The original plan after Old Scrambler sent Pimpzilla to me last fall was to meet Mooshie and Dash somewhere in Northern California. It didn't happen before winter intruded so we planned on a spring ride. Even in spring around here winter can still make an appearance. As recently as 2 weeks ago there was a winter storm warning across southern Oregon with heavy snow above 4500' - my proposed route. So after a couple of false starts, we settled on the weekend of June 4th for a meet up in Redding, CA. By then the worm had turned considerably, with a highs of 103-106F forecast for Redding and high 90's for most of the rest of the route.
I had been looking at the front tire on the 750 trying to gauge if it had enough tread for the trip. For commuting I'd leave it on there for another 1000-1500 miles as the wear bars were still under some tread, but I decided that with the heat and a round trip of over 1000 miles I shouldn't cheap out. In the process of changing the tire the night before leaving I discovered the front wheel bearings were a little notchy. Not the best prospect for a 1000 mile ride. Too late to get any that night, so I called Mooshie to let her know the rendezvous might be in doubt as I knew I'd get a late start the next day. Because it was now June and past time to get the ball rolling, I considered just mailing PZ to her, but that rankled a little. We agreed we'd see how it went the next morning and I told her I'd get back to her.
So the next morning I got the bearings, installed them, thinking all the while in 4 previous relays I'd never shipped one of the plastic lizards before. So even though it was noon before I got going and already around 90 degrees I hit the road with 500 miles ahead of me and about 9 hours before it got dark. It is funny what can motivate us. But besides that, it was past time to make Mooshie and Dash's acquaintance, plus she was going to be riding and still inclined to make the rendezvous.
This is the fifth time carrying one of the plastic lizards on a cross country trip. Probably the last hurrah, but it has been fun. This particular trip covered 1056 miles down and back. Thanks to Mooshie for riding up to meet me. She is even more awesome in person.
June 3rd -
PZ on board the old 750 for the third time (he stood there previously in 2013 and 2014) on one of the passes on US20 between Vale, OR and Burns.
Between Burns and Lakeview, OR. Not much else to do than sit and watch the desert scenery flow by. Yes it was bloody hot -
My plan was to find a place to camp around Burney, CA before it got dark. I found a pretty decent spot a few hundred yards off the road (CA299) along a river. A lot of mosquitoes, but it was secluded and free. I really like free camping.
The MRE's with the heaters are handy on a bike but holy crap there is a lot of packaging left over when you are done. Not very green.
June 4 -
Up, packed and on the road early to beat the heat. CA299 is a very pleasant road, lots of curves and a sometimes precipitous drop headed toward Redding. It got hotter and more humid the closer I got to Redding, but it was a great morning. Mooshie and I were to meet up at the Sundial Bridge, a rather extravagant footbridge over the Sacramento River. I got there before Mooshie, so sat in the shade and answered work emails on the smarter-than-me phone.
Before long there was the unmistakable sound of an old fashioned 4 cylinder motorcycle and then there were the legendary Mooshie and Dash rolling up. Thanks to this forum, they were already a familiar sight. They are a great fit.
After releasing PZ into Mooshie's custody, we took the bikes over to the bridge for some Kodak moments. Mooshie has some photos of the exchange on her blog.
Two of the hardest traveling SOHC4's there are, together at last.
After some nice conversation, (including some with a security guard who came over to shoo us out of the loading zone, but who then talked to us for 15 minutes about her CBR1000RR), it was beginning to get hot. Poor Mooshie was sweltering in her leathers, so it was time to hit the road. The rest of the pics were taken on the ride back.
This '52 Studebaker Starlite coupe with factory V8 is in Fall River Mills, CA. Somebody started the project but it is obvious they quit a while back. A special car at a special price, $12,000. The interior is rough, but not too many of these around. They never made that many of them in the first place.
The Shamrock Cafe in Nubieber, CA, just down the road from Old Bieber. Closed for remodeling looks like.
More crappy buildings in Canby, CA. I'm a sucker for a photo of the bike in front of an eyesore.
This is different. Also in Canby.
This used stuff (junk) store is right on the California-Oregon line in the little town of New Pine Creek. The sign said it was open and I tried to go in, but the door was locked. The door jamb was so loose in the wall that I almost tore it out accidentally. I looked in the windows and it is packed full of crap.
This barn just out of Lakeview, OR is fighting the good fight against gravity, but it is clear who is winning.
Lake Abert -
The colors were outstanding on these cliffs, but don't come through very well in this photo. Still miss Kodachrome -
US395 between Lakeview and Burns is not much of a motorcycle road. It makes up for it north of Burns though, where it is occasionally spectacular.
Just some scenery before dark east of Burns.
