sportsguy
searchgeek - author
On Friday evening the chatter started about a ride on the weekend. Quickly I learned of the 14th Annual Sky Valley Antique and Custom Motorcycle Show happening on Sunday in Everett, WA.
So, up and out on Sunday morning, I opted to take the direct route to Everett on the 405/5 North. I played hopscotch with a Harley through traffic most of the way there, too. Very odd how drivers in the PNW like to accelerate to get up behind a car, even thought here is no open lane to then pass the car. Once in position, they slow down and let a big gap open up between themselves and the car they shot up behind. I see cars, trucks, motorcycles all doing this here, as if to announce a claim to the space to everyone else around them. Weird.
Finding the show was a bit of a crap shoot, as I had simply told the GPS "Cobly Ave." and selected the 2nd location it suggested. Even though I knew the cross street, I never thought to use the "intersection" feature on the GPS. Just as well, as I got to enjoy a short tour of the city.
Upon arriving in the right location, I was waved into the "bike only" area on Colby Ave. Cruising around with people walking along side you was a bit weird, though I forgave folks for not getting out of my way. I mean, they simply couldn't HEAR my quiet FJR amongst all the Harleys...LOL After being told there was no parking, I promptly found a spot.
Fit like a glove!
Then began the strolling... all around, seeing bikes of every type and description. British, German, American, Japanese, etc. Choppers, cruisers, dual sports, sidecar rigs, drag bikes, customs, mopeds, classics, new creations, sportbikes and more.
Managed to bump into Stephen who was pimpin' his ZX14, and also introduced me to one of the owners of Adventure Motorsports (thanks Stephen). Whilst were were talking, a kindly, elderly gentleman approach just long enough to flip each of us the bird, then when we glanced around, he was gone., No doubt in search of pie...
Now, say what you want about Harley's etc., but I try to keep an open mind, as I suspect most of us do. Some of the attention to detail folks put into their bikes is frankly amazing. With this in mind, allow me to take you for a tour of the show, then we'll cruise by the Snohomish Airport to watch some touch-n-goes and skydivers...
What's in a name...?
After walking what must have been a couple of miles over a few hours, here are some more of the pics nabbed at the show. I tried for a variety of types of bikes, though it's obvious this is a Harley/Cruiser heavy show. Nothing wrong with that, as these folks take obvious pride in their rides... except for that one guy with the dirty black FJR that still hasn't been washed since he rode it home last summer... *whistles*
Now, that's a sample of the almost 150+ pics I snapped at the motorcycle show.
...and given this is a RIDE REPORT, I'll make with the riding portion...
I grabbed the back roads out of Everett, planning to head more or less to Duvall, then onto home. Given rain had been threatening in the distance, I figured I'd grab gas on HWY 9, swap gloves and wrap my ziploc bag around the GPS. All was going well until I turned a corner in Snohomish and saw sky divers floating down. Pulling up to the lights to make th elft hand turn and scoot by the airfield, I saw the jump plan coming in, all crazy angles, making an aggressive, turning approach. Looke dgreat form my vantage point, and I was hoping he'd go up one more time...
Take off
Approach
Landing
Random other shots at the airport
All pics can be found in this album online.
While I was snapping the last shots, the rain started. I knew it was coming, but hadn't expected the HUGE rain drops that began plopping down around me. As I was parked on grass, I opted to hit the asphalt quickly and make sure the tires were nice and clean before putting any real power to the pavement. The rain followed me for about the next 20 minutes as I snaked back to Woodinville, then hung a left to head for Duval. After that, a quick right saw me headed towards Carnation and through Fall City. I snuck off the main road just outside town to enjoy the Fall City-Issaquah Rd, with it's great heaping piles of up-hill, downhill sections and twisty bits sprinkled in for good measure. Even at the posted speed limit this road is fun!
I neglected to snap pics for a couple reasons:
1 - too twisty to ride one-handed, IMO
2 - it rained on and off through here - mostly sprinkles, but I didn't really want to get the camera wet
After this it was a quick run back to the homestead to tuck the Black Barge into her slot in the garage. This marked the end of roughly 70 miles of riding on the new-to-me Sargant seat I just got last week. It's a remarkable improvement over stock, but I noted I still felt the need to move every 25 miles or so to "improve circulation" or whatever. Slight movements around the seat pad restored comfort, though, so thus far, I remain pleased with the Sargant. A longer ride awaits. Plus, I can always throw the Airhawk onto the seat if I really want some cushy.
