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2015 sound Rider Rally in the Gorge on RX3
A few weeks back I was able to go to one of my favorite rallies in the Columbia River Gorge area at Hood River. I will give a little report on my new Redverz Solo tent, fabricated kickstand pad along with various rally pics and places visited, etc. I think this is the 8 or 9 year I've gone and find it a very relaxing time riding on some of the best mc roads Wash/OR has to offer.
Last year I spent the whole rally starting with my first ambulance ride , and first ever over nighter in the ER at the Hood River hospital. Very nice. Then the rest of the rally watching everyone else have a great time while I was on drugs, pain relievers and drinking buckets of water. All for a lowly kidney stone. They will bring you to your knees believe you me. Scratch that of the old bucket list. So this was an anniversary for me. I have a few movies of riders on the Mary Hill twisties that will give you a taste of the first paved road west of the Mississippi and is a National Historic sight. Other places I visited this trip were Larch Mountain, great view and ride up and back, Vista House overlook, spectacular. Grass Valley race track, awsume and we'll meet up with old Herman then see a stern wheeler paddle wheel boat. And see some cool fishing places the local Natives ply their trade. Rode along the old Oregon highway 30 past Multnomah Falls and saw pristine views and roads. Then we'll see the aliens departing Mt Baker when they heard who all was running for president. The RX3 ran great though I wish I had the 14T counter shaft sprocket installed instead of the 13T. The liter bikes were hard to keep up with on the interstate, but we gave it a go and the RX3 ran at 7500-8500 rpms for hours on end at 60-65 GPS mph. MPG sank to 52 with the 13T running those RPMs. Then I got lost on LOLO pass (Oregon one, not the Idaho one) and found myself loving the 13T going down the rocky fire and power line roads in 2nd and 3rd gears. And with a Garmin GPS. No worries. I'll probably have to post photos in several segments as I have a life and not real fast at this stuff so bare with me. rj |
Thanks for starting the nice ride report. We eagerly await your photos. :)
Based upon the riding you prefer, perhaps you would enjoy a 14T/46T, or 13T/42T sprocket combination. ;) I think it might be beneficial for you to choose your preferred counter shaft (C/S) sprocket, and then buy a spare sprocket carrier. Then you can easily switch between two sprocket carriers with different size sprockets for the rear wheel. :) Swapping the sprocket carriers is easier than removing the C/S sprocket, and less troublesome/expensive than bending a lot of safety washers during the C/S sprocket changes. ;) |
First the tent. Redverz Solo around $450. Ouchy caboodles. Sleep area on the RH side, middle portion for bike, LH side for everything else.
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...psqjwjfp1a.jpg Back door into the sleeping suite. Notice the little hold open vent thingy. Nice. I never used this door and always came in from the other side. Just cause I could. http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...psw3ljrzze.jpg Convention center and general throw your stuff in area. I could stand up in here fine at 5'6". http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...psnm7edgyt.jpg Sleeping area. Had room for cot and able to throw in mc pants , jacket in corner. It rained pretty hard a few times and never got wet inside this part. Very comfy http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...psqbtgka1r.jpg The guide strings have reflective stuff in them like the one next door on RH side. Notice the tents on the left that don't have reflective stuff. You can't . This is a nice feature when stumbling in late at night from a tiring ride. with a flashlight. Notice tent is larger then the normal size of tents people use for mc camping. I'll post a pic later of it packed on the bike and it was not any worse then anything I've carried before. http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...psqx9m1kon.jpg more later, rj |
That's a nice tent. :tup:
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Very cool tent! I'd love to spend some time riding in the area.
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First night out I chose to sleep under the stars at a campground across the river from where the rally would be held. To lazy to setup the tent for a 1 nighter. Here's a pic of the Redverz tent packed on the bike for size comparison. I ended up putting the cot up on the picnic table. Cot is very light weight and small size when in it's carry case. Fits in the back of my trunk. rj
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...pst9bqqfug.jpg |
Nice cot.
Nice chair. Nice high-visibility riding gear. Nice motorcycle. :tup: |
Day before rally preview of scenery. Road up and down this canyon road several times. Twisties galore and not much traffic. The old train bridge has been converted to people traffic. That gorge is where brave natives catch their fiish.
