About this event
John Day BMW Road Trip!
This event is designed for the driving enthusiast. Do you enjoy driving your BMW on phenomenal back roads…with little or no traffic….AND outstanding scenery? If so, this event is for you. I have been riding and driving these backroads for over 20 years…I never get tired of the amazing scenery and truly appreciate little to no traffic.
This will be a self-guided driving tour. There will be two days of Driving, 7/19 and 7/20. Participants can determine amongst themselves how they would like to proceed on each of the 2 days of the tour. The town of John Day is home base. There will be multiple driving loops available, starting and ending in John Day. Some can be as short as 75 miles, and some as long as 200+ miles. You will be provided maps and information about the possible routes at the mandatory drivers’ meetings. If you have never exercised your BMW in eastern Oregon, you are in for a treat!
Daily loops can include:
• Trek to Baker City via Dooley Mountain—Oregon’s Little Dragon with 188 corners
• Trek to Sumpter to see the historic mining dredge via Austin Junction—huckleberry milkshakes, anyone?
• Many other routes possible…
There will be two Driver’s meetings in John Day to discuss plans for this adventure. It’s mandatory you attend the drivers’ meeting scheduled for the evening prior to each driving day. At these meetings we will discuss potential routes, plans and procedures for the next morning and collect waiver signatures for the drive.
Meeting times:
8:00 PM 7/18
8:00 PM 7/19
The location for the meetings will be in the parking lot at:
Dreamer’s Lodge
144 N Canyon Blvd
John Day, OR 97845
For those who cannot arrive in time for that Thursday meeting, but wish to participate in Friday morning’s driving fun, contact the tour organizer by text or phone on Thursday so you can learn how to connect with us on Friday morning, same thing if you are coming to Drive only on Saturday 7/20.
Glen Gerdes
BMW CCA member since 2000
This tour will feature some remote areas ideal for driving adventure. However, Cell phone coverage will be limited, and help in the event of mechanical trouble could be a long way off. Because of this, attention to the mechanical conditions of vehicles is MOST important….we will be out in-the-middle-of-nowhere during some of the routes, so it’s critical people check tires/fluids ahead of time and bring tire sealant, water, etc.
We will be traveling on public highways and be passing some cars/bicycles here and there. Everyone MUST exercise caution and safe driving techniques, and as always, follow all traffic laws and rules of the road.
John Day has several hotels and restaurants to choose from. I would recommend reserving your lodging well in advance. This is not a huge region--local hotels can book up quickly, meaning you would be staying farther from where the action is…food for thought.
Listed below are hotels (in John Day) I have stayed at. I would recommend browsing their websites and making your own decision. Some like to spend more on lodging…I prefer to spend more on food. Ha!
Best Western
Dreamers Lodge Motel
Americas Best Value Inn
At the first Driver’s meeting on Thursday evening, 7/18, participants can discuss possible dinner and breakfast spots. You may want to pack some snacks and beverages for nourishment as you journey along.
There is much to see and do in this part of Oregon I would also highly recommend interested individuals check out John Day Chamber of Commerce and other “what to do in John Day” websites. Some folks may elect to sleep in, visit the Cam Wah Chung museum in John Day, and then cruise on the offered routes.
Please contact me if you have questions
Glen Gerdes
Please note: All drivers must register on MSReg by 7/16 *AND* must be current BMW CCA members to drive. (Non-driving guests do not have to be BMW CCA members to attend)
Event requirements
Only current BMW CCA members may drive a vehicle during this event. Passengers need not be members. Both Drivers and passengers must sign a waiver form for this event at the mandatory Drivers Meeting.
Please ensure that your vehicle is in good mechanical condition for this event. You will be driving in remote areas and cell service may be unavailable at times, so assistance may be delayed.