Looking back on my Motorcycle adventures from the past year, I covered a fair amount of miles on 2-wheels.
I'm planning to post up some of them, starting with this one that took place from May 5th through May 11th.
This was the first multi-day Adventure on my newly-acquired Super Tenere.
The general plan for this trip actually started way back during the dead of winter. "Cabin-Fever" sets in, and you just can't resist the urge to get out on the bike..................any bike!
After consulting with my good friend Todd near Phoenix, some dates were discussed, a few plans were made, and the whole works were set in motion.
Originally the trip was slated for a week at the end of March. Time was requested off, gear was collected, and the anticipation was building..............however Mother-Nature had other ideas!
The gears of progress quickly ground to a halt when the weather forecast called for snow, icy-conditions, and high-winds for my departure from Colorado to head south.
Luckily I have an understanding Boss, and I was able to postpone my plans not just once, to a week around the middle of April, but a second time to the eventual dates at the beginning of May!
We ended up having a quite extended winter-weather season here in Colorado last year.
Anyway, favorable weather finally lined up with my planned dates. I packed all my gear on the Super-Ten and set-off, heading south.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_16_01_20_10_41_02.jpeg)
I allotted myself two-days to get from Denver to Phoenix area, so I knew I had to cover some decent miles each day.
I made a stop to get a picture with the snow-capped "Pikes Peak" just before reaching Colorado Springs.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_16_01_20_10_41_28.jpeg)
I pointed the bike down Interstate-25, and set the cruise-control at 80mph. The further south I went, the windier it became. At one point I was battling some pretty strong side-gusts.
Piloting a bike this tall always makes me nervous in this type of wind.
It didn't take long before I was stopping for fuel in Raton NM.
Just after that I left the Interstate, and headed in a more westerly direction toward Cimarron Canyon
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_16_01_20_10_42_06.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_16_01_20_10_42_31.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_16_01_20_10_42_54.jpeg)
I made my way past Angel Fire, and into Taos where I would stop for lunch.
I ended up at this place.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_16_01_20_10_43_17.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_16_01_20_10_43_38.jpeg)
I knew I was in the right place when the hostess seated me, and I looked up at the wall above my table and saw this......................
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_16_01_20_10_44_01.jpeg)
The staff was super-friendly, the service was excellent, and the food was........................well, excellent!
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_16_01_20_10_44_21.jpeg)
After my wonderful lunch, I made my way south towards Santa Fe.
Winter was long...............and Fire-season was already starting early in NM.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_16_01_20_10_44_59.jpeg)
I stopped again for fuel, and this guy stopped next to me. I chatted with him for a bit while we fueled. He was coming from California, and heading to Florida on his new V-Strom.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_16_01_20_10_45_25.jpeg)
Once past Santa Fe, I again got on Interstate-25 south. The miles were clicking away, and traffic became quite heavy around Albuquerque.
After leaving that desert-metropolis I picked up the pace. Even though I was travelling between 80-85mph, the miles and hours just seemed to drag on!
It seemingly took forever to reach my exit at Socorro.
I had planned to camp just west of there, but I made sure to top up the fuel tank with as much as I could wiggle in there....................the following day would keep me heading west with an uncertainty of exactly which towns I would pass through, or which ones would have fuel?
My Campground was somewhere up this road.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_16_01_20_10_45_47.jpeg)
Up into the hills I went, and it wasn't long before I reached my destination for the day (Water Canyon Campground). I toured the loops searching for a suitable site, only to find it was empty. I was the only person there!
I had chose this campground because it was listed as "Free". It was surprisingly well-kept. The vault-toilets were clean, the campsites were tidy, but...................eerily empty.
The sun had already gone down, so I wasted no time setting up camp.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_16_01_20_10_46_14.jpeg)
An occasional vehicle went by on the road, toward the Ranches that were further up the Canyon, but not one other soul entered for the night.
Just the sound of the wind through the trees, and my campfire to keep me company.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_16_01_20_10_46_48.jpeg)
The day ended up at 548-miles on the clock. It was long, but the Interstate slabs were over.....................it would be back-roads for the rest of the way. :drinks:
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_16_01_20_10_47_10.jpeg)
I forgot to write "To Be Continued!" at the bottom of the post.
