TAT in the fall 2008

[Trailace]

I will edit this later but wanted to post a teaser video.

TAT (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCsCTtFOk8c)

[Tx White Knight]

Cool, looks like fun :)

also dont forget to tell us what cam that is :D

:tent8:

[motomac]

And did you get any closer to the forest rats than those two in the video???

[Mellow]

That's cool.. always nice to ride in areas with the least population possible... of people.

[Mr. Guy]

Oh Yea, I'm kicking myself now.

Guy

[Trailace]

TAT Fall 2008
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/386677225_KeLaB-M.jpg
The Planning

When Chief and I were in Mexico last May we decided to do the TAT together. We picked the end of September so it would be cooler and not as busy at work. I purchased the maps from Sam for AR, OK and CO. I loaded every turn with a waypoint into map source; it ended up being a little over 750 of them. Others have said that map source routing would not work but I did not have one issue with any of the routes I had made. There is a section in CO just west of Delagua that is no longer accurate but more on that later. I posted the ride on a few web sites to see if anyone wanted to join us. At one point there were 7 riders. However when it came time to go there would just be three of us.

Chief (Mike)
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/386535095_YsYFP-M.jpg

Guy
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/386535021_XVUk3-M.jpg

and myself Trailace (Rick).
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/386697708_eDkUF-S.jpg

I wanted to pack as light as possible so I downsized everything that I could. The rear bag weighed less then 30 ponds, the tank bag 9 ponds and my spare tubes on the front fender. I also brought a new smaller camera but sure wish I had some way to bring a better camera on the X Challenge. I will work on this for the next ride.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/255597683_kvdyw-M.jpg

Everything was going to plan until Ike came to town and created a few issues for Chief and myself. Chief had 5 feet of bay water in his house and was not sure if he would be able to make it but if he could he would be delayed for a few days. I found out the night before I was to leave that there had been no power at the ranch for the last week and I would need to go there and clean out a freezer and refrigerator. So I loaded the X Challenge in the truck and headed there with my wife.

Getting to the meeting place.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/386497974_y5NWd-M.jpg

We were all going to meet September 20th at St Francis NP ($4) just north of Helens AR and start the TAT on Sunday September 21st. I took mostly back roads to cover the 400 plus miles and I had a few issues that I would need to fix.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/386498166_8gpQc-M.jpg

First I lost the yellow valve part of my camelback and the GPS kept going on and off. I had just added a new on off switch for the GPS so that I could kill the power with out having to unplug it every night and the waterproof cover was to tight causing it to go on and off. I removed the cover and all seemed to be working ok. However I had this issue with the switch a few more times and will be replacing it soon. When going through Shreveport there was a Bass Pro-shop so I made a quick stop and the valve on the camelback was replaced.

New bridge over the Mississippi.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/386671517_sNKcD-M.jpg


I made it to St Francis NP and set up my tent.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/386498357_qqQJx-M.jpg

Not long after that Guy showed up.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/386498545_oMQZ8-M.jpg

He was there earlier and did some riding in the area to kill time. After we were done setting up we started a fire and talked about the TAT and how we would communicate with each other while riding. The weather was perfect for camping and before long I was in a deep sleep.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/386499760_4gDnR-M.jpg

TAT Day 1
We were both up and packed early, ready for the excitement that awaited us on the TAT. We had waited so long and the time was finally here.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/386555056_t4ZKZ-M.jpg
The eastern side of AR was mostly gravel and dusty roads.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/386685306_wPeVx-M.jpg

Guy was eating a lot of dust.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/386686643_6PgfG-M.jpg

There was this road that had a sign and was just mowed.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/386685972_cdHUj-M.jpg

We did have a few water crossings but nothing difficult.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/386687614_qekGT-M.jpg

Then we climbed a little and came to this nice overlook.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/386688329_gJhJe-M.jpg

It was getting late so we decided to find a place to eat dinner and camp. It was just 15 miles to Russellville so we headed there for dinner. However we found a little café in Pleasant Valley that had great food and was a lot closer to our camping destination. Oh I forgot Chief called and left me a message that he would be leaving to meet us Monday. I called him back and told him we should be in Devils Den State Park Monday night. After dinner we headed back to the trail and stopped at Long Pool campground ($7).
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/386689064_WGSyQ-M.jpg

We were looking at the map and decided that at the pace we were going we would be past Devils Den SP by lunch and would need to call Chief and let him know a new meeting place. There is no cell phone signal at Long Pool so we called him the next morning first chance we got. The new-planned destination would be Wah-Sha-She SP OK. We had a great first day and could not wait for the next.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/386688698_DNQHL-M.jpg

[Tx White Knight]

cool :couch1:

[Chief]

Didn't take ya long to get started. I haven't even got my camera out of my jacket!

[Mellow]

Cool !!!!!!!

[Mr. Guy]

Nice job.

Guy

P.S. Rick I stole one of your pics,hope you don't mind. :D

[Flingshot]

Awesome guys. I can't wait for more pics and details! Keep it coming.
Posted via Mobile Device

[motomac]

You certainly have wetted my appetite to do this TAT thingy. That one stretch of gravel looks much like what I encountered on the Dempster.

[George]

I gotta show my ignorance. Tho the process is familiar, I don't know what TAT stands for!

I could'a done (have done) that first day on the ST. When does the ruff stuff show up? Not disparaging the adventure, jus' sayin'.

Here's a water crossing that stopped me in west Texas a couple weeks ago. I would'a don it on the XT-350, but not on the ST. Time for a U-Turn.
1389

[motomac]

TAT is Trans America Trail. TN to WA on dirt. 4000 miles of it!!!

[George]

TAT is Trans America Trail. TN to WA on dirt. 4000 miles of it!!!

