So I went for a ride the other day, but sadly without an FJ.

[FeralRdr]

Well unlike some of the other folks in the States, we've been having a relatively mild winter up in the Pacific NW.  The snow levels have been staying relatively high, only occasionally dropping below the 2000 ft. mark.  Even when it has snowed in the lower elevations, most of the snow has melted off due to the higher than average temps we've been seeing throughout the region.  As a result many roads that are normally snowed in are now open and clear.  For how long remains to be seen, as we could still get plenty of late season snow to close the area off again.  With that thought in mind, I decided yesterday, to see if one of my favorite routes was still open.

We call this the Cougar to Carson Loop:



https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=NE+Andresen+Rd&daddr=45.7622464,-122.5996489+to:45.7664284,-122.5283605+to:45.805733,-122.5268217+to:45.8684503,-122.420487+to:45.911092,-122.4468126+to:WA-503+N+to:Hwy+90+to:NF-90+to:Meadow+Creek+Rd%2FNF-30+to:Wind+River+Rd+to:WA-14+W&hl=en&ll=45.803914,-121.853485&spn=0.821401,2.113495&sll=45.699346,-122.484684&sspn=0.102868,0.264187&geocode=FTEPuQIdXT2x-A%3BFcZGugIdIEex-Cl_uFK8qbOVVDFwGxjyR-Ga_g%3BFRxXugIdmF2y-CmJjVyUcrSVVDFflQa_5aLhqA%3BFaXwugIdm2Oy-CkNjOT84LSVVDHh4TnY5W9uaQ%3BFaLluwId-QK0-CnbCb8CyjSUVDHTfoewZ8oq0Q%3BFTSMvAIdJJyz-CnhOK8xcTSUVDH2-4pJ2YRxTw%3BFbXavQId1tu0-A%3BFRnjvgId6AO6-A%3BFWPDvgIdbfG6-A%3BFWn1uwIdaMq6-A%3BFT6PuQIdHAq9-A%3BFSvbtwIdlgay-A&mra=dme&mrsp=0&sz=13&via=1,2,3,4,5&t=m&z=10

Many of my friends have been making this run for the past few weeks, but it has been hit or miss as to whether they could get through.  Though there hasn't been any snow up there for most of the past month, there occasionally has been lots of frost and/or black ice to make the run a little treacherous. 

To put this into perspective, this is what the road looked like at about this time last year (vic of CP C).


However yesterday, the road was just fine all the way through.  A little dirty in spots, and some of the pavement is in need of repair, but overall just fine.

Stopped off at the McClellan Viewpoint (just East of CP D):


And, grabbed a pic of Mt. St. Helens (SE side of the Mountain).


Typically for this time of year, the mountain and surrounding ridge lines are socked in with snow, as well as the above parking lot being inaccessible do to deep snow.

To give you an idea, these are from last March:





Bear in mind, there was absolutely no snow at the view point yesterday, and I only encountered a few small patches along the side of the road higher up during the whole ride.

Anyway, I continued on and decided to stop and get a few picts to relate what we really like about this road.

This is about the mid level of Old Man Pass (NW of CP E (in the squiggles)).




Overall, a great ride from CP A up to CP C.  However, once I passed CP C, the clouds moved in and it started to get real cold.  Since I was approaching the area where some of my friends were turning back due to frost/ice I backed off and eased on down the road.  I didn't really pick up the pace until after my above stop in Old Man Pass.  Unfortunately, it got even colder as I rode down into the town of Carson, and stayed that way almost all the way back to the Portland/Vancouver area. 

Still, it was great to get out.  I hope some of you can get a chance to ride this road if your ever passing through the SW Washington/Columbia River Gorge area.  The ride is incredible when it's warm and dry out.

[FJools]

That looks like a great ride with stunning roads and views.

Make the most of it, maybe winter will be late this time round.

[ribbert]

Why the blanked out licence plate? What is it you think the forum members will do that the thousands of motorists that see it every day won't?

