We have been experiencing above average temperatures for the last few weeks and Friday was no different.
Josh was in from Denver and schemes were hatched to ride to Sublimity for him to test ride a KTM 690 Duke. Meg was stuck at work and would be meeting us in Salem for dinner.
The plan was to meet Josh in Lebanon at 1:30 pm. By this time temperatures had climbed and were into the high 80's low 90's.
It was a fairly warm ride to Lebanon and by the time we left Josh's house the temperatures had risen a little more. I am not sure how warm the heat waves coming off the asphalt were, but the air was reported to be 95˚F (35˚C).
Josh led us along the back roads of the east side of the valley and before long we were in Sublimity at the dealership. Power Motorsports is one of the largest motorcycle dealerships in the mid-valley with an extensive selection of new and used inventory. They have no pressure sales staff and are always up for people taking test rides.
The first thing we did was walk over to the used building and enjoy some air conditioning. Brad even sat on a used Harley. He couldn't figure out how someone could do the offset cone weave with ape hangers.
We then walked back to the parking lot, which had a few new and used bikes set up, and then made our way into the building of new bikes which also housed their accessories, sales staff, and parts counter.
Brad took his turn sitting on the Duke while Josh was signing his life away on the waiver to test ride.
Troubadour on a KTM
Josh on the KTM
Brad wasn't planning on test riding any bikes but Josh asked him to come along on the test ride so we traded keys and he followed on Max. Brad's steed of choice for the day was the Yamaha XT250 so Max was better suited for the test ride.
It wasn't a long test ride but it was enough for Josh to get a feel for the bike. He reported that he really liked it, but the throttle by wire was something to get used to compared to cranking on the throttle cable of his V-Strom. He was smiling when he got back. At 330 lbs wet, the KTM is a light nimble bike that begs for hoonin'.
It was still damn hot and about 4 pm by this point. The guys wandered around looking at bikes generally passing time waiting for Meg to get off work. We had a 15-18 mile ride into Salem to meet Meg and she had at least double that coming in from Corvallis. While we waited I chose to sit on a park bench in the shade outside and drink more water. There was a breeze so it wasn't too bad with the jacket off.
We eventually suited up and headed west. Did I mention it was hot? I did manage to figure out that if I leaned way over the tank the vents in the front of my Rev'it jacket worked much better.
We arrived at Marco Polo Global Restaurant and ordered a pitcher of Arnold Palmers (half iced tea half lemonade). We managed to go through two pitchers by the time we left. Riding in the heat is thirsty business.
Meg arrived safely and we all ordered. Normally we order off their Asian menu and the food is excellent. Friday we chose the veggie burgers and were sorely disappointed. Good thing they came with a salad. We did have the samosas as an appetizer and they were tasty. Next time we'll stick to the vegan wonton soup or something else off the Asian menu.
It was just after 7 pm and we figured we'd best be heading out. Josh and Meg were riding to the east side of the valley and we were heading back down the west side to Corvallis.
Troubadour, Josh, & Meg
We took the super secret twisty road towards Corvallis. Colleen - you know which one I mean. Brad pulled over after about 5 miles. You know it is love when your hubby stops to give you some of the black electrician's tape off his visor to put on yours so you aren't blinded by the setting sun. I haven't bought a tinted visor for my Shoei yet and that sun was bright.
The ride home was a lot cooler and was quite enjoyable. We arrive home just after 8. It was a short loop of only 100 miles but an enjoyable afternoon/evening spent with friends.
- Au Revoir
" A true friend is one who still thinks you are a good egg even if you are half-cracked." - Author Unknown
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so, was it hot? ;) jk....
ReplyDeleteapehangers and cone weave; yup, they can, and do. i know...smh... i won't go quite that tall. but, to each their own.
sounds like a fab day!!! and troubadour, stopping to share the blk tape, ... you rock!
It was hot, luckily things have cooled off a bit now. Only supposed to be 85 today.
DeleteBrad was marveling over the ape hangers as he turned them to lock and his arm was stretched way out so it was an odd position for him.
Thunder and lightning here today!
ReplyDeleteSend some my way please.
DeleteWait aren't you supposed to be having summer too? Oh, I get it, you are having and English Summer.
Unseasonably cool weather here on the middle coast. Feels like fall, which is kind of a drag after a long winter. :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun day! If it wasn't a little uncomfortable, it'd just be a nice ride and not a very good story, right?
Going to be a climate shock for you until you get used to it Lucky.
DeleteIt is feast or famine, it is either too darn hot or too cool. Just no pleasing the masses.
I have a Shoei tinted visor I haven't taken out of the wrapper. Wonder if it would fit your helmet...
ReplyDeleteHot as it is I'm glad you have some heat so that autumn is easier to enjoy. Cool summers that go into cold autumn and winter are very difficult!
I have a Shoei Qwest but I have no clue which visor it takes. One of these days I'll look it up.
DeleteYeah, I should really complain about the heat, it has just been so dry for well over a month now. I wouldn't complain of a day or two of rain. I thought we were crazy for hanging out in the valley in 95˚ heat. Those are the days we typically head to the coast. Then freeze in the 58˚ weather. No pleasing us.
I crank on about the weather, too. Everything just depends, you know?
