Pacificnorwest official first ride

[cool runnins]

Good day all,
Well it was the Pacificnorwest official first ride today. At least posted on this board. So what there was only three of us (two bikes), one Washington rider (Al WAVTX) and Susan (Wildflower) and my self. And so what we only rode together about 40 miles (Seaside to Garibaldi) we still were from different states in the great Northwest of the good ole US of A. We both had a distance to ride before meeting up, Susan and I started out in Salem and rode to Seaside about 118 miles and Al from Belfair Washington about 150 miles. We met up in Seaside, Al went to a convention for ham radios and Susan and I did some shopping and walked around Seaside for a while then we hooked up again spent a little time looking around and getting to know one another and then we were off down the Oregon coast. Stopped a few times and took some pictures (to follow) then stopped in Garibaldi for some lunch and more time to get to know one another. All in all, a most excellent day!! Al is great person and both Susan and I had a great time. We took a nice leisurely pace down 101, the sun was shinning the weather was cool so no bugs to speak of. And if you think Al’s bike looks good in his pictures you should see her in real life!! A real beauty! The only thing I felt bad about is that the whole time we were riding Al was getting farther away from home and Susan and I were getting closer. So when we parted ways Al had A LOT further to ride to get home. Susan and I put about 300 miles on today and to date this is the longest trip we’ve made on our new bike.

I just wanted to say thank you Al for a great day and look forward to the next time we can hook up.

PS BigBlue wish you could've made the ride and I hope you're healing up well, I'm sure we will meet up soon. By the way Al said you have great taste in bike colors (04 blue, same as ours!!)

[Hodad]

Well, I finally made it home around 7:50pm safe and sound.

My day started around 5am this morning. I was heading out of Belfair on Hwy3 with the sun on my back and open road in front of me. Actually, I got started later then I wanted to but I decided to make the best of it. Before I knew it I was in Shelton and onto Hwy 101 headed to Olympia. I decided to take the cutoff to McCleary and then to Hwy 8 pointed towards Aberdeen. I was discouraged to a point when the skys became overcast and temp dropped to 59. It stayed like this all the way down to Seaside. It was my first trip out of the state on "Baby" and going over the bridge in Astoria on a bike is freakin awesome! So high in the air, way cool. I rolled on into Seaside around 8:30 and toured the town for a few. A quick fuel stop then back over to the Convention Center.

When I saw this way cool looking X heading my way, I thought this must be Bruce and Susan aka Cool Runnins and Wildflower. It was absolutely great to meet both of you. I was happy you guys hung around whilst I did my biz at the Hamfest. I am also glad you guys found that bag! It is great. I can't tell you how much easier this will make toting my clothes to the gym. The ride down the coast was fantastic. I've said it before, but I think people really miss the soul of the ride slashing the curves and not taking it the beauty that surrounds us. Bruce, that's me. I just love to cruise, stop for pics and take in the view.

I don't want you to feel guilty about my trip home. It was long, but Baby and I got really aquainted with each other today. I think I know her better now, then in the previous 24k miles. There were so many bike out heading the opposite way. I felt like riding with my hand down permanently! I love to ride man and the more you ride the better you get.

I just want to say Thank you. It was fun meeting you both. I felt like I knew you both from always. I felt total ease around you. And that just don't happen to much. I will be bringing Julia down so we can do a couples ride. I know she would have loved stopping in those sea side towns.

Like I was saying at lunch, if I had of planned this, it wouldn't have worked out so nice. Sometimes the spur of the moment things work out the best. I am grateful for you coming up to meet me.

Until the next time. You guys take care, thanks and many blessings upon you and your family.

Peace....

Al

[cool runnins]

I know I'm slow, but I had to make sure they looked good. Some of them turned out blurry so I won't post those but we really did have a good, no wait GREAT time.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d801b3127cceb0cba50c2c3e0000001610

First view of the beach in Seaside

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d801b3127cceb0cbb9062c3a0000001610

We tried to get there early but these guys beat us here (Lewis and Clark)

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d801b3127cceb0cba7e0ade30000001610

My wife would've gotten mad if I didn't put this here, don't look too long or you'll go blind

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d801b3127cceb0cbb8886c2c0000001610

Our first stop out of Seaside

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d801b3127cceb0cbbadeed4b0000001610

A different look at our first stop

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d801b3127cceb0cbbf34ad3b0000001610

My biker babe

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d801b3127cceb0cbbd5e2c600000001610

