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"ROAD TRIPS" by THE OLD SQUID |
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Email this page to a friend Previous columnsThe Shroud of Sport Tourin |
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"Road Trips" by The Old Squid
The Shroud of Sport Tourin
My son graduated from high school this year and as a present, I agreed to take him on a Road Trip. His first longer than 100 miles. This would be to Monterey California for the World Super Bike races at Laguna Seca and by the time we finished, we would travel 2800 miles. Just a little road trip! Of course, I would have to go with him to solve problems, give advice...and pay for everything. But what are Dad's for? and the sacrifice! Giving up 2 weeks of my summer! Dang, I guess someone has to do it. We spent the night before going over our packing jobs. Me dispensing advice. Nat patiently ignoring all he could. I would go on my '97 Honda CBR1100XX. A very fast, long legged, sport bike. Nat would ride his older 1988 CBR600. I worried some about his bike. It was smaller and somewhat fragile I felt. The cam chain was noisy. The rear tire worn and even though I had ordered one with time to spare, it hadnÕt come in yet. I put new plugs in the 600 and used a new torque wrench to carefully tighten them down. I changed the oil, sprockets, and drive chain. I changed the front tire and tried to tell myself that the rear was "pretty good, really!" Nat's been riding 3 years now and I knew he could keep up if I drove only briskly instead of my usual pace. I tend to drive aggressively...OK, sometimes stupidly fast. He does well in corners but can't pass as quickly as I do as he lacks the power and experience to feel comfortable blasting around cars. I told him that this was just fine and that if I got ahead, I would always wait. I didn't want him to feel like he had to show off or keep up. As it turned out, I didn't have to worry. He's a good rider with way more common sense than I had at his age. He musta got that from his Mom. To avoid the I-5 snarls, we went down Whidbey Island and over to the Olympic peninsula as we headed south on Saturday, July 6th. We were only going to Vancouver the first night and didn't need to hurry. An easy 250 mile break in. I spent a lot of time watching him in my mirror, making sure he was alright. Sunday, we went east on Hwy. #14. This is on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge. Cool at first, it starts to cook by the time we get to Maryhill and take the requisite "sacrifice" picture on the alter of the full scale Stonehenge replica an eccentric businessman had built there in the last part of the 1800's. Across the river into Oregon at Bigg's Junction and lunch in Wasco on Hwy 97. We wanted to ride some back roads but fuel on a Sunday in a couple of small towns was problematical so we pushed on to Bend. Old Squids travel tip #1: The temperature went up so I take off my jacket and ride in shirt sleeves. Up ahead I see a small rain cloud dragging the tattered hem of her shower across the road. Hot desert air contrasts with luke warm rain then YEOW! That's hail in that shower and at 80 mph it Hurts!
OS travel tip #2: From my sisters place in Bend Oregon we headed south towards Crater Lake. We also met up with my partner in traffic violations Denny on his new Aprilla Mille R. This is a serious, high-end sport bike. Denny and I are a bad influence on each other as we always ride faster together than when alone. We have equal experience, fast bikes and a craving for speed. I tried to keep it down for Nat but found myself wicking it up at times to play. On the way out of Bend, we sidetracked up to Newberry Crater on a fabulous road. Sweeping turns though high mountain air. Very little traffic. Soon the bikes were scratching out to the edge of the tires and my pegs were dragging the asphalt. At the top of this (yet another of Oregon's) water filled volcanos we stopped for lunch at the little cafe by East Paulina Lake.
OS traveltip #3: Crater Lake was next and the road that led to it was the straightest, longest hill IÕve ever seen. #191 is absolutely straight for 19 miles all the way up to the pass! On a map it looks boring but in reality, it was exciting to see that long strip of asphalt rolled out ahead of us. At the top, Crater Lake was every bit as pretty as expected and well worth the side trip. We should have spent more time though we were there a long time compared to one couple who rolled up on their Harley, jumped off and took a picture, and left! In the brief conversation I had with her, she said that they were to be in Montana that night and back home in Kansas in 5 days. This to include Yellowstone, the Tetons, and the Blackhills! Holy whirlwind Batman! I felt so pedestrian as we eased down the mountain into the heat and headed for Grants Pass. |
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