Trailace
01-16-2006, 11:57 PM
Ricks Continental Divide Ride
August 8th thru 21st, 2003
TX/OK/KS/CO/WY/MT/NM
Trip 13 Days Miles on Bike 6,740 GPS 6,245 Canada to Mexico miles over 3,100+
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Gravel 55% Pavement 20% Rock 10% Dirt 10% Sand 5% Fun 100%
Ok, I suck at writing but here goes a ride report for the Continental Divide ride. I will not go into great detail on all the roads because it would take forever to do that. If you want more info try the book. The plan was to leave Houston, Texas Friday August 8 at around noon. But as fate would have it the boss calls a staff meeting and I must attend. $#@%$. The meeting ends at 18:00, I finish up a few things and take off for home.
It's now 19:30 and the big GS takes off for Roosville Montana. I told Robin I would meet him at the Blue Mountain RV Park 3 miles south of Roosville Sunday night and we would start the ride Monday morning. That gives me 48 hours to cover 2,250 miles, no big deal.
Saturday 19:30 I make it to Billings Montana 1,629 miles in 24 hours. I locate a campground, grab a bite to eat and a beer and off to bed. Tomorrow will be easy, only 600 miles to go.
Sunday 8/10
It was a great day to ride but a little hot. I made it to the RV Park around 17:30
Robin was already there with his tent set up.
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(http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657844-M.jpg)Well off with Robin to find a place to eat. Here's the funny thing, we eat at a Mexican restaurant near the Canadian border. Back at camp we drink a beer and try to get some sleep.
Day 1
I did not get much sleep, the dam sprinklers were going all night. You know the ones that go ch ch ch ...... Robin said he slept fine. Around 8:30 we take off for Canada, at the border we tell the young lady we only want to take a picture by the welcome sign and would be coming right back. Ok she said so off we went to take the picture.
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Coming back to the good old USA we get held up for about 10 minutes. I know they saw us cross into Canada but the first question was how long you been in Canada? Let's see, maybe 5 minutes. Man I felt like saying here's your sign. A little over 50 miles we hit our first snag. The road going by Glacier NP was blocked due to fire. We backtracked and looked for a new route trying to stay off pavement. Looks like we miss about 30 or so miles of the trail but with the back tracking and the route we took to get back on track we did enough to make up for it. We ate brunch in Whitefish outdoors. Man there was a lot of smoke from the fires.
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Back on the road again and everything was going great. We decided to bypass a small 9-mile section due to the fact that there were boulders blocking the road and lots of smoke.
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(http://users4.ev1.net/~trailace/ride's/2003/P1010015.jpg)This is the Sun.So now we're flying down this dirt and gravel road (Robin in front) and I see something up ahead in the road. It's Robin's rear mudguard. I picked it up and give to Robin at the next stop. Which is a few miles up the road at a gate with a sign that reads
"No Motorized vehicles on trail".
(http://users4.ev1.net/~trailace/ride's/2003/P1010012.jpg)http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657855-M.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657855-M.jpg)http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657852-M.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657852-M.jpg)http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657854-M.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657854-M.jpg)http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657853-M.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657853-M.jpg)So, we back track and find another way to go. Oh ****! bridge out what the *&^%. After looking at the maps we think we find a new route. Fifteen miles later we hit another bridge out sign. On the last try we seem to be back on the trail again, however it started to get a little late so we stop in Lolo N.F. near Seeley Lake. That makes it 244 miles of the CD ride done.
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Bike after Day 1
Ride Day 2
(We Called it the hard Day)We were up early and eager to get started. It had been a great night for sleeping and you could still feel a chill in the air. We were back on the trail and everything was going great
(http://users4.ev1.net/~trailace/ride's/2003/P1010018.jpg)http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657861-M.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657861-M.jpg) http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657863-M.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657863-M.jpg)We finally hit a section of trail that was a little challenging. Mostly uphill with water crossings and lots of rocks to go over or aroundhttp://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657864-M.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657864-M.jpg)http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657865-M.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657865-M.jpg)http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657866-M.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657866-M.jpg)http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657867-M.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657867-M.jpg)
We stopped to eat brunch and back on the trail again. Right after lunch we came along a bicycle rider. I slowed down and asked if he was doing the CD ride and when did he start. He told me he was doing the ride and started last Monday. He asked me when we started and told him yesterday. Man, if you could have seen his face. Told Robin the story at next stop and he just laughed. Ok let's get to the fun part. Robin turned right on to this thing called a road with a deep-water crossing and mud. In about 100 yards it turns into a rock road
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I'm talking big rocks. I made it over the first few groups of rocks with just a little trouble. After the next turn things got worse and I stopped to check things out. Robin also stopped but he was at the middle of the hill
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It looked doable so of we went. Robin made it to the top with very little trouble but now it was my turn. I headed for the same line as Robin, however my bags got stuck between two big rocks and everything stopped. Robin ran down and we pulled off the left bag. After that I also made it to the top
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Before I knew it I'm going over big rocks, roots and fallen trees
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This went on for 1.9 miles and then came a hill that was steep, narrow and full of rocks. Time to check it out so off the bike and up the hill. It all looked ok till the very top. There was about 20 yards of steep uphill with only a 1-foot wide strip of useable trail. To the left of this trail was about 150-foot drop and on the right a steep wall. Not wanting to die on day 2 I told Robin I was turning around and looking for another way to go. Robin was cool and said ok lets go back. Needless to say I was pissed at myself for not being able to make it up that last hill and tired as all get out. Rather than going all the way back to town we found a new trail. This trail turned out to be harder than the previous one was. It seemed like 5 miles of hell road. On the last down hill over big rock I stalled the bike out on a big rock and over I went. Now I have a new scratch on the GS. Ok road was a little better for the next 1/4 mile where it dead-ended at a private gate. The gate has a no trespassing sign on it. We looked around and saw a camper trailer and other stuff that would never make it over the road we just traveled so there must be a road some were. Parked the bikes and went through the gate calling hello as we went. We passed 3 or 4 horses and down a steep drive there was a house and dogs. An older lady came out holding this mad looking dog, this thing was dying to get a piece of us. The lady told us we could cut through her place to the road, man was I happy. Before long we were back on the main road heading to Basin where we would camp that night.
(http://users4.ev1.net/~trailace/ride's/2003/tank.jpg)http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/752226-M.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/752226-M.jpg)
(http://users4.ev1.net/~trailace/ride's/2003/tank.jpg)In Basin we camped at an RV park right on the river and it claim to fame was some kind on healing cave. Went to town and eat at the leaning tower of pizza. They made great pizza and the bar across the street sold us some beer to go. Back at camp we discuss today's ride and I told Robin that I was not going to kill myself on this trip and if we hit anymore roads like today I would just go around somehow. I know this sound bad but man I was not having fun and did not want to beat the **** out of the GS. I think Robin was just happy I did not quit the ride and head for home. I can't lie, at one point I felt like it.