There is more coming! :hi:
The next morning I woke to a bright, sunny day!
The breeze had died down, but it was still quite cool.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_19_01_20_5_38_42_0.jpeg)
I made myself some coffee and breakfast and enjoyed the solitude of the empty campground for just a bit longer.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_19_01_20_5_38_44_1.jpeg)
I decided I'd better get going as I had quite a ways to get to Phoenix, and there were some stops along the way that I had wanted to make.
I packed up camp and took one last look down the valley at the road I came up the evening before.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_19_01_20_5_38_46_2.jpeg)
I made my way down to US Hwy-60 and headed west across the open spaces of the New Mexico Prairie.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_19_01_20_5_38_48_3.jpeg)
It wasn't long before I arrived at my first destination-stop.
When I reached the turnoff, I saw a sign that had me do a double-take....................I guess in the Desert, this is a common occurrence :sarcastic:
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_19_01_20_8_51_43.jpeg)
I had wanted to visit this place for a long time, and had thought about it for as long as I could remember.
I specifically chose the route to make sure I was able to see it..................I finally got the chance!
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_19_01_20_5_43_11_0.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_19_01_20_5_43_12_1.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_19_01_20_5_43_14_2.jpeg)
When you arrive at the Visitor Center there are signs everywhere instructing you to turn-off every electrical device you may have with you. Cell-phones, Bluetooth-devices, GPS-devices, anything that may emit an electrical or transmitted signal.
This made sense, given the sensitivity of the receiver antennae.
They have filmed a number of Movie scenes here over the years, but the most famous ones are from the movie "Contact"
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_19_01_20_5_43_16_3.jpeg)
I spent some time wandering around inside the Visitor-Center, the Gift-Shop, and watched their short film about the site and the history of Radio-Astronomy.
I then made my way outside for the self-guided walking-tour of the Compound.
The first thing you come to is a Radio Sundial.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_19_01_20_5_43_17_4.jpeg)
Then it was on to the real reason I stopped there.
These things are massive, and movable! When they are positioned out at their farthest stations, they form an array that is 22-miles across!
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_19_01_20_5_47_32_0.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_19_01_20_5_47_34_1.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_19_01_20_5_47_36_2.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_19_01_20_5_47_37_3.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_19_01_20_5_47_39_4.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_19_01_20_5_51_57_0.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_19_01_20_5_51_59_1.jpeg)
They are moved via rails, by an equally interesting transport-vehicle.
Apparently it doesn't take as long as you might think............
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_19_01_20_5_52_00_2.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_19_01_20_5_52_03_3.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_19_01_20_5_52_04_4.jpeg)
As I toured the grounds and took in the massive scale of the operation, I couldn't help but think of my Dad.................
He was always into Astronomy and Space Exploration, and I knew in my heart he would have loved to visit this place.
Unfortunately he passed in 2011, and would never get the chance.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_19_01_20_5_52_06_5.jpeg)
"To Be Continued"
Stay Tuned!
The day was relentlessly shifting-on without me.
I spent a bit more time exploring this site than I originally planned, and I had to move on!
I once again headed west across the grassy-desert landscape. At times i was buffeted by wind gusts, and it was still chilly.
I eventually climbed into higher country.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_28_01_20_5_50_57_0.jpeg)
It wasn't long before I crossed into Arizona.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_28_01_20_5_50_59_1.jpeg)
I made my way to the little town of Alpine, which was significant for me because it marked the beginning of my absolute favorite stretch of road in the USA.
The "Devil's Highway" :diablo:
I stopped to have lunch at a local Cafe, and as I ate I contemplated what lie ahead of me.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_28_01_20_5_51_01_2.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_28_01_20_5_51_03_3.jpeg)
This road is remote, and virtually traffic-free! For-me, it has no equal.............
Those who have not ridden it would not understand.
Its 90-miles between Morenci and Alpine offer such a variety of curves and challenges, it's hard to explain.
My best comparison would be to combine Hwy-92 (Black Canyon), Wentworth Springs Rd, and Icehouse Rd all into one!
