The Rain Finally Paused Ride

I didn't call this post "the rain finally stopped ride" because I fear it has only just begun.  From October 1st through 5 am October 27th, the Willamette Valley in Oregon received 7.8 inches (19.8 cm) of rain.  We are on track to beat a record high in 1994 of 8.04 inches (20.4 cm) of rain for October. Read the details here ---> LINK.

We were almost giddy when the weather forecast for last Friday was dry and we both had the day off.

With the TW200 sporting a new battery and Troubadour's DRZ 400s race ready we jumped at the chance to get out on the bikes.

A few months ago when Troubadour was out tearing up the back roads with some friends from work they passed a field with some highland cattle, or 'Heilan Coos' as one might say in Scotland. They are gaining popularity here in Oregon but you don't usually see them by the side of a road and he didn't have the chance to stop that day.

A route was planned so that we could take advantage of a dry day. A pleasant 80 mile loop over some gravel forestry roads linking up with some asphalt to find the cows.

Friday was our day. We'd tried previously on September 25th but the dead TW200 battery stymied those plans.

We left the house around noon with the sun trying to shine through the high clouds.  We headed west beyond Philomath and then turned south onto Woods Creek Road. We took Woods Creek Rd to Tum Tum Road, then to Harris Road, which took us to the Harris Covered Bridge at Wren.

(Corvallis to Wren via Woods Creek, Tum Tum Rd, and Harris Rd)

The gravel was in pretty good shape with expected potholes and puddles. We stopped along the way for a few photos.

Tum Tum Road

(Somewhere along Tum Tum Rd)

(2013 Suzuki DRZ 400s and 2009 Yamaha TW200)

(The Woolly Bear Caterpillars were out as well - looks like a bad winter)

(Photo by Troubadour)

(Troubadour was taking pictures with his phone)

(Helmet selfie)

(My artsy contribution for the day - in a tire tread puddle by the bikes)

Somewhere further along Tum Tum Rd Troubadour spotted some smoke.  I mentioned through the Senas that there was also a small helicopter.  He spotted it and also noticed as it looped around that it was spraying something over the clear cut that was burning.  We were pretty sure it wasn't water so we held our breath, blipped the throttles, and took off around the bend and over the hill.  The last thing we wanted was the pilot laughing maniacally as he chased the motorcyclists with herbicide or insecticide.

Harris Rd.

(A TW200, a horse, and a pioneer apple tree on the right)

(Posing the bikes with some distant fall color)

(Troubadour's 2013 DRZ400s)

(The best show of fall color we'd see all day - hard to find in forests of evergreen Douglas Fir)

(Troubadour going to pick some apples)

(The TW 200 and Troubadour - successfully picking apples)

(A view of where we'd been)

Harris Covered Bridge - Wren, Oregon

(Harris Covered Bridge over the Marys River built in 1929)

(Photo by Troubadour) 

From Wren we rode North on Kings Valley Highway and then turned west on Alexander Rd.  This took us over some back roads and gravel roads to Fort Hoskins.

(Wren to Fort Hoskins via Kings Valley Highway and Alexander Rd)

 We made a stop along on the way when we saw this red barn.

(Beautiful barn along Alexander Road)

We noticed a for sale sign nearby and looked it up online when we got home. If you find yourself in need of an old farmhouse and 53 acres, which includes this gorgeous barn, you'll only need to pick $850,000 off your money tree.  Here is a link to the listing ---> LINK.  Check out the photos, they are quite something.

Fort Hoskins

At Fork Hoskins we stopped for a spot of tea and a snack.  "Fort Hoskins was actually one of three forts (which were unfortified posts) built by the US Army to monitor the Coastal Indian Reservation in Oregon in the mid-19th century" To read more click this ---> LINK. We made sure to pack along the Jetboil thinking we might need a warm up.  Since the sun came out we weren't chilly, but the hot tea was still welcome.

(Our view at Fort Hoskins - they are renovating an old fort residence)

(Photo by Troubadour - waiting for the water to boil)

(A tree with some fall color at Fort Hoskins)

(Me acting silly at Fort Hoskins - photo by Troubadour)

From Fort Hoskins  We took Luckiamute Road to find the Highland Cattle.  A few miles up the road and we found them. Unfortunately we couldn't get close enough to pet them on the nose. There was a double fence and one was electric on their side.

