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Ahhh Tiffany, great to get into another one of your blogs. You're my hero!
Cheers Nigel in NZ |
I've just heard you are going to be in Austin Texas soon, I'm looking forward to meeting you!
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Hello Texas
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That's right I'll be at the Horsepower Farm (great name for a bike shop) Horsepower Farm, LLC | Motorcycle and Scooter Sales and Service | Austin, Texas in Austin on 7th July. Yikes..that's this Saturday, I better start heading down there, I've been lingering further north because I've heard it's VERY hot down there:funmeterno: Make sure you say hello, see you there. |
A Hiccup
There seems to be bit of a theme of red rocky landscapes going on and I haven't even reached the National Parks yet
I'd made to out of the forest and the mountains into Moab, had a long late breakfast break and a large cup of tea. took a look around the town, and as part of my points gathering for the adventure summit got a photo at the fire station, some antique looking pieces of equipment there. http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3648-M.jpg In the supermarket I stocked up on food, ready for more wild camping, I was unable to resist lots of fresh fruit and then had problems trying to stuff it into the luggage on the bike. All set I went exploring some canyons http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3653-M.jpg Unfortunately it was at this point that I realized I had a puncture and took a closer look http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3651-M.jpg I could hear air hissing out- never a good sign, particularly when you're on a dirt track in a canyon, however, compared to where I had been riding over the past few days this was virtually a motorway. The hole that had been plugged five days ago was leaking air around the plug. Someone in a pick-up truck stopped and offered to help, he didn't have a compressor but said he would be coming back soon and would bring one with him which was very kind. Unfortunately I never saw him again, others stopped to ask if they could help, but I blithely waved them on, saying someone was coming back. Time passed, vultures were wheeling in the sky above me and I was starting to make inroads in the fruit mountain I had in my bag. A couple in a truck stopped - Randy and Judy from Colorado, I told them about the non-reappearance of the other guy so they decided to help. http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3656-M.jpg Then Bob on an ATV stopped and he had a compressor and rope plugs, http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3654-M.jpg the blokes were keen to to do the work so I said fine, go ahead. http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3655-M.jpg In case you're wondering, yes, I have got a repair kit, although I don't carry a compressor and yes, I usually do my own repairs. However I was unsure about re-plugging a hole that had already been plugged once and so wanted to check. I've got my trusty hand pump which puts enough air in to get me out of trouble. |
If you like reddish coloured rocks...
Due to the delay from the puncture, I was somewhat late when I got to Arches National Park
http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3674-M.jpg So late in fact that the park wardens at the gate had gone home, I spent the rest of the evening chasing the sinking sun across the park, trying to get photos of as many of the great rock formations as I could before it got dark http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3657-M.jpg There are some amazing shapes, all created by the wind, erosion and water http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3658-M.jpg http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3663-M.jpg a couple of them later on, I didn't stop Thelma to take the picture, let alone get off her http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3665-M.jpg Don't worry if you're tired of red rock type photos, not too many more http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3673-M.jpg http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3675-M.jpg and of course the bike shadow picture http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3668-L.jpg It was getting dark as I left the park and headed up the road. I took a dirt track off the highway and then another one off that, the route got very bumpy, steep and lots of loose stones in the track. A hair-raising ride in the dark. I finally stopped when I realized it was just too dangerous to continue any further. I thought that last night's camp spot was steep but it was nothing compared to the choice I had tonight...no pictures as it was too dark, wait until morning. |
Utah Looks like Africa
Waking up, I was able to appreciate just how steep a slope I had camped on, as I took down my tent
http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3677-M.jpg and then riding back down to the road, I looked around and appreciated the late night ride I'd done in the dark on this!! http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3684-M.jpg From the highway, I took a route called Blue Hills Road, things got s bit drier and sand was appearing http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3512-M.jpg In the distance, I saw some animals, which as I got closer, made me feel like I was in Africa once more http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3689-M.jpg I managed to get a bit closer http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3690-M.jpg |
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Great report.
Sharp, witty and to the point. We are like ships in the night, your photos bring back great memories. WW |
Thanks for the photo tips! Your timing on all of those timer shots is amazing! Thanks for taking the time to set up all of those photos. They really add a lot to the report being action shots of your riding. I'll have to pick up a tripod and practice for the future. Sometimes I guess it's so easy to get caught up in the riding itself that we can forget that we're not passing BY the scenery but moving THROUGH it and that it might add to the quality of our ride to stop for just a little longer and take it all in; and taking the time to set up a camera on a tripod, plan the shot, then take the photo is a good way of helping us feel part of our surroundings. Eagerly awaiting your next posting!
