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Travelling, Friends, and Trips
Started by Wootersen at 06-14-2010 6:27 PM. Topic has 8 replies.
  
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 06-14-2010, 6:27 PM
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Wootersen
 
Joined on 04-04-2010
P-Town, Oregon
Posts 73
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Tour of Mt. Hood National Forest
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I wasn't too optimistic this morning when I woke up and saw that it was overcast, but having worked the last 11 days straight, I knew this was my one chance to ride. I decided to head east with no particular destination.
From my home in SE Portland I took Foster Road out to Damascus, Then Hwy 212, 232nd to 224 and found myself headed in the direction of Estacada. It was pretty cool this morning so by the time I got to Estacada I was looking for a nice pit stop for lunch. A miracle happened during lunch and the sun came out from behind the clouds. It was all the motivation I needed to continue East.
My first pit stop was here.
This is about ten miles outside of Estacada on the Clackamas river. The river's a beautiful steelhead green right now, but I don't think the fish make it up this far. Pretty popular with the rafting crowd even though it's considered to be pretty tame.
The road follows the Clackamas river for another fifteen miles or so and then splits. You can go another 60 miles to Detroit Lake or head up the hill towards Mt. Hood. My Derrierre was telling me not to add another 120 miles of riding to the trip so me and big thunder took a left up the hill.
About ten miles of twisties and paved roads and then passed by the turn off to Harriett lake. I hadn't been to the lake for a few years and I knew it was only about two miles off the road so big thunder and I decided to turn left.
The lake was packed with fisher people all showcasing their 8" trout. I didn't bring the rod and reel today, otherwise I'd have probably taken a brief hiatus from riding to get a line wet.
Back down the gravel road to the main paved road. I've driven this road in the truck a million times on the way to Timothy Lake. The road to Timothy splits off from the paved road and you have about 7 miles of gravel road that's usually pretty rutted. Big thunder objected to that much gravel road and I didn't argue so we continued on the paved road and trudged up the hill. I had heard rumors from other motorcycle guys about this place called High Rock. I guess the view is incredible, so we set out in search of High Rock.
Big Thunder had been running pretty warm so she made an executive decision to cool down for a little and pose for pics. I took it as an opportunity to power nap in the grass for a few. Satisfied with the view, I decided to continue up the hill aways.
However, I didn't get too far.
I've been pretty impressed with the GL so far, but we were clearly out of our element with the snow and all. I happened to have cell reception for a brief moment, so just for sh*ts and giggles I mapquested the route back home. I realized that we were about 70 miles from home and based on the way my derierre was feeling we took off down the mountain.
The mountain did not disappoint with lots of twisty roads and no weekend traffic I was able to have some fun dodging ground squirrels all the way down.
On the way back we stopped for a quick break at the river.
After that it was time to get back to reality and head home. All told it was about 140 miles round trip. My longest ride so far. I've decided that the bike is a lot more comfortable at 55 miles per hour than I am, and it no longer makes me nervous to drive at higher RPM's. In fact, I find I prefer it. When I first bought the bike I was keeping it around 3000 rpms. Now I find I have a lot better throttle control when I keep it between 4 and 6000. The crosswinds still make me nervous at higher speeds, but if I stay loose and don't death grip the handlebars I do OK.
1981 Honda GL500 - 32.000 miles. Purchased off of Craigslist for $100 and used primarily for committing felonies.
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06-14-2010, 6:48 PM
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DaveF
Joined on 06-11-2008
Lawrenceville, GA
Posts 1,232
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Re: Tour of Mt. Hood National Forest
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Great report and excellent photos! 
Thanks for sharing.
My Web Site
1982 GL500
1983 GL650
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06-14-2010, 7:00 PM
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Montana Clifford
Joined on 01-01-2010
Missoula, Montana USA
Posts 140
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Re: Tour of Mt. Hood National Forest
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Nice pictures. When I was in Oregon 6-5 to see the son in Keizer, I thought of you guys & your upcoming rides. I was on 205 south bound, passing Mt. Scott and Clackamas Town Square. Was picturing in my mind some nice rides east of there. A Mount Hood loop would be great.
I think my CX is brown. That is what the title says. Anyway, I would have to clean and polish it up first, to look like your bike. But beneath the Montana dirt, is good old Oregon dirt. With small spots of Kelso and Boise dust. There used to be some Oregon and California Highway 101 dirt, but the frequent wind and rain washed itself clean when down there.
