RIDE THE RIBBON 2022

[SidecarKen]

It's time to get time off for The Ribbon!!! Labor Day Weekend. I'll get it posted on the calendar soon. Hoping to see many of you at the bun cooler!

 

[SidecarKen]

It's time to get time off for The Ribbon!!! Labor Day Weekend. I'll get it posted on the calendar soon. Hoping to see many of you at the bun cooler!

The Ribbon is on the calendar! We will have Safeway chicken on friday night, Brats on Saturday and chili cheese death dogs on Sunday night. there will be sides with these meals. If you have any dietary requirements, let me know. Also, if you have any small tokens we could put in our grab bags, bring um along. I will also have breakfast burritos Saturday and Sunday-at a reasonable hour...7:30-8am.(?) Lunches of sandwich, cookie and chips.
I will look into pricing and post in the future., as you all know it will be a bit more than last year, due to foreseen circumstances.

 

[SidecarKen]

The price for the rooms at Rodeway is not correct for the rooms. It is a bit more expensive. The owner is away, and the front desk can't do much to change the price. 125.00 approx. for a night, single. They have blocked out 15 rooms, half double, half 1 king on the ground floor, under Kendra, please book your room as soon as possible.

 

[AndyN]

FYI - I just booked a room and ended up with a single as they indicated that was all that was left available under Kendra's block. Based on the number of registrants to date that doesn't sound right, but I took it anyhow.

 

[charlie gary]

Is anybody who already has a double room looking for someone to split the bill with?

 

[SidecarKen]

FYI - I just booked a room and ended up with a single as they indicated that was all that was left available under Kendra's block. Based on the number of registrants to date that doesn't sound right, but I took it anyhow.

Maybe cancel it and buck w charlie?. Just got to New York this afternoon!

 

[charlie gary]

I just got a room with a single king bed at the Eldorado Inn, The only thing the Rodeway has to offer is rooms with single king beds, and Andy and I have both seen Planes, Trains and Automobiles. We're not quite ready for that just yet.

 

[SidecarKen]

I just got a room with a single king bed at the Eldorado Inn, The only thing the Rodeway has to offer is rooms with single king beds, and Andy and I have both seen Planes, Trains and Automobiles. We're not quite ready for that just yet.

Charlie, did you ask for a room under kendra. That is how the guy put in reserved rooms and I couldnt get it changed

 

[SidecarKen]

I just talked to Rodeway inn. There are still 11 rooms available for us listed under Kendra. I have told them to keep the rooms available until next friday. If you don't Reserve by then, we won't get the little bit cheaper price. But they need to be able to rent those out if we're not going to utilize them.

 

[Daboo]

Room reservation made.

The phone number to get the hotel itself (and not the national reservations desk!) is 541-523-2242. I called the national reservations number first, and they could book me a room, but not with the group of rooms blocked out for "Kendra". Plus, they were slightly higher in cost after taxes and fees.

Chris

 

[charlie gary]

I was doing my stuff pretty late at night, so I used the internet. I got a better price than what the Roadway is offering, too.

 

[AndyN]

It looks like we have good participation from the Puget Sound region. Anyone want to get together for the ride to Baker City?

We could meet for breakfast at the Black Diamond Bakery or Charlie’s Cafe in Enumclaw.

If no one is up for breakfast we can meet at the Enumclaw Safeway.

I was thinking regardless of pre-ride activities we should be heading out by 8:30 at the latest.

Any interest?

 

[Daboo]

Sure

 

[charlie gary]

Black Diamond Bakery has more floor space for moving around, but it's a longer walk to the rest room.

 

[AndyN]

Longer walks make for better exercise. My recollection is larger tables too - a plus if we all show up.

Let's agree to meet at the Black Diamond Bakery at 7:30 for breakfast. Those that do not wish to eat can meet us there for an 8:30 departure. Hopefully the chip-seal work on 410 is complete by then!

Andy

 

[SidecarKen]

Due to concerns with serving meals at the informal meet and greets I will only be serving meals and sharing costs with friends.
So, if my friends would like to participate at the "ride the ribbon" please email, text or message me to help me with a headcount.

