PNW Ride Report

[monstergirl]

Hi. I'm new here and thought I'd post up my last fun ride report...

I had sometime off this year, and my ex dumped me earlier in the summer, so my big bike trip turned into a solo proposition. I was going to head north into Canada, but realized that late September in Canada is a risky idea. So, south it was. Plus, I had a friend that was traveling around the states that said he could meet up with me in southern Oregon, so that sounded fun!

Leaving after spending a lot of time adding luggage, windscreen, gps.
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r2/r_niggemann/rides/vacation%202008/CIMG0891.jpg (http://s140.photobucket.com/albums/r2/r_niggemann/rides/vacation%202008/?action=view&current=CIMG0891.jpg)

Headed out about 5pm and ended up in Stevenson, WA. Unfortunately, the Walking Man Brewery was closed, but the Big River Grill was open. It's pretty good.

Then headed down over Mt. Hood to Bend for lunch at the Deschutes Brewery. That place ROCKS.

Then to Klamath Falls to meet up with my friend Stiles. Found the most boring road in Oregon... Hwy 97. Straight and 55mph.
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r2/r_niggemann/rides/vacation%202008/CIMG0892.jpg (http://s140.photobucket.com/albums/r2/r_niggemann/rides/vacation%202008/?action=view&current=CIMG0892.jpg)

Had a great time with Stiles in Klamath Falls going into California to the Lava Beds National Monument. Went on a guided tour which was so much fun. Cool stories about an Indian called Captain Jack that kicked the Army's ass for a while until they hung him. I'd highly recommend the tour.
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r2/r_niggemann/rides/vacation%202008/CIMG0901.jpg (http://s140.photobucket.com/albums/r2/r_niggemann/rides/vacation%202008/?action=view&current=CIMG0901.jpg)

Stayed one more night in Klamath Falls and then we headed to Ashland over this "nice little road" late in the evening. It looked so innocent on the map. Turned out to be 60 miles of twisties over a small mountain range in the dark. That was interesting, to say the least. At least I didn't have to see what I was about to crash into. It was enjoyable in a sick way.

In Ashland, saw Shakespeare (Coriolanus), drank a lot of Singapore Slings, and had a great time. I will definitely be going back to Ashland again. We had breakfast at the farmer's market and the co-op. Stiles headed south and I headed north.

I headed to Crater Lake then I ended up back in Bend, again at the Deschutes Brewery cause I loved it the first time. Octoberfest was going on, but I skipped it in lieu of good food and beer at the brewery.
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r2/r_niggemann/rides/vacation%202008/CIMG0926.jpg (http://s140.photobucket.com/albums/r2/r_niggemann/rides/vacation%202008/?action=view&current=CIMG0926.jpg)

I headed out the next morning to the John Day Fossil Beds, @ the Painted Hills and Clarno units.
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r2/r_niggemann/rides/vacation%202008/CIMG0934.jpg (http://s140.photobucket.com/albums/r2/r_niggemann/rides/vacation%202008/?action=view&current=CIMG0934.jpg)

After Painted Hills unit, I stopped in Mitchell, Oregon. I'd highly recommend a stop there. It's a half-horse town. It's got gas and they serve beer and whiskey at the cafe! They have a small old hotel there, and I'll be staying there next time I'm in the area.
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r2/r_niggemann/rides/vacation%202008/CIMG0941.jpg (http://s140.photobucket.com/albums/r2/r_niggemann/rides/vacation%202008/?action=view&current=CIMG0941.jpg)

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r2/r_niggemann/rides/vacation%202008/CIMG0944.jpg (http://s140.photobucket.com/albums/r2/r_niggemann/rides/vacation%202008/?action=view&current=CIMG0944.jpg)

Here's the good part of the story...
So I was headed to the Dalles, OR for the evening. Unfortunately, I stopped to look at the map in Shaniko, OR and the BIKE WOULDN'T START. So, I figure it's the same problem I had in Hood River on the way down with the clutch safety switch. I get my tools out and start wrenching on it. No luck. I call Stiles in LA on how to bypass the switch with a bobby-pin, but no luck. So I cut the wires and splice them together. No luck. Some guys pull up in a truck, trailering a bike. I saw the guy sitting in Antelope, OR (remember the Rajneeshees ?? They were from Antelope!!). I thought he was just hanging out. Apparently, a rock went through his radiator. Anyway, Duc (of SpeedyMoto) and JoJo, both of the Bastards MC are my new heroes.
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r2/r_niggemann/rides/vacation%202008/CIMG0952.jpg (http://s140.photobucket.com/albums/r2/r_niggemann/rides/vacation%202008/?action=view&current=CIMG0952.jpg)
The Rescue Rig:
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r2/r_niggemann/rides/vacation%202008/CIMG0951.jpg (http://s140.photobucket.com/albums/r2/r_niggemann/rides/vacation%202008/?action=view&current=CIMG0951.jpg)
Dead DRZ:
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r2/r_niggemann/rides/vacation%202008/CIMG0956.jpg (http://s140.photobucket.com/albums/r2/r_niggemann/rides/vacation%202008/?action=view&current=CIMG0956.jpg)
They took me to Portland since that's where they lived.

