Friday, June 14, 2013

June 14th Ride Report–I had some guest at the end of the day

I’ve got to make this ride report short and sweet, because it is late and I have to get up and ride a full leg tomorrow.

SAM_3900I rode a lot today on highway 101 through Washington State but I also had to take a few other roads to accomplish the ride. The one road that stood out was HWY 112 in the northern part of the state and it was tight and twisty. I enjoyed this road a lot. As far as weather goes, I would say 95% of my ride was 100% overcast but mostly dry. I did have a few showers to drive through but not enough to put rain gloves on.

When I pulled in Astoria the skies parted and nothing but clear skies greeted me. It was almost as the border between Washington and Oregon was the same as the clouds versus no clouds. Once in Astoria I had to wash cloths. Ugh, and this is still not that last time. It’s part of the trip, so it has to get done.

What are the odds that I laid out a trip over the past 2 years that would last 6 weeks and 16,500 miles and would meet up with someone I work with on the other side of the country? Slim! Tonight when I came rolling into town, I got a txt from Chris Lloyd saying, “it looks like you’re in town.” Yep, I am. Eventually Chris came to my hotel, picked me up, and we went to dinner with his wife, Stephanie and their 2 kids.

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We chatted and laughed for at least 2 to 3 hours and then it was time for all to part ways. It was fun and I appreciate them inviting me out to dinner. Did we talk about work? Hmm, I’m not sure work came up at all until right at the end of the dinner when Chris said more retirement posters were going up. You guys enjoy the rest of your vacation in Seattle.

One last note. Today I got a txt from the Texas that I might in Anchorage letting me know he made home safely. He wanted to know where I was and how I was doing. Attached was a photo he took of our two bikes. He had just exited the dirt roads heading to Prudhoe bay and I was just getting ready to enter. Also, lot’s of cool shots in the pictures of the day. Tomorrow should be the prettiest part of the Pacific Coast highway driving though Oregon.

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Pictures of the Day. 

June 24, 2013 planned route, Day 38

So here I am, the last day of my adventure as I see it and then the 3 day sprint back to Virginia. The plan today is to pickup Debbie Fanatia and give her a ride on the R1200GSA to the highest Asphalt road in the united States. The hard surface road peaks out at 14,240 feet on top of Mt.Evans. I have made the climb in a SUV and on a motorcycle and I will tell you if you scared of heights, this will make your stomach tighten a bit. The last 4 to 5 miles the road narrows and there are no guard rails. It gives the appearance that you could roll off the edge and roll, roll, forever. After we accomplish this mission, then the plan is to ride up through Rocky mountain National Park and  hope that the road is open. I have tried twice before to ride completely through the park only to be stopped by snow. If we make it through the park, then we will just ride the countryside until we end up back her home. Lunch and Dinner will be on her to research and figure out since she is the local. Today’s run should be very relaxing and my second round robin of this trip. Planned mileage for today is 282 miles.

Hampton Inn & Suites Denver-Speer Boulevard

2728 Zuni Street

Denver, CO 80211

855-271-3622

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June 23, 2013 planned route, Day 37

Today I plan to turn east and head toward Denver. Before that though, I will be driving through Dinosaur National Monument and maybe see some old bones. not sure how long I can stay and look around, but it would be cool to see some fossils. After that it is due eastbound through the ski town of Steamboat Springs and into Denver. In Denver the plan is to meet up with Debbie, a childhood friend, and do dinner and talk about the next day. Don’t want to spoil it for you, so you’ll have too read the next post to see what is up with that. The sad news is that after today and tomorrows run, this trip to me is over and the sprint home begins. Today’s leg should be 354 miles bring the total trip to 14527miles.

Hampton Inn & Suites Denver-Speer Boulevard

2728 Zuni Street

Denver, CO 80211

855-271-3622

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June 22, 2013 planned route, Day 36

Today I will be leaving Doug and Yellowstone National Park. I will be driving on another Road Runner route that will take me through Jackson Hole and Scenic highway 191. Should be another beautiful ride through some of the best scenery in our nation. At the end of the day I should end up n Vernal, Utah. Today’s ride will be 488 miles.

