To Portland and back, riding solo 1517 miles

[demenshea]

Adventure: Day one
Sacramento to Portland

A trip contrived by my best friend’s 50th surprise birthday and there was simply no doubt that I must attend. No convenient flights, and a very capable bike and rider. My mother, like Kimber’s, does not approve, but I decided this is from what adventures spawn, and she would understand once I arrived at her home in Portland and relieved her worry.

Leaving Sac at 2pm wasn’t exactly what I had in mind, but hey, those of you that know me realize the burden I bear with time and have either become tolerant or complacent, either way, you realize my failings. I am lucky in that I have a job with minimal deadlines and no required clocked hours, or I would be supplied with very meager pay.

I pondered over my new AAA maps trying to figure a way to avoid I-5, however with the late start and many miles ahead, I decided to take I-5 to ? and then rethink the path. The ride to Redding was uneventful, but strangely prophetic. I never felt quite connected, and as fate would have it, the clouds opened up in Redding and began pelting me with a cold rain. Yep, rain in Redding and vented clothing, a lousy combination. After making my way to Weed in the persistent rainfall, I decided I had had enough and burrowed in a motel in Weed, found cover for Lola, had a great Mexican meal and nice bath and called it a day.

Adventure Day 2
The following morning I rose, called my mother to let her know I was getting back on the road, however was taking a diversion to Crater Lake.

Mom: “Why do you want to go to Crater Lake?”

Me: “Because I have never seen it.”

Mom: “Yes you have, you were there as a child!”

Me: “Well…ok… I am going again…today”

Mom: “You would think with so little time, you would rather visit your mother”

Me: “Mother, you know I look forward to visiting you (damn she can slap on the guilt ) but it will be after I see Crater Lake. I will call as the day goes by, so you don’t worry. (ya, like that will help) It was 9am.

The road to Crater Lake was gorgeous. The traffic was sparse and travel was brisk. There were wonderful sweepers and clear skies, a much nicer day than previously. As I climbed elevation, the air became much colder and I found myself stopping for leathers and long underwear.

The elevation is a mere 6000 ft. but there was still plenty of snow on the ground and melting snow flowing across the roadways. I used my National Park Pass and entered the park, and climbed up the last winding roadway to the lake and what a sight to behold!!

First sight of the lake








I met a rider there, from Florida who was quick to tell me that he was 62 and on a ride he had wanted to take for ages. He was going east to west, south to north and back. He had an 1100 Vstar and trailer and I was impressed!! This seems like a vast undertaking for most anyone, however as motorcyclists, we LOVE the ride!!

Meet Robert…


More lake

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Riding out of the lake valley, you rise up to a bit higher elevations. What sweet country!


Clear but cold!








Suddenly, you are out of the park and out of the snow and trailing the Rogue River on Hwy 138 to Roseburg. What a beautiful and wonderful riding road! Once again big sweepers and not many twisties, so pace is quicker on smooth surfaces, a cruiser dream!







Sadly 138 isn’t long enough and before I know it, I am confronted once again with the 5. It was a L…O…N…G… ride to Portland from Roseburg, with a ton of traffic, 18 wheelers, speed control, and one rapidly stiffening bottom. When I arrived at my mother’s, after calling from several rest areas, I was ready to garage my beloved bike, and have an awaiting martini, for which my mother is reknown! It was 8 pm.

[demenshea]

Adventure Day 3
Karetta’s birthday party.
I won’t bore you with the details, only that there was 14 people, six of them teen girls, a stretch limo, a witty driver, lots of alcohol (no, not for the teens), and an excellent Greek dinner and most importantly, a very surprised Karetta! Her husband, an Alaska fishing lodge owner, flew down to surprise her and arranged this entire party. Kudos to Frank!

My pals, Karetta and Frank


Adventure Day 4
I got to visit my grandbabies and my kids!! What a treat! I rode Lola to North PDX and stayed at their new rental home. My sister also lives nearby so we made it a family get together including my mother. Was definitely nice to see everyone! My how the babies have grown.