:D
1980 Honda CX500 Custom "Blackie"
1979 Honda CX500 Deluxe "Whitie" rebuild project
1978 VW Camper ASI/Riviera Plan 1 MP (Money-Pit)
1974 VW Super Beetle FUGLY 1915cc Screamer
2000 Chevy Express Van "Great White" Tow Vehicle
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06-14-2010, 7:14 PM
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Wootersen
Joined on 04-04-2010
P-Town, Oregon
Posts 73
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Re: Tour of Mt. Hood National Forest
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 Montana Clifford wrote: | | Nice pictures. When I was in Oregon 6-5 to see the son in Keizer, I thought of you guys & your upcoming rides. I was on 205 south bound, passing Mt. Scott and Clackamas Town Square. Was picturing in my mind some nice rides east of there. A Mount Hood loop would be great.
I think my CX is brown. That is what the title says. Anyway, I would have to clean and polish it up first, to look like your bike. But beneath the Montana dirt, is good old Oregon dirt. With small spots of Kelso and Boise dust. There used to be some Oregon and California Highway 101 dirt, but the frequent wind and rain washed itself clean when down there.
:D |
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Sounds like your bike is properly "seasoned". Whatever you do, don't wash it !
1981 Honda GL500 - 32.000 miles. Purchased off of Craigslist for $100 and used primarily for committing felonies.
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06-14-2010, 8:58 PM
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mr. softie
Joined on 03-14-2009
Beautiful Bucks County PA... I ride a 83 GL650I
Posts 663
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Re: Tour of Mt. Hood National Forest
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Thanks for sharing your ride with us. You got the scenery out there for sure.
May the wind always be at your back and the sun overhead as you make your way down the ever winding, smoothly paved, traffic free road!
Si fractum non sit, noli id reficere.
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06-15-2010, 7:04 AM
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ramprat06
Joined on 03-22-2006
Vancouver WA USA
Posts 361
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Re: Tour of Mt. Hood National Forest
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Nice report Wootersen. We are blessed with a nice share of God's country, are we not?
Joel in the Couve
May the multitude of wheels in your head always control the two wheels between your legs.
1982 CX500 custom. 99% stock.
3rd owner
New to me, Spring '03 ~7k miles
Now, ~23k miles
Age 55
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06-15-2010, 8:46 AM
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Wootersen
Joined on 04-04-2010
P-Town, Oregon
Posts 73
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Re: Tour of Mt. Hood National Forest
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| ramprat06 wrote: | We are blessed with a nice share of God's country, are we not?
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Joel, I wouldn't live anywhere else in the world than right here in Pacific NW. The beach an hour to the west, mountains like this an hour to the right. Keep driving a little bit and you come across some of the most spectactular high desert country you've ever seen. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure their is lots to see in this world. I've just never felt the need to explore to far from home. Too much to see here.
Are you gonna be able to sneak out and join us tonight ?
1981 Honda GL500 - 32.000 miles. Purchased off of Craigslist for $100 and used primarily for committing felonies.
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06-15-2010, 9:57 AM
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ramprat06
Joined on 03-22-2006
Vancouver WA USA
Posts 361
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Re: Tour of Mt. Hood National Forest
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Agreed, I haven't done much traveling outside our area either, save for a few, but never farther east than Denver, and that was a fly-by.
As for tonite, I will hope the "mood" allows it..... 
May the multitude of wheels in your head always control the two wheels between your legs.
1982 CX500 custom. 99% stock.
3rd owner
New to me, Spring '03 ~7k miles
Now, ~23k miles
Age 55
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06-23-2010, 1:54 PM
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Northland
Joined on 03-26-2010
N.W WISCONSIN USA
Posts 237
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Re: Tour of Mt. Hood National Forest
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Very nice !!
I still remember sking up at hood in early august, my midwest lungs and legs were on fire from the altitude and the sunburn was incredible !!!!
The water down in the gorge was a real relief when we sailed later that day !!!!
Very cool area for sure !
82 SILVERWING INTERSTATE
98 Honda F3 87 Yamaha TZR250 85 Yamaha XT350
Down the long and winding road.........on a route less traveled.......ridden by only a few.
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Honda CX500 & G... » CX500 GL500 Tra... » Travelling, Fri... » Re: Tour of Mt. Hood National Forest
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