After having breakfast in my Hotel in Kennewick, I caught a taxi down to the motorcycle dealer to pick up my bike. The taxi driver was very nice, but I think she was almost certainly drunk or on something. Maybe she was just high on life? Anyway, she had a lot to say about the Toyota Prius and how she really wanted one. Apparently that's where all the big money is!
After picking up the bike I rode around Kennewick trying to pick up a few things that I needed. I went to the nearest REI store (like a big Kathmandu), and had a look at their "Bivys". What I really want is a bed roll, or something I can strap on to the back of the bike. If I can achieve this, then I'll be able to remove my sleeping bag from the panniers, as this takes up a fair bit of room. It also means that I could start doing a bit of camping to cut down the costs (and for the experience too!). However the concept of a "swag" is kind of lost on Americans, they have things called 'Bivys" which are similar but not quite. Most of them just look like one man tents. I'll keep looking.
I picked up a multitool, shifter and a cable to secure my Ventura rack on the bike. The cable can pretty easily be defeated by a strong pair of scissors (as the Ventura pack is made out of cloth), but I just wanted something to stop randoms being able to remove my pack with no effort. I don't plan on leaving the bike with the Ventura bag attached overnight or anything, but when I need to ride from place to place I need to stop at places temporarily with it still attached.
Then after buying a pair of lighter motorcycle gloves (fuck it was hot today), and then much dicking around with my Go Pro, I set off to La Grande in Oregon. The landscape was quite spectacular in some places, very open with a large horizon. But it a lot of places there were no trees to be seen!
When I arrived I hastily put together the stills I captured on the ride and turned it into the Youtube video above. I think I have a bit to learn with the editing of these, but it's a start.
I arrived safely at La Grande Inn, which was conveniently right next to a Denny's, so dinner was easy. A little worried considering the warnings I got from Josh, I tried the Brooklyn spaghetti meatballs, they were pretty good. No problems (yet).
good to see that you have got the left hand side of the road sussed......
ReplyDeleteI am sure you will find what you need with the camping stuff too .... there will be more shops on the way - It also will leave your venturer bag less exposed as well
Your postcard came today ... thanks it looks great - love the Seattle skyline.....
take it easy Matt
Cheers
Mum