Pendleton is a lovely little town, nestled into a rolling valley.
After a confortable night, we get our usual 7:15 start. It is cooll
but no more so than a Chicago spring morning. It is 45 promising 65
later today. Ironically, next friday they are expecting record, 95
deg., temperatures.
We take 84 north and northwest. At first it is the usual interstate.
Then, when it hits the Colombia river it turns into a terrific scenic
byway. It follows along the beautiful Colombia river gorge where the
green covered slopes tumble down to the water. Beautiful. The bridge
to 97 North is out so we are proceeding westward. We will cross into
washington at The Dalles Dam and proceed north toward Mt. Rainier
(which will circumvent).
REL:15
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
Day 4, Leg 5?, Boise to Pendleton,OR
The weather improved as we hit Boise. We actually took off some layers
for the first time. Bright sun but the key word was windy. We took the
interstate (82) to Pendleton, Oregon. We were going to go north
through Idaho but changed our plan out of redpect for the weather.
82 from Boise to the Oregon state line is just OK. The fight against
the wind at highway speeds was brutal. 82 in Oregon, on the other
hand is beautiful. Farmland with mountains in the background. The road
itself runs over two passes and the Blue Mountains. The foothils are
steeply chiseled to the edge of the road and the angles cast the
continuos felt like ground cover into a hundred shades of green. When
not climbing and descending in tight motorcycle, friendly twisties,
the road follows a number of rivers; its curves tight up against the
lazy bends in the water. A very pleasant ride. Tomorrow the end run to
Seattle.
[REL:15]
for the first time. Bright sun but the key word was windy. We took the
interstate (82) to Pendleton, Oregon. We were going to go north
through Idaho but changed our plan out of redpect for the weather.
82 from Boise to the Oregon state line is just OK. The fight against
the wind at highway speeds was brutal. 82 in Oregon, on the other
hand is beautiful. Farmland with mountains in the background. The road
itself runs over two passes and the Blue Mountains. The foothils are
steeply chiseled to the edge of the road and the angles cast the
continuos felt like ground cover into a hundred shades of green. When
not climbing and descending in tight motorcycle, friendly twisties,
the road follows a number of rivers; its curves tight up against the
lazy bends in the water. A very pleasant ride. Tomorrow the end run to
Seattle.
[REL:15]
Day 4,Leg 4, boise, Mile:210
Another great ride over US20 to finish in Boise. Back to blue sky with
fair weather (hah) clouds. No precip. Great mountains and lots of
twisties some with 15 mph wind gusts added at no additional cost!
Now we turn NW to Pendleton Oregon.
[REL:7]
fair weather (hah) clouds. No precip. Great mountains and lots of
twisties some with 15 mph wind gusts added at no additional cost!
Now we turn NW to Pendleton Oregon.
[REL:7]
Day 4, Leg 2, Arco to Fairfiled;Mile 153
A spectacularly cold (35-45) ride through spectacularly beautiful
country. We passed Crater of the Moon National Monument and stopped
for a photo of this bizarre surface feature. Mountains (with snow)
surround us and in fact just after Sun Valley (we didn't stop to ski)
a squall crossed our rode. Amazing how quickly blue sky turned dark.
We pointed the bikes toward the next patch of blue and rode through
it. The road stayed dry. Now to Boise.
REL::19]
country. We passed Crater of the Moon National Monument and stopped
for a photo of this bizarre surface feature. Mountains (with snow)
surround us and in fact just after Sun Valley (we didn't stop to ski)
a squall crossed our rode. Amazing how quickly blue sky turned dark.
We pointed the bikes toward the next patch of blue and rode through
it. The road stayed dry. Now to Boise.
REL::19]
Day 4, Leg 1, Idaho Falls to Arco:: Mile:60
Back on the bikes! Idaho Falls was disappointing. Cold, threatening
clouds and an overnight rain. This morning it's cold, no more than 40
in town, dropping to 35 in the open.
