Mid-Winter Bust Out

Saturday and Sunday were unexpectedly warm and clear for mid-February in the Willamette Valley. I rode on Satruday, out to Vernonia, then over to Birkenfeld on Hwy 202, where I killed a cheeseburger. I cut off at Jewel and took Hwy 103 over to 26 and back to Portland.

Kris was ready to go on Sunday. We went over to the Harley dealer at 9:30 and I took a demo ride on a 2010 Road Glide. It's the same frame as my '09 Road King Classic, but seems to handle a little more nimbly.

We did 25 miles, leaving from Paradise HD, heading out to Scholls and looping back via Mountain Home Rd. It was a bit chilly out, although clear; the sun was starting to thaw things out where it shined, but there were one or two spots showing some frost in the shade. We took corners easy.

I turned the bike in and saddled up for our ride down to South Howell Prairie. Our friends Susan and Scott were riding with the Sunset HOG and we promised to meet them out at the ride destination. Well, mostly we promised Susan. She's trying to adopt the hog-ridin' lifestyle, but she's an adventure racer at heart and the copious amounts of fried foods, washed down with malt beverages, doesn't fit her philosophy, I'd guess.

Most of the Hoggers were on the road by the time we headed out. We took our own route, heading down the back roads on the East side of I-5. We rode across the Willamette on the Canby Ferry. The sun was starting to warm things up nicely.

Straight through Canby and out S. Ivy, toward Marquam, we rode, opening up our bikes on the long straight flats South of town. I kept an eye on Kris in my mirrors and she seemed to be getting comfortable with her new Fat Boy Lo.

We crossed the Molalla-Woodburn Highway and turned on Monte Cristo Road. I checked my map in Monitor to be sure I recalled the way down to Macleay.

Kris asked about time and I reassured her that we were certain to be the first to arrive the way that group was moving, large and slow.

Sure enough, we got into the Country Inn a little before 12:30 and nobody was there yet.

Shortly after we arrived, a small band of the Free Souls MC sat themselves down. I went back out and locked our bike forks, since we couldn't see the bikes.

An hour later the hoggers started rolling in. Kris and I decided to go out and lay in the grass and soak up some sun.

Another hour-and-a-half later, we packed up and started the trip back with a small group, including Susan and Scott. We got on I-5 near Brooks and the group quickly moved over into the left lane. Kris followed, but then, pretty soon, I saw her shaking her head and moving back over to the slow lane.

I moved with her and we traveled along at a comfortable 63 mph up toward Portland. Traffic started getting heavier and I decided to pull off at Woodburn before Kris got too overwhelmed. Not to far from the exit I could see a car in the center lane keeping pace with her for more than just an absentminded moment. I hit the button to shut off my cruise control and immediately started slowing. Kris let off her throttle and the car in the center lane pulled ahead. Later she told me she thought they were videotaping her on the bike. It's a nice bike and she looks damn good riding it. I wouldn't be surprised if there were more than a few guys checking her out with a combination of excitement and even a little envy.

We took the St. Paul route home and cruised the rest of the way a little more relaxed.

I'm ready for some summer sun and some long Eastern Oregon vistas!