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Day 3
Got a great night sleep but was sore from the hard riding the day before. Robin took the left over beer to the camp host. He told Robin that he was a gentleman a scholar and a consumer of fine wine. We laughed at this the rest of the trip. This camp was right on the trail so in 1/2 mile we were back at it. We were on an old railroad bed and around 9 miles we went though an old train tunnel. (Cool)
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This day just got better and better as we went. The scenery was unbelievable and the roads were hard in parts to make it fun but not undoable. Man I needed this after day two.
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Toward the end of the day the road ran along a river in a valley of big mountains
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Our destination for the night was Lima. POP 116 give or take. We had dinner and asked around about a campground. We were told the closest one was 20 miles north or south. We did not want to back track or head south not on the trail. To make things worse, 3 new fires started along the route we needed to take tomorrow. Across the street where we ate was an RV park couldn't hurt to ask said Robin. The guy who ran it was real nice and let us camp in his yard. His dog Blue pissed on Robin's bike. Ha ha ha.... You would not believe how dry every thing was, the grass would crackle under your feet when you walked. One good thing about being dry was the tent was not wet in the mornings.
Day 4
This too was another great morning. The weather was perfect, maybe a little hot. The roads were real easy and fast for dirt. It's funny how you sometimes forget you're on dirt and gravel. You're just driving along and you happen to look at the speedometer and you're doing 70 mph. At or about 36 miles we come to road closed sign. We break out the maps to plan a new route to get around the fires but stay on dirt. Both GPS show a road that should work just right and take us over a mountain. This turned out to be a fantastic road with lots of tight curves. Not to far in we pass up an old man cutting firewood and I stop to say hi. He asked where we were going and I tell him Mexico and he said have a good ride. Let's see in about 15 miles the road just ends, the GPS shows it to keep going but it does not.
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So we turn around and head back and I can't wait to ask the old guy what's up with the road. The old guy is still working on his wood so I stop again to ask for directions. I said to him I guess I'm not going to Mexico on that road and he said no it's a dead end. Man I wish he had told me that the last time we talked.
We've spent a lot of time looking for a back road around the fires with no luck so off to a town. The town of Moniad was 10 miles out of the way but this seemed like the only choose we had. In town there was a police officer, we asked for the best way to go. He told us all roads to Lakeview were closed due to fire. The only thing to do would be go south on the highway 15 miles and cut across to Big Springs. At least the road we cut across on was dirt. Had Lunch in Big Spring.
After lunch we decided to take the longer and more scenic route on Fish Creek Rd. As fate would have it, today Fish Creek was getting grated. Talk about fun, a nice newly grated road with lots of gravel and sand. I tried but the best speed I could do was 25 mph. This was a 25-mile long road, toward the end the speed did pick up some. The next section was on Flagg Ranch Rd. Now this was a fun road and scenic with a few cars and trucks on it. I would not take my car down this road but there were a few.
This road ends in the Grand Teton National Park which we road right past. Man those mountains are so spectacular to see. We ended the day in Dubois Wyoming and eat dinner at Cowboy Caf?. (Great Food)
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Day 5
This day starts on Union Pass Rd, a great little road with lots of cut backs and rocks all on the way up to 9200 feet. Around 17 miles we go right down a two track road, what I mean by two track is grass in middle and dirt tracks on the sides. It starts off real cool with some small smooth washouts but then it turns into a mess. Thank god it was dry because if it were wet the GS would never had made it. The road looked like it had been muddy at one time and a group of jeeps had cut it all up. We stayed on the crown and side best we could. The TKC 80 did a great job here and on the whole trip. Two miles into it Robin stops and says that we were on the wrong trail. The second time was more fun then the first and was a lot faster. Back on the right trail everything went great until we stopped for lunch in Pinedale. Lunch in Pinedale, let's just say the caf? we eat at SUCKED!
A few Pic from the morning ride.
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Road Work!
Just out of Pinedale we hit one of the best roads on the route. It followed a fence line though some tough washouts and up hills. It also had a fair amount of sand. This went on for about 9 miles when Robin came to a stop. I'm thinking now what, Robin only stops when things look bad. Here the deal was that we would have to climb a steep uphill with rocks and sand, but right in the middle of the uphill is a 3-foot wash out.
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The plan is to cut left at the washout to avoid the deep sand on the right. Robin goes first and almost stalled at the washout but keeps it going all the way to the top. Oh I forgot right before the washout there was a group of rocks about 8 to 10 inches high. That's were Robin almost stalled and where you need to hang a left. LOL Now it's my turn. Everything is going good at first then I come to the washout, I go over the rocks but can't make the turn left so look out sand here I come. At that point I just turn on the power and the big GS blew right though the sand and up the hill. Robin told me I made it look easy. It took me a few miles to get my hands to stop shaking. The next section was going to be long and off the beaten trail. (No gas) Robin tops the tank off in Boulder.
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We would make good time due the fact the roads were well maintained. About 20 miles in we hit a road that was so wide it could be a four-lane dirt road. It also ran right along the Continental Divide with awesome views of the Basins on both sides.
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We were ripping along at about 70 mph when I started to hear a noise that was new. I am thinking ok what the hell is going on. Well the noise is getting louder and louder. I look in the mirror and holy **** here comes a pick up truck and SUV trying to pass. I'm telling you I was doing 70 and this guy passed me like I was sitting still. Robin, who was in front looked as shocked as I was when he was passed. This was the first vehicle to pass us on the trip and we were caught off guard. Next time I'm doing 70 on a dirt road I'll keep my eyes on my mirrors. %$#@ One more thing about this section, we met a guy who was walking the CD route. This guy was in the middle of nowhere and was on day 52 of his walk. What more can I say. We also passed two more bicycle riders. Next town Atlantic City.
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Atlantic City
This was my favorite town on the trip not for what it was but for what it was not. The plan was to get gas here but guess what, no gas in this town. We get off the bikes and talked to the locals in this one store town. Of course all five people in town that day were at the bar drinking. Robin asked where the closest gas was and it was like 60 miles away. That wasn't going to work so maybe we could take some out of the GS tank and make it to the next town on the route. That would be Rawlins 120+ miles away. Robin had about 100 miles left in the tank. Then a guy at the bar offers to sell Robin some gas he had for an ATV. Cool, all he would need is about a gallon to make it. The guy gave Robin about a gallon and a half for free. The town folk told us it would be a long hard road to Rawlins and hope we had something to fix flats with.
