Guys , I don't know how we can let the Toronto Crew show us up like this! I know the AZ ride is a long way from anywhere, but the scenery is superb. I'd like to see if we can out shine their 10 Visionaries / Riders showing up.
So far, I believe we have Me
Inane
H20
Ken
Arther
Kwells
Coyle
Dminor
we have 4 locals who have expressed intrest, One gal,Teresa on
a new Yamaha
950 star and her Husband on a Menie , Frank,a Pastor on a CBR600 OR a Kwaker can-o -coors and Joel on either his Yamaha road Star or His new Buellisses.
So let me know if your coming, on the 23/24 of May in KINGMAN
8) A challenge eh Ricky me boy!!! O.K. your on 8) Just how big an OnROV spring ride can we have ??? The North will rise to the challenge Rick, that I'm sure of... 8)
8)........TIGER....... 8)
Joe Vacc racks up around 1200 miles on the OnRov rides... me about 600
..... kudos to the CORov members, and those from parts further away, for planning to attend :)
hey!
Think long term.... what about our ALASKA/CANADA RIDE..
Seattle BY FERRY TO Haines, Alaska to WhiteHorse then the Cassiar Highway to Prince George and on in the Fraisier Canyon then back to the USA. This is a trip..maybe 2K Miles to the borderl.. Maybe we need a support vehicle to carry gas and spares and stuff. This could be THE trip. I am going to do it...you are all welcome to join in.
This is not idle talk. I have done this road in late in late winter and it is spectacular. MY son and I are planning for spring 2010.
You want a cool ride with an 'Alaska Guide" then this is the one. Just plan for it and we will go.
If at least 5 sign on we will need a support van for "stators and tools" . I think we all could contribute and support the van and driver.
CONTACT ME IF YOU ARE INTERESTED.
akvision
I'll try to make it.... my parents are coming in to town right around then, they haven't decided exactly what days that they're going to be in Phoenix... if they're not around, I'll be up...
It's looking good for my attendance!
Bet y'all thought I dropped off the face of the Earth. I have in a way, I am learning astrophotography & it has been a steep but fun learning curve. I've spent all my time - not to mention all my Vision fix-up budget - on gathering the stuff to take cool pictures. the astro forums I've joined are very friendly - they don't make a newbie feel stupid or incompetent. 8)
I'll try to drop in a bit more often now that riding season is approaching!
H2O
Glad your back :)
May not be quite as active as in the past, but at least I'll check in more often again!
The new hobby sure can steal a ton of sleep. At least this week looks like an entire week of clouds, rain, snow & generally nasty weather. No riding or stargazing. >:( It's the typical astronomer curse - get new astro toys & you guarantee lots of bad weather for a while.
H2O
Quote from: h2olawyer on March 23, 2009, 03:41:00 AM
The new hobby sure can steal a ton of sleep. At least this week looks like an entire week of clouds, rain, snow & generally nasty weather. No riding or stargazing.
H2O
H20, you may need to take up knitting! Both of your hobbies are more rewarding with the
nice weather! 8) ;) ;)
Bump, for justice!
I got the time off to do the trip thing, as well as my brother. Barring any unforeseen bike problems, we're good to go.
Installed my new fender on Blackie this weekend. Got the carbs cleaned out again. She's still coming together but will be rideable within a couple weekends.
Will have to work on scheduling still but the bike should be solid.
Going to be a busy spring. Trip to eastern CO to visit friends and take advantage of their very dark skies sometime in mid April. Then, last week of April is a week rafting down the Yampa River through Dinosaur National Monument. Then a Star Party in Nebraska in mid May, followed by the trip to Kingman. Fun times, but lots of travel!
H2O
Bump for justice!
Im gonna try like hell to have the vision ready, I may actually make it!!! If she isnt running/papered yet, I may have to ride the viagra..
I'll try and make it, Rick.
Cathode, I'd like to loop through Colorado on my way down to try again for a 1,000 mile "Iron Butt" day. Are you and your brother going to ride down?
See Ya'll in May,
;)
Coil
Im cornfused, are you going through colorado on your way down to kingman? Or are you looping through kingman on the way to colorado? :o
Hopefully we'll be riding yes :)
Hey boys keep an Eye out for a Red/nWhit Canuck 83 ;) ;)
Cheers Ken s. :)
No way, ken, really?
Man that'd be a hoot!
