Ride The Continental Divide With Gaspipe...et al...

[gaspipe]

Twenty-three years ago, on a wet June evening, crouched in a stand of aspen under a makeshift shelter fabricated from a lightweight poly tarp and a modified 1982 XT550, a lone rider spreads out a sleeping bag, while visions of the day’s ride drift through his thoughts. High atop the Grand Mesa outside of Grand Junction, CO, thunderclouds surrounded the area, affording a spectacular demonstration of electrical potential as the last traces of the Sun faded behind the silhouette of the Colorado National Monument.

His wet HiPoint boots were upturned over the bike’s mirrors, affording them some protection from the weather, while still allowing the boots to breathe. At least a little. A makeshift meal of noodles, beer, taco seasoning and beef jerky simmered in a foraged tin can at the fire’s edge, while the rider sipped the remainder of the six-pack of a little-too warm Olympia beer.

Finishing off the last beer and the ad-hoc hobo cuisine, the rain started, drowning the fire and beckoning the rider to the shelter. The dull thrum of the rain falling on the tarp lured him off to sleep. Exhilarated, yet alone, wet and cold, it was at this moment that another adventure rider was borne.

“That’s how it all started…,” I mused to myself as I drove westward in a rental Penske truck, covering 2,400 miles to reach Coeur D’Alene, ID in two days. Jonz and Lasvegasrider were on a similar mission, heading north to meet me, where our ride to the start of the Continental Divide would begin.



Life doesn’t get much better than crossing the country twice in a summer on primarily dirt routes. I’d worked my ass off for the past 20 years to get to this point, and now I’m going to really seize the opportunity and RIDE in ’06.

I chose my ’03 KTM 640 Adventure over my XR650R, primarily for the added fuel capacity and weight carrying ability.



I camped the first night in Sioux Falls, SD in the back of the Penske truck. A light rain fell on the fiberglass roof, and I reminisced of that night of 23 years ago on the Grand Mesa once again.

August 18^th: Another day of driving and I was rewarded by color, somewhere near Butte, MT. Another night of camping in the back of the Penske truck was cold, dropping to near freezing.



I arrived at Couer’ D’Alene, and went back through my stuff, sending three boxes back home. Now, nothing to do but sit back and wait for LVR and Jonz, and the ride begins. I waited some of that time at the Outback, swilling back a couple Fosters (Molson), then snoozing at the empty rental depot, comfortably leaned against a dually.

As lean and mean as I can make her. With a little luck and some throttle restraint, a half worn MT21 and a new Bridgestone ED78 should get me to Mexico. Maybe.



At near dusk, LVR and Jonz arrived.



We unloaded LVR's Krusty KLR and Ol’ Ironsides (Jonz's KTM), packed our gear up, and set sail in the twilight for Sandpoint, MT. I'd found us a motel for this night - it'd already been a couple days since I'd seen a shower.

We reached Sandpoint and Jonz snagged a six of Fat Tire. We celebrated the eve of my 42nd birthday as LVR sorted his gear. Soon after, the snoring began - many earplugs died a gory death on this trip.

And so, the ride officially begins………….



----more later----

[Hayduke]

[wachs]

dang I hate you guys

[doyle]

The most anticipated ride report in a long. long time. Bring it.

[alpiv]

Gaspipe:
You tease!
I want MORE!

I'll read it next week-- Heading for the Missippi Hill Country.

[Gadget Boy]

Let's have it

[Ibarra]

[PAIN] according to the RoyakAdv Rider Fictionary means:

"Reading a fantastic ride report of a ride that you were meant to be a part of, but ultimately missed...."

Bring it on! consider me a masochist!!!

[ErrinV]

[Hayduke]

(I've been wanting to use that one!)

[Ruffus]

Alrighty

Lets get this party started

[gaspipe]

Gotta let the other participants synch up before I start the ball in motion. We each have a lot of loose ends to clean up from being away for a couple or three weeks.

Patience..

Still sorting pics

Gerardo - we missed ya buddy.

[Ruffus]

Ummmmmmmmmm WTF????????

you teezin us????????? ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

I'm gettin hungry here

can't ya see me gettin old



Hell No We won't go,,, give us the story

[markincyberspace]

Screw fixing my bike for the moment....this looks loads more fun!

[scottr]

Don't dally too long. I get my bike Saturday and this board ceases to exist for awhile.

[gaspipe]

FYI - why the Penske trucks?

For some scientific reason, I got a 16' Penske cube van from Muscle Shoals, AL to Coeur D'Alene, ID for $425. I couldn't ride the bike there for that. Jonz snagged himself an equally good deal, and that was why I sourced out Penske to get there. Sure wish I had a buddy along with me (that means you Gerardo and LeeBob).

Uhaul wanted a princely $2k for the same gig.

So, if you wanna get to a place to start a one way ride w/o wearing out the chain, sprockets, tires, etc., check on Penske.

Now. On with the show.