choco

Just got a call from Suzanne at Red Lion Inn in Bend, time to get those reservations locked down, coming up to the time where they will be looking to rent rooms to others if VFRD Block is not all filled. Also, see T-shirt thread.

I've sent t t shirt graphics to Rob he is going to help me post them any hour now hope you all like!

The graphics are nearly done, expect to see something here in no more than two weeks. Hope you like, have a design for front and back, no sponsors names this time. I was thinking of mailing out the shirts to those who really want them once I get orders. That's not typical, but I thought a lot of you would like to wear them on your way to Hood River. I will check out prices to see if it's practical, if not, they will be shipped to Hood River. I'm excited for the riding as I've ridden most of the roads on the maps on the first posts. I think if the weather is good, everybody is going to love the roads and scenery. Stay tuned

Good answers, natural fabrics and quality graphics it is.

Just checked the three hotel reservations, about 8 of the 15 or so rooms are now booked; the ones left at Best Western in Hood River or mostly two queen beds per room. Getting the T shirt and logo design as soon as possible. I've set up a Pay Pal account. My question is this, I'd like to make some very cool multi-color shirts and silk screen them. This is more money than the new digitial laser transfer system, but they look more vivid and last longer. Are people willing to pay more for a very cool shirt?

Got my guy working on t shirt and logo I think it will be cool stay tuned I'm off all next week so I will get things rolling

I called the Bridge, the names are now under VFRD, sorry for the oversight. If any more problems, use my name. Lee Anderson from Duvall, WA

Please post up if you are fairly certain you are in. 1. Choco 2. Axel_7 3. DfnsMn69 4. jimbob 5. MaxSwell 6. Willy 7. Veefer800Canuck 8. jviffer 9. Didit

We're gonna stay at the Red Lion in Bend Friday 25 and Saturday 26. All rooms on ground floor and they supply motorcycle wipe down rags. It's less than a year away, get ready!!! More details later. All block rooms under VFRD.

Just a little reminder of our Corp association with Best Western. I'll be looking for rooms in which ever town we land. Collecting points for free nights and can get swag for your event based on demonstrating night stays and such. Keep me posted and if you want, I can put in a request for sponsorship. She told me Fall is the best time to request, as that's when they plan for the coming year. Just a little update. I have moved the dates up one day. The first day will be WEDNESDAY at Hood River's Best Western. I've booked 15 rooms, 10 with two beds, five single beds with options of moving in a cot. Thursday we will stay at the Bridge Motel in Baker City. Friday and Saturday we will be in Bend. and I'm still talking to the sales reps in Bend, it's coming down to the Phoenix or Red Lion. I think I prefer the Phoenix. We just stayed there, very nice and is set for a major renovation that will be complete by next July. Rooms will be $199 per night, for Friday and Saturday. The Phoenix is right in the downtown core. The second choice is the Red Lion. Still waiting to talk to their sales person. This Motel is a bit farther from the downtown core, a few bucks cheaper so I'll get back to you. Stay tuned. I'm booking 15 rooms and expecting between 20 and 35 riders. We have a whole year to book vacation and save up. I've moved the date up one day because I'm seriously contemplating attending Laguna's MotoGP this year and want to allow Sunday, Monday and Tuesday for time to travel to Hood River after the race. MotoGP race or not, I think it's better to plan the rally starting Wednesday which puts us in Bend for Friday and Saturday and on our way home on Sunday.

I'm also looking at the McMenamin's St Francis Hotel in Downtown Bend. These rooms are full service, bathrooms, WIFI, etc. Price is comparable if not a bit cheaper than the Phoenix. These Hotels are a block from each other. Hope you can make it Cogs and Tony. Now to get Jeff a new/old VFR

Thanks Rob, For those viewing maps, make sure you click on "Full Size."