The trip from Atlantic City to Rawlins was not as bad as they made it out to be. We did make a wrong turn on a two-track road for about 2 miles. Man this was a great road, a little challenging with blind up hills that were steep and rocky. After we got back on track we hit a section of real fine sand not deep just fine. (Like powder) It was so white it was had to look at it. This trail ended on a wide, straight as an arrow 2 lane black top. ZZZZ
In Rawlins we stayed at a KOA campground. This would be a good time to do some laundry. It was a great day of riding but for some reason I was in a bitchie mood. (Sorry Robin) I was not feeling well the whole day and maybe it caught up with me. We did cover 300 + miles of dirt today.
Day 6
We left Rawlins bright and early ready to ride. Man I had on clean clothing and was feeling great. We planned on covering a lot of ground today but you never know what might happen. Thirty miles into today's ride we make a wrong turn and did not know it for 10 miles. At this point I want everyone to know that Robin might have made some wrong turns but he made hundreds of right one. Robin you can navigate with the best of them.
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Back on the trail the road narrows and we come to a spot called Aspen Alley, man is it beautiful.
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Right after that we turn right on to Hwy 70 and Robin has a race with a calf. (Cow) Here's how it goes, Calf on left Robin on right and off they go. The calf takes an early lead but Robin blows by him real quick. Now the calf thinks it's time to be on the right side of the track and hangs a quick right behind Robin and in front of me. As soon as the calf hits the pavement, down she goes, man what a site. She jumps back up and heads for home. I was laughing my ass off. I saw the calf from the start and I myself was never in danger of hitting her. It did look like she might run into the side of Robin. Things get a little harder in this next section between Slater and Clark.
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At first it's like any dirt, gravel, and sandy road then it bears right up this long steep hill with lots or rocks and washouts. Let me say this, it made day two look easy. However, at this point in the trip I'm a better rider and blazed up the hill. The bike did great going over big rocks and roots. Somewhere in the middle of the uphill I went over a big rock (8 to 10 inches high) and on the other side there was a small washout about a foot deep. The big GS front shock bottomed out hard, man that hurt. Not long after that was when I noticed the left fork seal leaking. We climbed 1500 feet in about 1.5 miles. What goes up must come down. The other side was no better, just longer. It descended 1500 feet in about 3 miles.
No stopping to take Pic's here.
On the way down over bigger rocks we came across a group of riders on old airhead BMWs doing the Big Dog ride. We talked a little then back on the road to Steamboat Spring for lunch.
At lunch we notice that the our rear tires would not make the whole trip so we called all the BMW shops south of there to plan what to do about it. Looks like we would need to stop in Albuquerque N.M. on Tuesday for tires and oil change.
Back on the trail everything is going ok but at Stagecoach Reservoir we cannot take the motorcycle across the dam. We back track and go the other way around the reservoir and get back on the trail. (Great Job Robin)
Back on the trail everything is going good when the sky starts to turn black and the winds pick up. It is now raining but not that hard so we stop at the next main road crossing to discuss our options for the rest of the day.
Here the deal, it is now raining and lightning like a mother and Robin wants to keep on the trail. Me I'm thinking lets just bypass the next 5 miles of trail and get off this open mountain area. Let me add this so I don't look like too big of a pussy, the next 5 miles has two water crossing one with a warning of being too deep to cross if raining.
The plan Robin is going to try the trail and I'm going to go around and meet him on the other side at 18:30. ??? I think. Robin takes off and I put on the rest of my rain gear. By this time it is now hailing jellybean size hail. On the black top it did not take to long to go around the section. I made is early so decide to drive in and meet Robin. I get all the way to the last water crossing and no Robin.
(Robin you missed this. LOL)
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Oh **** he should be here by now so I haul ass back to the meeting place and there's Robin. Turns out the first water crossing was moving fast and he could not see how deep it was so he turned back. At this point we decided not to split up anymore. This is a ride you do not want to be out on your own, too many places you would never be found if something were to happen. It's still raining but there was no lightning so back on the trail. Only 9 miles of dirt road left for the day and it was nice not having all the dust. The mud on the bikes made us look like true adventures.
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(Robin) (Rick)
By the time we made it to Silverthorne it was raining hard and the temp dropped to the low 50s. Robin was wet and there was no nearby campground so a motel it would be. Not a great motel but it sure would be nice to sleep in a bed. (NOT)
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Day 7 (Sunday)
I though it would be great to sleep in a bed, but it turned out to be the worst night of sleep on the whole trip. When we woke it was still raining and was only 42 degrees. In Breckenridge we headed southeast over Boreas Pass (11,482 feet) the road was muddy and slick but very doable. Once at the top we could see the sun shining though the clouds.
The weather just kept getting better as the morning went on, as did the roads. We had lunch in Salida. The roads at this point seemed to be getting easier to me but maybe it was that we were getting better at riding them.
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Over Marshall Pass (10,842) then North Pass (10,067) and on to Carnero Pass (10,166)
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Right after Carnero Pass the Sky started to get dark again. The bad thing is the maps tell you some of the roads will be impassable if wet. We pick up the pace trying to beat the rain. At one point a big gust of wind blew Robin and myself all the way across the road. Man that felt cool. By the time we hit the last section of today's ride it was raining but not too hard.
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Robin turns left on to a two-lane trail that was narrow with lots of quick ups and downs. The tracks were also deep and there was no way to ride the crown. I went in about 1/4 of a mile and I could not keep the big GS on track. The tires filled with clay and had no traction. I knew it was bad because when I told Robin that I could not make it he did not argue with me.
If it were not raining that road would have been great. We make it to Del Norte and decided to call it a day and camp at an old RV park and campground. There was two guys also camping there doing the ride on bicycles. They started July 4th and it's now August 17th. We shared some stories and called it a night.
Day 8
(Having to much fun to take any pictures) To me this was the best day of the whole trip. It started fast and hard and never let up.
First we went over Indiana Pass (11'910 feet) what a beautiful place.
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You could see for miles and it felt like we were on the summit for miles. The creek running through this area was a sight to see. The bad thing that it's contaminated from the Summitville mine Superfund Site.
We stop in Platoro so Robin can top off his tank, it's 150 miles till the next town. The gas was $2.25 a gallon and this was a steal considering where we were. The store had a fireplace right in the middle of the building; it was as big as a car and made of rock. I wish I had taken a picture of it.
I know we've covered rocks before but it's now time to hit some real stuff. We're about 40 miles from Platoro when the road turns into a jeep like trail. Lots of big rocks and washouts. I'm going over rocks that are lifting the back tire of the ground. Thanks BMW for the skid plate or I would not have any oil at this point. After about 2 miles of this I see an alternate road so I head for it. Robin keeps going on the main road.
