SD to Oregon

[piratemonkey 0]

The ride goal: Wayne and I decided we wanted our gas pumped in Oregon, one of only two states in this great nation that does not allow self-serve.

The route (more or less):

The result: Success.

We arrived at O'Brien, Oregon on September 20, 2010 at 2:20 pm PT, whereupon a gentleman on a bicycle came racing over from the main building to the pumps about a 100 yards away. Enthusiasm: excellent!

The attendant initially handed Wayne the pump, but Wayne told him that we had ridden all this way to watch someone else do it. The guy seemed amused and did it as requested. He was actually faced with double duty on Wayne's KTM Adventure since it has two gas tank openings. After filling the side nearest to him, Wayne decided to cut him some slack and took the nozzle to fill the other side. Still, Wayne was pleased with the effort.

He also filled mine with ease, for which he earned the coveted Thumbs Up rating. He didn't have a chance to earn two Thumbs Up since he didn't have to wrestle with a vapor recovery system. If he can smile and fill a bike tank using one of our uncircumsized nozzles without spilling a drop, I'll bump his status.

From our friendly attendant I learned that squirrel hunting is big in the area. Why? Cuz the Asians love to eat them. I think he said the preferred method of cooking was in a stew. I'm Asian and it just so happens that my mouth started watering like crazy when he said that. Coincidence? I think not.

We wanted to do Hwy 1 down the coast at Leggett, but we were running out of time. We had to get into Petaluma to have dinner with my mom and then into San Francisco to visit my brother. The following day we had to make it back to San Diego because Wayne had to work. An extra week would've been ideal -- there were a ton of roads we missed up north. We'll return some day.

The bike review: Nobody claimed the Hypermotard was a touring bike.

For sure it's not the worst bike for two thousand miles of travel. I can safely say that any superbike used in this capacity would've resulted in the immediate sale of the bike upon returning to San Diego. I think the specific problem with my HM is the aftermarket Ducati Performance seat, which may have more of a crown than the stock seat. It didn't feel like I was sitting on my butt; it felt like I was "riding the crack." The seat wasn't a problem on curvy roads where I could move side to side, but on the long freeway stretches it was gruesome. Sticking my legs on the tank shrouds helped, but I could only do that for so long since the shrouds weren't level and my legs would slide off if I didn't hold them in place.

The upright position was comfortable and I think the seat issue can be remedied. With the CA Cycleworks aftermarket 6 gallon tank and an mpg pushing 60, the bike was ready for any stretch of road without gas stations. Even fully fueled and carrying a fat, sloppy pack, the bike was easy to throw around (keeping in mind I am 115 lbs, wet weight).

The main drawbacks are the wind buffeting and a stiff ride. The wind is not much of an issue up to 70, but beyond that I felt like I was working to hang on; after the nth hour of that, it gets pretty old. As for the chattering, Wayne loved Mattolle road, which is a 70ish mile pot-holed, crappy-ass goat trail running from Ferndale to the coast and then back to the 101. Wayne's KTM soaked up the potholes, whereas the HM punched me for every one I couldn't dodge. By the end I was so tired I just let my head snap back and forth with each collision.

On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 2.75 "feet rating" as a touring bike (yes, yes yes -- I already said it's not supposed to be a touring bike). At the end of the day, any bike can be a touring bike depending on your pain tolerance threshhold.

[Strega 0]

Very nice!! Looks like a really fun trip!

[Crawdaddy 96]

Good stuff

[dirt dame 559]

I see that fuel isn't any less expensive up there either.

[bikeslut 1]

more pics... more cartoon bubbles... gas attendants that aren't behind bulletproof glass... bikes... trees... rivers

NICE

[Mistress of the dual 1]

The report is good but it needs many more pictures of the Hypermotard

[unclecameron 0]

You were 10 miles from my house...and if you talk to Paul, he'll let you pump your own

[KTMrad 508]

Yes..........more photos please !

Also, every time I've been to Oregon, I've pumped my own gas....usually the attendants already know bikers won't let anyone else pump their gas for them.

[piratemonkey 0]

Best road EVER wasted on cagers -- talk about the proverbial "blue balls." This was near Coulterville on the 49. If there is a heaven, this road will be waiting for me with no slowpokes on it:

"May I take your order?"

Tired bikers will sit absolutely anywhere. Wayne is researching motel options in Grass Valley.

Bigfoot said "Pull my finger," so I did. You don't say "no" to Bigfoot.

[humptythumty 0]

This was a fun trip, someday we'll do it again but won't turn around till we've seen Alaska.

These are the best of my photos.

Wayne

[dirt dame 559]

Good stuff.

[Bagstr 287]

Wayne,

Excellent shots. What a series of contrasts. Nice to have proof that you really did see all those wonderful places.

Love the seascape.

PS - That 950 is an excellent road bike, don't you thinks? Is that a packing board you fabricated across the panniers?

Dave

[SteelRain 0]

Looks like a fun ride. I used some of your route leading a group of guys who wanted get an Iron Butt Cert.

When I lived out east, Jersey really messed up, I would always hop off the bike and try to pump only to be stopped in my tracks.

BTW, if you want to watch someone pump your gas, you could just go to Baja... it is a great deal closer! LOL

[piratemonkey 0]

We met a guy who picked up a V-Strom in LA and was riding it back to Michigan. He loved his beaded seat.

Wayne working the curve in Lassen.

Beautiful day on Tioga Pass (but 20% of snow the following day!).

Most of the third day was a wet ride. Fortunately, we packed the right gear.

Well, except for the boots. I went with a trash bag held on by painter's tape, but there were holes in it before too long. I ended up wearing the trash bag inside the boot -- the boot got soaked but my feet stayed warm.

I can go in, but I can't come out...

[socalhodaka 104]

How many days did you guys take for this loop?

Kelly

[piratemonkey 0]

How many days did you guys take for this loop?

Kelly

Five and a half days...it was a bit rushed but Wayne's got this peculiar thing about getting a paycheck.

Day .5: Left SD Friday early afternoon and made it to Bishop around 7.

Day 1: Bishop to Grass Valley.

Day 2: Grass Valley to Mt Shasta (rain day).

Day 3: Mt Shasta to Crescent City.

Day 4: Crescent City to San Francisco.

Day 5: San Francisco to San Diego (with the pure, hateful hell of LA commuter traffic thrown in).

[humptythumty 0]

Wayne,

Excellent shots. What a series of contrasts. Nice to have proof that you really did see all those wonderful places.

Love the seascape.

PS - That 950 is an excellent road bike, don't you thinks? Is that a packing board you fabricated across the panniers?

Dave

Dave,

That's a piece of Birch Ply, cheap, light and quick to make. I made it with the idea of using it once and then making something more permanent but it worked so well I haven't replaced it.

And yes, I agree 100%, the 950 is an excellent road bike.

Wayne

[slagnado 0]

great photos, looks like a fun ride! Thanks for sharing.