That will be a treat ! I love to see on of those in Canadian Colours! :D :D
Quote from: inanecathode on April 06, 2009, 08:20:32 PM
Im cornfused, are you going through colorado on your way down to kingman? Or are you looping through kingman on the way to colorado? :o
Hopefully we'll be riding yes :)
On the way down. If I can get the vacation days. I've been drooling over the map to Colorado since I missed the 25 year ride when we were building our new plant here in Medford.
Denver's 1350 miles from Medford so I could take a shot at a 1500 by joining you guys either way. I'll be able to make better plans later.
;)
Coil
We may have 4 more for the AZrov spring ride. Teresa , on a new Yamaha 950 star and her husband Mike , on a Menie, Frank, a Pastor on either a CBR 600 or his Kwaker Can-o-Coors and Joel on either his Yamaha Road Star or his New Buellisses. that would bring us to 12 .
how many miles of riding do you think there will be rick? im trying to come up with a gas budget
The trip to Supi is 150 round trip . We will stop in Truxton to top off the tanks and fill the axualliary tanks.
Unless we go 45 MPH, a Vision will run out 20 or 25 miles short of Truxton on the way back. I have several two gallon cans and one , one gallon can, to loan. I'll be scrounging up a few more . Other bikes may not have a problem. The Meany can't do it, but a ST1300, can do it, with a couple of gallons to spare. When you get back to Kingman you will have over a half tank left.
I'm hoping there's time in there some where to go to Oatman , its only 60 miles round trip, but a lot of fun, If time permits we can head from there, down to Golden Shores and then , either go back on I40 to Kingman, or 95 through Bullhead and up the grade on 68 to Kingman. Either way its about 110 miles and can be done on one tank. Although I gas up, in Golden Shores or Bullhead, as I hate to walk. ;) ;) :D :D :D ;D ;D
Still not sure if I'll ride or drive. Kind of depends on how much I want to spend time under the darkest skies. If there's much moon that weekend, I'll most definitely be on 2 wheels as the scope works best in dark, moonless skies when viewing or imaging those faint fuzzy things out there. 8)
Either way, I'll stick around long enough for an Oatman ride - if you don't mind waiting for my slow a$$. :D
H2O
I usually wait at the top of Sitgraves pass, for others to catch up . I always request that anyone riding with me , ride at there own pace, I don't want to be responsible, for some one crashing trying to keep up with my insanity.
When I rode there with Coil, he filled my mirror all the time , in spite of malfunctioning carbs. It wasn't until we got to the whoop T dos, on the way to Golden shores, that I could pull away and only by running 110 when he was running out of top end.
On the subject of insane speed, I will limit speeds to a much more reasonable pace than in the fall. I think both Ron and Glenn were a little unhappy with my 90 mph. I can't blame them. I just that I LOVE a tight throttle cable.
Quote from: Rick G on April 14, 2009, 07:30:18 PM
I usually wait at the top of Sitgraves pass, for others to catch up . I always request that anyone riding with me , ride at there own pace, I don't want to be responsible, for some one crashing trying to keep up with my insanity.
When I rode there with Coil, he filled my mirror all the time , in spite of malfunctioning carbs. It wasn't until we got to the whoop T dos, on the way to Golden shores, that I could pull away and only by running 110 when he we running out of top end.
On the subject of insane speed, I will limit speeds to a much more reasonable pace than in the fall. I think both Ron and Glenn were a little unhappy with my 90 mph. I can't blame them. I just that I LOVE a tight throttle cable.
Keep in mind some of us have to ride our bikes back, in a non exploded state so i think i'll ride as fast as im comfortable with, but no high load runs like that :P
I got the job today, so i'm definitely on as far as i can see :)
Just doing some mileage calculations and maintenance lists for both the bikes but its shaping up well :)
I think I just said that part about riding at your own pace! Coil was free to ride at any speed , he chose to stay with me. We are talking about the last 8 miles going in to Oatman and 15 miles going to Golden shores , anyway . The balance of the ride is two lane highway , with lots of wonderful scenery , so we will want to ride at av pace to enjoy it, as well as lots of stops to take pictures.
I like to ride nice-n-slow
Cathode,
If you stop and think about it, riding behind someone who is up ahead playing "Rabbit" is a nice way to avoid speed traps.
Rick plays a real good rabbit.
;D
Coil
Quote from: coilXZcoyle on April 15, 2009, 01:06:01 AM
Cathode,
If you stop and think about it, riding behind someone who is up ahead playing "Rabbit" is a nice way to avoid speed traps.
Rick plays a real good rabbit.
;D
Coil
Haha yeah, thats one way to see it!