The alternate road is not much better but the bottom where they join back up does not have deep ruts to go over. Then the trial gets a little better for a few miles. We meet a guy and girl on bicycles at the bottom of the next hill. We talk a little and they told us there was one more rider with them just up ahead. We head up the hill and man, on a scale of 1 to 10 this was a 9. We meet the bike rider at the top say hi .
The next hill was 100% rock the size of donuts. It was not hard but you did not want to stop. I'll say it was a mile and a half climb. The trail was like this off and on to Abiquiu where we had lunch. (Late lunch) After lunch we only have 70 miles to Cuba and then off toward Albuquerque for tires on Tuesday.
Well those 70 miles had it all sand, dirt, lava, rocks and washouts. At first it was fast dirt and sand then we also had some small jumps every 1/2 mile. I think the jumps were made to help stop the erosion when it rains. I know one thing for sure, they were fun to fly over. Next we start going uphill and the road turns to lava. To make it more fun there were limbs and big sticks all over the trail. We climbed from 7,000 to over 10,000 feet in the next 25 miles of this stuff.
I look up and Robin is stopped and I know this can't be good. Looks like the next 5 miles of road is on a rugged 4 wheel drive trail. Robin wants to know if I'm a go so I check the maps. Well either I go on the trail or I drive back 40 + miles to go around. What the hell lets go for it. It was down hill all the way and the GS actually was handling it real well. On the last big rock it tore the Micatech skid plate right off the center stand. The rest of the trail to Cuba was gravel then black top. We talked to a few guy in Cuba and they never heard off the trail we were on and couldn't believe we made it. It's now dark and we head for Albuquerque to spend the night and eat.
Day 9
Today we plan on getting new rear tires and changing the oil on the bikes. We really need to clean the mud and crap off also. First we find the dealership and as luck would have it, there is a car wash right next to it. The bikes get a quick power wash and off to the dealer. It's around 8:00 but the shop does not open till 9:00 so we wait. In a little while one of the workers show up and point us to an ok spot to pull the tires. I want to let everyone know how helpful Albuquerque Honda BMW was in getting the work done and letting us use their lot.
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Grab a quick lunch and head north to find the trail, this was easier said then done. We knew where it was supposed to be but no trail; Robin tried to find it to no avail. We take the mind-numbing alternate route. At one point we tried to back track on to the trail with no luck. Maybe it was a good thing because a major storm was blowing in. I'm talking 30 to 40 mile winds and rain.
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Just south of Grants we're back on the trail heading to Pie Town for some dinner and pie.
Pie Town was closed, the only store had a sign that said closed for cleaning. What we really needed was gas, so which way to go, east or west. Just then a truck pulled up and gave us a little help, we would head east 20 miles for gas and eats. After dinner we went back to Pie Town to camp in the free park. We also had our first campfire of the trip. One thing about the fire, when we left Pie Town there was a sign the said no campfires. Sorry
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This was not a fun day of riding but it was still better than working. LOL
Day 10
Today was the first morning we woke up to dew on everything so it took a little longer to get on the road. Today's goal was Mexico 303 miles away.
The first 100 miles went fast, the roads were flat and smooth.
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There was one spot that got a little hairy. We're running 75 mph on this great hard smooth road and out of no where a 100 yards of mud. It was just hold on and keep the GS upright and on the road. First I went left then right and more right in deeper mud. The bike came to a stop with mud over the rims. Got her rolling again and back on to dry road no harm done.
Then up and over a small mountain at the bottom Robin is stoped. He told me his bike just died and won't restart. We check everything we can but it still won't start. Must be the fuel pump and no we don't have one.
Time to make a plan so out comes the maps. I went south 40 miles to Mimbres and call for help. Cell phone was not working where we were stopped. I take off for help and Robin grabs a book to read. The rest of the road to Mimbres was great but could not enjoy it knowing that Robin was stuck. At one point the bike started to make a new noise so I stopped to check it out but could not find what was loose. A mile or so later the noise stopped, what ever it was must have fallen off, hope it's not important. Than I hear a new noise and see the blinker hanging off. The first noise was the washer on the blinker and when it came off it stopped. No harm here because the wires keep the nut and washer from falling off. Five minutes later back on the road with blinker back on and tight.
It's up and over Black Canyon, this was a rocky and tight road. I'm thinking there's no way a tow truck would make it over this. Down the road a ways I stopped and talked to a National forest worker. He tried his phone but it would not work. The sky was getting dark and looked like rain. The forest worker told me the road gets real bad if it rains so I take off at a much higher speed. In twenty miles I'm off the trail and on pavement, next stop a phone. I pull into the Mimbres Ranger Station and use the phone to call BMW roadside assistance. I hear people talk bad about this service but within five minutes I'm talking to the tow truck company.
I tell the tow truck lady right were Robin is located and how to get there. Turns out if I would have gone back north to Beaverhead ranger station, just ten miles, I could have used their phone. She tells me they will tow is back to the shop then to the BMW dealer in Deming. Ok so I head to Truth or Consequences to meet up with Robin.
Tow truck should pick Robin up in 45 minutes and then back to the shop in an hour. That gives me time to drive the 90 miles to meet him. If you're ever near Mimbres you need to ride 152 over Emory Pass man what a great road. The first 2 miles I counted 48 curves. I make it to the shop around 15:00 and wait.
It's now 17:00 and still no Robin and all the workers at the shop head for home. The tow truck is still out of cell phone range so no news. One of the workers gives me the driver's number and wishes me good luck. I find a pay phone and try the driver but no luck. I'm 75 miles from were Robin is and plan to head his way around 18:45 so I could make it to him before dark. In the last town the only store was closed so it was onward with no food. I passed a sign that said no service for next 125 miles. Man I love the big tank on the GS ADV. At about 10 miles this side of dirt here comes the tow truck with Robin, man I was glad to see them. It seems the directions got mixed up in the transfer. %$#@ Robin gets the bike towed to the BMW shop in Deming and I follow. We stay the night in a dive of a motel 3 blocks from the shop.
Day 11
Robin will head for the shop and I head for Mexico. About 100 miles later I'm in Mexico man what a long dull drive.
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Somehow it's just was not the same without Robin. We also planned to drink a few margaritas on the last night. Well I stopped at the motel to check on Robin before heading home. He was doing ok. The fule pump was out and would be replaced that day. He also completed the ride and headed for home. As for me just 900 miles till home. I make it home around 23:00 that night. Sure was a great trip but Robin breaking down took the fun out of the ending. Man it felt good to sleep in my own bed.