Speaking of the open, we are riding out of IF into the high plains of
ID. We are at about 5000 ft. The scenery is as spectacular as it is
cold. Flat plain with scattered buttes and vast snow covered mountain
ranges to the north. The sky is now crystal blue (after the snow
squall coming out of IF. We passed the Idaho National Lab (Nuke stuff)
and the site of the EBR-1 (the first breeder reactor), very safe in
the middle of nowhere here. It is now a museum. Very appropriate that
the XRAY bike passes by.
[REL:7]
clouds and an overnight rain. This morning it's cold, no more than 40
in town, dropping to 35 in the open.
Speaking of the open, we are riding out of IF into the high plains of
ID. We are at about 5000 ft. The scenery is as spectacular as it is
cold. Flat plain with scattered buttes and vast snow covered mountain
ranges to the north. The sky is now crystal blue (after the snow
squall coming out of IF. We passed the Idaho National Lab (Nuke stuff)
and the site of the EBR-1 (the first breeder reactor), very safe in
the middle of nowhere here. It is now a museum. Very appropriate that
the XRAY bike passes by.
[REL:7]
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Day 3, Truckin Dubois to Jackson
After stopping for gas in Dubois (I now remember why we ride bikes;
the truck is gulping very expensive gas), we head up into the
mountains through the shoshone national forest. Sculpted red rock
ravines yield to snow covered tree line peaks. The weather is still
holding the pass is eminently ridable, though there is a disconcerting
amount of snow (snowmobilers) in the woods. The road is dry and clear.
We cross the continental divide but the sign is covered by snow so no
picture :-(. The pass peaks at 9658 feet. The grades are about 6% up
and the same down; easy for truck and bikes. Now we are in Jackson,
then an hour more to ID Falls.
[REL:7]
the truck is gulping very expensive gas), we head up into the
mountains through the shoshone national forest. Sculpted red rock
ravines yield to snow covered tree line peaks. The weather is still
holding the pass is eminently ridable, though there is a disconcerting
amount of snow (snowmobilers) in the woods. The road is dry and clear.
We cross the continental divide but the sign is covered by snow so no
picture :-(. The pass peaks at 9658 feet. The grades are about 6% up
and the same down; easy for truck and bikes. Now we are in Jackson,
then an hour more to ID Falls.
[REL:7]
Day 3, Casper to Jackson
The day continues beautiful. The drive is fantastic. We are going to
get across as fast as possible to get back on the bikes. That means
Casper to Jackson to Idaho Falls. Casper west to Shoshone is dry and
brown with sculpted washes and some stone formations. In the far
distance mountains. At Shoshoni, we head south, then northwest, to
Dubois (pronounced as English not French). We pass throygh the Wind
River Reservation following the Wind River for quite some miles. It
has brief segments of beautiful shallow rapids that look tempting for
dip until you notice the small snowbanks that remain even now in May.
[REL:5]
get across as fast as possible to get back on the bikes. That means
Casper to Jackson to Idaho Falls. Casper west to Shoshone is dry and
brown with sculpted washes and some stone formations. In the far
distance mountains. At Shoshoni, we head south, then northwest, to
Dubois (pronounced as English not French). We pass throygh the Wind
River Reservation following the Wind River for quite some miles. It
has brief segments of beautiful shallow rapids that look tempting for
dip until you notice the small snowbanks that remain even now in May.
[REL:5]
Day 3, Truckin to Casper
Well, it turns out they day is perfect for biking. We are still
nervous about what lies ahead. It started out at 40 degrees but by
noon was over 70. The drive to casper was beautiful and uneventful.
Casper is a very nice town of about 50000. We stopped to look for some
heavier riding gear. Found a huge camping/hunting/ store. Some good
gear but not what we're looking for. Onward. [REL:4]
nervous about what lies ahead. It started out at 40 degrees but by
noon was over 70. The drive to casper was beautiful and uneventful.
