The Bumblebee and the Vespa 2014

I think it's time for me to redefine what this new blog is about. In the past I've posted individual blogs for motorcycle/motor scooter rides to places like Alaska, Nova Scotia, Key West, Mexico, Canada, New York, etc. That's all well and good but it seems nowadays I'm dividing my rides into shorter ones comprised of two or more weeks each on different bikes. The total time and mileage is about the same, it's just split into multiple rides with a break somewhere in the middle.

The summer of 2014 serves as a good example of that wherein I rode south to Tombstone, AZ on my '92 BMW R100GS Bumblebee/Ural sidecar rig, (phew!) then returned home for a few days and set out again on my '07 Vespa 250ie motor scooter to visit Canada. That summer has gone and the seasons have changed as will the reports, some will be about shorter rides, some will be about maintenance, and maybe on occasion I'll post a photo or two just for interest. I may even introduce other bikes, a few of which are lurking under cover in the barn...

Navigating this blog is easy, just scroll down the list of posts by date to whatever interests you, click on it and you're in. Photos can be viewed in larger format by clicking on them.

Finally, if you'd care to post comments please do so, I'd love to hear from you. CLICK ON "NO COMMENTS" TO ENTER YOUR REMARKS. That seems really silly but that's how it works. The entry window is located at the bottom of each screen. Thanks for visiting, I hope you enjoy your stay.

LL

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Oct 21 - Vespa 250 - Sequel to The Fall Sunshine Ride

Remember when I passed through the mystery burg a few days back? Today I decided I'd have another run through the area to see if I could find out its name.

The day began with a photo shoot of my newly installed KAOKO cruise control plus Jerry needed pics of a new jacket he's reviewing for a bikers publication. We met for lunch at our usual haunt, the Coquille Broiler, then headed to the nearby local county park.

Jerry's cool new riding jacket


Shooting a closeup of the new KAOKO cruise control for Vespas

After the photo shoot was over Jerry headed home to do the work thing while I rode out towards the small mystery burg I'd passed through the other day. This time I took a slightly different approach from the west side, bypassing the ten miles of gravel road. The recent rain had no doubt made it into a slimy mess and I'd as soon not fall on my butt.

Sumner - the only sign I could find

Arriving at the small community of Sumner - no longer a mystery, I rode all the way through it, did a U-turn and rode back to the intersection I'd paused at before.


Looking back on Sumner...What the heck is that large building?

Now that the name of the community has been resolved a new mystery has risen; namely that large white building perched above the settlement. Too big to be a school for such a small town, maybe it's a secret government lab or maybe a commune for Zombies... I see another ride will be required soon.


My most favorite stunt is to see how far I can ride with my keys stuck in the trunk lock...duh

Last time through I'd taken the Old Wagon Road to Coos Bay; today I'd follow the Catching Slough Road along the waterway north.




The salmon are running and I saw several fishermen working the slough

Rain water has caused high water nearly everywhere

A nice convenient rest stop awaits the occasional traveler


Cool habitat for the local feathered denizens 

Bovines...I love 'em

It's beginning to look nasty up there....rain's probably on its way soon



Almost at the end of the road, the bridge to Coos Bay looms ahead


One more mystery for my next trip - what is that thing anyway, a dry dock perhaps?

Once over the bridge I ride through East Side into the south end of Coos Bay where I gas up for the ride home. It's quiet out, not much traffic and the remainder of the ride without rain is pleasant. I'll return soon, really need to solve the two new mysteries.

Take care, keep the rubber side down.

LL
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Thanks for your comments & feedback [unless you're with the spelling police]

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)