Riding Log – Page 15 – Not Your Average Engineer

March 25, 2011

Four covered bridges and the coast

Yesterday Carl and I went for a ride to bag the Harris, Ritner Creek, Drift Creek, and Chitwood covered bridges as part of my quest to take a photograph with my motorcycle in front of every covered bridge in the state of Oregon. We rode down US 101 past Boiler bay, where this photo was taken, and Depot Bay before turning inland toward Corvallis. The ride was around 150ish miles total.

Carl’s bike got a little muddy on the way to Harris Covered Bridge.

A Pacific Coast on the Pacific Coast!

Boiler Bay. I wonder if the boiler that got the bay its name is still down at the bottom or if it has all rusted away by now.

In Depot Bay we stopped so I could look for tsunami evidence and Carl could see the world’s smallest harbor.

The way ODOT made the newer bridge next to the original span is pretty neat. They match very well.

The harbor and the Coast Guard launches.

No real tsunami damage evident anymore.

The main drag through Depot Bay.

March 20, 2011July 1, 2020

Tour de Quartzville

Today Drew and I set out for an epic ride up toward Quartzville. We detoured to see a covered bridge before ending up in a deluge along Green Peter Reservoir. I’ve been in some serious rain before that was heavier than what we rode through today but never have I been through such sustained heavy rain. The total ride was about 155 miles by my trip meter. Thanks goes to Drew for the awesome photos from today’s epic adventure!

At the “Short Bridge” covered bridge outside Sweet Home. I will be starting a collection of photos of covered bridges of Oregon shortly.

Detail of the only decals on my motorcycle.

Bike butts.

Old on the right, slightly less old on the left.

Our stallions at Yellowbottom Recreation Site, the furthers up Quartzville Road we dared trod.

Drew attempted to use a car GPS to lackluster results. Turns out it’s not waterproof, either.

On the way back down toward Sweet Home, we decided to stop for some photos in the middle of the bridge over Green Peter Reservoir. There wasn’t any traffic. We pulled our bikes up for about 15 minutes for photos and to talk about the rain. You know you’re in Oregon when you talk about the rain.

Looking down the lake.

Drew’s bike.

Rider and stallion in the rain.

To live, one must be hardcore.

At the Green Peter Dam.

It’s pretty nice that they still let you drive across the dam. At least the terrorists haven’t won here yet.

March 20, 2011

Stormy coast ride with Katie

On Saturday I went to the coast to take Katie for a ride. We rode down to Stoney Beach State Park and back. The weather was pretty wild with rain, wind, and sun being thrown at us from nearly every direction. On the ride back north, we hit pockets of absolute calm when I put the speedometer at about 60 mph.

The pass over the coast range had snow on the road making for interesting riding. I prefer to stay away from slick spots on my bike.

I’ve been doing many rides that I haven’t been logging. It’s a classic issue of not enough time to both ride and log.