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_28_01_20_8_20_32.jpeg)
After lunch, I topped up the fuel tank and headed south.
Soon after I came upon a decent sized herd of Elk. Had to stop and snag a picture.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_28_01_20_5_51_06_5.jpeg)
I continued on into the forest, and quickly settled into this road's varied rhythm of curves.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_28_01_20_5_51_05_4.jpeg)
It wasn't long after that, as I came around a right-hand bend, I spotted an extremely rare sight............
There strutting across the road was a full-grown Mountain Lion! The only one I have ever seen in the wild.............I was in awe, but at the same time glad that I was on my motorcycle. It was easily as large as me! It glanced back at me, and with two giant leaps it was on the opposite bank and up into the brush. It disappeared as instantly as it appeared...........Such an elusive animal.
My riding rhythm was totally thrown off by that encounter, but I kept going. I still had plenty of miles to make that day, and wanted to thoroughly enjoy my visit to this Highway.
I stopped a few more times along the way to take in the scenery and the spectacle of this road.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_28_01_20_5_51_08_6.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_28_01_20_5_57_29_0.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_28_01_20_5_57_31_1.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_28_01_20_5_57_33_2.jpeg)
Toward the southern end of all these curves, you start to see the huge mining operations in the distance.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_28_01_20_5_57_34_3.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_28_01_20_5_57_36_4.jpeg)
The enormity of it is on a scale that I have not seen anywhere else I have ever been!
It goes on for miles and miles............. The route of this highway here has changed a number of times, and travels through the heart of the operation.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_28_01_20_6_01_10_0.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_28_01_20_6_01_12_1.jpeg)
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(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_28_01_20_6_01_15_3.jpeg)
After passing through the mining-towns of Morenci and Clifton, I made my way towards Safford with Mt. Graham in the distance.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_28_01_20_6_13_08_0.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_28_01_20_6_13_10_1.jpeg)
I topped up with fuel again and as I headed west into the setting sun, it seemed to perch itself right on top of the dead-straight highway.
It seemed like an entire hour was spent squinting into the blinding aura that it was giving off!
I wasn't keen on finishing the day's journey in the dark, but was relieved when the sun finally went below the horizon.
I cautiously continued forward into the night, and before long I had made it to my destination.
My machine safely tucked-in the garage until tomorrow.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_28_01_20_6_13_11_2.jpeg)
Total distance ended up at 434-miles for the day.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_28_01_20_6_13_12_3.jpeg)
"To Be Continued"
Stay tuned!
Day-3
This was not planned to be a "Motorcycle Day".
It was more of a sleep-in, goof-off, hang-out kinda rest-day.
My friend Todd took the day off, and after sleeping-in we started the day drinking coffee on the back patio.
I was attacked............................well, licked to death by their two "Puggles" (pug-beagle mix) while we contemplated what to do that day.
Todd and his significant-other (I'll call her his Wife, although they are not married) they foster Puggles that are rescued until they find proper homes for them.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_02_02_20_10_02_00_0.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_02_02_20_10_05_28_0.jpeg)
We eventually decided to load up the Quads and head out for some Desert-riding.
Todd and his Niece rode the Honda-400's. I got to ride the Kawasaki-450.............Man! That thing is a Hoot! The suspension is dialed-in more for racing, and it begs to be ridden hard and fast!
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_02_02_20_10_02_03_1.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_02_02_20_10_02_05_2.jpeg)
As we were bombing around the desert, we ended up at the old Pinal Cemetery.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_02_02_20_10_02_07_3.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_02_02_20_10_02_09_4.jpeg)
Among others buried there, is Mattie Earp. Common-law wife of famed western figure Wyatt Earp.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_02_02_20_10_05_30_1.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_02_02_20_10_05_32_2.jpeg)
As we wandered around looking for grave sites, I took notice of all the flowers in bloom. The desert holds its own special beauty.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_02_02_20_10_05_35_3.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_02_02_20_10_05_37_4.jpeg)
We wandered back through the Cemetery and hopped back on the Quads.
