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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | Aug 8/11 - Two day ride from Vancouver to Ocean Shores, Wa. via US Customs, I5 to Hwy 20 West, Deception Pass, Port Townsend Ferry, and circle route around the Olympic Peninsula. Day 1 down the Hood Canal and west to Ocean Shores. Day 2 north on Hwy 101 to Port Angeles, Port Townsend, ferry ride and north to home. 1,200km (720m) of mostly 2-lane - some wonderful scenery - some cut down rain forests. Weather cool - 14-15c (60f), no rain but some heavy moist air - almost like rain. This first time around, my Video was squashed - so this is a re-post. Video is Hi-Def as usual: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_35lATXBvI
(Yukiyo & Ocean.jpg)
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 Yukiyo & Ocean.jpg (76KB - 0 downloads)
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Iron Butt
Posts: 785
Mt. Vernon, WASH. | GEEZ! I just watched the video and come back to the main page to find you've been moved to 'dead storage'. The brand new ferry boat is less than 6 months old and it and it's new sister replaced two 80+ year old ex-Frisco Bay tubs that the Coast Guard threw off the water. The GEODUCK (pronouncedGOOEY DUCK) has been there for 80 years and it's a rider friendly place. (a GEODUCK is a huge, obscene looking Bi-valve clam that guys love to have there pictures taken with holding them in front, makes killer clam chowder)
Deception Pass North of Oak Harbor (where, if you ain't Dutch, you ain't much) is 180 feet off the water and goes in and out of style with suciders. The rain forest is in the Hoh area "WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL ME???" and gets over 300 inches of rain annually, just over the mountains Sequim (Skwim) gets less than 15 inches because of the mountains causing a rain shadow.
Next trip, go East on Canada 1 (home of the biggest group of nuttiest drivers I ever saw) and drop into Eastern Washington around Mettaline falls, and down to Hwy 2 and over Stevens Pass to hook up with I-5 heading home. Desert, mountains, Levenworth (Tyrolean tourist trap) nice views and sheer terror up I-5 through Bellingham. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 52
DeRidder, LA | Anyone from Puget Sound area up for a ride one day next week? I have the whole week off so pretty much any day is good.
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 28
| <p>Yeah, I have Mondays & Tuesdays off - I'd be up to 6 to 8 hours out & about. Pick someplace to go & I'll tag along! I'm in Kent. Jay</p>
Edited by Victory XC 2011-08-10 11:32 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | Pollolittle - Very nice, lived just south of Deception Pass for a few years, beautiful. You could ride all the way down through Whidbey Island and it is all two lane.
Brian - sorry I messed up the original post - 'Windows' did an update last night - while I was uploading my video to YouTube - so only the first couple of minutes made it to them - without me knowing. And so I had to re-do the upload today - and create a new 'link' to YouTube. Anyway - thanks for your comment - and I wish you were still around so you could meet my 'athlete'. She IS beautiful - here is what she looked like while coaching swimming in Tokyo at age 30. And at 41 - she is exactly the same. I AM a lucky man ....
(Yukiyo the Instructor at 30.jpg)
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Yukiyo the Instructor at 30.jpg (65KB - 3 downloads)
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Cruiser
Posts: 52
DeRidder, LA | How does taking 101 around the Olympics sound? I haven't done it yet, would that be 6 to 8 hours? |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 785
Mt. Vernon, WASH. | That's more like a two day'er it's all meandering two lane with lots of little 25 mph burgs in the path. Even the 3 Pass is a very long day (Snoqualimie Pass to Blewett Pass then Stevens) is a busy day but should be a really nice ride given the weather isn't too hot. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 52
DeRidder, LA | I'm up for anything really. I don't know a good 6 or 8 hour trip so any suggestions are welcome of rides qnyone has done. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | bugmasai - 2011-08-11 8:59 AM I'm up for anything really. I don't know a good 6 or 8 hour trip so any suggestions are welcome of rides qnyone has done. One of the best circle routes in the west - Tacoma to Winthrop via hwy20 - 222m, then Winthrop to Leavenworth via 97 - 115m, and back to Tacoma via hwy2 - 145m Total 482 fabulous miles - I have done it MANY times (but back to Vancouver). Makes a LONG day - but on a Vision - childs play! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 52
DeRidder, LA | That sounds great, I think that's the plan then. |
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Tourer
Posts: 599
New Mexico | bugmasai - 2011-08-11 9:59 AM
I'm up for anything really. I don't know a good 6 or 8 hour trip so any suggestions are welcome of rides qnyone has done.
