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Brighty in the USA
This will be my first attempt at a live ride report. Hope it turns out well. I arrive in Phx, AZ from England on 11th July and pick up my leased Suzuki DRZ400. I intend riding an anticlockwise loop of the Continental Divide, Lolo Motorway/Oregon Discovery Trail and western Trans Am Trail. Something like this:
http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...ap2010trip.jpg Green: CDT Purple: western TAT Light blue: ODT Yellow: Lolo Dark Blue: Magruder Planned Timings: Sun 11th July: Arrive Phoenix, AZ from England and do final tweaks on bike 12 July: Head East and meet Continental Divide Trail at Pie Town, NM (I like the name) 13 July to 23 July: Ride north on the CDT, possibly with side trip on Maguder Fri 23rd July: Park bike in Missoula, MT and fly to SFO, CA Vacation with family in SoCal Mon 9th August: Fly LAX back to Missoula, MT 9 Aug to 27 Aug: Head south west connecting Lolo Motorway with Oregon Discovery Trail to where it meets the TAT, west to the Pacific and double back and ride the TAT south east to CO 27 to 29 August: (Tentatively) Attend Horizonsunlimited Colorado meeting at Silverton, CO 29 Aug to 02 September: Start heading towards Phoenix, AZ Fri September 03: depart Phoenix, AZ back to England Here's a pic of the bike on the beach just north of Todo Santos, Baja California a little while ago: http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...baja2image.jpg Will write more when I arrive in the States. cheers Chris |
This is a great route! Going the whole way Solo?
Colorado should be epic. The passes around Silverton are world class. Utah too has great riding. I love the areas around Moab. You've got a lot of ground to cover on a DRZ. I hope your butt is in shape to make it! If the heat is dogging you ... you could escape to the coast. It will be 30F degrees cooler. Probably foggy. I just returned from a ride up to North California, Oregon, Idaho and down again into Nevada's Black Rock Desert. 3000 mile ride. Nevada is quite amazing. I've never followed those cross country trails (TAT et al). Sounds like a challenge! Love to read a RR with pics and details on how you found your way. We just did Guzzi rally (mostly road ride) and a improvised Hot Springs tour. Mostly all camping. Hot Springs are a good way to bring you back to life after a long day in the saddle. There are thousands out there. Lots of Mossies in the lowlands. Fewer buggers up high. Safe going! |
Hee hee - funny you mention Pie Town - I thought exactly the same thing! It's worth stopping here for a slice or two:
http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/r...8/DSCF0106.jpg The riding from here due north to Durango is excellent too! J x |
Lolo...?
Chris....
If you're on the Lolo Motorway south of Missoula and need an overnight, I'd recommend Lochsa Lodge. There's a Park campground and good food at the Lodge. You're also just a little way north of Lowell and the turnoff to Selway Falls. Near the end of the road to the falls, you can climb up and along FR 443 ending up at Elk City, which is near the western end of the Magruder Corridor .... you could then head east along the Magruder to Darby then loop back up toward to Lolo and use the Lolo Motorway from right near the Lodge heading back west toward Kamiah. Just more options |
It would be a shame to get this close to canyon lands and not ride through Zion and Bryce National Parks, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon (Do the north side and have it almost to yourself)
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Thanks for your suggestion. This is meant to be an off-pavement trip and this way I'll get to see a lot of different facets of the USA and avoid most of the main tourist areas. FWIW, I've already visited all the sights you suggest in a previous trip. cheers Chris |
12 and 13 July 2010
Monday 12 July 2010: sorted bike stuff. Bloody hot. Conveniently air con has been invented…
http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...572800x600.jpg Bike in Mike’s kitchen being sorted Tuesday 13th July: Rode Phoenix, AZ to Pie Town to Grant’s, NM: about 400 miles. http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...585800x600.jpg Who ate all the pies? http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...589800x600.jpg Fixing water pump seal in motel bathroom. Tomorrow, north towards to Colorado. Hopefully with much more dirt than today. Later Chris |
14 and 15 July 2010, Grants, NM to El Rito, NM to Salida, CO
14 and 15 July 2010
Grants, NM to El Rito, NM to Salida, CO, about 400 miles. El Rito to Salida on pavement because my front tyre is sh!te. Tomorrow in Breckenridge, CO I hope to get something decent on the front… http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN35928x6.jpg Big skies, near Grants, NM http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN35938x6.jpg The first 100 miles of dirt today start here http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN35978x6.jpg GB biker http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN36008x6.jpg The only human I saw in 100 miles. And friendly at that!! http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN36028x6.jpg About the only things in common with my bike are 2 wheels and an engine… http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN36138x6.jpg Le Rito, NM http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN36148x6.jpg Great food http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN36178x6.jpg After a night camping in the forest http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN36198x6.jpg They don’t make em like they used to http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN36238x6.jpg On the Cosmic Highway, south of Salida, CO. Note the stars and stripes shorts. That’s how you can tell UFOs:helpsmilie: Hang loose Chrisp |
Nice one Chris, wish I was doing that.....:(
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Excellent!
