TBatty,
I'm sorry, I missed the part about turning south at John Day. There is a great State park in Mt. Vernon @ 8 miles west of John Day-Hiker/biker, w/showers. There are also a couple of campgrounds on 395 between John Day and Burns. They are primative with just the esentails- toilet and water (maybe). Starr, about 15 miles south of JD and Idllewild, about 16 miles north of Burns. There is also quite a bit of National Forest and BLM lands along the highway which is all open to dispersed camping.

If you wanted to do an early side trip, there is a nice loop we used to ride -the "Ride around the Strawberry". The Strawberry Mountain (9036') Wilderness Area has a road around it which totals approximately 60 miles. Starting in John Day head east to Prairie City. At Prairie City take Road 62 heading south. It will intersect with Forest Road 16 which heads east and joins Highway 395 at Seneca. This ride takes you through some pretty nice country with a campground, Big Creek, at about the halfway point. You should be able to get water in Seneca, but it tastes awful. Fill up at Parish Cabin Campground about 10 miles east of Seneca.

Good luck on your ride, and don't forget the misquito repellent.