arthurn
Beltsville, MD
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Joined: 11/29/2005
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Sounds like a great ride. You might try an check out the saddles by mustang. They might give youn more comfort.
Arthurn
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Ride_Slow2004
Northwest
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Joined: 02/02/2005
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VFR_Mike, great story and photos, I was in the area, but with family in truck. Some really cool ghost towns out there.
4BD, I always enjoy reading your stories. I use the stock seat with an Alaska Leather sheepskin pad, and take a steady diet of Ibuprofen.
Going for a ride Monday, anyone that wants to join in, meet at the Iron Horse in Auburn at 6a for breakfast. Will be a fast paced cruise, over the North Cascades, by Grand Coulee, and south. Depending on how long it takes, will determine which route we come west on. At the very least, will be stopping at Miners in Yakima.
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"If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles."
-Doug Larson
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Ride_Slow2004
Northwest
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Well, best laid plans and all that. 4 riders and one passenger, and off, after breakfast at the Iron Horse. Really decent biscuits and gravy.
RJ can't make it, has to work, but we are still going by his house, on the back way up to Sedro Woolley, then east over the North Cascades. Even on Monday, many bikes out. Mostly cruiser, 3 Boss Hoss, and a few sporty bikes. We didn't stop much, I got out ahead going up Rainy Pass, and got some pictures of the other riders.
Sun is out and it is hot now, but we stop between the 2 passes, for the obligatory break.
Lunch in Winthrop at 3 Finger Jack, decent food really slow service. This is taking longer, and it is hot, 96 degrees in Twisp. Not much smoke from the fires, so we run south on 153 then south on 97 to Chelan, fill up on fuel and water, and decide against Yakima. Too far, too late, to make Miners, so we head for ice cream in Cle Elum,
Not bad for a last stop. The run over Blewett getting to Cle Elum was AWESOME. State keeps that pavement in good shape, lots of long passing lanes, really using the torque of the Twin Cam to pull thru the corners.
495 miles. Already thinking about where to go next. Maybe the Conway Pub for a great burger.
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Tigni
Germany
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Joined: 07/28/2008
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Hi Folks
I been to Italy a couple weeks ago. How can I post some pictures?
Tigni
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Ride_Slow2004
Northwest
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Tigni wrote:Hi Folks
I been to Italy a couple weeks ago. How can I post some pictures?
Tigni
I use photobucket, and select the img tag, there are many other ways. Do a 'reply with quote' to a message with pictures, and you will see the formatting.
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Ride_Slow2004
Northwest
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Joined: 02/02/2005
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Miners in Yakima
After a couple of misfires, we made it to Miners Drive Inn in Yakima, Washington. Rick was the only member of the original group that was able to make it, but we picked up another rider, and I got a passenger this time. Duty called, so we could not get out of work until 10:30am, but the weather was holding, mid 60’s, and we headed out. Picked up Rick on the SR 18 / Weyerhaeuser Way interchange, didn’t even have to slow down, and met Ron out in Enumclaw at the Safeway where SR 164 ends at SR 410. We apologized for being late, topped off the bikes and headed east. I had forgotten to mention to Ron that there would be much passing of slower traffic, but I think he had heard stories of other rides, and he kept up with us just fine. I had not been over Chinook Pass since last September, and true to the forecast we did not see any snowplows this time. Still snow on the sides of the road at the top, and just over the crest is a nice place to stretch the legs and grab a quick snack. The east side of Chinook has some great views of the Cascade Range, and the road is carved into the side of the valley for quite a ways, if you slow down a bit, it is very scenic. Since my passenger was taking her first long bike ride, I took it easy on the downgrade, actually coasting with the motor off.
As you drop into the pine forests, the fresh smells fill the air, the road here is in very good condition, and it is hard to stay anywhere near the speed limit. The curves are well marked, truly letting you know when you really need to ease back, and when you can roll. My passenger was doing great, she did not tense up, and stayed with me through the curves. After a couple of 70 + exits, with the bike leaned over and the power on, I asked, and she said keep going! (The only time I got in trouble was when I took both hands off the bars – don’t know why that would make her nervous…..)
We had dumped the jackets at the top of Chinook, and I was glad, the heat was coming on, as we rolled into Yakima. The highway becomes a freeway, and you have to slog to get to Union Gap. Although Miners has a Yakima address, you take the same exit as for Union Gap. If you going thru town, you have to stop at Miners. The food is fresh, made as you order, the place has indoor air conditioned dining, very neat and clean, or you can eat in the little park they have created on the north side. Green grass and trees, very nice. The food was great, as usual, and we just beat a couple of larger groups of riders, and got a table in the shade.
Next on the list was SR 821, the Yakima River Canyon Rd. Just a 2 lane, hugging the hillside above the river, but what a great bike road. Lots of curves, decent pavement, plenty of places to pass, and even with the speed limit at 45mph, still fast enough to be interesting. (The road is very well patrolled, but I have not been stopped, even at 15 over…)
We came into Ellensburg the back way, fueled up, and headed over to exit 106, to catch old US 10, to Cle Elum. This used to be the main route, and although not challenging to traverse, it gives a great look into a rural area, with ranches, and collapsed water flumes, and some sandstone bluffs that just beg to be dug into. 10 actually runs from Vantage all the way to Cle Elum, if you have the time, it is a much better drive than I-90.
