So, my boss told me that I (along with himself and others) were going to Portland for a day and a half of meetings. Obviously, I told him, no I'm not. I reminded him of the extremes I go to in order to get out of traveling to meetings. (Last time, he tried to send me to Chicago, so I got hit by a car so I wouldn't have to go.) I think, in an attempt to bribe me he said, you can ride over, and you can leave early and go the long way. Then he threatened me and said, either that, or you'll ride in a car/van with him and three others. I still resisted, but finally broke down and said I would ride over.
And thus we begin the trip...
Aug. 19 2019
I started the day early, taking care of some work stuff, before loading the trike with the things I wasn't able to do the night before.
I was then ready to go.
There was one box (brown and white strapped on the back) that I needed to drop off at work so Brad could haul it over. At about 8:30 I headed in and dropped it off on his desk with the note: No direct sunlight.
I chatted with Matt and Jody before I left the building and was on my way.
I headed west on highway 12 until I came to the highway 261 turn off to Starbuck. Even though it had only been about 65 miles, I stopped and topped off the tank so I would be able to make it to Yakima.
I continued on 261 until it met up with 260, then on to Connell. As I was driving by Connell, I took note of where I had pulled off during my 2018 Soap Lake ride to calculate if I needed to get fuel. This time, I didn't turn north on WA17, but instead crossed over it onto Hendricks road. Brad, this is that back road I was telling you about. Even though it had most of the identifying marks of what should have been a back woods farm road, it was paved and in very good shape.
Hendricks road eventually met up with Mountain Vista road for a short distance until reaching highway 24.
I followed 24 past Moxee and into Yakima, where I proceeded to I82 which I took to the north end of town.
I got off I82 onto highway 12 and then started looking for fuel stations.
I ended up on 16th ave and stopped to fill up. I then had the GPS look for a place to eat. There was a Majors close by, so I headed over there. I almost forgot to take a pill, but I ran back out and got them when I got my food. It was pretty hot out, so I took my jacket off and put it under the net on the back before leaving. I headed back to highway 12 and resumed my trip to the west.
As I was headed towards White Pass, there were a few different views of Mt Rainier.
I missed some better ones, but I got my drift turned on and was able to get this one.
Coming out of one of the small towns along this stretch of road, the lovely person driving this pickup made the assumption that when the speed limit returned to 50-60 mph, I wasn't going to speed up fast enough.
I am saying this because I can only guess that, as we were coming up on the speed limit sign, they were already accelerating.
Now mind you, we have double yellow lines at the time.
Once I reached the sign, or maybe a couple feet before, I began my acceleration.
For those of you that know me, know that when I accelerate, I do so quickly (especially on the bike).
At some point in the first 1-3 seconds of my acceleration, I heard the rev of an engine and realized that their plan was to pass me but they weren't keeping up, but decided to double down anyway.
As there was traffic coming the other way, I let off the throttle and put out my left hand as if to say, dude we're in a no passing zone.
(No, there were no rude gestures made on my part.)
However, as luck, karma or what have you would have it...
Several miles later, the truck ended up in the right (slow) lane behind someone else and I along with a couple other cars passed them.
Anyway... On highway 12 as I was coming up on Ethel Washington, I slowed and turned south onto Tucker Road. Now, this is a shortcut, not because it would take less time, but instead because it was a shorter distance and it got me off the busy highway.
I followed Tucker road until it joined onto Jackson highway, which soon joined onto highway 505 which took me into Toledo. I stopped here for fuel and to wash the windshield. I then took the Toledo-Vader road over to I5 and began my 69 mile trek into Portland.
As I was traveling along I kept tracking, tracking, tracking and then at N45° 46.981' W122° 40.454' it happened. I put my 5000th mile on the bike.
For a few more miles after that, everything was still flowing fine, then all of a sudden, the north bound lanes came to a stand still. I thought to myself, I'm glad I'm going into Portland and not out. It wasn't right away, but eventually, my lanes came to a crawl. I did get stuck in the center lane at a stand still for a little while, but then got onto the outside lane and got past the congestion. Turns out there was an off ramp clogging things up.
