My weeks adventures.. Or

[Cdogman]

First off.. WOW... Just friggen WOW..

To everyone... I had more offers for places to stay, People to hang out with, eat with... I could not respond to everyone to say thanks... But no one went unnoticed

The Cali guys and gals,,,, You folks are second to None!! I felt welcomed and loved.. and look after...

Lets begin the journey

6/22/08,, 6.30 am,,,, Liftoff From my house in South Jordan Utah...

Hit the Slab... Torry Utah and the top of HWY12 is my goal.. I let garmin make the decisions as I tucked in behind some fast moving cars.. I have a 476 mile day ahead of me... and I have Yertle the Safety Turtle riding shotgun

Nippy out.. I know I am going to see temp rang from the 67 Deg at launch to god knows what.. My Mesquite Nevada.. That nights destination..

Finally I hit 12,, The entire Western USA must be on fire... Smoke was the theme from Utah, up the entire Cali Coast... But it did not obscure my views of the corners... So all was good..

Just outside of Torrey Utah.. I start to gain some altitude.. Headed for the Forrest's, going to 9000 Ft and cooling off..

I should have taken more pictures of this day, But folks... I have to be honest.. The twisties were calling me... and I hit a zone... and the road Doth Curve.. and the bike Doth Wail.. I did go... RRRrrrrttttttttt I better get some pict... I gotta do I ride report...

The beginning of the Forest,, Just before the tree line... Yurtle my Safety Turtle reminded my to pause and Hydrate.. A clear mind is required for what is about to happen.. 12 Is very twisty and demands concentration

So, we stopped.... and I found my Pillion to be a total ham... So I indulged him

Below, the very very Beginning of the Backbone... If you notice off the the sides... both rides of the road. there is nothing... I am on the very top of the ridge... and the road looks like it disappears... and it almost does...

Yurtle reminds me,, time for a break..., Walk around,,, Hydrate.. I know the backbone ends in the high desert.. The temp will be climbing fast.. In 30 minutes I will go from 73 Deg,, to 95. and thus the day will remain hot... until Miller time that evening

Notice.. to the left of the picture, there is only a few feet of dirt... then the cliff..

This is the backbone.. The other side too... Just a few feet of dirt.. then cliff.. The next 15-20 miles twist like a muthu... Nice asphalt,,,, Bad place to "Get Off"

More... Hydrate , rest Hydrate.... Ponder.. and have a chat with Yurtle.. I am reminding him to hang on and telling him what is before us ......... then Zooommm....... Off we go..

I came out of the backbone... Yep,, Friggen hot now,, My Pillion reminds me the bike needs food too

I could taken a couple pics of the Typical Beemer riders that were there.. But we know the type.. Guy had on a friggen button down shirt... like for going out to dinner under his gear.. and lost interest in my faster, cooler bike when he realized I did not have the LATEST garmin...

I asked him if he would like to see if he keep Yurtle in sight on the way down the canyon. So, indifference... another pic of Yurtle,,, as we feed the bike.. The beener guys are standing behind me... Pffffffffff.. They stayed behind me and gave up chase in about two miles.

MORE,, next post

 

[Cdogman]

Out into the high planes... and the heat went up... Continuing down 12,, Yurtle started whining.. needing a break... I cannot ignore him... He had to pee... So,, I stopped and found we had some very nice scenery.. He wanted to hamm it up a bit.. So once Again I indulge him

This is down by Bryce Canyon.. Not in the canyon itself... I did not allow time for a side trip in there... Been there... but too many carts and lookie leeews for a side trip..

That did not stop my Pillion though

I finally cut off on 89 South... down by Hillsdale... The days rations were beef Jerky.... and Water, a couple gatorade during fuel stops...

Beef jerky in the tank bag, rocks... Can shove it up under a full face helmet at speed and bite the end off of it.. I leave the hose for my camel-back in my helmet so I can take a pull without releasing the bars

When I got down to the turn off to jump back to the slab.. I stepped in to get a gatorade,, In the store for 20-30 seconds..

Someone tried to steal my Escort, and my Garmin... But there were others around.. My stuff was all unwired.. but the dumb-***** could not get it off my bike....

Lesson learned...

Then I took Highway 14, From 89, over Duck Creek Pass... Ladies and Gentlemen,,, I did this to avoid ZIONS national park and the 15-25 MPH zones there..

Park of riding as we all know is the exploration part of it.. I have no pictures... I did not stop,,, I was Awestruck... I did not know I was headed from 96 degrees, to 10,000 feet,,,, back to the dessert.... Wow.. this road is a must do, there is even a lake on top...

