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| Rat Ride Lo Lo Pass 06/15-17 This was the first weekend ride of the local Rat group. This will be the 3rd attempt to ride Lo Lo Pass. It has been tried by this group several times before but was always aborted before the pass due to weather. As this ride was starting it was turning in to a "why we ride" lesson. It is raining and we are about to depart when there is some delay. I am across the street parked under a gas station roof to keep dry. The others are all across the street under another canopy milling around. I finally get of my bike and run across the street to see whats up. Ok its raining and Dave has a flat tire? He has just fully inserted plug 2 into the tire. Yes I said into. The 3rd one finally is in but does not look right. The 4th one now looks good. Dave has not brought up the idea of not riding. It is just the start of the ride and he is already on a plug. |
| So we are finally off. The rain came down pretty good for quite a while. I remebered looking at the dopler radar and was trying to remember where it may end. It finally ended just east of Ellensburg. Which is were I think the dopler said it would. We stopped at Vantage to gas and get out of our rain gear. The weather was looking good now. |
| We slabbed it easy on I 90 and south to Washtucna. Stopping at the now famous Sonny's. It is a little cafe, grill, tavern in on main street Washtucna. A nice lunch stop. They have a famous chili burger if you care to try. After lunch we found gas and headed down to Hwy 261 or the Starbuck Road. This was really the start of the ride for most of us. A few had not done Starbuck before. It is a very nice twisty ride thru central Washington. Heading down to the Snake River and crossing it at Lyons Ferry. 261 Video. Intersecting hwy 12 heading east to Clarkston. All of this part of the ride is very nice with varied scenery and parts running along the river. Friday night would be spent in Clarkston which would be our base of operations. |
| Saturday morning we awoke to some nice weather. The forcasts were for thunder showes in the afternoon. But as it turned out we had great weather all day. That whole 160 miles from there to the pass is mostly curves and very nice. Lots of runs along the river. Nice large curves with no big switch backs. That is what I like. |
| We gassed at the Cougar Canyon Gas Station. Stopped at the sign for some pictures and headed up the mountain. A couple at the front had there radar detectors on and took a quick ride to the top. I think we ended up in several groups of various paces. I like a quick pace but also one that allows you to view the scenery. I think this is one of the more spectacular rides in 3 or 4 states. We stopped at the lodge for a bite to eat and meet some of the Montana Rats. After that we rode the few more miles to the pass. Some were going on to Montana or returning there. Most of us were returning to the Motel in Clarkston. Some opted for a couple of side rides on the way back. Sunday was to be our return. While Friday after noon and Saturday were great weather wise we were to have more adverse conditions (including another flat) on the way home Sunday. But that will be another story. Great ride I think I have some great video. It will be up soon. The ride home report. Lo Lo Pass Video |