By Airbear on Monday, October 21, 2002 - 09:32 pm:

After checking the weather and area maps it appears that Packwood Washington might be a good location to meet for lunch this coming Saturday. There are several people that just got their FJRs and need a destination to ride to. Cruisers Pizza in Packwood is relatively equidistant to Portland, Seattle and Central Washington. White Pass should be in the 40's by mid morning. Fall colors are waning.
Anyone interested? 

By Valkmike on Monday, October 21, 2002 - 11:29 pm:

Interested, but where the heck is Packwood? Time? 

By Airbear on Monday, October 21, 2002 - 11:45 pm:

Packwood is about midway between Napavine and Yakima on highway 12. If you are in Kirkland, you would want to go south to Tacoma and pick up highway 7 to Morton then go east on 12.
We should plan to meet at noon. 

By Bounce on Monday, October 21, 2002 - 11:50 pm:

12 was loads of fun when I wasn't waiting for stopped traffic in construction areas.

Been a while since I've been up that way (2000). Guess I'll be in the area next August if things go well. 

By Fjroamer on Tuesday, October 22, 2002 - 12:45 am:

From Kirkland/ east-side, go thru Black Diamond to Enumclaw then e/s.e. on Hwy 410. Do not go over Chinook pass where 410 climbs to the east, rather continue south, skirting east side of Rainier. This will dump you out in Packwood. Go west when you hit Hwy. 12 and not east towards White Pass.

The other route via Hwy.7 out of Tacoma to Elbe.Then take 706 to Ashford and look for forest service road 52 (Skate Creek) that goes direct to Packwood (good blacktop wilderness road)*** this road does not appear on some maps but it is for real and a good one). Have done this twice in the last few months. Much, much nicer than dropping down to Morton then east on 12 through Randle. Oregonians might want to loop up this way on return trip through Elbe then back down to Morton.

May be working Sat. and may be weather dependant. 

By Billl on Tuesday, October 22, 2002 - 01:10 am:

Airbear, sounds like a good destination. Although they have destroyed West bound Hwy 12 with their trench in the middle of the West bound lane, it still would be a good ride back east again.
I'll let you know as we get closer...
How about it Bikerschim? Are you still riding?
Bill L. 

By Airbear on Tuesday, October 22, 2002 - 01:34 am:

Bill,

We were over 12 on the 11th and there were several spots where we were delayed by the folks laying the cable. However, the construction zones were short so it should not be a problem for anyone. After lunch my plan was to drop down to Sunnyside Yamaha, then head south to Mabton, Bikleton, Goldendale, Lyle, and stop in Hood river at Mike's for ice cream if they haven't closed for the Winter. 

By Malcolm on Tuesday, October 22, 2002 - 03:23 am:

Airbear,

It has been three weeks since I have been through Packwood. It probably changed alot. I'm interested. 

By Cascadefj on Tuesday, October 22, 2002 - 04:36 am:

I'll be there, with pillion, even though my R update has not yet arrived . Colors up on St Helen's were in top form last weekend. Should still be some left. 

By Airbear on Tuesday, October 22, 2002 - 04:00 pm:

Fjroamer,

Thanks for the tip on #706, it looks like an interesting option. The weather is now looking even better. I heard a rumour that climatologists (sp) are now saying we are in for a warmer and dryer than usual Winter. Ya sure. 

By Hmarc on Tuesday, October 22, 2002 - 04:16 pm:

Airbear,

Take your camera when you do the Mabton-Bickleton road, 142 down the Klikatat river valley, and 14 down the Columbia gorge. I did it last weekend. If the sun is shining (as it was for me on Saturday), the fall colors should still be awesome!

I'll try to make it to Packwood on Saturday. I've got a wedding to go to in Seattle that afternoon, so the timing might be tight... 

By Billl on Tuesday, October 22, 2002 - 05:55 pm:

Airbear, I'm still trying to make the ride and looked at your planned ride. One deviation from your proposed route I would strongly suggest is to turn north just after Blockhouse and take the loop through Glennwood then down to BZ Corner then to Underwood. I rode that three weeks ago and I was howling in my helmet about the best stretch of road I have ever been on! The crossing of the Klickitat River, which is very deep is fantastic. You ride down one side of the massive canyon and up the other side on pristine, well banked and marked road with zero traffic.
I get excited just thinking about it!

