First congrats
to all who rode and THANK YOU to all who donated. KEEP IN MIND DONATIONS ARE STILL ACCEPTED for another 30-60 days or so? Plus merchandise!
Last year I registered with this group and rode (Sadly not a BSA) and I registered this year but didnt see this group or I would have lent support. I intended to ride a A65 BSA or the Norton Atlas but too many other issues going on,, life gets in the way.
Here is my take on things and a Portland Oregon ride report. (I will add photos next week).
We watched the weather closely, The PNW had the wettest/coldest Sept on record this year. Avg 1.5 inches of rain and this year nearly 5 inches. We also have snow in the hills at a surprising elevation and I live at the base of Mt Hood so halfway to the snow line. (My friend in Montana got 4 inches of snow at his place and sub freezing temps forecast for all this week!)
So, the weather service, Perpetual liars and cheats, Forecast rain for Friday & Saturday, but cloudy for Sunday So wife wanted to go to the cabin but I held out to stay for the ride. Saturday we got an epic storm and even a twister/tornado touched down as well as lightning strikes and monsoon rains.
Sunday AM Mrs Sluggo wakes me and says its raining buckets,, sleep in if you want. I did get up but got an email that they were considering delaying the 11 am start by an hour due to weather.
I did ride in bundled up in rain gear, Gave up on vintage and rode the Evo HD sportster as its steady and has crash bar. But roads were slicker than monkey Snot and was dicey all the way out of the hills into town.
I rode past the after party at the Jupiter Hotel (8th and SE Burnside) and saw a LOT of bikes and the street all blocked off,, rode to See See Coffee & MC shop and ride had already left. I knew the route so caught up partway thru. 335? registered,,, sadly few raised funds, About 200 showed up on bikes, no one knows how many rode yet,, but guessing about 100-125 rode. (Count me as 1/2) but many just rode over to the party instead.
A few people had minor crashes or slides,, one bike went down hard on a Manhole cover but crash bar saved the day. No one reported any injuries or serious damage. We have some industrial areas (lots of oil on the road) as well as trolley lines called "MAX" and those catch a lot of riders or slip on the rails..
There was only a few vintage bikes, most Asian,, I saw 1 HD pan, 2 Shovels, 1 Ironhead sporty. NO BSAs,, 1 Velocette, 1 OIF Triumph 750 and Cassie from TSS rode her 66-67 T100C so man up boys,, that girl rocks, and a vintage Duc, 2 Guzzis. 1 Norton Commando cafe,, Might have been more but thats what I saw.
There WAS some retro styled modern bikes, Several Enfields, and Urals with sidecars, and Triumph is a sponsor so LOTS of them, both retro style and sport bike and a few Adventure/Dual sports.
Locally there is not much push for vintage bikes on the ride but it works, But we get sponsorship from Ural of Portland, Triumph dealers and the Local HD dealer so the attitude from what I saw was just show up and ride.
PDX being PDX is ground zero for hipsters so its about style and a great vibe/party and many got to extreme lengths to dress up and put on a classy event. We got GREAT support from local radio stations and much free advertising. The 3 main people who organize are under 40 yrs old and to me represent the next generation of Bikers as well as community so I think they are great,, Unlike many of the clubs I am in with doddering old crazy guys bitching that young people dont care,, This is a very good endorsement for the future of motorcycles so Im on board. (Many clubs could learn some things from these youngsters)
MANY very attractive young ladies! I am impressed..!
I agree and try to shame/guilt/cajole others into not just registering but make sure you raise funds. I donated $40 myself despite near poverty right now,, And I got some great support from others including a great British bike shop in Calif donated $52! Known as CBS, or Classic British Spares, they are great and worth your support. See:
https://www.classicbritishspares.com/So, many people would have rode vintage, but left them at home because of weather, So I am okay with that. Also, the local organizers said they are going to ask the main org in Oz to see if we can move it up a few weeks earlier in Sept to accommodate many other rides that suffer from weather issues.
I snapped some pictures,, including some very attractive young ladies doing axe throwing. (A popular pastime now,, inexplicably) But we had some great vendors, from Ural, HD, Triumph, See See Coffee & MC, and a great new group of women riders called "The Torque Wenches" plus the axe throwing vendor and some others. We had a DJ, Raffle prizes that raised more money, Best dressed men and women and other contests. The Bar and restaurant was super posh and it was fun because many tourists including some from Japan and China were wondering WTH? Is going on as there was Motorcycles in the lobby and all these weirdos dressed up and carrying on. (Its a popular destination tourist hotel).
I need to download pix and resize to post here, but going to the cabin this weekend and will do so then and post next week. I thanked and chatted up the main local organizers, Chris & Jason and suggested as well a minimum donation scheme, as well as follow up group email blasts, Jason showed me someone has a excellent Drone and skills and filmed part of the ride crossing the downtown PDX Broadway bridge over the river. Movie quality. They said they will see about making the clip availible.
Ironically a helicopter was hovering overhead as well,, Nicholas Cage is filming a movie in Portland we believe it was the movie folks filming,, (Lots of TV shows and Movies film here.) However it might be the new TV show as well. See:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stumptown_(TV_series)
Here is 2 fellows from last years ride. Dump Truck was not there this year, He is a minor celebrity and paid commentator for Jack Daniels and other brands,, but the other fellow with the dark beard won best dressed this year. Also here is the same vendor as this year at last years event, the Axe throwing.
My profile:
https://www.gentlemansride.com/rider/DougTowsley181476Portland ride:
https://www.gentlemansride.com/rides/united+states/portland+or(last year I raised a lot more money in donations, I will do better next year)
