Happy Holidays! - Triumph Riders Association of Portland

Official Newsletter of theCascade Moto Classics, Inc R.A.T. PackDecember 2009Happy Holidays!

Dec 5Dec11-13Dec 12Dec 19Jan 2Feb 6Feb. 13March 6RAT PACKCalendarRides, Events, Fun!Triumph RAT Pack Breakfast Meeting9:00am Peppermill Restaurant,17455 SW Farmington Rd., Beaverton, OR.At the back of the shopping center on the Northeastside. Come and enjoy a good breakfast andsome great people!International Motorcycle ShowQwest Field Event CenterSeattle, Washington.Friday: 4:00pm - 9:00pmSaturday: 9:30am - 8:00pmSunday: 9:30am - 5:00pmAsk about discount tickets and get more infoat Cascade Moto Classics, IncCascade Moto Classics, IncIn the Garage Tech Session9:00–11:00am - Cascade Moto Classics Inc Shop areaThe basics of “Do It Yourself” maintenance.Chains, tires, battery, cables and much more.Limited to 12 persons. See details on page 6.Cascade Moto Classics, IncHoliday Open House1:00–5:00pm - Cascade Moto ShowroomFun, Food, Friends, Door Prizes, A Huge Sale,Live Music, Santa. See Details on page 4.Triumph RAT Pack Breakfast Meeting9:00am Peppermill Restaurant,17455 SW Farmington Rd., Beaverton, OR.At the back of the shopping center on the Northeastside. Come and enjoy a good breakfast andsome great people!Triumph RAT Pack Breakfast Meeting9:00am Peppermill Restaurant,17455 SW Farmington Rd., Beaverton, OR.At the back of the shopping center on the Northeastside. Come and enjoy a good breakfast andsome great people!Triumph RAT Pack Annual RAT DinnerAt the newly-remodeled Monarch Hotel inClackamas, just off I-205. See preliminary infoin ad on page 3.Triumph RAT Pack Breakfast Meeting9:00am Peppermill Restaurant,17455 SW Farmington Rd., Beaverton, OR.At the back of the shopping center on the Northeastside. Come and enjoy a good breakfast andsome great people!NEW R.A.T. PACK MEMBERSThese members have recently purchased a newTriumph from Cascade Moto Classics, IncLes McConnell. ....... BonnevilleContact InformationCascade Moto Classics, Inc.Janice & Kelly McCarthy13705 SW Farmington RoadBeaverton, Oregon 97005(503) 574–3353info@cascademoto.comPack LeaderLee HolzheyDudleyjump@yahoo.com(360) 798–4678Newsletter ProductionRussell@LindborgGraphics.comLee Holzhey, Pack LeaderT.R.A.P. ReportBy Lee Holzhey, Pack LeaderSaturday November 14th was mylast day working at Cascade MotoClassics. For 31 years I had workedin the banking industry until Novemberof 2008. It was then that the lastof three banks I worked for went outof business. Yes, three banks totalingthe last 29 years, all shut down. Asone CMC customer put it, “Wow, youhave had three horses shot out fromunder you?” Not that I didn’t havesome fantastic times in those years, especiallywhen I used to travel to Seattlefor the week and enjoy some greatrestaurants and motels. But frankly, Iwas ready for a break. So, after a yearoff from that line of work, and 9 fantasticmonths working with the crewat Cascade Moto Classics, I am onceagain going back to work in the financeworld with Advantis CreditUnion. I know, that was a shamelessplug, but hey, what’s a guy to do? Anyway,I wanted to say what a great timeI had working at CMC, and I wantedto publicly thank Janice and Kelly Mc-Carthy, Liz, Bill and Brant for makingmy stay there so enjoyable. I can tellyou that this is a dealership that trulycares about their customers at all levelsand will do everything to earn yoursupport and patronage. In these difficultfinancial times I know this is noteasy, because you are doing your levelbest to shop for whatever bargains youcan to save money. But consider whatour motorcycling lives would be like ifwe did not have CMC. Where wouldyou get the parts that you need, theservice, the accessories, and the advice?Even if you get your work done atan independent shop in Portland, takea guess where THEY buy their partsto work on your bikes. Having a dealerlike Cascade Moto supports us all in somany ways. So the next time you arelooking at purchasing a jacket, helmetor any other item, ask yourself if thefew dollars you are saving by orderingit from some wholesale house in Ohiois worth the potential loss of your localdealership. Let’s support the Triumphdealer that supports us.With my change of position, I amplanning on being even more involvedwith our club than ever. I will againhave Saturdays off to go on, and organizerides. For 2010 we already