From atop Neah-Kah-Nie mountian a most awsome view

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d801b3127cceb0cbbc67edf10000001610

Close up of the same

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d801b3127cceb0cba493ed090000001610

Two very cool looking bikes atop of Neah-Kah-Nie mountain (we don't know the people in the back ground)

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d801b3127cceb0cba7552c660000001610

Look at this bad boy biker!! (Al)

Sorry if there are too many pictures but I had a hard time picking and believe me, there are more!! We really had a great time and as Al said it was like we've known each other for a long time even though we've never met in person before yesterday. But we have interacted here and other internet based venues and have gotten to know each other over the past few months. But nothing beats a face to face and this ride is going to be one of the high lights of my summer.

Thanks again Al

[Balrog]

Bruce,
Nice pics! I went temporarily blind when I looked at photo #3. :D
It looks like you had a great time!

Al,
Are those Dunlop whitewalls on your bike?

[cool runnins]

Bruce,
Nice pics! I went temporarily blind when I looked at photo #3. :D
It looks like you had a great time!

Al,
Are those Dunlop whitewalls on your bike?

That's it man, next time I see you I'm takin my do rag off!! You think it's blinding in a picture you aint seen nothin yet!!
It was good talking with you and Minda yesterday, and if I have to, I guess I'll lead a ride. So which way do we go? Where are we stopping? :D

Those white walls do look good don't they!!

[Hodad]

Bruce,
Nice pics! I went temporarily blind when I looked at photo #3. :D
It looks like you had a great time!

Al,
Are those Dunlop whitewalls on your bike?


Yep. I like em pretty well. Uh, I am going stay outta the other thing tho.. 8)

[cool runnins]

Bruce,
Nice pics! I went temporarily blind when I looked at photo #3. :D
It looks like you had a great time!

Al,
Are those Dunlop whitewalls on your bike?


Yep. I like em pretty well. Uh, I am going stay outta the other thing tho.. 8)

Chicken!!

[Hodad]

Bruce,
Nice pics! I went temporarily blind when I looked at photo #3. :D
It looks like you had a great time!

Al,
Are those Dunlop whitewalls on your bike?


Yep. I like em pretty well. Uh, I am going stay outta the other thing tho.. 8)

Chicken!!

Uh-huh...You betcha.. :wink:

[Balrog]

Bruce,

Oh crap! I forgot, You know where I live! :shock:
I moved last night. Don't bother looking for me. I don't live there anymore. Yeah! That's it.

I moved to Belfair, Washington. And, I traded my Black 1300 on a Blue one, with really cool white walls. Yeah, that's it

Here is a current photo me and my bike. I dare you to find me. :P

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d801b3127cceb0cba7552c660000001610

[Hodad]

Bruce,

Oh crap! I forgot, You know where I live! :shock:
I moved last night. Don't bother looking for me. I don't live there anymore. Yeah! That's it.

I moved to Belfair, Washington. And, I traded my Black 1300 on a Blue one, with really cool white walls. Yeah, that's it

Here is a current photo me and my bike. I dare you to find me. :P

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d801b3127cceb0cba7552c660000001610

Yeah there he is Bruce, Let Lynch the rat ba#tard! Hey, wait a minute, that Rat Ba#tard looks just like me! :lol: :lol: :lol:

[cool runnins]

Hey now, I'm startin to get confused here!! Oooohhhh yeah, that wasn't very hard now was it!! Take it easy on me it's hard for me to keep up!!

[BIGBLUE]

Very nice pics! And yes, I wish I coulda been ridin with you guys. My injuries are healing quicker than I thought. As soon as the swelling in my right foot goes down enough for me to wear a shoe, I think I'll be able to drive and go back to work. I'm hoping in a couple of days. Talked to Renton Motorcycle and they told me the repair estimate for BigBlue is $9,000.00. This includes replacement of the frame which is bent. I assumed that with a bent frame the bike would be totalled but I guess It would be cheaper to replace the frame and all of the other broken parts than the cost of a new bike plus about $6,000 worth of accessories that I've put on. That would put the total replacement cost at about $16,000.
Anyway, the appraiser hasn't given her report to the insurance agent yet and hasn't talked to me either so not sure how it's gonna go. It looks like BigBlue might ride again! I also found it interesting that Honda has discontinued the Pearl Dark Blue for 05 and replaced it with Magenta.