So, up and out on Sunday morning, I opted to take the direct route to Everett on the 405/5 North. I played hopscotch with a Harley through traffic most of the way there, too. Very odd how drivers in the PNW like to accelerate to get up behind a car, even thought here is no open lane to then pass the car. Once in position, they slow down and let a big gap open up between themselves and the car they shot up behind. I see cars, trucks, motorcycles all doing this here, as if to announce a claim to the space to everyone else around them. Weird.
Finding the show was a bit of a crap shoot, as I had simply told the GPS "Cobly Ave." and selected the 2nd location it suggested. Even though I knew the cross street, I never thought to use the "intersection" feature on the GPS. Just as well, as I got to enjoy a short tour of the city.
Upon arriving in the right location, I was waved into the "bike only" area on Colby Ave. Cruising around with people walking along side you was a bit weird, though I forgave folks for not getting out of my way. I mean, they simply couldn't HEAR my quiet FJR amongst all the Harleys...LOL After being told there was no parking, I promptly found a spot.
Fit like a glove!
Then began the strolling... all around, seeing bikes of every type and description. British, German, American, Japanese, etc. Choppers, cruisers, dual sports, sidecar rigs, drag bikes, customs, mopeds, classics, new creations, sportbikes and more.
Managed to bump into Stephen who was pimpin' his ZX14, and also introduced me to one of the owners of Adventure Motorsports (thanks Stephen). Whilst were were talking, a kindly, elderly gentleman approach just long enough to flip each of us the bird, then when we glanced around, he was gone., No doubt in search of pie...
Now, say what you want about Harley's etc., but I try to keep an open mind, as I suspect most of us do. Some of the attention to detail folks put into their bikes is frankly amazing. With this in mind, allow me to take you for a tour of the show, then we'll cruise by the Snohomish Airport to watch some touch-n-goes and skydivers...
What's in a name...?
After walking what must have been a couple of miles over a few hours, here are some more of the pics nabbed at the show. I tried for a variety of types of bikes, though it's obvious this is a Harley/Cruiser heavy show. Nothing wrong with that, as these folks take obvious pride in their rides... except for that one guy with the dirty black FJR that still hasn't been washed since he rode it home last summer... *whistles*
Now, that's a sample of the almost 150+ pics I snapped at the motorcycle show.
...and given this is a RIDE REPORT, I'll make with the riding portion...
I grabbed the back roads out of Everett, planning to head more or less to Duvall, then onto home. Given rain had been threatening in the distance, I figured I'd grab gas on HWY 9, swap gloves and wrap my ziploc bag around the GPS. All was going well until I turned a corner in Snohomish and saw sky divers floating down. Pulling up to the lights to make th elft hand turn and scoot by the airfield, I saw the jump plan coming in, all crazy angles, making an aggressive, turning approach. Looke dgreat form my vantage point, and I was hoping he'd go up one more time...
Take off
Approach
Landing
Random other shots at the airport
All pics can be found in this album online.
While I was snapping the last shots, the rain started. I knew it was coming, but hadn't expected the HUGE rain drops that began plopping down around me. As I was parked on grass, I opted to hit the asphalt quickly and make sure the tires were nice and clean before putting any real power to the pavement. The rain followed me for about the next 20 minutes as I snaked back to Woodinville, then hung a left to head for Duval. After that, a quick right saw me headed towards Carnation and through Fall City. I snuck off the main road just outside town to enjoy the Fall City-Issaquah Rd, with it's great heaping piles of up-hill, downhill sections and twisty bits sprinkled in for good measure. Even at the posted speed limit this road is fun!
I neglected to snap pics for a couple reasons:
1 - too twisty to ride one-handed, IMO
2 - it rained on and off through here - mostly sprinkles, but I didn't really want to get the camera wet
After this it was a quick run back to the homestead to tuck the Black Barge into her slot in the garage. This marked the end of roughly 70 miles of riding on the new-to-me Sargant seat I just got last week. It's a remarkable improvement over stock, but I noted I still felt the need to move every 25 miles or so to "improve circulation" or whatever. Slight movements around the seat pad restored comfort, though, so thus far, I remain pleased with the Sargant. A longer ride awaits. Plus, I can always throw the Airhawk onto the seat if I really want some cushy.
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