that don’t exist on maps? These things certainly get a check mark from me as adventure touring.

This certainly sounds like the type of riding that requires a true dual sport motorcycle such as the Kawasaki KLR 650 or perhaps the BMW R 1200 GS Adventure. You want proof that we have it too easy here in the USA? A group of five adventurous riders made this trek on 350 cc and 500 cc Royal Enfield motorcycles on their journey to ride to Arunachal Predesh in the outskirts of northeast India.

The world’s interest has shifted to scandals, economy and politics. There are true adventures to be had and such adventures don’t need special effects or scandals to put you at the edge of your seat. That’s what the crew from the 60kph motorcycle club found in their film “One Crazy Ride.” This film isn’t over produced. It is raw. You feel every bump that Jani rode over as he held the camera to get the shot while riding. He didn’t even use camera mounts to steady the picture. It is all hand held and real.

I had the honor of attending a screening of the film at Old Strokers Benchrace Café in Everett, Washington with the film producer Gaurav Jani and one of the stars. Jani is a self-taught film maker who got his start in the fashion industry. He quit the industry, bought a motorcycle and has worked odd jobs to finance his many travels. Of which, he can count two well-known films: “Riding Solo to the Top of the World” and now “One Crazy Ride.”

Ewan McGregor and Charlie Borman’s films were inspiring. Jani’s films show that an average person can find the same adventures with much less technology and support. One Crazy Ride is what a motorcycle adventure should be. Exploration into the unknown for the sake of finding it. Motorcycle riders and non-riders alike will enjoy this film. You can order it directly from http://DirtTrackProductions.com.