Oregon, and some Idaho and Nevada

[Dave Migliore]

Michael...

No WONDER I ran into you at Roseville Yamaha buying yet another tire - you put in a kazillion miles.

I picked up my '07 mid February of that year and I’ve got 49,300 - and I, too, will be looking to replace my rear tire soon.

Wonderful pictures - especially the one of the long shadow of the bike against the terrain.

Mig.

 

[KhromalusionaL]

Love the pictures. I grew up in good ol Pendleton and know most of the roads you took around that area. I always love going to joseph and Enterpise, Oregon. you got a map of your whole trip?

 

[Old Michael]

Why did you get off of I-5 in Medford, only to u-turn at Hwy 99 and head back toward the freeway? )

Hahaha. I actually pulled into that Shell station and filled up. You should've stopped and said howdy.

I gotta admit, I'm still uncomfortable having a pump attendant approach me when I stop for gas.

Is tipping expected?

They're funny about that damn 55mph up in those parts.

Yeah, well I wasn't laughing at the time Markie. What a crock. I'm in the middle of freaking

nowhere, on 140 East. Sunny. Dry. The road is straight as an arrow.

Not another car in sight. Just gliding along, listening to the Supremes, and ---WHAM!

He lights me up.

Paced me at 75 in a posted 55. I had to ask what the posted was, and when he said 55, I almost crapped!

I know it was my fault for not paying attention.

Yeah, "lack of situational awareness", but my gosh, it just seemed unfair.

He said he'd followed me for a good bit, and I was steady and smooth and obviously "just enjoying the ride."

"Sorry", but he was "obligated" to cite me. And when he said it would be about $250, well, ......I went for his gun.

(Just kidding. ) But it put a damper on my day.

Sorry for the rant, and I'll be fine without any piling on. The law is the law. I've no valid excuse for "speeding."

Riding in a foreign land, I shoulda used a bit more caution. Dammit!

That must have been you on July 4 just outside of Florence, Oregon around 2pm.

It were indeed, mi amigo! There's no sneaking through Oregon. It would have been a hoot to meet you and say hi to the family. I'd stopped in Florence at their "street party" thing. Beautiful little place. Woulda been fun to stay for the fireworks show, and eat chowder on one of the restaurant patios.

Bastids!

That's a bit harsh LD. Or maybe not. :lol:

We're heading to MT this coming Saturday to get the two there. Why don't you tag along.

I'd love to, but I'm boycotting Oregon for a month, and I might bump into it heading to MT. Will I be seeing your mug

at WFO?

 

[LDRydr]

I'd love to, but I'm boycotting Oregon for a month, and I might bump into it heading to MT. Will I be seeing your mug at WFO?

True Dat! We be planning on it. Make sure you ride to WFO via NV and you'll be fine.

 

[Old Michael]

...I too have been guilty of the 'march'..

You sure as hell have been, ya ******. I can't believe your CBA card's not been yanked. You must know someone.

I picked up my '07 mid February of that year and I’ve got 49,300 -

That's not too shabby Dave! :blink: You retired or somethin'?

... you got a map of your whole trip?

Nope Khroma. I can't figure out how to do that. I should work on it.

Thanks for the comments.

 

[tcfjr]

OM:

Your ride reports and photos always make my day!

We're heading to MT this coming Saturday to get the two there. Why don't you tag along.

I did the Montana dams on the way up to CFR. For Flint Creek Dam, I headed west on MT-1 from I-90, and spent 5 miles or so traveling through the fine city of Anaconda at the well-enforced speed limit of 25mph. Brutal. Then, in my stupidity, I backtracked the same way. I think they call that "road crazy".

 

[k7lvo]

Why did you get off of I-5 in Medford, only to u-turn at Hwy 99 and head back toward the freeway? )

Hahaha. I actually pulled into that Shell station and filled up. You should've stopped and said howdy.

I gotta admit, I'm still uncomfortable having a pump attendant approach me when I stop for gas.

Is tipping expected?

I would have stopped if I'd seen you pull into the station. I was right behind you at the light and turned left and went ahead into town. (IIRC that's not a legal U-turn there, and, anyway, my pickup might not have made it without backing up.)

I've never heard of tipping an attendant. FYI, the Chevron station at the south Ashland exit (east of I-5, exit 16) lets you completely self-serve when you're on a bike. Pull up, stick your card in, and start pumping.

That last 2 mph cost you dearly. I picked up a brief sheriff's escort, also on 140, but just a few miles out of Medford, a couple of weeks ago. 73 in a 55 is $145... My first ticket in something like 30 years! (First ticket ever on a bike.) The deputy asked for my license, told me he'd be back in a couple of minutes, handed my license back - along with his "gift" - said "Thanks, have a nice day!" and walked back to his car. Didn't even check my registration and insurance... I'm gonna go down and talk to them in the next couple of days and see if I can get some friendly advice. (Well, I can hope, can't I?)

 

[Cello II]

Now you are REALLY plugging in the miles!! That's the way I like it! Parts of it were very familiar. I left in the same direction on my last ride at 3 am, however, and went to Denio, Burns , Seneca, and around to Prairie City :yahoo: before Austin, Sumpter, 51 :yahoo: and La Grande. Still early in the day, I went south to Baker, Oxbow, up toward Cambridge and back to that fabulous 39 :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: up to Joseph. I continued to Clarkston/Lewiston for the night at only 4 miles short of 1100 for the first day out. You have to agree that there is some gorgeous country and lots of great roads out there!!

