Any Central Oregon Mini owners interested in a chat? I've only seen a few Mini's in the Bend area, probably not enough for a rally or other event yet. If not, look forward to meeting other Mini owners in the future.

Had an enthusiast come into the store (All Occasion Flowers at the corner of 3rd and Greenwood) last week when he saw my Mini parked outside. He was going to get a Mini in Seattle, then I told him about the good service and SRP in Utah. Said he may go to Utah instead.

 

I'm originally from Bend, but now live in Portland. I was in Bend about a month ago and saw your yellow cooper on the corner. Very effective marketing!! :smile:

Good luck! ...and next time I'm in town I'll be sure to stop by and say hello!

R

 

Gee, I didn't think anyone would notice.

Thanks, I figure it's such a head-turner that I may as well use it to market the store also. Be sure and drop in the next time you're in town. I usually work the 2 or 3 to 6pm shift, M-F & 10 - 2pm shift Sats.

Haven't had a chance to drive to Mckenzie Pass yet. Will give it a try soon. I'm getting some of the studless mountain tires for the winter. I'll try them out there. I put them on our delivery vans for the first time last year instead of studs and they were teriffic. Hope they work well on the Mini.

You can bet I'll have Mini in prime condition for the Century Drive loop. Would love to tag along for a while.

 

That's a nice MINI you keep parked on the corner! Good job on wearing my neck out on the way to/from work! I noticed the tiny shark fin nav antenna on the top...what a MINI junkie am I!!

I live in Bend and I'm going to be getting a MCS as soon as I find/order one that I want. I was hooked on them, and then test drove on in Portland two weeks ago. Now I know FOR SURE that the MCS is for me! Now I'm on the lookout for one that has the premium and cold weather package that I won't have to wait a year for! I was looking in Portland, maybe I'll have to check out SLC. Thanks for the tip! You'll see another MINI in town soon in either BRG, CR, or IB with white roof and mirrors!

 

Will be glad to welcome you with a big Howdy. These cars are so much fun, except in snow w/run flat tires. Be sure to order some good snow tires. I'm getting the studless Mountain Rated from Costco and unfortunately they're not here yet. The little snow we had recently showed me quickly how poorly the Mini performs without snow tires.

 

>>And I'm envious that you live within 40 minutes of McKenzie Pass. That's got to be the best MINI road in the NW.

I remeber travelling on that road (if memory serves correctly) when I was a youngster. The family vacation was a drive across America from PA to Oregon to visit some relatives in Portland. It took us a week in each direction.

When we were on McKenzie Pass there was some kind of bicycle race and these guys were passing us going uphill in our, then new, 1982 Buick Skylark!!! (It was LOADED with 3 adults and 3 kids, plus cargo on the roof and in the trunk). If I remember correctly, we were going like 45 MPH! Unbelievable that these people could go so fast up such a long hill!!!

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Molly is a PS/B MC, with all 3 pkgs, CVT, + NAV system - and that little shark-fin antenna! (too much fun!)


<img src=https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/albums/album04/biw.thumb.jpg>

 

I don't think I remember correctly about the speed. That just doesn't seem right.

Anyhow, they were passing our little car on their bicycles!!

 

I don't think you're thinking of the McKensie pass. This is not a road you'd normally drive if going thru Oregon. It's hours from Portland. It's twisty. I mean REALLY twisty. I don't imagine you could drive the road over 50mph in a Ferarri even if it was the road was closed (no other cars). It's that twisty. So sketchy that they often close the road when it RAINS, let alone snows!! It's closed longer of the year than open. But when it's open, hoooo-boy!!!

R

 

We didn't take any 'normal' routes on this vacation.

Is there some kind of lava field at the top of the mountain where you can see the "Three Sisters" from?

Am I blurring multiple memories into one?

 

There is a lava field at the top, with a castle made of lava rock. Not sure what you can see up there. Hmm..maybe you did go there...but what a VERY strange road to connect to if going across country. VERY.

But ya, 45mph on that road is almost scary at points. There are some turns, that although one lane in each direction, the total width of the road is less than your average 1 lane. So as you go around the blind right hand switchback, you have NO idea if a huge truck is about to come around the same turn and kill you. Kinda adds to the thrill. :smile:

R

 

This may have been one of our day trips while we were staying in Oregon and not really part of the actual route. ? I'd have to ask my folks.

I recall it being a very nice, clear day. (which would account for why the road was actually open to traffic!) On the horizon some distance off, you could see 3 snow-capped mountain peaks. I think they called them the 3 Sisters.

I do recall many curves - like you say, more like switchbacks than curves. I would LOVE to tak Molly out there!

 

.... this all sounds like the good old '50's when the main hwy from Salem to Seattle was 99 ( no interstates yet)!

 

... the river road along the Gorge (pre i-84) wasn't much better!

 

Hey Chuckster! We got a chance to check out your MINI this weekend when we drove thru Bend. Very nice indeed! Love that color combo! Sorry we didn't stop but had a schedule to keep. No we weren't in our MINI..he was safely home in the garage. We didn't want to chance chipping the windshield/paint or worse coming over the pass. We'll be sure to stop next time!
Kim and family

PS. Ryan, Looking forward to that McKenzie Pass run in the spring! When is our next run anyway...hopefully before then!

 

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Kim, It's OK you didn't stop by. I know how it is to have a schedule to keep. But not motoring in your Mini -- shame on you. Just kidding, That's one of my concerns for this Winter. Some places still use the red cinder on the roads and it does kick up quite lot. Just one week after I got my Mini I (stupidly) parked it in the lot at Costco, went in, and by the time I came back I was rewarded with my first dent in the door. Boy was I ever mad. It's a good thing that driver was gone.

Fortunately when I took it to the body shop they were able to pull out the dent (for $35) without damaging the paint. Whew! What a relief.

The local highway department is now using a liquid to melt the snow instead of cinder rock. This should help in most areas here, especially in the Spring when the snow is gone and previously all that was left was cinder debris and dust.

Be sure and stop in the next time you're in Bend and I'll give you a rose. We give away a rose to customers who gives us their email address (Yes, I'm always selling).

Happy Motoring,

Chuckster

 

Hey Chuck..will do. Sorry to hear about your first boo boo on your Cooper. I'm glad you were able to get it fixed rather easily. I still check ours out everytime we come out of the store. I'm happy to hear they don't use cinder ALL the time now but I still won't chance it! I'll be sure to stop in next time..look forward to meeting you and your MINI.
Happy Motoring!
Kim