Spud Run - 2002 - Part 1

As I sit down to try to capture the events of the last week and a half, I'm almost overwhelmed by the camaraderie and friendships that have begun and been rekindled. VXers are a unique and wonderful group of people and our first Spud Run has been so special that words will hardly describe the great times we've had. For me, the adventures started a week before the Spud Run began. Rick B., Duncan and Mike R. made arrangements to meet me on Saturday the 18th in Philomath (say fill-O-muth) OR for the Antique Motorcycle Swap Meet and Show and ride back to Idaho starting Monday. I left the Rockin' Rottie on Friday morning on the SV650 (first long distance trip on the bike), with an overnighter planned in Bend OR. As I looked at the cloud of dust in my rear view mirror heading up the driveway, I wondered what the next week and next 1000+/- miles would have in store for us. The ride was uneventful thankfully, transitioning from a colorful spring high desert of southern Idaho and eastern Oregon, to sparse evergreens, then cool, pine shrouded foggy mountain passes of western Oregon. I met Rick at the Galaxy Motel in Philomath, just out of Corvallis on Saturday morning...it had been about nine months since I'd seen our resident List Curmudgeon, and it was really a treat and catch up over a hot cup of coffee or three.

Rick and I walked the 4 mile one-way trip to the fairgrounds to watch the set up for the event that was scheduled for Sunday. Old bikes of every denomination started slowly filing in the fair grounds after the riders enjoyed a rally ride around the area. The Ariel Square 4 parked in the shade first caught our eyes, a closer inspection proved that the restoration was apparently flawless....a truly beautiful testament to motorcycle technology of the mid twentieth century. Boxes of old bike parts here, old rusting Honda chassis and motor parts there...it was just as a bike swap meet and show should be. We'd left a note for Duncan who was to meet us at the fairgrounds, but there was no sign of him as we walked the four miles back to the Galaxy Motel.

When we arrived an hour later, we read Duncan's note indicating that he had indeed tried to find us, but apparently was one step behind us at the fairgrounds. He was getting comfortable riding Elaine (that's Mike's 90 VX, folks!) and would catch up with us later. That evening while Rick and I were outside enjoying a smoke, Duncan pulled into our parking area, with the Vampire exhaust putt, putt, putting....big smiles and back pats ensued...it had been well over a year since I'd first met Duncan, even before his monumental east to west coast initiation ride on his black VX. As always, Duncan was full of jokes and just plain-old fun to be around. So we were wondering what was Mike up to...well, he was trying to wrap up loose ends with real work and some final maintenance with his new-to-him purple VX...and we'd see him on Sunday. That evening Rick, Duncan and I rode to the top of Mary's Peak, a 50 mile round trip from Philomath. Today the peak was in the clouds, and we were unable to see Mt. St Helens, Hood, Ranier and countless other dormant volcanoes normally visible. We didn't stick around very long...the skies were threatening to pour upon us, and the temps were a bit cooler than comfortable. By the time we reached Philomath, the clouds DID open up and we and the streets were slick with fresh mid-May Oregon rain. It was good to get back to the hotel and shake off the riding gear.

That evening the three of us walked to Philomath's finest Mexican restaurant and enjoyed our first good meal and Duncan waitress-flirtation; many more would ensue. Duncan was staying at Mike's house in Eugene and headed back south to meet up with Mike. Rick and I had warned each other about our reported (by our spouses of course) snoring habits, so as we said goodnight we found another use for those motorcycle ear plugs...ahhh, the things we do for a good night's sleep.

The next morning we grabbed a quick muffin and decided to head to the REAL show, the antique bikes on display. Not up for another 8 mile walk and with skies again threatening, we jumped aboard the SV for a ride to the fairgrounds. Rick was an excellent pillion, holding on descretely while we ripped the SV up the highway to the fairgrounds. The indoor show was fantastic, with the center stage being a host of beautifully restored Triumphs. Again, we were treated to breathtaking restored and original bikes from all eras and countries (ever see a mint wankle-powered '76 Hercules?)...Duncan and Mike were to meet us there, but after three hours or so with no sign of them, we rode off for lunch and back to the Galaxy to wait for them.