Demenshea's 7 State 2 Province Journey...home to reflect

[demenshea]

Originally Posted by GLJoe

Demenshea,

I'm sorry I haven't been paying much attention. If I had known you were coming through this direction I would have offered a detour around the road construction and invited you for a cold drink with my wife, kids and I. (Hidden motive to inspire my wife to want to go for this kind of a ride...) Maybe next time!
-Joe

Man Joe, I do wish i had known in advance as this was truly an uncomfortable part of the trip. For me meeting other Pashnites along the way is one of my hidden motives. On an aside, I would love to try and inspire your wife. Did u have her read this thread?? Many women don't think they can do this sort of ride, but i have met other women on Advrider, who have done way more than 3K. I hope to join them soon!

Next time i will be more vocal regarding my route. Of course this one was altered due to brushfires. So i suppose we have to be flexible!!

[Ally House]

Donna,
What an inspiration! Awesome pics, prose, and story. Very well done. Too bad you didn't make it farther west in Oregon--someday!!
Ally

[GLJoe]

Donna,

My wife doesn't ride (yet). I show her this kind of thread every now and then when she isn't irritated by me being on Pashnit or other Moto forums.

You picked a rough time to come through unfortunately. There have been some terrible fires around here this summer. I think I would have missed you on your way through the first time. We may have even passed each other, but I was in F-150 with my family headed to California (Winters/Dixon) and then north for camping (Lassen, Lava Beds, Crater Lake, and a remote hot springs in eastern Oregon). It was a great trip but I was wishing for my bike instead of the truck...I just can't seem to fit all four of us on the bike...

Take care! I really enjoy reading your ride reports.

-J

[Don Hopkirk]

Great write up as well as photos Donna! I thoroughly enjoyed reading about your adventure. You are one of the most adventurous people I have ever met. I have to admit the thought of doing a ride like that is still a little scary especially riding most of it alone.

The only down side to this trip is you weren't able to make the ride with us to Santa Cruz. I was looking forward to finally getting to ride with you.

Thanks for sharing your trip with us!

Don Hopkirk

[m0t0-ryder]

Excellent motophotojourney.

[taosports]

Wow!!!! Thanks Donna for taking us along on your great adventure. Great story...beautiful photographs!

[Steve1962]

Donna ,
Following your recent trip , I'd be interested to find out how you found the whole experience - did your riding style change as a result , have you a different view of long distance riding now you've actually done it - would you change anything if you did it again ?

Thanks
Steve

[demenshea]

Originally Posted by Ally House

Donna,
What an inspiration! Awesome pics, prose, and story. Very well done. Too bad you didn't make it farther west in Oregon--someday!!
Ally

Hello Ally,
Thanks so much!!! Actually i considered it so that I could see my sons and grandsons and mom and sis as they are all in Portland, however, I had been gone already 15 days and it was time to be home. I have to get up there later in the year to take care of some business. Maybe we can hook up then!!

Originally Posted by Don Hopkirk

You are one of the most adventurous people I have ever met. I have to admit the thought of doing a ride like that is still a little scary especially riding most of it alone.

U need to get out more Don!! Seriously, i know exactly what you are saying. I think because i do so much riding alone anyway, it never occurred to me to NOT do the ride! There wasn't a scary moment ont he entire route, unless u count the bear. That was a bit of an eye opener!! Also, i still need MORE practice on dirt. I always seem to tense up when ever there is dirt to cover.

Originally Posted by Steve1962

Following your recent trip , I'd be interested to find out how you found the whole experience - did your riding style change as a result , have you a different view of long distance riding now you've actually done it - would you change anything if you did it again ?

I guess the simple answer to all these queries is no, no, and nothing. My riding style changed with the change from cruiser to sport-tourer many months ago when i got the Triumph. I think if anything, i am a better more focused rider as a side effect of this kind of distance ride.

Distance riding is my favorite. I am much more inclined to go for several days, rather than a day outing. I love the experience i garnish for this sort of travel and once i am on the road i keep wanting more. I can actually admit to being ready to go again!! I have been following the adventure of a woman riding solo from Florida to Alaska and back, on ADVrider. She is taking 6 months for this trip. That sounds like the perfect ride to me.

The only thing i would probably change is to NOT lose my jacket. That was an expensive oversight on my part and I loved that darn jacket!!

Since we have met Steve, here on pashnit, I have certainly grown as a rider.
We have had several interchanges regarding motorbike formats and riding. I think i have finally found the perfect bike for moi. The bandit is quick, easy handling, short enough I can flat foot, and very comfortable. I am lucky to have finally found the machine that makes every ride a blast!!

Thanks everyone for the wonderful feedback. I can hardly wait to take another LONG ride to a new land.

[Steve1962]

We have had several interchanges regarding motorbike formats and riding. I think i have finally found the perfect bike for moi. The bandit is quick, easy handling, short enough I can flat foot, and very comfortable. I am lucky to have finally found the machine that makes every ride a blast!!

Thanks everyone for the wonderful feedback. I can hardly wait to take another LONG ride to a new land. [/quote]


Donna ,
Finding the perfect bike for you makes the whole riding experience complete , takes it to another level - I'm glad you got there , some folk never do , and they don't know what they are missing .
The Panzer was exactly that for me , and it pained me to let it go , but circumstances as they were meant I really had to do it - I've no regrets about the reason for doing so , but boy do I miss that bike .

Ride safe ,
Steve

[Kootenanny]

Donna, like the new avatar!