Yes, my trip home was marred by an overaffectionate deer south of Ellensburg WA who approached unseen from above me, and knocked me off the FJR. I killed the deer with my helmet, my bike totaled a small Toyota pickup across the lane and I slid on my face for 135 ft , says the WA State Trooper. I still have no memory of about 1 1/2 hour's time. My Guardian Angel has had to work overtime for me, and I am deeply appreciative. Perhaps I'll give it a rest. Warning: Those comfortable soft light gloves don't even stay on while sliding down the road!! Everything else worked as advertised. ATGATT

I like your kind of final ride home much better, my friend, and I hope you make thousands more. I love the stories and the pics. Somehow you are able to turn those long quiet times on the road into amusing and clever observations that reach those of us without the Irish gift of spinning phrases. Keep it up. It is deeply appreciated.

Alan

 

[Old Michael]

Keep it up.
Alan

Love ya brother.

How's the finger, and the rest of you?

It doesn't sound to me as if you've "lost the urge". That is good.

When are we going Yamaha shopping?

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

Good on ya old man. some of those sights look familiar. When I try to get back to Owyhee dam I'm asking for directions :lol: Great pics as always. You have great stamina! And you find all this riding time and you aren't retired? You are my hero! Well, maybe not hero, odot may take that the wrong way -- but I admire your riding! Great report once again...

Later dude! keep the reports coming.

 

[LDRydr]

We're heading to MT this coming Saturday to get the two there. Why don't you tag along.

I did the Montana dams on the way up to CFR. For Flint Creek Dam, I headed west on MT-1 from I-90, and spent 5 miles or so traveling through the fine city of Anaconda at the well-enforced speed limit of 25mph. Brutal. Then, in my stupidity, I backtracked the same way. I think they call that "road crazy".

Thanks for the tip. We'll be dropping down from I-90 at Drummond to get down to Flint Creek, then going back north the same way to head up to Rainbow Falls and stay the night in Great Falls. Only two more dams after that, and I'll pick them up on the way home from Jackson WY on Tuesday. It's a shame I can't pop in on my mom (who lives in Joseph) after Oxbow but must be home Tuesday night. But we'll be going through there on the way to NAFO at the end of the month.

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

"Paced me at 75 in a posted 55. I had to ask what the posted was, and when he said 55, I almost crapped!

I know it was my fault for not paying attention.

Yeah, "lack of situational awareness", but my gosh, it just seemed unfair.

He said he'd followed me for a good bit, and I was steady and smooth and obviously "just enjoying the ride."

"Sorry", but he was "obligated" to cite me. And when he said it would be about $250, well, ......"

******* did you no favors even if he was just doing his job. If he had kncked it down to 74 I believe your fine would be about $150. I was lucky in eastern Oregon doing about the same thing and the trooper lit me up but let me go.... a freebie warning.

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

"Paced me at 75 in a posted 55. I had to ask what the posted was, and when he said 55, I almost crapped!

I know it was my fault for not paying attention.

Yeah, "lack of situational awareness", but my gosh, it just seemed unfair.

He said he'd followed me for a good bit, and I was steady and smooth and obviously "just enjoying the ride."

"Sorry", but he was "obligated" to cite me. And when he said it would be about $250, well, ......"

******* did you no favors even if he was just doing his job. If he had kncked it down to 74 I believe your fine would be about $150. I was lucky in eastern Oregon doing about the same thing and the trooper lit me up but let me go.... a freebie warning.

 

[RenoJohn]

Jeezers Michael, ...another S T E L L A R ride report. Awesome pics.

But: You phucking wanktoid, next time you come through nevada you better let me know and I certainly could have escorted you through some more interesting stuff than that I-80slab.

.....but you made up for it with some great stuff once you got north.

Grass Valley OR made me laugh and brought back some memories. Over some beers, I'll tell you the story of when I ran out of gas in Grass Valley Oregon on the FJR ....with no stations open ....and the antics I had to pull to get some petrol and out of town.

Thanks for sharing your fun .....yet another awesome report.

....Reno

 

[Hudson]

OM,

Didya have a radar when the police guy came up on ya? Or was it purely pacing?

I think I get complacent with my V1...

 

[Warchild]

Most recently, CELLO II had a deer ruin his day and his FJR, and I was certainly pondering thatas I rode.

When possible, I followed other vehicles, hoping they'd work as cowcatchers. And when that wasn't possible,

I slowed way down, and turned the lights up.

You wouldn't have to slow down too much if you have a set of these 4GHID babies... you can just about see through time when these are lit up:

 

[Old Michael]

the trooper lit me up but let me go.... a freebie warning.

Local sonsofbeaches get all the breaks.

... You phucking wanktoid...

Phucking wanktoid? You're like a......wordsmith, huh. Brought a tear to my eye.

...Over some beers, I'll tell you the story of when I ran out of gas in Grass Valley Oregon on the FJR ....

Hey John. I notice that one of the rules for this get-together in Moscow states - Absolutely no alcohol. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol2: :blink:

Didya have a radar ... Or was it purely pacing?I think I get complacent with my V1...

Hudson, I don't have radar, and he checked the pace box on the ticket. There were boxes for radar and laser as well. And they even note that the base fine is $252. An information-packed little piece of yellow paper, huh? And complacency comes easy to me as well.

You wouldn't have to slow down too much if you have a set of these 4GHID babies... you can just about see through time when these are lit up:

Door prize at WFO WC? (And I'd hope you'll not be riding a Suzuki :blink: to the gathering.)

 

[big ears]

Great photos ole man and glad you shared with us. Too bad about the infraction. Here in my state we are 4th in the nation for ticket writing. Its done mostly for revenue which hacks one off. The same roads you run 70 on in Texas turn to 55 when you cross the border and deputy dog is always waiting. Sure takes the fun out of having an FJR. Even with all the laws around I was able to hit 155 today on a long stretch in the back woods. Just a quick run up and let off. Seems like hitting the brakes when you just let of the throttle. I do not recommend such behavior though. Have a good day.