Ride the West

Four friends. Nine states. Six thousand miles. It seems like a fitting time to finally write this up, especially given the fact that it was Gary (Garnaro) who first introduced us all to dual sport riding and convinced us that we needed to buy DRs.

He had watched the Long Way Round and decided that the only thing better than getting remote with motorcycles would be adding a surfboard to the equation. He hatched a plan to moto surf his way around Africa, and talked us all into buying bikes hoping that we might accompany him. He succeeded in half of his mission, and today he flys to London alone to meet his bike and finally realize his dream. http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=922561


The trip that ended up acting as the shake down ride for his Africa adventure took place this past summer and incorporated elements of the OBDR, CDR and TAT. The first part of the ride report is written by Garnaro with some additional stuff by me.

Three Suzuki DR650s and one DR350 rounded out our fleet. We must have spent nearly a year emailing back and forth about bike mechanics and modifications, riding gear, camping gear, and potential routes. Discussing the merits of different types of camp stoves and tire levers makes for an excellent distraction while riding a desk all day. I only had two weeks available away from work, but the other guys had an entire month, which opened up lots of possibilities. We decided on a route that would take us north across California via what is to be the California Backcountry Discovery Route (BCDR), along the Oregon BCDR, turn eastward across Washington, Idaho, and Montana, then ride south on the Great Divide Route through Colorado. The other guys would then continue westward on the Trans-America trail across Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and back to Oregon. We downloaded GPS tracks for each of the routes to guide us on our way. The track looked something like this:




Logistical challenges were met. Rob got his bike shipped out from New York City, Josh got his electrical system sorted out for about the fourth time since installing LED blinkers, and Mike got his suspension finished at the 11th hour by the mechanic who accidentally forgot about his bike for 6 weeks while he was away in Ireland. When we all convened in San Francisco, we found considerable variation in our setups and gear. Rob and Josh both had proper motorcycle dry bags, I had kayak dry bags strapped to either side, and Mike had some small side bags with his backpacking pack bungeed to the back rack. Some things worked well and others didn’t and by the end of the trip everyone had holes in their bags for one reason or another. Here is my setup:





We set off across the Golden Gate Bridge totally excited to finally be off on a motorcycle trip. Just north of Clear Lake we finally left the highway, which was none too soon for any of us. As we began to bounce along the forested foothills of northern California, Mike began to lose some of his cargo. Running down the track every quarter mile or so you would find some article of clothing or a funnel or something lying on the dirt in front of you. We were all still getting our dirt legs underneath us and I was still not very confident cornering especially on steep downhill sections. I was surprised how tired we grew after 100 miles or so of riding in the dirt and we were always pretty happy to find a good spot to make camp.











Dusty conditions resulted in an all-day dirt burger diet:





Mike had by far the least amount of time to prep his bike the trip arriving home from Ireland 1 day before left. So he had to do some on-the-fly bike assessment and TLC - checking oil level frequently, finding appropriate air filter cleaner, and adjusting his already substantially stretched chain (that didn’t even make it through the entire trip). He did manage to stop his luggage from decorating the trail quickly enough.

Pushing for Ashland and the start of OBDR we enjoyed beautiful riding through the Trinity National Forest up into the Klamath National Forest.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10007213593/" title="photo(1) by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7327/10007213593_e327f888bf_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo(1)"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10007214723/" title="photo(3) by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7437/10007214723_2aa820e3f2_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo(3)"></a>

In Ashland we hit a health food store, stocked up on supplies and set off on the OBDR - route 3.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10007330943/" title="photo(6) by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7312/10007330943_86af4c719f_c.jpg" width="800" height="800" alt="photo(6)"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10007196854/" title="photo(5) by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7413/10007196854_985a1fd73f_c.jpg" width="800" height="800" alt="photo(5)"></a>


Oregon brought pristine lakeside campsites, a few mud bogs, and our first water crossings at which we had mixed success. Aside from many miles of long boring logging roads, the riding was fantastic with downed trees forcing us to find our way through the forest here and there and even blasting some hairy uphill singletrack to connect two switchbacks. Fast running on some of the deep gravel logging roads had our front wheels dancing all over place as we just tried to keep our bikes pointed straight ahead.














<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10007495733/" title="photo(8) by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5339/10007495733_de3907be63_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo(8)"></a>


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10007390125/" title="photo(7) by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7457/10007390125_d6928ee23d_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo(7)"></a>

Keep it up, you have the right bikes, no stopping at every BMW dealer to leave money

Looks like fun, keep up the reports

Moving on!

I think we all had quite a few misconceptions before setting off on our journey. I did anyways.