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All of the Pics (http://blink.smugmug.com/gallery/19345)
August 8th thru 21st, 2003
TX/OK/KS/CO/WY/MT/NM
Trip 13 Days Miles on Bike 6,740 GPS 6,245 Canada to Mexico miles over 3,100+
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Gravel 55% Pavement 20% Rock 10% Dirt 10% Sand 5% Fun 100%
Ok, I suck at writing but here goes a ride report for the Continental Divide ride. I will not go into great detail on all the roads because it would take forever to do that. If you want more info try the book. The plan was to leave Houston, Texas Friday August 8 at around noon. But as fate would have it the boss calls a staff meeting and I must attend. $#@%$. The meeting ends at 18:00, I finish up a few things and take off for home.
It's now 19:30 and the big GS takes off for Roosville Montana. I told Robin I would meet him at the Blue Mountain RV Park 3 miles south of Roosville Sunday night and we would start the ride Monday morning. That gives me 48 hours to cover 2,250 miles, no big deal.
Saturday 19:30 I make it to Billings Montana 1,629 miles in 24 hours. I locate a campground, grab a bite to eat and a beer and off to bed. Tomorrow will be easy, only 600 miles to go.
Sunday 8/10
It was a great day to ride but a little hot. I made it to the RV Park around 17:30
Robin was already there with his tent set up.
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(http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657844-M.jpg)Well off with Robin to find a place to eat. Here's the funny thing, we eat at a Mexican restaurant near the Canadian border. Back at camp we drink a beer and try to get some sleep.
Day 1
I did not get much sleep, the dam sprinklers were going all night. You know the ones that go ch ch ch ...... Robin said he slept fine. Around 8:30 we take off for Canada, at the border we tell the young lady we only want to take a picture by the welcome sign and would be coming right back. Ok she said so off we went to take the picture.
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Coming back to the good old USA we get held up for about 10 minutes. I know they saw us cross into Canada but the first question was how long you been in Canada? Let's see, maybe 5 minutes. Man I felt like saying here's your sign. A little over 50 miles we hit our first snag. The road going by Glacier NP was blocked due to fire. We backtracked and looked for a new route trying to stay off pavement. Looks like we miss about 30 or so miles of the trail but with the back tracking and the route we took to get back on track we did enough to make up for it. We ate brunch in Whitefish outdoors. Man there was a lot of smoke from the fires.
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Back on the road again and everything was going great. We decided to bypass a small 9-mile section due to the fact that there were boulders blocking the road and lots of smoke.
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(http://users4.ev1.net/~trailace/ride's/2003/P1010015.jpg)This is the Sun.So now we're flying down this dirt and gravel road (Robin in front) and I see something up ahead in the road. It's Robin's rear mudguard. I picked it up and give to Robin at the next stop. Which is a few miles up the road at a gate with a sign that reads
"No Motorized vehicles on trail".
(http://users4.ev1.net/~trailace/ride's/2003/P1010012.jpg)http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657855-M.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657855-M.jpg)http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657852-M.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657852-M.jpg)http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657854-M.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657854-M.jpg)http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657853-M.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657853-M.jpg)So, we back track and find another way to go. Oh ****! bridge out what the *&^%. After looking at the maps we think we find a new route. Fifteen miles later we hit another bridge out sign. On the last try we seem to be back on the trail again, however it started to get a little late so we stop in Lolo N.F. near Seeley Lake. That makes it 244 miles of the CD ride done.
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Bike after Day 1
Ride Day 2
(We Called it the hard Day)We were up early and eager to get started. It had been a great night for sleeping and you could still feel a chill in the air. We were back on the trail and everything was going great
(http://users4.ev1.net/~trailace/ride's/2003/P1010018.jpg)http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657861-M.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657861-M.jpg) http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657863-M.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657863-M.jpg)We finally hit a section of trail that was a little challenging. Mostly uphill with water crossings and lots of rocks to go over or aroundhttp://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657864-M.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657864-M.jpg)http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657865-M.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657865-M.jpg)http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657866-M.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657866-M.jpg)http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657867-M.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657867-M.jpg)
We stopped to eat brunch and back on the trail again. Right after lunch we came along a bicycle rider. I slowed down and asked if he was doing the CD ride and when did he start. He told me he was doing the ride and started last Monday. He asked me when we started and told him yesterday. Man, if you could have seen his face. Told Robin the story at next stop and he just laughed. Ok let's get to the fun part. Robin turned right on to this thing called a road with a deep-water crossing and mud. In about 100 yards it turns into a rock road
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I'm talking big rocks. I made it over the first few groups of rocks with just a little trouble. After the next turn things got worse and I stopped to check things out. Robin also stopped but he was at the middle of the hill
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It looked doable so of we went. Robin made it to the top with very little trouble but now it was my turn. I headed for the same line as Robin, however my bags got stuck between two big rocks and everything stopped. Robin ran down and we pulled off the left bag. After that I also made it to the top
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Before I knew it I'm going over big rocks, roots and fallen trees
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This went on for 1.9 miles and then came a hill that was steep, narrow and full of rocks. Time to check it out so off the bike and up the hill. It all looked ok till the very top. There was about 20 yards of steep uphill with only a 1-foot wide strip of useable trail. To the left of this trail was about 150-foot drop and on the right a steep wall. Not wanting to die on day 2 I told Robin I was turning around and looking for another way to go. Robin was cool and said ok lets go back. Needless to say I was pissed at myself for not being able to make it up that last hill and tired as all get out. Rather than going all the way back to town we found a new trail. This trail turned out to be harder than the previous one was. It seemed like 5 miles of hell road. On the last down hill over big rock I stalled the bike out on a big rock and over I went. Now I have a new scratch on the GS. Ok road was a little better for the next 1/4 mile where it dead-ended at a private gate. The gate has a no trespassing sign on it. We looked around and saw a camper trailer and other stuff that would never make it over the road we just traveled so there must be a road some were. Parked the bikes and went through the gate calling hello as we went. We passed 3 or 4 horses and down a steep drive there was a house and dogs. An older lady came out holding this mad looking dog, this thing was dying to get a piece of us. The lady told us we could cut through her place to the road, man was I happy. Before long we were back on the main road heading to Basin where we would camp that night.
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(http://users4.ev1.net/~trailace/ride's/2003/tank.jpg)In Basin we camped at an RV park right on the river and it claim to fame was some kind on healing cave. Went to town and eat at the leaning tower of pizza. They made great pizza and the bar across the street sold us some beer to go. Back at camp we discuss today's ride and I told Robin that I was not going to kill myself on this trip and if we hit anymore roads like today I would just go around somehow. I know this sound bad but man I was not having fun and did not want to beat the **** out of the GS. I think Robin was just happy I did not quit the ride and head for home. I can't lie, at one point I felt like it.
