Truncated Western States Tour 2009

[TheMule]

Hey All,

Finally getting around to posting a ride report from my "2009 Western States Tour". Instead of 7 day, 3400 mile, 11 States tour of the west I ended up with only 3 days on the road. As you likely know by now I experienced problems with my aftermarket rear shock which was I found out was custom made for racing and not for hauling heavy loads. On the plus side I had a great time and the bike ran perfectly the whole time.

Day 1: Left the house at 6:00AM after some final changes with the load and mounting the video camera to take video while I traveled. Starting mileage37489.

[TheMule]

From Kanab I headed north to hwy 12 and then east thru Red Canyon and around the south side of boulder mountain. Highway 12 us a terrific ride on a motorcycle.
 
Here's a shot of the Tigger on the eastside of the Boulder looking southwest. Climbing back on the bike after this pic I dropped the bike on its side. The thunderbike crash bars were and excellent addition by the previous owners and protected the bike perfectly. I also had no problem getting it back upright which made me very happy (didn't even have to unload it).

[TheMule]

From here I headed thru capitol reef. I didn't take any pics but had the video camera running full time. I then headed for Hanksville for a piece of leftover pizza and some gas. I also pulled the liners out of my jacket at this point as things were heating up. From this point I made my way south to Hite and crossed the Colorado river.

[TheMule]

From Hite I headed south to the Moqui Dugway. A very impressive section of road building (gravel road thru the dugway).

[TheMule]

From the Dugway I headed into Mexican Hat for Gas.

[TheMule]

From here I altered my plan and headed thru Monument Valley (again no pics just video) and then to Kayenta. I hit a lot of construction east of Kayenta that slowed me down a lot. I made my way to New Mexico and then immediately into Colorado. The drive from Dolores to Rico was great (temps had cooled off). I made my first camp just east of Rico at 8562 ft in elevation along side the Dolores River. Had Pasta Primavera for supper.10.0 hours of actual driving time today and 573 miles.

[TheMule]

Day 2:  Got up at 7:00AM (I'm on vacation darn it!) packed up and made coffee. Temp 38 degrees. It was at this point I noticed the rear shock weeping oil.

[TheMule]

Took a few pics of camp and headed out. From here I headed over the Lizard Head Pass and into Telluride. Worst Traffic of the trip.

[TheMule]

From Telluride I worked my way NW to Gateway CO and into UT. The road from Norwood to Grand Junction was made for motorcyclists, sorry no pics just video.
 
North of Grand junction on the way to Rangely I had to climb over one pass that offered some serious "twisties".

[TheMule]

I made may way back into UT and headed over the Uintas and around Flaming Gorge Reservoir. On the straight-aways the bike had really begun "porpoising" and I realized I was now just riding on the spring. I filled up in Manilla and made it past the Wyoming border when I decided to turn around and head home rather than continue on and risk breaking something else.
 
I drove back up into the Uintas and made camp a half mile back in on a quad trail (I actually ended up pretty close to the hwy because the trail turned and paralleled the road). Elevation 8560 ft. Temp 50 degrees.

[TheMule]

I had some chicken and rice for supper and, feeling a little defeated, climbed into the tent for my last night camping on this trip. Today I had driven 433 miles in 8:07 of driving time. I planned the route home, read a little, and went to bed early.
 
Day 3: The next morning I slept into 6:00A, not feeling like hurrying, made some coffee and packed up at a leisurely pace. Had two small mule deer bucks walk into camp before I left at 8:00A.  From Vernal I worked my south west on secondary roads.

[TheMule]

I pulled back into Kanab at 3:54 PM on Day 3. 399 miles in 7 hours of driving Ending mileage 38886.

[TheMule]

I was gone 3 days, two nights, drove a total of 1397 miles in 25 hours and 7 minutes for an average of about 55.7 miles per hour. I spent $84.02 in gas (29.04 gallons). Discounting the last fillup (and the mileage thereafter) because I have lots of gas left, I averaged 51.15 miles per gallon. I also spent $46.69 on waters, miniDV tapes, a burger in Price Ut, and a bratwurst in Manilla. Total cost of trip was $130.71.....not bad. I had a great time even with having to return home early.

[macgart]

Nice trip.  That route would be very doable fro me as well.  Douglas Pass from Loma to Rangely is a great ride.  I cross that pass several times a season and it never fails to please.

I hope to get down towards Capitol Reef this fall or next spring; what a beautiful area.

[german]

really nice¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