PNW Riders

LC4CARL · 10-03-2009, 08:10 AM

The scent of fall: decaying leaves, camp fires. The sighting of a black bear, the deep resonance of a sporting twin under power, getting a set of corners just right and hanging off a bit for style; these are a few of the memories that will sustain me over the next few months when the days are cold and dark. In a few weeks the rains will come. The leaves are already changing. Combine this with traffic and the result will be a slimy leaf paste that builds up in the center of the lane. Sporting moto season will be over.

So I took last Friday off and took my first overnight ride in a long time. There is just something about getting away. My Dad used to hunt, I used to hike. And here it is nearly October. Time to go.

Wednesday I looked the bike over. Tightened the chain, plugged the hole in rear tire and snapped on my new throttle widget. The Superhawk is a lot of things, but it is not a good long-distance mount. I picked up the throttle aid with hopes of curing the primary limitation to comfort: throttle hand fatigue. Previously the bike was good for about an hour before the digits started going numb. I’m pleased to say that, with the device installed, the numbness is dramatically reduced.

The only negative is that the “paddle” portion of the rest naturally rotates upward as the throttle is released which has the effect of putting your front brake hand in a somewhat unnatural position. Not a bad trade off. When you turn off the highway to run down some twisties, the unit comes off in two seconds. The best of both worlds.

Thursday afternoon raced by as I crammed to get my work done. Later than I hoped, but finally, I am on my way. Detroit is my first destination. Never been there. The road is reputed to be a slice of heaven and I’m not disappointed. Good fun to be had while winding through the forest and following the river. The air is clear. The Honda running well. I top off in Detroit and head south on 22. A bigger road, but smooth and curvy. As I turn to head west on 20 the sun will be setting soon. I stop for dinner in Sweet Home at a local Mexican place. Good food, good service.

The lighting on the VTR is adequate. I had my tinted faceshield on, so with the high beam on I could maintain a reasonable pace. In the curves I would flip the shield up and hope that no kamikaze bugs smacked me in the face. (Note to self, bring clear shield next time.) Anyway. If you can find a motorist to follow, it’s really nice to have his lights illuminate the road ahead and just follow his tail lamps. Much easier.

So it was that, with a full belly and a tired body, I chose to “slab” it the balance of the day’s trip to my hotel. In my haste to depart, I forgot my moto alarm. This left me no choice but to put my baby in a secure location.

On the road at 6:00, I asked the desk clerk and the filling station attendant about my proposed route for the day. Surprisingly neither were motorcycle enthusiasts. As a result I got strange looks when I traced a small, squiggly line on my Mapquest print out that ran through the forest. Both respondents indicated that they “always take the highway to Crater Lake.” Grr. Decisions, decisions. I took the highway. It was cold and boring. “Dang, I should have stayed with my plan.” I thought to myself. And then consoled myself that I was going to see a beautiful National Park and had a full day of riding ahead of me.

The sun was coming up as I turned east on the secondary highway that would take me to the lake. Here at least the scenery improved, though the road was still a bit lame. Here is also where the smoke from the forest fire really made itself apparent. If you ignored the scent, it looked like a morning fog in places. At the gate, the ranger advised me that the visibility is limited. That’s OK, I’m just doing reconnaissance for a family vacation.

The lake is neat. Being at 6000 feet, the park roads are lined with 20’ poles to guide the snow plows. Beautiful country. I’d love to spend a few weeks hiking, biking and canoeing in this area.

Plan is to have pizza with the family at 5:30. Time to go. East to 97 then north. But this is more interstate and my heart’s not in it. I stop and pick up a map to reevaluate my plan. I find that, if I cut diagonally northwest for about 50 miles, I could take one of those little paved forest roads, like I abandoned that morning, back up to the fun road I had ridden the night before. Lunch in Oakridge at 11:30. The “Hotshot” teams have a camp across the street. Very smoky. I do a little riding around and find “North Fork” road that will run me to 126. The route is awesome. Complete with covered bridge, old growth trees, zero traffic and a black bear. Grinning ear to ear, life is good. Very good.

Back to Detroit, I top the tank again at the only station in town, down a bottle of water with a home-made blue berry bar and check the GPS. According to Garmin I should arrive home at 4:45. Perfect. Feeling somewhat refreshed, I clip off the throttle rest and rail a few sweepers. Hanging off, letting her rev; zoom, zoom.

