2016 Ride
Day 1 - 8/27 342 miles
I met the guys in cle elum and we had a breakfast in
town. Tom on his new lime green Kawasaki Versys with green helmet. Visible
from space he is!
We rode down thru Yakima and Goldendale under some clouds so cool temps but
gusty by the Columbia. Then across to I82 and east to Arlington.
Here it got hot but nice roads down to Heppner where we then turned south on
the Canyon Road to Spry which was nicely paved and a gear curvy road in and out
of canyons and high plateaus. A super road!
We then turned east to John Day and to the hotel. No Mexican food for Paul but
he did have nachos. Met some Kiwis on Triumph Tigers and had a nice chat with
them coming from Portland.
Day 2 - 8/28 452 miles
This morning we left John Day riding into the sunrise at
7 am. A bit tricky with the turns
and passes. We had temps from 42 to
65 in one hour going they over the passes.
Lots of forest service trucks coming from a fire we saw
to the south. A huge cloud going up
from the fire like a mushroom cloud.
We got to Ontario then onto the freeway via Idaho then Utah. We passed
the golden spike railroad marker.
We had 80 mph speed limit which is
nice but hot and straight today.
We got into Tremonton and had a good Mexican dinner and
will head for Grand Junction tommorrow.
Our hotel also has Tesla charging stations but we need gas!
Day 3 - 8/29 370 miles
We left Tremonton, Utah and met some friends for
breakfast in Ogden with great scones that they fry there like Indian fry bread.
We then headed South and East on I 80 and then thru the Wasatch mountains
past Park City and then further East towards the Colorado state line. Weather
was great and besides being bit by a bee on the bridge of my nose all was good.
Then via Dinosour we turned South to Grand Junction and arrived in the evening
to contact Adam and the ST WESTOC Club. Had some drinks and the best
Nachos we ever had at the Doubletree hotel, really good !
Day 4 - 8/30 440 miles
Tom myself and Paul left in the morning and went up to
the mesa of Colorado National Monumentwith great views and scenery of the valley
and town below. Then onto the freeway to Cisco then along the Colorado river
and the canyon towards Moab. We had lunch in Moab and then rode to Arches Park
and after that to Deadhorse Viewpoint both of which Tom hadn't been to. It
was getting late but after gassing up I convinced the guys to take the scenic
road east then north back to Grand Junction the road was great but in the last
few hours we came in after sunset so it was slower going and we were hungry. We
stopped at a Chinese place with 15 minutes to spare and had a quick dinner then
met up with Adam and his friends in their room. The last section was a really
nice road and no traffic so I think it was worth it.
Day 5 - 9/1 321 miles
Today we left Steamboat and drove via Craig and up to I
80. A shorter day. It wasn't too
hot and then we turned north to Pinedale Wyoming. Crossed the continental divide
a third time . Saw some Mexicans on
KTMs and GSs doing dirt roads. They
were ready for a motel. Had a great
dinner in town and beer.
Day 6 - 9/2 440 miles
We started in Pinedale Wyoming at 41 degrees and rode to
the Targhee Forest and canyons with smoke from a fire in the air.
Then west to Twin Falls and up the freeway to The road to Salmon and
Missoula. Great weather about in
the 60s and empty roads. Some smoke
also near Salmon from fires.
We then stopped off at the BMW dealer and looked at GSs
and KTMs. Nice dealership where
Paul had his bike fixed 10 years ago.
Howard Johnson hotel not so good.
Mold in bathroom and peaking paint. Owners doesn't care so we moved to
the Red Lion. Nicer and a nice location.
Day 7 - 9/3 440 miles
Last night we switched to the Red Lion, the Howard
Johnsons was bad, mold, smelly and 109.00 a night. We got a refund but the owner
is a slumlord.
Stopped off at BMW and KTM dealer and saw some bikes and
gear. They had some new KLRs for 5500.00 and good deals on a KTM 1190 Adventure
R with bags for 16999.00
It was good to see Adam and his friends in Grand Junction
and we may join the SPAMS ride with WESTOC next year in Reno at the Silver
Legacy Hotel.
Best hotel free breakfast Steamboat Lodge
Best paid breakfast Starvin Arvin in Delta,
Co
Best Hotel (Tie) Red Lion in
Missoula and Steamboat Lodge in Co
Worst Hotel Howard Johnson Missoula
Best Roads Heppner to Spray, Independence Pass,
Monarch Pass, Lolo Pass,
Best Dinner Wind River Brewery, Pindale, Wy
Best gas station Sinclairs with the green dinasour
Best gas station bathroom Sinclairs