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Day 3
Got a great night sleep but was sore from the hard riding the day before. Robin took the left over beer to the camp host. He told Robin that he was a gentleman a scholar and a consumer of fine wine. We laughed at this the rest of the trip. This camp was right on the trail so in 1/2 mile we were back at it. We were on an old railroad bed and around 9 miles we went though an old train tunnel. (Cool)
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This day just got better and better as we went. The scenery was unbelievable and the roads were hard in parts to make it fun but not undoable. Man I needed this after day two.
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Toward the end of the day the road ran along a river in a valley of big mountains
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Our destination for the night was Lima. POP 116 give or take. We had dinner and asked around about a campground. We were told the closest one was 20 miles north or south. We did not want to back track or head south not on the trail. To make things worse, 3 new fires started along the route we needed to take tomorrow. Across the street where we ate was an RV park couldn't hurt to ask said Robin. The guy who ran it was real nice and let us camp in his yard. His dog Blue pissed on Robin's bike. Ha ha ha.... You would not believe how dry every thing was, the grass would crackle under your feet when you walked. One good thing about being dry was the tent was not wet in the mornings.
Day 4
This too was another great morning. The weather was perfect, maybe a little hot. The roads were real easy and fast for dirt. It's funny how you sometimes forget you're on dirt and gravel. You're just driving along and you happen to look at the speedometer and you're doing 70 mph. At or about 36 miles we come to road closed sign. We break out the maps to plan a new route to get around the fires but stay on dirt. Both GPS show a road that should work just right and take us over a mountain. This turned out to be a fantastic road with lots of tight curves. Not to far in we pass up an old man cutting firewood and I stop to say hi. He asked where we were going and I tell him Mexico and he said have a good ride. Let's see in about 15 miles the road just ends, the GPS shows it to keep going but it does not.
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So we turn around and head back and I can't wait to ask the old guy what's up with the road. The old guy is still working on his wood so I stop again to ask for directions. I said to him I guess I'm not going to Mexico on that road and he said no it's a dead end. Man I wish he had told me that the last time we talked.
We've spent a lot of time looking for a back road around the fires with no luck so off to a town. The town of Moniad was 10 miles out of the way but this seemed like the only choose we had. In town there was a police officer, we asked for the best way to go. He told us all roads to Lakeview were closed due to fire. The only thing to do would be go south on the highway 15 miles and cut across to Big Springs. At least the road we cut across on was dirt. Had Lunch in Big Spring.
After lunch we decided to take the longer and more scenic route on Fish Creek Rd. As fate would have it, today Fish Creek was getting grated. Talk about fun, a nice newly grated road with lots of gravel and sand. I tried but the best speed I could do was 25 mph. This was a 25-mile long road, toward the end the speed did pick up some. The next section was on Flagg Ranch Rd. Now this was a fun road and scenic with a few cars and trucks on it. I would not take my car down this road but there were a few.
This road ends in the Grand Teton National Park which we road right past. Man those mountains are so spectacular to see. We ended the day in Dubois Wyoming and eat dinner at Cowboy Caf?. (Great Food)
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Day 5
This day starts on Union Pass Rd, a great little road with lots of cut backs and rocks all on the way up to 9200 feet. Around 17 miles we go right down a two track road, what I mean by two track is grass in middle and dirt tracks on the sides. It starts off real cool with some small smooth washouts but then it turns into a mess. Thank god it was dry because if it were wet the GS would never had made it. The road looked like it had been muddy at one time and a group of jeeps had cut it all up. We stayed on the crown and side best we could. The TKC 80 did a great job here and on the whole trip. Two miles into it Robin stops and says that we were on the wrong trail. The second time was more fun then the first and was a lot faster. Back on the right trail everything went great until we stopped for lunch in Pinedale. Lunch in Pinedale, let's just say the caf? we eat at SUCKED!
A few Pic from the morning ride.
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Road Work!
Just out of Pinedale we hit one of the best roads on the route. It followed a fence line though some tough washouts and up hills. It also had a fair amount of sand. This went on for about 9 miles when Robin came to a stop. I'm thinking now what, Robin only stops when things look bad. Here the deal was that we would have to climb a steep uphill with rocks and sand, but right in the middle of the uphill is a 3-foot wash out.
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The plan is to cut left at the washout to avoid the deep sand on the right. Robin goes first and almost stalled at the washout but keeps it going all the way to the top. Oh I forgot right before the washout there was a group of rocks about 8 to 10 inches high. That's were Robin almost stalled and where you need to hang a left. LOL Now it's my turn. Everything is going good at first then I come to the washout, I go over the rocks but can't make the turn left so look out sand here I come. At that point I just turn on the power and the big GS blew right though the sand and up the hill. Robin told me I made it look easy. It took me a few miles to get my hands to stop shaking. The next section was going to be long and off the beaten trail. (No gas) Robin tops the tank off in Boulder.
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We would make good time due the fact the roads were well maintained. About 20 miles in we hit a road that was so wide it could be a four-lane dirt road. It also ran right along the Continental Divide with awesome views of the Basins on both sides.
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We were ripping along at about 70 mph when I started to hear a noise that was new. I am thinking ok what the hell is going on. Well the noise is getting louder and louder. I look in the mirror and holy **** here comes a pick up truck and SUV trying to pass. I'm telling you I was doing 70 and this guy passed me like I was sitting still. Robin, who was in front looked as shocked as I was when he was passed. This was the first vehicle to pass us on the trip and we were caught off guard. Next time I'm doing 70 on a dirt road I'll keep my eyes on my mirrors. %$#@ One more thing about this section, we met a guy who was walking the CD route. This guy was in the middle of nowhere and was on day 52 of his walk. What more can I say. We also passed two more bicycle riders. Next town Atlantic City.
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Atlantic City
This was my favorite town on the trip not for what it was but for what it was not. The plan was to get gas here but guess what, no gas in this town. We get off the bikes and talked to the locals in this one store town. Of course all five people in town that day were at the bar drinking. Robin asked where the closest gas was and it was like 60 miles away. That wasn't going to work so maybe we could take some out of the GS tank and make it to the next town on the route. That would be Rawlins 120+ miles away. Robin had about 100 miles left in the tank. Then a guy at the bar offers to sell Robin some gas he had for an ATV. Cool, all he would need is about a gallon to make it. The guy gave Robin about a gallon and a half for free. The town folk told us it would be a long hard road to Rawlins and hope we had something to fix flats with.