Thanks, Mac. Should'a known that. Read an article in one of the rags a month or two ago about guys who started in Colorado and went to the coast on GSs. They had a tuff time with those heavy bikes. :D

Gotta admit I've been in places on the ST it was nevr intended to go, but it's awful comfortable getting to the beginning of the trail. :D

One of the spires east of Arches, N.P. off the main road a few miles. (Can't seemed to find my Ship Rock, New Mexico pics right now.)
1391

[motomac]

I've heard it is tough to do the west of CO route on a 650. Can't imagine horsing a GS through that stuff!!!

[Mr. Guy]

Of the part I did, I would say 95% easy, 4% tough, and 1% brutal. Almost all of it in the Ozark National Forest could be done on an ST with a little experience and caution.

Guy

[Trailace]

TAT Day 2

We woke to another cool morning and were on the road in no time.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/388484793_7cvY4-M.jpg
Sure wanted to get a hold of Chief before he got too far east and just 5 miles from camp we stopped on a ridge and left Chief our new destination.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/388484428_RLjWU-M.jpg
Then back to the dirt.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/388486255_Zmh2v-M.jpg

Of course we had to stop at Oark to eat. I was hoping to get a Chicken Fried Steak, but since it was still too early I had breakfast and it was great.

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/388485459_imoLj-M.jpg

It was not long after we ate, the roads became more entertaining with lots of woods and elevation changes. Than came Warloop road. I’m not sure if Guy enjoyed it but it was fun to me. There looked to be a bypass on the right near the hardness part but that was not for us.

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/388487130_yTo6D-M.jpg

Over this
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/388487604_k6zz8-M.jpg
Under this
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/388489996_5NQ9J-M.jpg

Passed a few of these.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/388488768_ryQBh-M.jpg

I was so close to these horses I could smell them.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/388490202_aghHn-M.jpg

This was cool.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/388489578_JDmvJ-M.jpg

We realized that we would never make Wah-Sha-She State Park before dark so we called Chief and let him know our new meeting place would be Snowdale State Park ($30 We think the guy running over charged us but what can you do.). We felt bad about the change and knew that we had Chief zigzag across OK. A few hours later when we pulled into camp Chief was there waiting. He left Houston, TX, at 4:00 in the morning and covered over 700 miles. It was great having him with us and after setting up we were off to eat.
Found this nice little Diner in Pryor just West of camp.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/388491648_5TUYK-M.jpg

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/388491177_KbBEg-M.jpg
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/388491768_rb5mR-M.jpg

[Tx White Knight]

Looks like fun and it sure had its ups and downs :)
:tent5:

[Chief]

OK, I'm ready for day 3http://chief-runamuck.smugmug.com/photos/388257432_giVCX-M.jpg

[Ironheadziggy76]

Keep it coming guys!

[Trailace]

TAT Day 3

There was now a third compadre of the TAT in camp last night and even though I camped a hundred yards away his snoring still woke me a few times. It was another cool morning and we were already on the dirt when the sun rose above the horizon.

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/389834293_63oCD-M.jpg

There would be lots of this today.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/389834404_SLrZS-M.jpg
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/389835025_Uqa27-M.jpg
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/389835469_2zQ6d-M.jpg

However the team of three just kept pushing on.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/389835781_oYVJD-M.jpg

We dropped down off the TAT to Bartlesville for something to eat and gas.

Then it was back on the road. Not a lot to see but was beautiful in its own way.

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/389836863_qXrZa-M.jpg

The grassy plains of Oklahoma are a sight to see and seemed to go on forever in all directions. This is where I started thinking how hard it must have been for the settlers to pass over this hard land. What took us minutes would take them days.

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/389836702_idH7S-M.jpg

When you’re out on the plains it’s hard to pass up shade.

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/389837331_dPfSp-M.jpg

As we were coming into NewKirk the route took us right by a casino and the temptation to stop was high but we knew they would not want our dusty butts in their nice clean building. We did stop in town for a drink and a snack. This is where Guy decided to end his ride and head for home. We hated to see him go and would miss him. Now I would be stuck with only Chief the rest of the ride.

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/389837686_oWRuW-M.jpg

Once past NewKirk the roads went from gravel to dirt and if it had been raining these roads would have been a real mess. There was no rain today so its fun fast riding as we pushed on. On this section the road changes a lot so you have to make sure you stay on your game. It would be a perfect smooth road and right over the next hill it would be 10-inch ruts and holes. We could see bike tracks on the right and left of this area telling us there must have been deep water on the road, again we were lucky, high and dry. We dropped down off the trail about 20 miles so we could camp at Great Salt Plains State Park. (Free no where to pay) As we galloped through town on our trusty steeds we could feel all the eyes on us. The park was on the south side of town and we quickly found a site. Chief with great wisdom said why don’t we go back to town and see what there is to eat before setting up. That was a great call because as we turned into the only store in town the lady was just locking up. She was nice enough to reopen or it would have been a 30+ mile ride to the next town. There was not a lot to choose from but who cared at that point. Dinner would be Dinty Moore beef stew, chips and beer.

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/389839356_gFE2D-M.jpg

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/389839152_XGQp3-M.jpg

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/388491987_uVQae-M.jpg

[Trailace]

TAT Day 4

Last night while eating we heard on the Red Cross weather radio that a cold front was moving into the mid and west side of OK. This would bring rain and thunderstorms into our planned route.


With a beautiful morning like this how could it rain?
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/389839502_j8KGc-M.jpg

As we headed north we can see the clouds in front of us, however our luck still held and all we had to deal with was drizzle and this rainbow.

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/389839832_cZtr4-M.jpg

Since we were still in OK there would be lots of this today.

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/389841907_2fwHL-M.jpg

We wanted to make Black Mesa State Park so it would be a long day with lots of miles. Riding into the small town of Gate we decided to stop for a bite to eat, after all dinner last night was not the best.