I was in Gitter done mode now... Picture taking stopped.. I had track to make... and the Cedar city side was gonna be hottern hell

I hit cedar.. finally stop for a Subway Sandwich... and a Drink again,, refill my camel back,,, Set my cool vest in a bag of water and hang in on my mirror... While eating my sammich... I put it on, it was 93 deg, I know the terrain ahead.. I know it is about to get hot

Off I go... As I pull out,, I hit a small pass... This pass separates the heat of hell from the rest of the world.. I am 10 minutes outside of Cedar dropping down into the furnace... I watch my Temp gauge go 94---- 10 seconds 95 ------ 10 seconds 96... and in 10 minutes I was at 106 deg... OK, Cool vest is working... Got me some cold water.... Found a fast moving car to track bout a 1000 yards ahead.. and one lane offset (hide from LEO radar)

This is what it looks like at 94 MPH and 115 degrees....

My cool vest did not soak enough... it was dry in 30 minutes..... No biggie... I got water.. I am dropping through the canyon between St George and Nevada.. My vest is dry and my camel back Is empty.... In the short 52 Miles, I had drained it

I am starting to get dehydrated.. there is no where to stop.. I cannot even turn around, concrete barrier in the median.. I hit the flats.. 40 miles, and I am getting light headed from the heat.. I am thinking you have GOT TO BE KIDDING ME... ****, who in the hell would live here... NO ONE... that is why there was NO ONE there...

I am well aware of my state.. I am 11 hours into my ride.. my mental state is exhaustion (we have all been here) and I got 40 miles to ride.. before I can even smell a drink...

Gut it out... and stay aware that I must stay aware... I made a mistake here on this ride.. Next time... More water on the bike...

My brother has a couple houses on the golf course in Mesquite he rents out.. He let me flop at one... I pull in and I am hammered... Yurtle stopped talking 30 minutes ago.... I feared for his health... I open the garage,, pull in,,, and even the garage was a good 15 degrees cooler... a mere 95.. Heaven... I close the door to check on my Pillion...

Whouda thunk it..

Still smiling... He did not want to lecture me about not being prepared while I was concentrating...

My brother had his cleaning staff turn the air on inside.... Earlier that day... 75 degrees.. I had stopped sweating 20 minutes ago... and I was chilled...

I bought Yurtle in.. and get him ready for a rest.... He likes sleeping sideways... so I put him to bed for the day

I looooooonnnnggg drink or 12 of water.. and I puttered to the store... got a bottle of wine and some Nukable foodstuffs.. (no trans fat says the box)

and Time to relax, Dont need a glass if you plan on finishing it..

Early start in the morning... My goal... the outdoor shower.. Next post

 

[donaldb]

what's with the wine & candles???????

You and Yurdle got plans???????????????

 

[Cdogman]

314 Miles.... Letter Slab... I wanna be in Cali, Not nevada.. I gotta room in Ontario.. and it is going to ba a day of rest..

Monday.. Oh Dark Thirty.. Gonna get a jump on the day and the heat.... Hydrated like a bugger...... I step out into the predawn light... it is already 85.. Yurtle assumes the position.. as I go get the sidebags

My goal.. the out door shower.... Cool vest in place... Soaked up good.... Water ready.. I know the shower is a mere.. I dunno miles down the road.. Just past Las Vegas a bit

Girls like looking at Yurtle BTW get lotsa smiles on the freeway... I think he is Hamming it up back there when I am not looking

Blazing thought he desert,, ****.. (I had forgotten about Las Vegas Commute traffic...) That's ok,, Only 90 degrees....we are styling.. then... the Mojave..

and I see it.. In the distance....... the shower.. I had stopped there the year before..

Look, right in the middle of the white fence there... A shower head just for us two wheel brethren.. This little store is owned by a biker.... That shower is for US!!!

I strip my electronics off and go stand in it with full gear on... Cagers pulling in looking at me like I am crazy... Bah... They ask "Aint you hot..??" So which I reply.. Only when I am standing still....

For reference.. IN case someone knows the offramp name.. I dont. I just know what I am looking for

Finally dropping onto the So Cal Area.. the goal

I go to the grocery mart again... Berries, Wine, Crackers.. and more... I camped out in the hotel room.. I plan on sleeping in in the morning.. I made that place my cave for almost 20 hours..

...

Then next Morning... I ham headed for Toecuters (Bob) house.. and his lovely wife Brenda.. A leisurely ride.. Only a few hundred miles..

 

[Cdogman]

what's with the wine & candles???????
You and Yurdle got plans???????????????

Hey, *** Grass or Gas, No one rides free, He is broke and cannot grow ****.. Do the math....

Actually, a cold bath... and A little wine.... and sleepy time I had to bring my core down.. I was way overheated and learned a lesson.. Listen to my Ipod... and soak up cool water.. I had enough water in me... Now I needed to "Un Knot" my back

 

[FJRONAMISSION]

Great meeting you CDOG....

