OGRES Motorcycle Club 2025 Fall "Orofino" Run Report

Safety Briefing Boise Idaho

The OGRES Motorcycle Club 2025 Fall "Orofino" Run began at the previously published time and place. Members present: Slick, Grim, Bomber, Gundy, Smooth, RipCity and G-Man. Members absent: Rowdy, Duke and Ace. Two guests were present.

After a short logistics and safety briefing, OMC members and guests headed out via Highway 21 to Idaho City.

It was a cool, breezy ride along the river and through the twisties to Idaho City where we stopped for a quick break.

The ride from Idaho City to Stanley was smooth and without much traffic which made for great cruising. The highway around Banner Summit had been patched so the danger of passing through was greatly diminished. We soon rolled into Stanley for lunch.

Stanley, Idaho

Grim thought it would be a great idea to try somewhere else rather than the regular stop at Luce's. Bad idea. We went to the Mountain Village Restaurant instead and found a table for 9. Our server (food dictator) soon showed up and it was clear, from the laundry list of restaurant laws and edicts, that the patron definitely came second in the restaurant's business model. Never again.

Challis, Idaho

We collected ourselves and our bikes and continued on through Clayton and up to Challis. We stopped for a quick ice cream and bio break and then continued on down the road to Salmon.

We continued to enjoy cooler weather and little to no traffic as we sped north. 

Bomber had advised Grim that he and G-Man might stop at the House of Holy Rust on the way to Salmon but he neglected to advise the Sweep, RipCity or the Road Captain Gundy. So when the aforementioned duo peeled off, along with Smooth, RipCity became alarmed and began searching up and down the road for them, fearing the worst. At the same time, Gundy was weaving around the road to get Grim's attention that something was amiss. Grim advised Gundy of the 411 and the remaining group continued on to Salmon. The four missing OMC members eventually trickled into Salmon for reunification.

(Note for future rides: Let everyone know of deviations from the norm so "gang wrecks" do not occur. This responsibility is on the one deviating from the norm, not the leader or sweep.)

Cool Kids Parking in Salmon, Idaho

Everyone took a short break after checking in to the Stagecoach Inn. Unfortunately, there are not many options for lodging in Salmon as the rate for the room was about $50 more than the much nicer cribs in Orofino.

At the announced time, the group gathered and headed over to the Shady Nook for dinner. Everyone seemed to have a nice meal and conversation, even though the restaurant was short staffed and pretty slammed.

We adjourned the meal and headed back to the hotel to get our coupons for free ice cream at the little trailer in the front lot. The activity went smoothly until RipCity attempted to get an ice cream cone using the slip of paper meant to advise the guest of the hotel password. When that was rejected, he went the front desk to get another instead of going to his room. That contact was met with low enthusiasm but somehow RipCity finally ended up with frozen delight.

Then Bomber decided he wanted a picture of RipCity on his bike. No one seems to know why. When RipCity clambered aboard his Indian, he discovered that the Indian had an audible alarm that was quite annoying. Unfortunately, his key was in his room keeping his ice cream coupon company. Eventually, key and motorcycle were united and the cacophony abated. Everyone was able to retire to their rooms without any more drama.

Safety Briefing in Salmon, Idaho

A logistical/safety briefing was held the next morning. Astutely (?), Road Captain G-Man admonished everyone to ride safely. Grim was planning to ride recklessly so he was glad for that admonishment. 

We soon headed up the road and enjoyed a very nice ride on the route to Darby. This section is one of the nicest of the OMC Fall Run.

Darby, Montana

Upon arrival in Darby, we found the usual row of shops barren and dark. We found out, from the guys at the adjacent store/gas station that the owner ladies husband had died and she had sold the real estate and the business. They further stated the businesses had moved to Hamilton next to the Super S grocery store.

Saddened, we moved up the road towards Lolo Pass. We passed through many towns, including Hamilton where several of us looked for the relocated businesses with no joy.

Lolo, Montana

We stopped for fuel, and such, in Lolo at the usual place. We then headed up Highway 12. 

Grim decided to push the pace a little more than usual and we flew down the beautiful roads and byways along the river and in view of Mount Lolo. It was an exhilarating ride as we topped Lolo pass and headed down the other side. The temperature was great and the road yielded almost no traffic.