Greats pics and roads, a great shame you can't ride them year round. Curly Creek Rd looks more like a section of GP circuit. It must have felt good sneaking in a Winter ride.

Noel

[FeralRdr]

Why the blanked out licence plate? What is it you think the forum members will do that the thousands of motorists that see it every day won't?

Greats pics and roads, a great shame you can't ride them year round. Curly Creek Rd looks more like a section of GP circuit. It must have felt good sneaking in a Winter ride.

Noel

As cold as it got on the ride, it definitely was great to get out; and being as how the weather is looking wet for the next week or so, I'm glad I did.

In regards to the License plate blanking, it's just a privacy issue for me.  In particular, I'm just choosing what info I share online.  I don't know about Australia, the U.K., Canada, or any other countries policies, but in the U. S., (though it is more difficult to do so now), it is still possible to get someone's address from their license plate through either legal or illegal methods.  No, I'm not worried about a Power Ranger Simian showing up and trying to paint the Ninja red and white, nor a Paladin of Polish trying to turn her into a silver bullet (though potentially fabulous, I find black very slimming; but I digress).  Further, unlike the 'thousands of motorists that see it every day' who are typically preoccupied with driving their own vehicle at the same time I'm riding my bike, there are many lurkers to online forums who may have agendas that may or may not be in my best interest.  I don't really lose sleep over that possibility, because if someone wants to really steal my bike bad enough, they will probably eventually get it.  Also, I'm not worried about any 'evidentiary' issues as my riding style tends to preclude anything more serious than a speeding ticket.  Of more concern to me is the issue of data gathering by online service providers such as Google, Bing, Facebook, etc.  Though many of these sites do provide incredibly useful services, I do get concerned with some of their data gathering practices.  Of particular concern is the use of pattern recognition technologies to scan images for faces and addresses in pictures.  Though they do mention using the technology to preclude displaying this information in such services as Google Maps' Street view, it doesn't mean that they aren't gathering any additional information from these scanned images to help provide a better services for all users. To be honest, I don't fully know what information online service collect.  Almost every privacy policy I've read says that they collect information such as: name, address, email, etc.  However, they don't specifically state every single item they collect.  Where as that may not be an issue for everyone, it is for me.

To be clear, these are my reasons for blanking my plate.  Others may feel differently, and that is their right to do so. 

[TexasDave]

I fully agree with your comments. Sadly that is the state of affairs in our society. It is even worse in Texas. The Texas Department of Transportation sells our drivers license information to marketing firms worldwide. This generates hundreds of thousands of dollars for the state. I think this should be a criminal offense but the legislators make the laws. The Dept of Motor Vehicles requires our SSN and a full set of finger prints so we get to feel like criminals when renewing our drivers license.That is when I decided the Texas drivers license was not for me. Even though I am a Texas resident I do not and will not have a drivers license from this state. I do have a drivers license however and it is even valid for motorcycles. Dave

[ZOA NOM]

Why the blanked out licence plate? What is it you think the forum members will do that the thousands of motorists that see it every day won't?

Greats pics and roads, a great shame you can't ride them year round. Curly Creek Rd looks more like a section of GP circuit. It must have felt good sneaking in a Winter ride.

Noel

As cold as it got on the ride, it definitely was great to get out; and being as how the weather is looking wet for the next week or so, I'm glad I did.

