Then then there were three (less). One person out with flu, another had a technical issue with their bike and a third simply decided to pass.
Myself, I’m going. Tank bag arrived today. Smaller than I expected. HOWEVER, it seems well constructed and for a day bag.. I think it will be perfect. The SW-Motec mounting system is SLICK! I’m going to order a second larger bag for touring, and maybe I’ll upgrade to the 12v powered plate too.
A review on my new gear, new tank bag and the prospect of a weekend of riding with only a small tail pack and a smaller tank bag will work out.
If the bag arrives as scheduled and I don’t run into an installation issues, I’ll be headed for Kamloops B.C. very early Saturday morning.
Two day ride up to Kamloops, BC from Federal Way area and back. Stay the night in Kamloops and ride back with a few stops along the way. Approx. 11 hours each day.
When: June 6 & 7
Pace: Moderate, depending upon leg lead
Comments:
Experienced alternating leads to keep everyone engaged. Specific legs TBD.
Passport or Enhanced Driver’s license required, we’re going to Canada eh?
General Route – 300+ miles. Group is planning 11 hours travel time each direction.
It’s about time. Sunny skies all weekend, temps broke into the 70’s (pretty good for us on most any day!). For me, it was a weekend of busy work around the house, husting kids around too and fro…. but.. I did mange to squeeze in a nice ride before the weekend was out. An BOY was it worth it!
Bremerton 7:00PM
Rolled out of the garage, topped off the tank (1.9 gallons of high-test) and pointed west. At this time of year, the sun is starting to say up well into the evening, leaving decent enough light for riding, even with a motorcycle headlamp, until at least 9:00PM. This left me 2 hours of fun.
About 1/3 of the way into my ride, I was pleased to discover that Bear Creak – Dewatto Road was once again open. The storms of 2007/2008 knocked it out (along with a number of other roads), and it had been closed all summer. It’s a fine little ribbon with little to no traffic. It’s also provides some very nice views of the Olympic Mountains as you meander along the ridge, once you get there.
Looking West towards Olympic National Park
There are not many places along the road to stop, and some of the best vistas are simply too dangerous to stop and photograph (unless you like being run down by a random pickup truck). I was able to stop and snap this photo at the intersection of Bear Creek and Tahuya-Blacksmith.
Olympics at sunset.
One last photo, from the same location. That neat little ribbon of road, and at least to me, a bit of the isolating sense of being out in this part of the county.
27 miles West of town.
It’s days like these that I’m happy to live out here, on the edge of the ‘civilization’ as some would call it. Great pieces of road, hardly offended by slow movers or Sherriff’s sniping with RADAR for tickets. Just a man, a machine and some free time. This is one of those incredible joys that makes my life so special to me.
I can feel the darkness of winter finally melting away.