Getting off I5 at the Morrison Bridge, I crossed the river, got onto Naito Parkway and was soon at the hotel.
I won't bore you with all the details, but I waited around for about 20 minutes for Brad and the gang to show up and then we checked in.
Aug. 20 2019
... Work Relate stuff happened here ...
Aug. 21 2019
We had been told that there was a storm moving in, so it was decided that I would be able to leave early.
As I watched Weather.com, the storm did seam to slow as it got closer to land, which I was hoping would help me stay in front of it.
I got moving at about 11:24. I had to go around the block and then across Hawthorne Bridge. I went north on Grand, looking for a place to fuel up, but there wasn't anything by the time I got to I84, so I continued on.
I got off of I84 and onto I205 and crossed over into Washington. Exiting onto highway 14, I headed east, however I did pull off onto 164th Ave and topped off the tank.
After getting back on 14 a little past Camas, I got sprinkled on for the first time, but it only lasted a second. I did get sprinkled on one other time during the trip, and it was also just for a little bit, but I'm not sure where it was, so I'll just mention it now.
I got stopped for construction at the Carson turn off for about 5 minutes. About 10 miles later I was stopped, next to Drano Lake, for another 5 minutes. This time it was not for construction, but they were running a car with some contraption back and forth along a stretch of road and they were stopping traffic for it.
I'm not exactly sure how long after that it was, but a ways down the road, I began fighting with the wind. Sometimes it was a strong choppy wind, and other times I would get hit by a strong wind gust. Once or twice I thought it was going to lift me right off the bike by the helmet.
I pulled off at the turn that would take me to Biggs Junction. I checked miles against fuel range and decided I could make it to Umatilla. I got back on the road and was soon hit in the hand by a bug that in turn went up my jacket sleeve. A mile or so down the road it must have come to because I felt either a sting or a bit on my arm. I gave it a good slap trying to make sure whatever it was, was dead. I never did see what it was.
I made it to Umatilla and pulled into the Shell station to fill up.
There had been a few times, during the ride so far, when I would get some warm air, mostly wafting up from the engine.
This would in turn cause me to try and doze off.
So, instead of filling up and getting right back on the road, I went around the building and parked on the other side.
On this side of the building was the Lucky Dog Lounge & Grille.
However, as you enter, if you pull to the right, instead of going into the lounge, you get the Crossroads Truck Stop Cafe.
This is the same place I had stopped in August of 2013 when I was hauling by broke down bike in the back of a U-Haul during my first attempt at an Oregon Coast ride.
That time, I had pie.
This time, I asked the waitress if the milkshakes were good and which she thought was the best.
The menu said there were three flavors, but the waitress said her favorite was Chocolate and Peanut butter, which was not on the menu.
I had her make me one of those with an order of tater tots.
While I was eating, a couple of elderly ladies came in. One of them said to me, I'll bet that is your motorcycle out there. To which I replied, yes. And she jokingly asked, Are the crutches for in case you tip over? We both had a laugh.
Once I had finished up, I headed over to the register, meaning to ask if they accept credit cards, I asked instead; Do you have credit card? She said yes, so I had to follow it up with, great, we'll use your credit card. She replied, I know that you said that, but I know that's not what you meant. I paid and thanked her.
On my way out, the Elderly lady wished me safe travels and I wished her a good rest of the day. I took a couple pictures, climbed back on and headed for home.
The rest of the trip was uneventful. Although, I was starting to get a bit sore towards the end.
When I got home, I sent a text to Brad and asked where he was and about the parts to my leg that he was supposed to have brought back for me. Turns out, he had left the box in Portland. He made one or more calls (I don't know how many, I wasn't there) and learned that Matt G. had it. On Thursday (8/22) Matt was able to get it shipped next day air and I got it Friday.
The round trip was 800 miles and added a little extra positive to a work trip.
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