Hog Dog!
by Molly Smith
10.17.07

Here is a pic I took with my camera phone.

We came over the hill for the Brittney Mallory ride. He was riding in the backpack of a fellow rider (unknown).

Dog Gone Cute!

A Traveler's Note
by Greg Whynacht
10.1.07

Traveler Greg Whynacht click for larger view

Of all the places I saw and the experiences I encountered; the most memorable experience I had was the treatment and hospitality I received from your store.

Sales Associate Josh Nelson, Service Manager Mark Adams and Technician Michael Burke click for larger view

With Greatest of Appreciation -- Greg Whynacht, Victoria, BC Canada.

A Ride to Alturas
by Charlie Buckner
9.16.07

I got a phone call before the monthly HOG meeting from Richard Ward. He was looking for someone to accompany him and Maureen to Alturas, Calif. Since I had never been there I felt it was my obligation to go find out what history there be.

So, about 7:30 a.m. on a cool Sunday morning we met at the Apple Peddler parking lot and discussed various things. When we decided no one else was going to show we set out up Highway 140. It was cool in the valley, however it didn't take it long to turn real crisp as we made the climb to Lake of the Woods. We stopped at the rest area to thaw our hands and other parts out and put on some masks to help fight off the chill.

Then it was on to Klamath Falls and breakfast. We headed down highway 39 to the South. The sun was up and it was warming some. Merrill and a fuel stop, got our bearings and on the road again. Crossed over into California and through Tulelake. We thawed out and were really enjoying the scenery and ride. We got out of Tulelake and almost to Canby and hit a little bit of wind, not too bad though. Traffic was light and we were enjoying the warm sun and peace of being on the open road.

Arrived at Alturas and found some interesting old buildings and areas; if we had had more time it would have interesting to research. After a quick lunch it was back on the open road to home. We had to make one stop along the way so I could clean the bug juice off my glasses. But, at least it was my glasses, not my eye (ouch). Another fuel stop in Merrill and back over the mountain. We stopped at the Human Bean for coffee and a recap of the day and good conversation before departing for our separate ways. WHAT A GOOD AND FUN RIDE.

A River Ran Through It
by Robert Mumby
9.8.07

Late in August I headed up I-5, 99E, I-205 and turned east to the small town of Stevenson, Washington—just a few miles from Bridge of the Gods to find the small county fairgrounds filling up with sport bikes and sport tourers (My Dyna has printed “Sport Tourer” right on the gas tank). The event was Sport Bike/Sport Tourers Northwest sponsored by Sound Rider.

The setting was great, next to the Columbia River with forested mountains rising steeply on either side. With 200 plus bikes, it wasn’t too crowded and the riders gathered during the afternoons and evenings to talk story.

Several rides were recommended from a short twisty route around town to a trip north into the high cascades on forest service roads. But the best event, even better than the poker run around Mt. Hood, was the opportunity to ride the Maryhill Loops with instructors to coach us on how best to take 2 ½ miles of hairpin and decreasing radius curves with no other traffic on a swept-clean roadway.

First the first time, I leaned that big FXDXT over far enough to touch a foot peg to the asphalt. At the end of three hours of riding and coaching, we all were better riders and taking the curves faster and smoother.

Only 15 bikes were allowed to take the class and we had both lanes to use as we went up and down single file. Afterwards the road was opened up to the rest of the rally participants, but they had to keep in their lanes.

Stevenson averages 82 inches of rain a year, but we had perfect weather in he mid 80s and even crossing the Cascades onto the Columbia Plateau, the weather wasn’t too hot.

For the return trip, I opted to take Hwy. 97 down to Crater Lake down to Medford . Strong winds swept the plateau out of The Dalles, the heavy Dyna was hardly affected.

If you haven’t visited the near ghost town of Shaniko, which before the drought and dustbowl conditions of the 1930s was the center of a major sheep industry and main supplier of the Pendleton Mills, stop by some day. It has free museums, friendly folk and a classic western town look.