You tell your story good... I didn't understand the depth of your relationship with Yurdle.. neeyedsmiley:

..FJRM

 

[Cdogman]

Day three

Off to see Bob (Toe).. After much sleeping in and relaxing in SoCal.. I was just going to bop on over to see bob

Just a little Jaunt.. 263 Miles, a 11am Start (ish) and a nice relaxing run... Nostalgia,, I lived in Visalia, and Lemoore when I was in the Navy... Bob lives just north...

Then Yurtle Starts hamming it up and the girls want to see him

Toe, I am sorry I took no Picts of our time together.. Your wife is/was charming and adorable. We spent the afternoon having a couple beer, Watching Fresno pay Baseball, BBQing.. and talking.. Bob took my bike out and said it seemed to have a little extra spice to it...

The next day Toe rode with me for the first hour and showed me part of his personal "Loop" Toe,, that little road you showed me... RAILED!!!!!!!! Frikken best road of the ride so far.. I did not even know where I was.. it was the one that we went our seprate ways at the end of.. You warned me as you let me lead for this one.. It was very technical... Yes!!!!!!! Decreasing off camber downhill and Tip in hard.. Downshift.. 8500 RPM ripping in the air.. Delay the apex... Hit the exit line, nail shift nail.. front tire floating.. Small Rise.. Pogo the front shock, load up the front end... Nope, No animals or anything,, Nail it,, setup.. 7500 RPM.... Maint throttle... Nail it.. front floats 3-4 inches off the ground to the bottom of the rise 100 feet away.. air rips by,, setup again... Tip in.... tires grinding off.. bike screaming like a banshee :yahoo:

Dude.. That road gave me a hardon.. The turns could not have been more than 500-800 feet apart.. with a rise, off camber.. or some sort of special attention required for every damm one..

Special thanks to Toe... That was a good day. I enjoy You and your Wife Toe.. Good damm folks!!

 

[Cdogman]

Day 4

This was the day above that Toe drode with me for a little bit... What can be said for Highway 49, 41, North Fork, and Bass Lake..

I was on my way north to my roosting place of Rancho Cordova, It was only 291 Muiles, but it took all of ten hourws to get it done.. Many stops,, many roadside chats with good seeming folks..

The roads were SUPREME to say the least... on a weekday in the middle of the day the traffic on them was minimal... Perfect.. Got up in the hills a tad and it cooled down nicely, Mid to low 80s

Still smoke everywhere,, but Yurtle wanted to see the lake.. The boaters were not sure what I was doing and seemed to be waiting for me to attach pontoons to the bike and ride into the water.. I mean it is a Yamaha

Bass lake

My pillion remembers his anphibious days and ponders

We utah types are not used to the thick air... we deicded to paise in the nice thin air in the hills and pee on a tree, we figured if we ge the tree wet enough it will not get caught up in the fires causing all this smoke

 

[twowheelnut]

For some strange reason, I want to go out and kick a turtle. I don't know why.

 

[Cdogman]

LMAO,, Dont hit the turtle

 

[big ears]

Wuff good writup and pictures.

 

[Cdogman]

Days five and six were spent meeting with friends and seeing my daughter ( and recovering from 4 days of twisties )

 

[Cdogman]

Day 7,,, Ride day...

Before I begin.. I have to tell you, I have never been with a better group of folks... The cali folks are insane. No wonder Yamaha Detunes the Cali bikes.. I would to just from a liability standpoint..

I remember hearing Yertle yelling some girl was trying to "Get with Him" I of course ignorded him. He has a very over active imagination

Safety First

Survery the Carnage, No blood,

Got Milk (this was a first for me.. I BOOT full of milk)

Safety First..

Hangin with Yurtle

Random images dump.....

 

[rogdeb]

Ride report and pics ----- excellent there Cdog --- enjoyed it

Good ridin' in the same group as you.

 

[FJRONAMISSION]

(Before I begin.. I have to tell you, I have never been with a better group of folks... The cali folks are insane. No wonder Yamaha Detunes the Cali bikes.. I would to just from a liability standpoint.).

**I'm not sure who that might be directed towards....** :lol: keep in touch..... FJRM

 

[madmike2]

Great report, Robin! It was too cool that you visited our little slice of the world, and very "over the top" to have so many show up for a little ride in the wine country.

You must be some kind of popular fellow...or maybe it's Yurtle the Turtle!?!?

 

[Cdogman]

LMAO,, Yes, I think it was an opportunity/excuse to ride for many... and the turtle..

I dont think I was the big draw, but it was nice to feel special

 

[Ric in Sac]

Thanks for the great adventure story and picture posts. It was a pleasure riding with you. :clapping:

 

[weekend rider]

Yes life offering one of its finest moments to meet and greet and have fun....