As we were bombing through the trails we came upon this critter sunning itself in the road..............a "Western Diamondback"
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_02_02_20_10_08_48_0.jpeg)
https://youtu.be/GXgK3GGPueg (https://youtu.be/GXgK3GGPueg) <------short Video of said Snake
We kept our distance, and eventually it moved off into the brush.
We continued to some more trails and eventually to some mountain switchbacks.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_02_02_20_10_08_51_1.jpeg)
Todd and his Niece took a rest-break at the bottom.
I was having too much fun on the Kawi, so I rode all the way to the top.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_02_02_20_10_08_53_2.jpeg)
Eventually we had our fill of riding for the day, so we headed back to the trailer and back to the house.
We all went out to dinner at a nice steak-house and then they took me to the Phoenix Botanical Gardens.
They were having a night-time "Desert in Bloom" ongoing event.
We wandered around with a couple adult-beverages, listening to music and viewing the displays.
It was a relaxing way to end the evening.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_02_02_20_10_08_55_3.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_02_02_20_10_10_03_0.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_02_02_20_10_08_57_4.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_02_02_20_10_10_06_1.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_02_02_20_10_10_08_2.jpeg)
"To Be Continued"
Stay Tuned!
Day-4
I was back on the Super-Tenere.
Todd took the day off again, and the plan was to ride over to the "Four-Peaks" area.
We were keeping an eye on the weather forecasts, and watching some storms that were moving across the state.
It appeared as if they were staying to the north of where we were planning to be, so we decided to head out.
Todd and his Niece were riding the Honda 400's again.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_22_02_20_2_33_11_1.jpeg)
Up there somewhere was our destination.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_22_02_20_2_33_09_0.jpeg)
We set off up the mountain.
The road was a little rugged in a few spots, but mostly easy with some sandy areas.
I was enjoying the beauty of the desert-blooms
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_22_02_20_2_33_13_2.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_22_02_20_2_33_16_3.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_22_02_20_2_33_18_4.jpeg)
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(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_22_02_20_2_40_37_0.jpeg)
This is where the road summits and leads down the east side toward Roosevelt Lake.
Todd and his Niece would turn around here and head back to the Truck, and I would continue on to make a loop back to town following "Apache Trail"
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_22_02_20_2_40_39_1.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_22_02_20_2_40_41_2.jpeg)
As I started down the other side the wind had picked up, and there were some rain drops falling around me.
I noticed the dark clouds were starting to get closer.
I stopped to get a couple pictures of the Lake, and just as I did so, lightning struck the mountain just over my left shoulder.
It scared the shit out of me! At this point I honestly was afraid for my life................
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_22_02_20_2_40_43_3.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_22_02_20_2_40_46_4.jpeg)
I felt totally exposed, and I hauled-ass down that sandy, twisty mountain road just as fast as I dared!
The whole time seeing lightning flashes strobe just behind me.............
Once I met up with pavement on Hwy-188 I wound it up to 100 to get as far ahead of this storm as I could!
I didn't let off until I got to the Bridge where the Salt River exits Roosevelt Lake at the Dam.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_22_02_20_3_45_04_0.jpeg)
This was the first time I had ever seen white-caps on Roosevelt Lake.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_22_02_20_2_44_57_0.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_22_02_20_2_40_47_5.jpeg)
Roosevelt Dam on the Salt River.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_22_02_20_2_44_59_1.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_22_02_20_2_45_03_2.jpeg)
There are a couple more lakes that you pass by on the Apache Trail (Hwy-88) Apache Lake and Canyon Lake.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_22_02_20_2_45_06_3.jpeg)
The Storm was still trying to get me. It crested this ridge and was coming right at me.
I still had some boogieing to do!
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_22_02_20_2_45_09_4.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_22_02_20_2_51_08_0.jpeg)
The Bridge over Fish Creek.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_22_02_20_2_51_10_1.jpeg)
I eventually out-paced the storm and made it back to town.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_22_02_20_2_51_12_2.jpeg)
I made a stop at my wife's best friend's house on my way back to Todd's.
Her husband and sons were home. Their son Andy asked if he could sit on the bike.
Of course I said Yes!
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_22_02_20_2_51_14_3.jpeg)
I also made a stop and spent some time visiting with Todd's parents for awhile before heading back for dinner.
