Headed for Home

We followed our friend Dani's ride report and recommendation of the historic Wolf Creek Inn. She rode down here a week earlier to meet her sister from California and posted up a couple of points of interest and I used it as inspiration, making sure I followed her roads and stopped for photos.



Wolf Creek Inn is believed to be the longest running hotel in Oregon and is now an Oregon State Park. There isn't much in Wolf Creek but a general store and a couple of gas stations, we were on the bikes way too long to hop back on in search for dinner. Suspecting dinner at the Inn was going to be pricey we decided to give them the benefit of the doubt. The menu was lacking vegetarian or pescetarian options and limited our choices so for $18.95 a plate we both had a pasta dish with a salad. No food pics, it wasn't anything special and not worthy of going back to the room for the camera.

Our room was sparse with no television, phone or bedside alarm clock. Furniture was of the period although each room was updated with modern plumbing and facilities.



We hadn't made reservations and were fortunate to get a room even if it was two twin beds. Unfortunately, it was on the ground floor and the old building creaked and moaned until the guests above us went to sleep much later than we did.



In the morning, breakfast was included with our room and again it was not worthy of food porn pics. I went and fueled the bikes, loaded up and we were on our way to find Cow Creek Road and Dani's sign.

Dani's bike a week earlier.

And we did.



The road looped from Glendale north to Riddle with plenty of twisties to teach my apprentice cornering and lean angle, now that she was much more bright eyed and bushy tailed. We meandered our way up to Oakland and Dani's next stop at Mildred Kanipe Memorial Park while trying to avoid I-5.

Dani at the park and the peacocks that I so wanted to see.

We didn't see as many peacocks in the parking lot as she did, but the one that greeted us was sure interested to see what we had that might resemble lunch.



After a short visit having no food nor knowing what peacocks eat, it was a quick jaunt up Territorial Road along the Applegate Trail past Eugene and back home to Corvallis. The weather was perfect, not too hot and the trip was well worth it for 11 days post surgery test. I did scope out a few camping spots and I asked Trobairitz if she'd do it again; although it took some thought, she said she would and be up for camping along the way.

Sounds like a plan to me.


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Cleared for take off.

I went to see the doctor Monday morning and he cleared me for take off. So following doctor's orders, I did.

Perusing my Benchmark Atlas of Oregon and messing around on Google maps I put together a ride loosely based on Fuzzy's 3 day, 3 items, $300 Scenario and inspiration from a friend whom just got back from a ride about Southern Oregon. We both had the week off so I loaded the bikes Tuesday night and we left Wednesday.

Although we did take more than 3 items, we did manage to spend less than $300 over 3 days including meals, fuel and accommodation for 2 riders and 2 bikes. I know Fuzzy's intent was as a solo rider, but there was no such a clause in the contract. I suppose I could pare it down to 3 items each if I took the camera, GPS and toiletries while Trobairitz took a map, food and a change of clothes (I said loosely). Regardless, we lived pretty lavishly on $300 and wouldn't have known what to do with the other person's $300.

Mileage was short for three days at 477 miles but this route was single lane, no painted lines or posted signs forest service roads and a novice rider. When you're 50 miles deep in the woods, midweek, without seeing another car for hours, damn straight I used both the GPS and map to figure out where we were.

Let's see, the GPS says we're here... now where's here exactly?

Yes, I got lost a few times but can you blame a guy when he's faced with this!



Now look closer.



Notice anything funky about this map?



For the life of me I could not get my bearings short of standing on my head. What kind of person posts a map upside down with South facing up and North facing down? The answer.... a woman! That's right, I said it. Only a woman would turn a map upside down to read it and thankfully I just happened to have one with me because I never would have gotten out of there without her.

My GPS wasn't any help either. Tootling around close to home, I know where I am and which way is North for the most part so the screen on the GPS is set to rotate around my icon. When you're in a strange neighborhood let alone the woods this is not such a great feature. I went into the menu and set North facing up so my icon would rotate instead of the map. No more getting lost, right? Good thing I had the map too.



We made it South to Reedsport and the coast to stay at the mother-in-law's. We were going to surprise the brother-in-law too but he was out of town on business. Thursday we were Southbound to Coquille and Powers which is pretty much the end of the road as it turned into forest service road 3348.







