June 13th we went down to Baker City to attend the Hell’s Canyon Motorcycle Rally. We left Friday morning before the birds started singing. My son and I took the motorcycle while my wife and daughter rode along in a chase car. There were three other bikes in the group and we put some of the excess gear in the truck. The weather was great which was good news. Just a few days before we left there was news of snow along the route to Baker City.
Instead of taking I84 all the way down there we turned off at Biggs and took the back roads instead. As the day went on the weather just kept getting better. It was really neat to ride among the gigantic wind turbines in the wind farms. It was humbling riding between the hills so close to them.
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The camp grounds was an RV park called
Mountain View RV Park. Their facilities were really nice. Showers and toilets were in great shape and the staff was friendly. Our camp site was located in the grass behind the toilet and shower building. The grass was really well kept and it felt great to kick off the boots while we put up tents. Once things were in place we took the complimentary shuttle bus downtown for dinner.
Saturday started off on a rough foot. One of our riders was not feeling well and decided he needed to be taken to the hospital to figure out what was going on. In the end, it turned out to be nothing too serious but it was bad enough he wouldn’t be able to ride for the rest of the trip. Arrangements were made for his bike and he rode in the chase car for the way home.
After getting him squared away we all went out exploring the various events that were going on in town. I wanted to spend some time with the family so I rode in the truck with them into town. We had a really good time meandering up and down Main Street looking at the bikes. There were a few vendor shops located near the beer garden by the Harley dealer but I was surprised there were so few of them. I did manage to pick up a few items for the bike though as well as a T-shirt for me and the boy. The family and I ate lunch at an excellent Mexican restaurant called El Erradero which I’d highly recommend if you’re ever in Baker City.
There were organized rides but after the long ride down none of us felt like participating. It was just as well though since we had a wonderful relaxing day just exploring town. My three year old even spotted a motorcycle she liked.
For the ride back we took our time getting out of Baker City and I pretty much rode alone while the wife followed with our sick rider and the kids some distance back. The two remaining bikes left earlier in the day as they wanted to push hard to get back early and see how good of time they could make. The ride was very pleasant and I stopped at a few view points on the way back to rest and take pictures.
All things considered, we are very excited about going again next year. It wasn’t a huge rally but it was a fun one all the same. Next time I hope to head down a day early so we are all resting up to do some riding in the various events they’ll have. Hell’s Canyon Motorcycle Rally was truly fun for the whole family.
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on Wednesday, June 25th, 2008 at 2:30 pm and is filed under Motorcycling.
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