Total ride distance for the day was 120-miles.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_22_02_20_2_51_15_4.jpeg)
"To Be Continued"
Stay Tuned!
Alan, that is just awesome! The AZ desert has a special place in my heart and your pictures remind me just how much beauty and life desert has.
Quote from: FJmonkey on February 22, 2020, 07:57:18 PM
Alan, that is just awesome! The AZ desert has a special place in my heart and your pictures remind me just how much beauty and life desert has.
Yes! It does for me as well.
I am going to try and get back there in the Fall......
Day-5
Todd was back at work, so this day I would be on my own.
My original plan was to start heading home on day-5, and take 3 or 4 days via a longer route through Utah with some more camping..............The weather in Utah had other ideas, so I decided to stay in Arizona another day.
I wanted to do some exploring up in "Rim Country" so I headed north towards Payson.
It didn't take long before I found myself moping through that town, and wishing for less traffic-lights.
The Super-Tenere has a fairly large tank (6.2-gallons) and gets pretty decent fuel mileage when I am out exploring at a reasonable pace, so I bypassed the several fuel-stations I had passed in traffic.
I had read a number of reports that there is fuel in Young-AZ, and I knew I could easily make it there so i continued onward.
After riding through the little towns of Pine and Strawberry, I found my turnoff onto FR-300 (The Rim Road)
It starts off in the trees, and you travel through the forest for awhile.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_27_46_0.jpeg)
After a ways the trees disappear and the road parallels the Ridge-line of the Mogollon-Rim.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_27_48_1.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_27_50_2.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_27_52_3.jpeg)
A few areas have had previous forest-fire clearing.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_27_54_4.jpeg)
Along the way there are many campsites along the road........It's National-Forest land, and camping is free.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_30_19_0.jpeg)
I pulled into a campsite that I had stayed at a couple times with my wife, back when we lived in Arizona.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_30_22_1.jpeg)
I took a break, had a couple snacks, and re-hydrated while I enjoyed the view.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_30_24_2.jpeg)
I continued along the Rim until FR-300 meets back up with Hwy-260.
I then headed south to Young.
The road surface varied, and kept alternating between old pavement and dirt/gravel.
Lots of cool old western-themed stuff around Arizona.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_30_28_4.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_30_26_3.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_30_30_5.jpeg)
I cruised back and forth through the small town a couple times, but I never did find a place to get fuel, so I continued south toward Roosevelt Lake. There was a fuel station at the Marina I could get fuel at.
The road was dirt with some deep ruts in some spots, but was fast and easy for most of the way..............except for the occasional stray cows in the road.
Aside from a couple Ranch owners in their pickup-trucks, I barely saw a single vehicle at all.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_32_30_0.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_32_32_1.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_32_34_2.jpeg)
Eventually it turned to pavement, but was broken up by a large number of deep potholes.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_32_36_3.jpeg)
When the lake finally came in sight, I followed some two-track off the main road over to a ridge to get a few pictures from up there.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_32_38_4.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_35_59_0.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_36_01_1.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_36_04_2.jpeg)
After a bit of sightseeing on the ridge, I made my way back to the main road and then continued down to the Salt River and Hwy-288.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_36_06_3.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_36_08_4.jpeg)
Roosevelt Lake was much more peaceful, and the weather had been great all day!
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_36_10_5.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_38_37_0.jpeg)
It was at this point that I found the fuel station not open.
I had a decision to make.........I could ride the 30-miles to Globe to get fuel, or ride the 40-miles back to town via Apache Trail........
I decided to continue on and take my chances. My fuel-gauge wasn't flashing at me yet.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_10_04_28.jpeg)
There was no angry storm chasing me today, so I took my time and enjoyed the road. It has always been one of my favorites.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_38_39_1.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_38_41_2.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_38_43_3.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_41_53_0.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_41_55_1.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_41_57_2.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_41_59_3.jpeg)
As I was riding along, something slowly crossing the road caught my eye.............at first I thought it was a small tortoise, but as I got closer I found out what it really was!
