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Monday, July 30, 2012

2012 - IMBC - Day Four - Homeward Bound

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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
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31 comments:

  1. Trobairitz:

    I am still saddened when I think of our parting at Starbucks that day. I watched the two of you riding out of the parking lot and thought that now I am alone and homeless for the night in a strange city. It was a great day which also brings good memories and I hope we can do it again soon.

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast
    My Flickr // My YouTube

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    1. Awwww, we miss you too Bob. You and Mrs. Skoot are welcome to stop by anytime.

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    2. Trobairitz:

      I can never think of wise things to say until after I click the Publish button but I just had to chime in and say this . . .

      I was very glad to be your surrogate EATER

      bob
      Riding the Wet Coast
      My Flickr // My YouTube

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    3. Whenever there are scrambled eggs around - feel free to eat my portion Bob.

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  2. Nice pictures. I was looking through my photos and realized that I didn't take enough. I also learned a lot during the IMBC especially when following Erik or Troubadour. I had lots of time to practice on the way home.

    The speedometer on my bike seems to be all over the place. Usually reading high but not a consistent percentage or amount. After the new rear tire was installed, it was much closer. I relied more on the GPS as a speedometer especially in Canada.

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    1. Thanks Richard. I don't think we took enough either. I am wishing I had more from our meals together and also the day in Joseph while sitting and relaxing.

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    2. Trobairitz:

      I can check my archives but I think we were so glad that we could just sit and relax for a change instead of riding that we were too relaxed to pick up the camera.

      bob
      Riding the Wet Coast
      My Flickr // My YouTube

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    3. I think you are correct Bob - too relaxed to take any pics.

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  3. Brandy,
    Great photos of the volcanic zone. Always fascinated by the earth's power, particularly as we live smack on the Pacific Ring of Fire!

    Congrats on the 300th post - really pleased to have found your blog before I started posting as it was one of the great blogs which inspired me to have a go. Long may you continue!

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    1. Thank you for such kind words Geoff. They mean a lot to me. If I had to bet money I would have lost. I could have swore your blog was going before mine. I always enjoy reading your posts too.

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    2. Trobairitz/Geoff:

      I just had to check and Geoff is right. His first post was 4 December 2009, and the first Trobairitz post was 19 December 2008, nearly a year earlier. I never read your first post before. Now I'll have to read more about your past.

      I actually tried to start during 2007, but gave up and restarted 4 February 2008, now up to post #552 . I guess I've got yappy fingers

      bob
      Riding the Wet Coast
      My Flickr // My YouTube

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  4. Brandy - I love the photo of you, a perfect moment caught in time.

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    1. Thank you Karen.

      Troubadour captured a good one there. We were just goofing but the smile was genuine.

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  5. My, what a LONG day! I love that photo of you, too. Oh, and those weird bracelet tan lines? I usually have them, too. Lovely, right? The fossil beds look interesting. I'll have to re-visit this post and read up on the John Day area.

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    Replies
    1. It was a long day. I haven't been back on the bike since. We'll be in Seattle this coming weekend catching up with some old friends so no riding. The weekend after I'm thinking I'll be chomping at the bit to ride.

      There are fossil beds north of John Day that you can walk around and actually look for fossils. I think it would be cool to go back and do that.

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  6. Love your Brandy. The pic of you is a good one. Holy bug guts! That's a lot on your visor. Sports car divers are asses sometimes, they just have to be going faster than everyone. All in all it sounds like a great week!

    Btw - there is a 2009 Gladius at our local dealer, it is white with a magenta tank, I really want tat bike, but no funds. I don't even want o test ride it because it would be coming home with me.

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    1. Thanks Dar. The visor was clean compared to on the way over. I didn't clean it on the way home. The mirrored visor is odd - when you go to clean the guts off it leaves what looks like an etching in the visor - almost like the acid from the bugs has eaten the coasting. It mostly goes away after a while though - really odd.

      They never brought the magenta/white combination into the USA but it looks cool. I could see you rocking it. Would definitely be a different seating position for you. I know what you mean by no funds. I need to get the Bonneville sold still. It is on consignment and someone is supposed to be test riding it this week. Fingers crossed.

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  7. THroughly enjoyed all of you bloggers right ups, and your was ne exception Brandy.. I hope in two years time I may be able to join you all.

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    1. Thank you Roger. It would be so cool if you could join us for the IMBC 2014. And even if you can't, let us know where you'll be and we will try and make arrangements to come and meet you.

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  8. 750km sounds like a nice pootle. I've been enjoying everyone's blogs from the trip and look forward to the next IMBC in New Zealand...

    Congrasts on the 300th post too!

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    1. Your spelling is fine - blame it on auto correct. We would so love to come to New Zealand and meet all of the great bloggers in kiwi land. Brad was just checking flight prices yesterday. Youch plane tickets are expensive. I think I need to get me an air miles card.

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  9. Gratz on the 300th post Brandy!! Wow are there that many for me to catch up on, I'll be reading for the next year!

    I also cant reach the blinker with my clutch in and hit the horn instead, makes for some interesting looks sometimes, I've even got a wave once :)

    Loved the pics of you .. all of them, you seem to be having a great time and that makes you look wonderful :) The fossil beds look facinating, something I would love to see one day.

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    1. Thanks Brenda. Wait until you get to 300, you won't believe it is that high, I am still surprised. My earlier posts were from when I was riding pillion so they might not be very exciting. Cat pictures and lots of nature too, lol.

      Glad I am not the only one hitting the horn. I did it pulling in Starbucks and a motorcycle rider was sitting on their patio (I didn't realize until later) he must have been chuckling.

      I think it would be fun to go to the fossil beds and poke around looking for fossils. You can do that to some of them.

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  10. I hate going from needing heated gear to tank tops in one day! The day looked long, I'm glad you survived.

    Put to rest another year of conventions, I am so disheartened that we couldn't attend. 2014 is something to look forward to. We shall see what we can do with that.

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    1. Yeah, it was odd to go from shivering to open vents. Sure enjoyed the heat though when it came.

      We too are sad you couldn't make it. Maybe things will work out for 2014 and it will be a little closer for you. Suggestions are welcome......just sayin'

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  11. Superb photos. I love to see places I will probably never get to ride.

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    1. Thank you.

      One of the reasons I enjoy all your riding stories is that I have to live vicariously through your reports as I'll probably never be on those roads.

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    2. Just saw a Route 66 trip on the idiotbox. As a meat eater even I was revolted by the Big Texan in Amarillo! Some places maybe I don't want to witness in person!

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  12. Thanks for posting pictures from the trip. They looked great! Glad you two made it home safely.

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  13. Congrats on a successful trip, and getting to 300. I wonder how many I have now. Hmm.

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