"Destination Highways" - Hands down the best book for motorcycle friendly roads in Washington State. I carried it with me all over the state and it never let me down. Maps, road ratings, gas stops, biker friendly establishments, etc. All in an easy to understand, user-friendly format.
http://washington.destinationhighways.com/
Edited by Boots 2011-08-11 5:49 PM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 785
Mt. Vernon, WASH. | Having worked a tourist type job @ Diablo Dam on Hwy 20, Marblemount is your last available fuel until Winthrop so be prepared to pay out the nose for petrolium distillate, you might want to put the 1 gal 'drop tank' in one of the side bags. Marblemount is a god place to stop for a Buffalo Burger @, of all places, The Buffalo Farm' right next to the CHEVRON Station.
Take a Detroit style jacket because Washington Pass can get pretty cold even in Summer and nasty if it rains. The lake waters turn that green from a granite like rock called Gneisse (nice), the glaciers grind it up all Summer, when the glaciers stop moving in the late Fall, the lakes turn crystal clear because the Gneisse settles out of the water. The rock itself is a kind of dark green and is all over the area.
Rather than I-5, start early and come up Hwy 9 to Burlington, lots of two lane twisty and a one lane bridge too.
Keep your eyes peeled and see how many old cars and trucks you see 'out to pasture' |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 785
Mt. Vernon, WASH. | By the way, has anyone outside the Western Washington area done a GOOGLE images search for 'GEODUCK' yet? If you do, show your wife or girlfriend, she'll give a snide remark about equipment and laugh. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | Gotta love GOOEY DUCK ! And Highway 9 is what is known locally as 'HEAVEN' - I been riding it for 40+ years, and still think I'm in heaven each time....
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 28
| If I wouldn't have gone and said something, I'd be on the road.
But today I got the old "Ahh, can you come in for a few hours both Monday & Tuesday?"
Damn.
Have fun.
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Cruiser
Posts: 52
DeRidder, LA | Victory XC-
I think I'm going to do the Winthrop/Leavenworth loop on Monday if you want to come along. Planning on leaving early from Tacoma say probably 5:30ish so I can beat all the traffic headed North. I can swing by Kent on the way if I take 167 if you want to come. It may be a bit longer of a day then you were bargaining for. I've had the Vision for a bit over 3 months and haven't been on a long ride with her yet, and I'm just itching.
If anyone else if free Monday, by all means I'd love the company. Wife is working so she won't be along. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 52
DeRidder, LA | Doh, well never mind that last then |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | Here is a little bit of what you would see heading to Leavenworth - this is from our tour to the Grand Canyon in June...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVTUFIV3EJE
Enjoy !
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | Yes, I see you are looking better poolside. Kinda miss up there and no so MUCH HEAT! You do know that you and the missus are missing ELVIS week here. Tons of folks missing the KING.
Yeah, i would love to get back up there and ride some of those Mountain passes and enjoy some of the cool weather. I lived that far North and never made it into Canadian America, but I was up there once in Calgary for a World Jamboree back in the early 80's. I think I would have more fun now.
Has your honey got you to skiing yet? |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | pollolittle - 2011-08-12 11:50 AM Yes, I see you are looking better poolside. Kinda miss up there and no so MUCH HEAT! You do know that you and the missus are missing ELVIS week here. Tons of folks missing the KING. Yeah, i would love to get back up there and ride some of those Mountain passes and enjoy some of the cool weather. I lived that far North and never made it into Canadian America, but I was up there once in Calgary for a World Jamboree back in the early 80's. I think I would have more fun now. Has your honey got you to skiing yet? Re: skiing - In my younger years I was president of the Vancouver Water Ski Club, and treasurer of Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club - summers waterskiing, winters snowskiing. I owned a cabin at the top of Grouse Mountain - overlooking Vancouver - for 25 years. Had to give up both when my heart attacked me. Sold everything and moved to Florida - for 5 years in Kissimmee where I had 5-bypass heart surgery. Wife of 44 years was dying of a horrible incurable disease, and after 9/11 we had to move back to Canada - broke and destroyed. Wife died before Yuki could come from Tokyo to care for her - but a week before her death, she called Yuki and told her to "get on a plane, get over here, and look after my husband!". She came, we fell in love, married and I hope will have many years of happiness. She LOVES biking, loves me, and loves my (our) cat. And believe it or not - she has me considering taking up skiing again! I have been given a 'second chance' - and I am trying to make the best of it .... Sorry for the blah blah blah - but I feel it is a good story worth re-telling in this sometimes miserable world. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | I need another tissue! Thats a good story, mr. second chance. I had a few of the details wrong in the above story, but now all straight. WOW, is all I can say. Taking up skiing, let us know when you ride the Vision up to the lodge, love to see those pics. Looking for a winter place to take the crew skiing this winter.