In regards to the License plate blanking, it's just a privacy issue for me.  In particular, I'm just choosing what info I share online.  I don't know about Australia, the U.K., Canada, or any other countries policies, but in the U. S., (though it is more difficult to do so now), it is still possible to get someone's address from their license plate through either legal or illegal methods.  No, I'm not worried about a Power Ranger Simian showing up and trying to paint the Ninja red and white, nor a Paladin of Polish trying to turn her into a silver bullet (though potentially fabulous, I find black very slimming; but I digress).  Further, unlike the 'thousands of motorists that see it every day' who are typically preoccupied with driving their own vehicle at the same time I'm riding my bike, there are many lurkers to online forums who may have agendas that may or may not be in my best interest.  I don't really lose sleep over that possibility, because if someone wants to really steal my bike bad enough, they will probably eventually get it.  Also, I'm not worried about any 'evidentiary' issues as my riding style tends to preclude anything more serious than a speeding ticket.  Of more concern to me is the issue of data gathering by online service providers such as Google, Bing, Facebook, etc.  Though many of these sites do provide incredibly useful services, I do get concerned with some of their data gathering practices.  Of particular concern is the use of pattern recognition technologies to scan images for faces and addresses in pictures.  Though they do mention using the technology to preclude displaying this information in such services as Google Maps' Street view, it doesn't mean that they aren't gathering any additional information from these scanned images to help provide a better services for all users. To be honest, I don't fully know what information online service collect.  Almost every privacy policy I've read says that they collect information such as: name, address, email, etc.  However, they don't specifically state every single item they collect.  Where as that may not be an issue for everyone, it is for me.

To be clear, these are my reasons for blanking my plate.  Others may feel differently, and that is their right to do so. 

First cogent and reasonable response to this issue that I've read. Food for thought, as I have always wondered the same thing about blanking the plates online when so many can see it out and about. I hate the digital world.

[FJmonkey]

No, I'm not worried about a Power Ranger Simian showing up and trying to paint the Ninja red and white

I had not thought about an aggressive approach to converting the world of bikes to Red and White. Thanks for the new idea. Now I need to win the lottery to fund my world domination to Red and White bikes. I will accept Red and Silver, they look good as well... All others beware, I will win the lottery some day.... 

[Capn Ron]

Why the blanked out licence plate? What is it you think the forum members will do that the thousands of motorists that see it every day won't?

Greats pics and roads, a great shame you can't ride them year round. Curly Creek Rd looks more like a section of GP circuit. It must have felt good sneaking in a Winter ride.

Noel

As cold as it got on the ride, it definitely was great to get out; and being as how the weather is looking wet for the next week or so, I'm glad I did.

In regards to the License plate blanking, it's just a privacy issue for me.  In particular, I'm just choosing what info I share online.  I don't know about Australia, the U.K., Canada, or any other countries policies, but in the U. S., (though it is more difficult to do so now), it is still possible to get someone's address from their license plate through either legal or illegal methods.  No, I'm not worried about a Power Ranger Simian showing up and trying to paint the Ninja red and white, nor a Paladin of Polish trying to turn her into a silver bullet (though potentially fabulous, I find black very slimming; but I digress).  Further, unlike the 'thousands of motorists that see it every day' who are typically preoccupied with driving their own vehicle at the same time I'm riding my bike, there are many lurkers to online forums who may have agendas that may or may not be in my best interest.  I don't really lose sleep over that possibility, because if someone wants to really steal my bike bad enough, they will probably eventually get it.  Also, I'm not worried about any 'evidentiary' issues as my riding style tends to preclude anything more serious than a speeding ticket.  Of more concern to me is the issue of data gathering by online service providers such as Google, Bing, Facebook, etc.  Though many of these sites do provide incredibly useful services, I do get concerned with some of their data gathering practices.  Of particular concern is the use of pattern recognition technologies to scan images for faces and addresses in pictures.  Though they do mention using the technology to preclude displaying this information in such services as Google Maps' Street view, it doesn't mean that they aren't gathering any additional information from these scanned images to help provide a better services for all users. To be honest, I don't fully know what information online service collect.  Almost every privacy policy I've read says that they collect information such as: name, address, email, etc.  However, they don't specifically state every single item they collect.  Where as that may not be an issue for everyone, it is for me.

To be clear, these are my reasons for blanking my plate.  Others may feel differently, and that is their right to do so.  

As obvious as I thought this was to most folks, I'm glad you spelled it out.  I'm not a felon...I'm not a fugitive...I'm not even a guy who has peeved an ex-girlfriend to the point of worrying about.  I AM however, someone who has had his financial identity stolen three times.    Trust me, it sucks.