havethe dates for our three multiple nightevents. The Season Opener in Yrekawill be at the Best Western MinersInn, on June 4th, 5th and 6th. TheSummer Scorcher will be located inGlenwood Washington at the FlyingL Ranch on July 30th, 31st and Aug1st. The Baker City Rally will be at theBest Western Sunridge Inn in BakerCity Oregon September 9th-12th. Weare hoping that by having these datesearly, those of you that need to planyour time off early will be able to doso. Also, we will be publishing theseevents and dates on a national levelwith other packs and dealerships,in the hopes of getting a lot more attendees.If any of you wish to hold anevent, ride or activity, now is a greattime to do a preliminary plan and letme know. This year we are getting ajump on 2010 to try and make it thebest club year ever.Speaking of club activities, rememberthat our Christmas open house isDecember 19th as shown in this newsletter.This is always a fun event atCMC with food, live music, Christmascandy, and Janice’s famous “WheelO’ Discounts” so you can shop for thatmotorcycling person on your list. SantaClaus is rumored to be showing up,so be sure and bring the kids or grandkidsfor some fun for them too.Well group, I guess that’s about allfor this month. So I will just say, a veryMerry Christmas to you all, and…Ride safe everyone! Lee.2 RAT Tales Newsletter www.rat-pack.com

R.A.T. BreakfastSaturday, December 5, 20099:00amPeppermill Restaurant17455 SW Farmington Rd.Beaverton, Oregon(Breakfast Meetings are held the first Saturday of each month)MotorcycleIceRacingSaturday, Dec. 19th7:30pmMemorial ColiseumThe world’s top professional ice racers will travel tothe Memorial Coliseum to do battle in the Portlandround of the 34th Annual World ChampionshipIce Racing Series on December 19th, 2009. Thisis unleashed, lightning fast motorcycle ice racingat its best! Motorcycle Ice Racing is a no holdsbarred motor sports competition featuring ovaltrack racing’s thoroughbreds – the Manufacturer’sWorld Cup Motorcycles and the Wild UnlimitedOutlaw Quads.Save over $5 per Ticket withCascade Moto Ticket DiscountsWHEN YOU ORDER ONLINE:https://groupsales.rosequarter.comUser Name: CASCADEMOTOPassword: DISCOUNTSVIP Front Row - $40 (Reg. $47)VIP Reserved - $20 (Reg $25)General Admission (Adult) -$12 (Reg $20)General Admission (Kids 2-12)$10 (Reg. $14)*There is a $5 per order ticket feeInternationalMotorcycleShowDecember 11–13Seattle, WashingtonQwest Field Event Center$3 Discount Couponsavailable atCascade Moto Classics, IncTickets & Event Info:www.motorcycleshows.com/Seattleor, Take A Deluxe Bus PackageLeaves 8am-sharp, Sat. Dec. 12th.You get: Show Ticket, deluxe bus ride, munchies:Coffee, OJ, Bagels, plus a Sandwich andBridgeport Brewing Treats for the ride home.$60Contact: Tom Young, 503-320-2475CompMotors@Gmail.comSUMMERSCORCHERRAT Raid toGlenwood, WATriumph Riders Association of PortlandJuly 30–Aug. 1, 2010• Mt. Adams Lodge @ Flying L Ranch25 FlyingL Lane, Glenwood, WA• Reservations: Julee Wasserman(509) 364-3488• e-mail: flyingl@mt-adams.com• Web: www.mt-adams.com• 10% rate discount for T.R.A.P. members andguests. See web, pick your room, call Julee.• Reserved: 12 rooms in the Lodge and Guesthouse.Several rooms have 2-3 beds.• Cabins also available ranging from small &cozy (2-3 folks) to large and spacious(10-12).• Breakfast included in rates.• The rides: Twisty roads to Mt. Adams,Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainer, Mt. Hood,and beyond.• Dual sport routes also available.13 th AnnualR.A.T. DINNERSaturday, February 13 that the newly renovatedMonarch HotelClackamas, Oregon – www.monarchhotel.ccAnyone who owns and originally purchased their Triumph motorcycle new from CascadeMoto Classics, Inc., at any time, is our guest at no charge for the dinner (one person permotorcycle). Cost to others is $30 for dinner. All other bike riders, customers, friends,family and interested persons are welcome and encouraged to attend: this will be acelebration of another super year of Triumph Motorcycles.Menu, Times and additional details in January RAT TalesYou can reserve your room now: Mention “Cascade Moto” for the special $109 rate.www.rat-pack.com December 2009 3