Bill L. 

By Bikerschim on Wednesday, October 23, 2002 - 03:11 am:

Still riding Bill and I would LOVE to be there for this one I have, however, made commitments for this coming weekend that I am unable to uncommit. (OOOOhhhh that syntax sounds terrible.)

With invites going out to all the new riders and WA OR & ID, there should be a huge turnout of FJR's. I'm jealous, but I'm sure there will be another big confab with hundreds of FJR'S

Ya'll have a great ride this 'Indian Summer' weather we have been having should contribute to lots of nice turns.

Of course if events become canceled, I will be there wherever Packwood is. 

By Airbear on Wednesday, October 23, 2002 - 10:19 pm:

If you are still debating the ride to Packwood on Saturday, consider this, so far we have 10 FJRs expected and the weather forecast looks most excellent. Also, all routes to Packwood are scenic.
Be there, or be somewhere else and regret you didn't go. 

By Bikerschim on Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 05:31 am:

OooHhhh, Airbear, for those of us (just me?) who may not be able to be there but desire very much to be there, you make it dificult to keep commitments and very tempting to break them!
Of course, you all know which choice I would LIKE to make.
no regrets, honest.
Schim 

By Airbear on Friday, October 25, 2002 - 07:23 pm:

There's frost on the pumpkin! For those planning to meet for lunch tomorrow in Packwood a word of warning. Shaded back roads that are wet are likely to remain frozen most of the day. Major highways should be good and the weather should be sunny but cool. It's time to plug in the electric underwear. 

By Fjroamer on Saturday, October 26, 2002 - 02:08 am:

In addition to slick roadways and wet leaves and shaded roadways with the sun being much lower on the horizon.....,

See "Deer Alert" (FJR Gen. Chat)  

By Billl on Tuesday, October 29, 2002 - 12:58 am:

Airbear, How did your ride go? I started out from Moses Lake but it was 21 degrees here and I just couldn't handle the cold on a long ride so I came home. I know that electric suits and heated grips are the way to go but I don't have anything like that. I apologize for not making it...hope you weren't stood up by the rest of the group.
However, the route that you selected is a great route and I will be the first to commit with you next spring.

Bill L. 

By Fjroamer on Tuesday, October 29, 2002 - 01:24 am:

I'm wondering the same....

Was doped up on Contact and other cold medicines so I figured in the interest of future riding endeavors, I would sit this one out.

Just heard fr. two riding buddies who were on the east side of St. Helens about 3:30 sat. afternoon and saw one southbound Feejer. (they were on BMW1100S and Aprillia Futura). They said they ran into a few patches of black ice where the sun hasn't shined for some time and they are through riding that area for this season. Seems to be a wise call.

Hope all went without mishap for those who may have gathered

Seattle Int. Cycle Expo (Dec. 13-15) Stadium Exhibition Ctr. Early notice but mark your calendars and somehow, maybe many of us can meet there!...I'll be "roamin" about  

By Hmarc on Tuesday, October 29, 2002 - 03:37 am:

We should meet at the Seattle CYCLE WORLD show somewhere on Saturday, December 14th, just to say "hello", eh? How about at the Yamaha booth, at 1:00pm near the FJR1300.

If there isn't an FJR1300 (and there well may not be one) then let's meet by the R1's -- I know there will be R1's there... 

By Airbear on Tuesday, October 29, 2002 - 05:31 am:

That was me heading South on 25. I hit black ice twice just south of the Windy Ridge intersection.
For those of you who were unable to make it we will try again for sure. I hope to ride to the bike show in December. 

By Airbear on Tuesday, October 29, 2002 - 05:36 am:

I will attempt to insert a couple of images.

 

By Airbear on Tuesday, October 29, 2002 - 05:53 am:

This is a picture of Mt. St. Helens from the East side. 

By Frede on Friday, November 15, 2002 - 01:37 am:

Hmarc, count me in for the Seattle Cycle World show....it's usually on the same weekend as my birthday, Dec. 14th. The Wifey hauls me up there for the occasion, we may take the train again this year. Unless there's a weather abberation, it will be too cold/inclement for a Portland-Seattle motorcycle round trip. It'll be interesting to see how many Feejer Guys show up.