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Taking Pictures
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Sun, Sand and... Snow
I'd been enjoying the riding and the different scenery in south eastern Utah
http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3659-M.jpg http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3521-M.jpg and despite the heat, when some nights I didn't need to put the flysheet on my tent http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3491-M.jpg http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3687-M.jpg http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3475-M.jpg I was starting to get confused about the difference between deer and antelope...or are they all called deer down here? At times it seemed like they were watching me from every hill top http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3703-M.jpg http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3702-M.jpg But it was time to start heading north, I had the Adventure summit at Salt Lake City to get to, and to reach it, I had to go in search of tarmac- this seemed to be the stuff I was looking for http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3708-M.jpg and at times I found myself just chasing tumbleweed http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3721-M.jpg look closely enough and you'll see the tumbleweed in front of me- this was another picture where Thelma is holding the camera, getting things in focus is not really her fortehttp://d26ya5yqg8yyvs.cloudfront.net/icon10.gif Avoiding the highway itslef, I managed to find a couple more dirt tracks, including one witht he unusual name of Consumers Road http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3725-M.jpg things were starting to get a bit green as I went north, and I was having to layer up again, I soon found out why I was feeling chilly, not sure what altitude I was at, but there was plenty of snow around http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3730-M.jpg In fact 40 minutes later when I reached a much-needed petrol station in the valley, the other bikers looked on in amazement as I pulled off my helmet, I wasn't sure if it was my extremely dishevelled appearance or the fashion faux pas of plaits with a balaclava (take note folks, that is NEVER a good look). But actually it turned out these riders were from Texas and had never seen a balaclavahttp://d26ya5yqg8yyvs.cloudfront.net/yelrotflmao.gifI told them they hadn't lived. |
Flat Stanley
As he's proving rather popular both here and on FaceBook, this was Flat Stanley enjoying the snow in Utah
http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3727-M.jpg http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3729-M.jpg Alex, you've got a lot to answer for! |
Tynda
Hi, great meeting you in Oregon! See ya on the road some where again. James and Tammy, Tacoma, WA.
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More great photos and report of your travels
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Adventure Summit
Past coal mine and animals that were running away in the bushes, I wasn't pausing long enough to get a better look
http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3726-M.jpg Over even more mountain ranges and down the other side passing lake-filled scenery that was more reminiscent of Switzerland and certainly not what I expected in desert-filled Utah http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3734-M.jpg I was riding hard to get to the BMW Dealership in Salt Lake City, as they had a part on order for me - just a lock for my pannier where someone had thoughtlessly run me off the road- luckily that was the only damage. I made it in time, and had a chance to chat to some of the staff, a friendly bunch, one of them is from Cornwall- hello Lee if you read this. http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3736-M.jpg I had even put on my clean shirt for the occasion, as you can seehttp://d26ya5yqg8yyvs.cloudfront.net/icon10.gif It was then a short hop, skip and a jump over the final mountain range to my destination for the next few days- except that the staff at the dealership weren't even too sure if the mountain pass was open, rumour had it that there was still snow on it, I was determined to give it a try and set off looking for the elusive dirt trail out of Salt Lake City- after so many dirt roads already, I was determined not to have to resort to the Interstate. Finding the trail was hard, there were no signs and I had to backtrack a lot until the Mormon Boy Racers of SLC jumped to my rescue in their sporty little car with the funny exhaust and led me to it. I haven't got any pictures of this final gravel route as the sunlight was fast disappearing and it was bitterly cold, particularly as I ascended the summit. It was late by the time I finally reached the Adventure Summit at Tooele, they'd just about finished serving dinner, however, I was in luck as a welcome sight awaited me http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3737-M.jpg A ton of fresh vegetables with dipping sauces, I was in seventh heaven as I tucked in, answering questions about my off-road routes to the event. The next day we attempted the Pony Express off-road route over the hills, but some incredibly cold and wet weather had blown in with me, the temperature plunged towards zero , it was raining on us but we could see the snow falling on the mountains ahead of us, we reluctantly had to call it a day for the ride-out and headed back. Our unlikely camping spot was right next to the track where they were holding the World Superbike Races, I headed over to watch them with Thelma. http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3750-M.jpg I managed to get a picture next to the track, with a bemused security guard looking on, unfortunately I didn't have my camera on me later as I sat on the grass next to the Grandstand (riff-raff entry ticket for me) and watched Max Biaggi racing- that bloke is a legend. I had a great spot, right next to the track, close to the run-off lane for pitstops. I can't believe I also didn't manage to get a picture of the lush green grass we were camping on (I bet someone reading this did though?), it was a stark contrast to my camping spots over the previous week. We were next to the Utah State Fire Fighters' Museum, the meals were eaten in a large room, filled with antique fire engines http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3743-M.jpg All under the watchful eye of Dave, a former FF himself, who kindly let me clamber around on some of them and even posed for a picture with me http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3741-M.jpg Having a wander around, I found the not-so-subtle US Marines recruiting tent, complete with chin-up competition taking place, couldn't resist getting a picture with it all in the background http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3748-M.jpg The next day we headed out to the course where we went through our paces on the motocross track http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O...tocross3-M.jpgThelma didn't let me down, although I chickened out of some of the steeper rocky sections. We also had to go around a race-course http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O...tocross2-M.jpg At the close of all the competitive riding, the points were totted up, some being awarded for adventurous routes being ridden to the event, which I scored fairly well on. There was a trophy-laden table, and Ian Schmeisser, the event organiser handing them out. http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O.../IMG3746-M.jpg I was amazed to hear my name called out, I had won something and went up to receive my trophy http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O...h-Trophy-M.jpg And proudly joined the line-up of winners http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O...Trophy-2-M.jpg This was my favourite picture from the weekend http://tiffanystravels.smugmug.com/O...tocross1-M.jpg I'd like to thank Ian who organises the Adventure Summit events, Tracy who has the thankless task of being score-keeper, all the volunteers including Gale and Sandy and also my fellow competitiors for what was a fantastically friendly and fun weekend http://d26ya5yqg8yyvs.cloudfront.net/clap.gifhttp://d26ya5yqg8yyvs.cloudfront.net/clap.gif. Roll on the next one. |
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