Over Pizza that night I let the laptop show the photos in a slide show as I regale the family with tales of my journey. Approximately 750 miles and my tire repair held.

Ray · 10-03-2009, 08:38 AM

Sounds like a sublime journey you had there. Definitely wishing I had struck out on a roll-about as well. Thanks for the tag-along. Your pictures and words really paint the scene. I feel like I was there with you. And, the bike in the hotel room is definitely something I'd have done. Your memories will surely make the Winter a bit more 'bear'-able....

ulfur · 10-03-2009, 08:59 AM

looks like a sweet ride

Squiddly Van Dickweed · 10-03-2009, 09:37 AM

Very nice. I did a 2000 mile solo ride through the California Serrias and coast range in early August ,so like you, my brain is full of good memories/vibes to help with our long winter. Nice report.

RVFR · 10-03-2009, 10:36 AM

Very well done. love to read about adventures like this. BTW,Great photos skills too,

justin86 · 10-03-2009, 10:39 AM

Just think about it, we could live in the mid west and have miles and miles of flat nothing. I love the pacific northwest!!!

r6jon · 10-03-2009, 10:45 AM

Nice writeup Carl, awesome roads!

Jeffytune · 10-03-2009, 06:00 PM

I was up there this last August, It is beautiful to ride around there for sure.

I was very lucky to get there on a very clear day and the sun was lighting the lake like a neon sign.

I rode home on 97, took this shot while riding.

Looks like you had a great ride, I just wish i could talk more riders into taking this ride, the pictures just don't do the lake justice.

OregonInnKeeper · 10-03-2009, 07:01 PM

Looks Like a great ride!
I tried coming south on the road past Cougar lake in the spring and got turned around 35 miles into it with DEEP snow.....
So I guess it is paved all the way???

Anybody know how is the road NFD21 (I think) from Toketee falls to Oakridge, is it paved?

Where was the covered bridge? Been through that area several times and have not seen it.

Great Brew Pub in Oakridge! Brewers Union. English trained brewmaster (Warmer beer - the right way to drink GOOD beer) and great pub grub. NOT advised if you are going to be back on the road much however. Beer is too good.

Mountaintime · 10-03-2009, 07:53 PM

I was there last month. Always a great trip.

Obligatory shot of the lake.

Violating the rules.

LC4CARL · 10-04-2009, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by OregonInnKeeper

Looks Like a great ride!
I tried coming south on the road past Cougar lake in the spring and got turned around 35 miles into it with DEEP snow.....
So I guess it is paved all the way???

Anybody know how is the road NFD21 (I think) from Toketee falls to Oakridge, is it paved?

Where was the covered bridge? Been through that area several times and have not seen it.

Great Brew Pub in Oakridge! Brewers Union. English trained brewmaster (Warmer beer - the right way to drink GOOD beer) and great pub grub. NOT advised if you are going to be back on the road much however. Beer is too good.

The bridge is just north of Westfir. Didn't stop to see if it was open to traffic. Here's the link:

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Westfir&state=OR

This route was paved to 126 and very pretty.

FZ6Rider · 10-05-2009, 12:32 AM

I did very similar trip in August with some good memories and bad as well.

Great Weekend – ALMOST

Some of those roads are great but you missed "the road"

UhOh · 10-05-2009, 03:41 AM

nice posts and thread.

have yet to ride down there ... future trip looks bright

LC4CARL · 10-05-2009, 06:55 AM

Originally Posted by FZ6Rider

Some of those roads are great but you missed "the road"

Eeek.

Desvio · 10-05-2009, 10:24 AM

Fantastic ride report and pics! I'm sure in a month or two we'll all be re-reading these just to remember the warm weather riding and fun.

DoggyDaddy · 10-05-2009, 12:40 PM

Sounds like a great trip, nice write up and pics! Thanks for posting up!

