We thought about going for an extended ride Saturday since we'd ridden to coffee, but instead opted to go home and put on shorts and t-shirts and work in the yard while soaking up some of the 75˚F (24˚C) record breaking sunshine. Sunday was forecast to be the cooler day of the weekend so we opted for a Sunday ride.
Often times we have a hard time deciding where to ride. Since signing up for the
E2E Rally (Equinox to Equinox) graciously put on by the gentlemen at
The Pace Podcast we have a general idea of where we might like to go to get certain bonuses. Thank you to
Fuzzy for letting everyone know of the Rally.
Yesterday via a nice leisurely ride over Benton and Polk County back roads we managed to pick up 5 bonuses. Here are some various pictures from the day, which again turned out to be in the mid 70's. It sure was nice riding with no rain or quilted liners in the gear.
I haven't included pictures of all of the bonuses as some weren't very interesting. (Adair Rural Fire Station and a newer model blue and white Ford Mustang). I also took pictures with and without the Rally placard so that all of my blog pics don't have the orange placard in them.
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| (Close of Soap Creek School) |
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| (And the Historic marker) |
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| (Pretty weeds by the bridge) |
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| (Overgrown trail leading to the river) |
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| (Both bikes at the Harris Covered Bridge) |
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| (View of the Mary's River from the bridge) |
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| (Looking back at the bikes from the bridge) |
Yesterday's ride was the first time I'd been out longer than a ride to coffee or the office in quite a while. The main thing I noticed with the bike was the sporty suspension did not appreciate the bumpy back roads too well. At one point I started to wonder if I had a flat tire.
It did handle fine on the two sections of gravel - each a few miles long. It actually felt smoother on that than it did on some of the other roads. Brad is talking of adding a Yamaha TW200 or XT250 to the stable. If he takes me on enough gravel and choppy back roads on my wee beasty I'll be inclined to agree.
I hope everyone else managed to find some two wheeled fun in the sun this last weekend.
- Au Revoir
" The sun has come out.....and the air is vivid with spring light." - Byron Caldwell Smith, letter to Kate Stephens
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So what's with your weather? Its 34f here :-/
ReplyDeleteand I have a chest infection so I cough like a BSA Bantam :(
We had an unseasonably warm weekend. Rains are supposed to return Thursday. We've been having lows in the 50˚F range though so I won't complain the clouds came back.
DeleteFeel better soon - no fun being sick.
(See, coughing fit causes 3 unnecessary posts)
ReplyDeleteNo worries I deleted them for you.
DeleteYou need some Buckley's Cough syrup to fix you right up. Do you like the taste of liquid pine tar? It's about what it tastes like - but it works.
What a beautiful hinterland you have, and it looks greener already than it does up here. I would love to see you play around on a little TW200 or XT250. I personally prefer the TW just because I can still have both feet flat on the ground, and it looks cute.
ReplyDeleteOur grasses have been green all winter. It is one of the things I love about the area - the rolling green hills.
DeleteI can flat foot both the TW and the XT, but the WR is a whole different animal - now that is tall. I hear the TW is more forgiving on gravel because of the wider front tire.
Green grass!! I can't wait to see that again. Looks like another lovely day of riding. Your pictures give me hope that some day it'll be spring here in Minnesota :)
ReplyDeleteSoon you will have green grass - then have to mow. Brad mowed our lawn on Saturday - it was getting so darn tall. All we heard all Saturday afternoon was law mowers, lol
DeleteSun, warmth?
ReplyDeleteIn the spring the sun is warm. In the winter- not so much.
DeleteBrad geting into some adventure riding....this could get interesting.
ReplyDeleteHe's always been into adventure riding, he just doesn't have the chance to do it as often as he'd like and his bike is pretty big and heavy for it too.
DeleteTrobairitz:
ReplyDeletesometimes it's a hard decision to either gear up for a ride, or just lounge around the yard in T-shirts and Shorts. You are so lucky to be so close to twisty roads and little traffic. Often I just think about our gridlock and just decide it's not worth the fight to get onto the Open Road.
I thought about the E2E rally but there are so many things not available up here but you are managing to get lots of bonus points nearly in your back yard
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
You should have all kinds of things up there to take pictures of for the E2E. Fire houses, courthouses, city halls, historical landmarks - Vancouver is an old city. Maybe not so many covered bridges or giant roadside attractions though. Keremeos has the red bridge......it is covered.