Hey, those old Caddies with the Big Fins are worth a real fortune. Good investment if cheap enough. Nice pics! Looks like you've got a 50/50 front tire on there? (GP-1 or something?) Not great in sand for loose stuff. Maybe you can snag a decent knobby tire? TKC's are expensive but last. T-66 probably not common. MT-21 pretty commonly available. But wait ... I got an idea: A very common yet VERY GOOD tire for both dirt and street is the Dunlop K739. Came stock on my old XR250. Great on pavement and dirt! (not a DOT tire) The 739 came stock on several XR Hondas some years ago. I found out (by accident) the front K739 works damn good on pavement. Several friends now run them on their bigger dual sport bikes. (KTM, Honda XR650R, DRZ) It's a knobby tire but somehow works well on pavement too. Not sure how it will last. It is fairly common tire at any dealer that carries tires. Might just be sitting there. Most pure dirt only knobbies are crap on the street, not so the K739 Dunlop. Good luck, safe riding. |
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Cool report, keep it coming :thumbup1: |
Jackson, Wy.
Made it to Jackson, Wy. Staying with old friends. Just spent last few hours dismantling whole right side of bike to fix BIG water pump leak. Now everything is bolted back together. Will add rad fluid again tomorrow/Monday morning. Wish me luck that it stops p!ssing out everywhere. Pictures to come...
Also, now got a Dunlop D606 on the front (matching the back) and things feel much less scarey. Off for more beers, so no time to upload pictures at the moment... Chrisp |
16 to 18 July: Salida CO to near Clark CO to Atlantic CIty WY to Jackson WY
Rode long and hard. New front tyre in Breckenridge, CO. Man, the bike feels much better.
The bike handles so much better in the dirt. Water pump leak got worse and worse. Attempted repair job not successful. Bike been at repair shop all day. Luckily they had parts. Hopefully finished Tuesday morning. It would be nice to ride this dirt bike on the dirt rather than taking the highway everywhere because if I break down, I'm close to someone who can help me. The USA is big. This might seem obvious to most Americans, but coming from Europe you can forget. Big land, big skies, big scenery, pretty scenery. Superb... (except the bit between Rawlings, WY and Atlantic City WY) http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN36258x6.jpg Who said the Yanks can't make good beer! http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN36288x6.jpg Tyre change http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN36308x6.jpg No comment http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN36328x6.jpg You need to know Cockney rhyming slang (and have purile sense of humour) to find this funny http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN36378x6.jpg Tree lined alley http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN36418x6.jpg What views... http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN36478x6.jpg I think he thought I had sugar http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN36508x6.jpg The storm passed me by, Atlantic City YW http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN36578x6.jpg Chain lubing at sunrise http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN36608x6.jpg The sign says it http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN36618x6.jpg X ing x4 http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN36558x6.jpg More X ing http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN36638x6.jpg There's a story to do with this moose (metal). In winter 1995 I sneaked up on it to get a close up picture. My friends were in hysterics. It took me 5 minutes to realise it wasn't real! http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN36678x6.jpg DRZ crank case cover cheers Chris |
19 to 22 July 2010 Jackson WY to Missoula MT
On Mon 19th the bike spent the day at Bob’s Quads in Jackson WY. If you’re stuck with a busted bike close to Yellowstone, you could do a lot worse than ask Bob for help. Real good and competent. Water pump is now sorted, hopefully for the remainder of this trip. My friends Rob and Molly were great hosts. Super big thanks.