Holiday Gift IdeasBattery TenderSafely keeps your batterycharged through the wintermonths. Included cables allowfor easy access to battery. $59.95Carbon Ballpoint Pen No.2A great ballpoint in carbon fiber-look,with chrome accents and Triumph logo. Aperfect gift, but wouldn’t one be great inyour pocket too? $9.99NEW!2010 Vintage TriumphCalendar12 months of vintage Triumphsin this larger-sized calendar.Perfect for home, garage,office. $19.95NEW!Triumph ClockHere is the newestTriumph clock:white and chromewith carbon-lookstyling. 38mmdiameter, glassface. Batterypowered. $49.99FirstGearWarm & SafeHeated Riding GearThe long-sleeve linercocoons its wearer inwarmth by incorporatingheating elementsacross the upper andlower back, down thesleeves, around theneck and, to combatthe effects of windchill, the linerconcentrates heat in the frontof the jacket.Jacket $199.95Gloves $129.95Triumph Riding BuffAmazingly versatile and great for anyseason, but especially on these colderdays when worn around the neck orunder the helmet. $19.99NEW!Triumph Ladies ParkaA great street jacket, with heavy weightpadding makes this jacket perfect forwinter. Water repellent Bristex outermaterial. Antique zips and snaps. Side adj.zippers. $169.99NEW! Triumph Daytona 675Kids Scooter BikeIdeal for children aged 2-6years. Helps to learn balance.The bike meets all safetystandards. Red. $149.95NEW! Coloring BookLots of coloring fun for kids as well assome of us adults.$9.99NEW! PlayingCard Set2 packs of cards.Features photos ofcurrent range of Triumphs. $15.99NEW!Triumph Key FobsMulti-colored rubber,double-sided. SpeedTriple, Bonneville, orThunderbird. $9.99Cascade Moto Classics, IncGift CardsAny Triumph owner would love tohave Santa bring him or her oneof these this year. Any dollar amountand sure to result in lots of smiles.CLASSICSINCORPORATED13705 SW Farmington RoadBeaverton, Oregon 97005(503) 574–3353info@cascademoto.comwww.rat-pack.com December 2009 5

Cascade Moto Classics, IncTECH SESSIONSaturday, December 12th9:00AM–11:00AMA mechanic-led session using abike on the lift in the shopLimit: 12 Persons(Registration Required)Basic “Do It Yourself” Maintenance• Adjust and lube the chain• Check the sprocket for wear• Change the oil & filter• Air & check your tires for wear• Check cables & wear pointsAnd More!Phone Cascade Moto Classics, Incto register for this free Tech SessionLimited to first 12 Persons to RegisterP h o n e :503-574-3353or stop by to registerCascade Moto Classics, IncTriumph NewsTriumph made its public debut of severalnew models at the annual EICMA showin Milan, Italy:Bonneville Sixty – Inspired by the classiccolor scheme of the 1960 model, theBonneville Sixty is a limited run of 650T100s featuring a unique two-tone MeridenBlue/Caspian Blue combination withhand painted pinstripes.Speed Triple SE - This model gets updatedsuspension and two-tone paint for thefirst time in its 15 year history. The vividTornado Red colour scheme features asporting Crystal White center stripe andblack pinstripe, with a color matched flyscreen and seat cowl. The Speed Triple SEdebuts upgraded suspension, which will beintroduced to all Speed Triple models.Triumph partners with OhlinsTriumph has announced a partnership withthe world’s foremost race suspension supplier,Ohlins, to deliver a range of supremequality accessory rear suspension units forTriumph’s entire Urban Sports range.Ohlins shock absorbers have been developedto provide the ultimate control andperformance to the sporting rider.6 RAT Tales Newsletter www.rat-pack.com

A Christmas StoryBy Ralphie ParkerIt’s almost Christmas and I don’t know how I’mgoing to do it but I have to convince my parentsto get me the one thing I want for Christmas: ATriumph Daytona 675. I know that I will haveto carefully place hints around the house to getthem thinking about it. Just last week I put a copyof Cycle World on the kitchen table so that myold man would see it before he left for work. He didn’teven glance at it! All he was interested in was his waffleand the morning paper. This would take a little heavierhand.The next day, as I headed off to our downtown university,I struggled for a winning solution to my problem.My first class was Creative Writing 101 with MissHinckley. Geez, I really didn’t like the class very muchbut Hinckley was a feast for my eyes. She had lovely lineswith swoops and curves in all the right places. I was almostdone with my undergrad requirements and this wasone of the remaining “have-to” classes that I had beenputting off for three years. As the