Ride West IL,WI,IA,SD,WY,ID,NV,CA,OR, and Back. No Rules, Just Ride

[Cav47]

Just a plug for the Black Hills Round up year-- The riding is great and the weather was warm but little to no humidity. From what others have said, a great meet up would include awesome roads, food, and people. All 3 of those are in plentiful supply here.

Met with John for a quick review of the route west. My overall destination was San Francisco. I had to meet someone there.........my brother. No jokes please.

Leaving Spearfish was tough. I was headed to California and I was now Solo. I was heading into some wide open areas. I had made a trip to Florida earlier in the summer, but the Eastern U.S. is not the same in the way of desolation. I still had 1750 miles just to get to San Fran to meet my brother. I still had to get back. Never had I been to the Rockies via anything. Only flew to the west coast once and that was at night. Boy, was I in a treat. But to be honest, I was a little scared.

Maybe all the people in this picture would make me feel better.

Or all these cars would help me if I broke down somewhere remote.

Good thing the scenery kept me busy. Leaving a man alone in his thoughts is a dangerous........especially if he is scared of those thoughts. Shot from the bike approaching the Big Horns

I failed to take enough pictures here. The road was mesmerizing. You could see forever and see nothing at the same time. Maybe it was purposeful accident that I did not take pictures. Great excuse to come back.

My oldest boy is named Connor.

I had a complete dumb dumb moment. I did not take very many shots along Highway 14 or 14A in the Big Horns. I know it was because I couldn't wait to see what was around the next corner. I really don't even remember looking at the road.

Big Horn Scenic Byway Worth the trip

Does this count as off roading with the FJR? I was seriously worried about it falling over. The hill it was on does not show up here.

Favorite angle of this spot.

Ride Report Ruiner. ATGATT

I so want to go back again without all the camping gear and weight on the bike.

Sorry about the bugs on the screen. Moving on the bike. X grips are awesome

Nothing like rolling over this a few times.

Notice the sign. Good gas mileage.

The sun is setting over looking back toward Jackson Hole.

Did not take a single picture in Grand Teton National Park. Cause I am going back!!! I regret not spending more time in and around the parks.

Stayed in Idaho Falls. It was a long day and I was not stealth camping around the area. I am afraid of Bears.

Looking back at it I rode 690ish miles through some awesome terrain-completely a mistake not spending more time there.

Desert scorcher tomorrow.

 

[Top_Speed1]

Awesome Josh, keep it rolling!

 

[escapefjrtist]

Very nice report and pics Josh.

Standing by for the next installment!

--G

 

[Tanker]

Very nice report and pics Josh.
Standing by for the next installment!

--G

+1 Josh Great stuff!

 

[Redfish Hunter]

My compliments for admitting to being a little "scared". I can remember many times when I was far from home alone with my thoughts and the bike feeling apprehensive about the miles and dangers ahead. Ultimately confidence in myself, the reliability of my bike, and... Well, you can fill some of that in for yourself, carried me through. It all adds up to great memories though.

I am enjoying it so far. You are doing very well.

 

[Cav47]

Thanks. I usually try to knock out a day or so during my lunch.

Idaho Falls is where I spent the night. Used ADV tent space and stayed with a cool family in their spare camper. It was awesome. Went to breakfast the next day with my host. On the way there we saw this rolling. The length of this train carrying these was astonishing long. Military people will love these.

I expect a full report of these machines from some of you. What they are, what branch of military uses them the most, and all other info!!!

The terrain of somewhere west of Idaho Falls. Arco maybe. Kinda dry and desolate. None picturered but Prong Horns were plentiful. Not very scared of cars.

Near Crater of the Moon National Monument.

There was volcanic rock everywhere. I thought about picking a piece up and taking it home. Then I saw the sign that prohibited taking of anything.

A buddy of mine that I teach with has the last name pictured here. I sent it to him via text. He was confused.

I went over to Hailey Idaho to see another person on ADV rider that offered me a place to stay. Unfortunately I had a party to make in San Francisco in 2 days. I would stop over on the way back to ride with him. Mother nature would have something to say about that later.

Twin Falls Idaho. Over the Snake river. I should have spent more time exploring. Common theme here.

Today was a push day to get closer to meeting my brother and his family in Foster City. He was visiting his Father in Law there.

Pretty much hammered to get to I-80 and push it across the desert. Just before getting into Nevada, I met 2 guys at a gas station that were headed south as well. I think they were aiming for Denver area. One was on a Hyabusa and the other on a KTM that really looked fast. Seemed like too far to make it by nightfall, but I soon learned why they might make it. Headed south from the Twin Falls area and at no time were they going less than 80 MPH. Way too fast for me. I let them go somewhere around Jackpot Nevada

As John and others have said about traveling across 80 in the afternoon, it SUCKS. It was over 100 the whole afternoon. 107 is the highest I saw on my temp gauge. The bike started showing 3 bars and it never shows 3 bars while moving at highway speeds. It was awful and I just wanted to stop and cool off. I set my sites on Winnemucca Nevada. My cruise works above 100 mph. But after a while it was not holding the speed. Had to have something to do with the heat. The next morning it was fine and never a problem since.

Very little to see. Just looking out for cops and wildlife.

Just over 500 miles for the day. Seemed way longer than that. Found a campground. Set up camp, Took a shower, and went to sleep. Next up was California to see my Brother. I was still pretty apprehensive about making the final push out there.

 

[Cav47]

Next day was all about making it to California and Foster City.

Only one picture today. San Mateo Bridge across the bay.

So few pictures, but good story.