Steve


10-03-2009, 08:10 AM	#1
LC4CARL Endorsed Joined: Aug 2008 From: Clackamas, OR I Ride: 1998 VTR 996, 1983 GL 1100	Crater Lake ride report The scent of fall: decaying leaves, camp fires. The sighting of a black bear, the deep resonance of a sporting twin under power, getting a set of corners just right and hanging off a bit for style; these are a few of the memories that will sustain me over the next few months when the days are cold and dark. In a few weeks the rains will come. The leaves are already changing. Combine this with traffic and the result will be a slimy leaf paste that builds up in the center of the lane. Sporting moto season will be over. So I took last Friday off and took my first overnight ride in a long time. There is just something about getting away. My Dad used to hunt, I used to hike. And here it is nearly October. Time to go. Wednesday I looked the bike over. Tightened the chain, plugged the hole in rear tire and snapped on my new throttle widget. The Superhawk is a lot of things, but it is not a good long-distance mount. I picked up the throttle aid with hopes of curing the primary limitation to comfort: throttle hand fatigue. Previously the bike was good for about an hour before the digits started going numb. I’m pleased to say that, with the device installed, the numbness is dramatically reduced. The only negative is that the “paddle” portion of the rest naturally rotates upward as the throttle is released which has the effect of putting your front brake hand in a somewhat unnatural position. Not a bad trade off. When you turn off the highway to run down some twisties, the unit comes off in two seconds. The best of both worlds. Thursday afternoon raced by as I crammed to get my work done. Later than I hoped, but finally, I am on my way. Detroit is my first destination. Never been there. The road is reputed to be a slice of heaven and I’m not disappointed. Good fun to be had while winding through the forest and following the river. The air is clear. The Honda running well. I top off in Detroit and head south on 22. A bigger road, but smooth and curvy. As I turn to head west on 20 the sun will be setting soon. I stop for dinner in Sweet Home at a local Mexican place. Good food, good service. The lighting on the VTR is adequate. I had my tinted faceshield on, so with the high beam on I could maintain a reasonable pace. In the curves I would flip the shield up and hope that no kamikaze bugs smacked me in the face. (Note to self, bring clear shield next time.) Anyway. If you can find a motorist to follow, it’s really nice to have his lights illuminate the road ahead and just follow his tail lamps. Much easier. So it was that, with a full belly and a tired body, I chose to “slab” it the balance of the day’s trip to my hotel. In my haste to depart, I forgot my moto alarm. This left me no choice but to put my baby in a secure location. On the road at 6:00, I asked the desk clerk and the filling station attendant about my proposed route for the day. Surprisingly neither were motorcycle enthusiasts. As a result I got strange looks when I traced a small, squiggly line on my Mapquest print out that ran through the forest. Both respondents indicated that they “always take the highway to Crater Lake.” Grr. Decisions, decisions. I took the highway. It was cold and boring. “Dang, I should have stayed with my plan.” I thought to myself. And then consoled myself that I was going to see a beautiful National Park and had a full day of riding ahead of me. The sun was coming up as I turned east on the secondary highway that would take me to the lake. Here at least the scenery improved, though the road was still a bit lame. Here is also where the smoke from the forest fire really made itself apparent. If you ignored the scent, it looked like a morning fog in places. At the gate, the ranger advised me that the visibility is limited. That’s OK, I’m just doing reconnaissance for a family vacation. The lake is neat. Being at 6000 feet, the park roads are lined with 20’ poles to guide the snow plows. Beautiful country. I’d love to spend a few weeks hiking, biking and canoeing in this area. Plan is to have pizza with the family at 5:30. Time to go. East to 97 then north. But this is more interstate and my heart’s not in it. I stop and pick up a map to reevaluate my plan. I find that, if I cut diagonally northwest for about 50 miles, I could take one of those little paved forest roads, like I abandoned that morning, back up to the fun road I had ridden the night before. Lunch in Oakridge at 11:30. The “Hotshot” teams have a camp across the street. Very smoky. I do a little riding around and find “North Fork” road that will run me to 126. The route is awesome. Complete with covered bridge, old growth trees, zero traffic and a black bear. Grinning ear to ear, life is good. Very good. Back to Detroit, I top the tank again at the only station in town, down a bottle of water with a home-made blue berry bar and check the GPS. According to Garmin I should arrive home at 4:45. Perfect. Feeling somewhat refreshed, I clip off the throttle rest and rail a few sweepers. Hanging off, letting her rev; zoom, zoom. Over Pizza that night I let the laptop show the photos in a slide show as I regale the family with tales of my journey. Approximately 750 miles and my tire repair held. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-03-2009, 08:38 AM	#2
Ray Training Wheels Joined: Sep 2009 From: Portland, OR I Ride: '06 Kawa Z750S	Sounds like a sublime journey you had there. Definitely wishing I had struck out on a roll-about as well. Thanks for the tag-along. Your pictures and words really paint the scene. I feel like I was there with you. And, the bike in the hotel room is definitely something I'd have done. Your memories will surely make the Winter a bit more 'bear'-able.... __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-03-2009, 08:59 AM	#3
ulfur Pit Crew Joined: Jun 2009 From: Portland, Oregon I Ride: 08-GSXR750, 04-GSXR600	Nice looks like a sweet ride __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-03-2009, 09:37 AM	#4
Squiddly Van Dickweed Training Wheels Joined: Aug 2008 From: Oregon I Ride: Zx10r	Very nice. I did a 2000 mile solo ride through the California Serrias and coast range in early August ,so like you, my brain is full of good memories/vibes to help with our long winter. Nice report. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-03-2009, 10:36 AM	#5
RVFR Pilot in Command Joined: Dec 2005 From: Olympia, WA Blog Entries: 11 I Ride: Honda............Ducati?	Very well done. love to read about adventures like this. BTW,Great photos skills too, __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter

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10-03-2009, 10:39 AM	#6
justin86 Pit Crew Joined: Aug 2007 From: medford, OR. I Ride: 06 R1/ 06 CRF450R and single moms!	Just think about it, we could live in the mid west and have miles and miles of flat nothing. I love the pacific northwest!!! __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-03-2009, 10:45 AM	#7
r6jon Streetfighter Joined: Aug 2007 From: Salem, Oregon I Ride: 2006 R6	Nice writeup Carl, awesome roads! __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-03-2009, 06:00 PM	#8
Jeffytune Pit Crew Joined: Jul 2009 From: Beaverton I Ride: Harley FLHT	I was up there this last August, It is beautiful to ride around there for sure. I was very lucky to get there on a very clear day and the sun was lighting the lake like a neon sign. I rode home on 97, took this shot while riding. Looks like you had a great ride, I just wish i could talk more riders into taking this ride, the pictures just don't do the lake justice. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-03-2009, 07:01 PM	#9
OregonInnKeeper Newbie Joined: Jun 2009 From: Prospect, Oregon I Ride: Concours 14	Looks Like a great ride! I tried coming south on the road past Cougar lake in the spring and got turned around 35 miles into it with DEEP snow..... So I guess it is paved all the way??? Anybody know how is the road NFD21 (I think) from Toketee falls to Oakridge, is it paved? Where was the covered bridge? Been through that area several times and have not seen it. Great Brew Pub in Oakridge! Brewers Union. English trained brewmaster (Warmer beer - the right way to drink GOOD beer) and great pub grub. NOT advised if you are going to be back on the road much however. Beer is too good. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-03-2009, 07:53 PM	#10
Mountaintime Training Wheels Joined: Nov 2007 From: Vancouver, WA I Ride: V Strom	I was there last month. Always a great trip. Obligatory shot of the lake. Violating the rules. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-05-2009, 12:32 AM	#12
FZ6Rider Streetfighter Joined: Aug 2008 From: Woodburn, OR I Ride: wrecked bikes!	I did very similar trip in August with some good memories and bad as well. Great Weekend – ALMOST Some of those roads are great but you missed "the road" __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-05-2009, 03:41 AM	#13
UhOh Superbiker Joined: Apr 2006 From: Tri-Cities, WA I Ride: Hither, Thither and Yon ... mostly day rides	nice posts and thread. have yet to ride down there ... future trip looks bright __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-05-2009, 10:24 AM	#15
Desvio Streetfighter Joined: Mar 2008 From: Inner SE Portland I Ride: an 03' CBR1100XX	Fantastic ride report and pics! I'm sure in a month or two we'll all be re-reading these just to remember the warm weather riding and fun. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-05-2009, 12:40 PM	#16
DoggyDaddy Pit Crew Joined: Nov 2008 From: The end of the Volcano Evacuation Route. I Ride: The name must not be uttered in polite company.	Sounds like a great trip, nice write up and pics! Thanks for posting up! Steve __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter

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