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_42_01_4.jpeg)
https://youtu.be/4cioYADK-Oc (https://youtu.be/4cioYADK-Oc) <-----------I got a short video of the creature.
Fish-Creek Bridge, and Fish-Creek Hill.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_42_04_5.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_46_05_0.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_46_07_1.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_46_10_2.jpeg)
Shortly after this point, the road changes back to pavement.
It was about here that my fual-gauge began blinking at me.........I had never ridden this bike until empty, so I had no idea how much farther it would take me.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_46_12_3.jpeg)
I tried to conserve momentum wherever I could. The road is amazingly twisty from here back to town however, so I wasn't sure if I would make it.
I continued on..................
It turns out I would make it another 22-miles before the bike ran out of fuel and quit...................
I silently coasted in to the parking-lot of the "Hitching Post Saloon", just 2-miles short of the Shell-Station!
On this day I made it exactly 275-miles on a full tank of fuel.......
Luckily my friend Todd was just getting home from work. I called him to come rescue me with a gas-can.
No big deal. I only had to wait about 20-minutes.
Total ride for the day was approx 285-miles.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_08_03_20_6_46_13_4.jpeg)
"To Be Continued"
Stay Tuned!
Absolutely amazing riding. I can see why the Adventure Sport Motorcycles are so popular. Most, make adequate Sport-Tourers AND allow you to to travel Dirt Roads, High Line tracks and Fire Trails. This opens much more of the country to get out and explore.
Thank you so much for sharing .
Fred
Quote from: aviationfred on March 09, 2020, 10:00:38 AM
Absolutely amazing riding. I can see why the Adventure Sport Motorcycles are so popular. Most, make adequate Sport-Tourers AND allow you to to travel Dirt Roads, High Line tracks and Fire Trails. This opens much more of the country to get out and explore.
Thank you so much for sharing .
Fred
Yes...........These reasons are exactly why I wanted an ADV-bike.
It has opened up a whole new level of exploring!
Great Write up -- I enjoy that
thanks
Fantastic pictures, thanks for sharing.
The southwest is just awesome.
If you get up north, take Schnebly Hill Road off Hwy 17 to Sedona.
Another, Lockett Meadow, north of Flagstaff at the inner bason of the San Fransisco peaks. Great place to camp.
While there the Sunset Crater Loop through Wupatki National Momument is great, paved, and also a part of the route in "Easy Rider.
Just south of Sunset Crater is a lava lake that NASA used to test the lunar rover. The exploded huge craters out there to replicate the craters on the moon. A blast on off road bikes but that pumice eats stuff up.
This could go on all night - I may return to AZ someday. We were in Flagstaff for 8 wonderful years.
One memory burned into my brain was Hale-Bopp.
Seeing it there was fantastic.
Exactly why I bought the WeeStrom after seeing the one Danny Lewis had. I've never been leery of taking the FJ down gravel roads, but the Wee opens up a whole 'nuther realm of possibilities, and bikes like Alan's Super Tenere and Dean's Tiger and Norbert's GS are even more capable than the Wee.
rossi
Day-6
I said Goodbye to Todd and family, and headed north.
My route this morning would take me through Payson, Pine, and Strawberry again, but this time I continued north.
My first turn would be onto Lake Mary Road towards Happy Jack, and then on towards Flagstaff.
The road was very mellow through the Pine Trees, with almost no traffic. It was a very easy ride.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_13_03_20_5_40_13_0.jpeg)
The weather started out OK, but just a bit chilly. The further north I went, the clouds began increasing.
I stopped at Mormon Lake to take a few pictures, and I could see the San Francisco Peaks in the distance.
That was the direction I was heading, and the weather didn't look too promising.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_13_03_20_5_40_16_1.jpeg)
I continued on to Flagstaff. I had planned to get fuel and some lunch there.
It had gotten increasingly chillier as I made my way. By the time I stopped I was downright cold!
As I ate some food, I checked the weather radar. I could see some storm clouds moving across my intended route.
It appeared if I waited about 20 minutes I would just miss one storm, but then I would have to haul-ass to get ahead of the next one...........
I did my best to time it just right. I put on all my warm layers and went for it.