Casper is a very nice town of about 50000. We stopped to look for some
heavier riding gear. Found a huge camping/hunting/ store. Some good
gear but not what we're looking for. Onward. [REL:4]
Day 3: The Truck: Chadron to Idaho Falls
After the snowfall Saturday morning in Chadron, NE, and a sketchy
foredast, we decided not to risk riding over the mountains. We rented
a truck to truck the bikes over the mountains. Luckily, there was a
UHaul with one 10' truck in Chadron. Of course, that meant we needed a
ramp. As luck would have it, we found a Honda dealer in town. He had a
wooden ramp in front for loading/unloading bikes from trucks. But
would we find a ramp in Idaho Falls? The place was already closed. Lo
and behold the owner sees us and comes out to see what's wrong. He
sells us a nice, aluminum, 7' ramp to take with us (more on the ramp
later). Of course, this means we need ratcheting tie-downs, so on to
Walmart. Loading the bikes was only mildly eventful. I have
experience with my Dad's trailer. So at 6 AM Sunday morning we left
Chadron, headed for Casper and the west. [REL:15]
foredast, we decided not to risk riding over the mountains. We rented
a truck to truck the bikes over the mountains. Luckily, there was a
UHaul with one 10' truck in Chadron. Of course, that meant we needed a
ramp. As luck would have it, we found a Honda dealer in town. He had a
wooden ramp in front for loading/unloading bikes from trucks. But
would we find a ramp in Idaho Falls? The place was already closed. Lo
and behold the owner sees us and comes out to see what's wrong. He
sells us a nice, aluminum, 7' ramp to take with us (more on the ramp
later). Of course, this means we need ratcheting tie-downs, so on to
Walmart. Loading the bikes was only mildly eventful. I have
experience with my Dad's trailer. So at 6 AM Sunday morning we left
Chadron, headed for Casper and the west. [REL:15]
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Day 2, No Legs. Chadron, NE: Mile:860
We have met the enemy and it is "SNOW". We persevered through freezing cold into Chadron, in far west Nebraska. Waking up late it was still snowing. Tomorrow, they are predicting 70 degrees! Crazy. The moutains to the west (Yellowstone and Grand Teton) do not look good, however. We are, therefore, changing plans. We are going to rent a truck and drive to Idaho Falls, Idaho. We'll pack the truck today and drive tomorrow. Then Idaho Falls to Boise to Oregon to Seattle. We should still make it by Tuesday evening; check back for updates.
For those with pledges on the line, we will NOT count truck miles toward the pledge.
Oh, yeah, about that embarrassing episode. Nothing as exotic as a ticket for speeding. I just ran out of gas. Strange, as it was way below my expected tank range. Maybe bad gas, though Alex wasn't affected. Anyhow, Alex rode and found a good samaritan who drove out and filled my tank. Even with gas prices where they are, he wouldn't accept payment. That is the America we all love but often don't know.
We go now to get the truck.
[REL:15]
For those with pledges on the line, we will NOT count truck miles toward the pledge.
Oh, yeah, about that embarrassing episode. Nothing as exotic as a ticket for speeding. I just ran out of gas. Strange, as it was way below my expected tank range. Maybe bad gas, though Alex wasn't affected. Anyhow, Alex rode and found a good samaritan who drove out and filled my tank. Even with gas prices where they are, he wouldn't accept payment. That is the America we all love but often don't know.
We go now to get the truck.
[REL:15]
Friday, May 9, 2008
Day 1, Leg 6, O'Neill, NE: Mile:641
A beautiful ride into evening. The sun poked through a few clouds
gloriouslky highlighting them. Nebraska is actually hillier than Iowa
and I note the elevation climbing to around 2000 ft. [REL:7]
gloriouslky highlighting them. Nebraska is actually hillier than Iowa
and I note the elevation climbing to around 2000 ft. [REL:7]
Day 1, Leg 5, Jackson, NE: Mile: 496.4
We have entered the breadbasket. Nebraska. Looks a lot like Iowa.
Farms and fields as far as the eye can see. Still not too cold.
