ride report easten oregon

[Weaver, Mark]

after changing tires the other night, the chain adjuster plate (on the back of the swingarm) ran away on my first commute to work, along with the two nuts and 1 washer that hold it on. anyone else lose one of these and discover that some other model also fit? i'm heading up to cyclesalvage this afternoon to see if i can rig something up without ordering the part new. mw

[zootpatutie]

Friday afternoon found some time to go exploring Eastern Oregon with the destination being loosely the Umatilla Nat. Forest in the Blue Mountain range. Took off from Bend heading east through the high desert with the bike loosely loaded for a possible night out. The versatility of the KLR shined with early runs along the two lane highway through the Ochoco N.F. replaced by 26 miles of gravel road from Keyes Creek Summit to Spray, OR. Open territory on this stretch with few trees, rolling grass/sage hills, and rock mesas. From Spray it was more high desert with increasingly colorful rocky bluffs and typical backcountry roads. Went through Kimberly, Monument, and Long Creek (with its orchards) and with some marvelous twisties into the canyons, then up to Dale. By now I was entering the Umatilla N.F. with a change to forest environment to Douglas Fir, white pine, steep canyons with creeks or streams, and grassy meadows. Took another 41 miles of gravel road at the edge of the North Fork John Day wilderness along Desolation Creek. Became thankful for deep gravel forcing slower speeds when I startled a buck on a blind corner and had him bolt for cover across my bow. No real risk, but no way out if he'd decided to come through me. Eventually some more 25 mph twisties into Granite, which is a cute little mountain town with snowmobile crossing signs. Then on to Sumpter (another cute mountain town) and eventually to loop back to hwy 26 toward home. Got a good case of get-home-itis and decided to push on to be with family in the morning. All the while the reminder of not riding at night kept me alert, and using cagers all I could to run as blockers and as forward lighting. Still came close to disaster when traffic coming the opposite direction fixated on my light and began the decreasing radius drift across the midline towards my space. Just as the critical decision of brakes vs. throttle became imperative, he corrected and swerved back to his side. Not too shook, but definitely less trusting afterward. In all, the bike ran too rich, (back to a 136 main at the 4th clip), lost a side front shroud screen, and had the bike be everything it should be as a reliable, fun, and diversified mount. Total, 470 miles just for fun, and a big grin at the end. Todd A9 zootscoot