March 18: Meaningful Moments
What a meaningful day on so many levels – getting the adventure bike more dialed in for summer travel, enjoying mouth-watering barbacoa tacos at my favorite taco stand, testing my new bike out on dirt and gravel, and finally getting to see my brother after not being able to visit for so long. Woohoo!
Part of what’s so fun about getting an adventure bike is having the opportunity to learn about a whole new world of riding options and challenges. I’ve had to come up to speed on a variety of different and interesting issues – what protective equipment to add to the bike, how to assemble and attach luggage safely, and how to adapt the bike to my small stature so that I can effectively control the bike in the best possible manner.
As with any multi-faceted bike issue, it really is invaluable to have a reputable service department to work with. The crew at Bob Lanphere’s Beaverton Motorcycle really has gone above and beyond to get me road ready. Today when I came in to get handlebar guards installed, the service manager pointed out that my luggage needed to be set up closer to the front of the bike for optimum handling and safety. He drilled a hole in my rear rack so I could place my bags several inches closer to the seat and also helped me adjust my tank bag straps so there would be no friction with the handlebars. I’m so much looking forward to many epic adventures with bags that are properly installed.
After leaving the service department I headed over to La Pachanga in Aloha for the best tacos in the Portland area. Their barbacoa is marinated in a beef broth for over 24 hours before being placed on crispy, grilled corn tortilla shells and covered with creamy, slightly browned mozzarella cheese. The tacos come with a rich and flavorful side of consume that is perfect for dipping. I can see why the food truck has it’s name (“party” in Spanish) as my taste buds did a little dance with every bite.
After lunch I headed west on highway 26 past North Plains and Banks on my way to my brother’s home in Manning. It was delightful to breathe in the warm springlike air, watch the livestock grazing in the fields, and feel the sun on my back. From highway 26 I headed west on Hayward road, a dirt and gravel lane that had a variety of potholes, pockets of mud, and snow on the sides. It was exhilarating to get some practice in on the new bike on gravel while still enjoying beautiful views of the countryside and farms along the way.
I was so grateful to be able to spend time with my brother as he is on the mend from some significant health issues. He had been challenged with a weakened immune system and I had not been able to visit since before the holidays. It was wonderful to show him the new bike, enjoy the views of his beautiful property, and get caught up on the wonderful progress he is making with his health. What a meaningful day!