Thanks everyone for all of your support and I look forward to riding with everyone in the near future. :)

[cool runnins]

Very nice pics! And yes, I wish I coulda been ridin with you guys. My injuries are healing quicker than I thought. As soon as the swelling in my right foot goes down enough for me to wear a shoe, I think I'll be able to drive and go back to work. I'm hoping in a couple of days. Talked to Renton Motorcycle and they told me the repair estimate for BigBlue is $9,000.00. This includes replacement of the frame which is bent. I assumed that with a bent frame the bike would be totalled but I guess It would be cheaper to replace the frame and all of the other broken parts than the cost of a new bike plus about $6,000 worth of accessories that I've put on. That would put the total replacement cost at about $16,000.
Anyway, the appraiser hasn't given her report to the insurance agent yet and hasn't talked to me either so not sure how it's gonna go. It looks like BigBlue might ride again! I also found it interesting that Honda has discontinued the Pearl Dark Blue for 05 and replaced it with Magenta.

Thanks everyone for all of your support and I look forward to riding with everyone in the near future. :)

Very glad to hear you're healing quickly. hopefully you and blue will both be ready real soon. Take care and don't rush it.

[Hodad]

Very nice pics! And yes, I wish I coulda been ridin with you guys. My injuries are healing quicker than I thought. As soon as the swelling in my right foot goes down enough for me to wear a shoe, I think I'll be able to drive and go back to work. I'm hoping in a couple of days. Talked to Renton Motorcycle and they told me the repair estimate for BigBlue is $9,000.00. This includes replacement of the frame which is bent. I assumed that with a bent frame the bike would be totalled but I guess It would be cheaper to replace the frame and all of the other broken parts than the cost of a new bike plus about $6,000 worth of accessories that I've put on. That would put the total replacement cost at about $16,000.
Anyway, the appraiser hasn't given her report to the insurance agent yet and hasn't talked to me either so not sure how it's gonna go. It looks like BigBlue might ride again! I also found it interesting that Honda has discontinued the Pearl Dark Blue for 05 and replaced it with Magenta.

Thanks everyone for all of your support and I look forward to riding with everyone in the near future. :)


Glad you're doing well Al. I hope the insurance settles out okay for you and BigBlue is roadworthy again. I'd definetely be up for another ride down so don't worry about that.

Take care man.

Al

Hello Al(WAVTX), Al(BigBlue, Jeff(Balrog) and Bruce,

I had to put Bruce in there or he would have felt left out. Anyway, Al(WAVTX) it was great meeting you. We had a wonderful time. It was just like we were all old friends that have known each other for years. Can't wait to meet your wife on the next ride. If she is anything like you I am sure we will get along just fine. By what you were telling us, she sounds like a very nice person and I could tell you were really missing her on this ride. There will be a next time.

Al(Big Blue), so sorry to hear about your accident. Sure am glad that you made it out with only minor injuries. Sorry about your ride but she was looking out for you. She took the hit for you it sounds like. Better the bike than you. They can be replace,(hate to say it) but you can't. Take care and we will meet you soon.

Jeff(Balrog) Just to let you know that I have one of those great polishing clothes, I am going to polish my honey's head before we come over next time so you better get those dark glasses on! LOL :lol: It was great to see you and Minda yesterday. I can't wait until we can go on a little ride in the hills again. Looks like the good weather is here for a while so we should get a chance really soon.

Bruce, Love you honey. Don't take the polishing thing personal! :D I am doing it for you.

Take care all,

[Hodad]

I'm buggin out of here. I've asked to be deleted from the board. I'm sick of all the crap again and don't need it anymore.

[Balrog]

Susan,
It was nice that you guys stopped by.. When is Bruce planning the next couples ride?

[cool runnins]

Susan,
It was nice that you guys stopped by.. When is Bruce planning the next couples ride?

I don't know, when do you want to go? Where should we head? :lol: (I bet most don't even get the joke, kinda cool having private jokes). If you give me a hint on how far you want to go I'll see what I can come up with.

[Balrog]

I don't know, when do you want to go? Where should we head? :lol: (I bet most don't even get the joke, kinda cool having private jokes). If you give me a hint on how far you want to go I'll see what I can come up with.

Bruce,
Let me get this straight. Are you asking me how far I am willing to go? :shock:

Oh! :o Your talking about miles Ok. I understand now :lol: I was a little worried for a second.

The miles do not matter that much. Just a leisurely cruise.

Whats up with Al?