Last Wednesday (the day before Thanksgiving here in the USA) Troubadour was off work at 11 am, while I had to work until 4 pm.
He was kind and came and took me out for lunch. We went to Vietnamese Baguette, one of our favorite places in town for a quick, hearty, and inexpensive lunch.
While I went back to the office he went home to take both big bikes out for a rip. The tires needed rotating and the oil needed stirring. They hadn't been out since our trip to the Tillamook Air Museum in October, sad I know.
Wednesday happened to be a dry day that wasn't too chilly. With rains on the way he took advantage of the break in the weather. He decided on a run up Marys Peak, the tallest Peak in the coastal range in Oregon. From the turnoff at highway 34, it is 13 miles of twisty fun on a paved forestry road that is just one and a half lanes wide.
First up was Max. I'd asked him to get a few pictures for me as I don't have any fall ones with the checkers on the tank.
He took even more photos than I anticipated. Here are some highlights.
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| (Max at the Mary's Peak Parking Lot) |
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| (Notice the wind blowing the tree sideways) |
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| (Max at Parker Creek Falls) |
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| (More Parker Creek Falls) |
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| (An overlook on Mary's Peak Road - notice the low valley clouds) |
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| (Fall color lingering on) |
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| (Max hanging out on the valley floor) |
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| (Lucy at Parker Creek Falls) |
Not much other riding going on. Most of our mountain bike trails are all closed except to hikers until late Spring due to rains. Bikes and mud make for messy trails with deep ruts.
Our weather has been alternating between pouring down rain to freezing cold and 23˚F (-5˚C). We've managed a few long walks around the neighborhood but no hikes.
We are trying to ward off hibernation, but the sofa and hot coffee are calling.
- Au Revoir
"Wherever you go, no matter the weather, always bring your own sunshine." - Anthony J. D'Angelo, The College Blue Book
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LOL - two trips up Mary's Peak. What fun! My favorite pics are #2 and #3, though all look good. :)
ReplyDeleteWhile it was overcast the sky was so bright some of the pics were backlit. I am going to mess with iPhoto at some point and see what funkiness I can create with them.
DeleteI'm sure he enjoyed the ride up both times. The first was just warm up for the second...
ReplyDeleteI think you are correct. He is always a bit more reserved when riding Max so it was a good way to work him into it considering the debris and wet leaves on the roads.
DeleteWell 13 miles of curves are hard to resist. Max looks good against that waterfall.
ReplyDeleteLooks like it's getting chilly over your way - I hope you can squeeze in a few more rides though.
Still not feeling too summery here but at least I've ridden to work the last couple of days without rain (or high winds).
Thanks Andrew, the colors were definitely brighter by the waterfall.
DeleteFingers crossed we can get some gravel riding in, if nothing else. Glad you've had a few days with no rain and wind.
I see brad took you out to lunch because he was off having fun on 52 miles of twisties while you were hard at work so he was bribing you. Nice pics though.
ReplyDeleteYa think? I don't mind bribes when they are baguettes or coffee. I am just glad he was able to get out for a bit. I could at least see outside from the office window, sigh.
DeleteThe number of great location pictures is almost gloating the afternoon's freedom to ride. He is a lucky guy that you are so forgiving. Now that is something to be thankful for.
ReplyDeleteHe was so kind to take the bikes out for a spin wasn't he? He is thoughtful that way. And yes, I am thankful for such a wonderful hubby.
DeleteHow selfless of him! ;-) I can see that the bikes were happy to get out again. Guido and I went out on our bikes too early last week. Now it feels like the world is drowning, but we really need the rain. Stay dry!
ReplyDeleteAndrea!! I've been meaning to get caught up on your epic cross country drive, but need to find some time (an hour or two) to start at the beginning.
DeleteI know you guys needed the rain, but all at once? Sheesh, hope there aren't any landslides or flooding near you.
So far I have not heard about landslides or flooding. Traffic becomes especially bad with the rain and we came by more accidents than usual it seems. It had been dry the last few days and only some more rain is in the forecast for end of this week. Hopefully we get more. The only downside is that with rain and warm temperatures the mandarines on our tree start to rot very quickly, can't keep up eating, giving them to friends and making marmalade!
DeleteOh sure, I hope you have fun reading my blog. I would almost be ready to start another exploration but better become serious with some job search now. ;-)
Glad there haven't been any landslides near you. I know one was blocking parts of the PCH but the news wasn't clear exactly where. Further south I believe.
DeleteGood luck with the job search.
Thanks!
DeleteIn terms of flash floods, today's rain has been really heavy and some areas already have power breakdowns. Sunnyvale does not seem to be effected (yet), fingers crossed!
Troubadour is welcome to come to Texas and do the same for my bike! :-) I have a nice FZ6 in the garage that needs the air rotated and oil stirred. Great photos!!
ReplyDeleteDon't tempt him. I am sure your riding weather is way better than ours right now.
DeleteDid you ever sell your BMW or is it still at the shop?
BMW sold, finally! Sometime this past summer.
DeleteYay, so glad it sold. I know you were getting frustrated.
DeleteAh, those darn chores... Brad, did a great job on the pics!
ReplyDeleteRiding bikes, such a chore.
DeleteThe Mary's Peak view is just gorgeous. What a beautiful ride he enjoyed!
ReplyDeleteOne of these days we want to park at the parking lot up Marys Peak and hike the extra mile or so to the top where you can see 360˚. They say you can see the Pacific Ocean and the Cascade Mountains. On a clear day of course.
DeleteBrad is so selfless ... but he made Max look so good! A tough job, but somebody had to do it - right?
ReplyDeleteHe did make Max look good. Brad is always so ready to take one for the team, he was really selfless that day.
DeleteMax is one good looking steed. I know who got the better deal that day!
ReplyDeleteYeah I know too. I was stuck in the office with the musty old law books and irritating clients. Yep, he got the better deal, lol.
DeleteCool bike and pictures!
ReplyDeleteUm, thank you.
DeleteDouble your pleasure double your fun!!
ReplyDeleteAhh, if only he had the doublemint twins to come home to......
DeleteLate to this conversation! Did Trobadour mention to you which motorcycle seemed more happy?
ReplyDeleteHe reports Max got flogged a little harder than he usually does (Brad's pace is more spirited than mine) so it may have been Max.
DeleteThose are nice photos! Beautiful countryside you have there. But much like you, even in San Diego, I just want to curl up with a blanket and a hot drink. I have the good weather in which to ride, but sometimes, just not the fortitude I suppose.
ReplyDeleteI hope we can ride up to meet you in the Spring!
Smooches,
Sash ~ The Rude Biker Chick
See Sash Videos!
Some days are meant for curling up. Although it would be hard to do that on a sunny day around here. Well in the summer when it is too hot it isn't hard to stay inside.
DeleteWould be great if you two head north in the new year and we could meet up.
I'll say it again.....that checkered look is mighty fine! Some very nice Max shots and a great way to end the season. Photos look windy and cold.
ReplyDeleteThanks Doug. I really do like the checks on the tank. Just adds a little flair.
DeleteWe're socked in with fog this morning, sigh.
Banh mi. Coconut steamed bun. I am not a vegan fortunately. I am 3300 miles away unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteTheir Bahn Mis are wonderful. They bake the baguettes fresh every morning. Crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside. Luckily they have three veggie Bahn Mis.
DeleteAs long as we say "no mayo" they are vegan. We usually order them no mayo but add fresh sliced jalapenos too. Yumm.
Someday you will return to the wet coast and I shall take you two to lunch.