Quote from: Rick G on April 09, 2009, 06:00:19 PM
I'm hoping there's time in there some where to go to Oatman , its only 60 miles round trip, but a lot of fun
ROV,
The road to Oatman, AZ is a classic Vision road. It's beat up, twisty 1940's, The United States of America, concrete with mule shit randomly deposited any where you might not want to see it. Add in a goldfish pond on a cliff; your Vision and you will both enjoy the bonding experience, trust Rick.
Then stop in town, have a soda, maybe watch a bank robbery or a senseless gun fight while you chill out. Listen to the Harley riders bitch about "that last 10 miles of road coming into town".
;)
Coil
On rare occasions you may even encounter mules . In the spring of '08 Don minor stopped buy on his way to the CArov ride and we went to Oatman. We spent a half hour sitting on a bench in Oatman BSing about Vision cranks , until it was dark. Just after we had exited the canyon , we encountered several "ghosts" drifting across the road in the dark. Vigorous braking ensued and after we stopped we realised it was a herd of wild donkeys , mostly Jacks , who were crossing the road.
It was one of the most memorable rides I've ever had.
Actually Don was the cause of my leading rides, at too fast a speed! At the start of the '05 CArov ride (I think it was the fall ride) we were heading out of Kingman on I 40 at 65 MPH , the speed limit is 75, but I was trying to keep the group together and be a good boy . Don came zooming up beside me , on his BMW SUV and said " this is going to take all day, if you don't get going", wrong thing to say to me!!
After that I stopped every so often ,to be sure everyone was still with us. Actually the group kept pace very well . Great bunch of guys and skilled riders!!
AZ now has photo radar vans, that they move around and I have seen them on 66, close to Kingman.
I don't know if there farther out . There's not a lot of traffic past Truxton, so it may not be productive out there, who knows. They post warning signs anywhere from a mile to 25 feet ahead of the van, I think I depends on the operators sense of humor.
I try to stay off of I 40 if there's any other route , I detest running in close proximity to over the road semis. 80 mph is my usuall cruising speed on I40, with its 75 mph limit. and they run 85 to 90 so there always passing me , with there recap tyres throwing treads at me. I shut the throttle as they come along side , so that they get by in a hurry. Since fuel costs has gone up their running slower and the economy has reduced the number . I'm still not a fan of I 40 .
I don't ride to massage my ego - I will ride only as fast as I feel is appropriate for me. Some of that is from all the miles I've ridden alone. The rest comes from the first few times I tried riding fast, law enforcement always managed to sind out & put a stop to that. I've always been one of those who gets in trouble just for being in the same area where others are misbehaving. I just finally decided to take it easy and enjoy my surroundings rather than concentrate so hard on pushing the pace. If I absolutely need to be someplace and am running late, I can push it a bit, but I just prefer an enjoyable, relaxing ride.
That said, it did get a tiny bit monotonous riding behind Don V. at the 25 year party, but I felt better knowing he was safe. After all, the Colorado mountains are just a bit different than the Nebraska flatland. ;D
--Oh yeah, kwells - you're REAL slow. ::)
H2O
I've never felt that I was massaging my ego, when riding fast. I've always ridden pretty fast and even did some production road racing in my 20's (Orange county raceway, Riverside raceway, Willow springs)
Having raced made me a much better street rider, able to make decisions far more quickly. I do it now to hone my reaction time. ( and for the adrenalin rush ) As I have gotten older there are many things I don't do as well, (never mind the snickering) But I'm still fairly compatent on a bike , But a bit slower than I was 6 or 7 years ago.
The larger a group gets the slower the leader has to go, to prevent the accordion effect. so other than the last 10 miles in to Oatman where I may pull ahead a bit , we will run at a pace that keeps the group intact (and unmolested by the Mohave county Sheriffs office and the AZ DPS.
During the fall ride we were 3 to Supi and 2 to Oatman, so keeping track of everyone was very easy even at 110 mph .
I ride with the CMA and they nearly put me to sleep , but I persevere and run with the group. In fact we may have a couple of CMA riders with us, on the Saturday ride to Supi.
There will be lots of stops to take pictures and a stop in Peach springs for lunch. The lodge there has great food and is run by the Hualipie Nation, (its on the reservation) Besides there's no where else to get lunch!!
You will all enjoy your adventure I promise!
Rick,
I'll be on the BMW. Gas is not a problem, if you have a can that won't leak on the carpet in my trunk,I'll be the tanker. As for the speed I can take my time or just go ahead,(that is if I know where we are going).All roads are rideable, as long as they are not dirt ( I have to do that to start this run).
I hope you have a good turnout for this ride, Ill be happy to see all.