DeleteI have a Qwest, too. I'll go searching for the visor in my still unpacked boxes and let you know specs!
It was surprisingly cool along near Vista House. Cooling breezes, sunny and temperatures in the mid-70s. It was hard to beat. Yesterday, I noticed the thermometer going higher and higher as we approched Corvallis but my nephew still thought that it was wonderfully cool compared to Singapore.
ReplyDeleteI am surprised it was that cool in the Gorge. Wind must have been just right.
DeleteIt was beautiful in Corvallis yesterday. A good 10 degrees cooler than last week. It was a good day to putter outside and water everything. I can see how the weather would be a welcome relief compared to Singapore, especially the difference in humidity.
I use tape on my full face helmets, two strips on this Scorpion, it was always one strip on the Shoei's. Back in the day, I had a visor that I could nod forward enough to keep the horizon-sun out of my eyes.
ReplyDeleteNot that I'm surprised mind you, but Troubadour looks rather fetching on that big collection of shiny......may just happen yet. :)
I can usually nod my head to block out the sun but it was low enough in the sky that wasn't working. Because of the direction we were heading for part of it the sun was coming in to the right of the tape, but it helped when heading straight west.
DeleteSomehow I don't think he could ever be persuaded to own a big collection of shiny. Just not in his nature. Oh course I could be wrong.
A lot cooler here but we are getting some great fine days for riding. I even got quite hot under all my gear on Sunday...
ReplyDeleteLike the sound of the secret twisties - I have a few of those of my own. Like the KTM - I drooled over one when I was down in Christchurch for the TT - they'd be a great hooligan bike for around town!
Oh darn, hot under all your gear in Winter. That is a good ride.
DeleteThe secret twisties is a road that follows the river. Two lane fairly new blacktop for half of it and through the fields and vineyards the other half. It is our preferred way to get to and from Salem, less traffic and better roads.
This is the first year the 690 has come to the US, rumor has it we might even see the 390 next year.
Trobairitz, have you thought about a mesh jacket? I got one and they're great for keeping you cool in hot weather. Granted, over here I only get to use it a couple of weeks a year, but they're cheaper than normal jackets while still offering protection. I'm on my 3rd season with mine.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a great ride anyway!
Beleive it or not I do own a Scorpion mesh jacket. It is a size too big now and I have to cinch the sides so much it just isn't as comfy anymore. That and I am so used to the cargo pockets on the Rev'it I feel weird without them in the mesh. I think I only used it once last year. I may have to look into getting one the proper size.
DeleteI just can't see Brad on a Hog and that picture just reaffirms that thought. Was it hot out on your ride I wonder...
ReplyDeleteYeah, he didn't feel to comfy on it. HD's just aren't for him unless maybe an XR1200.
DeleteAnd yes, it was pretty damn toasty. :-) The ride home was a welcome change.
i hear hints of the end of summer up north and I wonder how i would cope. historically speaking not well. cold and rain seize me up and woods Mountains and heat combined sound perfect. but too brief.
ReplyDeleteps ktm 690 yes.
Summer can't be almost over, we still have a month to think of all the things we were going to do and haven't had time to.
DeleteTrobairitz, as I recently discovered touring with Bob and Karen in a heat wave, it's only barely possible to drink enough water to avoid dehydration if you empty a bottle at every stop. I think my Vespa is heavier than that KTM.
ReplyDeleteIf I emptied a bottle at every stop I'd stop twice as often to pee. I guess that is the idea to stave off dehydration though. Otherwise if you don't drink enough, you don't need to go.
DeleteFully loaded with your gear your Vespa just might be heavier.
Ugh, heat like that is horrible. I've done the tank lean in desperation, too. Feels good but probably looks silly as all get out. Brad looks good on that Duke. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat I discovered with the tank lean (I didn't include in my post above) was by doing it I directed the air straight through the vents and directly down the front of my bra. Nice and cooling when hot and sweaty. I probably looked like I was leaned over to try and race, but I didn't care.
DeleteBrad liked the Duke enough he thought he best not test ride it. He was worried it would be coming home with him and we'd have to pick up the XT the next day.
I have neglected my Oregon biker chum. Thanks for looking in yesterday to prompt me :)
ReplyDeleteThe Joe Rocket 'Phoenix' jacket I bought 10 yrs ago is one of the best investments I made in riding gear. Rode it across several US deserts incl Death Valley - ride with it in fickle UK and when we get the heat (30 of late) I get lots of enquiries about it. Add a waterproof top jacket and its good for autumn months. Super kit.
Neglect is such a harsh word. I have heard good things about Joe Rocket gear. Unfortunately they don't make the arms of their ladies riding gear long enough so I've not found any that fit.
DeleteThanks for stopping by.
BTW is that an MRA Varioscreen on yr chap's Triumph?
ReplyDeleteHubby says yes, yes it is.
DeleteHe bought the Tiger from the second owner and it came with three windscreens: stock, sport and the MRA. And all three have horrible buffeting.
:D
ReplyDeleteYou have a great blog. I'm so jealous of the fact that you have so much more country to ride around than I do.
ReplyDeleteThank you good sir and thank you for stopping by. I was recently given a link to your blog so I hope you don't mind people stopping by and saying hi.
DeleteWe may have a large country but that also means it seems to take a long time to get anywhere.