On Saturday SpartanBabe (aka Meg who just bought a Triumph America) came to join us at coffee and we discussed a possible ride for Sunday if the weather was nice.
Sunday dawned with nothing but blue skies and the promise of warm temperatures. Just before 9:00 am SpartanBabe sent us a text message stating she would be ready to roll at 11:30 am. I sent her a message back and let her know we'd meet her at her house. She was planning on riding around the east side of the valley and that suited us fine since we were having trouble coming up with ideas for a route.
Troubadour led me though the back roads for about 24 miles and we arrived with a few minutes to spare. Troubadour parked in the driveway, but because of the incline I opted for parking at the end of the driveway since we were at the end of a cul-de-sac and I knew there wouldn't be any traffic.
Here is Max all by himself at the end of the driveway.
Soon enough we were off. Troubadour and SpartanBabe both needed fuel so we stopped at the Safeway petrol station. I managed to snap a few more pics.
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We headed east and turned this way and that, went south for a while along the river then east some more, then north a little. I can't really tell you exactly where we were as I had no clue for most of the day. I don't know much about the back roads on that side of the valley. It is a good thing that SpartanBabe was gracious and led the way.
At one point she made a slight detour because she thought I'd be interested in a local covered bridge. She was right.
The Thomas Creek (Shimanek) covered bridge.
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| (Thomas Creek - Shimanek Covered Bridge) |
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Oregon has the largest collections of covered bridges in the west and one of the largest in the nation. For more information on the names and locations of our covered bridges please click this ---> link.
I also took a few other pictures while stopped.
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| (Notice how the Suzuki has to trail the Triumphs ....... kidding ...... I swept by choice) |
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| (wide angle to show some terrain) |
This was the last stop of the ride. We looped around and ended back at SpartanBabe's house. I think it was about 2:00 pm. From there we headed home.
Round trip for us was 125 miles. Not a long ride, but is sure was nice to be out in the sunshine. A lot of other folks must have had the same idea as we saw a lot of other riders on the road.
When we arrived home the thermometer said it was 68˚F (20˚C) in the back yard in the shade. We decided it was a perfect time to relax on the deck and just enjoy the warm weather for a bit.
This weekend is looking to be another warm one. Fingers are crossed for some more riding.
- Au Revoir
"Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink the wild air." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Looks like a good days riding. Why do those bridges have a roof covers on them?
ReplyDeleteI think they built so many covered bridges because of the humidity and freezing fog in Oregon. The bridges get extremely slippery (especially ones with wooden decks) with the cold air rushing not just above them but under them too. I think the covers helped to insulate and protect them from the elements.
DeleteChillertek beat me to the question, but that sounds like a plausible explanation. I still remember seeing the Clint Eastwood movie "Bridges of Maddison county" waaay back in the day. I am looking forward to actually seeing some later this year.
DeleteThanks for the map Trobairitz.
Are you saying you are heading across the pond and will be in the vicinity of our fair state? If you are feel free to email and let us know. We'll buy you a pint of your beverage of choice!
DeleteOh, wow. Great shots. And yay for SpartanBabe joining the ranks. That's a very unique (to me) and pretty covered bridge. Those side vents look like the ends of a tobacco barn. Your terrain looks quite nice. And I love the blue and white on Max.
ReplyDeleteSpartanBabe stepped up from a little Suzuki GZ 250 to the Triumph and is really loving it. It is is nice to have some power to go over the hills.
DeleteI don't think I've ever seen a tobacco barn, but it is cool the bridge looks like one. It was nice riding some roads we hadn't been on before.
Max thanks you for the compliment. I think it is a striking combination - the blue and white.
Trobairitz:
ReplyDeleteI have yet to see a covered bridge. I know they exist but somebody hid all of them. I like riding last, I get to enjoy the scenery and just follow. It was great to be able to ride without getting cold. Our weekend was really pleasant too
bob
Riding the Wet Coast // My Flickr
Never seen a covered bridge? We're going to have to fix that for you in July. We'll coax them out of hiding.
DeleteI agree, was nice not to be cold when riding. We took the heated liners out of jackets. That was a treat.
Rains came back today. Time for more soup. Homemade Creamy Broccoli for dinner tonight (with vegan 'cheddar' on top)
Trobairitz:
DeleteI'm thinking . . . I'm thinking. Thoughts ringing in my head "is 8 hours worth a bowl of Homemade Creamy Brocolli soup with Cheddar on top ?"
bob
Riding the Wet Coast // My Flickr
With gas prices that would be an expensive bowl of soup.
DeleteI could hook you up with the recipe though. It is the easiest and tastiest one I've found. Troubadour gives it two thumbs up.
Nice covered bridge shot. I saw a lot of them in PA around Lancaster but I don't remember seeing many in OR. I guess I am always on the wrong roads.
ReplyDeleteBTW, made the potato-onion soup (carnivore version) and turned out great. Thank you.
There are a lot of covered bridges in Oregon but they seemed to be grouped in certain counties.
DeleteGlad you liked the soup. So far you are the only one I know of that made it.
Is it nice to sit back and let someone else lead the ride every so often? Get to enjoy the scenery without agonizing over a map or GPS on which turn to take next. ;)
ReplyDeleteLovely looking day, and good compatriots. I too love the vents in the bridge. Nice look.
Yeah, I like to putter around in the back especially when I don't know the route. It gives me more warning when making sudden turns, etc. It was a good day.
DeleteYears ago on a cross country drive, I took a detour off the interstate to see some covered bridges in Winterset Iowa. Very quaint and photogenic.
ReplyDeleteThey are a big attraction here. People do covered bridge tours. One person on our local forum even went so far as to take a picture of his motorcycle with every covered bridge in Oregon. That is a lot.
DeleteI have never seen a covered bridge before, we don't have them here in BC. Looks like it was a gorgeous ride! I like spartangirls jacket, can you find out for me the brand & style? Of course I love the pink!
ReplyDeleteAnother that hasn't seen a covered bridge? I grew up in Keremeos in the Okanagan of BC and we had the 'red bridge' which is a covered bridge over the Similkameen river. http://www.ourbc.com/travel_bc/bc_cities/thompson_okanagan/keremeos.htm
DeleteSpartanBabe is wearing a Joe Rocket Luna 2.0 jacket in fuschia/black. Here is a link to the jacket on Revzilla:
http://www.revzilla.com/product/joe-rocket-womens-luna-20-jacket
Ah, finally, it's riding season. I am a tiny bit envious... ah wait no, I just returned from California, and have no right to complain ;-) Not much riding but otherwise we also had great Non-Easter holidays.
ReplyDeleteCalifornia? Awesome. I bet that was a fun trip. I can't wait to read your trip reports.
DeleteJust beautiful. Thanks for taking me along, even on my little Metro. The OR landscape is never boring and I can just feel being back there. What's the scoop on Monmouth? My sister's grad schooling was up there. It used to be a tiny town.
ReplyDeleteMonmouth is probably bigger than it used to be, we don't go up that way much except to pass though. The police academy is still up there as well as Western Oregon University. One day I'll use that question as an excuse for a ride and take some pictures for you.
DeleteThanks! I hope it's a nice enough ride with some reward for you at the end of it!
ReplyDeleteI think it is 18 miles so pretty easy straight up Hwy 99W but in close vicinity to the twisties of Kings Valley Highway. As long as there is a coffee shop, there is reward enough, well that and bringing a smile to your face too.
DeletePS- Re the challenge you suggested of what's in our cars...I think Bob shut that idea down. :^( (yea, yea, blame Bob)
ReplyDelete