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Ride the Ribbon - 2020

3K views 11 replies 7 participants last post by  Daboo 
#1 ·
I went to this ride with the Concours Owners Group last year for the first time. The "ribbon" is one of several rivers in the area. The roads follow the course of the river and twist and wind their way through the mountains and hills. With excellent pavement and twisty roads, this place is totally awesome to ride. And then in the evening after riding hard, the group parties hard. All good friends, and each year and each event builds the relationships with people who live even several states away.

Left on Friday with Andy and Nancy. We headed over Chinook Pass and down to Yakima.

It's kinda cool to realize that mountain in the background will be in my rearview mirror in a couple hours.


At Chinook Pass






Heading toward Yakima


Look on the hillside, and you'll see it is on fire.










Temps were pretty high on the way in. My bike read 112F several times. Luckily, the cooling vest worked well. :)

Charlie led a good sized group along the Middle Fork of the John Day River.





Every turn had a beautiful view of the river as you followed it for miles and miles.

I love the rock formations.














Monday was the day to get back home. Andy and I left at a few minutes after 6am. I should've taken a picture of the quiet and still parking lot. As the poem says, "Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse".

The sun was coming up behind us and made for some incredible lighting effects on the landscape.








Everywhere you look, you see different colours and textures in the landscape.














We hit some high side winds and a dust storm on the way back.


One thing that sticks in my mind as I travel, is when I see old abandoned buildings. Not just barns, but houses that used to be homes. What stories would they tell if they could reveal the hopes and dreams of the people who lived there? The children that grew up there?




Later, Mt. Adams on the horizon.


I think this is near Yakima. Note the rock just sticking out of the middle of that hillside where the road disappears.


Heading up towards Chinook Pass on the final stretch home.


Andy. Great rider, with a great personality.




Mt. Rainier




Chris
 
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#7 ·
Those are from individual snapshots, though in the past I've pulled individual frames from video footage.

The camera on the ones taken from the helmet is a Sena 10C Pro. It's really one-of-a-kind...well, except that they now have the "Evo" version too. But only Sena has a combination Bluetooth headset and camera. The whole package is only slightly larger than a Bluetooth headset by itself. What I also like about it, is I can get pictures in places where it isn't convenient, or safe, to stop. And they come out pretty decent.

Chris
 
#5 ·
Looks like an excellent trip! The JD middle fork is certainly a gem. Some fond memories of slippery cow crap and cattle guards in practically every corner....Great photos...
Was hoping to do an Oregon fall colors trip the end of this month, but now with fires, maybe not.
 
#6 ·
The part that was "lousy" road, was what the group calls the "Little Dragon". Sand, gravel and rocks on at least half the corners. And steep drop-offs if you mess up.

It was a good time though. Great roads and scenery. And great company.

Chris
 
#9 ·
Thanks for pictures, and give my best wishes to the Northwest Chapter of the COG, especially Charlie Gary. One of the finest men you will ever meet! Rode with them for 20 year before moving to Arizona. Glad you got out of Oregon before the wildfires really ramped up. Always nice to see pictures of my old stomping grounds.

Chuckersconnie
2016 BMW F800GT
 
#10 ·
Charlie is the one who introduced me to COG. Interesting fellow. Gives a lot of himself without any thought of getting anything back. Humble. A real gentleman. I consider it a honor to be his friend.

And his knowledge of the roads is tremendous. I like his riding style too. Slow it down in town and congested areas. Leave a good impression on car drivers of motorcycle riders. And then when you're on the empty back roads, open it up to have some fun...but always within your capabilities. We have a lady who rides a Can-Am with us. She can't keep up and has learned to just relax and enjoy the ride at her pace. When Charlie and the rest get to a turn, they just wait till she and other stragglers catch up. Nothing negative about having to wait. It's like a big family, taking care of each other.

You could still join up with the Southwest area. Last April, I was going to go to Death Valley for some barbeque with them. They are pretty active. And no one cares that I ride a BMW. :)

Chris
 
#11 ·
I've done some riding with them before and worked on the National Rally that they held in Cortez, CO. They are a pretty fast crowd or at least they were in Death Valley when I rode with them. That attitude of ride your own ride in the Northwest always has served them well.

Chuckersconnie
2016 BMW F800GT
 
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