Don
PS. see you in May ;)
We may have to rename the SUV into the super tanker. So far I have 2 metal one gallon cans and 2 plastic 2 gallon cans as well as a plastic on gallon . I'll confirm the leak proof qualities this week.
Its all pavement , Hi way 11 from 66 to Supi has a few pot holes , but its quite ride able.
I remember seeing your head light as a pin hole of light behind me on I40 , in '05, and then you pulled up along side , out of nowhere! Then you disappeared over the western horizon in a flash. I was doing 90 and you left me like I was standing still!! We are going to have to take it easy on these guys, they sound pretty conservative to me! I want them to enjoy there ride!! ;) ;) :D :D :D :D
Didn't mean to offend! When I said I don't ride to massage my ego, I just meant I ride my own ride - no matter what anyone else thinks.
I know that according to the Department of Homeland Security I am a Right Wing Extremist, but that doesn't mean I intentionally offend anyone (at least anyone who doesn't deserve it). ;D
H2O
lol,, according to DHS,, anyone who is concerned about anything is an extremist.. Maybe their right,, I certainly feel like one now the the left wing has been pulled so far to the left.. even if you were center before,, youre FAR right now...I was on the right before,, Im off the table now...
I hate to tell you this, but you're all extremists.
I'm not.
No offense taken H2, I'm really the same way, I ride at my own speed . Except when I'm leading a large group, then I'm pretty conservative , unless I get complaints I'm going too slow, then I tighten up the throttle cable. I can't help it , its built in.
yah...I'm a left wing terr*rist.
I guess I'll be bringing my fast bike then.
Lol well. I'm an organized anarchist then
I'll bring my molotov cocktails and gas masks :)
Inane , actually , your side arm will be acceptable, here in AZ. This is the old west not the middle east.
As long as you're out in the county around here, carrying an unconcealed firearm is actually somewhat common. Lots of pickups with gun racks. ;D Not that normal around town. I now have a different method of carrying my bang sticks around, but my old Toyota pickup had a rear window gun rack that was normally in good use. I now keep them in their cases on the floor of the rear seat in the F250 when I'm headed out to make some fun noise (once or twice a year).
Quote from: funkamongus on April 17, 2009, 09:22:11 AM
lol,, according to DHS,, anyone who is concerned about anything is an extremist.. Maybe their right,, I certainly feel like one now the the left wing has been pulled so far to the left.. even if you were center before,, youre FAR right now...I was on the right before,, Im off the table now...
Quite true.
H
2O
gonna try to make this one and the tehachapi run with XVision too.. We'll see how it works out.. I have 2 friends that may join in..
Well, just confirmed with the parents, that is the weekend that they'll be in town. So I'll have to skip it this time... maybe next time... :'(
I'm sorry you can't make it, there will be a fall ride , but I'm not sure to where yet. Maybe Prescott or Jerome.
we need a Tahoe ride!!
So start one!! :D :D :D :D :D
ok challenge accepted!! A Fall ride it is.. (hopefully that will give enough time)
You shouldn't have much trouble getting people to ride in the California mountains in the fall!!!
I hope its easy to get people into it!!! It sure is nice riding around here.. I feel sorry for anyone who hasnt seen it... when they talk about Gods country... they must mean Tahoe... At the very least, they must mean the Sierra's. Lots of rides around here!! A person could ride a different way every time and still have a lifetimes worth of roads to see within 1 day, or an overnights driving distance... We'll see how it goes!! Between now and then,,, I'll be "chumming" the site with Tahoe pictures!!!!! Im hoping for a "fall feeding frenzy"!!!!
Rick,
I'm not going to be able to come this time. I've got a mechanic off with health problems so my Lead Mechanic and myself have to split the two weekends, only one of us at a time.
He's going to ride with the Oregon Vintage Motorcycle camp out on the same weekend as your ride so I've got to cover that weekend here at the plant.
I'll make it down later in the summer.
Have fun,
;)
Coil
Well, I am finally getting the V out of it's winter slumber. This has been a crazy spring. The days I could get the bike out have been bad weather and the rest of the time, life and other interests have taken precedence.
I have a new stator & R/R installed with less than 200 miles on them so far. Won't have the 83 carb conversion completed for this trip. Still need to rebuild the starter. It's still working, but it is having 'issues'.
Still not sure if I'll truck it in or ride. If I was 95% positive the stator issue is fixed, I'd ride. However, for this distance and a first long trip on the 'fixed' charging system, I should take a spare stator - which I currently don't have.
