August 26: Back on the Baby!

I’d by lying if I said I hadn’t missed the raw power of my Harley’s Milwaukie Eight engine, the roar it makes when I accelerate from a stop, the ease with which its low center of gravity allows it to handle corners, or the lounge like comfort its cushioned seat provides. It’s been two and a half months since I was able to ride this bike and I am so glad to be back in the saddle!

It was a little strange getting on the Baby this morning to head north. Having been on a different bike all summer, I’ve been used to sitting up much higher and perching on the seat, kind of like one would do on a barstool at a tall counter. When I swung my leg over the seat of the Baby this morning I didn’t even need to stretch! Although the bike was much heavier, I felt so much more centered because I could bend both knees with my feet flat on the ground.

Heading up the 205 to meet my good friend Grant Myers is Washougal, I felt like I was getting reacquainted with the bike – remembering how to use the turn signals, adjusting my feet on the floorboards, leaning back on the seat, and shifting with my legs in front of me instead of under me.

As we headed east on highway 14, I could feel my body begin to mold to the bike, my muscles relaxing as everything started to become more familiar again. I smiled and laughed with joy as I picked up speed, leaned into the corners, felt the wind in my face, and enjoyed the warm sun on my back.

Although there was a rather thick haze in the air, it could not hide the beautiful views of the sheer brown and orange cliffs to my left, the amber colored rolling hills in front of me, and the vast blue stretches of the Columbia River to my right.

As we swooped around one curve after another, barreled through a variety of tunnels, and rode up and over rivers and lakes, I was comforted by the familiar sights of the Gorge. Although I would not give up even one day of my experiences on the road this summer, I am also thrilled beyond belief to be able to explore my old stomping grounds.

Grant and I stopped for lunch at the Honkey Tonk Bar and Grill in Goldendale, enjoying delicious burgers made from locally raised cows. The meat was moist and flavorful, and I loved the caramelized onions mine was accompanied by. What a great day on the bike!