I live in Bend, Oregon and was heading over the Cascade Mountains (Santiam Pass) this afternoon hoping to get back into Willamette Valley before bad weather set in for the next week. Left sunny Bend with the temperature at 56 degrees. The pass, 40 miles away, was 34 degrees & snowing when I got there. Nothing sticking but cold & wet. 12 miles later while heading down the westside of the Cascades, near Santiam Junction, I hydroplaned, did three or four tank slappers before regaining control. I was doing about 45mph but never left the road but it was close. I slowed down to 35-40mph as I continued toward Eugene (Home of the Oregon Ducks). The temperature is now 38-40 degrees and it is raining hard. It was raining like a cow peeing on a flat rock. I go another 10 miles or so, constantly looking for standing water.
In a curve, I hydroplane again but this time there is no saving it. Slid the Dragon sideways off the road on to the gravel shoulder. I get stopped with the back tires on the gravel and the front tire on the pavement. I think I saw Jesus on that one. Drove the bike now at 25-30mph all the way (about 45 miles) to Springfield just outside Eugene. I stop and call my brother to bring me a trailer for the remaining 80 miles to my destination. I'm cold, wet and not prepared for the weather I encountered. This is Oregon in the spring and I know better. I also inspect my rear tires when I get to my destination. After 57,000 miles of triking, they need to be replaced.
I should have checked those before now. Luckily, I had just replaced my front tire the day before. Three things combined to nearly end my riding forever. 1st - Poor weather I wasn't prepared for; 2nd - Rear tires in poor condition; and 3rd - an ego that told me to continue even though I know better. Now, everone, in unison, can you say "Dumb-ass".
In a curve, I hydroplane again but this time there is no saving it. Slid the Dragon sideways off the road on to the gravel shoulder. I get stopped with the back tires on the gravel and the front tire on the pavement. I think I saw Jesus on that one. Drove the bike now at 25-30mph all the way (about 45 miles) to Springfield just outside Eugene. I stop and call my brother to bring me a trailer for the remaining 80 miles to my destination. I'm cold, wet and not prepared for the weather I encountered. This is Oregon in the spring and I know better. I also inspect my rear tires when I get to my destination. After 57,000 miles of triking, they need to be replaced.
I should have checked those before now. Luckily, I had just replaced my front tire the day before. Three things combined to nearly end my riding forever. 1st - Poor weather I wasn't prepared for; 2nd - Rear tires in poor condition; and 3rd - an ego that told me to continue even though I know better. Now, everone, in unison, can you say "Dumb-ass".