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Post by scootard on Jun 13, 2012 23:02:41 GMT -5
Scooter Chick, enthralled with her new Kymco B&W 250 is a itchin to hit the highway or secondary road at least.
Our plan is to take off early next week and ride to Portland from our home north of Vancouver B.C. It will take 2-3 days to get there moseying down the by-ways of Washington and Oregon.
While we have considered tenting, we are "playing the back 9" so long hot showers and a comfy bed (free breakfast please) are more our speed.
All that is left is to make sure the batteries are charged for the cameras, and the laptop is packed. My throttle hand is itching and my desire to see new places, eat new foods and meet new folks is mounting.
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Post by ScooterChick on Jun 14, 2012 10:50:06 GMT -5
yes, I am although I am nervous about doing it! I haven't been futher than 20-30 miles on a scooter. So, traveling from British Columbia,Canada to Oregon will be quite something for me. BUt I am looking forward to doing a ride report and sending it in.....:-)
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Post by scootard on Jun 14, 2012 19:23:48 GMT -5
Notice the "mod" mirrors....anyone for a run to Brighton for a pint? Attachments:
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Post by scootard on Jun 14, 2012 19:25:22 GMT -5
Poor Miss Vicky....she's looking a little naked Attachments:
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Post by scootard on Jun 14, 2012 19:26:59 GMT -5
The new Puig...complete with ideogram mounting instructions Attachments:
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Post by scootard on Jun 14, 2012 19:28:00 GMT -5
Puig on with stock Kymco mirrors, adjusted and Travel ready! Attachments:
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Post by jim63 on Jun 15, 2012 15:51:31 GMT -5
Good luck with your trip. I live in western WA, have a few suggestions of roads. Highway 9 from Sumas (border crossing) to Seattle would be a good route to take it easy. Plenty of places for gas, hotels near Seattle, road speeds dont exceed 50 mph, a 2 lane road most of the way that we ride regularly. My wife and I have travelled alot on scooters and enjoyed it very much, we were on 250's also.
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Post by ScooterChick on Jun 15, 2012 21:40:08 GMT -5
We are almost completely packed. Funny thing is, I've never done this before and traveling on a bike long distance is a FIRST for me. I have only had my learner's license for 2 months and have never gone futher than an hour! haha This is a completely different bike than what I started with a couple of months ago. So, it will be challenging, I'm sure....:-).
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Post by scootard on Jun 15, 2012 21:46:47 GMT -5
Hey Jim: We will probably be passing through Sedro Wooley on Hwy #9 around mid-morning on Sunday.....hooray! We will try to make Everett and carry on south on Monday. Attachments:
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Post by scootard on Jun 16, 2012 0:44:03 GMT -5
Out trip prep continues. We have arranged to meet FullMetalScooter for breakfast in Cloverdale, about 1.5 hr. from home on Sunday morning, so that will be cool.
FullMetal has been part of the cheering section in the Neverending Saga. It came back from the shop today and seems good, but we'll stick with the Bet&Win for this tour.
We have been going down the checklist and making sure all our necessitos are ready to go. Could not wait for Tuesday so Sunday a.m. it is.
As it happens, there is a Twist and Go Scooter club meeting Tuesday night at a pub called the B-side in Portland. I think we'll have to crash that party!!!
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Post by ScooterChick on Jun 18, 2012 0:03:40 GMT -5
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Post by jim63 on Jun 18, 2012 14:27:50 GMT -5
You guys are doing great. I am sure you have seen the weather reports, but tommarow should be a nicer day, today will be soggy. With some decent gear shouldnt be too bad. Will be following your reports, love reading about scooter travels. My wife and I are leaving for eastern washington for our sons graduation tommarow. be on he goldwing for this one instead of the scooters. Scooters would have been nice, but time constraints prevent it. Wish you continued good luck and better weather on your trip.
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Post by scootard on Jun 19, 2012 9:47:36 GMT -5
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Post by scootard on Jun 21, 2012 8:52:27 GMT -5
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Post by jim63 on Jun 23, 2012 15:16:27 GMT -5
Glad you made it to Portland and are having a great trip, the photos are fantastic. Makes us wish we could do another scooter adventure, but not in the cards for us now. And thanks the graduation went well, Mother Nature blessed us with upper '70s and lotsa sunshine for the outdoor event.