Threatening clouds appear but then back off as we advance. [REL:5]
Farms and fields as far as the eye can see. Still not too cold.
Threatening clouds appear but then back off as we advance. [REL:5]
Day 1, Leg 4, Rockville City, IA: Mile:391.1
We're making good progress to western Iowa. One embarassing episode
(that I won't post here) cost us 30 minutes or so...onward to recoup
our loss. [REL:22]
(that I won't post here) cost us 30 minutes or so...onward to recoup
our loss. [REL:22]
Day 1, Leg 3, Evansville,IA, Mile:261
Well, finally, the sun makes an appearance. A lovely ride across the
Mississippi and through one sun lit farm after another. Now, as we
stop for gasd, the clouds gather. We will make our run.
Mississippi and through one sun lit farm after another. Now, as we
stop for gasd, the clouds gather. We will make our run.
Day 1, Segment 2 , Stockton, IL, Mile: 133.9
The sky remains stubbornly overcast and a chil persists. We made good
time just about reaching Galena on our first tankful. Now across the
Mississippi. [REL:12].
time just about reaching Galena on our first tankful. Now across the
Mississippi. [REL:12].
Day 1, Leg 1, Mile: 0; Des Plaines Oasis, Des Plaines, IL
The sky is covered with high thin clouds. It is cool, probably high
50's yet not to the point of the heavy gear. A good day for many
miles. [Rel:9]
50's yet not to the point of the heavy gear. A good day for many
miles. [Rel:9]
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Day -1, Preparations finished
We leave tomorrow. The mission is defined: Chicago to Seattle, arriving in time for start of the SiiM meeting on Weds, May 14. The rough plan for the outbound ride is to ride US 20 straight across Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska to Casper, Wyoming. Casper northwest to Yellowstone, then 20 across lower Idaho to Boise. From Boise, we go north on ID 95 to Lewiston, Idaho. Lewiston to Clarkston, WA then across the lower tier of Washington to Mount Rainier, then north to Seattle.
View Larger Map
There are DOT interactive maps and web cams for Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Idaho, and Washington. Also, you can check out Safe Travel USA. If you catch us on a web cam let us know.
View Larger Map
There are DOT interactive maps and web cams for Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Idaho, and Washington. Also, you can check out Safe Travel USA. If you catch us on a web cam let us know.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
3rd Annual Ride-to-SiiM About to Start!
You may have heard about the Ride to SIIM (now in its third year), an exciting and fun cross country motorcycle trek from Chicago to the SIIM Annual Meeting. You can read about the first ride to Austin in 2006, here. This year, you can participate by making a pledge to help us raise money for the SIIM Research Grant Fund. We’re looking for as many per-mile pledges as we can find! Since we estimate the round-trip from Chicago at over 4,000 miles, a 1-penny-permile
pledge will translate into a $40 tax deductible donation to SIIM. Ten cents a mile will raise $400. A onedollar- a-mile pledge will not only get you a $4,000 tax deduction but also an autographed glossy photograph (and DICOM image file) of you sitting on one of the motorcycles, surrounded by the riders. Send pledges by email to SIIM at grants@siimweb.org. Please be sure to send complete contact information with your pledge; SIIM will contact you after the ride to make arrangements for payment and to get you your tax letter. Contributions to the SIIM Grant Program, a 501c(3) organization, are taxdeductible to the fullest extent allowable by law.
pledge will translate into a $40 tax deductible donation to SIIM. Ten cents a mile will raise $400. A onedollar- a-mile pledge will not only get you a $4,000 tax deduction but also an autographed glossy photograph (and DICOM image file) of you sitting on one of the motorcycles, surrounded by the riders. Send pledges by email to SIIM at grants@siimweb.org. Please be sure to send complete contact information with your pledge; SIIM will contact you after the ride to make arrangements for payment and to get you your tax letter. Contributions to the SIIM Grant Program, a 501c(3) organization, are taxdeductible to the fullest extent allowable by law.
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