To the rest of the CoROV attending - we need to touch base to see about a Motel room or two in Kingman.
Looking forward to this!
H2O
I'll post motel phone numbers tomorrow!
That is Memorial Day weekend. Hope the traffic won't be terrible. I plan on avoiding the interstates - at least until Flagstaff. I'm also planning on being on 2 wheels for the entire trip. Need to plan the route so I can find a campsite someplace around 1/2 way.
Will carry a spare charged battery in case my stator dies along the way. If I can ride with Inane, I'll be able to have a mobile charger so we'll just have to stop to swap batteries from time to time. That said, I do believe I have the stator issue sorted out (at least for now). My last stator went a total of 2500 miles - 1500 of that was with a new R/R, but that fried and I was charging @ 18V. When I swapped back to the previous R/R, I got the typical 1000 miles. Looks like there was some sort of internal problem with the previous R/R (which I swapped at the same time the first stator died). I ran all the tests on it & it showed no faults. I plan on putting on a couple hundred miles in the next week (if the weather cooperates). Need to get some saddle time in before taking off on a long ride.
Wanted to stop over @ Natural Bridges National Monument for some telescope time, but I'd rather not take the extra time this trip. Will try to get down there in October or November when the temps cool down there again. Supposed to be really dark there. 8)
H2O
On my trip to Morongo, I carried a battery charger in my saddle bags, But the problem was with the volt meter .
6 Days till i leave :O
We're still day to day, but trying to make it....
Three days 8)
Damn, sounds like good trip. I wish I could go... Inane and I could caravan down.
Can't make it this time though. :(
No worries dude, maybe i could make this september gig you and paw2 were talking about.
Hey Inane,
Your on. We are planning to take off south August 29 and return on September 5. Some kind of loop down to Roswell or there abouts.
Get together with Rhpaw and map a route. Based on him reporting a sore butt, maybe 200 to 250 mile lazy days are in order. I have never seen this part of the country and am looking forward to the tour.
akvision
try to come through the Tahoe area on the way down or around!! Some prime riding!!!
I have my reservation, I'll see you there. I'll be there Friday afternoon.
Don
Still trying to make sunday.. we'll see,, I got your number Rick
Ok well, i'm off to work. Then brothers house after that, then off to arizona!
Rick, i have your number on my cell, we should be by friday evening some time. We'll snag a motel for the first night, cause house guests are like fish, they start to stink after two days ;)
And, away!
Rick,
I won't be in attendance. I got a bit overwhelmed with the swirl of other things going and wasn't able to ge the V legal in time.
We'll have to meet at the next rally.
Ride safe guys....or at least fast.
Hope u have a safe and fun ride. ;D
Hope Inane & his brother are having a good ride. Looked pretty wet across southern Colorado yesterday. At least that would mean cooler weather. ;D
I'll get down for that ride soon! Need to make sure I can get more than 1000 miles out of my stators now. About 90% certain I've got it licked but need actual proof. Plus I need more seat time before undertaking a ride like that. Lastly, avoiding a holiday weekend (especially the one honoring deceased veterans) would help. I really want to go to the ceremony at Fort Logan National Cemetery this year, since that's where we buried dad last fall.
Everyone in attendance: ride fun, fast & safe!!! I'll be thinking of y'all & wishing I was there.
H2O
8) If you guys have half the fun & laughs we had at the OnROV ride last weekend, you'll have a great time...ENJOY 8)
8).......TIGER....... 8)
So far its been a hoot!! :D :D I was out side around 3 o'clock and my cell went off . It seems that Inanes brother had broken the drive chain on his GPZ750 about 15 miles east of Seligman, on I 40.
So I dropped everything and hooked the trailer up to the Dodge and headed east on 66. It started raining just past Valle Vista and continued until just before Peach springs, it was clear in Seligman tho. After an hour and a half trip, I pulled into Seligman and tracked Inane (Ben) down. We left his bike and we proceeded east, Ben, Freckles and I . we finally resorted to using one of the emergency turn around's , intended for the DPS. I wasn't willing to go all the way to Williams to turn around. When we arrived ,Don Minor was there keeping Ben's brother company!!! :o :o
We loaded the GPZ on to the trailer and had an uneventful ride back to Kingman.
Every one is bedded down in their respective motels and the GPZ is in the back yard. In the morning they will pick up a new chain, at Kawasaki Suzuki of Kingman and we will install it and hit the road
Glad the Colorado boys & Don (hi Don!) all made it there safely! Wonder if Ben's brother wants another chain drive bike?!?!? ;D
Have a great weekend!