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...pstlcyd50r.jpg http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...pscwbh7t9l.jpg One slip and your a goner. http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...psh2t2ur37.jpg View from upstream. All that water converges into the narrow channel in pics above. http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...psmvch4p4k.jpg Down where this Klickitat river enters the Columbia River. http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...pstdznnkhr.jpg Vintage ADV llama. http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...pswkmpfbtp.jpg Washington side of Col. River. Taking the older roads in the area. http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...psdrjfizdb.jpg Some of the old roads have been converted to hiking trails. http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...psphyemftc.jpg Looking east towards .................................................. ................the east http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...psnngkvblh.jpg Looking west towards Portland http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...psfu2dfwcq.jpg kayakers http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...psrf6tqzjw.jpg Time warp shot. Looking where I'll be tomorrow on opposite side of river and looking back where I was been. http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...psxgksihpy.jpg 2BC (to be continued) rj |
It never occurred to me to carry a cot and a chair. I would have packed a self-inflating mat and sat on the ground. I'm quite a neophyte. I plan to get into adventure camping soon.
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I didn't say it would be enjoyable. That's exactly the reason that Mrs. Weldangrind and I bought a trailer last year. We tented for several years, and I can't get comfortable on a self-inflating mat anymore.
I'm taking your guidance seriously. I would definitely invest in a cot and a chair like that. Can you provide links? |
Gladly Weld, the $76 BRS cot I got from Amazon here.
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&key...l_40zjcvojet_e it's a copy or misbranded copy of a Therm-A-Rest that costs 3x more available same place. And the $79 Joey chair from Sound Rider here. You'll notice that the SR one has larger feet to help keep it from sinking into soft ground. The less expensive ones have just regular feet that can sink in the grass easier. http://store.soundrider.com/collecti...by-travelchair They both take down to small enough to fit in my trunk, rj |
Thanks for the good tip on the BRS Folding Bed. :tup: I considered getting one of those cots, but I am a side sleeper, and I heard cots are best for back sleepers. ;) Indeed, that is an exceptional price. :)
Please tell me more about your pillow. Is it inflatable? |
Also, what sleeping bag do you own? I own a down mummy bag I used when I was a mountaineer. However, I now feel confined in the mummy bag, and I would like to consider other, wider sleeping bags, which still compress into a relatively small volume. ;)
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ExPed air Pillow lg is inflatable Spud and rolls up to a big salt shaker size .Like this one on the Bay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Exped-Air-Pi...item3ab1a8754c Hi-Tech sleeping bag is a cheaper 40-50 deg bag that I've spend many a nigh freezing in. So I also bring a fleece liner to put inside that makes me snug as a bug. rj |
That's a good price on the ExPed air pillow. :tup: Is it comfortable?
Please tell me more about the fleece liner. Does it zip into the bag? Where did you get it, and how much does it cost? |
Saw this bike at the rally. Wonder if it was what the Zongshen designers used for the RX3?
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...psacfively.jpg |
Spuds, pillow is comfortable to me. At least when I use it ,I never wish I had something different. Inflates and collapses quickly too. At 58 yo ,I have degenerate disk disease in my back so I'm flopping all over the place at night trying t get comfortable.
Fleece liner is a cheap 9-12 bucks Griggs Store that is like a thing you see on TV commercials that people put on when watching TV . Zips on side like a sleeping bag but doesn't zip into sleeping bag itself. It seems really warm and when I've used it I don't get cold. Just another thin layer that insulates me I guess. rj |
Great pics! That's a beautiful area. So sorry about that kidney stone. All my sympathies ... ouch!
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How bulky is the fleece liner? Is it difficult to pack? Can you recommend one of the fleece liners shown at the following link?
http://www.ebay.com/bhp/sleeping-bag-liner |
Misc rally site pics. Some of these are from last years kidney stone trip, but will let you see more of the fair grounds then I took this year.
Seminar on mc crash scene what to do stuff http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...psmkqevcju.jpg door prize givaways http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...psh18stetu.jpg I've always like these old Beemers http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...psc9e015n9.jpg RX3 nd redverz tent upper LH of pic http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...pshf4v0dy4.jpg They let the hordes compete on these on the gromstacle course. I was out riding and missed the fun. http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...psacqczwe0.jpg Hood River fair grounds http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...psi7bfvncd.jpg http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...ps4mqcxooz.jpg http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...psdgddmmnm.jpg Tom of Sound Rider who puts on the rally provided a hamburger bbq for us as well as Sunday am breakfast. http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...psxdpzdre5.jpg http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...ps3dxbvrho.jpg Tom and Conney serving up breakfast to the hordes http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...psly9qzeq5.jpg Satisfied rally goers http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...psurnfon76.jpg to be continued, rj |
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http://www.ebay.com/itm/FLEECE-Sleep...-/261758281795 |
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The Hood River Fairgrounds look really nice. :) Can you puchase 3 meals a day at the fairgrounds?
