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Friday, July 27, 2012

2012 IMBC - Day Two - The Devil By The Tail

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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.
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*  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.
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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
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26 comments:

  1. Great reading Brandy. Wish I was there. You must confront your fears and take the mountain roads by the horns and ride them till your fear turns to delight and lust.

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    1. I loved all the mountain roads. I am used to the from the back roads we take around our place. There were only 2 corners I didn't like right after the dam and one was almost 180˚ slightly off camber and on a hill. Those were the only two that bothered me. It was funny because when Karen mentioned riding at tree top level on the forest service road I hadn't even noticed we were at the top of the trees.

      It was great. You'd love the forest service road.

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  2. That ride thru the canyon looks sweet. I'd like to do that one time.
    You guys are definitely ATGATT
    Come to the dark side- we have steak

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    1. The canyon rie was my favorite I think. Great roads and twisties. We probably should have stopped along the way for pictures but were having too much fun. I think you'd like it.

      ATGATT, yes we definitely are covered head to toe. Sure prevents sunburn though. I'd rather sweat than bleed. If I ever go down when riding I don't want to think of the pain of rad rash. I don't like pain.

      I'll leave the steak for you. Just think, the more I don't eat, the more you get to eat. You're welcome.

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  3. excellent lessons! yup...being tired, stressed, hungry, new surroundings, surprising roads/elevations, lots of bikes around (like a big rally or sturgis) all can cause some peeps to drop bikes. once you live it, you know it. yay for great times that make great memories!

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    1. Meh - crap happens.

      But we did make a lot of memories and had a ton of fun.

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  4. If it wouldn't be for you, I wouldn't have know what the heck to order in that breakfast restaurant. My mind was set on the glutenfree stuff they had in the bakery we couldn't get too (still p'ed off on that one). Having potatoes for brekkie was certainly a first for me. It stuffed but I'd rather wouldn't have to do it again.

    The canyon shots are awesome. I wasn't aware that this one is deeper than Grand Canyon even. Thanks for that little snippet of information.

    I guess after a long days ride in the twisties we were all about ready to drop the bikes. You consequently went through with that. Glad that nothing but pride got damaged in the process.

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    1. The hashbrown trick was something I learned at the last IMBC when we were in cowboy country. The ones in Baker City were the most flavorless and blandest ones I've ever had though. I loaded them with black pepper, tabasco and when that didn't help resorted to ketchup.

      I didn't know it was a deeper canyon either until I was googling some info about it. I think I read something about it at the interpretive center but never got a picture of the information boards.

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  5. Fun fun! As to hubbie helping...it's amazing how fast they can move huh?

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    1. Our hubbys are like our kitties - they sure can move quick when they want to - surprisingly so.

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  6. Nice shots of the canyon. They didn't have oatmeal?? My sympathies. I DO know what you are talking about.

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    1. Believe it or not, oatmeal was not listed as a side you could order. I was surprised too.

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  7. They make "hash brown sandwiches" up here. Uck. I suppose tho, if hungry enough...

    Lovely scenes of the western landscape. I'm glad you had a great time and you both came back safe and sound.

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    1. Thanks Martha.

      Hash brown sandwiches sounds intriguing. Hash browns between bread of the potatoes are the bread, hmmmmm

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  8. Looks like y'all had a lovely time. And you sure learned a lot of valuable lessons! :-)

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    1. We did have a great time and I always learn lessons.

      I forgot to mention that I learned sunscreen only works when you apply it. Leaving it in the tube will not stop your arms and shoulders from sunburn while walking around Joseph.

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  9. Everyone who rides drops their bike at some point. Some times others will laugh but that's just because they're glad it wasn't them this time. Some nice pictures of the trip.
    As for slow moving hubbys, we like to think we are conserving our fast paced energy for the truly important things.

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    1. I don't think any one laughed when either bike napped on Saturday. Everyone understands shit happens. Not the first time Max has napped and with my clumsiness probably not the last.

      And I think you are correct about hubby's pacing themselves.

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  10. So one of the lessons wasn't how to herd a bunch of camera crazy, and shy, international bloggers into a cohesive picture? Hehe. I don't blame you on that one.

    Great write up. I would love to see the canyon. Riding above tree line reminds me of our tree line adventure I am working towards writing,

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    1. No, we still didn't learn how to herd moto-bloggers, lol. Had too much fun instead.

      The canyon was great I loved the 23 mile ride to the Dam. We probably should have stopped for pics, but it was too much fun. Looking forward to your tree line adventure.

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  11. It is gratifying to see other motorcyclists wearing ATGATT too. I feel quite overdressed whenever I ride after seeing what some others are wearing (not wearing) here in Saskatchewan...enjoying all your pictures too...Have a great day!

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    1. We've often been asked why we wear so much gear. I personally would rather sweat than bleed. That and the thought of a nurse cleaning gravel out of road rash with a brush makes me cringe. I don't like pain either.

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  12. Don't feel bad about dropping your Gladius, I did that my first season. Started out in second gear, panicked, hit the brakes, held the bike up at a angle that got the better of me quite quickly, and then had to drop it. And just like you, my husband came running from behind to help lift the bike off me as soon as he got his own stopped. The clutch lever and shifter were bent. I got a lovely bruise on my calf from sticking out my foot out, but I saved the paint job on the tank. The armoured pants came in handy that day...go ATGATT.

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    1. The first and only other time I've dropped my bike was the year before after going over some forest service roads and I was exhausted and trying to turn the bike around while going up hill. I knew I needed to put my feet down and walk it but I put my left foot down and it was the low side and it hit the tipping point. Hubby had just had hernia surgery and wasn't able to help me pick it up. It was easier than I thought using the back up method.

      Luckily I wasn't bruised and the bike just suffered a cracked hand guard. Not even any scratches either time. Yeah Gladius.

      Everyone is right when they say that it isn't a matter of if you drop your bike it is a matter of when.....

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  13. Thanks for the route advice! I think that road will be on the agenda for the Cache Rally. (Now on to read day three...)

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    1. Anytime we can help spread the Oregon love we'll help. It was great fun riding in that area even if it was blistering hot that day.

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