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Post by scootard on Jun 24, 2012 9:03:19 GMT -5
Thanks Jim: We had everything packed in readiness for a quick getaway this am, and woke up to rain. Accordingly, our departure has been slightly delayed while we wait for the weather to break. We will go even if it doesn't, but prefer drier roads, especially with the multitude of road markings, manhole covers and train tracks you find in a city like this.  Glad you had good weather for the graduation. Did you get the bumper sticker "proud parents of a recent graduate?". |
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Post by scootard on Jun 24, 2012 22:57:29 GMT -5
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Post by excuzzzeme on Jun 24, 2012 23:44:31 GMT -5
I don't think there is any way I could tolerate a long trip on a small scooter.
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Post by jim63 on Jun 26, 2012 14:06:35 GMT -5
I don't think there is any way I could tolerate a long trip on a small scooter.
With some good route planning, and take breaks often, scooter touring can be alot of fun and rewarding. When my wife and I were touring, we'd stop every 45-60 mins for a break, planned on 250 mile travel days give or take, and by 3pm we were looking for a hotel. We did 2 trips to Las Vegas, and another to Glacier NP from our home in Western WA. And see how much fun Scootard and ScooterChick are having. I would agree long days in the saddle are tough, we did a 400 mile day once, never again on scooters. Get the right scooter for you and touring is fantastic on scooters. |
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Post by excuzzzeme on Jun 26, 2012 17:25:51 GMT -5
I have made long trips on 1100cc+ tour bikes and know how beat I was from them. Although it looks like great fun and great places to go I don't think my body can take it anymore. Guess I'm stuck to putting in town and travel by car/RV. (Could be the RV has me spoiled.)
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Post by ScooterChick on Jun 26, 2012 22:02:38 GMT -5
Jim is right...good planning and taking breaks. We didn't make any definite hotel plans as we wanted the flexibility of being able to stop whenever we wanted to without a deadline on our back. I found that after two hours of touring or a little more, we are ready to pack it in. Whenwe got to Portland, we parked our bikes for two days using the transit system that was RIGHT THERE by the hotel we used, bought a "day pass" and let someone else take us around for two days.
Also, you have to remember that not all scooters are "small". I guess if you are used to being a an 1100cc, then going to a 400 or 250 might seem small in that case. The most important thing is to remember that it is for the enjoyment of the person doing it. Some get a thrill out of seeing how many miles/k's they can cover in one day. To us, is about the experience during the trip; stopping where we want, when we want and staying as long as we want, taking pictures, eating food, meeting people and having the comfort of a hotel at the end of a day. We are always checking into somewhere between 3-4 getting dinner and relaxing for the rest of the day.
It's all about how you plan it (or not) and what you want to do. .....We have about 1-2 days left on this adventure depending on how hubby is feeling tomorrow and then it is home!.
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Post by gatekeeper on Jun 27, 2012 0:30:38 GMT -5
I think what you guys are doing is awesome!
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Post by ScooterChick on Jun 27, 2012 10:04:10 GMT -5
Thanks, Gatekeeper.... ;D
We will keep updating the forum on ADV Rider until we are done. Should be wrapping things up in the next day or two.
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Post by ScooterChick on Jun 27, 2012 22:10:07 GMT -5
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Post by jim63 on Jun 29, 2012 6:22:11 GMT -5
Outstanding report was fun to come along for the ride. The airplanes in your pic , are of an A6E Intruder (500 on it) and an EA6B Prowler (550). If you look at my Avatar pic it will be from same place you took yours. Was stationed at NAS Whidbey Island back in the '80s, worked on A6E's. When weather is nice we ride Chuck-a-nut drive quite a bit going to Bellingham, you are right it is a scenic ride. Glad you made it home ok and the weather wasnt to bad. Coming home is nice, but I bet you guys are planning another future ride. I know we look forward to our trips. And to ScooterChick well done for your first long ride.
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Post by scootard on Jun 29, 2012 14:01:12 GMT -5
Well Exxxxxcuseme:
Would like to be that spoiled. We have discussed shipping them and flying in to pickup at various locations, but had a fantastic ride all in all. I think the most we ever covered in one day was about 120mi. We took frequent stops for coffee pics and chow.
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