Mount Hood

[LC4CARL]

(From last fall.)


Went out for a nutritious meal with the family. They went on to see the “Bee Movie” matinee. I went for my first solo ride on the new bike.



http://lc4carl.smugmug.com/photos/220181836-M.jpg



Fall is in the air. 55 degrees on the bank thermometer. I pull on to the highway and I truly don’t know where I’m heading. Cruising along in traffic the “spark” hits my cerebrum and suddenly I’ve got a destination.



http://lc4carl.smugmug.com/photos/220181876-M.jpg



East of town, along the Columbia River is the “Vista House”. I’ve seen it from the highway, but never made the trip up the hill to go through it. Initially, the road there is steep and curvy. I’ve been on this section a few times for work and had day-dreams about coasting down it on my mountain bike.



http://lc4carl.smugmug.com/photos/220181941-M.jpg



http://lc4carl.smugmug.com/photos/220181980-M.jpg



http://lc4carl.smugmug.com/photos/220182009-M.jpg



The Vista House is a simple dome structure made of glass and stone. The view is great. Barges on the river. Cars on the highway. Yada, yada. I came to ride!



http://lc4carl.smugmug.com/photos/220182054-M.jpg



http://lc4carl.smugmug.com/photos/220182118-M.jpg



The road winds east, up into the trees. Just beautiful. The scent of the forest and wet leaves. Traffic is very light and I can’t imagine a better ride. It’s been a while since I’ve ridden a capable street bike. My biggest fear is wiping out on some of that wet pasty leaf residue left by auto traffic. Up I climb as the temperature drops. Its mid day, but the shade here keeps the road wet even now.



http://lc4carl.smugmug.com/photos/220184810-M.jpg



http://lc4carl.smugmug.com/photos/220184820-M.jpg



I cut the engine and take a short walk. Other that the wind, it’s totally silent. Less than an hour from home and I’m standing in the Mount Hood forest in the middle of 100 year old trees. Just beautiful.



http://lc4carl.smugmug.com/photos/220184841-M.jpg



http://lc4carl.smugmug.com/photos/220184903-M.jpg



Heading back my confidence improves. My phobia of wet leaves is waning. Instead of looking 30 feet in front of me, I’m looking down the road like you’re supposed to. Man this is a fun bike.



http://lc4carl.smugmug.com/photos/220184865-M.jpg



http://lc4carl.smugmug.com/photos/220184927-M.jpg



Riding the slab back home I find that the side radiators are well positioned for hand warming. At 115 miles the fuel light comes on. Guess I won’t be doing an “Iron Butt” on this bike. 3.15 gallons or 36.5 mpg. MmmHmm.

Life is good.



http://lc4carl.smugmug.com/photos/220181904-M.jpg



http://lc4carl.smugmug.com/photos/220185020-M.jpg

[MCA8690]

Nice story, nice write-up, great bike man!
+1k about those wet leaves on the twisty road up to Vista House....always a source of constant fear for me when taking that road!

[sanfret]

nice... enjoyed the joint ride