Round Up of Saturday's Trip

[trystinn]

The auto-transcribe can't handle my accent, good to know!

It was a gorgeous day Saturday, trickily so. Even Mt. Baker was out!:



Yesterday, Josh and I headed out for what was supposed to be a few hours on the bike. We took the ferry over to Port Townsend, to have lunch at Fat Smitty's (best burgers in the area) in Discovery Bay, then over to the airplane museum (which was closed). :(

Made a friend on the ferry:



En route we stopped at a small bike shop, which given the great weather, meant a lot of older, classic bikes were out.





When I say nothing went right except lunch, don't think for a second we didn't have a good time! The afternoon ferries were canceled due to wind. 40mph sustained winds, with gusts, which makes for a crazy time driving a motorcycle. We headed up to Fort Worden, which was part of the infamous Triangle of Death during WWII, where I predictably took too many photos!







And a tuchus shot of hubby!:



Since Plan A (take Port Townsend/Keystone ferry back) was scrapped, we ended up with Plan B "Drive Around". Which meant, down the Peninsula and over the Canal Bridge (talk about wind!) then to the Kingston/Edmonds ferry. Then up 99 to the Mukilteo/Clinton ferry, then another 45 minute drive up Whidbey at 11pm.

Finally made it home after midnight, windblown and exhausted.

Our poor bike, the Boulevard:

Comments

[unique-thesame.livejournal.com]

One of these days I'm going to have to take a day to just explore the island. It's been years since I've been able to just go drive and find interesting things to see!
You should come up this way sometime and see Baker up close. There's some amazing places up there, double waterfalls - the river - ice caves ... I'd love to show you around on the mountain. That's where I spend what little free time I get.

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a wonderful idea - both of them!

I'm not the greatest hiker (bum knee and all) but I'm game.

[unique-thesame.livejournal.com]

There are some amazing places to see up there with very little walking. My back doesn't handle much any more, but I still always love going up there and roaming around.

[man-of-snows.livejournal.com]

Beautiful pics. The wind was crazy! I ended up taking off for home last night vs. today and they were threatening to cancel the ferry due to wind.

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

Thanks! The wind has thoughtfully calmed down, which is great since Josh is headed back to Bremerton tonight.

Glad you made it home safe and sound.

[wild-heart.livejournal.com]

That's definitely an "expect the unexpected" trip, but at least you had each other and wound up with some happy adventures.

Is that a T-Bag on the bike?

We went out for a ride yesterday (on both bikes). Got a little lost (thank you, google maps on my phone). I ran out of gas when we got back into Louisville and now know that you can simply flip the knob to the reserve tank without having to pull over. Can't tell you how glad I am to have had this happen on a quiet city street as opposed to the interstate or a bridge since the bike just stopped going vroom.

When are you taking that bike course? ;-)

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

The lack of a gas gauge has driven me a bit nuts, but Josh is really careful about keeping tabs. Sorry that happened to you, and with no warning! Does your bike have a low fuel light?

The trunk bag is a River Road. Other than the issue that you cannot open the sides (only top or front entry), it's a great bag.

[wild-heart.livejournal.com]

I've been wondering if I can get a replacement gas cap that has a gauge in it. No, there isn't a low fuel light. There's a tripometer that you have to reset when you fill up, but I didn't fill it ALL the way up last time, which is why it conked out at 86 miles instead of 100. The warning I got was a little sputter. 10 seconds later, the motor shut off.

Does any bag allow side entry? :-)

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

Yep, Saddlemen luggage has a few models. The Desperado has brads, the Drifter doesn't.

http://www.saddlemen.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=0&products_id=7091&zenid=8a05b86d542c442df253577040bcd097

[wild-heart.livejournal.com]

Nice looking bag!!

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

Yep, that's my thought too. I'd love to have a Desperado (our bike's leather doesn't have brads, so I'd like to keep that theme).

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

I hit send too quickly. I know they make LED gas gauge gas caps, but the ones I've seen tend to be pricey. Worth it, I think, though. *wink* I'm sorry, I can't recall what MC you ride to find you a specific model. I'm assuming Harley?

http://www.customdynamics.com/LED_battery_fuel_gauge.htm

[wild-heart.livejournal.com]

2004 Honda Shadow 600cc.

I have yet to see a Shadow with a gas gauge. I'd probably be willing to pay for one of those after Sunday's fun.

