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[St] Ride Report!
- Subject: [St] Ride Report!
- From: Agate47@xxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 27 Jul 2008 20:41:26 EDT
Hey you all,
It is not often that I can launch a ride report, so stand back here it goes.
Of course, it is nothing as cool as the Arkansas trips by Mr. Hayes et al,
but I did have a great time this weekend. On Friday, I took off from Auburn, WA
(just SE of Seattle) and slabbed down to Portland. I bailed off the I-205
bypass loop to the SE at Oregon City onto Rt. 213. It was a cool road once I
got out of town. I wound over hill and dale through some nice farm country with
larger hills in the distance in both directions. I went through Silverton, a
quaint town and into my favorite name of the trip, "Sublimity." That town
summed up the fun of riding a 2000 RS on a road and distance it was designed
for. Just south of Sublimity, I turned east onto Rt. 22. This was a mix of
so-so sections and some very nice sweepers up around Detroit Lake. Views along
the entire road were outstanding. east of Detroit the road even followed a
river out of the Cascade Mountains that tumbled and splashed its way toward the
sea. At the top of 22, I turned right onto Rt. 20, intending to take a short
few miles to break off down Rt 126 to McKenzie Bridge to visit my brother and
mom for the weekend. Alas and Alak! I was riding a little faster than I could
read, and mistakenly followed Rt 20 instead of 126. This led me down some
very fine road. Picture 11 miles of 6% downgrade (Large trucks are not
welcome). I had most of the road to myself except for a couple miles following an
Airstream trailer at 22 mph. After dispatching that gentleman, who was
apparently scared-spitless, I continued into Sweet Home where I found a rest area to
consult the map. I had several clues that I was on the wrong road, but it was
a lot fun, and there were almost no signs indicating I was on Rt 20 after the
junction. At least that is my story, and I'm sticking to it. Amazingly
enough, Sweet Home actually had cellphone coverage, so I called the brother and
my wife to let all know I was delayed a bit. After 45 miles of backtracking at
warp-speed (for an old guy like me). I got back to 126 and to the
destination. A fun adventure, though just a touch embarasssing to realize my unfailing
sense of direction failed me a bit.
Saturday morning, we all got on the bikes since my brother had bought a
helmet for our mom. She got on the RS and we rode about 12 miles up to Blue River
Resevoir. She switched over to my older brother's R1200RT because her knee
was kinked a bit tightly on the pillion of the RS. Hey, at least we filled the
square. She got a ride on my bike and enjoyed most of it. The RT is certainly
easier on her, but she did experience the Triumph. We took pictures and had
witnesses in the trailer park. Of course, no one is too concerned about her
riding motorcycles. She won't be 90 until Oct 21!
The rest of the day was a cage ride to Bend to the Deschutes Brewery and
Brewpub for lunch and a tour. Both were great, as was the several ales we tasted.
Sunday, I rode home on pretty much the same route. I enjoyed the route 22
immensely. I almost got suckered into riding down 20 again, but I overcame the
temptation. On I-5 near Centralia traffic was getting thick, and I knew that
would not be fun as I got closer to Olympia and Tacoma, so I took Rt 507
through Yelm, Roy, and Spanaway. I still had traffic in some of the towns, but at
least I could relax and enjoy the road between the towns, instead of the
surging stuff on I-5.
Weather for the trip was cool to perfect. Skies were a mix of everything
except precipitation, but that was because I had my genuine Triumph Rainsuit
along. Best insurance available.
Hope everyone else had a great weekend of riding. I had been missing out due
to the home improvement projects on my list. However, take heart. There is
hope, if you seize the opportunity.
Steve Knudsen
'00 RS - Lucifer Orange
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