Beuller?................... Beuller?.......
I'm awake, I'm awake, really, I am, I think.
I arrived home at 8pm'ish. Took a look at the mud streaks across the bike and was really glad I washed it the day before...
I popped a couple ibuprophen, curled up with the rottie on the couch and passed out for 10 hours. I hope I'm not getting to old for this...
So, a BIG thanks to all those who attended: Kate, Jessica, Jon, Chris, Chris. Another big thanks to Kate for rescueing this navigational-challenged-broke-down-gps ride leader from taking the entire group up into Canada. We almost got to visit Bubba! Around Nespelem, my Garmin Quest refused to acquire satellites. And combined with my inability to read road signs, we ended up going every direction but west.
The day started with the meet at Starbucks, Denydog and Dano met the rest of us for some general chitchat and lava hot latte's. We take off under dreary skies (but no rain!) down highway 2. Stevens pass was a bit chilly, but nice conditions.
First bathroom and gas break at Brewster.
A few WSP encounters, but no stops or tickets. Just outside of Brewster, we had Super Trooper do an immediate pull off into the median ahead of us and aim the K-Band. I swear this guy had a scowl on his face as we passed too.
We all did the obligatory high speed run across the desolate highway 174. I think the viffer got a new GPS top speed of 135 (musta been a tail wind). But the max speed indicated was 235, so I'll take that instead.
Arrival at Coulee was met with local police escort, apparently he heard about the 174 run.
Just kidding, there was a parade or something going on downtown, so we all got detoured on back streets to the dam.
Of course, we visit a dam, and I don't get a picture of the dam...
Lunch at the Pepper Jack, a well deserved rehydration and burger stop. We met up with Chris on the Concours at the restaraunt, he was going the clockwise direction of the route.
Arrival at Omak, and my GPS cannot acquire satellites if my life depended upon it, and it did. Req pulls up beside me, and I stupidly say "My GPS is broke and I can't figure out which way is north?!?". What I should have said was "I'm a complete dork, and really want to go west on 20..."
So Req does what I asked, and takes us north 97. I offer a thousand humble apoligies Chris!
I filter to back of the pack with Katego, who understands my spastic hand signals of "Where should we be going?!?" She points me in the right direction, and I ziz-zag through group and get us turned around. Kate takes the lead, and get us set on highway 20 west.
Final gas and pitstop, and some chuckles about Omak at Winthrop.
Loup Loup was dry, and it's usual level awesomeness. Around 5pm, the rain starts.
Washington and Rainy pass have very wet roads. And before Rockport, we get stuck behind a local yokal in a Silverado who thinks he can hang with sport riders in the rain and block us. If I had a dollar for every time this dipsh*t cut the yellow double, I could have paid for gas on this trip.
Luckily at 530 junction, we break off from this arsehole and get the road to ourselves. Jon takes the leads after the road drys out, and we enjoy dry roads to final gas stop at Darrington.
I play leap frog with a guy on a West Coast Chopper monstrosity with a 10 foot wide rear tire down Highway 9 until I got home. I arrive, wet, dirty and tired. But happy! Now were's that ibuprophen and couch...
Thank you all again!