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

There you go, that's what I get for assuming! :) I adore cruisers and the Shadow is a gorgeous one.

Any advice for the nervous nelly before she takes the endorsement class?

[wild-heart.livejournal.com]

Why spend the big bucks on a Harley for a beginner? Besides, after Jay's custom bike is finished, we'll probably see about dropping the seat on his H-D DynaGlide so I can ride it.

I have to admit that my bike is kind of pretty. I'm with you on adoring cruisers. That, to my eye, is what a motorcycle should look like.

Advice?
1. Remember that you know nothing.
2. Get your permit first (which means reading the driver's manual and memorizing all the motorcycle-specific stuff).
3. Remember that the instructors are there to instruct you to ride safely, but also to make sure that you're competent to pass the licensing test (does your class include that part?).
4. Don't laugh over how small the bikes are.
5. Expect to stall out. A lot.
6. Find out what you'll need to wear, and don't go overboard on gear for the class. No, you probably won't need your bike jacket. You won't be going fast enough to actually hurt yourself.
7. Expect to screw up, overshoot turns, have mini-panic sessions, and stall out. Did I mention stalling out? You *will* have the bike in the wrong gear when you pop the clutch. You *will* pop the clutch and not give it enough gas. You *will* reach for the wrong lever and come to a sudden stop. Don't worry about it. That's how you learn.
8. Have fun!

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

Josh is in love with the Goldwings, drives me nuts. I absolutely agree with you about cruisers, I think they are exactly what a bike should look like, though I have a soft spot in my heart for cafe bikes.

Have you seen "World's Fastest Indian"? If not, please do. Anthony Hopkins has the time of his life playing an eccentric retiree who builds a racing cafe bike out of spare parts, coffee cans, etc. in his home, then comes to America to race it on the Salt Flats. There are so few great roles for older actors of Hopkins' caliber and watching him absolutely shine with joy is a rare treat. But then, I adore an eccentric. :)

1. I've read one book on the subject and two magazines. In my world, that means I'm still woefully ignorant. I still have trouble remembering which side runs the clutch and gears and which the brakes. (I'm sort of kidding, I know which is which, but it's not instinctual).

2. Aw crap, permit? No one mentioned that. Thank you!

3. Yep, you earn your endorsement by taking this class.

4. I promise I won't laugh at the goonie bikes. I may laugh at my Brunhilde self on a goonie bike, though.

5. Yep, par for the course. Still embarrassing, though.

6. The class is taught on the Navy base, so I know I need the safety vest, a long-sleeved shirt and helmet. Frankly, what I think I need most of all is a good set of boots.

7. Mini-panics are already expected. Geez, I remember the first one I had on a running horse. The course is taught on a parking lot painted up specifically for it, I've been stopped at the base gate and watched folks stall every two feet - so I know it's par for the course.

8. Yeah, riiiiiight!

[wild-heart.livejournal.com]

Hello, Netflix? WFI is now in my queue. Thanks!

1.1 It will all sort itself out once you've got it in your hands (and feet). Remember: rear brake FIRST.

2.2 It's possible that WA is different than KY, but here you have to have a permit prior to getting a license regardless of the type of vehicle. Looking at WA licensing site makes me think that you might not need to pass the "knowledge test" prior to taking the class. That wasn't the case here. One phone call will answer that question. ;-)

4.4 You'll feel like you're in a clown car. The feeling will pass as soon as you try to go forward. At least you'll easily be able to hold it up.

6.6 Boots. Oh gods, boots. I wore my hiking boots since the only requirement was that the boots covered the ankle. I'm still trying to find a pair of motorcycle boots that actually fit my foot. The ones I used as a backseat rider are completely useless now that I've got my own wheels. I currently wear my hiking boots when I ride but they really don't give me the control at the toe that I want.

You've already got a helmet that fits, which is good. Make sure that it's a large enough helmet for course requirements (I used to have a 1/2 helmet and the course required a 3/4 helmet. They had helmets available for student use.)

7.7 Is the class accredited by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation? If so, then I know exactly what you'll be doing because it's the one I did. Regardless, you'll learn all you need to know to get started. The rest is all practical hands-on stuff, which means getting out and riding.*

*Yes, I still get butterflies in my stomach every time I go out for an extended ride. They don't fade until I've been on for 15 minutes and start to forget my body and just go with the experience.