The beginning!
Monticello UT
The End!
Port Orford OR
The beginning!
Monticello UT
The End!
Port Orford OR
Last edited by Trailace; 10-02-2009 at 11:58 AM.
Trailace/ Rick
“You can tell the size of the man by the size of the things that bother him”
Are you talking about the bikes or the riders?
That's it?
Glad you guys had a great trip.
TAT Part II Sep 2009 UT to OR A new cast of Characters
After months of anticipation it was time to start the ride. Chief could not join me this year but there would be a few new characters along for the ride.
Ron
Phil
Rick
Finished a few things at work loaded the bike and headed north to meet Ron and Phil. I was going to ride the entire trip but decided to just throw my bike in the truck with them and save some time.
Loaded up and on the road.
We stopped in Clarendon TX to catch a few hours of sleep. This would be Ron and Phil’s first dual sport camping off the bike ride and Phil still had a few things to work out.
There was a stray black cat hanging around our room, hope it would not be a sign of things to come. It kept meowing at our door all night and in the morning. As I was putting a few things back into the truck the darn thing ran up and bit me.
It had tags on so I decided it had to have had it’s shots and left it at that. There was a strong smell of gas coming from the bikes. It was coming from Ron’s bike and we determined he had a bad gas tank seal that would need to be replaced. I also noticed that I left my camelback at home. So time to do a little shopping. We found everything we needed but the gas seal in Amarillo.
We would stop in Albuquerque at Motorsport Inc. to try one more time for the seal. The guys there were super nice and Shaw went above and beyond to help us out. He did not have the seal at the shop but was sure he had one at home so we followed him to his house and sure enough he had the seal. How cool it that!
Shaw
Store
ABQ Motorsport
Ron’s driving was so bad Phil wears a helmet most of the time.
We made it to Monticello UT right at sunset and found a place to camp. We would leave the truck there for a few weeks.
We camped at the RV Park on the north side of town. The site was $15 for 3 tents and the man running the place had a son that was a real pistol.
Set up our tents, took showers and off to bed. Oh no another cat!
It started to rain and the cat slept under Ron’s vestibule all night. Here he is checking out his new home.
I could not wait to get on the road and had a hard time sleeping.
Day 1
We woke to a cold wet day with thunder and lightening. Not a get way to start the TAT so we went to have breakfast at a local eatery and met April.
She fills us in on all the local gossip and said it would stop raining when it stops. We could see the sky was clear just a few miles north so we broke camp in the rain and hit the trail.
The rain was not all bad because it kept the dust down all day but it did give us about thirty miles of mud to deal with.
Before long we would climb into Manti-la Sal National Forest and as always Sam would mix in a few cool paths.
This was nice.
Next we headed down to Moab past Slick Rock and the Lions Back.
In Moab we filled up with gas and grabbed a snack. Right next to the gas station was a car wash so we hosed off the 10 pounds of mud from the beginning of the day.
Just north of Moab we crossed 191 and climbed again, this time into red sand and rock ledges.
Looking back toward Moab.
A few nice pictures from the area.
We met Dan and Ryk who were on XR650R. They were also doing the TAT. We would have dinner in Green River with them later that night. Sorry no pictures.
The roads turned to fast flat gravel with hills all around. Here are Ron and Phil having a little fun on the hills.
Both Ron and Phil are retired F15 fighter pilots. Lets just say it takes a lot to get their adrenalin going. As for me, I just hope to keep out of their way.
We made Green River State Park and set up camp.
We would have dinner at Tamarisk Restaurant just east of the Green River on 6.
Not bad for a late start and rain.
Elevations
Last edited by Trailace; 10-04-2009 at 09:06 AM.
Man, what a great trip so far. Looking forward to more of the great rr and pics.
As always, a great report Rick.
Thanks, Guy
2003 Suzuki DR 650, The touring model.
Good stuff Rick, now I really feel bad.
Steve
2017 Suzuki DL650A V-Strom 2005 Suzuki DL650 V-Strom, 2002 Harley Road King Classic, 1976 Harley Sportster
That's a good looking report, Rick. Clearly worth the wait!
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