My older brother (3 years) and I had our parents pass away pretty early in life. I was 10 when our dad passed away and 19 when mom died. So it has just been us 2 brothers for a long time. We do whatever we can to get together on each others birthdays. Well my brother married a girl whose dad lives in California. Unfortunately, my brothers father in-law has lately been having them come out on his birthday at the end of July. That has preempted our get together a few times. The older we get, the more time we like to spend on these days. With the help of his wife and family, I was going to "show" up and give him a pretty good surprise. So he does not know I am coming. That was the biggest reason for all the rushing to get out there on a certain date.

Needless to say, he was more than surprised when he walked in to the house and saw me. It was just like in the movies where someone does the double-take before noticing.

We had some good times in the 3 days I spent there.

His daughter (who was "in" on the surprise) and I at AT&T park.

From inside the Stadium towards McCovey Cove??

Seat View.

Funny that they are in the Series now and BTW, they lost that day.

Next day was a trip up to Skyline Drive for a hike. I think we were at a place called Alices??? Lots of bikes around. The car my brother rented took a little bit of a beating up there around the curves. Meh, it is a rental.

Half Moon Bay area.

Down by the Water

The Pacific is pretty big!! I wonder if there is any sharks around here???

My favorite picture from the trip. If I took another step back, I would be in the waves.

My kids saw this pic and immediately wanted me to bring back a new console for them to play.

This wrapped up the night after a good meal at a pub nearby.

I had tires put on at Santa Clara Cycles. Good service and price if you are in the area. I think Tyler recommended that place thru John.


My trip really now has no rules other than to ride.

More later of the ride up the coast. Here is a teaser pic.

Can any of you name the Street in the picture???

 

[SwollenRaccoon]

Lombard Avenue

 

[Cav47]

My compliments for admitting to being a little "scared". I can remember many times when I was far from home alone with my thoughts and the bike feeling apprehensive about the miles and dangers ahead. Ultimately confidence in myself, the reliability of my bike, and... Well, you can fill some of that in for yourself, carried me through. It all adds up to great memories though.
I am enjoying it so far. You are doing very well.

This was not the last time I would be scared on this ride.

I did not take pictures of the times I was scared most of the time because I was......well.......scared.

First time was going through the Tetons and it was getting dark. I did not plan well for the traffic to go so slowly and then Jackson Hole being basically a parking lot for 45 min. It was getting late and I still had to get to Idaho Falls. Darkness in the mountains is a little scary with the big critters certainly around nearby.

The next scary section was near Lake Tahoe. I was not a big fan of all the Semi Tractor Trailers that were not the least concerned with me as they switched lanes. I was on a set of tires that had seen their life expectancy reached and was worried about a blow out or other calamity as I passed through Truckee with all 6+ lanes.

Sacramento was a little sketchy as well because of all the traffic. But I made it and I rode my FJR to the coast from Illinois. In fact, I was on the Atlantic Ocean earlier in the summer in Jacksonville FL. I made both coast in one summer. Must be an award for that somewhere.

 

[Cav47]

Lombard Avenue

WOW, that was easy.

Need to make these quizzes tougher.

 

[Top_Speed1]

My compliments for admitting to being a little "scared". I can remember many times when I was far from home alone with my thoughts and the bike feeling apprehensive about the miles and dangers ahead. Ultimately confidence in myself, the reliability of my bike, and... Well, you can fill some of that in for yourself, carried me through. It all adds up to great memories though.
I am enjoying it so far. You are doing very well.

But I made it and I rode my FJR to the coast from Illinois. In fact, I was on the Atlantic Ocean earlier in the summer in Jacksonville FL. I made both coast in one summer. Must be an award for that somewhere.

Yep, you get the Coast to Coast parade award. I likey #3 & #6

but, I think BeemerDon has tainted them all! ...

 

[Cav47]

That is funny stuff right there!!!!

 

[FarWestFastEddie]

Great Report and pictures!

Bradley armored personal carriers and Abrahams M1A1 tank, the most sophisticated and lethal tank made, bar none.

Lets have some more please!

FWFE

 

[albee]

Awesome pictures, the eight wheel tanker truck is an Oshkosh truck. Actually eight wheel drive.

 

[Boomer612]

I am impressed.. nice report .. 1 question: How does a school teacher get so much time off

in the middle of the school year or was this an earlier trip??

Yes ... my dad, one brother and one sister-in-law were all teachers

 

[Top_Speed1]

I am impressed.. nice report .. 1 question: How does a school teacher get so much time offin the middle of the school year or was this an earlier trip??

I was thinking the same thing?, but... I figured I'd keep my big trap shut (for a change)

 

[hppants]

Man, I can't believe I missed this one. Looks like a fantastic trip with some great pictures. I like the panoramic shots - I'll have to figure out how to do that.

Josh, you've got this ride report stuff down pat. However, the universal "practice makes perfect" mantra does apply. Cheers, mate!

 

[Cav47]

Still trying to get caught up from the SW spin. Papers to grade and driver ed things have to be submitted to the state.........but the directions on the website that we use are not correct. UGH

Just a quick pic to maybe get me restarted and keep the throngs of millions happy for now.

Seemed like a light traffic day.

Okay, Maybe another

Bodega Bay area. School House Beach more specifically along the Pacific Coast Highway.

 

[Cav47]

I am impressed.. nice report .. 1 question: How does a school teacher get so much time offin the middle of the school year or was this an earlier trip??

I was thinking the same thing?, but... I figured I'd keep my big trap shut (for a change)

It was a summer trip. Earlier for sure.

It took me a while to figure out the photobucket thing and how to post them in an organized manner.

Work in progress

 

[BikerGeek99]

Take your time. We aren't going anywhere.

Sooze and I went out west in 2010. We loved it and wanna go back for sure!