The trip from Atlantic City to Rawlins was not as bad as they made it out to be. We did make a wrong turn on a two-track road for about 2 miles. Man this was a great road, a little challenging with blind up hills that were steep and rocky. After we got back on track we hit a section of real fine sand not deep just fine. (Like powder) It was so white it was had to look at it. This trail ended on a wide, straight as an arrow 2 lane black top. ZZZZ
In Rawlins we stayed at a KOA campground. This would be a good time to do some laundry. It was a great day of riding but for some reason I was in a bitchie mood. (Sorry Robin) I was not feeling well the whole day and maybe it caught up with me. We did cover 300 + miles of dirt today.
Day 6
We left Rawlins bright and early ready to ride. Man I had on clean clothing and was feeling great. We planned on covering a lot of ground today but you never know what might happen. Thirty miles into today's ride we make a wrong turn and did not know it for 10 miles. At this point I want everyone to know that Robin might have made some wrong turns but he made hundreds of right one. Robin you can navigate with the best of them.
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Back on the trail the road narrows and we come to a spot called Aspen Alley, man is it beautiful.
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Right after that we turn right on to Hwy 70 and Robin has a race with a calf. (Cow) Here's how it goes, Calf on left Robin on right and off they go. The calf takes an early lead but Robin blows by him real quick. Now the calf thinks it's time to be on the right side of the track and hangs a quick right behind Robin and in front of me. As soon as the calf hits the pavement, down she goes, man what a site. She jumps back up and heads for home. I was laughing my ass off. I saw the calf from the start and I myself was never in danger of hitting her. It did look like she might run into the side of Robin. Things get a little harder in this next section between Slater and Clark.
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At first it's like any dirt, gravel, and sandy road then it bears right up this long steep hill with lots or rocks and washouts. Let me say this, it made day two look easy. However, at this point in the trip I'm a better rider and blazed up the hill. The bike did great going over big rocks and roots. Somewhere in the middle of the uphill I went over a big rock (8 to 10 inches high) and on the other side there was a small washout about a foot deep. The big GS front shock bottomed out hard, man that hurt. Not long after that was when I noticed the left fork seal leaking. We climbed 1500 feet in about 1.5 miles. What goes up must come down. The other side was no better, just longer. It descended 1500 feet in about 3 miles.
No stopping to take Pic's here.
On the way down over bigger rocks we came across a group of riders on old airhead BMWs doing the Big Dog ride. We talked a little then back on the road to Steamboat Spring for lunch.
At lunch we notice that the our rear tires would not make the whole trip so we called all the BMW shops south of there to plan what to do about it. Looks like we would need to stop in Albuquerque N.M. on Tuesday for tires and oil change.
Back on the trail everything is going ok but at Stagecoach Reservoir we cannot take the motorcycle across the dam. We back track and go the other way around the reservoir and get back on the trail. (Great Job Robin)
Back on the trail everything is going good when the sky starts to turn black and the winds pick up. It is now raining but not that hard so we stop at the next main road crossing to discuss our options for the rest of the day.
Here the deal, it is now raining and lightning like a mother and Robin wants to keep on the trail. Me I'm thinking lets just bypass the next 5 miles of trail and get off this open mountain area. Let me add this so I don't look like too big of a pussy, the next 5 miles has two water crossing one with a warning of being too deep to cross if raining.
The plan Robin is going to try the trail and I'm going to go around and meet him on the other side at 18:30. ??? I think. Robin takes off and I put on the rest of my rain gear. By this time it is now hailing jellybean size hail. On the black top it did not take to long to go around the section. I made is early so decide to drive in and meet Robin. I get all the way to the last water crossing and no Robin.
(Robin you missed this. LOL)
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Oh **** he should be here by now so I haul ass back to the meeting place and there's Robin. Turns out the first water crossing was moving fast and he could not see how deep it was so he turned back. At this point we decided not to split up anymore. This is a ride you do not want to be out on your own, too many places you would never be found if something were to happen. It's still raining but there was no lightning so back on the trail. Only 9 miles of dirt road left for the day and it was nice not having all the dust. The mud on the bikes made us look like true adventures.
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(Robin) (Rick)
By the time we made it to Silverthorne it was raining hard and the temp dropped to the low 50s. Robin was wet and there was no nearby campground so a motel it would be. Not a great motel but it sure would be nice to sleep in a bed. (NOT)
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Day 7 (Sunday)
I though it would be great to sleep in a bed, but it turned out to be the worst night of sleep on the whole trip. When we woke it was still raining and was only 42 degrees. In Breckenridge we headed southeast over Boreas Pass (11,482 feet) the road was muddy and slick but very doable. Once at the top we could see the sun shining though the clouds.
The weather just kept getting better as the morning went on, as did the roads. We had lunch in Salida. The roads at this point seemed to be getting easier to me but maybe it was that we were getting better at riding them.
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Over Marshall Pass (10,842) then North Pass (10,067) and on to Carnero Pass (10,166)
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Right after Carnero Pass the Sky started to get dark again. The bad thing is the maps tell you some of the roads will be impassable if wet. We pick up the pace trying to beat the rain. At one point a big gust of wind blew Robin and myself all the way across the road. Man that felt cool. By the time we hit the last section of today's ride it was raining but not too hard.
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Robin turns left on to a two-lane trail that was narrow with lots of quick ups and downs. The tracks were also deep and there was no way to ride the crown. I went in about 1/4 of a mile and I could not keep the big GS on track. The tires filled with clay and had no traction. I knew it was bad because when I told Robin that I could not make it he did not argue with me.
If it were not raining that road would have been great. We make it to Del Norte and decided to call it a day and camp at an old RV park and campground. There was two guys also camping there doing the ride on bicycles. They started July 4th and it's now August 17th. We shared some stories and called it a night.
Day 8
(Having to much fun to take any pictures) To me this was the best day of the whole trip. It started fast and hard and never let up.
First we went over Indiana Pass (11'910 feet) what a beautiful place.
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You could see for miles and it felt like we were on the summit for miles. The creek running through this area was a sight to see. The bad thing that it's contaminated from the Summitville mine Superfund Site.
We stop in Platoro so Robin can top off his tank, it's 150 miles till the next town. The gas was $2.25 a gallon and this was a steal considering where we were. The store had a fireplace right in the middle of the building; it was as big as a car and made of rock. I wish I had taken a picture of it.
I know we've covered rocks before but it's now time to hit some real stuff. We're about 40 miles from Platoro when the road turns into a jeep like trail. Lots of big rocks and washouts. I'm going over rocks that are lifting the back tire of the ground. Thanks BMW for the skid plate or I would not have any oil at this point. After about 2 miles of this I see an alternate road so I head for it. Robin keeps going on the main road.