 

[charlie gary]

Longer walks make for better exercise. My recollection is larger tables too - a plus if we all show up.

Let's agree to meet at the Black Diamond Bakery at 7:30 for breakfast. Those that do not wish to eat can meet us there for an 8:30 departure. Hopefully the chip-seal work on 410 is complete by then!

Andy

I just got off the phone with Darrell Anderson, and he's going to meet up with us in Biggs Junction at about 1pm. From there we can figure out which way to go in search of the best roads to Baker City.

 

[AndyN]

My $.02:
206 from Biggs Junction through Condon to Heppner (for a quick fuel stop,) then down the Blue Mountain Scenic Byway through Ukiah and Granite to Sumpter then 7 into Baker City. The BMSB is all paved, two-lane Forest Service roads which were in good shape last year.

We should keep our eyes on 97 out of Toppenish as there has been construction and road maintenance delays. The bridge replacement work is supposed to be Mon-Thu only, so that is a small favor from the WSDOT.

Andy

 

[AndyN]

Revision to the above: the Granite Hill road is subject to lengthy construction delays. We could re-route to the north past Anthony Lakes through the Little Alps and down through Haines.
Andy

 

[dirt_biker]

The Forum is not a representation of the Club, it's for opinions and information, just because someone post something does not mean the club agrees or has any responsibility for that info. with that said, why is the club making rules out of the blue that are not in the club bylaws when a couple of greasy wheels make noise, this will destroy the club.

 

[Daboo]

Revision to the above: the Granite Hill road is subject to lengthy construction delays. We could re-route to the north past Anthony Lakes through the Little Alps and down through Haines.
Andy

I think I'll bring some spare gas for all the diversions and reroutes.

Chris

 

[Tim R]

farkwar, Kendra has a medical condition that many share. Sometimes it seems Eating at a restraint just doesn't always have enough to stay on diet. Kendra knows those diet needs are and is not trying to nothing more than help. So, stop barking up the wrong tree. You probably would have had a heart attack at my P.D.'s Friday breakfast at the office. We used the same equipment for cooking as Kendra does. I think she made a great offer. Don't like, it eat downtown. Kendra if you're riding with her hands out sneaks during breaks to those of us who need to maintain sugar levels.

 

[red fox]

Just some route info for Andy and Charlie's Puget Sound group coming thru Biggs, Heppner, Ukiah, Haines.

Ukiah's only retail gas station, the one operated by 'the angry man,' is solidly closed. Only gas in town is 87 octane - you need a Pacific Pride gas card (no credit cards); so tankup in Heppner. Ukiah's Thicket Cafe is now open Thur - Sun only (new food cart is open daily & taking away some business the Thicket had).

Forest Service Road 52 going SE from Ukiah (that's your route) was chip sealed in mid-June, so likely in good shape now. There is a FS campground with good pit toilet at junction of 52 and your 'Little Alps' hgwy (so 1/2 way Ukiah to Haines). A bit later, there's a good view overlook / riding break on the right as you descend from the 8000 ft pass (I tend to stretch legs here).

In Baker City, the Sinclair station has always had unleaded premium ... for those fuel fanatics among you. Enjoy

Cecil

 

[Daboo]

I tried to plot out what the route would be from the towns mentioned above. Is that accurate?



Chris

 

[AndyN]

Thanks Cecil!

Chris - close. The route you mapped is the route you and I rode last year. As I mentioned earlier, Granite Hill road between Granite and Sumpter is undergoing construction, so I recommended going over the Little Alps - NFD 73. The turn for that road -also called the Elkhorn Scenic Byway - is just short of three miles south of where NFD 51 intersects with NFD 52 (the Blue Mountain Scenic Byway coming from Ukiah.)

Hope this helps.

Andy

 

[AndyN]

Here's my map:

 

[red fox]

There is a FS campground with good pit toilet at junction of 52 and your 'Little Alps' hgwy (so 1/2 way Ukiah to Haines).