It's a brutal hole to dig yourself out of (the first one took years!!!) and in EACH case it was simply a matter of someone collecting enough bits of info to put together a profile of who you are.  Name, address, previous addresses, social security number, employer, previous employers, DOB, driver's license number, license plate numbers, mother's maiden name, any of my full account numbers for various banks or credit issuing organizations, a legible signature, bank routing number on a check and so on and so on.  In each identity theft case I had to deal with it was only a matter of getting about three of the above and they were in.

As in most scenarios, you don't need to lock yourself down like a madman, you just need to make yourself less of a target than those who think I'm silly for dropping bank statements into a cross-cut shredder...instead of the outgoing trash can next to the shredder.  In the end, you're just reducing the amount of easily obtained personal information that's "out there" for someone to steal.  It's the same reason you lock the doors on your car with a click of a remote as you walk away from it in a parking lot.  It's THAT easy and you can REST easy.

Since I adopted some basic personal security/privacy practices, I haven't had an identity theft issue in twenty years.  And I sleep well!  

[Capn Ron]

This is about the mid level of Old Man Pass (NW of CP E (in the squiggles)).



Still, it was great to get out.  I hope some of you can get a chance to ride this road if your ever passing through the SW Washington/Columbia River Gorge area.  The ride is incredible when it's warm and dry out.

That was my favorite pic of your ride report!  MAN just look at that ROAD!   

I do get up into Oregon on the FJ from time to time and this loop is now on my list...Thanks for sharing the ride!

[ribbert]

Why the blanked out licence plate?
Noel

In regards to the License plate blanking, it's just a privacy issue for me. 

Thanks for explaining that. Obtaining that information here is very difficult, even for criminals and it is a dismissable offence, with charges, for any Police officer to pass it on. As there is little to be gained financially from this information no one pursues it and it is of little interest to criminals.

I have on several occasions wanted this information and have contacts with access to it that I felt sure, when aware of why I needed it, would pass it on, NO WAY.
Happy to turn up in uniform in a Police car and "pass on a message" on what was essentially a private matter, but no way would they give me an address.

I understand Identity theft is a huge problem and anything you can do to minimise the risk is worth it. Personally, I don't worry about it, my identity isn't worth stealing.  but in Australia registration numbers are not really an issue in that regard.
Most attempts at obtaining that information here are as harmless as someone wanting an address to go and beat up the guy that cut them off in the traffic.

Privacy laws here are very strict.

I do appreciate you taking the time to explain the reason, I asked the same question a few years ago and the answer that came back was "fuck off, it's none of you business"
While he was technically correct, I prefer you answer.

There are many great things about the era in which we live but some very sad ones too.

Anyway, sounds like you had a great ride and ain't that what it's all about.

Noel

[FeralRdr]

Your Welcome Noel, and thanks for raising a great topic.   

I believe that the 'Blanking' issue is always worthy of discussion.  Sadly, it can often turn into a judgmental tit-for-tat of "what are you trying to hide" vs. "none of your damn business".  I've always been willing to share my reasoning; not to justify anything, but to share some of my concerns.  I'm not saying that my issues should be anyone else's.  I would however, hope that people consider my reasons and decide for themselves whether it's something that might be a concern for them.  Regardless, I always extend the courtesy to others bikes in my pictures.  Even if it isn't a concern for them, no one has ever condemned me for it.   Quite the contrary, I've been thanked many times for doing so.

I'm glad many of you enjoyed the picts.  My new years resolution was to share more rides in the PNW with the FJ community, so expect to see more as the weather improves and warms up.

So Capn?  Expect to see some picts of HWY 218, as well as others. 

[Capn Ron]

Your Welcome Noel, and thanks for raising a great topic.   