In order to knock out the sections of the OBDR, CDR and TAT that we wanted to accomplish we were shooting for 200 mile days. How hard can it be to ride 200 miles in a day? We'll probably be riding 300! Nope. Late starts, lots of breaks, and the realities of the trail kept us pushing hard to meet our 200 mile per day average.


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10024824576/" title="photo(9) by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7388/10024824576_17afd57498_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo(9)"></a>


I'm going to blame the late starts on this guy. While he didn't bring a single tool, nor any spares, or any means of navigating, he did work hard to keep things lively. A job he took very seriously. He was our full time DJ and bartender, and ensured that the whiskey never ran dry and that each rider had an old fashioned in hand at all times.


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10024889483/" title="photo(10) by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3829/10024889483_ddc0ac83a0_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo(10)"></a>


Misconception #2. We aren't going to be falling or dropping our bikes.

This must have been an embarrassing one as my kickstand is down.






Dont' keep your cookware in your saddlebags! More than one of us learned that lesson the hard way.




Misconception #3. Most of us are either vegetarian or vegan. I really didn't think we would have issues finding food and for the most part we didn't. But we did survive primarily on bean dip, corn chips and redvines. Here we are in Prospect, Oregon buying them out of the aforementioned items.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10025165994/" title="photo(12) by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5341/10025165994_df8d9b9622_c.jpg" width="800" height="800" alt="photo(12)"></a>


Pushing our way through Oregon we continued north on Route 3 until we hit Sisters, and then headed East on Route 4 of the OBDR. The camping was easy and beautiful and we managed to find amazing places to cool off and go for a swim every day.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10024890693/" title="photo(11) by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5449/10024890693_6710a5d5f4_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo(11)"></a>


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10025841346/" title="photo(13) by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2875/10025841346_94f2606444_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo(13)"></a>


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10025841726/" title="photo(14) by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5550/10025841726_073f4be0a0_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo(14)"></a>

Great start - subscribed. Rule is - the guy with the purple frame is always the bartender and DJ. Who didn't know that one?

I knew bugs had the travelin' spirit so I guess he's off to get at it. That should be a fun report.

Subscribed. I hope to do some of these trails on my DR someday. I am just waiting for AZBDR to connect the routes.

This trip was mind-blowing. I'm the guy with the yellow front end plastics on my DR. Maybe I'll find some time to type some stuff, but for now, I will supply the OP with more of my pics.

In Seneca, Oregon we pointed our bikes north again and began tackling route 5. We were a man down, as Rob (rpet) had gotten sick and slabbed it ahead to meet us and recover in a motel in Walla Walla, Washington.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10042414264/" title="photo-2 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5332/10042414264_4ceda73ca3_c.jpg" width="800" height="598" alt="photo-2"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10042556063/" title="photo-3 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7291/10042556063_56474b34c0_c.jpg" width="800" height="598" alt="photo-3"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10042417564/" title="photo-4 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3684/10042417564_17c3b1332d_c.jpg" width="800" height="598" alt="photo-4"></a>

Route 5 was fun, but the riding was slower than anticipated. Realizing that we were going to be a day behind in catching up with Rob, we left the trail north of Unity, Oregon heading to Baker City and the 184 north to Walla Walla.

We found Rob much improved and camped out in a motel. Although our plan was to camp as much as possible, this first glimpse of motel TV parties after hard days of riding, gave us a taste for it and paved the way for the sampling of continental breakfasts throughout the west.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10042771785/" title="9477047099_a6aa44fe50_c by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3834/10042771785_8d37d4e51a_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="9477047099_a6aa44fe50_c"></a>

From Walla Walla we blasted along small roads and highways through Idaho and towards Kalispell, Montana eager to begin the Continental Divide Route. Although we were anxious to get back to the dirt, the riding was fun and the countryside was beautiful.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10042869645/" title="photo-6 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2826/10042869645_7f1991f751_c.jpg" width="800" height="800" alt="photo-6"></a>

As we crossed from Oregon into Idaho and then south along the CDR in Montana, the path began to feel even more remote. We were never alone though, there always seemed to be plenty of cows in the national forests that we rode through to keep us company.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10043062626/" title="9482477488_9429203c49_c by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2822/10043062626_d26607eb0d_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="9482477488_9429203c49_c"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10043142063/" title="9479714191_14a4e103b9_c by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2838/10043142063_db2b16bdac_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="9479714191_14a4e103b9_c"></a>

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Strange habits were begun.



