Moto Northwest 2008 Tour
Well here we go again. I am a little late this year getting the 2008 page started. It is December 8th and it is snowing out sided. Last year (2006) I had felt we had a good summer. Not hot but dry. At that time I thought we were going to have a good fall ride season. But it was not to be and we entered the wettest November in history? I got a lot of riding in this year (2007). Could have had a lot more but the weather again has not been good. Summer was a no show as far as I am concerned. We had a week and a half of good weather the first part of July but that was it. I believe we are in the firm grip of Global Climate Change. AKA global warming. For us in the North West that means cooler, grayer, and wetter. Ok that is enough of the bad news. Lets move on to 2008. Always hoping for a better year then last year. I am moving to the ST ranks in 08. After 5 years or so in the Cruiser and Sport Cruiser (my term) it will be full Sport Touring. I am looking for a camera mount position on the ST 1300 that I like. It looks like it will be hard to find a good position for the full camera that is out side of the windshield or fairing. I have not like filming from behind the windscreen because it always seems to create some level of distortion. But I may have to give it a try. The other option is to look at some bullet or helmet cams. For 2008 I plan to use my vacation differently. I only have 3 weeks and perhaps a few days I can steal. In the past I have always taken a 2 week period somewhere. But I think I will use it in 1 to 3 day blocks along with weekends. This is the year to explore Oregon and Northern California. So there will be allot of Banzai rides. The map file has pretty much covered Washington and there are lots of great rides waiting in Oregon. While there will be less Cruising next year I will still be attending some of my favorite biker rallies. That is about it for now. But now that the page has started it will grow fast. So check back often. |
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It is now the first of March. I have to say we have had 3 weeks of pretty good weather. The last 3 weekends have given us some great late winter ride days. Hope it is a sign of a good summer to come? This has been referred to as "Randy's Desperate Search For Sun Ride." So for now this will remain a late winter ride Idea. Head South for some Northern California Roads and Sun. I am thinking early or mid March but we will have to wait and see. It will happen sometime in 08. March 22nd. The 2nd Annual NWBikers End Of Winter Ride. A Sunday Ride up Mt St Helens Hwy 504. The Weather blessed us with a fantastic day. Perhaps the best EOW yet. Check out the Ride Report. April 9th Comment. The Pelican Run is just a few days away. It is April 9 and the terrible winter of 2007 continues. On a positive note the weather forecast for the upcoming week end looks good and even a remote possibility of the temp to hit 70. I also have to say we have managed around 5 reasonable and dry week end the beginning of the year. But the rest of the time has been almost not stop rain. With temps 10 to 15 degrees below normal. We even set a record for the coldest temp on a certain day. But for me the ride season begins is a few days. I look forward to a great season and have many rides planned. I would be nice to leave the Gerbings at home. April 12-13. PNW Road Riders Pelican Run. A weekend ride to Pacific City Oregon. Check out last years 2007 Ride Report. The weather blessed us with 1.6 days of summer like weather. Was perhaps the best Pelican Run EVER. But we are now back to full northwest winter weather. 2008 Ride report . Here are some Pics. May 2-5th. The annual PNW Road Riders Spring Break. Last year was a traveling road show thru the John Day, Hells Canyon, and Lewistion area. Check out the 07 Ride Report. This year it looks like we will be returning to John Day for 2 days of riding the great roads in the area. I am looking forward to this as I have ridden thru John Day on several occasions but never stayed in the area to enjoy all the roads they have. Had to cut it short by one day but a great ride. Check out the Ride Report. May 17th. The 3rd Annual Leavenworth 3 Pass Blast. A great ride over Stevens Pass, Blewett Pass, and Snoqualmie Pass. With a stop for lunch in Leavenworth. May 23-24th. The Fossil Campout. This is one of the many Biker Rallies this year that has not yet been announced. I have heard that it is on at a new location but nothing firm. The Fossil Campout has been getting smaller for the last several years and has had some weather problems. But I always try to plan on it. June 7- 8th. VTXOA Summer Opener. Weekend Cascade Loop. Spending Saturday night on the River at Pateros, Wa. June 23-30th. The ST 1300 group (STOC) is having there annual rally at Taos NM. The New Mexico area and everything in between has allways been somewhere I wanted to ride. Last year I had to cancel the VTX Canyon ride. This ride will cover almost 100% of that ride and cover Colorado, NM, and Utah. As it stands now I think I will start from Lewiston with the Rat Pack ride and continue on from the end of the Lo Lo pass ride. While the others turn back to Lewiston I will turn South to New Mexico. The Lo Lo ride date is not 100% yet. So if it changes I will just head to NM on the 20th. This is my current ride plan. I will be creating a ride page for this like the Canyon ride. In reality the Canyon ride could really be it? Think I will do a Blog on that as well? July 18-20th. VTXOA Mardon BBQ. A yearly gathering of the VTX riders in Washington and Northern Oregon. We take over the whole main campground area at the Mardon Resort for the week end. It is a great and fun Ralley. July 25-27. Run 21 Birkienfeld Oregon. It is a fantastic Abate Ralley in North Western Oregon. A bikers campout over the weekend. There are no motels for 50 miles or more. They are for me one of (if not the) top Ralleys in Oregon and Washington. Good bands both Friday and Saturday. It is a party. Check out the 2007 Ride Report. Thats it for now. More will be coming check back later. |