I believe these two ladies were checking us out as we dismounted.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/389842918_7jHFg-M.jpg

Laurie’s Café was the only eatery in town so that where we ate.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/389842729_mGhvE-M.jpg

The food hit the spot and the service was excellent. The lady who ran the café was also a rider and her husband would be leaving in the morning for a ride. We asked about gas and found out you needed a special card to pump it. Since we did not have one there was no gas. The lady said she would have her husband meet us and we could use his card and just pay him cash. That was a great help and now we could make it all the way to Boies City without stopping.
Just blazing down the trail without a care in the world.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/389844708_4HJ7o-M.jpg

Then we ran into a little sand and Chief’s horse took a break.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/389845318_oBuCj-M.jpg

More sand
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/389845974_exrdZ-M.jpg

The roads before you come into Boies City.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/389846276_Ax2Hm-M.jpg
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/389846628_VJyfi-M.jpg

You have to get gas in Boise City, no other gas stations for 200 miles, so we did and we also filled our own tanks. When we came out of the diner we could see that Chief had picked up a nail and was in need of a new shoe. We replaced the tube and headed to Black Mesa State Park.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/389847085_dG7Ew-M.jpg

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/389847637_z9kxs-M.jpg

The park was really cool and I will be taking my SO back someday. We took showers and cleaned our clothes and hung them to dry in the stiff west wind. We would not be using our rain flys tonight and I fell asleep looking at the stars. They were truly amazing.

Lot’s of miles today
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/389847944_paXUK-M.jpg

Starting to climb.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/389847976_32awH-M.jpg

[Black and Blue]

Now I seen everything:eek: I would have called auto club for my flat. Trailace/Chief, you guys are tough. I was once tough...then I got married:D Its nice to see when people are happy doing what they like.

[Chief]

Great report Trailace. It was really disappointing to come out of supper, ready to get to camp and see a flat tire. Luckily, Rick is really good at changing tubes and he did most of the work.:) I would have been flailing away at it for a couple of hours at least!

[Chief]

Of course, Trailace had to try and put the moves on the ladies. I think he was getting lonely.:)
http://chief-runamuck.smugmug.com/photos/388264940_aJDC2-M.jpg

[Chief]

This sand was really deep and the hill was pretty steep. We were both all over the road trying to keep from falling but I got to going too slow and got in the middle and then boom. The sand was so deep it didn't hurt at all but my windshield popped off and I spent the next week trying to get it straight again.
http://chief-runamuck.smugmug.com/photos/388267530_WL2ko-M.jpg

[Mellow]

That just looks like fun...

[Chief]

Trailace tried to get away from me at one time and hide but I found him!
http://chief-runamuck.smugmug.com/photos/388268247_NidBg-S.jpg

[Chief]

The next day we left Oklahoma and headed for higher country.
http://chief-runamuck.smugmug.com/photos/388274831_yBfBy-M.jpg

and the riding got a little tougher.
http://chief-runamuck.smugmug.com/photos/388275422_qbdtP-M.jpg

And I had to get Trailace out of a little trouble.
http://chief-runamuck.smugmug.com/photos/388277399_VmDwx-M.jpg

[Mr. Guy]

Damn, Damn, Damn. At least no one got hurt from this bad decision on my part. Yea, I'm kicking myself.

Guy

[Black and Blue]

Hey, Guy
Don't hurt yourself:D

[Trailace]

TAT Day 5

You could feel the excitement in the air this morning more than any other so far. Not only was the weather cool and dry but also we would be in CO by days end. I’m not knocking AR and OK but we were glad to be done with them. Another beautiful morning awaited us and our trusted mounts.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/390496353_bUzmL-M.jpg

Black Mesa State Park ($10) was nice but it was time to hit the trail.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/390496563_sy33P-M.jpg

We would cross the Santa Fe Trail a few times today.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/390496905_Ag632-M.jpg

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/390497078_zRk7g-M.jpg

Then it was welcome to New Mexico.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/390497185_Ynvgm-M.jpg

Stopped to check out this old house.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/390498510_vy7Au-M.jpg

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/390498815_ufFue-M.jpg

Long walk back to the bikes.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/390498970_Mgz4D-M.jpg

I marked it for ya’ll with this nice little rock stack.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/390499129_Pz5ht-M.jpg

The trail would become a little more difficult for the next few miles but it was still early and as you can see, nowhere near high noon.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/390499979_GEGTT-M.jpg

Someone made and posted a sign to help us along our way.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/390500157_rwUCN-M.jpg

Right after this turn was a steep climb with lots of rocks but it was fun. Then more of this.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/390500604_3bdKJ-M.jpg

Mandatory picture of the Jail.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/390500771_tRKq7-M.jpg

Just a few more miles of this and we would be in Trinidad.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/390501094_rzbiA-M.jpg

Once in Trinidad we stopped at the Trinidad dinner for lunch. We were asked a bunch of
questions about our ride. After we finished eating we would go find Valcom motorcycle shop and have them install a new tire on Chief’s ride.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/390502632_X9Vsq-M.jpg

It took a little while to find but they sure were a lot of help and they had us back on the trail in under an hour.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/390501274_v6Rju-M.jpg

However we decided to just call it a day and start fresh in the morning. We camped at Trinidad State Park ($26) and just enjoyed the weather and sights.

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/390501652_xajoz-M.jpg
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/390502403_eFgyh-M.jpg

Easy Day
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/390502583_JaH7h-M.jpg

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/390502656_MQtpC-M.jpg

[Mr. Guy]

NICE

Guy

[Tx White Knight]

Looks like you guys just kept putting on miles of smiles :)

[Trailace]

TAT Day 6

We were up but not moving very fast this day, I’m not sure if it was the colder weather or the half-day we took off yesterday.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392401728_vSDLG-M.jpg

As soon as we turned north off 160 we were back on dirt.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392416994_KmTYi-M.jpg

Loaded and ready for the mountains
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392417335_Hp5st-M.jpg

We crossed over 25 and headed west through Delagua into a neighborhood and saw these old buildings.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392418390_ceWek-M.jpg