classstarted there was a collective groan fromall of us as the beautiful Miss Hinckleytold us that today we would have one ofher dreaded “improvisational paragraph”assignments. The gist of these agonizingtasks was that we’d write something shortand then, horror of horrors, stand up andread it to the rest of the class.Determined to make something out ofnothing, I set out to craft a concise andaccurate description of my desired Christmasgift. After listening to a number ofboring recitations about climate change,social justice and political correctness, Igave a stirring description of owninga Daytona 675; the freedom, the exhilaration, the triumph…theTriumph! When I was done the classroomwas hushed. Not a word was spoken. I thought it a magnificentperformance until Miss Hinckley said, “ButRalph, aren’t motorcycles dangerous?”Fortunately I was saved by the bell. I might have saidsomething that I would later regret. I hopped on theMAX train for my ride back home. Closing my eyes Iimagined myself leading the pack, flicking the powerfulbike through the esses, rolling on the throttle gently tokeep the front end from coming up. I was awakened bythe announcement of the end of the Red Line. Beaverton.On the bus and then a two mile walk to home. If Ihad that Daytona I would have been there hours ago.Back at home, around the dinner table, my littlebrother Randy played with his Mac and cheese, my fatherwas reading the sports page and I made an effort tobe thrilled about my mother’s dried out meatloaf leftovers.She asked me about school and, unable to controlmyself, I blurted out “Ireadmycompositioninclasstodayaboutthewonderfultriumph675daytona(deep breath) almostfourteenthousandrpmkayabasuspensionhunnerttwentysixhorsepower.”Dad lowered the paper and lookedover the top of it silently. Randy blew milk out of hisnose. Mom’s jaw dropped and then she said, “But Ralphie,motorcycles are dangerous.” Damn! I’ll never getwhat I want for Christmas. The old man’s eyes narrowedas he looked at me. I must have said that out loud. “Getyourself upstairs and finish your homework or I’ll washyour mouth out with soap” he threatened (and then wentback to the sports page).A few days later I went (reluctantly) with my familyto the mall. Mom asked me to take Randy to see themall Santa Claus while she and my Dad did some shopping.Santa my butt, more likely some sorry drunk fromthe unemployment line. I only hoped that none of myfriends saw me there. I would have been mortified. Whatif Miss Hinckley was shopping? I tried to make myselfblend in with the other families as the lineto Santa’s chair grew shorter. When Randywas on Santa’s lap he rattled throughhis list of stupid toys. Santa didn’t appearto be listening. I barely heard him when,as Randy dropped off his knee, he askedwhat I wanted for Christmas. I couldn’thelp myself. “A Triumph 675 Daytona” Isaid in a voice louder than I would haveliked. Looking at me he said, “Forget itkid, don’t you know that motorcycles aredangerous?” Arrrrghhh.Christmas morning dawned not white,but wet. Oregon, need I say more? Randyblazed through his gifts in about two minutesflat and asked “Is that all?” I didn’t dotoo badly, other than some stupid sweaters and JockeyBriefs. You’d think they’d know by now that I’m a Boxerskind of guy. I did get a couple of good video games.Mom got a terrific box of See’s candy from me (well, Iam on a student budget), a purse from my Aunt Stephanieand a knockout gold ring from my dad. Dad got anew putter and a car cover for his old Volvo. Oh well,there’s always next year.The old man grabbed me by the arm and said that heneeded help to put the new cover on the Volvo. As muchas I would have rather gone and played with my newPlayStation stuff, I went along. Imagine my shock whenI walked into the garage and saw a brand spanking newDaytona! Whoopee! My eyes got some dust in them. Iknow this because they started to water. I turned aroundand there was Dad, Mom and Randy back there smiling.I almost didn’t hear Dad say, “You’re signed up forthe next Team Oregon class because motorcycles can bedangerous!” •