I managed to not get wet, and once I made it north of the Peaks I could see it was snowing as the next storm moved across them.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_13_03_20_5_40_18_2.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_13_03_20_5_43_46_0.jpeg)
The next couple hours were spent making my way through various weather events, either speeding up or slowing down to gauge how to miss them.
Most of the way I succeeded, with the pavement being wet from the recent passing rains.
As I made my way into Tuba City I pulled into a fuel station just as it was starting to rain. I topped off the tank, and checked the radar.
It looked like a really bad storm was moving slowly eastward in front of me. I was heading northeast, and if I timed it just right it looked like I would miss it.
I waited a few more minutes under the fuel station umbrella-roof, and checked the radar again to see just how fast the storm was moving.
As I headed down the road, the sky ahead of me looked scary as hell! It was like I was riding toward night-time blackness in the middle of the day.
I could see very strong lightning up ahead, and this made me extremely nervous............... I was riding straight for it.
I continued ahead tentatively, and kept checking my GPS to see if the road was leading me directly into it or not. It appeared the road up ahead took a slight bend to the left as I was approaching the worst of the storm. It did, and at one point I found my self riding along with the darkness and lightning pacing along just off to my right.
I sped up for awhile, and finally felt a sense of relief as the storm moved further and further away to the east.
By the time I reached Kayenta, it was raining steadily. I made my turn to head north toward Monument Valley, and the sky appeared to lighten.
I quickly rode out of the rain, but the overcast remained.
When I reached Monument Valley, I was treated to a sight I have never seen.
I had been through here a few times before, but I have never seen it like this!
There were tiny clouds hanging onto each Monument like tufts of cotton. It was a strange, and I assumed rare sight..........
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_13_03_20_5_43_48_1.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_13_03_20_5_43_51_2.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_13_03_20_5_43_53_3.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_13_03_20_5_43_57_5.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_13_03_20_5_43_55_4.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_13_03_20_5_44_00_6.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_13_03_20_5_45_41_0.jpeg)
I kept riding through Mexican Hat and continued on to the town of Bluff.
I had originally planned on camping a night or two on my way home, but I was cold and I was damp, and I was tired.
I made the decision to look for a hotel room for the night. The idea of a hot shower and a warm bed was irresistible!
The 3 places in Bluff were all booked up except for one place that had a cabin available for $225/night.
I passed on the cabin, and continued up the road to Blanding.
I pulled in to the first place I came to..........Rodeway Inn.
They had rooms! $90/night! Sweet!
After a shower and a backpacker meal, I don't think I ever slept so soundly in a hotel bed in my entire life!
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_13_03_20_5_45_44_1.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_13_03_20_5_45_46_2.jpeg)
Total distance for the day ended up at 413-miles.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_13_03_20_5_45_46_3.jpeg)
"To Be Continued"
Stay Tuned!
Again, great write up and pics Alan. I love a trip report.
I'm with you on the hot shower and warm bed after a day's riding, particularly if it's cold and wet. My idea of "roughing it" is a 2 star motel.
Noel
This trip is finally coming to an end............
Day-7
I was in the final stretch toward Home.
After a glorious night's sleep in the hotel bed, I went downstairs to get some breakfast (offered free for occupants) and coffee.
Then I packed up my gear, loaded up the bike, and set out on the road.
It was a beautifully sunny and crisp morning.
I stopped to take a couple pictures at Recapture Reservoir, with the Abajo Mountains in the background.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_12_39_1.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_12_37_0.jpeg)
I continued on northward, and eventually grabbed a couple pictures of "Church Rock" with the La Sal Mountains in the distance.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_12_42_2.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_12_45_3.jpeg)
My first planned stop for the day was "Wilson Arch".
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_15_24_0.jpeg)
I hiked the short trail up to the Arch. While I was there taking pictures, various cars, RVs, and motorcycles came and went.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_12_47_4.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_12_50_5.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_15_27_1.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_15_29_2.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_15_30_3.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_15_33_4.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_15_35_5.jpeg)
I made my way back down to the parking-area. A couple of Harleys pulled in. They asked me about my bike, and conversing with them I learned they were from Germany. They rented the Harleys in Las-Vegas and were touring the West. They had ridden through the same nasty-cold-wet weather that I had the previous day.
