Thread: It was the Journey/Not the Destination

Well I'm home after a 4400 mile ride on my new Harley. Well it's actually a 97 Heritage that I bought back in May, it only had 17000 miles on it so it really 'was' brand new.

The journey started out with tcrideshd riding from TN to Denver for the meet and then trucking on over to my place to help me learn more about maintenance for my bike and then we rode over to Clarkston and up the Old Lewiston Grade then down the new grade, fueled up and headed over Lo Lo Pass to Missoula MT. After a great meal and a good nights sleep we headed over to Glen's home outside of Sandpoint ID.

See Here: http://straightrazorpalace.com/finer...600-miles.html

As Tc mentioned he needed to be at home so we had to cancel our ride to CA together so after a couple of days of tying up some loose ends I headed out for my first extended motorcycle ride.

The first stop was at razorfeld's home. Finally after several years of correspondence and helping I finally got to met the man I fondly refer to as an 'Old Goat' (I sign off on emails to him as 'The Young Goat'). He welcomed me in with open arms and in fact thought that I'd be more comfortable in some shorts as to him the weather was overly warm. I had to decline as I don't even own any shorts with the exception of some swimming trunks that I haven't worn in at least 8 years. Anyway here he is in the flesh so to speak.



We had a great time that afternoon and evening, the next day we went out for breakfast and I headed back out. I didn't ride until about 8am but the ride down the winding roads through the mountains of OR was great. After I got to CA the road straightened out and I made it to Redding CA for the night. If Richard thought that it was hot at his place he should have been in Redding! With that said, the next morning was quite cool but I rode out at 5am so that I could avoid some of the afternoon heat as I wanted to make it to the LA area.

The ride to the LA area ended up as a 625 mile ride and a lot of frustration with the traffic and they way LA does it's signage but I finally got a motel and met with my old friend Carl at his rental the next day.

I spent a little more than two weeks at Car's helping him with some remodeling projects. I've know Carl for over 50+ years, he's my best friend and it's always a pleasure to spend time with him, especially helping him with projects. When I was getting ready to ride out to AZ to meet Splashone his wife asked if I could ride back and help with more projects but I had to decline, it was time to ride and meet more members face to face.



The ride from El Cajon to Tucson to meet up with Splash started out with very pleasant temps but then I started out across the desert. While I normally stop for fuel every 80- 90-100 miles I was stopping about every 40 miles for water to cool down. I stopped at a Union 76 station in a place called 'Datewood' for fuel and water and their old style thermometer with the glass bulb etc was in the shade and it read 106 degs.

Boy Howdy was I glad to find Splashone at home! The cool temps inside his home were most welcome! Once again a member who I'd helped and corresponded with opened up his home to me. We went to supper with a friend of his at a place I believe called El Charro Cafe/back in the days before refrigeration meat was dried then reconstituted for cooking and this place is still carrying on that tradition and has been for many, many years. I found the dish amazing and I'll be trying to figure out how to sun dry and then bring the beef back to life like they did.

Unfortunately I didn't think to take my camera to supper so there's no pictures of Splash and me.

When I left Tucson the temps had dropped and it was a very pleasant ride to Prescott AZ to meet with Mr. Clean (Freddie). He'd forewarned me that his place was hard to find and he'd probably need to lead me in: GPS to the Rescue! While it has it's limitations it took me right to his home. I'd ridden past and then turned around to find Freddie awaiting me as he'd heard the thunder.

Freddie and his beautiful wife went all out with not only welcoming me into their beautiful home but also opening up their guest house for me to stay in and providing wonderful meals.

Freddie also took time out of his busy life to drive me around the area to show me the sites. Did you know that the movie 'Billy Jack' was filmed in Prescott? The fight scene where he says: "I'm going to put my right foot up along the left side of your head and there isn't a damn thing you can do about it" was filmed in front of the Prescott Court House. Prescott is also home to Senator John McCain.

Freddie took me to an area that back in the day was know for it's saloons, whore houses etc. While there we took time to have a couple of cold ones. Here's a pic from one of the classic saloons.



One of the trips Freddie took me on was to what was once a copper mining town that was abandoned but was rejuvenated by 'hippies' and is now a booming tourist attraction. The town is called Jerome and the road leading to it from Prescott is quite the journey. While this is just a picture through a shop window, I purchased a similar one and when I left to head to Boise ID I rode that same route:



The time at Freddie's wasn't just sightseeing, we spent time together with me helping him with his razors. It was great fun!