Nice hair Grandma...


Adventure Day 5
A 7:30am departure from North Portland, put me in commuter traffic. I found myself surrounded. No lane splitting, no commuter lane, only a ton of SUVs and tractor trailers heading south on I-5. I couldn’t wait to get off the highway and knew of a short cut ... Hwy 217 over to Hwy 18. Of course as luck would have it, all the tractor trailers seemed to be going the same direction. Oh ya, I guess there has to be delivery and pick up in rural Oregon! I decided I was NOT in a hurry and rode with the flow. It wasn’t long until I was south of Lake Oswego on the 5 and could get off on 217 and connect to the road to the coast. It was the first clear day I had seen in the Portland area and it was glorious.

After a coffee stop in rural Oregon, I was primed and ready to take on the coast. You may ask yourself how I know I was in rural Oregon…maybe this will help.

Bait
Feed
Tackle
Brown eggs

All on the same sign.
Yep, rural Oregon.

I was geared up for chilly weather, as I was certain the Oregon coast line would be chilly and windy. I was not wrong. I had been told that the Oregon coastal highway was a road with many twisties, and not unlike the California coastal highway. This is NOT true. The Oregon road was a pleasure to ride, a bit boring actually, though not the scenery by any means. It was positively gorgeous, as the pictures will attest.











Reforested clear cut (and this one isn’t bad!)


Lola at the beach




Sushi anyone?? Sadly it wasn’t open


Who is that in there?


Bridge across the spouting horn




Tide pools with algae


After holding good and still, I finally caught a wave.


Textures

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The entire coast ride was riddled with high winds. As I met other riders, I would comment on the beauty of the day and each and every one replied with a statement that less wind would make it MUCH nicer. It was a bit of a thrill ride but after all, isn’t that why we ride?? I personally loved the thrill. I find wind exciting and challenging. And have discovered that these challenges make me a much better rider.

Bridge outside of Coos Bay


Wind-carved sands


I can never keep Lola away from the tracks!


Back in California!!


Pulling to the side to give my mom a quick check in, I notice I have a fishy escort


The boats below Trinidad


What a surprise to see these elk near the road north of Arcata. I was a bit timid about snapping their pic, however I used my zoom and they didn’t seem to pay me any mind with their faces glued to the grassy knoll.


I was determined to reach Fortuna, where I knew there was a nice new Comfort Inn. It was dusk and I still had nearly 50 miles yet to ride. I was getting fatigued and knew I couldn’t go much farther. I stopped in Trinidad hoping to find a motel, but alas, they were either full or camping spots. I rode on.

Once I made it to Arcata, I got off the 101 and began a room search. Several hotels were full and had signs congratulating the class of '06. I was becoming concerned that I was going to have to ride farther. I finally found a not-so-nice room at a Howard Johnson’s, but I was no longer being choosy. It was 9:30pm. I parked my bike near the front entrance and proceeded to fall off!!! It was rather amazing and I don’t know if anyone saw that silly stunt, but it was apropos for my condition. I was TIRED, so I retired to my room, after gathering myself off the cement.

I downloaded pictures into my laptop. Used the wireless connection to visit Pashnit and check messages and called my husband so he could have a laugh or two, then fell quickly to sleep.

Adventure Day 6
In the morning, I found several more bikes parked by mine and met some other CA riders. We exchanged stories and then I got off to a slow start at 9am. I was off to ride the Avenue of the Giants and visit the redwoods. My grandmother had done that very thing back in 1922 on a Harley. I thought of her as I rode through the giants.

It wasn’t until I tried to snap my first pic that I realized I had left my batteries and charger in my room…damn. No cell signal, and no where to shop, I rode down the Avenue awaiting a store of some sort to get some new batteries. I finally got batteries but missed several great shots, probably the best of the trip, . But here is my meager offering.







As you cruise in and out of the redwoods you come upon some amazing clearings. This is only one example as you skirt along the Eel River.


