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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Joined: 02/02/2005
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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.
* This post was
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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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Joined: 02/02/2005
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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 frind 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.
* This post was
edited 08/01/08 12:02am by Ride_Slow2004 *
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