Tiffany Ambling through America

[Tiffany]

Originally Posted by ThomasVolomitz

Tiffany rocks, pure and simple.

that is possibly one of the nicest things that has been said about me (I'm easily pleased!)

and you're not even a Beemer rider are you?!

[ThomasVolomitz]

No, I ride a Triumph. Love it and have the Union Jack on my riding jacket which causes the Harley guys to sneer. But most of them are alright.
I started following your Tibet thread some time ago and have been quite impressed at your adventurous spirit. Mid-Ohio Vintage Days next weekend if you are still in the colonies. It's quite a big gathering.

[marty hill]

Hi Tiff,

Keeping track but always on the wrong coast. In norcal for 10 days now. Glad your having a wonderful time and everyone is taking good care of you. Your doing what most of us don't even dream about. Ride save and keep helping the rest of us see the world thru your eyes.

[Tiffany]

Heading across Oregon, aware that there will now potentially be bears when I'm camping so remembering to take the tyre levers into my tent at night.
But no-one had mentioned the wolves...




Closer inspection, showed that she's actually the family pet and very friendly



She belongs to Harold at Giant Loop and he and his family were my hosts for the weekend, although I think it would be more accurate to say that I hijacked their family weekend!

First of all as I arrived into Bend on the Friday evening, there was an ominous wobble, I pulled over to find that I had a flat- yep - same tyre again. I knew I wasn't far from the Giant Loop HQ so I rang Harold and he popped out with Justin to give a hand.



They brought a compressor with them, but it only had an electrical socket type thing on it for the power. And as we all know, Thelma's power outlet died completely about 12 years ago in Mozambique.
However Justin had the bright idea of using my jump leads on the plug bit to get the power from my battery (is this making sense?) see picture below



As we were so close, we inflated and I rode carefully, nursing Thelma along to Giant Loop HQ..



We got the wheel and tyre off and found that the inner tube had a hole where it had rubbed against the plug repair- despite the guys who had put the tube in just 10 days ago assuring me that would not happen! Sometimes I wonder why I believe a single word that blokes say.

Anyway, having identified the problem, more pressing things were at hand...it's Friday evening, the weekend is starting, so we retired to the local pub to discuss my options.

[DCrider]

Originally Posted by Tiffany

Sometimes I wonder why I believe a single word that blokes say.

Sorry about the flat and sorry about the hollow words of assurance on the pulg fix, that later seems to be pretty regular here in the US these days, most anywhere you go the customer service is really poor and they'll tell you whatever you want to hear... But hope you had a good weekend, enjoying the report!

[Tiffany]

Originally Posted by DCrider

Sorry about the flat and sorry about the hollow words of assurance on the pulg fix, that later seems to be pretty regular here in the US these days, most anywhere you go the customer service is really poor and they'll tell you whatever you want to hear... But hope you had a good weekend, enjoying the report!

Hi DC Rider
I guess you're right, I didn't even get the satisfaction of going back to those guys and demanding my money back as I was a thousand miles away..

Live and learn

[Tiffany]

Early (ish) the next morning, we're heading out with Thelma's wheel. I didn't really have the money to get a new one- especially as this one had only been on six weeks, however, Justin had unearthed one that was buried in his pile of old but useable tyres in his backyard so we went to his place.



Harold gave a hand as well, I think my role at this point was providing the moral support



Justin's parrot Five Oh, came out to inspect the work




OK, I hadn't had a chance to brush my hair very well that morning, but I didn't think it was THAT bad, Five Oh had other ideas and whilst Justin was finishing off, the parrot was crawling around in my hair and quite happily making a nest in there- look closely below and you'll see him.



New tyre on and we were off- HUGE thanks to Justin for his help and for the tyre.

Harold and I were going riding, he led the way on his F800GS



we swapped bikes for a while



I think I got the better end of the deal, although it was a stretch to reach the ground



Oregon is a beautiful part of the world to ride in



We went through Fandango Canyon, heading south to Summer Lake. Eventually getting there quite late in the day..in fact it was dark and I couldn't see much. But we did manage to find Harold's family who had arrived earlier and set up camp, they had a fire going and dinner ready. We were at the hot springs at Summer Lake, and the air temperature was somewhat on the chilly side, my feet were cold so I headed to the bath house, luckily the kids had warned me about the sign they had seen above the hot pool- "Clothing Optional After 9pm"
The sight of a couple of naked middle-aged guys didn't deter me as I advanced in full bike gear to the edge of the pool, removed my bike boots and socks and warmed my feet in the water.

The next morning, in the beautiful sunshine we had a soak in the outdoor pool- I like the ones that are natural like this



Harold doing his best Jack Nicholson impression

[TwilightZone]

>"... now potentially be bears when I'm camping so remembering to take the tyre levers into my tent at night."

Bears can't use tire levers. They are perfectly safe outside.

[M1tch]

Originally Posted by TwilightZone

>"... now potentially be bears when I'm camping so remembering to take the tyre levers into my tent at night."

Bears can't use tire levers. They are perfectly safe outside.

so funny.. a bear with tyre levers

[macadamia]

So, how many miles does Thelma have on her now?

If you are ever in Southern California, look me up... I'll take you knicker shopping at Victoria's Secret. That way your knees will always stay warm!

[PaulG]

Just read all 17 pages....

Looks like another epic trip you have going there.... as inspirational as ever



BHT
x

[Tiffany]

Originally Posted by TwilightZone

>"... now potentially be bears when I'm camping so remembering to take the tyre levers into my tent at night."

Bears can't use tire levers. They are perfectly safe outside.

I like that one- even though you guys don't spell tyre properly...

[Tiffany]

Originally Posted by PaulG

Just read all 17 pages....

.. as inspirational as ever



BHT
x

So, another "busy" day at the office then Paul?

[Tiffany]

Originally Posted by macadamia

So, how many miles does Thelma have on her now?

If you are ever in Southern California, look me up... I'll take you knicker shopping at Victoria's Secret. That way your knees will always stay warm!

Thelma has 194,000 miles on her- and most of those have been bloody hard miles.

I'm not going to engage in an underwear discussion, suffice to say that Vic's Secrets would not run to the extra large, ultra decent cover the legs type stuff that I specialise in.

[Tiffany]

A final dip in the hot springs- this time trying out the indoor pool, and ensuring it was a clothing compulsory time slot



then out on the road again, through northern Oregon and into south eastern Washington where I lucked out big time with my camp spot - tucked away so no-one knew I was there, green grass and not one...




...but two snow-topped mountains to gaze at and admire




as I sat outside my tent drinking my morning cup of tea



One of those blissful moments when life is so good and it's great to be on the road (and no mountain lions or bears in the night either).
Time to take photos of flowers



and, once I hit the tarmac again, appreciate the humour (for me anyway) of the credit, debit or tribal option on the petrol pump