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It felt great to finally be riding the CDR. I had sat home dreaming of the trail for so long that it was surreal to finally be ticking off the miles as we moved south. The riding was straightforward and the remote and unspoiled beauty of the CDR certainly lived up to its reputation.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10057323426/" title="photo-8 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3716/10057323426_a2abe4bc65.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="photo-8"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10057387033/" title="photo-7 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5348/10057387033_aab75ff1ef_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="photo-7"></a>

We came upon a closed section of the trail where construction was being carried out which was easily navigated.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10057479533/" title="9477079697_3ea9f0e529_c by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7365/10057479533_5c3a617df3_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="9477079697_3ea9f0e529_c"></a>

Took in epic vistas.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10057455614/" title="photo-10 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7326/10057455614_a54b279f6d_c.jpg" width="800" height="800" alt="photo-10"></a>

Some of the tracks through Montana seemed seldom traveled and we did some rocky rooted out trail riding as we headed southward.





<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10057456114/" title="photo-11 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7359/10057456114_3fc71b764b_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo-11"></a>




We bounced along over grassy ridges with fantastic vistas and spied elk, moose, wolves and grizzly bears for the first time. The post that held this sign was scratched to pieces and had tufts of fur attached to it - we decided to move on.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10057760403/" title="photo-12 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2808/10057760403_a113f8f156_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="photo-12"></a>


When two grizzly cubs came loping down a hill slope towards the road section that Rob and I rested on, we didn’t hang around long to find out where mom griz was.



We had a couple cold nights camped at higher elevations and were always in constant awe of the mountain bikers we passed on the trail, moving slowly mile by mile with minimal gear.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10057748396/" title="photo-13 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7452/10057748396_6081b90ca8_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="photo-13"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10057810223/" title="photo-14 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3680/10057810223_b4524d3587_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="photo-14"></a>

In Montana the skies opened up on us sending us scrambling to get things stowed away. Some were better prepared than others.


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10058982656/" title="photo-15 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2856/10058982656_6cecdf7677_c.jpg" width="800" height="800" alt="photo-15"></a>




Sometimes it was just too much fun to slow down even when we were tired.



During a day of dodging thunderstorms we approached a railroad track crossing at high speed coming off a fire road and had our first real crash of the trip. Mike hit the tracks unable to square up, and on the brakes, his front wheel slid out quick and he ended up high-siding.


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10058996905/" title="9477118893_a03bd71e8b_c by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3665/10058996905_c7e31094a2_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="9477118893_a03bd71e8b_c"></a>

He landed hard, knocked the wind out of himself, and did some damage to wrist, finger, and mirror. We lifted his bike up off the tracks, found that he could ride and motored gingerly towards town. Afraid that he had broken his hand we decided to end the day here.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10059023344/" title="photo-16 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3812/10059023344_45869de469_c.jpg" width="800" height="800" alt="photo-16"></a>

A few x-rays later it was determined that Mike was battered but not broken so we checked into a motel in Helena, Montana to hide from the rain, perform some bike maintenance and let beaten bodies rest.

Montana was everything we had hoped it would be and more. Although we would have loved to stay and ride there forever we still had the vast open plains of Wyoming, the high mountain passes of Colorado, and the lonely deserts of Utah and Nevada to cross through before we would see home again.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10075850813/" title="photo-11 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3820/10075850813_5513f1226c_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo-11"></a>

Now well acclimatized to the daily routine of the trail we were moving fast and efficiently and the DRs continued to perform flawlessly, handling everything we could throw at them without complaint. We changed filter skins every 3 or 4 days to keep the air flowing, and squeezed in our first oil change at a Walmart parking lot. Other than that we didn't have a single issue and trusted the bikes completely to carry us mile by mile across the west.




Leaving Montana, we pushed through a small section of Idaho, skirting Yellowstone National Park as we carried on towards Wyoming.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10075762025/" title="photo-9 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7353/10075762025_8ccdbf3045_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo-9"></a>

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Moving ever South we finally crossed into Wyoming's Red Desert, the continental United States' largest unfenced wilderness. The emptiness of the Great Divide Basin was a definite highlight of the trip. The hard packed desert highways were good and you could move along at 60 and even 70 mph if you were really on it. Everything was bright with very little contrast between the surface that you rode on and the landscape ahead, creating this euphoric feeling of floating along the trail. This feeling made it easy to overcook a 70 degree corner as the dirt beneath your tires slid right along with you under hard braking. As we flew across the desert we passed pronghorn and herds of wild horses.