This location shows as "Prairie City School District" on Andy's map just above.

EDIT: It's a 3/4 mile? walk from your motels to downtown. There the 'Barley Browns BrewPub' is a justifiably popular dinner place; on a Friday you won't be able to seat a big group together unless they take reservations (unknown). There are other walking distance restaurant options once downtown; don't know about food options closer to your motels (I've always stayed on the other side of town).

Cecil

 

[AndyN]

Thanks again, Cecil.
The Prairie School District is simply a reference point on the Blue Mountain Byway to measure the turn to the Elkhorn Byway. The 9 hours is from Black Diamond, WA, it is only about 5 hours from Biggs Junction. I had set the departure time based on travel time to the start point trying to give consideration to those who have to travel farther just to get there. If the group wants to start earlier, adjustments can be made!
Andy

 

[Daboo]

Wow, your route shows 9 driving hrs via Google.

I spent a couple hours looking at the route this morning and possible alternatives. From my place it is well over 10 hrs. Plus gas, potty breaks...unless I'm wearing my dark riding pants, in which case, I can skip potty breaks. Or...I could wear my light colored riding pants and check out Depends??? Costco sells them. Hmm...???

I'd like to ride with everyone else, but I'll make my own way over. There'll be two days of riding where we can ride together once we get there.

Chris

 

[charlie gary]

Chris, will you be breaking fast with us before we find our separate paths to a common destination, or being more direct and going over Snoqualmie Pass?

 

[Daboo]

I'll skip breakfast, Charlie. I wanted to go there. The company (you guys and maybe gals) are great. And the Black Diamond Bakery has tremendous homemade pastries.

It looks like I'll head over Snoqualmie Pass, then south on 97. I'll go through Biggs Junction, but I'm not going to try meeting up with the group. I'll just meet everyone in Baker City.

Chris

 

[mtntec]

Chris,

As an option, maybe we could tag up for the alternate route over? I've been sitting on the fence about riding over with the larger group. I really wanted to do that, but it does extend an already long-ish day in the saddle. I loath I-90. However, I'll run it if rolling out no later than around 7:00.

 

[Daboo]

Sounds good.

 

[mtntec]

Chris,
Not sure which way you'll go, or timing, but I suspect you'll be eventually running South on I-405? Maybe hook-up at the Brickyard Park and Ride or one of the gas stations off Exit 22/160th? Time: TBD. Breakfast or Lunch, somewhere along the way.

 

[Daboo]

I sent you a PM so we can take this off-line.

Chris

 

[farkwar]

Tim and Daboo I have never complained about Kendas food .My wife helps kendra with the cooking and at kendras request I have rented a room with a kitchenette so kendra could cook the groups food.Kendra has catered to my dietary needs and the prices are so low she loses money when she cook for the group. My wife and I consider Brian and Kendra personal friends. Dale

 

[AndyN]

Re: Meeting in Black Diamond for Breakfast/Heading out -
Due to some unforeseen circumstances, we won't be meeting in Black Diamond for breakfast.
Instead, we will be meeting in Maple Valley at the 76 station on Kent-Kangley Road & 169 at 7:30. If you plan on joining Charlie and me, let me know via reply or PM so we know to expect you and not leave you behind.
Thanks.
Andy

 

[Tim R]

Tim and Daboo I have never complained about Kendas food .My wife helps kendra with the cooking and at kendras request I have rented a room with a kitchenette so kendra could cook the groups food.Kendra has catered to my dietary needs and the prices are so low she loses money when she cook for the group. My wife and I consider Brian and Kendra personal friends. Dale

Perhaps I missed the meaning of your post.

 

[Daboo]

Instead, we will be meeting in Maple Valley at the 76 station on Kent-Kangley Road & 169 at 7:30. If you plan on joining Charlie and me, let me know via reply or PM so we know to expect you and not leave you behind.

Okay I'll admit it, I'm a sucker for Andy and Charlie's company. It's going to be a long long ride on Friday. Wake me up when we get there.

