Five Guys Go Riding in Oregon; One License is Lost

[Grumbler]

We reached Rowena Crest late last summer. Didn't go quite a smoothly as yours. Got stuck
behind a slow pickup on way up from The Dalles, and encountered a westbound bicycle race
while on our way down to Mosier. Slowest ride we ever did between The Dalles and Mosier.

We continued to Government Camp for brekkie then grabbed West Cascades Scenic Byway
south to Westfir. Did 58 and 97 from Oakhurst to Klamath Falls for the night.

West Cascades Scenic Byway, especially with the optional Quartzville Drive and Santiam Hwy
loop thrown in, absolutely rocks although we had to bypass it due to time constraints.

[Sport-Touring]

[XLR8]

Hopefully MisterSmooth won't mind if I add a few images.

I've been in grad school for the past 3 long years and the weekend right before this ride I walked and received my degree. This ride represented spontaneous freedom from the chains of academia and an opportunity to reflect on my accomplishment. Many thoughts go through your head when you're out on a ride, especially after spending so much time in front of a pile of books, papers and exams. This photo captures and communicates those thoughts the best and what this ride meant for me...5 friends experiencing the open road in their own way. I especially love how Nathan and Flip are standing on the platform surveying what's to come.

[Tyrroneous]

Well done y'all.  


I think I need a Tuono.  They just look so cool.

[kurtw]

It was my first experience on Smoothie's Tuono (God willing, it won't be the last ).  

The first thing that strikes you when you get on the Tuono is the seat.  It is hard, angular and cuts into your thighs when your feet are on the ground.  But, when you place them on the pegs, the seat fits perfectly, purpose built.  Next, is the motor.  It gets you attention like a cop standing 6" from your face.  It runs up to speed immediately, leaving you wondering if the speedo is working properly, (No way I am going this fast already.)  And then there is the way it handles, not serious like an athlete who has reach his level in sport through years of hard training.  No, it is more like the gifted athlete who shows up without any training and laughs his way to first place.

About 3 miles before this photo was a section of tight twisty turns.  I was trailing Smoothie with me on the Tuono and Smoothie on the ST3.  Going into a hairpin, I watched as he leaned further and further to the left.  "Damn!" I thought, "He is really riding the shit out of my bike."  I on the other hand was on his tail, the Tuono laughing   at how hard my ST3 had to work while the Tuono  simply played with the corner.

I've been primarily riding offroad all winter and spring so this was my first significant ride on the Tuono this year. I had been marveling over how much power the KTM 690 has. But I got on the Tuono Friday morning and was just amazed all over again. Wow it's an entirely different level (with several levels in between). I think your description nails it.

[Papa Lazarou]

Magnifecent report. Some of the roads look almost European.

PS, all all Americans as slim as you?

[beatnikmike]

Very nice report........   Thank you

Central Oregon = Maybe the perfect area for WCRM 2011.5

[miles]

PS, all all Americans as slim as you?

Yes.  Nathan better looking than most, but otherwise typical of our kind.

[coho]

Excellent RR, Smooth.
Perfect balance of text and pictures.  

Oh, and FU for having all that fun while the rest of us toiled away at work.  

[Explorer]

Hopefully MisterSmooth won't mind if I add a few images.

I've been in grad school for the past 3 long years and the weekend right before this ride I walked and received my degree. This ride represented spontaneous freedom from the chains of academia and an opportunity to reflect on my accomplishment. Many thoughts go through your head when you're out on a ride, especially after spending so much time in front of a pile of books, papers and exams. This photo captures and communicates those thoughts the best and what this ride meant for me...5 friends experiencing the open road in their own way. I especially love how Nathan and Flip are standing on the platform surveying what's to come.

what is the name of this road? and where is it located. I will be in the bend area some time tomorrow.

[XLR8]

I think that was 206, Condon to Wasco.

[Explorer]

Thanks!

[XLR8]

I was close, it was here.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/qousqous/3700425910/map/

Ya know, all those roads start to look the same out there...turn after turn...  

[kurtw]

Hey Jim, drop me a PM if you want to meet up for a meal or refreshments when you're in Bend!

[flips21]

I was close, it was here.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/qousqous/3700425910/map/

Ya know, all those roads start to look the same out there...turn after turn...  

The guy using Flicker got it wrong.  It was on 206 east of 97.  Google Maps shows it here:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=biggs&ie=UTF8&hl=en&sll=45.391549,-120.41595&sspn=0,0.053859&st=109146043351405611748&rq=1&ev=p&split=1&radius=1.57&t=h&ecpose=45.56859975,-120.85398952,885.25,151.221,65.16,0&layer=c&cbll=45.380014,-120.401453&panoid=MbSia-XUVgpJttN0ZuNm7w&cbp=12,304.44,,0,4.45&hq=biggs&hnear=&ll=45.379915,-120.392947&spn=0,0.037594&z=15

It is a spot worth stopping at.  You could see from Mt Jefferson to Rainer.  May be the biggest view I have seen in years.

Flip

[XLR8]

Yeah so just ride across Oregon until you see it. It's out there somewhere.  

[BIWOZ]

Great write-up and terrific photos.

I'm coming over in August to ride up through there.

This has just made it harder to wait! 

[Galo]

Great seeing all of you in these pics -and they are fabulous.....lovely report...very nicely done.
 

[Major 662]

It was kinda painful to stick my left arm that far into a hot exhaust can, but one of the bolts had bounced in there and I had to get it out...

[XLR8]

Thanks for the fucking invite.  I'd have skipped the national for this.  

 

Well, I think this ride was finalized while you were already en route to the Nationals. I was concerned I wouldn't be able to work out the logistics in time but was assured that I needed to do nothing and there would be beer waiting at the end of an excruciatingly entertaining day strafing the deserted roads of Oregon on the way to Bend. And that was exactly what happened.  

[Mastros2]

Excellent RR, Smooth.
Perfect balance of text and pictures.  

Oh, and FU for having all that fun while the rest of us toiled away at work.  

Haha!  +1