Pic Heavy Ride Report - MS to Bella Coola & Back 11,000 Miles Heat, Hail & Bears
#11
07-07-2015, 01:34 AM
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Red Banks, Mississippi
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Day 3
Last night there was a lot of Rain and a strong lightning storm that carried on for a couple of hours. But this morning it was mostly clear and dry!
Day started out with perfect riding weather, mid 70's. Texas is a huge state, for the most part there is not much traffic and we're ready for another day of eating up some miles to get to San Diego.
Soon after starting out the speed limit bumped up to 80 MPH....
....I had enjoyed the jump to 75 MPH yesterday, and am liking the jump to 80 mph even more today.
Cruise control on 80, smooth road, good running ride, enjoying the ride with Mary. One of those "if I have to explain it, you wouldn't understand" moments.
I know there are some riding great roads in Texas, but hours yesterday, and many more hours today, of straight, flat roads can make even the slightest elevation change, or curve, interesting. :laugh:
At some point we went from the 20 to the 10, then soon after we hit a little traffic going thru El Paso....
....what was most interesting, from the interstate, on the west side of El Paso, we were able to see the US/Mexico border Fence, and the City of Juarez in Mexico.
Mary has the stock passenger floorboards and the Kury Adjustable pegs, this gives her a lot of foot positions, but sometimes she puts her feet up on my legs to stretch out even more. In this pic I am holding her pant leg open to get a little cool air flowing (it had warmed up to the high 80's). Little did we know what was coming. lol
We hit the New Mexico State Line....
.... almost immediately we were riding into a strong headwind..maybe 30-40 mph. I kept it at 80-85 mph, bike was handling it fine, but the MPG plummeted down to around 22.
I changed my slip-on end caps the day before leaving. It is amazing how much difference there can be in power and efficiency with seemingly small changes in exhaust flow. I have ridden in similar conditions before with different end caps and matching TTI's and still maintained close to 30 MPG. I definitely should have tested these out before leaving...but knowing that I might want to change back, we had shipped the proven (and better) end caps and TTI's to Marys' moms' house in Idaho. I'll be going back to the proven set-up when we get there.
Anyway, so the headwind was pretty strong, that's ok. Mary got a picture of this metal sculptured bird soon after crossing the State line.
Soon after that we were getting gusts so strong, at first I thought something was the matter with the brakes...nope, the gusts were just so strong that it felt like someone was hitting the brakes.
Then the wind was jumping between a pure headwind and gusting crosswinds. We rode thru a pretty good dust/sand storm, dodged a couple of 8 foot 2x4's that got lifted out of the back of a pick up truck like tooth-picks.
Mary got no pics during this time. She had the camera out of the dust/sand and was hunkered down behind me. (she really does not like sandstorms or really strong crosswinds to terribly much)
This was the last pic she got of the New Mexico landscape before we called it a day at 475 miles in Deming, New Mexico.
Last night there was a lot of Rain and a strong lightning storm that carried on for a couple of hours. But this morning it was mostly clear and dry!
Day started out with perfect riding weather, mid 70's. Texas is a huge state, for the most part there is not much traffic and we're ready for another day of eating up some miles to get to San Diego.
Soon after starting out the speed limit bumped up to 80 MPH....
....I had enjoyed the jump to 75 MPH yesterday, and am liking the jump to 80 mph even more today.
Cruise control on 80, smooth road, good running ride, enjoying the ride with Mary.
One of those "if I have to explain it, you wouldn't understand" moments.I know there are some riding great roads in Texas, but hours yesterday, and many more hours today, of straight, flat roads can make even the slightest elevation change, or curve, interesting. :laugh:
At some point we went from the 20 to the 10, then soon after we hit a little traffic going thru El Paso....
....what was most interesting, from the interstate, on the west side of El Paso, we were able to see the US/Mexico border Fence, and the City of Juarez in Mexico.
Mary has the stock passenger floorboards and the Kury Adjustable pegs, this gives her a lot of foot positions, but sometimes she puts her feet up on my legs to stretch out even more. In this pic I am holding her pant leg open to get a little cool air flowing (it had warmed up to the high 80's). Little did we know what was coming. lol
We hit the New Mexico State Line....
.... almost immediately we were riding into a strong headwind..maybe 30-40 mph. I kept it at 80-85 mph, bike was handling it fine, but the MPG plummeted down to around 22.
I changed my slip-on end caps the day before leaving. It is amazing how much difference there can be in power and efficiency with seemingly small changes in exhaust flow. I have ridden in similar conditions before with different end caps and matching TTI's and still maintained close to 30 MPG. I definitely should have tested these out before leaving...but knowing that I might want to change back, we had shipped the proven (and better) end caps and TTI's to Marys' moms' house in Idaho. I'll be going back to the proven set-up when we get there.