Once past Garberville, you are shuffled back onto 101. The road is experiencing a facelift. There were several occasions that I had to wait for up to 20 minutes as they piloted traffic north and south. I did have several humorous conversations with those waiting patiently. Once again, many people can’t believe I am riding alone on a decent sized motorbike. It makes for interesting conversation. I had the usual, “Where are u guys riding to?”
“Me and???”
“Oh my, are u riding that big thing alone??”
, I thought of several come backs and how none of them were nice enough to share with my clueless new buddies.

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At Leggett I took Hwy 1 to the coast. Now this is a road!! The surface is fantastic but there are a ton of tight twisties and switchbacks. I was itching to go after so many miles on the freeway. I jumped right into the spirit but after a few scraped footboards and engine guards, I made a pact that this was quite possibly Lola’s last hurrah with me as I had been longing for other bikes with more clearance and better handling. She has been a great bike for me, but as my riding has grown, so has my desire to push the boundaries a bit and she is not the right bike for the spirit. On the highways, she is a mean machine, but in the twisties, she is a lot of work, heavy and sluggish. I love ya, girl, but I need to let you go.

I made my way down Hwy 1 to Fort Bragg.


Nevermore the raven


Two young men I met that had taken Amtrak to Seattle from Wisconsin and were riding bicycles down the coastline to San Francisco to meet friends. I was impressed with their ambition. I watched them on the road earlier and they were working really hard!! They too were on an adventure!


Moi


A glimpse of the road


After Fort Bragg, the road was less than exciting. I took Hwy 20 around Clear Lake and it was filled with after work commuters. They are rude tailgaters and the road is filled with tractor trailers going 10mph. It was also heating up in a big way. By the time I got to Clear Lake the air was like a sauna. I stopped at Foster’s Freeze on the lake and got a cool drink and a quick bite to rev up my blood sugar. The place was packed!

With my mind focused and now clear, I did some of my best riding on the trip. There were no real twisties, but I was able too keep a good clip and slide through the sweepers. I passed several groups of cruisers, and waved as I sailed by, hoping to keep the cruiser faith as I rode by in my sporty gear! Of course I couldn’t help but hear echoes of other riders from my morning departure.
“Wow, it is good to see a cruiser rider in full gear.” I wouldn’t have it any other way.

The valley was horribly hot and muggy. I had consumed my entire camelbak crossing from Hwy 16 to I-5 to Hwy 50. The final leg of my mighty adventure was coming to a close and I felt like a seasoned traveler on two wheels.

As I pulled into the garage, I was deep in thought. Once I get caught up at work, where to next??



Route and Total Miles: 1517

[Eifelrider]

A great ride report, Donna! You took some beautiful pics!
Doesn´t it feel good to just get away from everything and explore unknown territory? I hope I can go on of those 3-5 day trips too this year, before winter comes back.

[Jester]

Originally Posted by Eifelrider

A great ride report, Donna! You took some beautiful pics!
Doesn´t it feel good to just get away from everything and explore unknown territory? I hope I can go on of those 3-5 day trips too this year, before winter comes back.

+1 Donna. Good balance of Pix and Prose. Thank you for sharing that great ride.

[demenshea]

Originally Posted by Eifelrider

A great ride report, Donna! You took some beautiful pics!
Doesn´t it feel good to just get away from everything and explore unknown territory? I hope I can go on of those 3-5 day trips too this year, before winter comes back.

Thanks Daniel!! This was a pivotal trip for me and I now KNOW i need to replace my bike with another better handling motorcycle. but what??

I hope you get out for a few days...there is nothing more centering than an amazing ride!!

[Backmarker]

Great read and write up Donna. I haven't been to OR in years! There is a lot to offer there if that danged rain wouldn't get in the way so much.

I think back of your first reports and how much in just a short time you've grown as a writer, photographer and rider. It's just amazing. You're an inspiration for sure.

Maybe if you ever make it down this way, with either Lola or a new friend, I can have the privilage of joining you on one of your excellent adventures. I would really like that.

Ride safe...

[Strega 51]

Great write up and photo's Donna