DQUSA 2014

Rick's 'medicine', he tested it last night to see if it was safe to offer to any injured visitors from the UK... 

It's friday morning...Sitting in a motel in Albany Oregon, waiting for the 'continental breakfast'....trying not to worry about the several things yet to do on the bike. My 'crew chief' is a seasoned traveler. Being retired, he and his wife have spent a lot of time in the Pacific Northwest bicycling. Good to have a good navigator. I haven't been up this way since I was a little boy and my father was stationed up this way.

After all the trials and tribulations with my car being totaled...and realizing it's harder to deal with bikes from the 70's these days...(most Honda shops in my home area look at you like you're strange, if you are looking for parts for your old Honda....)...managed to get one of the Honda SL-100's going. Was going to try to get a couple of spare bikes going as well...but, was done in by rusty tanks, disintegrating brake shoes...and running out of time... Did manage to find some good parts at a local dismantlers  in Rancho Cordova, and at a shop in Auburn that specializes in older bikes. So, have parts that will come in handy later.

So, here we are in Oregon...just a little ways from our destination in Washington. We'll be checking in at See See Coffees and Motorcycles this afternoon, and see what we are getting into this evening....oh yeah, also figuring out where we are bedding down tonight...the camping at the track doesn't happen till saturday...

My friend's Brian and Christie were ever so kind as to loan a truck to us, that made this all possible. My old Jeep Cherokee is awaiting a little work and re-commissioning. Thanks so much guys. 

This is what happens to brake shoes that get soaked with water too many times...

Rust just never takes a holiday...

Thursday morn...loaded up...off to pick up my .'crew chief' and seasoned traveler...

Rick...who looks more ready for this than I am.

Mt. Shasta ahead...

Ahhhh....

to be continued....