I thought it was great, the Tiger eats roads like this for breakfast but I sure wouldn't want to do it on a Suzuki Gladius.



We stopped a lot for breaks, views and vistas.



But with the quality of the road, the incline and descending tight turns, my poor navigator was beat and plain tuckered out.



I had to get her into town and fed so we were off to Wolf Creek Inn for the night.




to be continued...





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Take the Course - Get Endorsed

Team Oregon has been doing some advertising lately and what better way than to use the local transit system as a traveling billboard. I thought the ad was very well done, short, simple, effective and to display it on the back is brilliant.



I've seen bus #753 a couple three times around town and it has caught my attention each time, but I've only made note of the bus number twice. Is it on other buses or just this one?

The second time I saw it I wondered what bike they used in the ad, I knew it was a cruiser but I couldn't dismiss it as the usual Harley, it looked too familiar.

The City of Corvallis is celebrating da Vinci Days this weekend and after we met the Brew Crew for Saturday morning coffee we drove downtown to check out the kinetic sculpture vehicles before the parade. Neither one of us do well with large crowds so we went in, did a quick loop and got out. No photos, too many people and we lost interest very quickly.

But, Corvallis City Transit was on site promoting their new fareless system. (Off topic, but $2.75 tacked onto our monthly water bill without property owners being able to vote on it is not fareless). And, they just happened to use bus #753, giving me the opportunity to get up close and look at the bike.



Now I could be wrong but that sure looks like a Triumph America.



I sold my America so I can't take the photo and compare it to the bike itself, but I do have photos.



I'm going to call it as I see it, that is a Triumph America, way to go Team Oregon for using such a great bike in your ad.

Now.....who's the rider?


- Addendum: Saw the ad on another bus, that makes 2.

July 8th, 2011 OBDR...not

Today's the big trip. The gang is leaving today for the Oregon Backcountry Discovery Route... without me.

I was planning to participate, I purchased all the gear, maps and went through the motions and meetings but as I wrote last May I had to cut the practice weekend short. Not long after, I decided that I had to withdraw from the trip completely. A lot of consideration went into the decision including a trip to the doctor's office. I was cleared to go but as the weeks went by leading up to the trip the pain and discomfort made the choice for me.

I may be off the bike for a week or two and just when the nice weather finally gets here. Why would I do this to myself? Trust me, I'd rather be out a couple of weeks now than continue to cut my day rides short all summer.

Last year I thought I had pulled a groin muscle, nothing serious just a minor strain lifting something, but when it failed to get better I feared it may be a hernia. Of course, I don't need to go into details about how men think when it comes to injuries, medical issues, going to the doctor or the US healthcare system. I've mentioned many times before that I procrastinate, I also don't care for hospitals or going to the doctor. We didn't have the best medical plan at the time either. But now with the insurance squared away I have no choice but to take the time off.

January is our busiest time of year at work and securing time off in the Spring is next to impossible. This year we were busy all the way through June but because I scheduled time off for the trip so far in advance I already have a week off work.

My reason for posting this on the blog is that I found very little information on the web regarding recovery time and resuming regular activity. I have found results anywhere from one week to six weeks depending on the type of surgery but nothing definite nor anything pertaining to motorcycling. I'm just documenting my recovery as a diary entry and to help other motorcyclists.

I'll have it pretty easy as an outpatient having laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair, unless complications arise and I wake up with a much larger incision than I expected or it turns out to be bilateral repair. I know I am making a bigger deal out of it than I should and I hope to be on Trobairitz' smaller, shorter, lighter bike within a week and on my taller bike within two weeks. My concern is my lifting restrictions, not being able or allowed to lift more than 20 pounds for several weeks.

So while the group goes off road riding the OBDR I'm off to the GSRMC instead.

Have a safe trip and we'll see you when you return.


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July 9th - Seven days makes one weak.

The doctor said at least a week, what I heard was just a week.

I am doing well this morning. I have the best nurse a man could ask for, fantastic bedside manner with just enough sarcasm to keep me in line. I did fill my prescription for percocet just in case, but with my reaction to codeine in the past I'm reluctant to use it. The only pain medication I've taken is Ibuprofen and it is sufficient keeping me comfortable.