H2O
Saturday Morning they eventually got a chain , from Route 66 for the Kwaker and we installed it , making for a late start.
One of our local CMA riders, Joel Donnenfeld and his new Buellisseys joined us for the ride , but the delay caused us to loose one rider , Frank Amico, to cancel out.
We headed out 66 with a clear sky and soon arrived at Truxton to gas up. temps dropped steadily as we climbed. The road has a few pot holes but is really pretty good. At one point on 18 it was 61 degrees, but as we approached Supi it rose to 71 . Perfect riding weather. I spoke to one of the Havasupi , who was hoping one of his friends would ride up with a spare horse , so he wouldn't have to walk the 8 miles down to the village. Its a 2 1/2 hour walk (3 1/2 up) down to the Village.
I wish I was either young enough to hike down or rich enough to afford the helo ( 90.00 down and 90.00 up)
We received a few rain drops , so we loaded up and headed out on the 60 mile ride to 66. The scenery was magnificent and the weather perfect . We stopped at the Hualipie Lodge restaurant , and I enjoyed stewed pork and peppers stew , with Indian fry bread, delicious!!
We stopped in Truxton for gas and discovered that Ben had managed to do the ride on one tank . I added a gallon at Supi , just in case and only needed 3 gallons to fill up.
We headed back to adjust Robs new chain and brace our selves for the next day.
We finally got started around 11 and headed down I 40 to Shinarump road and old 66 . We had a brisk ride to Oatman , stopping on the way at the fish bowl , only to find all the fish gone !! The water is murky so they may be hiding , but there was not a sign of them. Don pulled up and told us he would be returning to the motel, as a result of the big Beemer going sideways on some of the fresh oil patches on the road. His Bionic arm was causing him some pain.
We continued on and stopped in Oatman to observe the gunfight and shop for souvenirs . There was only one donkey in town!! After we left , we came upon the rest , down the road in Old trails, blocking traffic , mooching snacks .
We then enjoyed a quick ride to Golden Shores , gassed up and headed for Fort Mohave. We crossed the Colorado at the Avi casino and road through California and Nevada to Laughlin and back across the Colorado Temperater topped out at 101 and the Colorado boys were melting in the unusual May heat. Temps soon dropped as we climbed up 68 , towards Kingman. It was 84 at Coyote pass and 86 in Kingman . My wife and I joined Don for dinner at the Golden Coral , ending a great day.
I managed to leave my camera home both days , so I'm depending on others to send me picks . I'll post as soon as I get them
Other than that bit of he sounds like a good time. Sorry I missed it. I did manage to attend two Memorial Day Services here, though so all was not lost.
Wishing all attendees a safe trip back home.
H2O
Hey kids! Got home earlier today (about 4 or so mtn time) heres a quick ride report as im tired and a bit jet lagged, or vision lagged :o
We left denver at 5am, and instead of going down through fairplay as planned (36 and raining in fairplay was the forecast) we went down to beautiful walsenburg and took a hard right and went straight across colorado. Lots of straight road down to walsenburg, but its a shame the weather didnt cooperate on wolfcreek pass, its quite a road!
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1307Medium.jpg)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1309Medium.jpg)
It threatened to rain on us all the way to farmington, but other than a freakish downpour for about 30 seconds outside of wolfcreek pass, it only sprinkled a bit here and there. I was very glad i decided to gear up for cold that morning.
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1310Medium.jpg)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1311Medium.jpg)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1312Medium.jpg)
Three tank loads of fuel later, robert put his kickstand down at the stop and *TINK* it along with the return spring fell off the perch! I had to teach him how to center stand his bike (he'd later learn all about this later ;)) We found a carquest in town and got some hardware to replace the long gone bolt. A bit of tinkering by yours truly and it was ready to go, er, park.
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1313Medium.jpg)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1315Medium.jpg)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1316Medium.jpg)
We cruised a bit west, then took a hard left at carbon junction and motored down to my uncles house for an unhealthy amount of frybread and navajo tacos. We decided to forgo the full gear and just wear jackets and helmets over there along with regular jeans. Good thing too, otherwise our riding pants would have likewise been as absolutely soaked as we were!
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1317Medium.jpg)
An early rise meant we got out of town fairly quickly, and ate up some miles eastward across the normally blistering reservation, but now covered over in threatening cumulous clouds.
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1318Medium.jpg)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1319Medium.jpg)
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I was pretty excited for monument valley, until we reached kayenta arizona, and i realized i totally misread my map and thought we were going to go down through there. I was pretty bummed, but the sun did come out for a moment or two for a picture.