The last time I was in Jackson WY visiting Rob was in the summer of 2000 and my then bike broke down too! See Chapter 12 The Big Trip This time I turn up and the current bike is struggling… Both people who fixed the respective bikes were called Bob. Also my tyre problems, mentioned previously involved the brand Golden Boy, Made In China POS, see Chapter 6 The Big Trip Too many parallels. The trip past Yellowstone and through Idaho and into Montana was fun. Here are some pictures: http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN36718x6.jpg Nice furniture at the antique shop where Rob works http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN36748x6.jpg Yet again outside the GAY Million Dollar Cowboy Bar: 334_Sorry_I_only_have_10p http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN36768x6.jpg Teton Mountains http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN36888x6.jpg Straight on on Idaho Track 001 http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN36918x6.jpg Disused railway bridge on Track 001 http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN36988x6.jpg Great paddling and fishing country http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN37038x6.jpg You ugly too… http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN37088x6.jpg Waiting for the storm to pass from west to east., near Bannack State Park, Montana http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN37108x6.jpg Time for a bath http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN37118x6.jpg Light weight axe. Overweight is under prepared as Chris and Dave of Adventure-spec: off-road motorbike gear, UK, road touring, rally, rallye, RTW, Stan Watt, GiT, Guard it Technology say… http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN37188x6.jpg Just after sunset, Bannack, MT http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN37248x6.jpg Lots of these en route http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN37268x6.jpg Harley Bingo Wings, Missoula Montana I’ll be out of touch now for 2 weeks while vacationing in southern California with my wife and son. I’m sure you don’t want pictures of Disney World and other random theme parks… Back in the road around 9th August, heading south west along the Lolo Motorway and the Oregon Discovery Trail and back to CO on the TAT. Cheers Chris |
Lolo Motorway and Oregon Discovery Trail 10th to 13th Aug 2010
Lolo Motorway and Oregon Discovery Trail 10th to 13th Aug 2010
Right, I'm back. Bet you missed my missives, or not... Had a great time in California doing the family thing. So to start us off, here's a little quiz. Kind of audience participation thing. Which of these Californians floats your boat the most: A. Hollywood girls http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN41878x6.jpg B. Venice Beach Girl http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN43438x6.jpg C. Disneyland "girl" http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN45078x6.jpg D. Disneyland Boy: bet he looks good in chaps on a Honda C90 (If you like that sort of thing...) http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN44888x6.jpg Or maybe he could ride this: Ideal for a round the world trip? http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN45788x6.jpg So, who's your favourite? Anyway, I forgot, this is a biking ride report. Sorry. :( A vast selection of beers in Missoula MT. I left 18 hours late because of a big rain storm and the beers drunk with Lance and Lisa. Lance was a great host who super helpful looking after my bike while I was in CA. Thanks mate! http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN46048x6.jpg Lance in deep contemplation at Garaj Mahal, Missoula http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN46078x6.jpg It was cold, but not too damp on the Lolo Motorway in Idaho http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN46208x6.jpg In transit to Walla Walla for the start of the ODT: This pic looks familiar 328_Little_and_large_Idaho from my Round the World trip 10 years ago... http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN46318x6.jpg The rain eventually came http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN46378x6.jpg After the rain comes the sun http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN46438x6.jpg Not much happens in Ukiah OR, a bit different from the 6 lane parking lot that is I-5 through LA http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN46508x6.jpg Saw nobody for 3 hours http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN46538x6.jpg Wilderness http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN46578x6.jpg A 100 foot ford to cross at 7pm in the evening. After my experiences with the Corwen Carwash in north Wales a year or 2 ago, I walked the bike across. There was nobody within 30 miles who would help pick up my bike out the river if I dropped it http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN46618x6.jpg Planning the next day's journey http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN46628x6.jpg Wilderness II http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...MGP10108x6.jpg The nice lady in the fire lookout tower who told me all about what's needed to track fires. I told her about riding Enfields in Ladakh, northern India http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...MGP10168x6.jpg OK, that's it for a day or 2. Off for more riding One last thing: I saw this shop window at Disneyland, so I've changed my name: http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN44968x6.jpg Sincerely Randy |
Oregon, Nevada and Utah
They seek him here, they seek him there, they seek him everywhere