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10076044845/" title="photo-17 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7432/10076044845_7a635e431a_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo-17"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10076044115/" title="photo-13 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3806/10076044115_23967ea3ba_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo-13"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10076074596/" title="photo-14 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7407/10076074596_6f8344df53_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo-14"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10076044495/" title="photo-15 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7378/10076044495_bb221e9b10_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo-15"></a>

We passed through a few small towns. Atlantic City was a highlight. None of these towns have gas and we started getting nervous having failed to anticipate just how many remote miles would be required of us before we would have the opportunity to make a gas stop.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10076045685/" title="photo-19 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2894/10076045685_2b2052d4da_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo-19"></a>


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Taking a break, Gary realized that he had managed to leave his tool tube half unscrewed and drop all of his tire changing gear out somewhere behind us. He went back to retrieve the tools and told us that he would meet us in town.


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10076075986/" title="photo-18 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3727/10076075986_05d0863d6a_c.jpg" width="800" height="800" alt="photo-18"></a>


Worried about our own fuel situation, we were even more concerned about Gary's ability to make it back with the extra miles he took to find his tools. As we coasted into civilization on fumes we immediately began filling up and getting ready to head back and mount a rescue mission.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10076000704/" title="photo-20 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5536/10076000704_5abe7249cb_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo-20"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10076046065/" title="photo-21 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2832/10076046065_6cfba681d2_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo-21"></a>

We got a call from Gary just before setting out. He had managed to bypass to a highway and purchase gas from some very nice guys in a trailer. It is worth noting that this section was in the neighborhood of 230 miles between fuel stops. I would definitely make sure to be carrying extra fuel if I did it again.

It was just before leaving Wyoming that we had our first casualty of the trip. Gary ran out of time and had to head back to work.

Garnaro says :

"Just before we crossed the border into Colorado, I had to head off to be back for work the following Monday. It was terribly disappointing, as I’d hoped that I’d be able to at least cross the Rockies with the crew. I rode west on highway 50 through Utah and Nevada as everyone else braved thunderstorms and flash flooding heading into Colorado."




"After arriving home came the hardest part of the whole trip for me: looking at the other guys’ photos of Colorado and Utah posted online as I sat at my desk all the next week trying to work between daydreams."

you can call me The Stig

Simply Superb and splendid !
The very best thing is the determination of these super heroes which allowed them to complete their ventures successfully. Keep it up,you are proving a great source of enthusiasm for people :)

Hey thanks so much guys! It was an awesome trip. I wish we could have found the time to write it up as we were riding but I'm glad we are finally able to get it up now.

With heavy hearts we pulled out of Rawlins, Wyoming pointing south towards Steamboat Springs, Colorado. We were leaving Gary behind to face two days of hard riding back to Santa Cruz to try to make it to work on time. I had never been so glad to be unemployed. The riding in Wyoming had been my favorite thus far. I briefly considered hanging behind to post up in a small town and give Wyoming a bit more time.

Maybe it was time to trade in the DR for one of these.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10146788123/" title="9486713912_e6b58cf16b_c by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5450/10146788123_2742ecfa13_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="9486713912_e6b58cf16b_c"></a>

Or maybe I could better explore the high elevation deserts in this.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10148728553/" title="9479710661_dca9638eb7_c by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2834/10148728553_23243bf9d6_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="9479710661_dca9638eb7_c"></a>

As tempting as it all sounded, Colorado beckoned as did our approaching intersection with the Trans-America Trail which would see us turn west and begin the push for home.

We had been hitting occasional rain and bad weather throughout the final stretch of Wyoming, and as we crossed into Colorado the skies began to darken and we made ready to encounter the flooding and thunderstorms that had been predicted on the local news.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10149021433/" title="photo-24 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7447/10149021433_3c5eb4f6b6_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo-24"></a>

Here is Rob getting ready. Being from New York, he's the go to guy when it comes to keeping it fashionable.

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As we continued south out of Steamboat Springs I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me as sparks seemed to leap from the back of Michael's rear tire.

It wasn't long before he pulled over to the side of the road in front of me.

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It was the first flat tire of the trip, and the first roadside tube change for any of us. In the hot sun with the tire warmed up it all went easy. We removed an enormous nail from the rear tire and were on the move again within 30 minutes.

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So far we had been lucky. Despite the dark clouds the rain had failed to materialize. As we pulled into a small town, parked up and began walking over to a Mexican Restaurant the skies finally opened up. The rain pounded down, and waterfalls began flowing through the ceiling of the restaurant as their outside umbrellas threatened to blow away. Dry and warm we happily sipped on margaritas, and the sun was already shining by the time we paid our bill and walked back to the bikes.