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1322Medium.jpg)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1321Medium.jpg)
Quite a few uneventful miles later we were closing in on the grand canyon.
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1324Medium.jpg)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1325Medium.jpg)
It's only 12 bucks for motorcycles, and its SO out of the way we were already there, so into the park we went. Then we got to oogle the wonder that is the grand canyon, at least the picture of it on the side of a pop machine :o
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1326Medium.jpg)
Because here's what the grand canyon looked like when we were there.
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1327Medium.jpg)
Thankfully, the low ceiling began to lift and move on slowly.
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1328Medium.jpg)
In the meantime, i got silly and tried to get creative and also took a picture of a most interesting shrub. Robert was amused at my interest at the local shrubbery, probably because its a fun word to say. Shrub.
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1329Medium.jpg)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1334Medium.jpg)
Finally the clouds cleared out enough for some pictures!
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1335Medium.jpg)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1336Medium.jpg)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1332Medium.jpg)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1333Medium.jpg)
Something i forgot to mention, in kayenta, robert complained of the bike taking off "herky jerky" and kinda "chunky feeling". We center standed the bike and rotated the rear wheel. The drive chain was kinking pretty badly, and i decided some lubrication was in order. Some wd40 drove out the water that was on it, and some engine oil served to limber the chain up a bit. This worked well all the way through beautiful (cold, and expensive) tusayan arizona.
We cruised south to williams, through another brief sprinkling/downpour and got onto I40. Going straight west now, I overtake a semi, and robert begins to, when i notice suddenly hes not behind me anymore, so about a mile ahead i pull over and my pants begin vibrating (cellphone). So i answer the vibration and who would have known its robert, two miles behind me on the side of the road with a missing chain. Dismissing on the fly chain robbery, the likely explanation is his chain broke and spat out the bottom of the run and left the rear wheel unconnected. I asked him if he was safe, he was, and if he was far enough off the road, he was, and if he wanted to walk back and try to find the chain for later, he was reluctant but did it mostly because how boring it was going to be :)
I rode on to the gas stop (near) seligman, arizona, just off i40 and us66. I gassed up (needed it anyway) and called our local hero and savior, Rick G. He then drove all the way out to where we were (80 miles outside of kingman, in fact) to rescue us. In the wait between calling him and him showing up, i got bored and took some silly/artistic pictures (a couple VW trikes showed up too!)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1337Medium.jpg)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1339Medium.jpg)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1342Medium.jpg)
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(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/hpim1344Medium-1.jpg)
In that same wait, you wouldnt have guessed but the only person to stop and see if rob was alright was the only other person that showed up to the azrov, dminor! With his (and freckles the wonder puppy) help we loaded up the trailer with the stricken gpz, and parted ways to meet in kingman. To discuss further action.
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1348Medium.jpg)
We decided the best thing to do would be to locate a chain in the morning, and change it out at ricks house. Next morning we did just that, and after swinging by the harley/yamaha/honda dealer and getting the chain me rick don and joel (honorary rov rider) got the new chain on and rolling (only after some spirited discussions over chain tension ;) ;D ;D).
Later that day, we all took a ride out to supai (actually, near supai, the only way to get there is either an 8 mile hike or a helicopter, i left my helicopter at home and to hell if im walking 8 miles in moto boots, anyway the trail was closed ;)). A long, long road leads to the canyon, and it left some time for pictures. After the road to the 5 curves in the road, theres a spectacular but short curvy awesome section of road that winds through a small sub canyon till it suddenly opens up into a very deep and very large tributary canyon of the grand one.
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1353Medium-1.jpg)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1357Medium.jpg)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1359Medium.jpg)
We cruise on back to kingman, and split off for our separate evening meals. The next day holds for us a shorter but no less awesome ride. We're going to legendary oatman! Home of night owl donkeys, gun fights, and stomach fluttering road dips!
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1366Medium.jpg)
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After oatman, the road drops down in elevation quite a bit. As we drop the temperature increases and suddenly we find ourselves in 96 degree air! We find temporary refuge at a shell station, where the cold tap water comes out luke warm :o! It was too hot to stop and take out the camera for pictures, just imagine in your head a sun blasted expanse of flat, ringed with distant mountains and inhabited solely by cactus, sage, and the occasional local retiree on a motorcycle ;) ;D
An old ford relegated to garden gnome like art status at the gas station before leaving town, and a most interesting looking yamaha.
