09-30-2012, 11:33 PM | #1 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
Posts: 14,761
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Solo 200 mile ride in the Blue Mountains!
Roger had family stuff come up at the last moment so I did a Spud. I went alone.
It was nerve wracking being so far out by myself but I was extra careful and cautious. I prayed extra hard and carried a SPOT locator. It was a marvelous truip, although I did do it all in one long day. An absolute arse kicking 200 miler, on the dot. I think that's the most off pavement I've ever done in a day. :wink: Hell's Canyon. I don't like the name much as God made it but it was a sight to behold. The deepest canyon in North America. Deeper than the Grand Canyon or Copper Canyon in Mexico. VERY hard to see but there is a BEAR in this photograph. He all but waved to me as I rode past and sat still while I dismounted and got my camera out. By the time I got it on though he was already retreating and I did NOT chase him! For the record he (she?) was big for a black bear. This one was brown in color and I'd guess in the 400 lb bracket. I also saw deer and elk but did not get pictures. Beautiful verdant forests. Excellent bike. 200 miles of rough stuff without a hiccup. :P The only gas on the route, at the 90 mile mark, in Troy, Oregon. The Grande Ronde River in Troy, OR. Coming into 'town' from the mountains.
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09-30-2012, 11:37 PM | #2 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
Posts: 14,761
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All alone. The good news is that it is hunting season so I did occasionally see another person. There was a lot of this kind of gravel road but some areas of double track rutted dirt, and some areas with big rocks and/or other obstacles to negotiate. Jubilee Lake, High in the Blue Mountains.
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09-30-2012, 11:51 PM | #3 |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 25,054
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Thanks for posting the beautiful photographs, Doc.
Spud
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Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894 |
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10-01-2012, 12:13 AM | #4 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sardis, BC, Canada
Posts: 25,977
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Thanks for the terrific shots, Doc. Logic would tell me that the bear is somewhere in the center of the pic, but I fail to see it. Can you circle it?
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Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer |
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10-01-2012, 12:16 AM | #5 | |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 25,054
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Quote:
Spud
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Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894 |
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10-01-2012, 12:38 AM | #6 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sardis, BC, Canada
Posts: 25,977
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Wife and son spotted it right away (and tried to point to it); I still can't see it. :?
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Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer |
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10-01-2012, 11:12 AM | #7 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
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He's in the center of the shot. He's looking toward me and down to my right. You can see his ears and the light fur on his nose.
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10-01-2012, 11:13 AM | #8 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
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I don't have photoshop to outline him but if someone has it and the time feel free to trace him out.
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10-01-2012, 02:42 PM | #9 |
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Altamont, Kansas
Posts: 15,103
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Lumber rack. I like it.
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10-01-2012, 03:33 PM | #10 | |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 25,054
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Quote:
Spud
__________________
Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894 |
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10-01-2012, 04:06 PM | #11 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
Posts: 14,761
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I's my ode to Chinariders. 8)
A cheap effective readily available modification. :wink:
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10-01-2012, 07:54 PM | #12 |
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 3,274
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Cool pics! Thanky for sharing . I love the mountains
I'll pass on the bears though! |
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10-02-2012, 12:26 AM | #13 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sardis, BC, Canada
Posts: 25,977
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Thanks for circling it, Stew. Still can't make it out. :?
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Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer |
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10-02-2012, 12:55 AM | #14 | |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 25,054
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Quote:
Spud
__________________
Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894 |
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10-02-2012, 11:16 AM | #15 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
Posts: 14,761
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He'll notice it when he can smell it's bear breath! 8O
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