Holiday Inn Express

1515 W US Hwy 40

Vernal, UT 84078

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June 21, 2013 planned route, Day 35

This will be my Birthday route! 52 and still act like I’m 15, isn’t life grand? Today I will exit Montana and enter Wyoming and tour a bit of Yellowstone national Park. It is also possible that at the end of the day I will actually run into an old friend. Doug Meikle and wife will be out here camping/fishing in and around Yellowstone. I’m hoping that I can at least have dinner in a campground or at a restaurant so we can catch up a bit. Doug and I use to work together and he has since retired and is enjoying life. We also have ridden motorcycles together, the best being Nova Scotia and back. Today’s run should be 366 miles bringing the total ride to 13685 miles.

Yellowstone Grizzly Campground

210 S. Electric Street
West Yellowstone, Montana 59758
406-646-4466

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June 14th ride. Day 28

My webpage is doing a few goofy things and I ‘m not sure what is up. Today’s ride will take me from Port Angeles to Astoria, OR via highway 101. Should be partly sunny and chilly and a very small chance of rain.

Estimated mileage 353.

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Thursday, June 13, 2013

June 13th Ride Report– I take it you guys loved the Interview!

SAM_3846To say I laughed hard is an understatement when I saw the CTV Interview about Dixie and me. It just amazed me how the editing was so different than the interview itself, but it was a good thing. They made a story out of the entire thing bit by bit. What really caught me off guard is that Chandler actually made the drive out to same location that I lost Dixie. When he is standing by that sign in the last 10 – 15 seconds, that was the place. Whether we find Dixie or not, wasn’t that fun? Yes, finding Dixie would be awesome but the odds are great. Maybe I’ll just pick up a hitch hiker along the Pacific Coast Highway and bring her home with me. Now before Lori gets all upset, not a living girl, but another Dixie or something like Dixie. Well, if I see girl toy with their thumb out and they want to travel to the east coast, I’ll offer them a ride. Once again, Thanks CTV, Canada, and Chandler Grieve. Well done.

SAM_3763Today plan was to finish the route that I was suppose to run yesterday. Because I made the decision that Seattle and Tacoma was my best choice on getting things done on the BMW, I changed oil and tires while here and not out in the middle of nowhere. The timing was perfect. This morning it looked like the skies were going to bust loose with rain but it just never happened. It sprinkled and looked threatening, but nothing major. Wow, what a difference with that tire change on the bike. It handled like a new motorcycle on wet and dry pavement and the confidence in the corners sored! I tried my best to stay at or just above the posted speed limits all day, but at times, I was exceeding by 20mph. I told Lori once when I bought this bike that I would have a ticket in a month because of how smooth everything operated. Still haven’t gotten the ticket, but it would not surprise me if it happened. It just so quite, smooth, and sure footed in the corners that it screams, “give it more throttle.”

SAM_3779Climate! Today I felt like I needed and automatic climate control. This happens now and again on the road with a motorcycle but today I think I covered a bunch of  conditions. Temperature range today swung back and forth depending on elevation, clouds, and precipitation. Temps, 38-72 today! I would have overcast low hanging clouds, sprinkle, raining, and then 15 to 20 miles down the road, no clouds and sunshine 70. I would put heated gear on, take it off. I would then put heated gear back on and supplement my gloves with rain covers by Farkle. You would think that it would make for miserable riding for me and it does sound that way, but once dressed for the conditions, no problems. I was enjoying the different views brought on by the weather conditions.

The weather conditions had one adverse affect on my riding today. After climbing the tight wiggly road up to about 5500 elevation, it was so socked in, I could barely see 50 feet in front of my bike. That also meant seeing Mt. Rainier was out of the question. That’s ok, the snow on the side of the road, all the waterfalls, and the trees made it still worth the trip.

SAM_3841That was pretty much it for today and by the end of the day, I was back tracking to Port Angeles to setup for tomorrow’s run of Highway 101 west and due south. It’s going to be chilly in the morning, but who cares as long as the sun is out. Apparently tomorrow my entire route should be sunny and cool, high of 62. Isn’t it suppose to rain like everyday? Maybe someone is looking out for me and if so, Thank you.

Lastly, at the end of today’s route, it put me at an all time high reached for mileage in one trip. 10,566 miles to date and still have a bunch to lay down. How am I holding up physically and mentally. Doing very well if I say so myself. Remember, riding is what I love. So unless something goes wrong or breaks, life is good. Wish you all could have ridden along. I guess in a way, you have!  So I hope you’re having fun to.

Picture of the Day