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392418760_p5MGt-M.jpg

Soon after the buildings we were supposed to go straight towards Ludlow but this was the only mistake I made on the GPS routes and we headed right on Black Bear Rd. It was a cool road but it was also a dead end. After trying a few different roads a nice guy told us all the roads in the neighborhood were dead ends and got us going in the right direction. We lost a little time but had fun. It wasn’t long before we were back on the trail.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392419421_qypm2-M.jpg

Stopped to take a pic of this old church.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392420790_igyGK-M.jpg

A few miles later Sam had us going down this nice trail.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392421296_9cMzV-M.jpg

We ran over a few small cacti but no harm came to our tires. Anyhow we were getting closer to the mountains and there would be a surprise.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392421832_bbCSZ-M.jpg

We knew that we were doing the TAT a little late and with luck we might just catch the leaves changing. Here was the first sign of things to come.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392422193_LGFEb-M.jpg

Then as soon as we started to climb we saw this.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392423023_DCU2d-M.jpg

I have been to CO many times but this was the first time for me to see the aspens changing and it just made today’s riding that much better.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392423240_QW4Bm-M.jpg

When you come off the trail onto 165 and head south just a mile or so you will come to Bishop’s Castle. It’s definitely worth the time to go check it out.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392423628_2e9P6-M.jpg

I climbed to the top of both towers.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392441341_bvsWU-M.jpg

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392424445_u4J44-M.jpg

Look how small the bikes look.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392441553_hQXTE-M.jpg

We were trying to make it to Cotopaxi and camp but all my playing at Bishop’s Castle had us running a little behind. After filling up with gas in Westcliffe and seeing there was a place to eat we decided to just stay there for the night. There was a NF campground just west of town so we headed for it.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392442748_rQFRc-M.jpg

Not much of a campground but the price was right. (Free)
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392442981_546VL-M.jpg

We had dinner here.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392443509_a7Um8-M.jpg

Nice fire
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392444335_FC9it-M.jpg

You could see Westcliffe lights from our camp.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392444904_DAybk-M.jpg

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392443881_w7iin-M.jpg

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392444941_KNwEU-M.jpg

[Trailace]

TAT Day 7

Bad timing.

Today we were up early but not by choice. It was hunting season and this must have been the trailhead for the area. First is was just a truck or two passing by than it was unloading of 4 wheelers and trying to get them running on this cold morning. The final straw, 2 hunters from camp starting up 2 old 1970’s 2 smokes Yamahas.

It’s nice waking to this.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392472499_VUt2C-M.jpg

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392473328_pb2Kj-M.jpg

The campground was at 9,000 feet so it was a little cooler this morning but the sun was coming up and you could already feel it’s warmth.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392473487_Dbt64-M.jpg

We could see the mountains that awaited us off in the distance.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392473980_xzTS3-M.jpg

Quick stop in Cotopaxi for a morning snack and to refill our camelbacks. Just north of town we climbed over two passes of 10,000 ft. This is where the Aspens started to put on a show for us.

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392476094_PzwAA-M.jpg

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392476640_ESQJu-M.jpg

Chief trying to savior the moment.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392475390_YkTue-M.jpg

I set my camera to video and took this.
Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCsCTtFOk8c)

Few more pictures.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392475174_fTGMC-M.jpg
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392477676_H22i7-M.jpg

We came out in Salida where we gassed up and ate breakfast. The trail out of town had us meandering across pavement trying to keep us on dirt.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392478183_G359i-M.jpg

Here is where our timing did not work out for us. This is what we are heading to and yes it would be raining on and off the rest of the day.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392478727_5ckWv-M.jpg

It did keep the dust down
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392479140_6pGJc-M.jpg

The next timing issue was that it was Saturday and there was lots of traffic on the trail, people looking at the Aspens and enjoying themselves. By the time we made it to St Elmo the sides of the roads where packed with four wheel drives and ATV. One trailer and truck was parked in front of the road we needed and we went right by it. A quick U-Turn in St Elmo and we found it.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392479316_8W8Sr-M.jpg

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392479520_qaEua-M.jpg

Not a bad view here.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392480206_Lwzsq-M.jpg

Why not everyone else does.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392480391_VFVnh-M.jpg

Things start getting fun.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392480835_juBVr-M.jpg

Here is where bad timing struck again. Here is the deal, Chief’s left arm has bad nerve damage and in cold weather he can lose feeling in the arm and hand. That being said I knew this section was going to be a challenge for him. Around 11,000 feet the trail became a lot more difficult and I had concerns for Chief so I stopped in a flat spot to see how it was going. I did not hear him coming so I hiked down the trail to find him. About 200 yards down there he was straddling the DR. He did not fall but could not hold the bike up when it came to a stop after hitting a big rock. I took a few pictures but not one of them was on my camera and I don’t know why. After talking it over and the fact that his arm was numb we decided to turn around and see how Chief was feeling when we get back to the bottom. Another bad timing thing, Chief forgot to take his arm medicine this morning. Chief told me to keep going and he would meet me on the other side but I learned in a previous ride that this never worked out well so it was one for all and all for one.

We stopped in Salida to take a break and get something to drink. Chief was not sure if he could keep riding because his are was still an issue. He took his meds and we blacked topped it to the beginning of the big bike bypass. Buy the time we made it the meds had kicked in and he was feeling a lot better. So it was up and over Marshall Pass.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392481658_Lnzrs-M.jpg
Viedo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXXRT14W6DE)
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392483051_rwYDG-M.jpg
Viedo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5IaPFJkjEQ)
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392482564_M3TuR-M.jpg

We needed to find a place to camp so we headed toward Dovleville but there was nothing there so it was on to Gunnison and the KOA ($18).
It was nice to be able to take a shower and look at the web for the first time in over a week. The nice lady told us it was going to be in the low thirties in the morning. We charged our phones, ipods and cameras since we had power.