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The sunshine didn't last long unfortunately, and we found ourselves riding into a storm that would follow us all the way to Moab. With flashes of lightening all around us and the sounds of thunder we attempted to push through to good weather. I took solace in the telephone poles that skirted the road, but we soon found ourselves riding hard through empty fields, following a track on the GPS that seemed determined to wind us deeper and deeper into the storm.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10146568584/" title="9484056121_96e64bcbee_c by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7309/10146568584_560c29eb19_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="9484056121_96e64bcbee_c"></a>


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We eventually managed to emerge from the immediate lightening and rain, breathing sighs of relief as we wiped the water from our goggles and took in the beautiful Colorado scenery through the clearing skies.

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We carried on south...

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Living near Boulder, we got 18 inches of rain that week. Luckily I live on a hill, but many others not so fortunate.

Thanks for doing the RR

Counting down the final miles of the CDR on our way to the TAT we had a few last water obstacles to contend with, made all the deeper by the recent rain.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10146742956/" title="9486879714_e51849d28f_c by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5328/10146742956_ebc2c64645_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="9486879714_e51849d28f_c"></a>

I went a little deep on one of them pulling water into my airbox and stalling the bike.

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Here we are at the intersection of the CDR and TAT.

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It felt great to finally be riding the TAT. It was really a desire to ride the western portion of the Trans-America trail that had served as the original impetus for the trip. Riding through aspen forests we were excited by the prospect of finally climbing over the rocky mountains and getting a chance to see the high mountain passes of Colorado that we had all heard so much about.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10160725274/" title="photo-26 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7443/10160725274_175c672d6a_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo-26"></a>

Climbing a fun rocky trail we rode upwards towards Marshall pass. So far the bikes had been handling the elevation without too many issues so long as we kept our air filters clean. Mike's chain on the other hand was not doing well. He had lost the majority of his chain guide, and the chain seemed to be stretching - getting looser on a daily basis. Now tightened as much as possible, he was having problems keeping it on the sprockets as we bounced along over the rocky terrain. Our tires were also all severely worn, and we were anxious for Moab where we had parts and tires waiting for us.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10161214984/" title="photo-30 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2859/10161214984_359ed55600_c.jpg" width="800" height="800" alt="photo-30"></a>


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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10160964393/" title="photo-27 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5460/10160964393_1aa88f7767_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo-27"></a>

We rode late to find a suitable spot to sleep that would put us within spitting distance of the passes that would see us across the Rockies.

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Setting out the next morning we rode hard for Cinnamon Pass winding in and out of a long line of jeeps and quads as we steadily gained elevation. This was undoubtedly the best day of riding so far, with fun trails, epic vistas and mind blowing scenery.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10161208534/" title="photo-33 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7346/10161208534_3e34d70c64_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo-33"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10161390176/" title="photo-34 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5506/10161390176_53a70aab43_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo-34"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10161208594/" title="photo-35 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5502/10161208594_6b3bf66655_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo-35"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10161311905/" title="photo-36 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3675/10161311905_9e7d6c35fa_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo-36"></a>


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10161209924/" title="photo-39 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3689/10161209924_c79dfd3d20_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo-39"></a>


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Cinnamon Pass was the first of many. We still had California Pass, Hurricane Pass, and Ophir Pass to look forward to.

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Does it get better than this?

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10161391756/" title="photo-41 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7445/10161391756_c64c1ca70a_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo-41"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10161218564/" title="photo-42 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7367/10161218564_07fea56d2f_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo-42"></a>

Climbing to the top of one of the passes. I think this may have been California ?

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10161314045/" title="photo-46 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5548/10161314045_ab662f559e_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo-46"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10161392656/" title="photo-47 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7431/10161392656_f329f25828_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo-47"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10161457893/" title="photo-49 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5445/10161457893_2b2b9bac0f_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo-49"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10161405576/" title="photo-50 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2809/10161405576_662760772c_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo-50"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10161458963/" title="photo-51 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7336/10161458963_8bb039f7b7_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo-51"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10161461443/" title="photo-53 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3677/10161461443_af68f548b2_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo-53"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10161462683/" title="photo-54 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2820/10161462683_93cc49704f_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo-54"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10161315395/" title="photo-55 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7313/10161315395_34811f44bf_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo-55"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10161444853/" title="photo-48 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2869/10161444853_22867cabfe_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo-48"></a>

We finally made our way to the top of Ophir Pass. The coolest of them all in my opinion. We almost lost Rob to the small town of Ophir - a place he wanted to move to immediately.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10161230974/" title="photo-57 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5530/10161230974_248caa85eb_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo-57"></a>

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The road coming down off Ophir Pass was spectacular. You can see a FJ climbing the narrow road in the opposite direction.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45626488@N05/10161446183/" title="photo-59 by tobagosama, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5330/10161446183_9e9ce73a43_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="photo-59"></a>

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