SkooterG
Purveyor of Crooked Facts
Wow. I had a great ride last Friday. First one in a while. I mean, though I ride daily, I haven't had a GREAT FUN ride on two wheels in a long time. Well, I got to do my first dual-sport adventure with a great group of guys and it was a freaking BLAST..............
No FJR for this ride. Mucho thanks to GSJane for letting me borrow her 2009 BMW F650GS and getting it all dirty.
Lucky me, I was fortunate enough to join the local AZBeemers Kool-Aid drinkers for a great day of dual-sport riding the Apache Trail, and Four Peaks - one of Arizona's more visible geographic landmarks.
At the meet point, right before heading out on the Apache Trail:
If your a fine Irish lad with a passion for sheep, this is your bike of choice:
And the lone stand out not of BMW persuasion:
So which of these two ancient relics is the oldest? I know. Tough call.
After much consumption of Kool-Aid, we hit the road. First up was the Apache Trail, or Highway 88.
Link to route
This is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, paved until a few miles past Tortilla Flat (Point "B" in the link above), then a dirt road until Roosevelt Lake. Slow going to Tortilla Flat with the typical heavy tourist traffic on the tight, windy road. But then, after a water crossing through a flowing wash, the road was ours. It had been a few years since I did the dirt portion on my FJR. Well, I had forgotten how beautiful it was. Also a hell of a lot more pleasureable on a GS bike with proper suspension. The road is graded once a month so is in pretty good shape. It gets a lot of tourist traffic in cars on a daily basis.
We stopped just after Fish Creek for a break and to take in the views:
Seamus. Our Crazy Irishman guide on this trip:
beemerdons. And lots of rock.
Funny how Seamus would take in the natural beauty around him. Oh well. He's Irish.
I think it's about 22 miles of dirt road. Heading east the Apache Trail ends at highway 188 and Roosevelt Lake. We headed northwest along 188 and the scenic Roosevelt Lake.
beemerdons never misses a meal , so it was lunctime:
BIG Geoff O thinking, "If that S.O.B. beemerdons flips me off one more time I am gonna kick his ass!"
After an excellent lunch it was time for the meat of the ride - Four Peaks. Two of our party decided to split and return via pavement, fearing those white covered peaks we would be riding towards might get a bit unfriendly. Hmmmmm......did these two know something we didn't???? The remaining five of us headed out for Four Peaks. Riding east to west, we hit El Oso Road and began the dirty climb up.
CLICKY for route.
Man this was fun! Scenic riding on the road less travelled.
On the way up:
GSJane's 09 F650GS with Roosevelt Lake in the background. This bike was a blast to ride on the gravel roads. Thanks Jane!
beemerdons: "I may be as ugly as a dog's butt, but I am retiring in a week!. Woo-hoo!!!"
Photo taken where I almost got stuck. I moved to the side of the road to let a car pass. TOO MUCH to the side of the road. Just a wee bit soft and the only progress I made was into the ditch on the side of the road . Thanks to my buddy El Pendejo Grande and his noisy grunting and pushing, I was able to get back on the road.
As we neared the top, we came around a corner on a north facing slope and encountered a bit of that white stuff on a 30 yard uphill grade.
There was a car that was unable to make it up. With no place to turn around, he was in trouble. Lucky for this young man and his girlfriend, some in our party helped push him up. I just watched and took photos.
Next we had to figure how we were going to get up. Turning back was not an option for us manly-old farts. A view of our predicament looking down the grade:
Well, Geoff and Seamus made it up with little fanfare or drama with their nice knobbie tires. Next up was the honorary oldest fart of the group, beemerdons. Due to hisold age stature in the group, we assisted and pushed him up. You know what? Even with earplugs and my helmet on, I heard the S.O.B cackling like a hyena inside his helmet as we toiled to get him up the hill. I do believe that bastard was revving the engine but not engaging the clutch enjoying the 'free ride'.
