Towed

7/31/07 continued
Well, since the first towing companyt fell through, the second one did
much better. Stan showed up right at 6 PM like they said he would and
we got loaded and on the way in about 1/2 hour. That still wouldn't
give us enough time to get to the dealer by 7 though so I knew I was
stuck for the night. Stan and I talked about deer hunting, volcanoes,
durg abuse, etc all the 55 miles back to the interstate and then the
12 miles south to Longview, WA. When we pulled into town, he drove by
the dealer I was going to just to see if anyone was there but it was
dark so no go. The boss, Jerry, was there when we pulled in. He lives
close to the shop and he offered to let me sleep in his motorhome that
he keeps there. He also suggested that I just see if they'll sell me
the part and I can install it at his shop. He even had some
suggestions on how to get the part here from Portland if they have to
order it. It seems like I should have some options for tomorrow
morning but we'll see then.
For now, I'm at a local bar sipping a brew and having a chicken sandwich.

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

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......

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

The Timeclock Begins...

7/30/07
Today will be the start of my 4 Corners Ride. I'll have 21 days to
finish it (well, I really have 22 because it will be tomorrow's
postmark). I simply have to get back to Blaine and mail my gas
receipt at their post office at 5 PM. So, I've got some time to kill.
I started by showering and doing laundry. I then had a KOA breakfast
of "all you can eat" pancakes for three dollars. Then, I left for
Seattle and the Klondike Gold Rush Museum. That was in downtown
Seattle and I hate their traffic. At least as a motorcycle, I can
take the HOV lanes and make it simpler. I found the place (with the
help of the GPS) and got my NPS stamp. After seeing the museum, I
then headed north toward Blaine. I got off in Lynwood to find a
library and gas. I also got a haircut there. The library didn't
allow me to upload photos so I've still not done that.
I then got the final AMA Tom Tom site in Seattle and another road on
the AMA Roads tour.
Then, I found a bank to exchange my Canadian Currency for American and
a WalMart so I could change the oil in the motorcycle.
I did learn something about changing oil at WalMart. They do take the
used oil back but don't tell them you changed it while you were in
their parking lot; they get sore about that. I also forgot to put the
cap back on the motorcycle where the oil goes in and when I started
the bike, it spewed out a stream much like a whale spout. I had oil
all on the side of the bike and on the 'stich's leg. I wiped up what
I could and turned north.
All this took until about 1 PM. It was an hour to Blaine so I decided
to wash the 'stich while waiting for the postoffice to get the mail
the last time. In the laundry I met another biker and we chatted
about my ride and rides he's done. He's heading to Sturgis tomorrow.
Unfortunately, the dryer broke one of my zipper pulls on the left cuff
of the 'stich so I've got to find a key chain to replace the pull
sometime. Perhaps tomorrow at Mt. St. Helens...
I mailed my letter right after the man emptied the outside mailbox.
He asked if he could take it for me but I told him I wanted it to be
postmarked tomorrow so he went on. I then got on the bike and rode
the 2 hours back to the KOA. They told me to expect about 1.5 hours
to Mt. Ranier so I should pull out of here about 7:30.

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

The Timeclock Begins...

7/30/07
Today will be the start of my 4 Corners Ride. I'll have 21 days to
finish it (well, I really have 22 because it will be tomorrow's
postmark). I simply have to get back to Blaine and mail my gas
receipt at their post office at 5 PM. So, I've got some time to kill.
I started by showering and doing laundry. I then had a KOA breakfast
of "all you can eat" pancakes for three dollars. Then, I left for
Seattle and the Klondike Gold Rush Museum. That was in downtown
Seattle and I hate their traffic. At least as a motorcycle, I can
take the HOV lanes and make it simpler. I found the place (with the
help of the GPS) and got my NPS stamp. After seeing the museum, I
then headed north toward Blaine. I got off in Lynwood to find a
library and gas. I also got a haircut there. The library didn't
allow me to upload photos so I've still not done that.
I then got the final AMA Tom Tom site in Seattle and another road on
the AMA Roads tour.
Then, I found a bank to exchange my Canadian Currency for American and
a WalMart so I could change the oil in the motorcycle.
I did learn something about changing oil at WalMart. They do take the
used oil back but don't tell them you changed it while you were in
their parking lot; they get sore about that. I also forgot to put the
cap back on the motorcycle where the oil goes in and when I started
the bike, it spewed out a stream much like a whale spout. I had oil
all on the side of the bike and on the 'stich's leg. I wiped up what
I could and turned north.
All this took until about 1 PM. It was an hour to Blaine so I decided
to wash the 'stich while waiting for the postoffice to get the mail
the last time. In the laundry I met another biker and we chatted
about my ride and rides he's done. He's heading to Sturgis tomorrow.
Unfortunately, the dryer broke one of my zipper pulls on the left cuff
of the 'stich so I've got to find a key chain to replace the pull
sometime. Perhaps tomorrow at Mt. St. Helens...
I mailed my letter right after the man emptied the outside mailbox.
He asked if he could take it for me but I told him I wanted it to be
postmarked tomorrow so he went on. I then got on the bike and rode
the 2 hours back to the KOA. They told me to expect about 1.5 hours
to Mt. Ranier so I should pull out of here about 7:30.

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

Sleeping in Seattle...