Lochs Lodge, Idaho

We soon arrived at Lochsa Lodge for lunch. We were a little earlier than usual which gave us adequate parking and seating, after RipCity invaded the restaurant kitchen and announced our grand arrival. They seated us in the banquet room and our server was very nice and put up with our accumulated antics. Everyone seemed to enjoy their dinner over the voice of G-Man, on repeat, about the inability of his taco shells to hold together. Such is life.

Lochsaw Lodge Tacos

We climbed back aboard our bikes and continued down the road continuing the increased speed that Grim had adopted.

In the past, Grim has been more conservative in the speed of the group to make allowances for different skill levels and speed preferences. Everyone seemed to enjoy the higher speeds so that will be the norm in the future.

Three Rivers Resort

Quick Bio Break ?

We flew down the highway until we came upon the Three Rivers Resort. Grim almost passed up this stop but decided to pause for a short bio break before continuing on the road. Grim stopped by the portable toilet and announced this was a quick bio break to allow all to quickly get back on the road and out of the heat.

That plan quickly failed when three members acted as if the direction was never given. Oh well, what are you going to do.

(Note for future Runs: Grim, or the ride leader, will not begin any leg of any run until all riders on are their bikes with their gear (helmets, gloves, etc.) deployed. Grim, or the ride leader, will NOT "go ahead" and allow stragglers "to catch up".)

Eventually, we were able to continue on our way through Kooskia and Kamiah ultimately arriving in Orofino. We all arrived at the hotel and became aware that Bomber and G-Man were missing. They showed up a little while later.

We found out quickly that our usual restaurant was closed for remodeling so a replacement was recommended by the front desk: The House of Ju Ju.

We were able to check into our rooms even though we were about an hour early for check-in time. Then some hit the pool/hot tub for some water fun while others hung out in the lobby, while others just flat disappeared.

Hot Dog Blasphemy

House of Ju Ju Ju in Orofino, Idaho

Joy After Too Much Root Beer

House of Ju Ju

Crosswalk Antics by a Lovely Couple

Participants met in lobby and headed over to the new place at the previously announced time. It was a short walk through quaint downtown Orofino and it turned out to be a great little restaurant with unusual and unique dinner choices. Miranda, the manager, had our table ready, although on the phone, she had advised that they did not take reservations. Miranda and the food were a delight and it was a great time. After dinner, we explored the downtown area a little more before heading back to the hotel.

Best Western  Orofino, Idaho

After dinner, we hung out in the lobby and told lies, stories and fables including some juicy ones about OMC members not in attendance. G-Man chose to sit outside on the patio playing on his phone instead of hanging out with everyone else, but...to each his own. He tried to get others to join but it was much too pleasant in the lobby. Eventually, everyone drifted off to their rooms for a night of rest and recharging.

Picture of Tradition

Almost all l were up bright and early for breakfast and a pre-ride photo and briefing. We then headed off towards Kamiah and refueling. (Note for next year: Stop at the Conoco and not the Chevron.) WE then headed up the mountainside towards Grangeville over the hills and through the dales. This is always a great ride except if you come across a little gravel on the roadway that delivers that delightful pucker factor. More jokes here but the author will pass.

After a short stop in Grangeville, we headed south towards New Meadows. Usually the temperature goes from cool to hot at the bottom of the White Bird Grade but that did not happen this day. We continued down the windy road next to the river in cool weather and no traffic at high speed. What a great ride that was. Hot weather finally found us in New Meadows.

New Meadows, Idaho

Slick Parking Job

Whine and Dine

We stopped in New Meadows for barbecue and such. We had a very sweet server but not a very competent one. However, everyone eventually received their food and no complaints were heard about the time at lunch except one about the lack of spectators at the rodeo on the television. The football reruns were lackluster as well.

There was more drama as RipCity found his credit card was missing. It was quickly locked and hopefully a positive outcome will be experienced.

Cascade, Idaho

We remounted our bikes and continued down the road towards McCall. Traffic was much thicker that before and we quickly ran into many types and species of knuckleheads and jaw gawkers. Also more construction was endured by our train of riders.

We endeavored to persevere through the traffic and heat as we motored through McCall, Donnelly and finally to Cascade. We stopped for gas and a break in Cascade.

After that brief respite, we continued down the road. The traffic was thick and the temperature high the rest of the way except for the wild ride up Horseshoe Bend hill, over the top and down to the valley.

Goodbye Please

We ended our ride and said our goodbyes at the usual place at Highway 55 and Beacon Light Road. We had a short meeting about the upcoming barbecue event with spouses. More info about that event will be forthcoming in short time.

Guest Joy and Lee