[Daboo]

I'm probably crazy, but I have the itch and if you want to come along, you're more than welcome. I have a ton of things to do this weekend and I want to not get caught up in traffic, so I'm leaving early on Saturday morning. If you want to join me, just PM me and we can work out the details off line. I realize this is short notice. Sorry.

My riding style is spirited in corners, but I try to stay within 5 mph of the speed limit otherwise. And with a new bike, I'm not interested in testing the limits of what it'll do...knowing fully well that I'm the limiting factor. I plan to stop often for pictures to share with the general forum too. So if that meets your interests, I'd love to have your company.

As I said, I'm probably crazy. The weather forecast is for scattered showers and scattered snow. Oh!...a four letter word for those on two wheels!

Chris

 

[Buffalo]

Well Chris, did you get to make your ride or did the weather shut you down.

 

[Daboo]

I gave up posting it here. Each of the pictures needed to be resized and I said "nuts". There's a ride report I made on the other Burgman forum (and the NT forum too, if you're interested. )

http://burgmanriders.com/forums/showthr ... ide-Report

Chris

 

[Buffalo]

Nice, you have such beautiful scenery to ride through. Looks like you are enjoying the NT700V.

 

[knucklehead]

Chris - I read your rider's report - the pictures look great! I know every inch of that road from Arlington where I used to live to Winthrop where I parked my motor home each spring after the snow was cleared up until hunting and fishing season were over. I often rode my Harley over as I had a trailer hitched to the motor home. I'd go up the Chewack river north of Winthrop for a long weekend (I worked 4 10's many years) of riding and enjoying the outdoors. I managed to make that trip 2-3 times per month. I kept a telescope and large binoculars (16x80mm) in the motor home for star gazing. I did that for quite a few years so I guess I've rode highway 20 maybe 6-8 times a year for 10-12 years - most often I drove the cage when my kids decided not to go to their mother's place for the weekend. They liked the camping trips as much as I did. What kid doesn't like swimming in a cold glacier fed stream? They never seemed to mind. I used to have to make the dog stay out of the water so it wouldn't kill her from hypothermia. Fortunately the kids were smarter than the dog.

For anyone that has never been over the North Cascades highway and are planning a ride into the state I urge you to give it a try. They don't call it the 'American Alps' for nothing. If you are coming from the east and are up around Montana and norther Idaho just find highway 20 just west of Sand Point Idaho and ride it all the way into Puget Sound. Thats 4 passes that I'm aware of - Sherman - Loup Loup - Washington - and Rainy Passes. Thats about a one day ride from Sand Point unless you don't care about scenery like Chris is showing in his rider's report and decide to ride hard on through. 4-5 hours in that case.

Having said all that I haven't been over the North Cascades highway going on 3 years. Its a trip I'll never forget! I caught a 2" by 2" piece of someone's old muffler or tin can and cut a rear tire pretty bad on my 2001 Electra Glide Ultra at the crest of Rainy Pass heading west. I got to mile marker 146 and a wide spot on the shoulder - with a perfectly flat rear tire! No cell service! Not much traffic (weekday) and nobody stopping at this little pull-off for about half an hour. Finally someone did stop to check out the scenery! I asked them to make a phone call once they got into a cell phone area. Had them call my sister and bro-in-law. The guy even bought a can of fix-a-flat and found a MC rider that was heading east deliver it to me. That got me to the trail-head parking just below where the gates are that close in winter - just by the little rest stop in the trees. Five hours later here comes my bro-in-law with his trailer! Thats the last time I've been over the North Cascades highway.

I do have a couple of trips planned over the North Cascades Highway some time in June - when the weather gets warm.