Next up was Roger on his 1200GS. He decided to give it try on his lonesome thanks partly to my advice and encouragement. The result?
Sorry Roger.
Me? Well since it wasn't my bike , I decided on a solo attempt. Beginner's luck was with me and I made it up unscathed. At the top we took a break.
Big Geoff O on his classic R80GS. No. The bike isn't small. Geoff is a BIG guy. You don't see me insulting HIM in this little diatribe, do you? I might be dumb, but I ain't stooopid.
And here's that whacky Seamus checking out Arizona's beautiful scenerey in his own particular way again. Them Irish sure are strange!
On the way down the other side. beemerdons acting like the off-road expert now that the road is flat and smooth!
Taking a break for some water and telling of lies.
And then it happened. beemerdons saw a wild goat up in the hills and got all excited. In his frenzied state, he decided to inhale his water instead of swallowing it.
Shit. Everybody thought he was dying and going into convulsions or having a heart attack. The others rushed to his aid. I decided to take a picture. If he was gonna croak, I was gonna get a photo strictly for the entertainment value for you, dear reader.
But alas! beemerdons lives to ride another day!
A great ride down. We had about 4 or 5 water crossings, but all without drama.
And, the last stop before hitting the pavement and going our seperate ways. Four Peaks and our adventure behind us.
What a great day. One of those few special rides that stick in your memory forever. For me, I think of the ride to Cabo San Lucas, my first SaddleSore 1000 to Moscow, Id, for WFO-3. The ride on the Lolo Pass Hwy, Riding the Swiss alps with two great guys (One known around here as Stef ), a crazy 24 hour ride called White Pine Fever, and of course the Iron Butt Rally. Well, now I can add the day I did my first dual-sport ride with a great bunch of guys enjoying Arizona's off-pavement splendor.
Good stuff.
The only problem is now I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY want my own kool-aid GS bike. But I won't be affording one for a while.
LINK to all photos.
BTW, on a semi-related note, there is a local micro-brewery in Tempe, AZ that takes it's name from the primary destination of our ride - Four Peaks. Well, I am here to tell you that if you ever get a chance to try Four Peaks 'Kilt Lifter' Scottish Style Ale you will not regret it. Mmmmmmmm. More good stuff.
No FJR for this ride. Mucho thanks to GSJane for letting me borrow her 2009 BMW F650GS and getting it all dirty.
Lucky me, I was fortunate enough to join the local AZBeemers Kool-Aid drinkers for a great day of dual-sport riding the Apache Trail, and Four Peaks - one of Arizona's more visible geographic landmarks.At the meet point, right before heading out on the Apache Trail:
If your a fine Irish lad with a passion for sheep, this is your bike of choice:
And the lone stand out not of BMW persuasion:
So which of these two ancient relics is the oldest? I know. Tough call.
After much consumption of Kool-Aid, we hit the road. First up was the Apache Trail, or Highway 88.
Link to route
This is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, paved until a few miles past Tortilla Flat (Point "B" in the link above), then a dirt road until Roosevelt Lake. Slow going to Tortilla Flat with the typical heavy tourist traffic on the tight, windy road. But then, after a water crossing through a flowing wash, the road was ours. It had been a few years since I did the dirt portion on my FJR. Well, I had forgotten how beautiful it was. Also a hell of a lot more pleasureable on a GS bike with proper suspension. The road is graded once a month so is in pretty good shape. It gets a lot of tourist traffic in cars on a daily basis.
We stopped just after Fish Creek for a break and to take in the views:
Seamus. Our Crazy Irishman guide on this trip:
beemerdons. And lots of rock.
Funny how Seamus would take in the natural beauty around him. Oh well. He's Irish.
I think it's about 22 miles of dirt road. Heading east the Apache Trail ends at highway 188 and Roosevelt Lake. We headed northwest along 188 and the scenic Roosevelt Lake.
beemerdons never misses a meal
, so it was lunctime:
BIG Geoff O thinking, "If that S.O.B. beemerdons flips me off one more time I am gonna kick his ass!"
