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- Apr 15, 2009
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- 11,527
So I woke up and the forecast was suppose to be really nice. I let the folks at work know I wouldn't be coming in (we have a cap on the number of vacation days I need to use some up or I lose them). It was time for a ride. Although I took the video camera I never used it. I almost turned around and put it on for a couple of the roads they were so spectacular.
Portland to Astoria and then down the Washington side of the Columbia River.
This was along Rocky Point Rd., an insanely curvy road. It was a phenomenal view. Just above my handlebars you can make out Mt. Hood. To the right in the far distance along the river is downtown Portland.
This is Trojan Park along the Columbia River. It's the former site of a nuclear power reactor.
I stopped for lunch at this place. You'd be surprised at how many places out here have sad fish and chips, not this place. They had fresh fish from Astoria, which was just up the road. They are mostly know for their berry pies, and boy were they tempting. But I passed so I could get back on the road.
This is the Astoria Column (which I promised I'd visit since I didn't make it up here the last trip to Astoria). It's 125ft tall and the murals depict the Lewis & Clark Expedition and other scenes from Oregon history.
This is looking south.
This is the Astoria Bridge which crosses the mouth of the Columbia River. The bridge is 21,474 ft (6,545 m) in length and is the longest continuous truss bridge in North America. It use to be a toll bridge, but now it's free. Luckily it wasn't too windy going across.
This is along the Columbia at Cathlamet, the site of the only ferry across the river. The tugs are used to guide traffic up and down the river.
From there I went back into the Longview/Kelso area and as it was getting late I decided to take I-5 (although I would have preferred some slower roads). I hadn't really had the bike on an Interstate yet (just the local freeways at reasonable speeds) and didn't know what it would be like at 70+ mph for an extended time. Surprisingly 70mph didn't feel that much different from 60mph, I was expecting more wind. I am looking forward to a fairing and dare I say, clip-ons. :mrgreen: Coming south into Vancouver it started to rain, luckily it didn't last too long and I was almost dry when I got home.
So it was about a 225 mile ride today. I think I might have another loose carb but I need to make my "special" allen wrench up to take along. Otherwise the bike was flawless. An absolute joy to ride. I think you see now why I'm not terribly excited to get it painted or anything else that will take away from my riding time.
I think I need to go to work tomorrow. :cry:
Portland to Astoria and then down the Washington side of the Columbia River.
This was along Rocky Point Rd., an insanely curvy road. It was a phenomenal view. Just above my handlebars you can make out Mt. Hood. To the right in the far distance along the river is downtown Portland.
This is Trojan Park along the Columbia River. It's the former site of a nuclear power reactor.
I stopped for lunch at this place. You'd be surprised at how many places out here have sad fish and chips, not this place. They had fresh fish from Astoria, which was just up the road. They are mostly know for their berry pies, and boy were they tempting. But I passed so I could get back on the road.
This is the Astoria Column (which I promised I'd visit since I didn't make it up here the last trip to Astoria). It's 125ft tall and the murals depict the Lewis & Clark Expedition and other scenes from Oregon history.
This is looking south.
This is the Astoria Bridge which crosses the mouth of the Columbia River. The bridge is 21,474 ft (6,545 m) in length and is the longest continuous truss bridge in North America. It use to be a toll bridge, but now it's free. Luckily it wasn't too windy going across.
This is along the Columbia at Cathlamet, the site of the only ferry across the river. The tugs are used to guide traffic up and down the river.
From there I went back into the Longview/Kelso area and as it was getting late I decided to take I-5 (although I would have preferred some slower roads). I hadn't really had the bike on an Interstate yet (just the local freeways at reasonable speeds) and didn't know what it would be like at 70+ mph for an extended time. Surprisingly 70mph didn't feel that much different from 60mph, I was expecting more wind. I am looking forward to a fairing and dare I say, clip-ons. :mrgreen: Coming south into Vancouver it started to rain, luckily it didn't last too long and I was almost dry when I got home.
So it was about a 225 mile ride today. I think I might have another loose carb but I need to make my "special" allen wrench up to take along. Otherwise the bike was flawless. An absolute joy to ride. I think you see now why I'm not terribly excited to get it painted or anything else that will take away from my riding time.
I think I need to go to work tomorrow. :cry:
