On a beautiful sunny Autumn day met up with Jurgen for a coffee and yarn.
It's taken many months after bush fires , rain and family things.
The ride heading north for me has some enjoyable sections.
Sorry no photos or video. May have the technology for the next ride.
I mentioned that I use this http://www.beckerenterprises.com/mot...n-nylon-wheels
to move my 800 around.
Thanks Jurgen
Staff's / Shropshire and Wales first proper ride of the year 153 miles, a little rusty and sometimes using gearbox and horn incorrectly (because I ride a Honda c125 super cub everyday )
Just a shortish ride today, west into the highlands.
Back roads to Inverness to check on an elderly native – all OK but can’t come out to play cos its muvvers day, apparently.
Onwards to the west via really little roads, some having dirty detours leading off of them into the hinterlands.
Did the infamous corkscrew off the south side of Loch Ness, then onto Fort Augustus
Haven’t ridden along the Glen Garry road for soooo many years, so seeing as the traffic was virtually non-existent, I went and covered some miles of glorious twisty tarmac and took in many superb views as I went along
Back towards Inverness via the northern road around Loch Ness. Never, ever, ever have I encountered so few vehicles on this road . . . at any time of the year, as I did today. From Invermorriston heading east I came up behind my first moving obstacle just as I got to Drumnadrochit. – nearly 13 miles and just one vehicle travelling in the same direction as me! And not that many travelling in the other direction either!
220 fun miles. Wonder how long it will be before the fun police stop even this sort of activity?
I traveled over to Kamiah, ID for the COG Bun Cooler "Un-Rally. Like many events, the actual Bun Cooler rally was cancelled, but seven of us decided to show up anyway. We brought our own food for breakfast and dinner and only ate out for lunch in Elk City. We did a good job of staying away from each other...and I think were better able to do so, than when I've gone to the local store to go shopping.
Weather was good the whole way over. I could tell in places that it had rained hard earlier. Even though the pavement was dry, there were some puddles of water that had collected. And later, I hit some wet road surface, but I never got rained on.
Eastern Washington
Along the Clearwater River. Much of the trip and the ride on Saturday to Elk City was along this river. In Elk City, it is a stream. By the time it gets to Lewiston, ID, the Clearwater River is very good sized. It makes for a great ride because the road follows the river much of the way. Even with the rally cancelled, I wanted to go over and make this ride by myself.
Saturday, on the way up to Elk City.
Chris
Elnathan - 2014 BMW F800GT
IBA# 49894 True Rounder = 0-20's - Rounder -- to -- 100's+ Red Hot Rounder
Elizdad, I took I-90 across Snoqualmie Pass. After crossing the Columbia River, I headed south on WA-395 towards Royal City and Othello. From there, I picked up WA-26 to WA-195, to Lewiston, ID. I then picked up US12 to Kamiah. If you have suggestions, I'm all for it. If you're headed over this way, avoid Stevens Pass if you're heading west. The traffic backs up for miles. Eastbound, it is fine. Snoqualmie Pass will back up some, but nothing like Stevens. I hear the North Cascades Highway just opened. That's my preferred route if time allows.
The Bun Cooler rally is on my calendar each year. The riders think nothing of coming from Alberta or parts south like Arizona and California for the weekend. It's a group of hard riding people who know how to do it safe. And at the end of the day, the Lewis and Clark resort is about perfect for everyone getting together outside and telling tall tales and enjoying their favorite liquid refreshment. I was sold on joining the COG after the way I was treated at that first rally. And there's lots of other get-togethers throughout the year.
And they even let a BMW owner join them, even though it is a Kawasaki group.
If the official rally hadn't been cancelled, I'd guess they get about 40 riders there for the weekend.
Chris
Elnathan - 2014 BMW F800GT
IBA# 49894 True Rounder = 0-20's - Rounder -- to -- 100's+ Red Hot Rounder
James and I took off yesterday morning to head for the North Cascades Highway. I wasn't sure what we'd encounter as we headed out. The North Cascades National Park is still closed, per Jay Inslee's lockdown directives. But the highway finally opened. So would we encounter what I've heard happened in California where the scenic pull-outs were barricaded and blocked off? Well, we got a mix of things.
The company town of Newhalem was closed off. (It is owned and operated by Seattle City Light.) They don't want any of us. I don't blame them at all. Till the highway opened up, the road was actually blockaded at the town entrance, even though much of the road was open beyond it.
