Date:         Sat, 25 Aug 2007 20:13:40 -0700
Reply-To:     Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Subject:      Another great Van road excursion..Northwest USA.
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  We left the Columbia River Gorge on Friday afternoon, heading for Crystal
Mountain Ski area near Mt Ranieer for a bicycle race.  Crystal is about
125(guessing) miles north of the Hood River, Oregon area, but there aren't
any direct (paved) roads.  Either into Portland and north or Northeast and
then west through Yakima, if you want pavement.  There is a convoluted route
through National forest and old logging roads, but we opted for Yakima, to
be sure to arrive by the 11:00am starting time of the bike hillclimb with a
good nights sleep behind us.
  Heading into Ranieer Nat. Park just before dark, we started poking into
Forest Service side roads, looking for an informal campsite, since we just
wanted sleep and quiet..Found a great one on the American River.  I found
reason to test out my "new" screen set-up.  A couple of pieces of nylon
screen cut to size for the sliders, mounted (on the outside)  with some of
my magnets, of course.  Worked perfectly, and they roll up under the bed
taking no room.
 It was also great to have my low low gear (from a diesel 5sp) and the small
size of the van to not really worry about side roads.  I will say, Daryll
will be seeing me soon for a limited slip in my van, because again I had
marginal traction backing out of a not very steep site, on dry pine needles
yet.
  The bikes rode perfect on the back hatch on a Yakima rack.  We did one
tank at 23.4 mpg and one at 25.3, hot desert and mountain driving..The more
I run the little 1.8liter inline 4, the more I like it.  Just perfect for
trips like this...
  It turns out we did good by electing to NOT use the direct but back road
route...One of the connection roads inside Ranieer Park is closed, and we
would have had a big detour around the mountain to get to the race at
Crystal Mountain..(on the NE side of Ranieer)
  Again, at the bike race while getting geared up and warming up, I got
compliments on the Vanagon..People almost do the "forehead smack" when they
see how we work it at an event.....They seem to say...Jeeze, why don't I
have one a those, too?
  Anyway, about 600 miles in two days, with a comfortable overnight camping
episode and some beautiful new scenery.  A couple of tanks of fuel and the
entry fee for the race was our only expense..
   The race?  Very tough!  About 1600' of elevation gain in 6 miles, done at
near half an hour's pace...I hope...Didn't stay to wait out all the results,
since I got to ride near the start of 100 some riders..
  Ciao.
   Don Hanson