I would have really enjoyed riding the Gromstacle course! :tup: |
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Could you dine indoors any time you wanted, or was the building only opened for special meals?
I lived in suburban Portland for 9 years, so I am pretty familiar with Hood River. It's fairly large, with a lot of restaurants. :) |
Most meals we ate outside as the weather was so nice with plenty of picnic tables. The provided breakfast most stayed inside the main building as it was pouring rain outside. Its a relaxing rally and you can pretty do what you want within reason. rj
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Thanks for the links, RJ. I've started a new adventure camping folder, so I don't lose track of your links. I'm working on forum member AtomicWedgie to get a DS bike, so we can plan adventure camping trips next year, most likely to WA State.
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That's what I'm hoping for. I'd like to plan a route that includes a few State / County camping areas, which are typically equipped with showers. I know of several in WA that are just across the border, but I'd like to venture out farther. Maybe the WABDR...
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My apologies for the slow posting of my ride. Busy at work and leaving tomorrow AM for the Horizons Unlimited Rally in Yosemite this weekend. I'll be taking my NC700x for this trip as its mostly highway traveling this weekend coming and going to California. I've been putting the miles on the RX3 mostly this summer to get it broke in and see if it will hold up. The Rx3 would make the trip just fine, I just want to ride my other bike. Will finish this ride report when I get back next week, rj
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CSC is also heading out for the HU Rally in Yosemite. Say hello, and get a few photos while you are down there. :)
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So since its cold out and riding is done for the season up here in the PNW and Spuds is stuck indoors doing all kinds of RX3 research for us, I thought I'd take the time to finish my ride report of several months back.
First day of rally we went to the Oregon Raceway Park in Grass Valley, OR and got to ride around the coarse forwards and backwards while following a pilot car. Heres a pic of the track layout. http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...psvlnr9yxz.jpg guys getting ready to play Ricky Road Racer. http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...ps5ydkfcvs.jpg Heres a link to the park. Was fun to get on a road race track on the RX3 but never really got to open her up as we were regulated by the pilot car. Darn http://oregonraceway.com/ Heres a pic of the alien saucers leaving Mount ???? once they heard a RX3 was in the area http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...pscgwn4rpr.jpg We got to go ride on the old Mary Hill twisty national Historic sight. Up and down as many times as you want. I got dizzy. click on little pics and it should load for you. http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...pseg8bworp.mp4 http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...psmwwrgm8y.mp4 Video following a guy on way down . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BW2aZIHfLCw Heres a dream I had that night after eating some beans in town . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Te0V71sGoxA Filmed at Oregon Valley Raceway and Mary Hill Twisties Going to post this now before I loose it all, Computer is really acting up, rj |
I want one of these when I grow up
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...pszuumdzpf.jpg http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...ps4slk23vl.jpg See the bare dirt on the hills behind the paddle wheel boat and in the above pic? Thats the Bonneville slide that created the "Bridge of the Gods" that Native Americans used to get across the Columbia River. The whole side of the mountain slide down. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge...s_(land_bridge) Some boats http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...psoy2izm4r.jpg Thought I'd go see Herman since I was so close, give us a kiss http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...psqqkz53jm.jpg He's a white sturgeon that's 70 years old, 11 feet long and weights about 500 lbs. http://www.ashcreekimages.com/gorge/...urgeon-01.html This is it for the Sound Rider Rally ride report. I think I will add a few photos from my Horizon Unlimited trip if you guys want down in Yosemite after this after I get them down loaded. Took the NC700x instead of the RX3. rj |
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That is one of the funniest videos I have seen in quite a while. :lmao: |
Thanks for sharing! Loved the photos! Wish I could take an extended vacation and ride up to the PNW in the Spring/Summer to really see and enjoy the sights! The riding there looks great!
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X2. :tup: Please post another rider report on your trip to Yosemite. :)
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Sweet ride, great report.
:thanks: |
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