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1349Medium.jpg)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1350Medium.jpg)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1351Medium.jpg)
We then end up swinging over the colorado river (huge!) and into california for a few miles, then back over the river into nevada and lovely Laughlin nevada where we stop so rick can top off his visions crank case, and i can go stand inside a safeway and drink a liter of fridged water. One very long and very steep hill and we go up and over a ridge and drop back down into kingman again.
Me and brother get to the hotel room, set the A/C box for siberia, and watch a bit of hilariously bad local tv commercials and news. Then we were off to ricks to adjust the chain again (them suckers slack out fast!). During some more spirited chain tension discussions i err on the side of wanton disregard of my brothers safety and adjust the chain for factory slack and go by the sticker on the chain guard that rick is probably writing a letter to Kawasaki USA about as i write this :o :D :D
One more night in the hotel and we're off in the morning for beautiful expansive downtown grand junction, colorado.
Down through the hoover dam, by the giant new bypass road and bridge, and out into the desert again.
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1371Medium.jpg)
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(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1378Medium.jpg)
We shoot up 93, connect with I-15, then take I-70 through utah and on into colorado. At this point we just want to put in miles, weather everywhere is starting to suck and we both dont have the time or patience to properly enjoy more scenic routes.
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1380Medium.jpg)
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At this point, you'll probably note the distinct lack of pictures. This is due to the simple fact that my digital camera is not built to work properly underwater, therefore i couldnt have it out of its special ziplock baggy in my trunk. It rained from green river utah all the way to grand junction. Good thing i put on my rain gear before dropping down into green river!
We have a quick and efficient night and morning of eat, sleep, pack, eat and go in that order on the 26th. This is the part where the trip takes a sharp turn into the shitty territory. The weather does NOT cooperate all the way back to our home area, and it rains on us almost the entire time back. The temperature also drops off very sharply, and suddenly we're climbing vail pass in the rain/sleet at 36 degrees. We stop a few times to walk around and regain some body temperature before heading out again. After going through the Eisenhower tunnel it suddenly gets VERY cold and we find ourselves in air temperatures somewhere around 30 degrees. Thankfully it's not raining on this side, but it does start up again around georgetown.
At this point we're both on the home stretch and we're so close its not such a bad ride. I bee line for home on the central city speedway, and brother continues down i70 to denver. I arrive wet, cold, but still enjoying the whole trip in my head :) I couldnt have asked for a better trip (other than maybe some minor weather modifications ;)) and other than brothers chain explosion and my stator probably dying a quarter mile from my house, it all went very very well. I learned alot about moto-touring, and saw some terrain, people, and roads that i'll never forget.
Thanks for hosting rick, i speak for my brother as well when i say i'm eternally grateful for your rescuing (and vacuum cap purchase ;)) and for hosting the biking adventure! Those are some sweet roads, i hope to swing by there again some time. Maybe this time on my way to crov :)
And now, for random pictures!
Thirsty bees!
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1365Medium.jpg)
Heeeeeer lizard lizard lizard
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1361Medium.jpg)
My god! It's full of stars!
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f40/inanecathode/AZride/HPIM1355Medium.jpg)
Great write-up & fantastic pix! I like the Quicksilver fairing on that green VW trike. The weather sounds worse than I figured - especially the homeward trip. Glad there weren't any major breakdowns beyond the chain. And, if your stator did fry, at least it waited until you were close enough to home so you weren't stranded. 8)
H2O
I might be stopping by your house some day soon, h2o, and stealing one of your roasted stators so i can take it apart and wrap myself a new stator :D
I don't have any more old stators. They're on loan to another local visionary. I'll see if I can get one or two of them back if you really need one.
Thawed out yet? :D
H2O
if your buddy needs gpz parts lemmie know I got a whole mess of 82 Parts. I am guessing he has an 84? my riding buddy rides a 82 gpz 550. what a cool coincidence. ;D
Quote from: h2olawyer on May 27, 2009, 01:52:34 AM
I don't have any more old stators. They're on loan to another local visionary. I'll see if I can get one or two of them back if you really need one.
Thawed out yet? :D
H2O
Yeah, starting to warm up. Its odd, you warm up quick but you're not comfortable again for hours :O Rob might have got some minor frostbite on his face, he had to leave the visor open and use safety glasses cause the visor would fog so quick.
You could see about getting one of the stators back, it'd be nice to have something to work on outside the bike so i dont have to take blackula totally apart until i'm ready.
Nice write ups guys, glad you had a great time and made it back OK!
I think your writeup would make a great magazine article. Not a bad way to spend your time on a bike and get paid for it, eh?
Great pics. I wish I could have gone.