Short StoryGravitron BikesBy Lee HolzheyWhat an incredible day for a ride, Justinthought to himself. He pulled on his newMaratex laminate riding suit, pushed onhis helmet, and almost sprang to his bikein a single bound from the back of the garage. He hadbeen waiting for this day for quite a while, the first dayof the Baker City Rally!“Man I can’t wait to get this baby up,” he yelled tohis friend.“Oh stop gloating,” Bryan screamed back.The latest and best Triumph Sprint AirTour wasidling in Justin’s driveway waiting to lift off. He couldn’thelp but remember the immortal words of his GreatGrandpa Dick, “SPRINT, SPRINT, SPRINT…” Thenew generation Gravitron engine for 2066 was muchquieter than the previous year’s model, and wouldkeep the AT aloft for a minimum of 8 hours before itneeded fuel for the fusion converter. The thrust motorswere not so thrifty however, and would require jet fuelafter just 2 hours of flight.“Which way do you want to go to get to Baker City?”Bryan yelled.“How about up around Mt. Hood?” Justin replied.With a twist of his left wrist Justin’s new Sprint liftedoff moving straight up and away from the house. Onceclear of the trees and power lines a little right wrist actionhad the bike screaming away like its tail was onfire. Which of course it was, because the new SprintAT not only comes with the latest generation Gravitron,but also an afterburner! Bryan had lifted off atthe same time, but his older Yamasaki just couldn’tkeep up. Without an afterburner he had no choice butto simply watch as Justin streaked away, up above thecloud deck. Rolling off the throttle he let the Sprintsettle down. Justin was tall and lean, so the air flowedaround him cleanly. His Maratex suit stuck to himlike a second skin not making so much as a ripple inthe wind. Now it was just the sound of rushing air overhis helmet, and the blue skies above that awaited hismorning ride.Soon Bryan had caught up and they were bothstreaking towards Mt. Hood at a cruising speedof 150mph. Man, this thing is really smooth Justinthought. Just the slightest pressure on the bars andfoot pedals had the Sprint sweeping back and forththrough the puffy little clouds in the morning sky.Looking below he could see the old Mt. Hood SkiArea now covered with summer homes. The inventionof the Gravitron in 2033 had done wonders for travel,but it had also allowed people to move much fartheraway from where they worked. The developer who createdthe new Mt. Hood Ski Area, and then sold the oldone for home sites was still under indictment, but thedamage had already been done and there were houses8 RAT Tales Newsletter www.rat-pack.com

everywhere. What an ugly mess Justin thought as he rolled thethrottle on and pushed the Sprint up to 200 for a quick lap ortwo around the mountain. Just then his earbud crackled to lifeas Bryan called to him.“Hey, let’s make a run or two up the gorge.”“OK,” snapped back Justin and he pushed the bars down tomake the bike dive for the Columbia River. Hanging off theright side he carved the bike down hard against the water andbegan his pass. Holding at a steady 250mph the afterburnerwas at stage one and a rooster tail was lifting off the river as heskimmed just above the water.“Man! You should see yourself from up here,” called Bryan.The Sprint was really moving now but, at this speed, fuel wasleaving the tank as fast as Justin was traveling. Pulling up hardbefore the old Highway 97 Bridge the reserve light popped onand the Sprint automatically dropped to a speed of 125 to conservefuel. The nearest fuel stop was in Grass Valley, where theystill held the national championships every year. The little townreally boomed once the Oregon Raceway Park got going. Becauseof their remote location they were the first track in thenation to expand to a 45-mile air course for Gravitron use. Thishad really put them on the AMAand NASCAR map. Grass Valleywas now bulging with resort typemotels, restaurants, and fuel stops.Just as planned there was a Union76 right on the edge of town. Justinrolled off the throttle and began hisdescent towards the station. Touchingdown next to the pump, an attendantcame running. With the adventof jet fuel for most flying vehicles, fuelingup became a much trickier job and most states had goneback to having attendants at fuel stops, just like Oregon alwayshad. As the attendant began to fuel his bike Justin was suddenlydistracted by a strange popping and thrumming sound. His headsnapped around to see an old Triumph Bonneville just startingat the gasoline pump. Wow, I can’t believe someone would stillride an old antique like that, he thought to himself. “Hey Brian,look at that,” he yelled.Bryan turned to look at the black and red Bonneville just intime to see it ride off down the street. “I can’t believe anyonewould actually want to ride one of those things anymore,” hesaid.Fuel all topped up and it was time to go. A quick twist on“Holding at asteady 250mph theafterburner was atstage one…”the left wrist and the Sprint AT lifted off and shrieked into thedistance.It was still a bit cold outside as I pulled on my riding gear inthe driveway. No problem though, with the new Tempergellining, my riding suit always maintained the inside ata constant 76 degrees. I remember bundling up in the olddays to ride on cool mornings. Layers to stay warm that you removedas the day warmed up stowing them away someplace onthe bike. What a hassle. With Tempergel, you just put on thesuit no matter what the temperature outside, and let science dothe rest. This particular suit also had the latest in soft-touch armor,made of a flexible outer skin that hardens in a millisecondto resist abrasion or impact. Man, how did we ride without thisstuff in the old days. A quick stab at the starter button had myBonneville rolling over and warming up. The ol’ girl still fired onthe first try, even if she was half as old as me now.After the invention of the Gravitron so many things hadchanged. These days almost everybody flew in their vehicles andthe majority of the paved roads were either in a poor state of repair,grown over or simply closed altogether.Most freeways that were nolonger needed had even been plowedup to make more room for housesand development. Luckily, Washingtonhad kept Highway 14 open as astate park, and you could still ride itif you wanted to. Once you were outpast The Dalles, the state didn’t botherto do anything with the old roads.Mainly because of a lack of traffic,most eastside roads were in an OK state of repair, especially infar eastern Oregon where there never really was much trafficanyway. Today I would be heading out to Baker City. Althoughit had been almost 60 years since I worked at Cascade MotoClassics and was their Pack Leader, the Triumph Riders Associationof Portland was still going strong and this was going tobe their 65 th Baker City Rally. My doctor was concerned that Iwas going to ride all the way by myself, but I had my med-alertbadge so I figured, why not, what have I got to lose at my age!Passing through the end of the Highway 14 State Park the roadreally did begin to deteriorate a bit. But since all the traffic was1,500 feet or more above me I could ride on either side of the roadand it didn’t much matter. Fortunately the old Hwy 97 Bridgewww.rat-pack.com December 2009 9

was still open. A social group from Grass Valley had adopted itas a community project and was keeping its maintenance up so itwas still usable. Mostly covered with fisherman, I made my wayacross the bridge and over into Oregon. Traveling down old hwy97 towards Grass Valley, I was stretching the Bonnie’s range abit to make it there for fuel, butthere was a Union 76 station righton the edge of town that still hadgasoline, and I didn’t want tohave to back track to The Dallesto fill up.I swung into the station about10 miles after switching to reserve.The ol’ girl made it witha few miles to spare for a fill up.“That’ll be $4.50,” the attendantsaid. Hmmm, $4.50 I thought. Icould remember when it was almost$50.00 to fill my Bonneville.I guess I shouldn’t complain about that change, I thought tomyself. Nobody used gasoline much anymore so it was as cheapas water.“Hey, is the road from Heppner to Ukiah still open?” I askedthe attendant.“Oh yeah, it’s a bit beat up, but they haven’t closed it,” hereplied.Just then a shrieking sound from above told me a couple ofGravitron bikes were coming in for a fuel-up. I wouldn’t wantto pay for those, I thought to myself. Once their noise subsidedand I could hear myself think again, I fired the Bonneville andtook to the streets. The two young men on their air bikes werelooking at me in disbelief as I rode off, but I figured that theyjust didn’t know what they were missing. Leaving town my Bonniewas really purring as I wound her up leveling off around 80.A rusty old 55mph speed limit sign was hanging by one bolt andswinging in the wind as if it was still trying to slow me downon the old highway. Ha, 55 I thought to myself. Who’s going toticket me out here, a game warden? Truth is, the state and countiesstopped patrolling the paved roads back in ‘53, and concentratedinstead on air traffic. Good enough by me I thought tomyself. Let the young idiots fly around in the skies and crashinto each other, I’ll stay right here on terra firma where it’s safe!Slowing my Bonneville to a stop in Ukiah my mind began tofill with memories of rides from the years gone by. My friendsMark and Deborah, Rick, Dave and Ed were all long gone now.Even old man Moltman passed away last year at 123. I missedmy old riding buddies from my days as Pack Leader. What miracleof life had allowed me to live so long that I could be herecelebrating my birthday 110 years after it happened in 1956? Ofcourse science had a lot to do with it, as my new heart, lungs andlegs would attest. But why was I the one that was so lucky? Mustbe clean livin’, I thought to myself, and then began to laugh“Just then ashrieking soundfrom above told mea couple of Gravitronbikes were comingin for a fuel-up.”in my helmet. Pulling up to the store I could see they still hadgasoline in Ukiah. I could remember 50 or 60 years ago stoppinghere with the RAT Pack and worrying about finding gas,period. I guess some things hadn’t changed much this far fromPortland.As I pulled off my helmet a youngman approached me “You’re a longway from anywhere, old timer,” hesaid.“Yeah, well, I’m out enjoying theday with an old friend,” I replied.The young man looked puzzled untilI explained that I was referringto my motorcycle.“I don’t think I have ever seenone like this,” the boy exclaimed ashe walked around my bike severaltimes.“It’s a 2007 Triumph BonnevilleT-100,” I told him, “and we’ve been together a long time.” As theyoung man filled my tank with gas, a shrieking sound split theair. 1,500 feet above us I could see two air bikes streaking overhead.Some things never change I thought. I used to come outhere to avoid the cops on my motorcycle years ago, and peopleare still doing it. I chuckled to myself as I paid the man and setoff on my way towards the Anthony Lakes ski area. I hoped theroad was still passable and was looking forward to the view ofNew Baker City from the top of the ridge.Justin’s headset screamed to life as Brianyelled to him, “Look out Justin, GEESE.” Suddenlythere was a loud thump, and then two more, as three“GEESE!”fat Canada Geese impacted his new Sprint AT. Thedash lit up like a Christmas tree with warning lights flashing allover the place. Afterburner out, engine out, heater out. Justinwas in real trouble. He reached down and slammed the emergencybutton, causing the Sprint to buck as it locked itself intohover mode. The bike began to settle down as the Gravitrontook over, and it was stable at 1100 feet. Hovering there, Justincould hear Bryan moving up beside him.“You OK?” Brian yelled.“Yeah, I’m alright,” he replied. “But I’m locked into hovermode and all I have for engine power is the thrusters.”Brian had to laugh as he pointed at the front of the Sprint andsaid, “You should see how big the ass-end of the goose is that’ssticking out of your engine intake.”It was time for Justin to do a quick damage assessment. Thebike was safe in hover mode, and the thrusters would still moveit around, but move it around to where? Justin looked down andcould see a ribbon of asphalt where the dry grass changed totrees just east of Ukiah. “I bet I could put her down there,” he10 RAT Tales Newsletter www.rat-pack.com

yelled to Bryan.Easing off on the left throttle the Sprint began to sink. Thethrusters were keeping everything stable and the bike was droppinglike a rock. A little pressure on the right side of the barspivoted the bike just in time to miss some trees and it settlednicely on the road.Boy, talk about the middle of nowhere, Justin thought tohimself. A brief inspection revealed that the goose had simplyplugged the intake and choked out the motor with minimaldamage. A quick removal of the goose and the intake was clear.“Wow, this new aluminum oxide-milate material is some stuff,”Bryan yelled. “There’s hardly a mark on the paint.”Justin stabbed the starter button but the Sprint only made amuffled whining sound as a few feathers coughed out the back.“Uh-oh, here’s the problem,” Bryan exclaimed. “The motor isclogged with feathers, and they are behind the intake screen.”CRAP! Damn birds, Justin thought.“Hey don’t worry, New Baker City is just 75 miles that way,”Bryan said. “I’ll zip over and see if there is a service ship at oneof the dealerships that can come out and get you.”Justin sat down on the road, watching as Bryan took off.Looking around he could see the mountains row after row asthey stretched into the distance with the afternoon sun gleamingdown on them. The wind was blowing steadily through the treesand there was nothing but it’s sound once Bryan had left. Therewas a strange peace in all of it Justin thought, with the grassrustling and the trees moving in the wind. He looked up andcould see the clouds moving slowly across the summer sky. It allseemed so odd to him. He had never really looked at the landscapefrom the ground before, because he was always so busyscanning the horizon from the air. I could get used to this, hethought, as he lay back on the asphalt and just stared up at thesky.Iwas really enjoying the solitude as my Bonnie swung backand forth over the winding road. This particular strip of asphalthadn’t seemed to change much in 65 years. The cowdroppings were still there and the road was still fun. Whatthe!!!………. Slamming on the brakes my Bonneville came to aquick stop as a young man in a skintight silver and red riding suitsprang up from the asphalt.“You trying to get yourself killed laying in the road like that!”I yelled to the surprised rider.“Hey, sorry about that. I really didn’t expect to see anyone oranything on this road,” he replied.I stepped off the Bonneville, pulled off my helmet and approachedthe man and his stone quiet air-bike. I could see hisT.R.A.P. emblem across the back of the rear cowling.“You headed to the Baker City Rally?” I asked.“Yeah, we are, and… hey, you’re the guy I saw in Grass Valleyearlier, huh?” Justin asked.“Yeah, just thought I would give the old girl one last ride beforeall the roads were gone forever,” I replied. I just had to laughas I looked at the front of the Sprint AT, where there were featherseverywhere and the remains of a Canada Goose were alongside the road.“Looks like you had a meeting with a foreigner,” I said.“Yeah, a whole flock of them,” Justin replied. “They pluggedmy intake with some feathers and my friend left to go get help”.Knowing that the gas station in Ukiah has almost every repairitem known to God and man, I suggested that we head back thefew miles and see what they might have that would get thosefeathers out of there.“On THAT thing?” Justin exclaimed.“Aw come on, it won’t bite you,” I replied.Riding along with Justin on the back, the Bonnie still rodegood. Justin was really clinging tight to me and I think he wasmore afraid of riding on the ground than he was of being up inthe air.Arriving at Ukiah, we inquired about something for thefeather plugged Sprint.“Oh yeah, you’re not the first person to have that problem,” theold guy at the station said. “Here, take a can of this compressedair back with you. That ought to blow the feathers out.”Justin now had to hold the can under one arm, and hang on tome with the other. Not any big deal really, but I think he wouldhave rather walked!We arrived back at the Sprint and shot the compressed airinto the intake as Justin sat on the bike. A big burst of feathersbillowed out the back and into the air.“There, try her now son,” I said.The big Sprint whined and spun up coming to life with evenmore feathers shooting out the back, albeit a slight bit roastedthis time!“Hey, it’s green across the board,” Justin yelled.“Good enough” I said, as I patted him on the shoulder. “Youbetter get going if you’re going to make it to the meet and greeton time.”“No problem” he replied. “They won’t start without me, I’mthe Pack Leader.”With a twist of his left wrist Justin shot up into the air. Aquick wave at me below and away he went, a light trail of whitesmoke and burnt feathers streaming behind him.“Humph, Pack Leader, can’t even get a few feathers out of hisengine,” I muttered. Well, I guess that’s OK, I thought to myself.We’ll see how much food he has for us tonight when I get there.My Bonnie again roared to life as I pulled on my helmet andsped off down the road. Purring along with the wind in my face,memories of old friends again filled my head. I was completelyalone on the road now, and yet all my friends were with me as Iputted along. What an incredible day for a ride. •www.rat-pack.com December 2009 11

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