A friend rescued me from Portland and we got back to Olympia at 12:30am Monday. Trip was OVER. It was a pretty fun rescue. Duc and JoJo are awesome and I hope to see them again.

The problem turned out to be a loose wire to the starter solenoid. I could have diagnosed that and fixed it with the tools I had, but it was getting late, and there was help that showed up unexpectedly... hard to pass that up.

The luggage worked well. I've got a new full Yoshi exhaust system and a new rear top rack installed now.

It was a GREAT trip and I wish I could have been out a few more weeks. The only thing I would have changed is the freekin seat killed my ass. I've got to figure out something to keep my butt comfey. I think I'm going to get a Rezenco seat.

A great time was had and I got to meet some great people. Lots of awesome twisty roads and good food and beer. I love traveling alone but love meeting new cool people.

[Luna Tique]

Nice report monstergirl :yahoo: Your pictures are wonderful :thumbup:
Your trip took you though some splendid areas.

I was sorry to read your trip got cut short.:(: but relieved to read it was an easy fix http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/images/smilies/eboy.gif


I am always very :ecstasy: to hear about the good people one meets when on the road it reconfirms my faith in mankind and into Good Samaritan's :wootrock:

[letsxplor]

:iagree:

A big part of what makes trips great are the folks you meet on the road.

That looks like a great trip, I gotta get out there sometime soon to ride the scenery.

[ridingAK]

Very nice report, and gotta love the pics! Have you considered an Alaska Leather butt pad? There are several member here who have them, and I think everyone who has used them has great things to say about them.

Alaska Leather Butt Pad (http://www.alaskaleather.com/buttpads.html)

[KCDakar]

Great RR!:wootrock:

I love the people helping people part of the rides. :thumbup:

[demenshea]

Great report!! Man, are those roads around John Day fun or what??? I absolutely love that area!

Sorry your trip ended so abruptly, but hey nothing like burning bright before burning out!! :thumbsup: :D:

[Astir]

:wootrock:

:riding: Trip Report! :yahoo:

Thanks for taking the time Monstergirl! Great pics, and a happy ending even if it wasn't the ending originally planned. I like your rig, very compact.

[SheRidesABeemer]

Love that area! Nice report.

[bobcat]

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r2/r_niggemann/rides/vacation%202008/CIMG0891.jpg (http://s140.photobucket.com/albums/r2/r_niggemann/rides/vacation%202008/?action=view&current=CIMG0891.jpg)



I've never seen an SM in touring mode, I like it! :thumbup: Mind if I ask where you got the saddlebag racks?

[monstergirl]

Mind if I ask where you got the saddlebag racks?
Bobcat, I got the rack and mounts for the pelican cases at Happy Trails (http://www.happy-trail.com/). They carry racks for all kinds of bikes and other cool stuff. Drilling the cases was a little tricky since the racks are not entirely symmetrical since the pipe needs more room around it. It's a VERY sturdy rack (I tend to dump the bike when it's not moving :redface1:) but it took a little strong-arming it into place. That will only suck when I need to take it off to work on the bike. Oh well, can't win 'em all!

Thanks for the compliments everyone! I think I'll like it around here.

[sweptwingnut]

Loving those bags monstergirl and mitchel, oregon is now on our list. THANKS!

[bobcat]

Bobcat, I got the rack and mounts for the pelican cases at Happy Trails (http://www.happy-trail.com/). They carry racks for all kinds of bikes and other cool stuff. Drilling the cases was a little tricky since the racks are not entirely symmetrical since the pipe needs more room around it. It's a VERY sturdy rack (I tend to dump the bike when it's not moving :redface1:) but it took a little strong-arming it into place. That will only suck when I need to take it off to work on the bike. Oh well, can't win 'em all!

Thanks for the compliments everyone! I think I'll like it around here.

I've been casually looking for rack options for my Super Sherpa, have only found one set so far that will fit, I'll have to do some investigating into the Happy Trails racks. And those cases, I like them, they're functional, locking, inexpensive, and hi-viz!

[maillotpois]

Great report - that bike looks amazing all packed up like that and ready for anything!

[msyzf2u]

How did I miss this most excellent RR ?

Really enjoyed this Monstergirl!




:thumbsup:

[Maleficent]

Thanks, MGirl, for the sweet ride report. I've never been to that part of the country and enjoyed the beautiful pictures. :):