2012 IMBC - Day Two - The Devil By The Tail

.

Day Two - Saturday July 21, 2012
Taking the Devil By The Tail

I learned many things on day two of the 2012 IMBC as well.  Things such as the following:

*  I learned that a hotel breakfast will not have many vegan options, but if you are lucky you can scrounge a bagel and crappy, not quite real, peanut butter to split with your significant other.  Chris, you know what I'm talking about.

*  I learned that as a vegan in cowboy country your best, I mean only, option at a restaurant for breakfast will be a side of hash browns.

*  I learned to act quick if I want a group picture of the bikes together.

(The bikes at Sumpter Junction restaurant apres-breakfast)

*  I learned that the road through Hells Canyon, aka the Devil's Tail (US Forest Service Road 454) to the Hells Canyon Dam starts in Oxbow and is easier with less challenging corners than our own Alsea Falls.

*  I learned that the last mile beyond the Dam to the interpretive center has the sharpest corners in the whole 23 miles.  FYI - it is 22 miles to the Dam and 1 mile beyond to the Interpretive Center.

*  I also learned that Hells Canyon is the deepest canyon in the USA - 2000 feet deeper than the Grand Canyon.

*  I learned that the 23 miles has 'hundreds of curves', but nowhere can I find an actual count and I am not going to do a street view on Google maps and count them myself.

(Behind the Dam - from the Interpretive Center)

(Zoomed in view)

(Twisites from the Dam to Interpretive Center)

(Troubadour with twisties and Dam in background)

(In front of Interpretive Center)

(We actually found shade at the Interpretive Center)

*  I learned that Cliff Bars are a must for vegans to carry with them in the back country.  Potato chips at a gas station/country store do not count as real food.

(Hells Canyon Store - Scotty's Gas Stop)

*  I learned that Forest Service Road 39 is a twisty bit of fun, but not necessarily for everyone because of the sheer drop offs and no guard rails.

*  I learned that not everyone has the same definition for the phrase "pasture land".

(Bobskoot's pasture land)

(Erik with the 'we are here' sign)

(Bobskoot, Karen, Erik & Richard)

(Bobskoot, Brad & Sonja)

*  I learned that everyone was really happy to finally make it off the mountain in one piece.

(Karen and Bobskoot - off the mountain)

(Bradley - aka Troubadour on his Tiger)

(Erik, Brad, Richard, Karen, Roland & Sonja)

(Erik explaining something to the group)

(A talk of pasture land)

(More good conversation before heading to Joseph & Enterprise)

*  I learned that if you are at a stop sign turning right and the bike stalls instead of rolling forward as anticipated and your tire is turned already, there is a good chance it will fall over.  (no damage except to my pride)

*  I also learned that hubby will jump off his bike and help you pick it up even when it's not expected of him.

*  I learned that apparently I only drop my bike after long days of riding twisty mountain roads on vacation - last summer being the only other time I've dropped it.
.
*  I learned that  if I ask nicely hubby will let me ride pillion to dinner to take a break from riding.

*  I learned that when Bobskoot mentions a restaurant has really tasty Mexican food - he is telling the truth.  My vegan burrito was super yummy. Either that or I was super hungry.  Once again I didn't take a food porn picture.

*  I learned it was no fun saying goodbye to two of our compadres.  

*  I learned that with a full belly and after two nights of little to no sleep, I can take a Benadryl for allergies and sleep like the dead.
.

Odometer start of Day Two:  5902

Odometer end of Day Two:    6109

Total miles for Day Two:        207 miles (333 km)

......Day Three - Moto-Bloggers Take Over Joseph coming next.

- Au Revoir

"But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life, and thanks to a benevolent arrangement, the greater part of life is sunshine." - Thomas Jefferson

.