Chris

 

[mtntec]

Allllrighty then!
I'll join the party too. A couple 5 hour energy drinks should cover it. See you all Friday morning!

 

[charlie gary]

Perhaps I missed the meaning of your post.

See post #22

 

[Motomaniac]

Wish I could make this rally but I just cannot. Looking forward to visiting Oregon again in early October. Check on some roads, attractions, and fellow riders near the home of the National Rally next year! Have a very fun time all!

 

[SidecarKen]

Just got back from a 5000-mile road trip last night! been missing the forum(forgot my password) looking forward to seeing my fellow riders and friends. Everyone, ride safe and we will have fun at this informal meet and greet!!!

 

[SidecarKen]

OH> MY> GOODNESS>I just found an event that is asking for VOLUNTEERS fo help prepare, and serve food at an event.  This could put COG in a position of potential liability if something could happen. Maybe someone should be scouring these events to make sure they are all on the up and up. It seems that there is someone out there that is looking at our event in particular. We should not be singled out!! The COG rules, real or imagined should apply to all. JOIN FOR THE BIKES, or not.
There was a plea at a rally saying that we are losing members. I wonder why.

 

[red fox]

Hope people take / post some photos of people, rides, bikes ...

 

[SidecarKen]

Currently there is a wildfire west of La Grande and the Hiway 84 is closed at Wild horse casino east to idaho.
Will try to findout if we can get thru via meacham to starkey then thru anthony lakes to baker

 

[SidecarKen]

Currently it looks like the 204 over tollgate to elgin thru cove and union to north powder the baker city.
Things may change and will post any changes in the morning before we leave home.
oregon dot trip check has updated fire maps and major road closure info.

 

[Daboo]

Latest map of the Baker City area. https://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/information/firemap.aspx



This one looks more "interesting". https://www.fireweatheravalanche.org/fire/state/washington



Wundermap. Looks hot out there.




Chris

 

[SidecarKen]

OR204 thru tollgate is closed to commercial traffic but open to private traffic. in the past the 204 has been over congested by trucks trying to get around I-84 closures.

 

[SidecarKen]

Only the 395 is still listed as closed

 

[charlie gary]

It also looks like up to 52 miles of construction on US20 between MP 171.8 and MP 223.16.

 

[SidecarKen]

oregon trip check shows no road closures @0730

 

[G-Mazz]

I see from this thread that using volunteers to help prepare meals and serve food at my rally has drawn your attention. Apparently, comparisons between two events have been made and subsequent conclusions have been drawn by a few participants in this thread. The distance between us makes it difficult to attend each other’s event. I host that rally and don’t recognize any of you as ever attending, so I’d like to provide information about the sanitation measures we take at the Spider Ride. I have no interest in comparing or judging. My sole purpose is to share information so you can be comfortable that a very high standard is being implemented at my event.

I have been the event coordinator of the Spider Ride the past 6 years. Our campground is an excellent venue, except it is located approximately 10 miles down a curvy, country road from the nearest town. The area has a high population of deer which makes riding in the early morning for breakfast and especially in the evening for dinner risky times for deer strikes. So, for safety reasons we serve food to everyone, so no one is forced to travel for a good meal.

Currently COG has no specific rules/policy requirements for serving food, BUT liability and concern for our members is a paramount issue for the club. Since meals are part of the admission fee to the Spider Ride, a high standard should be maintained to protect the health of the participants and minimize financial liability to the club.

The following are the health and safety standards we implement under the umbrella of minimizing the club’s financial liability and upholding the safety of everyone who consumes food at the event.