Oh, I need another good story, feet propped up, popcorn in hand, and a cold Dr Pepper sweating at my side. Let the Blahing begin.......... |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 785
Mt. Vernon, WASH. | Next time you go to Yakima, in Ellensburg take the old road through the canyon and along the Yakima River. All two lane twisties, nice and cool and beautiful running parallel to the river. Looking up on your left you can see barbed wire fences installed over 100 years ago on literal cliff faces in melon sized boulder fields, tougher crowd then to do that all by hand and post hole digger in places you'd be scared to try and stand!
Keep the camera handy and be ready to blaze away in YAK, there is a very large Latino community there and if the weather is nice, you'll break your neck watching all the very cool custom cars driving by.
On the return, take 97 up to Wenatchee and back across Stevens Pass heading West. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | pollolittle - 2011-08-12 2:09 PM I need another tissue! Thats a good story, mr. second chance. I had a few of the details wrong in the above story, but now all straight. WOW, is all I can say. Taking up skiing, let us know when you ride the Vision up to the lodge, love to see those pics. Looking for a winter place to take the crew skiing this winter. Oh, I need another good story, feet propped up, popcorn in hand, and a cold Dr Pepper sweating at my side. Let the Blahing begin.......... OK. Here it is: One thing about 'second chances' - you don't waste a second of them - CHANGING OIL !!! |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | donetracey - 2011-08-12 7:56 PM
pollolittle - 2011-08-12 2:09 PM I need another tissue! Thats a good story, mr. second chance. I had a few of the details wrong in the above story, but now all straight. WOW, is all I can say. Taking up skiing, let us know when you ride the Vision up to the lodge, love to see those pics. Looking for a winter place to take the crew skiing this winter. Oh, I need another good story, feet propped up, popcorn in hand, and a cold Dr Pepper sweating at my side. Let the Blahing begin.......... OK. Here it is: One thing about 'second chances' - you don't waste a second of them - CHANGING OIL !!! ?
Don - I'm going to quote you on this one - that is good, and good food for thought. Even though in life, we really don't have a second chance to live it over, but when given that opportunity for change, albeit, a second chance, one should never make waste of it.
Second chance: don't waste a second of it!
A man of wisdom, thanks Don! |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | Well, I DO get MY oil changed more often, ya know what I mean....?
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | yes, changing oil is a good part of life. I do it often... I know what you mean...  |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | Cap'n, Pollo - best advice that MOST of the folks on this site could use, is something that has been a huge part of my adjusting to changes in MY life. Goes as follows:
' Don't sweat the PETTY things.... PET the SWEATY things !!! '
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Iron Butt
Posts: 785
Mt. Vernon, WASH. | DONETRACEY & BUGMASAI-
Heads up! be sure you stay @ or below the posted limit from Marblemount to Newhalem, Mr. Bear is very very strict and Newhalem is National Forest so State, Count, and Mr. Ranger are all hoping you are going 26 MPH there. You can snack up @ the store in Newhalem but no gas till way over the pass. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | SYNSTR - 2011-08-12 11:11 PM DONETRACEY & BUGMASAI- Heads up! be sure you stay @ or below the posted limit from Marblemount to Newhalem, Mr. Bear is very very strict and Newhalem is National Forest so State, Count, and Mr. Ranger are all hoping you are going 26 MPH there. You can snack up @ the store in Newhalem but no gas till way over the pass. You GOTTA be smart ... Going into ANY town - BACK OFF - Mr. Ranger is GONNA BE THERE ! .... usually napping after his donut and coffee splurge I passed 6 patrol cars while above the limit on our recent Grand Canyon trip - they just 'waved' at me - and I 'waved' back as I sped away .... Don't speed where you shouldn't .... |
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