The backyard rides are the day rides I take in the area close to my house.  Rides where I leave in the morning, never too learly, and come back in the afternoon. They are what I call practice runs.  I test bikes and equipment during these day rides. I also these rides to practice my skills and develop endurance at the beginning of each season.

Eugene is located in a privileged area. You can go anywhere around here. To the beach:

To the Cascades:

To the Oregon Coast Range

All of this with almost no traffic to get there and back.

I bought the BMW F650GS Dakar new in March 2006.  Here it is as it was being taken out of the palette and being prepped for delivery at the BMW shop.

Soon I was riding everywhere in the “backyard”, getting reacquainted with the feeling of riding a motorcycle.  It had been several years since I had ridden my last motorcycle.  Got the gear (suit, helmet, gloves and boots) and went out to discover my area with riders I met at the local BMW dealer.

It was good that I practiced, I had to get ready! I was going to embark on a great adventure in June 2006. I was invited to join a group of experienced rides based in Bend, Oregon, and with them reach the Steens in SouthEast Oregon and the Black Rock desert in Gerlach, Nevada, performing a Giant Loop, returning home via California.

Cesar, March to June 2006