Anyway, so the headwind was pretty strong, that's ok. Mary got a picture of this metal sculptured bird soon after crossing the State line.
Soon after that we were getting gusts so strong, at first I thought something was the matter with the brakes...nope, the gusts were just so strong that it felt like someone was hitting the brakes.
Then the wind was jumping between a pure headwind and gusting crosswinds. We rode thru a pretty good dust/sand storm, dodged a couple of 8 foot 2x4's that got lifted out of the back of a pick up truck like tooth-picks.
Mary got no pics during this time. She had the camera out of the dust/sand and was hunkered down behind me. (she really does not like sandstorms or really strong crosswinds to terribly much)
This was the last pic she got of the New Mexico landscape before we called it a day at 475 miles in Deming, New Mexico.
#12
07-07-2015, 10:54 PM
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Red Banks, Mississippi
Posts: 17,464
Received 3,940 Likes
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Day-4
This morning is sunny, with clouds here and there. It is also COLD. 62* Which isn't really cold in the big picture, but, we've become acclimated to the 80's and 90's over the last month or so back home...so, yeah, it's cold.
Today's another day about chewing up some miles over the interstate, getting to San Diego.
No sand or dust storms today, but still have a strong headwind we're riding into....
....so the gas stops are more frequent.
Those of you that have read some of our other Ride Reports know that Mary really likes cloud pics...
....the one above she snapped at 80 mph this morning.
We've not seen that many bikes on the road, but at our next gas stop we saw these 2 Vic's and a SG
A pic of Marys' stash. Glasses, gloves, coffee, snacks, lip balm, sunscreen, tic-tacs, camera and who knows what else.
Cloud Pic #139....
...and Cloud Pic #157
The last couple of days have been mostly flat and straight, so a hill or a curve are novelties, both together are a treat! *
The Arizona State Line...
....still flat and straight, still a strong headwind, but we're enjoying the ride, listening to some good tunes and getting lots of cloud pics. *
More in next post-
This morning is sunny, with clouds here and there. It is also COLD. 62* Which isn't really cold in the big picture, but, we've become acclimated to the 80's and 90's over the last month or so back home...so, yeah, it's cold.
Today's another day about chewing up some miles over the interstate, getting to San Diego.
No sand or dust storms today, but still have a strong headwind we're riding into....
....so the gas stops are more frequent.
Those of you that have read some of our other Ride Reports know that Mary really likes cloud pics...
....the one above she snapped at 80 mph this morning.
We've not seen that many bikes on the road, but at our next gas stop we saw these 2 Vic's and a SG
A pic of Marys' stash. Glasses, gloves, coffee, snacks, lip balm, sunscreen, tic-tacs, camera and who knows what else.
Cloud Pic #139....
...and Cloud Pic #157
The last couple of days have been mostly flat and straight, so a hill or a curve are novelties, both together are a treat! *
The Arizona State Line...
....still flat and straight, still a strong headwind, but we're enjoying the ride, listening to some good tunes and getting lots of cloud pics. *
More in next post-
#14
07-07-2015, 11:27 PM
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Red Banks, Mississippi
Posts: 17,464
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Day-4 continued...
Crossing from New Mexico into Arizona, we have Cloud Pic #223
A different perspective....
....yet another perspective, looking behind us....
....and another perspective, from on top of my helmet.
Still headed west!
Look what's behind us!
Turning off the 10 onto the 8, toward San Diego, Ca.
Hundreds (thousands?) of acres of solar panels.
Another hill and a curve, but it's just another trick....
....there's just more straight flat road.
We stopped in Yuma, AZ after 480 miles. Just a hop, skip and a jump now to San Diego.
btw, for those of you that like flat straight roads, please take no offense. I just like twisty roads, preferably with elevation changes thrown in.
Crossing from New Mexico into Arizona, we have Cloud Pic #223
A different perspective....
....yet another perspective, looking behind us....
....and another perspective, from on top of my helmet.
Still headed west!
Look what's behind us!
Turning off the 10 onto the 8, toward San Diego, Ca.
Hundreds (thousands?) of acres of solar panels.
Another hill and a curve, but it's just another trick....
....there's just more straight flat road.
We stopped in Yuma, AZ after 480 miles. Just a hop, skip and a jump now to San Diego.
btw, for those of you that like flat straight roads, please take no offense. I just like twisty roads, preferably with elevation changes thrown in.