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392483420_hZ4jC-M.jpg

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392483471_dzw9s-M.jpg

[Flingshot]

Awesome! I gotta tell you I had to wait so long for this installment of the TAT report that when I finally saw it, a little bit of pee came out.
Great job guys, your reports have me doing about an hours worth of research every night. If anyone organizes another ride like this, Im in!
Posted via Mobile Device

[Tx White Knight]

Great, cool vidoes too :D

[Trailace]

TAT Day 8

The best day for me.

It was a cold night but I slept like a baby in my down sleeping bag. I heard a few varmints in camp but they did not seem to get into anything. Things were a bit icy this morning.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392561039_WEvYo-M.jpg

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392561328_EFaA7-M.jpg

We used the stove in the pavilion to help warm our hands after packing our cold icy tents. Chief used his Hippo Hands to keep his left hand from going numb. The first part of the day was fast flat gravel roads. We stopped at the old Stage Route and I road my trusted mount on it for about a ¼ mile. It’s hard not thinking about how tough it was for our forefathers traveling when you come across things like this.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392563501_yacry-M.jpg
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392563983_k4hPQ-M.jpg

We went over a few summits and the paved section down into Lake City was great fun,
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392567257_uycZr-M.jpg

We enjoyed lunch at the Tic Toc Diner in Lake City.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392568074_ZRZVc-M.jpg

We backed tracked to the trail and headed up toward Cinnamon Pass. Things were not looking so good in that direction.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392568691_GpFYw-M.jpg
It had rained and was now drizzling on the trail and us but we pushed on.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392568878_aFgxZ-M.jpg

With the overcast weather we had limited sight of the beauty around us.
View near the top of Cinnamon Pass.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392569576_be59T-M.jpg

Chief and Trailace
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392570821_mGjzY-M.jpg

The weather took a turn for the worse and we were now dealing with a wintry mix of rain and snow. Also the water was draining down the trail making it just a little more fun.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392571013_JxoZr-M.jpg
Then the snow started to build up on the road.

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392571212_6hKU9-M.jpg
We made it down to Animas Forks.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392571985_hCbQK-M.jpg

Chief took care of some business and I made a snowball.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392571623_tAodo-M.jpg
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392571805_T9tsf-M.jpg

Then it was up to California Pass and more snow.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392572665_Rmo7r-M.jpg
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392573416_Zi9xZ-M.jpg

Chief did not even stop at the top because it was really snowing hard now.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392573139_XDd2v-M.jpg


You can see in this picture the snow was starting to build up on the trail.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392573857_9kWZR-M.jpg

I was having fun but it was time to get out of the snow. As we started up Hurricane Pass the snow turned back to a light rain and all would be ok.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392574285_Qq3ws-M.jpg
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392574646_BxRLG-M.jpg

One more pass to go and that was Corkscrew. No issue going up but the red clay like dirt was slick in the tight switchbacks. On one particular tight switchback I could feel my back tire just slide out from under me. I had a premonition so I slowed to watch Chief and sure enough down he goes. I pulled out my camera and went to take his picture but as I topped the hill he was yelling for help and this is the only pic I got.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392575457_cFqM2-M.jpg

The bike fell on his foot and had it twisted in a bad way. I pulled the bike up so he could get his foot out and check the damage. He said the pain was worse than when he broke his leg a few years back but it stopped as soon as the bike was off him. He rested a few minutes and everything was ok.

Chief riding down Corkscrew.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392575851_McbEd-M.jpg

It was a long way down and when we made it to pavement we decided to head for Silverton for the night. Bt first we had to go over Red Mountain pass in the rain. However it was all pavements. When we arrived in Silverton it was raining and cold so against my better judgment Chief talked me into getting a hotel room. It’s not that I’m apposed to sleeping in a hotel but I told myself after the Mexico ride I would never share a room with Chief. His snoring keeps me up all night and I don’t like wearing earplugs to bed. I enjoyed watching Sunday night football and drinking a few beers before plugging up and trying to get some sleep.
Hotel
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392576063_cbFJV-M.jpg

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392576217_TLmC6-M.jpg

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392576248_oAcwc-M.jpg

[Trailace]

TAT Day 9

It was the coldest night of the ride but knew before long we would be in a lower elevation and feeling the heat.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392634136_6YvJQ-M.jpg

We also knew this would be the last day of the TAT for us on this trip. Chief was feeling the cold.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392634397_APMCo-M.jpg

It was a beautiful morning in Silverton as we departed and headed for Ophir pass.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392634663_wCWRq-M.jpg

The sky was clear so we were able to get a few scenic pic.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392635470_afgz3-M.jpg
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392636900_QBtgX-M.jpg

At the top you feel like you’re on a different planet with all the rocks no trees.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392636385_HfnoE-M.jpg

Chief coming up the pass.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392636675_8Mjgp-M.jpg

Little water
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392637471_ro7PV-M.jpg
Coming into Ophir
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392637732_tJSeN-M.jpg

They had this home made sign at the entrance to town.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392638312_B4oa3-M.jpg

So what road do you want to be on?
Pic

There was some nice fast riding through the next section.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392640513_iP2Ax-M.jpg

We were slowly dropping in elevation and thinking all the difficult riding was behind us when Sam gave us this.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392641715_mEJJe-M.jpg

This small mud puddle was a lot deeper than it looked. As I started through it my front fender was under water and Chief said it looked like it would just swallow the bike up. The water was only 2 feet deep but the mud on the bottom made it deeper.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392641952_ToKyu-M.jpg

This was 10 miles of jeep trail with lots of water holes to go through or around.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392642949_MW8sE-M.jpg

At the end of the trail there is a gate and map.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392643225_CDTfu-M.jpg
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392643449_JWgsE-M.jpg

The trail in yellow is what Sam sent us down but Chief said I just added it to our route. He said we could have taken the nice smooth dirt road we were on and still ended up where we were at.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392643526_pmZn3-M.jpg

I broke out the TAT maps and showed him I did not add it. We were now only thirty or forty miles for the end of Co and there would still be one more cool road to deal with. Well that is if you call this a road.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392645912_tNArU-M.jpg
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392646138_p2uJS-M.jpg

Stopped in Dove Creek and had lunch at Deb Diner.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392648418_qydzP-M.jpg

Then we finally made it to the CO/UT border.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392650364_6kDFJ-M.jpg

Then to Monticello and Moab where we would spend the next two nights at the Canyonland Campground. ($20)

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392652003_CRMcD-M.jpg

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392652258_XVrKp-M.jpg

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392652315_TTrpG-M.jpg

[Flingshot]

Awesome! If you did it again, would you do it a bit earlier? Would you change anything?
Posted via Mobile Device

[Mellow]

Man, I wish I could have gone on that.. gotta love the snow. That's true adventure riding..

