2012 - IMBC - Day Four - Homeward Bound

.

Day Four - Monday July 23, 2012

Homeward Bound

We set the alarm to get up early on Monday.  Knowing you have about 450 miles to ride before getting home will get you out of bed promptly.

We went down to the continental breakfast for, you guessed it, another bagel with crappy peanut butter.

Everything was packed and ready for departure.  When Troubadour went to take the saddle bags out to the bike he noticed Bobskoot had arrived.  He was thinking of heading West and wanted to ride along. The more the merrier.

Bobskoot mentioned he needed some breakfast so we directed him down to the continental one at the hotel.  For the amount we ate we figured he could eat some and it still wouldn't come close to what others were eating.

(Bob and his pilfered breakfast)

We left the hotel at 7:00 am and were low on fuel so headed the one mile into Enterprise to fill the bikes.  We headed to La Grande then turned south on I-84 to Baker City.  We figured that would be the quickest most direct route home.

It was overcast and damn chilly.  I had my yoga pants on under my riding pants as well as my warmest t-shirt.  I wondered why I didn't think to pack a long sleeved one.  I didn't have my winter gauntlet riding gloves either, just my summer mesh ones.  They were fine as I could turn the grips on high, but the wind whistled up my jacket sleeves.

We stopped in Baker City for fuel and we were going to have a snack at the bakery but no such luck. We took a few pics while stopped in front of the bakery and watch some old time cars go by.  

(Photo courtesy of Troubadour)

Hubby also snapped a picture of me.  I decided to include it even though he's already posted it.  It isn't often I actually like a picture taken of me, but didn't think this one was too bad.

(Happy the sun has decided to shine)

We pointed the bikes towards John Day.  We stopped there for fuel and to enjoy the sunshine.  We were finally starting to warm up.  We all decided to have a snack.  Bob partook of a burrito he purchased in the mini-mart and Troubadour and I shared a package of Flat Bananas from Trader Joe's and some trail mix (stuff we'd brought from home).

We decided daylight was wasting and saddled up once again heading west.  We were a little out of John Day when Troubadour pulled over at the "John Day Fossil Beds Mascall Overlook."

(Looking northwest)

(Looking northeast)

(Looking North - the highway cutting across the valley floor)

(Interpretive sign)

( A close-up of the rimrock that used to be the valley floor millions of years ago)

And of course a few people pics were taken while we enjoyed the sunshine.

(Bobskoot)

(Troubadour)

(Troubadour and Bobskoot)

(Getting ready to suit up again)

(How did he get behind me so quick)

(Max soaking up the sunshine)

(A view to the east in Max's mirror)

(I managed to get all three of us in the reflection)

We continued on our way through Prineville and into Redmond.  We stopped one last time for fuel at the busiest gas station we'd encountered over the last four days then headed to Starbucks.

*  I learned in Redmond that when I have the clutch pulled in I cannot reach my turn signal - I get the damn horn every time.  Was funny the first time, not so much after about the third.

We went into Starbucks and sat in the nice air conditioning. Bobskoot treated us to an iced cold yummy coffee and I introduced him to Black Tea Lemonade.   We sat and relaxed and visited for a minute.  We knew we'd be saying goodbye at this point as Bob was heading south to Bend and we were heading west towards home.  We knew we were chasing daylight but at the same time, no one really wanted to go and say goodbye.

Eventually we wandered out to the parking lot and suited back up.  Hugs were given all around with promises to see Bobskoot later in the week if he got bored.  He knew he had a place to stay in Corvallis - and it had free wi-fi.

As you've probably read in Troubadours post - traffic was not pleasant between Sisters and the Junctions.  At least I knew I could reach my horn when the sports car decided he needed by me in my lane.  And Bobskoot can tell you our speed hadn't been slow all day, this guy must just have been in a hurry.

After my triple espresso I expected to have to stop at the Tombstone Pass to use the facilities but as we got closer I radioed Troubadour and let him know I didn't need to and to only stop if he needed to go.  He went zooming on by.  

We made our way down to the valley floor and encountered really strong headwinds from Sweet Home to our house (32 miles).  From Redmond on it was a long 126 mile stretch with no stopping, but we had home on the brain.

We made it home by 7:00 pm - a twelve hour day on the bikes.  The most I'd ever ridden in one day.  My knees and butt were sore for days after and I have a sunburn stripe just up from my wrists where my gloves ended and my jacket sleeves were blowing up.  The stripes still haven't faded.

Odometer start of Day Four:  6121

Odometer end of Day Four:   6589

Total miles for Day Four:        468 miles (753 km)

Staring odometer for the trip:  5544
Ending odometer for the trip:  6589
Miles ridden last weekend:      1045 miles (1681.7 km)

*  I learned that when you speedometer is out at higher speeds so too will your odometer be out.  My odometer shows 1045 miles ridden while Troubadour's showed only 1011.  I think there is a ripple in the space time continuum.

In summary I'd like to say a huge thank you to all of the attendees for making the 2012 IMBC such a success.  I think we all had a great time and it was so good to get together and meet everyone.  I learned a lot and I am excited and look forward to the next one.

And on a side note - this is my 300th post - who knew I would keep at this for so long.  Thank you to all who read my ramblings and especially to those who comment.  I always enjoy reading thoughts from the peanut gallery.

Until next time.....

- Au Revoir

"The course of life in unpredictable....... no one can write his autobiography in advance." - Abraham Joshua Heschel

.