DeleteWow, you're doing it...we're for the most part still dreaming. Saturday afternoon some were out, unfortunately I was busy with other things and our driveway is still our worst enemy. By next weekend, there isn't an ice crystal or snowflake that will be able to survive the week's mid-50's.
ReplyDeleteBrad appears to be gifted at multi-tasking and I'll bet he's never had a lesson!
Start and stay safe during this riding season.
I wonder how long before your driveway dries out enough you can ride down it. At least you are having warmer weather so that is nice.
DeleteYou wouldn't believe how many picture I have where Brad is sticking out his tongue. He is usually looking at the camera though.
Hooray, you've finally been able to get out and blow the cobwebs from the bikes. You guys must go mental in the winter not being able to ride because of the snow and ice.
ReplyDeleteGlad the weather was kind to you, perfect conditions for riding really.
Bout time we got out on a longer ride wasn't it? We can usually ride year round with proper gear and dodging ice fog. Sure was nice to have some sunshine and take the liners out of the gear. Much easier to move around.
DeleteWe don't go too mental because we don't have the snowfall - which is nice.
The weather was perfect, not to hot, not too cold. The wind and black clouds rolled in, but they waited until we got home at least.
Awesome Brandy!!
ReplyDeleteThe weather looks perfect, the bikes look ready to ride and you guys look happy as ... the perfect day!! I reckon it wont be too long before I'm envious your beautiful blue skys :)
Soon you will be headed into winter and we'll have our summer. But don't think of that, just ride in the sun while you can.
DeleteOf course I think your winter will be a lot warmer than the one we had......
Great pictures! The weather was simply stunning this past weekend and now we are back to grey ick again. I have been hemming and hawing over doing the rally, I dunno maybe I will.
ReplyDeleteThe weather this last weekend was such a tease. Last day of warm weather today then the rains come back tomorrow - ick blah. I can see the sun from the office window today though.
DeleteLooks almost like summer. It was warm here on Sat and Sun as well but then back to cold and snow today.
ReplyDeleteIck blah on the cold and snow. At least you know the sunshine and warm temps will return, it is just so hard to wait though.
DeleteExcellent pictures - it sure does look like spring has sprung! Everyone over here is waiting for rain (looks like we're getting some tonight/tomorrow) as most the country is in drought.
ReplyDeleteI really like the covered bridges - we just don't get them here at all.
Nice pictures, I love the covered bridges as well. Maybe because they are a remnant of times past. Or is there such thing as a new covered bridge?
DeleteI haven't submitted a single E2E photo yet.
Sounds like you need some rain Andrew - you can have some of ours that is on the way.
DeleteI wonder why there are no covered bridges in your area? I think it was done here to protect the wooden bridge decks from the weather so they'd last longer.
Richard - I don't think they do new covered bridges, but they do restore old ones and make them look new. Or rebuilt after a damaged one. I can see why you have't submitted a picture - you are so busy traveling. Judging by the gallery of photos already submitted I am not in it to win it that is for sure, but it helps plan a route when riding.
I, too, am doing the rally. I didn't enter it with any goals other than the one you mentioned: Help in planning my riding.
DeleteOf course, when the weather is really nice that means two feet rather than two wheels.
There are four covered bridges in Missouri. Perhaps I will bet photos of all four. We will see.
Good for you Keith. I think the courthouse and maybe city hall will be easy ones for you since you commute to work on two wheels. Have fun getting the bonuses.
DeleteLove the pictures. It is hard to believe that school classes used to be held in one room like that. Well, it looks like one big room anyway. Nice bridge. We saw a couple like that in our travels but didn't stop to take pictures or go across them.....:-)
ReplyDeleteThank you. It is hard to picture the school room but I think that it would be weird with all the different aged kids all being in the same room. But then I have seen some tests from back in the day and I don't think we could answer the questions on what they were learning.
DeleteWhat a cute school! The view of the river from the bridge is my favorite. I signed up for the rally, too, but no time for photo ops yet. It's a busy Spring. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe wedding is done now and hopefully you will have nice enough weather to get out and get some bonus locations.
DeleteIt looks like you had a lovely day for a ride, and I like your new blog banner of Max - reminds me of what I get to look forward to when the snow and ice go away...
ReplyDeleteIt was a great day of just puttered around the backroads which was nice. Thanks for the comment about the banner - hopefully your weather will improve soon.
DeleteThe E2E rally seems like much fun. Kind of like the BMR (Big Money Rally) in the winter to give you one more reason to keep riding through the winter months as well. :)
ReplyDeleteI loved the covered bridges and the pictures of the creeks and countryside. You live (and ride) in a beautiful area! :)