http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN46998x6.jpg Crater Lake, OR http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN47088x6.jpg An obstacle to negotiate... http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN47138x6.jpg Single track or no track through forest in OR http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN47308x6.jpg My old and new bike, Denio Jtn, NV http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN47388x6.jpg Uphill McDarmitt to Battle Mountain, NV http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN47458x6.jpg This "bridge" is on my TAT gps track! I didn't try it. Spend ages trying to find a work-round, and failed... http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN47478x6.jpg This "bridge" too. Easy work round through dry river bed. http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN47548x6.jpg Near Eureka, NV. If this is the loneliest ***paved*** road, then I didn't expect much traffic on the dirt that ran parallel to it. The deputy sherrif did pull me over on bit of paved road near Eureka. Excerpt from dialogue: DS: Do you know why I've pulled you over? Randy: No DS: You have no mirror,tail-light or registration tag. Randy: Here's my mirror (pointing at mirror underneath handlebar) DS. I see it now Randy: Sure my tail light works (shows officer, removing dirt...) DS: Yes it does Randy: Here's my tag (cleans dirt off photocopy that's duct-taped to rear fender). Would you like to see original (paper 3 month temporary tag)? DS: Yes please. Randy: Here you go. The cnutstable runs Randy's driving licence through the polis computah and sends him on his way with a pleasant "Have a nice day". Obviously no mention of his alleged run in with the OFAC Baja California TBSdotCom Randy (thinks): Blind P!g, now go and catch some real criminals. http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN47568x6.jpg There really is nothing out here http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN47618x6.jpg Specs 2004 drz400e with 15/44 gearing for easier highway/easy dirt riding (not good when you failed to spot some sand and need to blip the throttle 4 gallon IMS tank Ali skid plate case savers Luggage: Now sporting a rather dusty (but was shiney last week) Great Basin soft bag by GiantLoop. Works great. The red bag looks a bit full, but I've got a tent in there as well as a gallon of water if needed. The black thing on top of that is my "sweet cheeks" with two 2 litre (1 gallon) Coke bottles full of gas/petrol: So am carrying 5 gallons of gas in total. http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN47648x6.jpg Not just the Romans built straight roads... http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN47658x6.jpg I wish I hadn't turned left here, Between Richfield and Green River, UT http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN47748x6.jpg It got a bit rougher, but not too bad http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN47778x6.jpg Nice parking job...It got even worse. Sandy dried river bed. Not too bad. Liason bits in between bits of riverbed were very bad. I desperately need to get fitter (and younger). With nobody to help if I got stuck, it was getting a little worrying http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN47878x6.jpg Best Wishes from HOT "who turned the heat on" Moab, Utah Still sincerely Randy |
A little postscript to the last episode...
Met this chat, Trace from North Carolina doing the TAT E to W. So I tell him about the sandy adventures I had (last 2 pictures on last installment) and we end up looking at his instructions (that I don't have...) http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN48048x6.jpg And what do we read... http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN48038x6.jpg No comment :innocent: Randy, now in Silverton CO at the HU meet. |
Hi Chris, it looks pretty good to me, I hope that you are enjoying it.
Between yourself, Tiff, and Sam's new book, plan B, North America has definitely become plan A. I will be around to pick your brains sometime when you get back. All the best Mark |
Here's the final report. Flight back to UK tomorrow. Trip was superb. I'll be back.
Beer transporter, Silverton CO http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN48138x6.jpg Dr G at Silverton CO HU meet http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN48148x6.jpg Cinammon Pass CO http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN48218x6.jpg Rocky Mountain Views I http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN48288x6.jpg Ed and Matt, with yours truely: The last time we met was in Cusco, Peru 10 years ago http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN48438x6.jpg Ed and Matt incognito http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN48468x6.jpg Rocky Mountain Views II: Why I'll be back http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...SCN48498x6.jpg Many thanks to everyone who helped me and showed such friendship. Wilco, Over and Out Sincerely Randy |
Chris.....
enjoyed your report and it made me realise that clearly hiring a bike must be more economical than shipping your own over so many of the trips I read about are economically achievable for most of us.Even us retired ones.
Hope you intend to do a presentation at next years Ripley meet. |
How much did you rent it for? I need a bike for 3 months in the US. What is better renting or purchase and then sell before coming back.
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I used the same bike as in this Baja trip over the New Year 2008/9: Baja California TBSdotCom
I came to an arrangement with a fellow inmate over on Advrider, which was very good value for me. I believe he's no longer doing this deal. I posted a question on a relevant Advrider forum there and he replied. Renting or buying/selling locally (or shipping your own bike from home) each have their pros and cons. The arrangement I used suited me. There's a fair bit been written on the HUBB already on this topic. Maybe do a search of the this forum? If you have more precise questions after you've done your initial research, feel free to ask. cheers C |
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