What a trip so far! First, I have now been on the road for two weeks already, but leaving VG’s Donuts in Cardiff by the Sea seems like a year ago. I have now travelled over 3,000 miles (about 5,000 km) with many more to go!

Oregon and the Cascade Mountains

Let’s get the bad out of the way first. First, let talk challenges - the bike… 5 mechanical problems within the first 1,000 miles. Do you know the difference between a mechanical problem and a breakdown? A mechanical problem is a pain in the ass, but you can ride it to the dealer to get it repaired. A breakdown - you tow it! The mechanical problems included the following:

Speedometer stopped working
Right hand turn signals stopped working
Rear break light stopped working
Deer alert alarm vibrated loose
Cover for entire electrical systems blew off while riding

Three Harley dealerships later (Reno Nevada, Lindon Utah, and Twin Falls Idaho) all but the speedometer is back operational. The dealers did not have one in stock, but the good news the speedometer is now back working most of the time (who knows why?). Second, the weather. It went south most days after I hit Tahoe with the exception of my great ride from Bend Oregon to Seattle. I have gotten to know my rain gear and my cold weather gear real well over the past week.

How does 51 degrees fahrenheit (10 C) and 30 mile an hour winds sounds to you as you are sticking your head out the window of your car as you are doing 70 mph sound to you? I thought so!

Now for the good. Please don’t misunderstand me because I am having a total blast! Hopefully the pictures will help convey why I like this sport so much. It offers me a sense of freedom, the ability to gain a better appreciation for all that nature has to offer, the opportunity to meet some amazing people and it gives me a real sense of adventure. All of that, coupled with my Cruising for the Cure cause, what more can anyone want out of life?

Shaniko Oregon City Hall, the mayor was in Sunday morning
Probably the most surprising and amazing part of my journey so far has been the outpouring of kindness and generosity of people I have met along the way. In a very small town in Oregon called Madras I had two of the most amazing gestures of generosity while stopping in a McDonalds for coffee one morning. They both totally blew me away. A man and a woman separately approached me and handed me donation in support of Cruising for the Cure. I could tell that both of these kind people were not flush with cash, but they wanted to help the cause. The first took me so much by surprise that I did not to know what to say or do. When the women approached me, I was on the phone to Dubai and was once again blown away based upon her deed versus her own needs. In addition, while in Bellingham Washington, I received two more donations. I met a man named Ron at the hotel and a woman named Karen at AAA while getting maps. Ron is a life couch and Karen works at AAA. Both heard what I was doing and reached into their pockets to donate. To all of these great people all I can say is “Thank you” with a big tear in my eye and a huge lump in my throat… just ask Karen who is also a survivor! This trip is really restoring my faith in humanity!

What is next? Unfortunately, more bad weather, a lot more miles, a half frozen man, hopefully much more out pouring of generosity, and no doubt a ton more smiles from “Smiley”!

Until next week, “Ride On”!

Crossing the border from Washington to British Columbia