Starbucks for breakfast, a mocha and nut bread, and a chance to update my notebook. The skies are gray and overcast this morning and the news predicted showers and thunderstorms, even snow in the Sierras above 7000 feet tonight! Joy. I need to get going as it is already after 9am. I quickly ran into Wal-Mart to see if I could find something more comfortable to sit than my towel. 800 miles in 2 days is just too much for me. I found a nice gel pad that fits my seat perfectly for only $20. I hit the road at 9:30am.
About 20 miles out of Susanville my speedometer stopped working. That sucked, but at least I have an aftermarket tachometer to guess by. I only made it to the town of "Likely" before it started raining. I pulled over and quickly put on my waterproof gloves and snowboarding pants. Problem is that I didn't really bring real riding boots, but ankle high shoes. So by the time I got to Alturas my socks were pretty wet. I debated what to do in Alturas because after the next town (Lakeview) there is nothing for 150 miles to Burns. And I really don't feel like riding for 200 miles in the rain. I considered getting a motel for the night but opted for an early lunch to see if the rain would pass. Another great breakfast for lunch around 12:30pm at the "Main Street Family Diner" while the rain got worse. Just as I finished eating there was a break in the clouds. So I jumped on the motorcycle and headed off to Lakeview.
I could see the storm just ahead of me to the north east (which is the direction I was headed) and eventually I caught up to it about 15 miles from Lakeview. It poured. I was very wet and not a happy camper. I decided to get a room and wait out the storm and hope for better weather the next day. I found a pretty decent motel, "Interstate 8" for $53. So did 9 other motorcyclists. Seems we all had the same idea so obviously it was the right decision. I had a Subway sandwich for dinner and fell asleep to "Deadliest Catch" on the TV.
I left the motel at 8:30am for Burns. It was only 50 degrees and still cloudy but dry. I stopped in Burns for a really good burger at "R.J.'s". And I talked to another motorcyclists at the gas station that was heading to Boise for a concert that evening. He had his daughter with him and it was her first long ride (Eugene to Salt Lake City) and she looked like I felt. They blew by me in a blur about 15 miles outside of Burns.
I could see thunderstorms ahead of me most of the day, but didn't catch up to one until Vale Oregon. I had to wait there a good half hour and the same at Ontario to let the rain pass. But I finally made it home in one piece no worse for wear.
What a great trip. I did some incredible turns, saw some beautiful country, and got to visit with my family. Next time I will definitely break up the miles per day to make it more enjoyable and allow for some spontaneity. I did get to know my motorcycle real well and she did great (except for the speedometer and that scary noise). Next year... Montana!
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