Reminiscing on a past ride.
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6th Gear
Joined: May 2009
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Reminiscing on a past ride.
June 1, 2009. Leaving Portland, OR my first day, I rode to Prineville and cut through on 27. Little did I know that it was 14 miles of dusty gravel road from the reservoir to the road going to Burns. Big rain drops and dust made me glad I had cut 3” off the top of the windshield. From Burns, I rode through French Glenn and gassed up in Fields. Only two gas stations from Burns to Winnemucca and one or both can be out of gas. Next year I am going to carry a spare gallon of gas. Spent the night in Winnemucca. 534 miles as I remember. The ride through Nevada is mostly boring with long straight roads for 30 miles and then a slight adjustment and 20 or 30 more miles of boring road. Leaving Austin after lunch, I encountered some great curves on the way to Tonopah. I rode around in Nevada until I popped out at Bryce NP in Utah. From there I rode across Northern Arizona to Cortez, Co. Dropped down into New Mexico and over to Texas. The wind blows strong in Texas and Oklahoma. After 50 miles leaning into the wind you begin to think it is normal until you pass a huge silo that blocks the wind and stands the bike straight. Hard to pitch a tent in the Oklahoma wind. Arkansas and Missouri were nice roads and many little towns. Kansas and Iowa were boring. 100 miles of hard rain in Nebraska. Replaced the rear tire in Rapid City, SD. Visited the Badlands and Mt. Rushmore and clipped the corner of Wyoming and across Montana, Idaho, Washington and home. Longest day was 783 miles and I avoided freeways most of the way. Best scenery was leaving Livingston, Montana at 6 in the morning heading West. Prettier than the Alps. Total mileage for the trip was 5,300. My son gave me a 2 man tent which I used almost every night. I am leaving in May as soon as the weather looks good and heading to New Orleans or some whichever. Its nice not to have a real destination as the fun is in the ride and stopping when the mood strikes. Next year I am not going to take so much stuff. I never used the pot or frying pan so that eliminates cooking oil and utensils. I have a Jet Boil and it took care of all my cooking needs. I packed to many clothes. May all your rides be as enjoyable as mine was. At my age I may start repeating myself so better quit while I’m ahead.
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