See Here:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...ouse-call.html

The rest of the journey went very well, while all of the scenery was magnificent it was nice to be back in the Pacific NW. My stay at my nephew's was great, his girls have grown so much since I'd seen them last and he turned me onto a different route than Tc took out of Boise, Idaho State Highway 55 to Lewiston is a ride Everyone should take. Breathtaking white water, lots of nice curves and then at the top of the climb suddenly a vast lush valley then another short climb and yet another valley.

The rest of the ride home was like being home. I did stop in Clarkston before the next 100 miles to land home for pizza at my favorite pizzeria 'Fazzarris' and a cold beer.

Today I pulled the bike out of the garage and cleaned the poor thing up. I found it funny that when I'd stop for fuel or such sometimes people would compliment me on how nice my bike looked and I was thinking 'The Damn Thing Is Filthy' but it was nice to get the compliments.

In conclusion; As my motorcycle mentor Tc told me: It's the Journey, not the Destination and he's right!

I hope all will enjoy!

I'm jealous. Sounds like you had more fun than the law allow's. 89 A sounds like fun. If you haven't already ck out the Dragons tail in Tn. Keep the rubber on the pavement.

Wow...I mean...just...wow.

Originally Posted by rhensley

I'm jealous. Sounds like you had more fun than the law allow's. 89 A sounds like fun. If you haven't already ck out the Dragons tail in Tn. Keep the rubber on the pavement.

89 was fun but Idaho 55 North was a great ride, I don't know if it's on any list of the recommended roads to ride but if not it should be. I've found some clips at YouTube but they are After what I thought was the best part of the ride.

I've heard of the Dragon's Tail from Tc, if I watch my P's and Q's and all in life goes well, I'm planning on riding to TN next year for some bike time with Tc. I'm sure he'll have plenty of nice rides planned for when I get there.

ps here's a vid of the Old Lewiston Grade/Now called the 'Spiral Highway':

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5QNcWi_4bg

Roger I already explained US 129 to him, I showed him my sticker on my helmet and the patch on my vest for the Dragon, I,m going to get him out this way sometime and let him take on 318 turns in 11 miles, but he's up for it, never knew anyone take to a Harley so quick. I'd ride with him anytime. Tc

yea baby! I rode the Lewiston grade, Tc

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

Roger I already explained US 129 to him, I showed him my sticker on my helmet and the patch on my vest for the Dragon, I,m going to get him out this way sometime and let him take on 318 turns in 11 miles, but he's up for it, never knew anyone take to a Harley so quick. I'd ride with him anytime. Tc

yea baby! I rode the Lewiston grade, Tc

I road it last year and really enjoyed it. Now remember I'm old and I ride like I'm old. I took easy. Some of those rice burners flew by me and the next time i ride it they can fly by me again. Eastwood said it best Mans gotta know his limitations. 318 curves in 11 miles. There's some videos on You tube.

You and me both Roger, I,m old so I take her slow too, those rice rockets can roll on the Dragon as fast as they want but they,ll have to go around me,, and by the way last time I was there I had to stop with a couple other guys cause the kids had run off the road on one of the turns, 2 bikes 2 young guys and a couple of broken bones. Tc

When Freddie and I were coming back from Jerome, some idiot on a rice rocket passed a car On a Blind Curve you can't cure stupidity!

On a brighter note, I found a clip of the ride from Boise ID to McCall ID, can't say the music is my style but that's why God created the volume control and the mute button.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pTdfTmB8SA

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

Roger I already explained US 129 to him, I showed him my sticker on my helmet and the patch on my vest for the Dragon, I,m going to get him out this way sometime and let him take on 318 turns in 11 miles, but he's up for it, never knew anyone take to a Harley so quick. I'd ride with him anytime. Tc

yea baby! I rode the Lewiston grade, Tc

You will need to try the snake next - 33 miles - 489 curves, 3 mountains, one valley. Just south of the Virginia line in Tennessee.

421 The Snake - 33 Miles, 489 Curves, 3 Mountains, and 1 Valley

Done it, I have taken on most of the rides in the east and some in the west, after 46 years of riding,I head over to the blue ridge park way, bootlegger , and Devil's Triangle,,Cheroholla skyway , that's just good ridin Over there,, I will be going again in October when the leaves change, always go for 2 weeks to travel all over the mountains and see old friends. But yes that's a great run too