[motomac]

So, uhhh when are you going to do the other parts???!!!:rolleyes: Huh, huh???:p And can I go?? :):D:rolleyes: I promise I will make it a priority over everything next year!!!!:)

[Chief]

I think there were 3 or 4 times where Trailace decided the real trail was too easy and just made up some stuff as we went along!!:eek:
Once was when we ended up riding thru someones back yard and then again we took off on a cow trail thru a cactus field. Then of course there were the ATV trails he decided to take instead of the nice gravel road that ran beside them, just not over the rocks and thru the mud. And finally was when he saw the gate with a hiking trail leading away from it and loudly said "This is the road!":confused:

It all added to the adventure.:D

[GulfXray]

Man, this has been great reading guys! Thanks for sharing...

Makes me want get an off-road bike and go next time....

Sounds like Trailace might need some monitoring w/ the maps....:map1:

[Trailace]

Man, this has been great reading guys! Thanks for sharing...

Makes me want get an off-road bike and go next time....

Sounds like Trailace might need some monitoring w/ the maps....:map1:
No I followed the TAT maps 100% of the time. Chief is just trying to make me look bad like he always does. But if he keeps it up there will be adjustment to the next ride we do together. :D

[Black and Blue]

Man, this has been great reading guys! Thanks for sharing...

Makes me want get an off-road bike and go next time....

Sounds like Trailace might need some monitoring w/ the maps....:map1:

We have to agree with GulfXray. Trailace and Chief, you guys did a nice job on the TAT report.:) Hey, you think a couple of Ural Patrols can make it?:D

[Chief]

No I followed the TAT maps 100% of the time. Chief is just trying to make me look bad like he always does. But if he keeps it up there will be adjustment to the next ride we do together. :D

Uh, did I mention that Trailace is the best ride leader in the world and would NEVER take me on to something I didn't want to ride on!!!!:D

[Chief]

We have to agree with GulfXray. Trailace and Chief, you guys did a nice job on the TAT report.:) Hey, you think a couple of Ural Patrols can make it?:D

The Urals could make it just fine. You would just have to go real slow inthe rough stuff.

[Chief]

So, uhhh when are you going to do the other parts???!!!:rolleyes: Huh, huh???:p And can I go?? :):D:rolleyes: I promise I will make it a priority over everything next year!!!!:)


I'm starting to feal a little more optomistic about doing the other half now. If I could do it when it is cool like we did this part then I think I would be willing to give it a go.
I've even got my dear sweet wife convinced she could be the sag wagon and carry the gear to the campsite every night and then trailer us home from Oregon.:)

[Trailace]

I'm starting to feal a little more optomistic about doing the other half now. If I could do it when it is cool like we did this part then I think I would be willing to give it a go.
I've even got my dear sweet wife convinced she could be the sag wagon and carry the gear to the campsite every night and then trailer us home from Oregon.:)
I plan on ordering the maps but first I need to get done with this report. Chief I think we were lucky with the weather this trip but it was nice. Hey what about late May so we could see some snow on the Mt?

[Chief]

Sometime in May would probably be good.
I think I'm gonna explore putting a steering damper on my bike like you suggested to help with the sand and loose rocks.

[Trailace]

Day 10

We were done with the TAT for this ride so while in the Moab area we would check out the White Rim Trail. It would be another beautiful day but it was still a bit cold as we road to Canyon Land NP.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395116647_2nUBD-M.jpg

You can ride the trail clockwise or counter clockwise, we went clockwise. I’m not sure which way is harder but all the bikes and vehicles we passed were going counter clockwise. There is nothing like a little sand to start the trail off.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395117036_qNzZ7-M.jpg

Before long we would be down on this part of the trail.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395117558_ZYr2G-M.jpg

But first we had to get down there.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395118236_Jsk3w-M.jpg

Nice road.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395119798_6DKam-M.jpg

There were some truly amazing sights to see.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395120913_Zd6TT-M.jpg

This Jeep was having issues trying to make it up this sand fill hill.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395121781_Tt5hQ-M.jpg

This is Murphy Hogback but it’s a lot steeper than this picture makes it look.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395122149_b8kkZ-M.jpg

Chief going up.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395122311_JKNNf-M.jpg
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395122468_pXxJw-M.jpg
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395122674_baAGf-M.jpg

A few more of the area.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395124554_ZbuYd-M.jpg
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395125627_KaY33-M.jpg

Found a little shade near the end of the trail.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395126933_GQZ34-M.jpg

We did the complete trail in just a little over 6 hours. We had a great time but even at this time of year it was hot. We headed back to camp and took a dip in the pool. Had dinner in the local ice cream shop and made plans for the ride home. We hated to think about it but we knew we could not ride forever. We did get some firewood and had a real nice fire.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395128282_Fz3YX-M.jpg

Then it was off to sleep because we had a long day ahead of us.