Heilan Coos

(A mama cow)

(and her two yearlings - she didn't want to leave them)

(One baby was curious enough to stand up)

(The rest of the cows in the pasture)

(This one was curious but wouldn't come any closer)

(The beige one on the left was the bull)

(Troubadour parked off the road by the gate)

(Enough 'fertilizer' around for the mushrooms to grow)

(I parked up on the side of the road)

After the cows, we continued on Luckiamute Road and made a loop north and east until re-joining Kings Valley Highway.  From there it was a short stint south until we could turn east on Maxfield Creek Road. We were aiming for Berry Creek Road/Tampico Road because it was another short stretch of gravel.  Turns out it is now paved. Doh!  Wonder when they did that.

(Fort Hoskins to Corvallis via Gage Rd, Burbank Rd, Kings Valley Hwy,
Maxfield Creek Rd, Airlie Rd, Berry Creek Rd, Soap Creek Rd, and Sulphur Springs Rd)

We made one quick stop along Airlie Road to take a few pictures of another barn in the sunshine.  The lighting wasn't great but we managed a few pictures.

(A barn somewhere along Airlie Rd)

(Looking Northeast across the Valley towards the Cascade Mountains)

Troubadour took a little longer to take his pics than I did so when he finished he found me leaning on my tail bag waiting patiently.

(Photo by Troubadour)

(Trobairitz & her TW 200 - photo by Troubadour)

This was the last stop of the day.  We managed to get home by about 4:30 and the sun was still shining.  We only rode 80 miles (129 km), but we had a great afternoon out on the little bikes.

It rained some yesterday morning and it is raining again as I write this Sunday morning. It has been for a few hours.  We may break that October rainfall record yet.

UPDATE - as of Friday Corvallis has actually seen 11.25 inches (28.57 cm) of rain. I was actually going off of Eugene's rainfall totals to the south of us.  Here is an article from our local paper yesterday.  LINK.  And yes, it is still raining now.

- Au Revoir

"Autumn repays the earth the leaves which summer has lent it." - George Christoph Lichtenberg (1742-1799)
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Decision Made - Sort of - I Think

It has been a month since I posted so I figured I'd best write an update.....

As we researched and narrowed the field regarding bikes we noticed that the 2016 Honda CB500x seemed to tick all the boxes.  Well, ticked all but one.  It is not available with a  gear indicator, which I am used to on the Gladius.  This isn't a deal breaker though.

(2016 Honda CB500x ABS, photo credit to advpulse.com)

Earlier in September we had a week off and one day went to a Honda dealer about an hour or so away.  They had a 2016 in stock and we had every intention of taking it home that day.  Troubadour took it for a test drive and thought it was great.  Unfortunately the salesman had all the personality of a wet-blanket and it was like pulling teeth trying to engage him in conversation.  He gave us what he said was his rock bottom price, $250 off MSRP.  Unfortunately this was still $150 more than the Honda dealer in Medford, a few hours to the south of us.  Alas, the salesman would not budge even a bit.

We decide this personality/salesman did not deserve our dollars.  While we were disappointed, it gave us time to think.  This was on a Friday and we had the following week off.  We hummed and hawed and debated about driving down to Medford, the only other dealer in the State with this bike in stock.

I was reluctant to drive down just for the bike.  Would we have to trailer it home? Would one of us ride it home? Would we ride down two up on the Tiger and both ride back?

On the weekend Troubadour suggested that we drive to Southern Oregon for a hiking trip and he would take his gear just in case we decided to drop in, and if the stars aligned buy the bike.  After more discussion we decided to go ahead and do it but opted to take the Subaru as there was a nice trailer for sale down there and if he decided to purchase it, the trailer could then be hauled home, with or without a bike on it.

Monday morning we packed a small overnight bag and some snacks and headed out.  

(Corvallis, OR to Medford, OR via I-5)

We made it down to Medford by 1 pm.  We found Shinsei Sushi for lunch and they had several vegan sushi rolls and the best seaweed salad I've ever eaten. We then wandered a bit in REI.  I was looking for a hiking book on the area and they had the one I wanted.

