GSP
09-05-2005, 08:04 PM
What the Hell?: A Ride Report
Day 1 (pics start on Day 2 if you're not much for reading)
One night away from home and that means two days of riding. Two *full* days. But where to go? Labour Day long weekend meant that most of BC’s too few roads would be jammed with last-chance vacationers. WA has some great roads, but it has become increasingly inundated with revenue-hungry LEOs. Fury’s last trip report had me feeling nostalgic for past tours in Oregon: a place that guarantees great roads and limited traffic in the northeast corner—even on a long weekend. My riding partner, Brian, wasn’t able to ride last year, and has had few miles this year, so slabbing it all the way to NE Oregon in one go would be a tall order. I suggested that we leave on Thursday afternoon and try for a motel somewhere past the tourist town of Leavenworth (a little too pricey for us). Having convinced my wife of the wisdom of my plan, it was decided that Brian would meet me at the Sumas crossing ~3:30pm on Thursday.
I was my usual 10-15 mins behind schedule (everything takes longer with a 3 month-old baby in the house), but 4:30 came and went without a sign of Brian. I didn’t have his cell number, and I was growing worried. An accident? Pulled over for speeding? It turns out that I was right on both counts. :laughing Fortunately, the accident was a minor fender-bender in his cage and the ticket turned into a warning. “I don’t want to ruin your vacation” said the officer. If that luck would only hold…
Following an uneventful crossing, we set off to the south on Hwy 9, two (precious daylight) hours behind schedule. Traffic became increasingly heavy as we neared Seattle. Surely, others were also seeking a head start on the long weekend. As the daylight waned, it became apparent that any crossing of Stevens Pass today would be done in the dark. It was an easy decision to hole up at the Dutch Cup motel in Sultan, only 200km into our ride. I miss the big PIAA driving lamps on my old bike.
Day 1 (pics start on Day 2 if you're not much for reading)
One night away from home and that means two days of riding. Two *full* days. But where to go? Labour Day long weekend meant that most of BC’s too few roads would be jammed with last-chance vacationers. WA has some great roads, but it has become increasingly inundated with revenue-hungry LEOs. Fury’s last trip report had me feeling nostalgic for past tours in Oregon: a place that guarantees great roads and limited traffic in the northeast corner—even on a long weekend. My riding partner, Brian, wasn’t able to ride last year, and has had few miles this year, so slabbing it all the way to NE Oregon in one go would be a tall order. I suggested that we leave on Thursday afternoon and try for a motel somewhere past the tourist town of Leavenworth (a little too pricey for us). Having convinced my wife of the wisdom of my plan, it was decided that Brian would meet me at the Sumas crossing ~3:30pm on Thursday.
I was my usual 10-15 mins behind schedule (everything takes longer with a 3 month-old baby in the house), but 4:30 came and went without a sign of Brian. I didn’t have his cell number, and I was growing worried. An accident? Pulled over for speeding? It turns out that I was right on both counts. :laughing Fortunately, the accident was a minor fender-bender in his cage and the ticket turned into a warning. “I don’t want to ruin your vacation” said the officer. If that luck would only hold…
Following an uneventful crossing, we set off to the south on Hwy 9, two (precious daylight) hours behind schedule. Traffic became increasingly heavy as we neared Seattle. Surely, others were also seeking a head start on the long weekend. As the daylight waned, it became apparent that any crossing of Stevens Pass today would be done in the dark. It was an easy decision to hole up at the Dutch Cup motel in Sultan, only 200km into our ride. I miss the big PIAA driving lamps on my old bike.