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395128443_MwhZG-M.jpg
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395128483_EJYLi-M.jpg

[Trailace]

Day 11

Not a lot to say about today just that it started and ended cold. We would stay off the interstate highways as much as possible and it made the ride bearable. We did see this in New Mexico.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395180253_Vk78c-M.jpg

We did not ride too fast but spent a long time in the saddle and made it to Amarillo before we stopped. We camped at the KOA ($24) Chief and I would split up in the morning. I would head for home and he would head for Fort Worth.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395180852_vxNBd-M.jpg

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395180873_RYfG9-M.jpg

[Trailace]

Day 12

I left Amarillo before daybreak and it was cold and I would not warm up until Fort Worth. I had 329 miles on this tank of gas when the gaslight came on. I would go 20 more miles before getting gas for 350 miles on one tank. After filling up I still had just a little lass than a gallon left. That means I could have pushed it to 400 miles. I did stop in Fort Worth but that was just to eat. After eating it was hot and it seemed to take forever to get home to Houston.

The bike safe at home.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395194415_BFhBU-M.jpg

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395194852_JjDSL-M.jpg

http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395197813_JWBHj-M.jpg

All I can say is what a great ride. It had everything; hot, cold, sand, mud, gravel, dirt, snow, wind, rain, hail, lots of great people and a few super riding companions. I know I probably left a lot out and if Guy or Chief want to add anything it would be great.

Total miles a little over 4,000. I would say about 2,000 of them were on dirt. Longest day over 675 miles.

Total TAT elevation.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395197830_G6ktQ-M.jpg

Spent 11 nights camping Total $159.00 or about $84 per-person.
One night in Hotel $76.00 or $38 per-person.

What worked for me and what did not work.

Bike
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/392642207_Q2V4A-M.jpg
2007 BMW G650 X-Challenge - What can I say other than excellent, it took on every challenge with out an issue. I know a few people have a dislike for the air shock but for adventure riding it fit the bill well. When coming down or going up it kept the rear tire planted and in control. The rear breaks on the X are sensitive but with a load on the back it is a non-issue. The gas mileage was always over 50 mpg but most of the time over 60mpg. It was just like my R1150GSA when it came to starting on the cold mornings. If you did not give it just a little throttle she would be hard to start but with a little gas she kicked off instantly. Only had to do it twice on the coldest mornings.

Tires

Front: Pirelli MT-21 - It did well on and off road and still has a few miles if needed in it.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395194535_kC4hu-M.jpg

Rear Dunlop 908RR - Made the whole ride, all 4,000 miles. I did baby it while on the pavement but not the trail.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395196554_H8K2m-M.jpg

GPS
Garmin 276C - Never missed a beat.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/386499760_4gDnR-M.jpg

Wolfman front fender bag worked well and never moved.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395194989_cbuf9-M.jpg

However the homemade support I mounted under the fender broke on the last day. Not sure if it was needed but I like to play it safe. I threw it together the night before my ride but next time I will spend a little more time on it.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395197790_B7Nt9-M.jpg

Front Touratech Fender Extension was a great add. This was the first trip with in on and boy what a difference it’s it made. No spray on me on my helmet.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395195112_kGp4c-M.jpg

On off switch for the GPS did what I wanted but the new switch was bad from the start and a few times it was hard to get it to work. I will just replace the bad switch.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395195264_8z2Di-M.jpg

Small mirrors in hand guards work but not very well. I only put them on to keep the law off my butt but it never came up. Still looking for a good set of folding mirrors.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395195396_VB7Rr-M.jpg

Map holder worked very well and kept all my TAT maps high and dry.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395195539_B9ftf-M.jpg

Homemade light cover did its job and for only $3.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395195687_GhQDu-M.jpg

Homemade rack carried all my gear with no issues.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395195817_DxyVa-M.jpg

Sidewinder Titanium II Sprockets (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=374411) and chain show no sign of wear and needed no adjustment in over 4,000 miles.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395195971_AHaJV-M.jpg

Kutch HardPart (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=354340) took a few hits but did their job.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395196104_c7xER-M.jpg

Homemade rear fender did well and did not break,
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395196393_RXNXL-M.jpg

SIDI Discovery boots performed well.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395196755_muNVW-M.jpg

My new Exped Down Mattress 9 DLX worked well and is light.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395196920_46wqz-M.jpg

This little Bike tool was great to check all the screws on the X each night.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395197142_SHtn3-M.jpg

Tire Buddy helped with the one flat on the DR.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395197495_oktRk-M.jpg

Homemade Brake disk guard worked as you can see.
http://trailace.smugmug.com/photos/395197645_ALJva-M.jpg

If I think of anything else I will add it. Thanks for taking the time reading this and sharing the great time Guy, Chief and I had doing it.

Now to start planing part II Do you want to come along?

[Chief]

Great job, you had some good pics of the White Rim. Almost showed how hard it was!:eek:
I'll try to add a few of my pics that have you in them so people will believe you were there.

Here is Trailace trying out the big man's chair at Bishops Castle.
http://chief-runamuck.smugmug.com/photos/388289668_NnhD2-M.jpg

He climbed to the top of this thing twice! I encouraged him to do it so I could get some much needed rest.
http://chief-runamuck.smugmug.com/photos/388290316_EYhYV-M.jpg



This is where my bike got tired going up Hancock Pass. It's amazing how the pictures don't show how rough it is but while we were standing there some 4 wheeler things came by and had to stop and switch to 4 wheel drive because they got stuck on some big rocks.
http://chief-runamuck.smugmug.com/photos/388295424_SuazS-M.jpg

More later, gotta go back to work!