• First and foremost, the event is insured through the AMA. If someone becomes ill from the food COG is covered. Our exposure to liability is minimized and covered through our insurance policy and through the precautionary measures we take to protect everyone’s health.
• I have two COG members who are very experienced at cooking and serving for large groups; roughly 100+ people for their church charity functions. They are the ONLY members cooking food. The others in "food preparation" will open cans of Baked Beans, Applesauce, Cole Slaw, etc. and pour contents into serving bowls. Other than the items on the grill, nothing is cooked. All perishable food is stored in a refrigerator or held at the local grocery store until picked up.
• Everyone involved in any aspect of handling food, kitchen utensils and dinnerware uses gloves.
• We use individually wrapped utensil sets. All dinnerware and food are served in a line by volunteers wearing gloves. No one fumbles around trying to get one item or serving while in the process contaminates the remaining items for the next person in line.
• All serving tables are hard plastic and wiped with a sanitary cleaner after each meal. This includes the picnic tables. They are wrapped with plastic table clothes and all picnic tables are sanitized after each meal.
• ALL dishes are washed using dish soap and hot water. I rent the cabin next to the pavilion and have immediate access to the refrigerator/freezer and have a nice kitchen to wash and dry everything after each meal. This is done by volunteers from the rally.
• I have a hand washing station with sink and faucet, including soap and paper towels at the entrance to the pavilion. Everyone is asked to either wash up or use hand sanitizer before each meal. Multiple bottles of hand sanitizer are located at the picnic tables for use throughout the entire weekend.

To summarize the use of volunteers speeds up the process of getting each meal together and ready to serve to the participants. While each job is simple in process, an explanation is provided to help maintain a consistent standard which keeps everyone including the club safe and healthy while enjoying some really awesome meals.

 

[Daboo]

At this rally, we all have a choice of where to eat. Subway and McDonald's are within walking distance.

I'll take my chances with Kendra. She uses an extra ingredient called love that no one else has.

I suspect whoever is critical of this arrangement, isn't even here.

This thread should be about the rally, not food. I'll be happy to move the food litigation posts to their own thread.

Chris

 

[G-Mazz]

OH> MY> GOODNESS>I just found an event that is asking for VOLUNTEERS fo help prepare, and serve food at an event.  This could put COG in a position of potential liability if something could happen. Maybe someone should be scouring these events to make sure they are all on the up and up. It seems that there is someone out there that is looking at our event in particular. We should not be singled out!!

You're correct Chris, this thread should be about your rally not food.
But I didn't start, nor raise the issue of using COG volunteers at my event.
Have a great event and be safe out there.

 

[SidecarKen]

woo hoo. another ride the ribbon under our belts! Hoping everyone is getting safely home.

 

[charlie gary]

I'll talk riding and get this going down a different tangent. I just got home from Baker City about 30 minutes ago. It was hot getting there on Friday, with the highest temperature I saw being 100 deg. F. Daboo will tell you it was 104F on his readout, so for sake of a good sea story we'll defer to his thermometer. This morning it was 57F at the same location. It probably would have registered 61F on Daboo's thermometer, so again for sake of a good story we'll go with my number because it's lower (never let good facts like use the same instrument throughout the process spoil a good story, right Ted?). Friday night was fun with me showing up wearing my bank robber costume due to a recent short-lived illness and my sense of caution, and I ensured everyone who I interacted with knew about what I had experienced and when. I let each person decide what level of contact they were comfortable with, respected their desires and we proceeded to have a fun evening talking about places ridden to and places to ride to on Saturday or Sunday. Saturday Andy Niemer and Daboo followed me on a 259 mile loop through Hell's Canyon and other places, and Sunday they decided they hadn't seen me do something yet so they followed me again on another twisty journey, this one only 238 miles. I obliged their morbid curiosity and got some bling on my bike in the form of fox fir trim imbedded between my front tire and the rim. That was after riding OR245 and before riding the original Ribbon, which is County Rd 52 out of Prairie City until you turn west on NF-16 and go out to Seneca on U.S.395 and turning north to John Day. All in all, a fun way to rub 495 miles off of our tires.
The ride home was just Andy and me, and for me it was 473 miles of nice temps and sunny skies on fun roads like OR7 between Baker City and Austin Junction, and CR20 along the Middle Fork of the John Day River before experiencing all the twists and turns of U.S. 395 to FS-53 between Ukiah and Heppner. All in all, four days and 1,379 miles well spent in my opinion.
Who else had fun riding around? Tell us about it.