The surgery went well, doctor said it was a good size but I breezed through it. I have three small 1" horizontal incisions in a vertical row from my navel to my pubic bone. I am sore, more discomfort than pain so it feels as if someone sucker punched me below the belt. The pain in my shoulders and below my lungs from the gas they used to inflate my abdomen was worse than the discomfort at the repair site.

The reason I can't find anything online regarding recovery is because it isn't a big deal after all. It was a quick and easy procedure and the worst part of it was the grogginess coming out of surgery. It is difficult getting up and down from a sitting position but I use my walking stick for assistance. I have a little pillow that was made and donated to the hospital by a local sorority to use for pressure when I laugh, cough or if I have to sneeze. All is well and I'm feeling so much better than last night. It's the 5 days of not riding that'll hurt, he did mean work week right?

Off to Saturday morning coffee to meet the brew crew.


And a Happy 40th Birthday to my brother Barrett!


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July 10th

Feeling better yet, I am able to stand up and sit without assistance from my nurse or walking stick. Walked around quite a bit yesterday, plan to walk even more today and go back to work tomorrow for at least a half day. It was great to see everyone for Saturday morning coffee although I found talking loudly to be strenuous and somewhat tiring. I am still unable to produce a satisfying cough to clear my throat and laughing is still painful (watched a comedy movie last night).
All and all a very easy and speedy recovery. Looking forward to riding next week.

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July 11th

Back to work today, making me realize how often I get up from my desk during the day. Due to all of our field reps in town it was a very stressful day. It is difficult to catch up from missing Friday when a half dozen cowboys belly up to the shipping counter for a bullshit session. Sans any medication, I got done what needed to be done and called it quits at 3:00, and went home to lay down.


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July 12th

I am amazed at how fast my recovery is coming along, today was much better although I did go back to using Ibuprofen. I developed numerous small rashes that were not going away and feared staph infection. Trobairitz made me go to the doctor today and learned it is poison oak. Of course it is, glad it didn't go systemic like it did last time.
Regardless, I am doing very well, walking much faster and confident I could ride tomorrow. I won't, but I could.

Overall I am glad I had this done and regret not doing it sooner.


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July 15th

It's Friday, one week and I am doing well aside from some bruising which takes so long to heal. I was going to attempt to ride Max to work today, but the boys are having none of it. The sitting position against the tank is just not conducive to my recovery. I see the doctor on Monday and I feel better waiting for him to sign off on my progress.
The rain this past week has made it easier to accept not riding, I think I can make it 3 more days.

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July 18th

Went and saw the doctor today, all is well and I'm clear to resume my normal activities. However, he gave me a lifting restriction of 40 to 50 lbs. for a few more weeks. I think I can restrict myself to 50 lbs. a lot longer than that, I've done my tour of duty and don't have anything to prove.
Overall, the week to 10 day recovery was well worth it and I feel so much better than before the surgery. I've passed that point now where the pain recovering is less than the pain and inconvenience of dealing with the hernia. So don't hesitate, get it done and if anyone has questions, don't hesitate to email me.

I'm back in the saddle again.


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Start 'em young

We had a new rider at bike night tonight.




Thanks for joining us little dude.

Happy Independence Day 2011 !!!

Wait. Isn't Pamela from Canada?





and Catherine Bell the UK?


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Addendum for Sonja and friends:

SonjaM said...

Why are there no guys? Please don't forget your female followers...

Irony...

http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/national/article_2831f8ae-53c0-546f-975e-957fdce1ea0e.html#ixzz1R3bvkHVM

Police say a motorcyclist participating in a protest ride against helmet laws in upstate New York died after he flipped over the bike's handlebars and hit his head on the pavement.

The accident happened Saturday afternoon in the town of Onondaga, in central New York near Syracuse.

State troopers tell The Post-Standard of Syracuse that 55-year-old Philip A. Contos of Parish, N.Y., was driving a 1983 Harley Davidson with a group of bikers who were protesting helmet laws by not wearing helmets.

Troopers say Contos hit his brakes and the motorcycle fishtailed. The bike spun out of control, and Contos toppled over the handlebars. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Troopers say Contos would have likely survived if he had been wearing a helmet.

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Information from: The Post-Standard, http://www.syracuse.com

Read more: http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/national/article_2831f8ae-53c0-546f-975e-957fdce1ea0e.html#ixzz1R3cnoRNW

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More:
http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/07/parish_man_protesting_motorcyc.html