[Chief]

After we had to turn around on Hancock Pass and use the bypass over Marshall Pass we saw some of the prettiest scenery for the whole trip. Here is Rick heading up through the Colorado Chinese Tallow trees.
http://chief-runamuck.smugmug.com/photos/388297482_37ffH-M.jpg

http://chief-runamuck.smugmug.com/photos/388298507_tSrTm-M.jpg

Our camp at Gunnison KOA. Nice place, stayed there twice this year.
http://chief-runamuck.smugmug.com/photos/388299308_wzNLk-M.jpg

Like Trailace said, it was cold in the morning. I slept like a baby in my Big Agnes Summit Park.
http://chief-runamuck.smugmug.com/photos/388299342_UFhFG-M.jpg

This is the old stagecoach road, again I encouraged him to go explore while I rested!
http://chief-runamuck.smugmug.com/photos/388300688_MxGym-M.jpg

I was a happy man when we made it to the top of Cinnamon Pass, I thought the hard part was over. Boy was I wrong!!
http://chief-runamuck.smugmug.com/photos/388303587_dPSrS-M.jpg

[Chief]

I don't remember which one of the 4 passes this was on but it was starting to build up!
http://chief-runamuck.smugmug.com/photos/388304970_wJLSW-M.jpg

Trailace at the top of Hurricane pass. I think he was enjoying it!

http://chief-runamuck.smugmug.com/photos/388306396_wFuGD-M.jpg

Every time we would go over a pass I would think we were going down and then we'd start back up again!

http://chief-runamuck.smugmug.com/photos/388306494_Gph6a-M.jpg

This is at the top of Corkscrew Pass right before we headed down and that red sandy gravel threw me down one last time!

http://chief-runamuck.smugmug.com/photos/388307591_b93ro-M.jpg

We finally made it over all the tough passes and stopped at this fancy motel for the night. Boy was I whupped, but I had a blast that day. I had been wanting to ride some of those passes for a long time and really felt like we had accomplished something after it was over.

http://chief-runamuck.smugmug.com/photos/388309659_vHaM5-M.jpg

[motomac]

Great stories and pictures both of you. Yeah I'd like to go on the next one. This will be a big priority next time.

[Tx White Knight]

great pictures, Ricks GPS graph look like pictures of the terain but just colored in :)

:tent5:

[Ironheadziggy76]

Great ride report guys, awesome pictures as well! I think I am going to add this ride to my bucket list, I hope I live long enough. :)

[Mr. Guy]

Great job guys, I really enjoyed my ride with you.

Say Rick, I've been doing some sleeping bag shopping and am wondering what brand and model bag you brought with you. I'm trying to find one that packs small like yours.

Thanks, Guy

[Trailace]

Great job guys, I really enjoyed my ride with you.

Say Rick, I've been doing some sleeping bag shopping and am wondering what brand and model bag you brought with you. I'm trying to find one that packs small like yours.

Thanks, Guy

Guy I'm not sure what bag I have it was made by Sierra Designs and it goose down. Temp rating 25 degrees

[Chief]

As we rode into Ophir we found a sign that indicates they were expecting us!

http://chief-runamuck.smugmug.com/photos/388314465_WhwZs-M.jpg

Trailace useing his depth gauge on the water hole on the ATV trail.

http://chief-runamuck.smugmug.com/photos/388315748_bygfr-M.jpg

Decisions, decisions, Whats more important, getting out of hot clothes or getting the maps out to prove to Chief that this trail is on the map!

http://chief-runamuck.smugmug.com/photos/388316787_Xdfxz-M.jpg

The Motocampers official Utah border crossing line!:)

http://chief-runamuck.smugmug.com/photos/388320366_yKqNJ-M.jpg

[Chief]

Over on ADVrider they posted that their annual WestFest is gonna be at Buena Vista next year, end of July. Buena Vista is real close to Hancock Pass where we had to turn around! I think I might go to WestFest and have another shot at making it over the pass.:D

[Trailace]

Over on ADVrider they posted that their annual WestFest is gonna be at Buena Vista next year, end of July. Buena Vista is real close to Hancock Pass where we had to turn around! I think I might go to WestFest and have another shot at making it over the pass.:D

I might go with ya.

I was thinking maybe we should do part II of the TAT the same time next year because of the weather. What do you think?

[Chief]

I might go with ya.

I was thinking maybe we should do part II of the TAT the same time next year because of the weather. What do you think?


Sounds great to me!:D

[Flingshot]

You guys should ride Sam's Shadow of the Rockies Trail up to Trinidad and then go from there.
Maybe me and a few others can start the TAT from the beginning in time to meet you there. Not sure how many people can get 3 weeks off or if I can afford to be away from my business that long. Might have to do part one at an earlier date like you guys did.
I am also going to Westfest 09. My screen name over there is Flingshot. I should probably change this one too since I will have a Vstrom to add to the DRZ soon.
Lets get as many as we can to go! #
TATPalooza '09!!!
Posted via Mobile Device

[Mr. Guy]

Guy I'm not sure what bag I have it was made by Sierra Designs and it goose down. Temp rating 25 degrees


Thanks Rick, I'll take a look at theirs too.

Guy

[Chief]

Hey Guy, what brand and model are those handguards you have on your bike?
Are they Moose?

[Chief]

My enthusiasm for the 2nd half is falling after seeing some of the pics from the rest of Utah on ADV from Dr Rock's Mobius Trip.:eek:

[Mr. Guy]

Hi Chief,

Yes they're Moose, they're the only ones I could find in black, all the others were bare aluminum. I got them at Dennis Kirk. When you order the bars, be sure to order the handguards too, I nearly froze my hands off on my trip last Feb. But you've got those hippo hands, so maybe not.

Guy

[Trailace]

My enthusiasm for the 2nd half is falling after seeing some of the pics from the rest of Utah on ADV from Dr Rock's Mobius Trip.:eek:
Come on it don't look that bad. :p

[Mr. Guy]

Come on it don't look that bad. :p

Sounds like "Let's do War Loop Rd, it wont be that bad" to me. :eek: :D

Go for it Chief, I lived though it. :)

Guy

[TJ Willy]

Digging up an old thread....

Great report.

Rick.... I was thinking of trading for an X... How are the ON ROAD manners?

[Trailace]

Rick.... I was thinking of trading for an X... How are the ON ROAD manners?

To me the X is great on the road for a 650 dual sport. I have four 600 + miles days and I was doing OK.

Not much after market stuff and it all cost more the the stuff for other DS bikes. That being said I love mine. :D

[motomac]

I had several 750+ days on the KLR to and from AK. It wasn't Gold Wing or ST comfortable, but it gotter dun.