From Cle Elum to home is just the same old slog on the freeway, but it really illustrates why so many folks tour on a Harley. Set the cruise at 80, run the stereo up, and just go. The miles seem to peel off, and you feel sorry for all the cages, missing the eagle circling up high, the fresh breeze off the lake, and the sound of the V-Twin, pushing along.
As I pass through North Bend, I click off the CD, and tune into the local traffic report. Surprise, traffic sucks, lots of jams, no way around. Oh well, this is the price we pay. The news mentions a floatplane crash in Mason County. Sad, I say a prayer for the pilot, and passenger, they are saying no survivors.
I drop off my passenger, and check my phone, there are a couple of call me’s from my wife, so I do that in the parking lot.
The pilot of the floatplane was a good friend and his son. The afternoon of July 24th, we lost 2 good men. Nothing really prepares you for this, and even though they are a family of strong faith, this has been a hard few days. He died doing something he loved, but they will be sorely missed. As we gathered together Thursday night, his brother said something that I would like to share:
“He finished well”
Mark set a great example, he loved his wife and kids, and grand kids, he honored and respected his parents, and he was a good friend. I know he is at peace, as is his son. I believe we have an obligation to do well with what we are given, and he did.
Resident on the lake just happened to get a pix of my friend taking off, on his last flight.
I know this is a M/C forum, but bear with me. Beautiful machines, out of the ordinary, modified, community bonded just by the experience, pilots and riders share similarities.
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Ride_Slow2004
Northwest
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8-22-08, 6 riders, it is my turn to Captain the ride, and I have been studying the "Destination Highways - Washington" ride book.
Breakfast in Arlington at the Bluebird Cafe,
and we are off.
Aircraft on display in Brewster, WA
Stocking up for the evening.
Taking picture of the picture taker.
Nespelem Memorial to Chief Joseph, who rests nearby.
First day we ended up in the city of Coulee Dam, after traveling 352 miles. Our second overnight was at the same place, which allowed more time to explore, and take pictures.
Molson School Musuem, in one of the best ghost towns in WA.
Molson mural.
History
Molson Church, restored
Old Town, Molson, display of artifacts and buildings
Entrance to the cemetary
Abandoned homestead on the road to Molson
Lunch, day 2
339 miles got us back in for dinner.
Day 3, Steamboat Rock
Grand Coulee
Lunch, day 3, in Odessa, WA
Largest bottle of Wild Turkey I have seen
Open road
Third overnight was at the Best Western in Prosser, after 360 miles. Day 4 dawned with the predicted storm looming in the west, exactly where we were going. When we arrived in Goldendale, I suggested a change to the route, which would take us north to Yakima, and over Chinook Pass. Last day lunch at Whistling Jacks
in Cliffdell, and we were going to ride together over the Pass, and everyone would start peeling off in Enumclaw. Last day was only 285 miles, ride total was 1337. Will fill in the details later.
* This post was
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Ride_Slow2004
Northwest
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Not a long ride, just 2 laps around Green Lake, but the cool part is that my oldest daughter was riding on the bike she will probably buy, her first time out in the real world.
She passed her motorcycle class and test with flying colors, and is just itching to get her own bike. So, we met for lunch in Wallingford, at Julia's, and then my wife headed off to visit a friend. We got on the HD and went up to the Suzuki shop on Aurora N. They were having an open house, and bike sale. My daughter checked out several bikes, but really liked the mid sized cruisers. One of my riding buddies that lives nearby was considering selling his 750 Shadow, so we went over there. He was agreeable to a ride, so we got it warmed up, and set out.
Moving the bike out of the garage
I asked if she would rather lead, or follow. She wasn't too familiar with the area, so I set the pace. I was watching traffic, and watching her in my mirrors, not easy, but dad was nervous. She did very well, and was excited, did not want to take the bike back.
So, my 2 older kids are riding, and my youngest will be when she gets back from school next summer.
It is really neat, being able to share this sport with the kids. 
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kpapa
Johnsburg N.Y.
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Joined: 04/21/2008
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Ride Slow2004
Know how you feel riding with the kids. I love riding with my son. He started
out at 7 yrs old trail riding. At 16 yrs old got a Ninja 600 ( many sleepless
nights for Mom and Me )More miles on back tire then front tire, if you know what I mean. Then a Hurricane 1000. He would say " Harleys are for old men". Got that out of his system and now rides a 2005 Springer Classic. He has slowed down allot and rides my speed. Now I have a grandson into crotch rockets. My son now knows what it was like in my shoes. Enjoy every minute riding with your kids because they grow up fast. Wait until you get grandchildren riding and they say
" can't you keep up POP?" You got to love it. One thing with me riding with them it slows them down. Have Fun and Ride SAFE.
kpapa
kpapa
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soupandmicrobrews
south boston (southie)
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Joined: 10/27/2008
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some great pics, keep up the good work :-)
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