Dudewado
Well-known member
Since it's right in my backyard, I can't miss the annual Reuben Run. (Although, after the last two, I may have to re-think that.)
I left Roseburg Thursday and followed the beautiful green N. Umpqua River up 38. This is my favorite ride, and the weather was perfect.
On the run up 97, I got to see a female driver from CA catch up to, then pass an Oregon State Trooper. They appeared to be having an interesting conversation as I went by.
After getting to the motel, I saw the always fantastic sight of a whole herd of same but different FJR's, along with some interlopers. Inside, I ran into a lot of familiar faces, and some new ones.
I'll never forget going to my first WFO in Moscow, ID. When I came around the corner and saw ~100 FJR's lined up in the parking lot, I laughed out loud in my helmet.
On Friday, Ken Hattan talked me out of my fear of group rides, and I went on my first one at an FJR rally.
With Ken in the lead on his FZ-09, then Jer from Salem on his 2013, Sam on Ray's FJR, then me with Ray riding sweep on the Wing, we took a 250 mile ride on some of the best local roads.
We took 58 to Oakridge, then the Aufterheide byway to 126. That leads to the famed McKenzie Pass 242 that was in perfect shape, with no traffic and very little gravel in the corners.
I would hope to be as fast as Ken and Jer when I am their age, but let's just say they were kind enough to wait for us from time to time.
I have no pics from this ride, we did little sightseeing.
The next day brought another first, a poker run at an FJR rally. It was a lot more fun than I expected, and the proceeds were for disadvantaged children in Deschutes County.
Mount Bachelor:
Now for the bad. Last year I tried dodging a deer and totaled my '03 and broke my collar bone.
I had spent the last 600 miles of this ride talking to myself and saying, "Don't fuck up, don't be the guy that crashes two years in a row".
On the last stop of the poker run at the Harvest Depot restaurant, as I was inside getting my last card (And learning my two pair wasn't going to beat a full house), a car backed into my 5 month old '14 and knocked it over.
The Gods are fucking with me, I know it!
I had Motovation sliders, but I don't see that they helped at all. The mirror broke at the frame inside and broke the fairing, which is something I had never seen.
I'm wondering if the bike rolled over on the sliders and that made it worse.
Oh well, that's what insurance is for, and at least my bones are all intact this year!
Besides, the left side still looked good on the ride home:
I had a great time, the roads, weather, and people were perfect. A lot of people missed out on a good time.
Thanks again to Ray, Patti, and Joel at the Harvest Depot for putting this together.
See you next year! (MAYBE)
I left Roseburg Thursday and followed the beautiful green N. Umpqua River up 38. This is my favorite ride, and the weather was perfect.
On the run up 97, I got to see a female driver from CA catch up to, then pass an Oregon State Trooper. They appeared to be having an interesting conversation as I went by.
After getting to the motel, I saw the always fantastic sight of a whole herd of same but different FJR's, along with some interlopers. Inside, I ran into a lot of familiar faces, and some new ones.
I'll never forget going to my first WFO in Moscow, ID. When I came around the corner and saw ~100 FJR's lined up in the parking lot, I laughed out loud in my helmet.
On Friday, Ken Hattan talked me out of my fear of group rides, and I went on my first one at an FJR rally.
With Ken in the lead on his FZ-09, then Jer from Salem on his 2013, Sam on Ray's FJR, then me with Ray riding sweep on the Wing, we took a 250 mile ride on some of the best local roads.
We took 58 to Oakridge, then the Aufterheide byway to 126. That leads to the famed McKenzie Pass 242 that was in perfect shape, with no traffic and very little gravel in the corners.
I would hope to be as fast as Ken and Jer when I am their age, but let's just say they were kind enough to wait for us from time to time.
I have no pics from this ride, we did little sightseeing.
The next day brought another first, a poker run at an FJR rally. It was a lot more fun than I expected, and the proceeds were for disadvantaged children in Deschutes County.
Mount Bachelor:
Now for the bad. Last year I tried dodging a deer and totaled my '03 and broke my collar bone.
I had spent the last 600 miles of this ride talking to myself and saying, "Don't fuck up, don't be the guy that crashes two years in a row".
On the last stop of the poker run at the Harvest Depot restaurant, as I was inside getting my last card (And learning my two pair wasn't going to beat a full house), a car backed into my 5 month old '14 and knocked it over.
The Gods are fucking with me, I know it!
I had Motovation sliders, but I don't see that they helped at all. The mirror broke at the frame inside and broke the fairing, which is something I had never seen.
I'm wondering if the bike rolled over on the sliders and that made it worse.
Oh well, that's what insurance is for, and at least my bones are all intact this year!
Besides, the left side still looked good on the ride home:
I had a great time, the roads, weather, and people were perfect. A lot of people missed out on a good time.
Thanks again to Ray, Patti, and Joel at the Harvest Depot for putting this together.
See you next year! (MAYBE)