I also struck up a conversation with a married-couple who were riding a fully loaded Triumph Tiger. They were visiting the USA from the Netherlands.I think the guy said they were on a 3-week tour?
Motorcyclists generally seem to gravitate towards one another at rest-stops, and It is fantastic to meet people from all over the world while out riding.............Awesome stuff!
I continued north, then made my turn onto Hwy-46 and headed east towards Colorado.
I got a few shots of the La Sal Peaks.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_17_54_0.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_17_57_1.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_17_59_2.jpeg)
It wasn't long before I was crossing the State-Line.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_18_03_3.jpeg)
I made my way through the tiny (3-building) town of Bedrock, and turned up this dirt-road that is simply named "Y-11 Road"
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_18_05_4.jpeg)
I had wanted to check it out because it winds its way through the Dolores, and then San Miguel River Canyons.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_18_08_5.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_20_24_0.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_20_26_1.jpeg)
Up on the rock walls, there are remains of an old "Hanging Flume", built in the late 1880's, that was once used to bring water to where mining operations were.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanging_Flume (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanging_Flume)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_20_29_2.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_20_31_3.jpeg)
They re-constructed a short section of the original Flume to give people an idea of what it once looked like.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_20_34_4.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_20_36_5.jpeg)
Eventually I exited the Canyon, and came upon this old bridge that crosses the San Miguel River.
The road once traveled across it, but it has since been deemed unsafe and is blocked at either end by some large boulders. The road now continues another two miles further down the River.
Cars will no longer fit through, but an Adventure-Bike? Easily!
The Highway I was trying to reach is just on the other side of this bridge....................
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_22_29_0.jpeg)
It is definitely in disrepair, but a quick test-walk confirmed it is "Solid enough" as long as I avoid the spots that have fallen through...............
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_22_31_1.jpeg)
Top structure looks a little twisted, but it was no problem.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_22_35_2.jpeg)
I headed north on Hwy-141.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_22_37_3.jpeg)
Those of you who came to the Colorado Rally in 2016 or 2017 might remember this stretch of awesome-twisty road.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_3_43_05_0.jpeg)
I wandered off the main road down a short bit of sandy two-track to a turn-around and an overlook of the river-canyon below.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_22_41_5.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_22_39_4.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_24_29_1.jpeg)
At first I thought to myself "This would be an awesome place to Camp"...........................that is, if it weren't for the stench of the rotting Cow nearby. :negative:
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_24_26_0.jpeg)
Further up the Highway, I spotted a curious structure down off the side of the road.
I rode over to check it out. I later learned it was once a Charcoal Kiln.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_24_32_2.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_24_34_3.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_24_37_4.jpeg)
I made my way through Gateway, and then continued on towards Grand Junction.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_24_39_5.jpeg)
After a short break for some food, it was an uneventful ride on I-70 back to Denver.
I managed to avoid any bad weather on the final day, and made it home safely.
Total miles for the day's ride was 443-miles.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_25_59_3.jpeg)
The next day I cleaned all the road-grime and bugs off the bike, and safely tucked it in with the FJ.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_25_56_1.jpeg)
This was before I cleaned the garage out of most of the useless stuff that was piled in there.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_25_58_2.jpeg)
Total mileage for the 7-day trip was 2250-miles
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/192_29_03_20_2_25_54_0.jpeg)
Hope you enjoyed tagging along on this journey.
There will be some more to follow in the near future. :drinks:
Had to get out a thesauras to find some adjectives that would describe this post....
Great :yes:
Fantastic :good:
Magnificent :good2:
Splendiferous :biggrin:
Absolutelyfuckingawesome :music:
Kinda surprised that last one was in there :pardon:
Quote from: PaulG on March 29, 2020, 11:54:13 PM
Had to get out a thesauras to find some adjectives that would describe this post....
Great :yes:
Fantastic :good:
Magnificent :good2:
Splendiferous :biggrin:
Absolutelyfuckingawesome :music:
Kinda surprised that last one was in there :pardon:
Thank you Paul.
Glad you enjoyed it :good2: