Stranded

7/31/07
Well, it was a great start. I got up about 6, got cleaned up and
packed, and made it to the KOA breakfast again.
I headed out by 7:30 for Mt. Rainier. I started going the way the guy
at the KOA suggested but then I found out that the road would be
closed after the vc and I would have to ride a long way back the same
direction to get back to the interstate. I learned this at a US
Forest Service ranger station in Enumclaw so I turned and started
heading out. On the way out, I found an alternate ranger station with
a passport stamp so I headed there. It was a twisty road that was
paved and in good shape. It was like being enveloped in conifer trees
as they grew right up to the road. On the way to the Copper River
Ranger station there was a sign saying that entrance was closed! As I
was only 8 miles away, I took the chance and headed for it. The road
into the park was closed but the Ranger Station was open and they had
my stamp. I got it and headed for Mt. St. Helens.
I found my way to the interstate and pulled over at a rest stop. I
called Ruth and she told me the AMA GPS point was at the Johnson Ridge
vc so I decided to go there. It was 54 miles from the interstate but
it was a great ride. The day was clear and bright and riding the road
was awesome. It had huge sweeping curves and a gorgeous vista so I
enjoyed the trip out but I was hearing my chain act up again. I
decided to tighten the chain again in the vc parking lot. I did but
when I went to retighten the axle nut, it simply spun on the bolt! I
took it off and realized it was stripped!!! I tried my cellphone and
had no signal. Here I am, 54 miles down a dead end road and I'm
stuck!
I walked to the vc and found a payphone. I called the Allstate RV
Roadhelp and they found someone that said they could get here in 2-3
hrs and gave me the name of the shop they'd take me to. I called the
shop and made arrangements to get the axle.
I make this seem easy but it wasn't. The payphone did not allow me to
call without a calling card so I actually had to call Ruth collect
after getting the towing set up and have her call the tow company to
find out where they were taking the bike, then she called the bike
shop to tell them what was wrong with it. She then called me back (on
the vc phone because the payphone wouldn't accept calls) to relay the
information to me.
The problem was that at the end of 2.5hrs, I called Ruth to find out
when the tow truck would be here and they hadn't left yet. They were
still 3-4 hrs out.
I called back RV Roadhelp and another person found another tow company
that could get here quicker AND get the bike to a closer dealer that
was in the right direction but it would certainly be closed by the
time I get there. They're going to hold the bike for my until morning
and then drop it off for me at the dealer.
Right now, I'm sitting in the vc awaiting the tow truck. Hopefully,
they'll show up by 6 PM as stated because that is when the visitor
center closes. Well, if nothing else, I'm camping in the vc parking
lot tonight.
I'll let you know......

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Todd Ryan; Hudson, MA
Westborough HS Science Teacher
MSF RiderCoach