The Cycle Barn Women's Motorcycle Club, internally known as the Vixens, had a spectacular ride around Washington State this past Memorial Day weekend.

Participants were:

- Wanda, our intrepid leader, on her Heritage Softail

- Denita, frequent rider in drag position, on her Triumph Tiger 955i

and

- Elsa, your humble chronicler of events, on Layla, the Shadow VLX Diva Deluxe (with new custom airbrushing)

The theme of the ride, which didn't become apparent until after the first day, is Vistas. My buddy David Wilcox put it best:

But you made the climb up to the crest
Seeing it all ahead of the rest
And your expression showed the wonder of the place
Looking westward with the sunlight on your face

At the wide open vista
At the wide open sweet someday
Climbing over the ridge top
To finally see the view
That none of us ever have known
Crossing over to home


Day One: Maple Valley to Cougar
We met at the Starbucks in Maple Valley, and wound our way down the back roads. Traffic wasn't too bad, and yes, it was raining on and off. Sprinkling, really, nothing to worry about. Some of the best and worst road this day was around Lake Kapowsin; curvy, with beautiful scenery, but lots of gravelly spots and heaving (the road, not us. We were feeling fine). Lunch was in Morton at a café with a nice waitress.

We did a bit of I-5 out of necessity, since the back roads around Mt. St. Helens were still closed. It didn't kill us, but it was boring. We arrived at our motel in Cougar, where we shared a cute cabin next to the highway. We had a good, long conversation that night, like only chicks can. We decided right then that this ride is on the calendar for next year. The first day was a little long, so we might reapportion the mileage, but it’s a go.

Today's memorable vista: Alder Dam, and the road between the dam and the lake. Lush green forest on both sides, with steep drop off to the right. Smell of pine. Cool, damp air. Mmmmm.

Day Two: Cougar to Goldendale
Well, this was supposed to be our short day, but it turned out to be the longest. We woke up to Denita's rear tire, flat. She added air at the nearby gas station, and checked for a leak (thanks, other bikers, for helping), but couldn't see one. We decided to air up and hope for the best, as we were nowhere near anyplace that could find a Triumph tire.

Talk about vistas. The pass between Cougar and Carson is one of the most beautiful places I've ever ridden. Yes, some of the road is a bit rough, but usually well marked. Like any heavenly curved piece of pavement, you just have to be alert and ride smart. We did, and man, was this an incredible sight. We rode through hot summer forest, smelling of pine and blackberries, We rode in bright sun through tree-lined curves with snow on the sides of the road. The view of Mt. St. Helens was a little tough to see as we headed away from it, but had we stopped, I guarantee we would have stared for a good long while. We saw a nice half-decomposed deer carcass in the ditch.

Once in Carson, on the bluff above the Columbia River, we checked Denita's air pressure, and she was down by half. Yikes! A guy said he could plug it (I know, not recommended, but when you're in BFE, you do what you can). Turns out he had better intentions than he had tools. His place was a little scary, so Wanda stayed outside the shop in case it was really the Bates Motel. we thanked him and decided to fill up, try some Fix-a-Flat, and limp our way to Goldendale. Lunch in Bingen (they say "bin-jin") was good, though it was very hot outside and that sort of zapped us. Elsa took off to visit a friend in The Dalles, while Denita and Wanda headed for Goldendale to see what was what. They arrived just in time to find the Goodyear shop open. The tire was plugged, the guy wouldn't take any money, and the trip was saved. (Of course, the tire was replaced ASAP when Denita got home. The Vixens don't condone riding on a plugged tubeless tire!)

Dinner was at Sodbusters, where the seventies décor was alive and well. In fact, they had the Bee-Gees on the sound system. Then we heard Chuck Mangione’s “Feels So Good”. When Denita and Elsa headed to dessert at the DQ, they were treated to more 70s music: Seasons in the Sun. I Feel Love. Slow Dancing (Swaying to the music). It was 1976 all over again in Goldendale.

Memorable vistas: the first winding approach to the Gorge and then realizing we were finally in it. Columnar basalt walls and deep blue water sped by in the afternoon heat. Swallows dipped and dived, catching bugs. Coming into Goldendale, where the hills roll and open out to pastureland, we rode through a squall and saw lightning in the distance on two sides, both east and west. The sunlight against the gun-metal gray clouds was spectacular.