From there we scoped out the Honda dealer. They were closed Monday but at least we knew where it was.  It was getting later in the afternoon so we thought we'd best check out somewhere to stay for the night.  Our first two dinner choices were in Ashland, which is 10 miles south of Medford and only 16 miles north of the California border.  We drove to Ashland, home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.  While there we looked at a few hotels online and then looked for one of the dinner places -  Blue Toba.  Closed Mondays, doh!

Notice how we haven't done any hiking yet?  I kept telling Troubadour he lured me to Medford under false pretenses to get me to check out the bike shop. He didn't deny it too hard.

We looked up our second choice restaurant, Agave, on our phones and it too was closed on Mondays.  What the hell? Does no one eat on Mondays in Southern Oregon? Back to the HappyCow app on our phones and our third choice was back in Medford so we decided to find a hotel there.

We stopped at a Best Western and they didn't have any rooms with a king bed, just one with two queen beds. I asked Troubadour if he wanted to sleep in separate beds.  Sleeping with both of us in a queen size didn't even cross my mind.  Nope sorry, look some more. We did find a Comfort Inn that was nicer than the Best Western and it had a king room. available.  We got checked in, looked at the room and decided to find dinner.  

The Siam Cafe wasn't very exciting, just your average Thai food, but with small portions. It certainly was no Woodsman, which we get at home.  At least the place was open.  By this time it was early evening so we just headed back to the hotel.

Morning dawned and we made some tea and ate our raisin bread and peanut butter for breakfast.  We checked out and headed to Starbucks for a latte.  As we were drinking our coffee we chatted about the potential bike purchase and why I had a niggling/gnawing feeling about maybe not purchasing one just yet. The trailer Troubadour was interested in was a bust.  He couldn't get anyone to call him back. So to get a new bike home we'd either have to rent a U Haul trailer, which are pretty heavy for the Subaru to haul, or Troubadour would have to ride it home.

When all was said and done I decided I would feel better selling the Gladius first.  I had just ridden it to Saturday morning coffee and it was making my right hand and forearm sore just riding the 5 miles.  At one point in time I wouldn't have dreamt of letting it go, but it is time. I just don't enjoy it anymore and the fiscally responsible thing to do is to sell it prior to purchasing a new bike.

So, we drove by the Honda shop without ever stopping in, cue facepalm. I didn't want to stop by lest I really be tempted.  As we headed further out the highway I checked out the map in the glove box.  (Yes I really used a paper map).  I noticed we were on Highway 62 heading northeast toward Diamond Lake.  Hmmmm.....Troubadour and PolarBear were headed to Diamond Lake on that Friday for the Dog Face Dual Sport Rally. (I am sure one of them will blog about it eventually)  I suggested we keep going and take the long way home, which meant we could avoid driving part of I-5 and also he could scope out the camping for Friday.

(Medford, OR to Diamond Lake, OR via Highway 62)

It was a good route to take and more than once one of us mentioned it would be a nice road on two wheels.  We arrived at Diamond Lake around lunchtime.  We parked at the lodge and decided to walk along part of the paved bicycle path that goes around the lake.  It actually took us by some of the rental cabins and through parts of the campground. Here the camera finally came out.

(Diamond Lake, Oregon)

(Diamond Lake, with a view of Mount Bailey)

(Troubadour at Diamond Lake)

(We saw a lot of ducks)

(And duck butts)

(One of the boat launches at Diamond Lake)

(Another view of the lake)

(Blooming fireweed, looking back towards the lodge)

(Diamond Lake and the boat dock/launch)

(Yet another view of Diamond Lake)

By this time we were pretty hungry so we walked back to the car, explored the lodge a bit and then ate our apples for lunch.  We had a few options for getting home and we chose Highway 138 into Roseburg then up I-5.

(Diamond Lake, OR to Corvallis, OR via Highway 138 and I-5)

We stopped at the Safeway store in Roseburg for a few bananas for dinner and finished up the final leg home.  

The following day we tidied up the Gladius, took the v-strom hand guards off as well as the Givi tail bag and plate, then gave it a good wash.  We listed it for sale but so far have had no bites.  It is getting to be the wrong time of year as we are into fall and winter is looming. Sigh.

So, now I must be patient.  If a smokin' deal came along on a bike we may well pull the trigger fiscal responsibility be damned, but if not I am happy to wait until Spring.  I still have the TW200 (when the new battery arrives next week) and can still ride the Gladius in the meantime notchy throttle and all.

- Au Revoir

" A bend in the road is not the end of the road, unless you fail to make the turn." - Author Unknown

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Have You Ever Had to Make Up Your Mind?

As you might remember from previous posts, I am seriously thinking of finding a new bike.  Not necessarily brand new, but new to me.  Something a little more upright, something with a little more space between the foot pegs and seat so my knees aren't as cramped therefore making it more comfortable for longer distances.

We have been looking at several makes and models and kicking tires for a few months now.  I think we have it narrowed down to a short list of bikes...well, so far anyway. The list seems to be rather fluid and changes weekly. Here are a few that have been on the list recently.....

A used 2013 Ducati Hyperstrada in pearl white popped up on Craigslist a few weeks ago.  I immediately loved the look of the bike and started doing research.  It is essentially a Hypermotard they have added some touring features to.  

(Photo courtesy of Asphalt and Rubber - 2013 Ducati Hyperstrada)

It seemed to tick all the boxes and weighs 6 lbs less than the Gladius.  I became a little worried about the electrical issues mentioned on the Ducati forums.  2013 was the first year of the Hyperstrada.  We never made it up to Portland to check it out in person and the ad disappeared sometime in the last few days.  I am thinking someone took a chance on it.

Another bike on the short list is the Honda NC700x.  Princess Scooterpie has an NC700 and loves it. The NC700x has a little more off-road appearance in that the beak and 'frunk' (front trunk) where the fuel tank should be, are different. I am not sure it really has any changes beyond that.  There is a local dealership in the Portland area that is selling hold-over brand new 2014's for $5,000.  Pretty darn good price for  a new bike with warranty.

(Photo courtesy of Totalmotorcycle.com - 2014 Honda NC700x)

This bike seems to tick all the boxes but I do wonder if the 17" tires will do any better in the gravel than the Gladius.  (*note all three bikes in this post have 17" tires) I also wonder about getting used to the fuel filler being under the pillion seat so you always have to get off the bike to fuel it.  And if you fuel it up while it is on the side stand is it being filled all the way.......

We have thought about other bikes as well; BMW Sertao, Ducati Scrambler, Triumph Tiger 800, Suzuki V-Strom 650, Honda CB500X, KTM 690 Duke, Yamaha FJ-09..... (FYI - an FJ-09 with TKC-80 tires on it really tall)

Last Friday I was off work at noon and we drove to Sublimity to visit Power Yamaha.  They are also a Kawasaki and KTM dealer and have several hundred used bikes of all makes and models in stock.  Our intent was to ride our motorcycles there, but the weather was not cooperating. The highest we saw on the thermometer of the Fiat was 108˚F (42.2˚C). Not only did we not ride there, but the blazing sunshine made it a wee bit difficult to sit on any bikes since most were outside in direct sunlight. Those black seats get mighty hot in the sun.

I did sit on a 2016 Kawasaki Versys 650 and was pleasantly surprised. I liked the ergos and the price.  I wonder how easy it would be to maneuver when parking and/or at a standstill because of the 33 inch seat height and 476 lb wet weight.  While I wasn't flat footed I felt sure-footed even in sandals. It is 30 lbs heavier than the Gladius, but I think that is half fuel - it has almost 2 more gallons in the tank than the Gladius.

(Photo courtesy of Kawasaki.com - 2016 Kawasaki Versys 650)

Currently the dealer has the 2016 Versys 650's on for $6,999 and the LT version with color matched hard panniers and hand guards for $7,999 (both are $1,000 off MSRP).  I have never really been a fan of Kawasaki.  Not sure why, just never cared for their bikes.  Didn't really like my Ninja 650R when I had it. It always felt too top heavy to me. I guess this is why I was surprised when the Versys appeared to be a comfortable fit when I sat on it.  LINK to specs on the Versys.

At some point I know I'll need to test ride a few bikes.  I don't like test riding because I don't enjoy riding unfamiliar bikes.  The whole scenario makes me anxious, but I also don't see a way around it.  

The hardest part of bike shopping is trying to see what make and model might tick the most boxes while still prioritizing wants and needs.

I think my first priority should be an upright riding position, followed by weight/height, and lastly gravel road capability.  Oh yeah, price and insurance costs should be in there somewhere too.

So, have you ever had to make up your mind?

- Au Revoir

" The inability to make has decision has often been passed off as patience." - Author Unknown

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