I believe that the 'Blanking' issue is always worthy of discussion.  Sadly, it can often turn into a judgmental tit-for-tat of "what are you trying to hide" vs. "none of your damn business".  I've always been willing to share my reasoning; not to justify anything, but to share some of my concerns.  I'm not saying that my issues should be anyone else's.  I would however, hope that people consider my reasons and decide for themselves whether it's something that might be a concern for them.  Regardless, I always extend the courtesy to others bikes in my pictures.  Even if it isn't a concern for them, no one has ever condemned me for it.   Quite the contrary, I've been thanked many times for doing so.

I'm glad many of you enjoyed the picts.  My new years resolution was to share more rides in the PNW with the FJ community, so expect to see more as the weather improves and warms up.

So Capn?  Expect to see some picts of HWY 218, as well as others. 

I have found (the hard way) that "What are you trying to hide?" can, in reality be..."What are they looking for?"

In my first identity theft case, mail was still going to my apartment in New York after I had moved to California.  The new tennants used the information in a few pieces of mail to get a credit card in my name and proceeded to max it out charging hotels and entertainment up and down the state of New York over a two-month period.

The first I had heard of this was when a collection agency called me at my place of work in San Diego saying I owed them $5,000.  This conversation didn't go well with their presumption that I was lying and was trying to get away with their money.  When I eventually pointed out the obvious that I no longer live in the state where the charges were made, I was told something that still chills me to this day:

"We see that you charged an airline ticket on your American Express card for a flight from San Diego to Albany at Christmas last year.  That puts you IN New York at the time some of these charges were made."  

WTF?  They pulled records from my AMEX account???  They pulled my airline ticket to put me in Albany at Christmas???  Scary this.  Putting me in a specific PLACE at a specific TIME was enough to make me guilty and I had to spend the next two years clearing this up as well as my credit rating.

I always appreciate even the smallest effort by others to protect my identity and my personal information...so thank you!!   

I will also thank you in advance for more ride reports from the PNW...I'm spending more and more time up your way (excellent Pinot Noir's!!) and may just have to join you on one of these rides!   

[The General]

(Quote)
.....It's a brutal hole to dig yourself out of (the first one took years!!!) and in EACH case it was simply a matter of someone collecting enough bits of info to put together a profile of who you are.  Name, address, previous addresses, social security number, employer, previous employers, DOB, driver's license number, license plate numbers, mother's maiden name, any of my full account numbers for various banks or credit issuing organizations, a legible signature, bank routing number on a check and so on and so on.  In each identity theft case I had to deal with it was only a matter of getting about three of the above and they were in.

As in most scenarios, you don't need to lock yourself down like a madman, you just need to make yourself less of a target than those who think I'm silly for dropping bank statements into a cross-cut shredder...instead of the outgoing trash can next to the shredder.  In the end, you're just reducing the amount of easily obtained personal information that's "out there" for someone to steal.  It's the same reason you lock the doors on your car with a click of a remote as you walk away from it in a parking lot.  It's THAT easy and you can REST easy.

Since I adopted some basic personal security/privacy practices, I haven't had an identity theft issue in twenty years.  And I sleep well!  
[End/quote]

Wow! The scary thing for me is we usually follow USA within 10 years when it comes to most scenarios. (Guns & football excepted).  Many Thanks! ....and thanks Noel....(I`m glad ya got a long neck!)   

[X-Ray]

I used to blank out the FJ plate in photos and also from the Navara if we went on 4WD trips, but now I don't bother. As Noel explained no one can use registration plate details here to track anyone etc, the worst that can happen is your plates are stolen to use in robberies etc.

[ribbert]

I used to blank out the FJ plate in photos and also from the Navara if we went on 4WD trips, but now I don't bother. As Noel explained no one can use registration plate details here to track anyone etc, the worst that can happen is your plates are stolen to use in robberies etc.

Historically (down here anyway) people who have been caught using or passing on personal information, including rego numbers, have been public servants who not only have access to your personal details, but can match it up with other private information not available to the public, and they, by virtue of their jobs, are always going to have access to that info whether you cover your plates or not.

Noel