#15
07-08-2015, 06:58 AM
Road Master
#17
07-08-2015, 04:56 PM
#18
07-09-2015, 03:09 AM
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Red Banks, Mississippi
Posts: 17,464
Received 3,940 Likes
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2,295 Posts
Day-5
This morning we have a 3.5 hour or so ride to my folks house in San Diego. The 1900 miles of interstate are almost behind us. Gonna see my folks, brothers, sister, nephews, nieces and all the assorted kids they have.
Then the real part of the trip is going to start!
We had to get gas before starting out...saw this VW Trike pulling out of the station as we were pulling in...
Almost immediately we crossed the Kalifornia State Line.
Soon after that we hit the first of THREE inspection stations between the state line and San Diego...
...each of them were on the interstate and there was a heavy presence of Border Patrol at each. Traffic backed up, lots of time and gas to just wave almost everyone thru. I think we saw one vehicle in secondary out of all three stations. I don't know the economics of what they're doing, but for the money being spent...seems there must be a better way.
Anyway, off we are. Seeing a lot more bikes on the road almost right away...here's another TG!
A pic of the "All American Canal" that feeds the Imperial Vally...water from the Colorado River.
San Dunes of the Imperial Valley...
....looks more desert-like here than in Arizona!
More long, straight, flat road. A look behind us...
...A look ahead....
...A look from the side...
...A look from up top...
...yep, it's pretty much all the same.
We have ridden to Cali a few times since moving to Mississippi, but we have always taken a more northern (non-interstate) route, and then jogged down into SoCal. This is the first time via this route.
More in the next post.
This morning we have a 3.5 hour or so ride to my folks house in San Diego. The 1900 miles of interstate are almost behind us. Gonna see my folks, brothers, sister, nephews, nieces and all the assorted kids they have.
Then the real part of the trip is going to start!
We had to get gas before starting out...saw this VW Trike pulling out of the station as we were pulling in...
Almost immediately we crossed the Kalifornia State Line.
Soon after that we hit the first of THREE inspection stations between the state line and San Diego...
...each of them were on the interstate and there was a heavy presence of Border Patrol at each. Traffic backed up, lots of time and gas to just wave almost everyone thru. I think we saw one vehicle in secondary out of all three stations. I don't know the economics of what they're doing, but for the money being spent...seems there must be a better way.
Anyway, off we are. Seeing a lot more bikes on the road almost right away...here's another TG!
A pic of the "All American Canal" that feeds the Imperial Vally...water from the Colorado River.
San Dunes of the Imperial Valley...
....looks more desert-like here than in Arizona!
More long, straight, flat road. A look behind us...
...A look ahead....
...A look from the side...
...A look from up top...
...yep, it's pretty much all the same.
We have ridden to Cali a few times since moving to Mississippi, but we have always taken a more northern (non-interstate) route, and then jogged down into SoCal. This is the first time via this route.
More in the next post.
#19
07-09-2015, 03:34 AM
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Red Banks, Mississippi
Posts: 17,464
Received 3,940 Likes
on
2,295 Posts
Day-5 Continued...
Another huge solar farm...
....and there are well over 100 wind generators in the valley also!
I have enjoyed the ride so far...but I gotta say, I am happy to finally have some hills and curves in the road!
Another inspection station.
We're now in San Diego proper, on the 8.
We rode all the way from MS to San Diego without one person cutting us off or almost running into us (although there were a LOT of texters weaving around)
...until we got on the 8 in SD. A guy in a Camaro just started changing lanes right into us..didn't even look til he was half in our lane. He was pretty shocked when he looked up and I was staring right at him about 3 feet away. lol I just shook my head and accelerated away from him.
Feels like we're in Memphis, TN.
Here we are! Got a couple of days we get to visit family...
...I won't bore you with loads of family pics...but here are a couple.
Myself with my two brothers.
Mary with my mom.
Another huge solar farm...
....and there are well over 100 wind generators in the valley also!
I have enjoyed the ride so far...but I gotta say, I am happy to finally have some hills and curves in the road!
Another inspection station.
We're now in San Diego proper, on the 8.
We rode all the way from MS to San Diego without one person cutting us off or almost running into us (although there were a LOT of texters weaving around)
...until we got on the 8 in SD. A guy in a Camaro just started changing lanes right into us..didn't even look til he was half in our lane. He was pretty shocked when he looked up and I was staring right at him about 3 feet away. lol I just shook my head and accelerated away from him.
Feels like we're in Memphis, TN.
Here we are! Got a couple of days we get to visit family...
...I won't bore you with loads of family pics...but here are a couple.
Myself with my two brothers.
Mary with my mom.