We found a mixture of closings. Campgrounds and trails were mostly closed. Scenic pull-outs were open. One scenic place had the parking lot with toilets closed, but just around the corner, like 100 yards down the road...the parking lot was open.
So here's some pictures to enjoy for those of you that can't get out.
This is taken at a powerhouse at the far end of Newhalem. It's kind of nice to ride with another F800GT.
Diablo Lake. We cross that bridge next.
We stopped at the Colonial Creek campground for lunch. The campground was closed, but you could get to the lake for a pleasant place to eat.
At the far end of the park, is the Washington Pass Scenic Overlook, or NF-500.
Just a quiet meadow in the summer next to where we parked. In the summer, it is a meadow. Right now, it is a large pond with melting snow.
I never get tired of this view. The sheer size and magnitude of it, is overwhelming. If you look closely, you can see a car driving along the road. This area, btw, is the reason for the highway being closed. The avalanches leave snow 60 feet deep across the road area.
I go back to this road over and over and over again. The way east is great to enjoy taking the road fast, early in the day before everyone else is out. There's tight corners, and nice sweepers alike. I like to turn around at the Washington Pass Overlook and head back, then enjoying the scenery more and pulling off to admire creation.
Chris
Elnathan - 2014 BMW F800GT
IBA# 49894 True Rounder = 0-20's - Rounder -- to -- 100's+ Red Hot Rounder
Beautiful photos, Chris. Everything is sure nice an green and it has been a long time since I have seen snow. We are entering our dry season now and the grassy hills are starting to turn brown. I am not a fan of brown - which includes BMW brown. Clearly, there is not as big a rush by the public into your mountains as there are into our beaches.
I took a ride to the local Ace Hardware store and was surprised to see that all of the beach parking lots in town are now open. Half Moon Bay announced that their beach parking lots and bathrooms are now open too. Apparently, Memorial Day visitors created a real problem for the community last weekend. They parked all over the local residential neighborhoods. clogging the streets and were even using people's lawns to relieve themselves. Apparently the town just gave up and opened up the beaches and restrooms. Kind of sad really that the town's visitors were such jerks.
Last edited by Richard230; 05-30-20 at 09:08 AM.
Richard - Current bikes: 2016 BMW R1200RS, 2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2011 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Classic, 2009 BMW F650GS, 2020 KTM 390 Duke, 2002 Yamaha FZ1 (FZS1000N) and a 1978 Honda Kick 'N Go Senior.
No where near as good as Daboos pictures - they are stunning Sir, here are a few from yesterdays little ride around what the locals call the Gairloch Loop (not on my F8GS though).
First long(ish) run out on the new bike.
M1 Noth to Jcn 28 to see my daughter (appropriate social distance common sense). A lovely, healing walk in the countryside and a much-needed catch up.
What a fantastic motorcycle the F800GT is! Currently averaging 64 mpg (imperial gallons). The tall first gear is similar to the VFR800 I owned about ten years' ago. Really good for getting safely ahead of other traffic at roundabouts etc.
I totally understand. I took two road trips on my GT after I retired, putting on about 11,000 miles that summer. I prepared my wife for the strong possibility I would find something out on the open road that would be impossible to live with, and that I'd need to upgrade. Well, I went on those two trips and never found myself wanting another motorcycle. It's brilliant!
Chris
Elnathan - 2014 BMW F800GT
IBA# 49894 True Rounder = 0-20's - Rounder -- to -- 100's+ Red Hot Rounder
Staff's / Shropshire and Wales first proper ride of the year 153 miles, a little rusty and sometimes using gearbox and horn incorrectly (because I ride a Honda c125 super cub everyday )
Same here. Several late model Hondas recently all with the big grey horn switch. Still, it's better than previous BMW layout which was clearly designed for the three-thumbed beings from of Planet Zaag
As much as I get compliments on my white GT, if I had to replace it, I'd really like to get it in black. Something about the black takes my breath away.
Chris
Elnathan - 2014 BMW F800GT
IBA# 49894 True Rounder = 0-20's - Rounder -- to -- 100's+ Red Hot Rounder
Took a little run into the hills with eldset on his toilet 1200, ostensively to try and spot some golden eagles . . . epic fail there, but the ride in & out was nice
Those are beautiful photos, Steve. Thanks for sharing.
Richard - Current bikes: 2016 BMW R1200RS, 2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2011 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Classic, 2009 BMW F650GS, 2020 KTM 390 Duke, 2002 Yamaha FZ1 (FZS1000N) and a 1978 Honda Kick 'N Go Senior.