This is a preliminary agenda for the PNW 2014 Oregon Trail VFRD ride. This event will be a little different than usual in that we will travel from town to town. A friend and I recently finished this ride, or at least most parts or it and I am fairly certain you will love the rides and the towns. The Dates will be from Wednesday July 23 through Saturday Sunday July 26th. This is two weeks after the Hells Canyon Rally that we attended this year. Note Laguna MotoGP has been cancelled. Day one Wednesday 23rd we meet in Hood River, Ore. Lodging most likely at Best Western. Sales rep is Kathleen phone: 800-828-7873 booking under the name VFRD. NOTE: Kathleen asked us to use this 800 number from now on. http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/US/OR/Hood-River-hotels/BEST-WESTERN-PLUS-Hood-River-Inn/Hotel-Overview.do?propertyCode=38121 I recently talked with a friend who went to a wedding there and said it's very nice and has a view of the Columbia River and is easy walking distance to town. Second Choice is the Columbia River Gorge Hotel, an old classic, very nice Hotel with landscaped grounds and a river view. It's only second choice because it's about $40 more per room or pushing close to $190. I'm thinking since it's a year out that we can put aside a cookie jar and save for it and go in style? http://columbiagorgehotel.com/ I am not booking this hotel, but it's here for your viewing. Friday morning we head east on scenic highway 30 through Rowena Curves and Mosier Loop. Many of you who attended the Troutdale, Edgefield meet in 2010 will remember the Rowena Curves. I will get the routes posted as soon as possible. This will take us to Heppner where we ride perhaps the finest road I have ever experienced to Ukiah, then on to Granite, Sumpter and Baker City. in all this is about 150 miles of motorcycle nirvana. See routes below. We have 15 rooms, split between single and double beds, at the Bridge Street Motel, two blocks to downtown Baker City and across the street from a Chevron Station and pretty much the junction of the roads in and out of town. http://www.bridgestreetinn.net/ These rooms are fairly inexpensive, $50 to $60 bucks and we can park our bikes right out front and this brings our lodging average down a bit. Saturday morning we head south and immediately ride the Little Dragon, 188 curves in 16 miles. This road is a blast and is a nice meandering secluded road, very good pavement and banking through ponderosa pines. Then we head west through some secluded beautiful country to Bend, see route maps. We will stay two nights in Bend and be staying at the Red Lion Inn. Phone is 541-382-7011 Ask for Susanne. The block of 15 rooms is under VFRD. http://www.redlion.com/our-hotels/oregon/bend/ We arrive in Bend on Friday, the town will be hopping and Saturday we ride a most amazing roads thru Sisters and the McKenzine Highway, a road so twisty they do not allow trailers on it. I've ridden it before and you must experience it. I call it the Twisted Sisters, again, as with most Oregon roads, very scenic and remote, good engineering and pavement. This will be a feature ride and we will return to Bend after circling the Three Sisters and Mt. Bachelor. We will have a wrap up party Saturday evening. All three towns, Hood River, Baker City and Bend are very scenic and have many great restaurants, shops, and, of course, brew pubs. After the rally "officially" ends in Bend, riders can head north through Detroit to Edgefield, a very nice remote twisty road, with tall trees lining the edges and stay or stop over at McMenamins again or not. Others may want to ride west to the Oregon Coast and then head north or south. South-bound riders may want to head directly for Crater Lake. I had three things in mind when planning this rally keeping in mind that people are on vacation and do not always want a hectic schedule. 1. excellent riding through scenic country, remote roads, little traffic. 2. reasonable distances so people can get up and get going on their own schedule, have time to stop for whatever reasons, and still have plenty of time to check in, shower and explore the towns. 3. excellent destinations: Hood River, Baker City and Bend are very scenic, fun towns with lot's of shops, restaurants, brew pubs etc. I wanted to consider that we have wives and girlfriends on these rides and wanted the destinations to appeal to everyone. I wanted people to have time to stroll downtown and not feel rushed. That's all for now. Stay tuned.

Ok, I try it later.

Hey Miguel, As I mentioned to you a long time ago, I'm computer challenged at times. I see you've posted easy to follow instructions, but I still failed. I discovered there is a NEW Google Maps format. I clicked on directions and they only supply two entries, I don't see how to "add a destination." I am organizing the 2014 PNW "Oregon Trail" event and would like to post each day's ride with a map and discussion of the length, features and destinations, etc. I'm going to change it up this year. I just came back from an Oregon ride, 1,300 miles and much of it was to scout out the 2014 trip. It looks to be a doozy. I found the best road ever, 140 miles of VFR Nirvana, from Heppner, Ore, to Ukiah, to Sumpter and then into Baker City. Here's how it's looking. First night in Hood River, Second night in Baker City third and fourth nights in Bend. The roads and towns will more than meet expectations, weather providing. Looking at mid to late July, as the days are long and the weather has been historically good. Anyway, I need to figure out how to post maps, have a look at the new Google Maps format and see if it still applies to your instructions and I'll try again. BTW I find Bing maps works better than Google at times, not sure why, but what's the process for imbedding Bing maps? Lee

So found Rick's online. Stator is $160, RR $150. Are they better than OEM? Any thoughts. Also, their information says "Ricks Design eliminates the use of the OE black wire. Anybody have any experience with Rick's products?

Good tips, I'm thinking of changing mine at 63,000 miles.