Day Three: Goldendale to Cashmere
Suited up for rain. Good thing. We got some. Nothing heavy, but nothing we'd want to ride through in our leather. The sky was misty enough to reduce visibility to about a half mile for the morning part of the ride.

This day was characterized by shifting skies and shifting energies. After the heat of the Gorge, the calm, cool air of the Yakama Reservation was welcome. And let's just say that riding through that place opened up our minds and spirits to The Present Moment, each in our own way. There was a lot of power to be acknowledged. We saw eagles, magpies, crows, ravens, blue herons, and red-winged blackbirds.

Then, shifting from the rez to the valley, we rode down a winding hillside filled with the smell of sage and rain. We gassed up in Toppenish, while being chatted up by a few native guys. A couple of them asked to ride our bikes, but we reminded them that our insurance companies might take issue. They were cool about it, and smiled. We looked for a Starbucks, needing to shift from the profound to the mundane, but there isn't one in Toppenish. I said I thought I remembered one in Union Gap. So we headed there.

Sure enough, Starbucks rose from the strip-mall confusion that is Union Gap like Arthur's sword from the lake. A quick right turn and we were sucking down our well-deserved caffeine and talking about the energy on the ride that morning. We searched town for the Thai restaurant that Wanda had eaten at before, but figured out that they were at the Farmer's Market. We ate there in the very hot afternoon, then saddled up for the curves du jour: the Canyon Road.

All was well, and we then headed over Blewett Pass, the only mountain pass that someone apparently sweeps ahead of time. That has got to be some of the cleanest, newest asphalt in the state. We stayed in Cashmere that night, and had a great meal at the Walnut Café, where special orders don't upset them. We tried to do the Aplets and Cotlets tour, but they were closed. We got some dessert at the quick mart and walked back to the motel. We watched The Cider House Rules and then crashed. The train is really loud, all night long, in Cashmere.

Vistas: Coming through the reservation on slow, winding turns that changed our perspective. Rolling down the hill to Toppenish, our arrival heralded by sage, swallows and ravens. The close walls of the canyon hiding each turn's destination, magpies with their decisive coloring and thievery. Blewett Pass, spread before us like an winding asphalt smorgasbord.

Day Four: Cashmere to Home
We saddled up and headed to the Leavenworth Starbucks for coffee and breakfast (we thought). They didn't have the yogurt parfaits or the fruit cups we had expected (come on, Howard, tell your folks we need our fruit cups!). After coffee, we stopped briefly at Elsa's sister's house to pick up her long johns (long story) and meet the family. Then we headed out the Chumstick, through Plain, and out to Highway 2. Breakfast was at the Squirrel Tree, as the 59'er Diner was closed. Service and food at the Squirrel Tree sucked, but the gal refilling the coffee was cool. I wouldn't have tipped at all, but she said they split tips, so I know at least some of it went to her. Then, after the worst meal of our trip (well, by my standards, anyway), we see the 59'er is open! They must have a non-competition agreement with the Squirrel Tree regarding breakfast. Whatever. Darn.

The last leg of the journey on Highway 2 was probably the worst, just because of the road frustration. Several drivers were being doofuses (doofi?) and driving discourteously. One guy, with a truck and a fifth-wheel trailer was particularly unaware of the conventions of driving, especially in regard to the holding up of 10 cars and the use of the slow-car turnout. He pulled off, but maintained his speed, so that only two bikes got ahead of him before he abruptly pulled out in front of yours truly. I hit it as soon as I could and passed him, but he was unpredictable and a bit antagonistic. A couple of other drivers needed gentle correction that we were unprepared to give, but we made it home just fine.

We got off Highway 2 in Sultan and took Ben Howard road around the south side of the valley. This is a pleasant road through farms and forest, and a much nicer alternative when SR2 is backed up. Wanda headed south to Cathcart, and Denita and I headed north back to 2. Then we two split off at Snohomish.

Vistas: The Chumstick highway is full of tight, blind corners and varying terrain. Stevens Pass was lovely on the west side, as you look out into the valley to your right. The fresh, cool air was a welcome relief.

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Another successful ride with challenges, thrills, and sheer pleasure. See you next year!