After an excellent lunch it was time for the meat of the ride - Four Peaks. Two of our party decided to split and return via pavement, fearing those white covered peaks we would be riding towards might get a bit unfriendly. Hmmmmm......did these two know something we didn't???? The remaining five of us headed out for Four Peaks. Riding east to west, we hit El Oso Road and began the dirty climb up.
CLICKY for route.
Man this was fun! Scenic riding on the road less travelled.
On the way up:
GSJane's 09 F650GS with Roosevelt Lake in the background. This bike was a blast to ride on the gravel roads. Thanks Jane!
beemerdons: "I may be as ugly as a dog's butt, but I am retiring in a week!. Woo-hoo!!!"
Photo taken where I almost got stuck. I moved to the side of the road to let a car pass. TOO MUCH to the side of the road. Just a wee bit soft and the only progress I made was into the ditch on the side of the road . Thanks to my buddy El Pendejo Grande and his noisy grunting and pushing, I was able to get back on the road.
As we neared the top, we came around a corner on a north facing slope and encountered a bit of that white stuff on a 30 yard uphill grade.
There was a car that was unable to make it up. With no place to turn around, he was in trouble. Lucky for this young man and his girlfriend, some in our party helped push him up. I just watched and took photos.
Next we had to figure how we were going to get up. Turning back was not an option for us manly-old farts. A view of our predicament looking down the grade:
Well, Geoff and Seamus made it up with little fanfare or drama with their nice knobbie tires. Next up was the honorary oldest fart of the group, beemerdons. Due to his
Next up was Roger on his 1200GS. He decided to give it try on his lonesome thanks partly to my advice and encouragement. The result?
Sorry Roger.
Me? Well since it wasn't my bike
, I decided on a solo attempt. Beginner's luck was with me and I made it up unscathed. At the top we took a break.Big Geoff O on his classic R80GS. No. The bike isn't small. Geoff is a BIG guy. You don't see me insulting HIM in this little diatribe, do you? I might be dumb, but I ain't stooopid.
And here's that whacky Seamus checking out Arizona's beautiful scenerey in his own particular way again. Them Irish sure are strange!
On the way down the other side. beemerdons acting like the off-road expert now that the road is flat and smooth!
Taking a break for some water and telling of lies.
And then it happened. beemerdons saw a wild goat up in the hills and got all excited. In his frenzied state, he decided to inhale his water instead of swallowing it.
Shit. Everybody thought he was dying and going into convulsions or having a heart attack. The others rushed to his aid. I decided to take a picture. If he was gonna croak, I was gonna get a photo strictly for the entertainment value for you, dear reader.
But alas! beemerdons lives to ride another day!
A great ride down. We had about 4 or 5 water crossings, but all without drama.
And, the last stop before hitting the pavement and going our seperate ways. Four Peaks and our adventure behind us.
What a great day. One of those few special rides that stick in your memory forever. For me, I think of the ride to Cabo San Lucas, my first SaddleSore 1000 to Moscow, Id, for WFO-3. The ride on the Lolo Pass Hwy, Riding the Swiss alps with two great guys (One known around here as Stef
), a crazy 24 hour ride called White Pine Fever, and of course the Iron Butt Rally. Well, now I can add the day I did my first dual-sport ride with a great bunch of guys enjoying Arizona's off-pavement splendor.Good stuff.
The only problem is now I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY want my own kool-aid GS bike. But I won't be affording one for a while.
LINK to all photos.
BTW, on a semi-related note, there is a local micro-brewery in Tempe, AZ that takes it's name from the primary destination of our ride - Four Peaks. Well, I am here to tell you that if you ever get a chance to try Four Peaks 'Kilt Lifter' Scottish Style Ale you will not regret it. Mmmmmmmm. More good stuff.
