Oregon Trip Report

[n10sive]

Thought I would post up my epic journey report as I don't have much else going on today (thanks weather)

Left last Saturday...in the rain I was thinking of all of you (especially Jerome) as I was riding up 395 in the down pour! It rained all the way to Susanville. Temps got down to mid 40's and the wind north of Reno was pretty strong so it was a mite chilly. I took 36/44/89 up to McCloud where 89 meets the 5. It's a very pretty ride with light traffic. Finally hit sun in southern Oregon.

Slabbed it up I-5 to complete my journey just North of Roseburg (mid-central Oregon). Just north of Grants Pass, there is an area called Canyonville. The highway makes a bunch of really nice banked sweepers there with 'cautionary' 45 mph speed limit. Well....I was having a little fun an 'rolling on' the throttle through the turns and playing trackday when BAM! Oregon State Police right at the bottom  Cop asked me the usual "you know how fast you were doing?" where I responded "No, but you did catch me having a little fun!" He wasn't impressed. Seemed more interested in if I was carrying weapons or other stuff. He was very twitchy. He asked me for my drivers license so I went to pull it out of my jacket and he leaned over my bike and grabbed me all freaked out and patted me down. Like I said...very twitchy. Must have been a rookie Anyway...after more 'get your hands away from your waste band...don't do this...don't do that' he came back to me and the bike and said "The fine for doing 80mph in a 65 zone is $240....but this is your lucky day. I only issue one warning a day and it's close to the end of my shift so you are getting it". *jumps up and down with joy*!!!! So dodged a bullet. Thanks Officer Twitch.

So made my 500 mile journey in a little over 8 hrs. Pulled up to my friends house and drank a bunch of wine and ate some good food. The next day traveled the rest of the way to my dads house.

Spent the week on his ranch in one of the prettiest places a person can be. Very isolated location so no internet, cell phones or other distractions. Since he has cancer, he cannot work his property like he used to so I go up and help him out. Spent the week mowing, weeding, trimming trees, painting and other maintenance things around the place. Felt good to be able to help him.

Rode back yesterday...you guessed it...in the RAIN AGAIN!  I stopped in Weed to get gas before the trek back down 89. Planned on stopping in Susanville for a break, but it rained for about 200 miles so far and I was feeling pretty good so I just kept motoring along. Thought I would stop at Honey Lake rest area...but kept going. Thought I would stop at Portola Junction...but kept going. Thought I would stop in Reno...but kept going. Next think you know, I was home in Gardnerville, on fumes and a shade under 300 miles without stopping! Was a record for my butt! LOL Made it home this time in just over 7 hrs.

All in all it was a great trip. Riding distance on the bike is quite the experience. It's very relaxing and the feeling of freedom is very cool.

I finally found the trick for riding distances! Forget all those fancy riding undergarments. A pair of Under Armor boxer/briefs and some Gold Bond powder to keep the ol' fanny dry works really well! And no seams in the pants! I finally got  the dreaded Monkey Butt after 300 miles. Last time I did this ride wearing regular pants with seams I was tired and had to stop every hour to walk.

Will be doing this again mid summer...and already looking forward to it

[Sheldontoxicman]

Sounds like a fun trip. Save the rain. 

[Dragone]

Congrats on the ride time and the visit.  I pulled the Oyster Run in 06 on the 10r and back in 3 days, I thought that I was going to fall over.  Still hurts to remember it.  lol

[yzinger]

Hey that sounds awesome! I am really looking forward to my handful of trips up there this summer. june 24 to eugene, july 11 to salem/portland, and august 14ish to salem portland and eugene. I am strongly considering moving up there. If you need a riding partner for your next adventure hit me up!

[n10sive]

Hey that sounds awesome! I am really looking forward to my handful of trips up there this summer. june 24 to eugene, july 11 to salem/portland, and august 14ish to salem portland and eugene. I am strongly considering moving up there. If you need a riding partner for your next adventure hit me up!

Yeah...I'll keep you in mind on the next trip. I was thinking about August or September for the next one. I'll hit you up when I finally figure out when I will go again!

[Justin]

I've got a great image of your dad's ranch in my head.  I'm glad you had the opportunity to be up there with him AND to help out.  You're a good son.
Justino

[n10sive]

I've got a great image of your dad's ranch in my head.  I'm glad you had the opportunity to be up there with him AND to help out.  You're a good son.
Justino

Thx Justino. Here are some pix I'll share

Letting Dad pose by my bike. He used to ride Harley's and was in a club in his younger years.


The 'new' house and whats left of part of the old house (used to live in that shack as a kid). LOTS of lawn to mow 


The 'Creek' behind the house. When my grandfather had this place, we used to have to bath in this creek before he got electricity.


Dad looking for a friends house. We took a short cut over some logging roads to the next town.

[Justin]

It's more beautiful than I pictured.  There's a lot more water. I've never seen any part of the pac-northwest, I definitely want to go, but I won't be bathing in any creeks.  FRIO!  Does anyone still stay in the old house?
When was the property first settled? Your dad's dad would be too young to be the first.  Where did they come from?
Sorry I have so many questions!

[n10sive]

LOL. It's ok.

My grandfather retired to here in 1960. It was a lumber camp at the turn of the century 18 miles by logging road and train out of a small town. It's got a real road and more houses in the area these days. There were two "bunk houses" on the property. The one little shack is one of the originals. I used to live in this one during the summers when visiting. There was originally no electricity or running water when I was little so we carried up water to heat on the wood stove. When the water was warm enough we just bathed in the creek. Eventually they got all the modern amenities.  My grandfather had his own garden and cattle so he was really self sufficient here. When my dad took the place over after he retired, his wife (now deceased) didn't like the old bunkhouse so they tore it down and put the double wide on it. My dad also didn't do cattle so he took down all the fencing and turned the place into a park like setting (hence all the lawn to mow now). He did keep the one building to use as a guest room and work shop. My grandfather used part of it as a cattle shed. I slept in one room and the cows in the other! LOL

It's still a very special place for me to go and relax and get away from things. When he passes, it will become mine, and I am torn as to what to do with it. I have been bringing my grandson and sons there now so there will be 5 generations of family that have enjoyed it, but I am too far away from retirement and I couldn't move there to take care of it. Hoping and praying that I can work something out when the time comes.

You really should visit the PNW some day. It is truly a beautiful place if you love lush green forests. Of course, it is beautiful out where you live too (been there also). Around his area is all Jeffrey Pine, Red Cedar, and Maple. The area is also becoming really popular with the Wine industry and new wineries are popping up right and left.

[yzinger]

If I end up moving up there you will have an SSA member nearby if you needed someone to keep an eye on it!

[Justin]

Maybe we can do a SSA-PNW group ride?  I'd definitely go.

[n10sive]

I posted up last year of my ride back via Crater Lake. Took some back roads that were nice and twisty and didn't see a car for over 2 hrs at one point. Was awesome!

If you get your butt back here, I will definitely haul you up with me. And yzinger too.

[z1rider]

Awesome trip and nice pics!

[Grey Goat]

Hey n10sive & yzinger ... let me know if you ever make it over to the NorCal or SoOre coast.  I'm in Gold Beach (where the Rogue meets the Pacific), and am always itching to ride with my SSA buds.  Also know of some nice twisties through the mid-cascades, so you can avoid OSP issues.  Give me a call at 541-698-7477 or email goldbeachcomber@yahoo.com if any of you are scootering near my neighborhood!

[Justin]

N10sive, ALL i have to do is get my butt back there for you to escort me up to the PNW? Seriously???