7/29/07 continued
It was about an hour wait at the border. I, of course, picked the
slowest line and the line that people going to the duty-free shop
would add to. When it was my turn, they only asked where I'm from and
why I was in Canada. Two questions, 20 seconds. Well, that was easy.
I then headed toward Blaine. It was spitting to raining and on the
way, I found a KOA to get a photo of.
In Blaine, I took a picture at the post office, and then got gas at
the Chevron so I had a gas receipt to mail in. Since the date of the
gas receipt doesn't matter, I decided to make certain I had it today.
I also checked to see when to mail my letter and I need to send it
after 5 PM so it will have a Tuesday postmark.
I then turned south toward Seattle to do some other bonus hunting.
For the AMA Roads tour, I got Interstate 5 and Rte 20 in Washington,
for the AMA Tom Tom I went to the Deception Bay Bridge, the Space
Needle in Seattle, and Jimmy Hendrix's grave in Reston, WA.
Let me just say here and now that driving in Seattle is as bad as
driving in Boston. Perhaps I should just realize I HATE driving in
cities on a bike. They go too fast, they don't make signs large
enough or early enough for me.
From the Hendrix grave, I called Ruth and she gave me the address of
the KOA in South Seattle. I think this will work well for tomorrow as
I can leave the tent set up and spend two nights here. I can pack in
the AM, go to a library to post photos, ride to Blaine, exchange my
Canadian currency for US stuff and then patiently wait for the post
office. After dropping off the envelope, I can drive through Seattle
again with the traffic slightly reduced and then be south of the city
for the start of the 4 Corners tour on Tuesday.
Wednesday I'm heading to Mt. Ranier and Mt. St. Helens before cutting
over to the coast. I'm going to ride the Pacific Coast Hwy all the
way from Astoria to San Francisco. I really hope that doing this
doesn't take so much time that I can't get the 4 Corners tour done.
Only time will tell...

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

Back to the USA

7/29/07
Well, yesterday I spoke with Dave Johnson from the 4 Corner's ride and
he said they use the postmarks for the starting and ending time. He
doesn't really pay attention to the dates on the gas receipts. He
said no one has ever presented this problem before; starting on a
Monday means you only have 20 days to finish because you can't get a
postmark on the final Sunday, SO, I'm going to start late on Monday.
The 4 Corners ride has different requirements than an Iron Butt Assoc
ride. I've got to go to the appropriate town, get a photo of me in
front of something that identifies the town (Post Office, Police
Station, Fire Station, etc) and get a phone number from one of the
local establishments. The phone number, and a gas receipt, are sent
in an envelope from the post office in that city. The photos I'll
have to print out when I return to send in then.
If I start the ride late enough on Monday, it will get a Tuesday
postmark and I can then ride with Ruth for the final leg from Hudson
to Madawaska and have a Monday postmark on it.
The tent was dry when I awoke. Actually, it was the 3rd or 4th time I
awoke because the campground is appropriately named the "whistlestop".
I had trains go about 30 yards from my tent multiple times during the
night and they hit the whistle at an intersection about 1 km away
(loud enough to wake me). In addition, the TransCanada is only 100 m
on the other side so really, the campground is scenic and noisy. It
was still nice but I think I'd find somewhere else to stay next time.
I've already packed and gotten to Abbotsford, about a 90 km drive.
This was the turnoff to the USA border and I found a final Canadian
Tim Horton's for breakfast. I've become fond of their everything
bagel with herb and garlic cream cheese for breakfast.
Its spitting outside now. I guess I'll go pack up and head back to the USA!!!

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

Vanderhoof to Hope, BC

7/28/07
I'd thought today would be the day I got out of Canada but I didn't
quite make it. I had a good ride but some roads were slower than I
thought they might be.
To my surprise, I had cellphone reception when I awoke. I didn't last
night but I didn't ask questions, I called Ruth. It was great to hear
her voice.
The sky was clouded as I left. There was a Tim Horton's about 2
blocks from the motel so I had breakfast there. I then got on the
road about 8 AM.
I saw one bear alongside the road on the ride to Prince George. In
Prince George I saw a Canadian Tire where I could get WD40 to clean my
chain and just do some other shopping.
As I was leaving Prince George, the two guys I'd met on the Cassiar
yesterday pulled onto the road with a third bike. We rode together
for about 50 km but they wanted to go faster than me today so I fell
back and rode alone.
In Williams Lake I was able to check email at the vc and headed south.
The road got really interesting from Cache Creek to Hope. Rte 97
there is called Ranchlands and Rivers. It starts being much like the
American west; sagebrush and pretty steep hills. It then turned into
the Fraser Valley with the Fraser River running through it. The
canyon I was in blocked cell phone reception but it was fun to ride
in. The walls were fairly steep, you got glimpses of the river and
there were tunnels. The traffic moved briskly until I got behind an
18 wheeler with a trailer. He made good time on the downhill stuff
but the uphill he slowed way down and I couldn't find a place to pass
with the traffic.
I finally got out of the canyon in Hope, BC and then found a
campground. I set the tent up, called Ruth and then went to a nearby
café for dinner.
On my way here, I noticed the chain making the same sound it did
before I left on the trip. That sound meant I needed a new chain and
I guess because of the gravel, it may mean it again now. I'm going to
give it a good cleaning tomorrow and if it doesn't improve, swap the
chain on Monday. I've got a spare and the chain tool (thanks to the
wisdom of the MTF folks!!) but, I just realized, I'm not certain that
I have the correct wrenches for this. I may have to stop at a
Canadian Tire or Sears to get a couple sockets.

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