The alternate road is not much better but the bottom where they join back up does not have deep ruts to go over. Then the trial gets a little better for a few miles. We meet a guy and girl on bicycles at the bottom of the next hill. We talk a little and they told us there was one more rider with them just up ahead. We head up the hill and man, on a scale of 1 to 10 this was a 9. We meet the bike rider at the top say hi .
The next hill was 100% rock the size of donuts. It was not hard but you did not want to stop. I'll say it was a mile and a half climb. The trail was like this off and on to Abiquiu where we had lunch. (Late lunch) After lunch we only have 70 miles to Cuba and then off toward Albuquerque for tires on Tuesday.
Well those 70 miles had it all sand, dirt, lava, rocks and washouts. At first it was fast dirt and sand then we also had some small jumps every 1/2 mile. I think the jumps were made to help stop the erosion when it rains. I know one thing for sure, they were fun to fly over. Next we start going uphill and the road turns to lava. To make it more fun there were limbs and big sticks all over the trail. We climbed from 7,000 to over 10,000 feet in the next 25 miles of this stuff.
I look up and Robin is stopped and I know this can't be good. Looks like the next 5 miles of road is on a rugged 4 wheel drive trail. Robin wants to know if I'm a go so I check the maps. Well either I go on the trail or I drive back 40 + miles to go around. What the hell lets go for it. It was down hill all the way and the GS actually was handling it real well. On the last big rock it tore the Micatech skid plate right off the center stand. The rest of the trail to Cuba was gravel then black top. We talked to a few guy in Cuba and they never heard off the trail we were on and couldn't believe we made it. It's now dark and we head for Albuquerque to spend the night and eat.
Day 9
Today we plan on getting new rear tires and changing the oil on the bikes. We really need to clean the mud and crap off also. First we find the dealership and as luck would have it, there is a car wash right next to it. The bikes get a quick power wash and off to the dealer. It's around 8:00 but the shop does not open till 9:00 so we wait. In a little while one of the workers show up and point us to an ok spot to pull the tires. I want to let everyone know how helpful Albuquerque Honda BMW was in getting the work done and letting us use their lot.
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Grab a quick lunch and head north to find the trail, this was easier said then done. We knew where it was supposed to be but no trail; Robin tried to find it to no avail. We take the mind-numbing alternate route. At one point we tried to back track on to the trail with no luck. Maybe it was a good thing because a major storm was blowing in. I'm talking 30 to 40 mile winds and rain.
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Just south of Grants we're back on the trail heading to Pie Town for some dinner and pie.
Pie Town was closed, the only store had a sign that said closed for cleaning. What we really needed was gas, so which way to go, east or west. Just then a truck pulled up and gave us a little help, we would head east 20 miles for gas and eats. After dinner we went back to Pie Town to camp in the free park. We also had our first campfire of the trip. One thing about the fire, when we left Pie Town there was a sign the said no campfires. Sorry
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This was not a fun day of riding but it was still better than working. LOL
Day 10
Today was the first morning we woke up to dew on everything so it took a little longer to get on the road. Today's goal was Mexico 303 miles away.
The first 100 miles went fast, the roads were flat and smooth.
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There was one spot that got a little hairy. We're running 75 mph on this great hard smooth road and out of no where a 100 yards of mud. It was just hold on and keep the GS upright and on the road. First I went left then right and more right in deeper mud. The bike came to a stop with mud over the rims. Got her rolling again and back on to dry road no harm done.
Then up and over a small mountain at the bottom Robin is stoped. He told me his bike just died and won't restart. We check everything we can but it still won't start. Must be the fuel pump and no we don't have one.
Time to make a plan so out comes the maps. I went south 40 miles to Mimbres and call for help. Cell phone was not working where we were stopped. I take off for help and Robin grabs a book to read. The rest of the road to Mimbres was great but could not enjoy it knowing that Robin was stuck. At one point the bike started to make a new noise so I stopped to check it out but could not find what was loose. A mile or so later the noise stopped, what ever it was must have fallen off, hope it's not important. Than I hear a new noise and see the blinker hanging off. The first noise was the washer on the blinker and when it came off it stopped. No harm here because the wires keep the nut and washer from falling off. Five minutes later back on the road with blinker back on and tight.
It's up and over Black Canyon, this was a rocky and tight road. I'm thinking there's no way a tow truck would make it over this. Down the road a ways I stopped and talked to a National forest worker. He tried his phone but it would not work. The sky was getting dark and looked like rain. The forest worker told me the road gets real bad if it rains so I take off at a much higher speed. In twenty miles I'm off the trail and on pavement, next stop a phone. I pull into the Mimbres Ranger Station and use the phone to call BMW roadside assistance. I hear people talk bad about this service but within five minutes I'm talking to the tow truck company.
I tell the tow truck lady right were Robin is located and how to get there. Turns out if I would have gone back north to Beaverhead ranger station, just ten miles, I could have used their phone. She tells me they will tow is back to the shop then to the BMW dealer in Deming. Ok so I head to Truth or Consequences to meet up with Robin.
Tow truck should pick Robin up in 45 minutes and then back to the shop in an hour. That gives me time to drive the 90 miles to meet him. If you're ever near Mimbres you need to ride 152 over Emory Pass man what a great road. The first 2 miles I counted 48 curves. I make it to the shop around 15:00 and wait.
It's now 17:00 and still no Robin and all the workers at the shop head for home. The tow truck is still out of cell phone range so no news. One of the workers gives me the driver's number and wishes me good luck. I find a pay phone and try the driver but no luck. I'm 75 miles from were Robin is and plan to head his way around 18:45 so I could make it to him before dark. In the last town the only store was closed so it was onward with no food. I passed a sign that said no service for next 125 miles. Man I love the big tank on the GS ADV. At about 10 miles this side of dirt here comes the tow truck with Robin, man I was glad to see them. It seems the directions got mixed up in the transfer. %$#@ Robin gets the bike towed to the BMW shop in Deming and I follow. We stay the night in a dive of a motel 3 blocks from the shop.
Day 11
Robin will head for the shop and I head for Mexico. About 100 miles later I'm in Mexico man what a long dull drive.
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Somehow it's just was not the same without Robin. We also planned to drink a few margaritas on the last night. Well I stopped at the motel to check on Robin before heading home. He was doing ok. The fule pump was out and would be replaced that day. He also completed the ride and headed for home. As for me just 900 miles till home. I make it home around 23:00 that night. Sure was a great trip but Robin breaking down took the fun out of the ending. Man it felt good to sleep in my own bed.
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All of the Pics (http://blink.smugmug.com/gallery/19345)