That 500X is the same model that Itchy Boots just purchased used to travel around Europe while she is waiting to get back to her trip from the southern tip of South America to Alaska. Her Royal Enfield Himalayan is quarantined in Peru until the pandemic is over and country opens up again. That could be a long time, so she will be off riding around Europe and posting videos of her travels. She said that the bike had something like 14K kilometers on the clock, was well maintained and she got it for 2K Euros less than the cost of a new one - if I recall correctly.
Richard - Current bikes: 2016 BMW R1200RS, 2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2011 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Classic, 2009 BMW F650GS, 2020 KTM 390 Duke, 2002 Yamaha FZ1 (FZS1000N) and a 1978 Honda Kick 'N Go Senior.
Took a shortish 200 miles ride out with eldest son on his toilet 1200GS and the new owner of his old 1200GS. We headed for Spean Bridge via Aviemore along old and winding roads and back via even older and windyer! roads .
The older bike doesn't appear in any photo's - well, who wants to see pictures of a 1200GS laying down in a car park?
In the german black forest.
First great trip since I have changed my tyres. I'm more than happy with those Michelin Road 5 boots. I never felt so confident with the bike before (Metzeler Z8)
Very scenic. It has been years since I have seen snow up close.
Richard - Current bikes: 2016 BMW R1200RS, 2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2011 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Classic, 2009 BMW F650GS, 2020 KTM 390 Duke, 2002 Yamaha FZ1 (FZS1000N) and a 1978 Honda Kick 'N Go Senior.
At first, I was a little miffed that the Washington DOT said they were not going to clear the road, but wait till the snow melted on its own. (They are estimating another month...) The first snow I walked across was only about 2-3 feet deep. But just a short ways beyond that, the snow depth was at about 6 feet and it kept getting deeper all the time.
I like to go there a couple times a year. The road up to Heather Meadows (the ski area) and Artist Point above that, is twisty and challenging. But the true wonder of the place is found at the top. I used to climb mountains years ago and it would take hours to climb that high up to see the sights you can get by driving up (when it is open). Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, many people aren't aware of what is there. I saw a motorcyclist ride up yesterday. Take a slow loop around the lower parking lot area...and depart. A lot of bicyclists will do the same. They'll struggle to get up there. Take a swig of water, and 15 minutes later, they are headed down again.
The ride itself is beautiful. The first part is heading north up Hwy 9, which used to be the main highway to Canada till I-5 was completed. It's still used a lot today, but is kind of a back road mellowed out ride with nice sweepers, trees and farmland. When you get on the Mt. Baker Highway, the road gets a few more twists and turns as it gets past the town of Glacier. As you go, the road gets even more technical with tight 180 degree switchbacks. And the last few miles to the top at Artist Point is both breathtaking for beauty and really really tight. And all along for the last 20-30 miles I'd guess, there are no guard rails. Lose your concentration and go off the road...and they may never find your body.
Chris
Elnathan - 2014 BMW F800GT
IBA# 49894 True Rounder = 0-20's - Rounder -- to -- 100's+ Red Hot Rounder
We had a class at church today to go over the new procedures when we open up for outside services in a week. I was intending to go straight home, with possibly a detour to Costco. But then I noticed the GPS didn't have a saved location to get to at the end of the Ben Howard and Mann Roads in Monroe. So I had to ride out to the end so I could save the location in my GPS.
Unfortunately, that put more miles on my tires, especially the sides.
Elnathan - 2014 BMW F800GT
IBA# 49894 True Rounder = 0-20's - Rounder -- to -- 100's+ Red Hot Rounder
Hi Chris, great photos! Fantastic views! One question about the white panniers - are they custom painted white? They look much nicer than the back ones.
I've taken a couple trips recently. Last Saturday, I went with the local Seattle Motorcycle Meetup group up to Baker Lake. I hadn't ridden there before, so it sounded appealing. And it was. We took some back roads up there, taking our time and just enjoying the scenery and the wind blowing over us.
I left the group to continue heading north around the lake. I ended up at the north end where the Baker River flows into the lake. I spent probably an hour sitting here eating my lunch, feeling a gentle warm breeze blowing over me, listening to the river. Unfortunately, I had a long way to go to get home, so the time had to end.
Mt. Baker
I stopped at the Baker Lake dam.
I suspect the water is pretty deep if that's the river outflow down below.
Obligatory motorcycle picture.
Chris
Elnathan - 2014 BMW F800GT
IBA# 49894 True Rounder = 0-20's - Rounder -- to -- 100's+ Red Hot Rounder
Tuesday, I went with James (jtvisions) over the other direction to the Olympic Peninsula. (BTW, we met solely because he filled in his location in his profile. Without that info...we'd never have enjoyed the many rides we've taken together.)
Deception Pass is a dramatic seascape where the tidal flow and whirlpools beneath the twin bridges connecting Fidalgo Island to Whidbey Island move quickly. During ebb and flood tide current speed reaches about 8 knots (9.2 mph), flowing in opposite directions between ebb and flood.[7] This swift current can lead to standing waves, large whirlpools, and roiling eddies. This swift current phenomenon can be viewed from the twin bridges' pedestrian walkways or from the trail leading below the larger south bridge from the parking lot on the Whidbey Island side. Boats can be seen waiting on either side of the pass for the current to stop or change direction before going through. Thrill-seeking kayakers go there during large tide changes to surf the standing waves and brave the class 2 and 3 rapid conditions.
The way out was beautiful open pastures with mountains for a backdrop.
On the Coupeville ferry.
Almost out to Pillar Point.
At Pillar Point.
On the way home.
At Lake Crescent.
Elnathan - 2014 BMW F800GT
IBA# 49894 True Rounder = 0-20's - Rounder -- to -- 100's+ Red Hot Rounder
Another great day in the Pacific Northwest, and another great ride. The caveat on that statement is that while you can ride year around here, most of the year is not like this. The lowlands are wet with rain, and the higher elevations are covered in snow. So you make the most of it while you can.
I was invited to join some other riders from church on a trip to Leavenworth. In case you're wondering, this was not a prison ministry trip to Leavenworth, KS. Here's a link to the town that brings some Bavarian hospitality to the PNW. https://leavenworth.org
The route takes us from sea level, over Stevens Pass in the Cascade mountain range and to the east side.
Crossing one of the rivers near Monroe, WA.
Along Hwy 2
A few miles out of Leavenworth.
On a whim, I detoured on the way home through Chumstick and came out near Lake Wenatchee. If you're in the area, this is a wonderful side road. Curvy. Good pavement. Little traffic. Just one of those roads that is good for the soul.
Back on Hwy 2, on the west side of Stevens Pass.
Chris
Elnathan - 2014 BMW F800GT
IBA# 49894 True Rounder = 0-20's - Rounder -- to -- 100's+ Red Hot Rounder
Wonderful road! Couldn't guess how many times I've rode Yakima Canyon in my younger days,,,maybe the college girls floating the river had something to do with it. There was a popular burger place in Yakima we use to go to, can't remember the name. Before the fly fishing popularity and the much much lower speed limit, Yakima Canyon was basically a race track and party spot. Fun Days. Awesome looking F800! Did you go yesterday? It was perfect riding, I went down around Banks Lake & Grand Coulee.
Thanks for posting, brings back awesome memories....
yes it is XR - this road has been my back yard for 50+ years - like you, i haven't a clue how many times i've been there - 2 wheels, 4 wheels, in the water, in the air, just about everything except hunting/fishing -
yup, i rode friday - perfect weather -
the really great thing is it hasn't changed all that much - other than getting busier, especially since covid -
i'm guessing Miners is the burger joint you're thinking of - they've been around forever and still owned by the same family -
Great weather here in the Pacific NW past weeks. Finally!! Took a quick spin over to Chamber’s Bay on the Puget sound near Tacoma. Nice ride with some beautiful views.
For some reason I can’t attach pics “says invalid file”??
Great weather here in the Pacific NW past weeks. Finally!! Took a quick spin over to Chamber’s Bay on the Puget sound near Tacoma. Nice ride with some beautiful views.
For some reason I can’t attach pics “says invalid file”??
I think you need 5 posts...which you now have.
Also...I'm guessing you live near Tacoma. You can add that to your profile. It comes in handy, especially as this is an international forum. If you need help with that, or posting the pictures, let me know.
Chris
Elnathan - 2014 BMW F800GT
IBA# 49894 True Rounder = 0-20's - Rounder -- to -- 100's+ Red Hot Rounder
Clearly, there is not as big a rush by the public into your mountains as there are into our beaches.
Originally Posted by Flying circus 2
IanA liked this post
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