The Tribe MC of Seattle

As reported by our Sofer Ned Porges 

“Ned, can’t you see it’s raining? I don’t get it. Here it is, eight o’clock Sunday morning, and you’re going motorcycle riding? (sigh) I just don’t get it!”

It was a light rain with foreboding clouds and light winds as I rode over the floating bridge to the Factoria Starbucks. Ever the optimist, my new rain togs were still in the trunk of the Pacific Coast. Pulling into the parking lot twenty minutes later, I see but two other bikes, Clive and Neil sitting under umbrellas, sipping coffee. High fives and grins all around. Where is Josh? Where is Jeff, Douggie D, Elaine, et al?

Do we go southwest to the Long Beach rodeo? How about north to the Concrete Fly-in?. We look up to see gray clouds rolling in from the west. Raindrops pelt down harder and bounce off the parking lot. If we go east over the mountains, it will be sunny, warm, and dry. No brainer. Despite the rain, consensus reigns. We alta-cockers pull on the rain suits. We’re riding east to Ellensburg and the “Jazz in the Valley Festival.”

At the freeway entrance and a quick stop at the Shell station, Neil phones his college student son in Ellensburg. “Sunny and warm” he says. Let’s ride!

Light traffic on I-90, Roadway is wet and we keep our speed down to the double-nickel. I flip my face shield up and then down to accommodate the patches of rain. Within fifteen minutes the road begins to reveal patches of dry concrete. Then a moment of sun peeks through. Led by the turn-signal-flashing Suzuki Boulevard, we arrive at the west summit and see scattered clouds in front of us. Seven or eight minutes later we are at the east summit and are greeted by blue skies, dry pavement, and warmer temperatures. Ned takes the lead on his white Honda anticipating the Roslyn exit that leads to state route 10.

Route 10 is a beautiful ride. Clive and Ned have been here before thanks to Jeff Kay. This is Neil’s and his Milwaukee Vibrator’s first time. River rafting on the right, canyon walls on the left, nothing but blue above, wind’s picking up, soothing warm air flows.

It’s noon. We pull into a parking lot on the main coming into Ellensburg. Neil’s son meets us there. Tall, handsome, youthful, gracious, (just like his dad.) With some distress, we wrestle off our rain gear. (Old bones don’t bend like they supposed to.) We head off towards old downtown, park the machines, and sit down in a booth at what appears to be a popular restaurant. Old-timey memorabilia hangs from the ceiling and a red, flying Pegasus Mobil Oil sign from yester-year, adorns the wall. Good food, conversation, camaraderie, feels great. Our party of four becomes three, “Nice meeting you guys. Gotta go study for a test.”

We three, now in 85 basking degrees, walk towards the sound of music in our t-shirts. Old brick buildings, galleries, town newspaper and a half city block parking lot fenced off, good music getting louder. On the corner is the ticket booth crowded with people and a sign indicating, “Sold Out.” We sit on a nearby park bench, pondering. A passing by woman suggests going to the entrance to ask exiting patrons for their pass. Ned smiles and walks off. Seven minutes later he returns victorious with three pin-on passes. We sit four rows from the front and are delighted by a big-band sound, featuring famed clarinetist Eddie Daniels. Before the 1 PM performance begins, Ned walks over to say hello to Eddie Daniels, Clive buys three cold waters, Neil chats and saves our seats. The festival director / bandleader makes the introductions and the foot tapping, finger popping, music begins. We three, a triumphant trio, sport three big grins.

A couple phone calls to our sig-others in Seattle indicate that the weather is overcast, with scattered clouds. Beguiled by the warmth in Ellensburg, we decide to ride west sans rain gear. The raising elevations nearing the passes, we stop along the freeway to put on an extra layer and with backs to traffic, make certain biological concessions.

Nearing Bellevue, Neil peels off first, then shortly thereafter, Clive. Ned continues over the 520. Under the overcast skies, Ned thinks, “…great guys, great weather, great ride! How could anyone not get it?”