 

[red fox]

I obliged their morbid curiosity and got some bling on my bike in the form of fox fir trim imbedded between my front tire and the rim.

Who else had fun riding around? Tell us about it.

Sounds like a great time, with tales to wax eloquent about ... Hope a few photos show up also!

 

[Daboo]

Yes, it was definitely 104F on the way down on Friday. I left Monday at a little after 6am and the temps varied from 44F to 61F...with most of it being in the mid-40s to 50s till I got in the vicinity of Pendleton, Oregon. This Ride the Ribbon was definitely memorable. The roads were great, but even more so, the company was too. I can and have found great roads in my travels, but they are easy to find. Friends are much more valuable to me. We had some of our Canadian friends come finally, and I finally got to see a couple of them again, and meet a couple more. It was good to just sit out with the others and spend time together.

On Friday, we headed south on Hwy 410 over Chinook Pass. That's Mt. Rainier in the background.

Here's The Motley Crew at a parking lot for hikers going to Tipsoo Lake. and the Naches Peak Loop trail.

Once we got down from the Cascades, the landscape changes dramatically. Charlie is in the lead, followed by Andy and Mike.

Saturday was a mixed bag for the sky. Some of the clouds looked like it could rain...but the weatherman said otherwise. (He was wrong. It sprinkled a couple times.) And then there were some wildfires, and you could see the smoke from them in the distance.

Our ride took us to the Hells Canyon Overlook. The Hells Canyon is North America's deepest river gorge, even deeper than the Grand Canyon.

On Sunday, Charlie led Andy and I on the original Ribbon ride. Wonderful roads. Great scenery. If you look closely at that sign, it indicates a wonderful 180 degree turn. Great for scrubbing off your chicken strips!

The ride was not without incident. I came across this fox? or was it a coyote? lying in the middle of the road. Little did I know that it had been alive only seconds before. How that fur managed to get between the tire bead and the rim of the wheel, I'll never know. For the animal lovers in the group, I'm sure the four-footed creature felt no pain.

Group photo on Sunday night.

Unfortunately, it all has to come to an end. So Monday morning just shortly after dawn, I headed home.

Along the Yakima River Canyon.

Chris

 

[bpdutton]

More awesome pictures Chris - thanks for sharing.

Question - in the picture of "The Motley Crew at a parking lot for hikers going to Tipsoo Lake", who is it that owns the C10 with this trunk setup?



I have been wanting to mount a trunk on the back of my '02 C10, and this is exactly the setup I've been trying to come up with. I like how the trunk/rack follows the slope of the seat and allows the rear cover to remain in place. If possible, I would like to find out how that setup was fabricated. Hoping the owner is a member here and doesn't mind sharing. Thanks.

 

[robertv]

I have been wanting to mount a trunk on the back of my '02 C10, and this is exactly the setup I've been trying to come up with. I like how the trunk/rack follows the slope of the seat and allows the rear cover to remain in place. If possible, I would like to find out how that setup was fabricated. Hoping the owner is a member here and doesn't mind sharing. Thanks.

I think it's Mike aka mtntec => https://forum.concours.org/index.php?members/mtntec.97/

 

[mtntec]

Yes, that's my ham-fisted creation.
I see my witness protection cover has been blown.
Sent a PM to Brian to avoid hijacking the thread.

On a ride report related note...
On Monday's return, three of us did a quick blitz up I-84 from Baker City to La Grand for breakfast and then on to Hilgard where we hit 244 into Ukiah. That 244 was a nice run through the Umatilla National Forest and a new road for me.
We continued on to NF-053 toward Heppner for a brief stop and to watch some deer on the other side of Willow 'creek'. The 'creek' is actually the size of a small lake, behind a dam, protecting the town from destruction.
Turning South on 206 we passed through Ruggs and stopped at Condon for fuel.
206 was another new road to me and lots of fun. Plenty of curves to keep things entertaining, with straight sections for relaxing a bit.
Continuing on 206, there was talk of making a stop at Wasco, but things were pretty much shuttered in town so we just kept riding on to Hwy-97.
Arriving in Biggs Junction, another discussed stop, we encountered a new level of Hell. The temps were hot and traffic wasn't moving much. The area seemed to be filled with frustrated, impatient and occasionally rude drivers.
It seems this was a central nexus for all manner of Holiday travelers and their RV hauling rigs.
To summarize Winston Churchill, "When you're going through Hell, don't stop."
Our destination for the day was just a few miles up the road in Goldendale, so we pushed on.
A cool room, a tasty dinner, cold beverages and interesting conversation was our reward for the day's travel.

