Chris Uhlik 
Tue, Mar 1, 2005, 12:56 PM
to Matt

I landed at 5:15pm, got my bag, and was picked up at 5:25.  We drove
49 miles up the columbia river gorge (beautiful!) to Hood River where
I picked up the bike.

We spent a little while trying to figure out how to get the seat off
to hook up my electric vest, but ended up giving up on that.

We drove it to the other dealership, did the paperwork, and I was
driving off at 7:00pm.  I drove slowly and carefully for about 90
miles before I started getting too cold.  I stopped and put on all of
my clothes including rain gear.  I started to be comfortable about an
hour later.

I had to make frequent gas stops because the mileage is only about
30mpg and the tank is 4.5g, so 120 miles between stops is pushing it. 
I soon became comfortable at 80--95 mph and started to make real time.

There was one excitement when I saw the tail lights of the car 1/2
mile ahead swerve.  I slowed to about 70 when I saw a couch in the
lane in front of me!  Luckily, I was able to avoid it.

The mountains were full of snow and the sky was clear.  It was about
38 degrees.

I got to Grant's Pass at 12:30am about an hour behind my planned
schedule even with the fast driving.  This made be worried about
making good time the next day.  Also, my shoulder was hurting and I
was worried about rain, so the next morning I did not take the winding
road to the coast, instead I continued down hwy 5.  This was a good
plan, because at about 9am it started raining.  I rode in the rain for
about 2 hours, then it stopped and drizzled on and off for a little
while longer.

I just blasted down 5 at 85mph to 505 to 80 to 680.  I got home at 1:30pm.  

When I got home, I didn't have house keys and Kathi was at Michelle's
house in Newark, so I put my gear back on and headed down to Newark
just as it started raining.  Spent the rest of the day in Newark and
drove home at 8pm in a heavy downpour.

On Monday morning, I cleaned up the bike, took off the saddle bags and
rear seat, took some pictures, and rode to work.  I'll send you pics
when I get home tonight.

An adventure I'm really happy to have undertaken. 

The bike is a BEAST!  It is huge, heavy, and hauls ass (for a porker).
 I like the looks with the boat-tail rear end. 
http://www.hapscycle.com/NewVehicles/Honda/2004/Cruiser/VTX1800R/VTX1800R_Spec1.htm

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roadtests/Twins02/

It is really interesting for the variety of experience.  It won't be
my first choice for a half-day ride, but I would definitely like to
take it and a sport bike (the VFR) on a trip and trade off every 100
miles or so.  I'm eager to take a trip as soon as the pass over
yosemite opens up.  Maybe we can do something sooner through Napa,
Calistoga, and points North.  I'm eager to hear proposals.

Chris



On Tue, 1 Mar 2005 10:54:21 -0800, Matt  wrote:


Chris Uhlik
AttachmentsTue, Mar 1, 2005, 6:52 PM
Riding home this afternoon, I really like this bike. It has a total-relaxation element that makes you want to sit back and watch the world go by at a leisurely

Matt 
Tue, Mar 1, 2005, 8:01 PM
to me

I feel like I cheated my self out of an adventure!  I "bit" on your
offer to join you on your trip to get the bike because I knew it would
be an experience to remember (and it was).

I'm definitely up for a ride sooner than the spring thaw in Yosemite.
Napa and Calistoga sound perfect to me... then up 101 to 253 and out
to 1N.  Then take 1N to Fort Bragg -- If you haven't been there it's
definitely worth seeing.  There's a road that begins not far from
there called Mattole Road that offers some scenery that can't be beat;
this should be part of route.  We could then head to Eureka and Gold
Beach Oregon.

Here's a proposed itinerary:

Take off at 8A from Danville and head through Napa to Fort Bragg.
Eat lunch in Fort Bragg and cruise around town to see the [few] sites.
Take off from Fort Bragg at 2P and head to Eureka. Eat dinner and stay
the night.
Leave Eureka after breakfast and head to Gold Beach Oregon.
Spend the day leisurely exploring Gold Beach (maybe look at real
estate listings and such), and then spend the night.
Next day, do a Bonsai run back to Danville (8 hours)

If this sounds good to you, let me know.  I'll schedule the time at
work asap and let Toni know well ahead of time that I'll be away for a
few days.  The more time I have to 'prepare' work and Toni, the
better.

What do you say? Let's set the dates.