The next day was an easy run up Hwy-97 to Toppenish.
During that stretch, I have no bragging rights over Charlie's 'Close Encounter of the Fox Kind', I managed to take out a small ground chipmunk. Actually, it should be classified as accidental chipmunk-slaughter. The poor critter was half way across the road and did a quick about face into my front tire. Oops. Extremely-bad-timing.
We stayed on the freeways past Yakima, stopped for fuel in Naches on Hwy-12 and kept on to 410 over Chinook Pass with a brief break near the top. We stopped again for a break in Enumclaw and took the least complicated route back to I-405 and home.

So ends another good Ride the Ribbon.

 

[Daboo]

Yes, that's my ham-fisted creation.
I see my witness protection cover has been blown.
Sent a PM to Brian to avoid hijacking the thread.

On a ride report related note...
On Monday's return, three of us did a quick blitz up I-84 from Baker City to La Grand for breakfast and then on to Hilgard where we hit 244 into Ukiah. That 244 was a nice run through the Umatilla National Forest and a new road for me.
We continued on to NF-053 toward Heppner for a brief stop and to watch some deer on the other side of Willow 'creek'. The 'creek' is actually the size of a small lake, behind a dam, protecting the town from destruction.
Turning South on 206 we passed through Ruggs and stopped at Condon for fuel.
206 was another new road to me and lots of fun. Plenty of curves to keep things entertaining, with straight sections for relaxing a bit.
Continuing on 206, there was talk of making a stop at Wasco, but things were pretty much shuttered in town so we just kept riding on to Hwy-97.
Arriving in Biggs Junction, another discussed stop, we encountered a new level of Hell. The temps were hot and traffic wasn't moving much. The area seemed to be filled with frustrated, impatient and occasionally rude drivers.
It seems this was a central nexus for all manner of Holiday travelers and their RV hauling rigs.
To summarize Winston Churchill, "When you're going through Hell, don't stop."
Our destination for the day was just a few miles up the road in Goldendale, so we pushed on.
A cool room, a tasty dinner, cold beverages and interesting conversation was our reward for the day's travel.

The next day was an easy run up Hwy-97 to Toppenish.
During that stretch, I have no bragging rights over Charlie's 'Close Encounter of the Fox Kind', I managed to take out a small ground chipmunk. Actually, it should be classified as accidental chipmunk-slaughter. The poor critter was half way across the road and did a quick about face into my front tire. Oops. Extremely-bad-timing.
We stayed on the freeways past Yakima, stopped for fuel in Naches on Hwy-12 and kept on to 410 over Chinook Pass with a brief break near the top. We stopped again for a break in Enumclaw and took the least complicated route back to I-405 and home.

So ends another good Ride the Ribbon.

So you took two days to get back?

 

[arteh]

Yes sir, it beats most of the Hwy mess on Monday afternoon of a holiday weekend. Steve and I are retired. Another day of riding on a pleasant Tuesday morning was good and we were home in the early afternoon before traffic became a nuisance. Always Sweet.

 

[Daboo]

I thought Mike had joined Charlie and Andy and made it home in one day. I knew you were planning on the two days.

In many ways, that's better. You get a chance to take back roads the entire way and enjoy yourself. I had commitments on Tuesday, so didn't have a choice.

Chris

 

[mtntec]

Chris,

I managed to have Tuesday off. Taking the extra overnight going back on a Holiday weekend was a no-brainer.
I'd have hit the highway as early as you if I didn't have the extra day.