One foot in the grave out west tour Sept 2010 Part 1.

[olebiker]

Artlocks you are far too hard on yourself. For a guy that has not been riding that long and has some physical problems you sure scored higher than that IMHO. I have been riding for 46 years and some of the stuff you rode (I hate sand) on a loaded bike was pretty damn good. Not many guys can pick up a loaded bike. Most have to pull all the stuff off first. I admire your venture especially as you were solo. I am older than you and don't know if I would do what you did as I can't walk very far when I am ok. This was a great RR.

[Artlocks]

Originally Posted by nordicbiker

What a ride!

Just one question: this "foldable bed" which can be seen on some of the pics, what's that? Do you use it just for comfort, or is it maybe meant to keep away the scorpions in the desert? Haven't seen a thing like this before!

I used this cot for comfort. The downside of it is that it isn't foldable. It disassembles into many pieces. It adds about 12 minutes to set up then another 12 to take apart and pack. But I got that time back and more when I didn't need the tent. I saw a video of the setup of this thing. Maybe it was on the Luxury Lite website.

Now that you bring it up, when I was out there I never worried about snakes and scorpions. Maybe I was already saturated with worry so couldn't worry about anything else. Next time I will check my boots and gear before I dress.

[Artlocks]

Originally Posted by shutterman

Hey 52 is still young. I'm 57 and just starting to ride a lot again, mostly alone and on more gravel and dirt with my 1150gs. Your bike is really not that heavy compared to "miss piggy" when loaded with 80 lbs of gear.

Recover quickly from the hip surgery and think young and keep riding.

A+++ for the report and the road traveled.

You guys amaze me on some of the places you take those big GSs. You are my heroes. Those things must weigh at least 150# more than the DR.

Maybe the weight doesn't really matter for me because what's the difference between 10 feet or 20 feet of water if you can't swim .

[Artlocks]

Originally Posted by DesertRider

Great RR, and you should give yourself a higher grade. Being scared is normal, but you rode through your fear which shows significant courage. I do not know how much pain your hip gave you, but mine use to hurt a lot. After my hip was replaced sweet comfort was had. I pray you enjoy the same relief that I did.

DesertRider, did you have the total hip replacement or the hip resurfacing? How has it affected your riding? Are you still riding offroad?

I have heard that you can't lift anything heavy anymore after hip replacement. I am wondering if that will prevent me from standing my bike back up.

[D-Mac]

Great ride report! I agree with the others that you're too hard on yourself. Too many folks leave out the "human" moments of their rides (i.e., the multitude of errors/near errors). Either that or the rest of us screw up too much.

A+ on the final report.

[Rackemcrackem]

Artlocks,

Thanks for another well written and pictorially excellent RR!

Your Philippines RR provided a huge dose of inspiration for me to ride on Luzon this winter. Especially since we're almost the same age and that I only learned to ride at 51 and also ride a DR650. Would there be too many coincidences if I mention that I also rode through northern AZ and central Utah on my DR about a year ago?

I don't have most of the health issues that you do and there is no way that I would have wanted to attempt the worst of the steep, rocky sections that you successfully rode on your DR. Keep on keeping on!

[squaredncubed]

An epic trip by the way and great photos and narrative. A first class job.

I noticed a small folding cot in your photos. I've never seen anything like it an I am also getting to old to sleep on rocks anymore. Can you tell me a bit about it?

Thanks
Paul from Colorado

[Apxgrndr]

Great RR, thanks for sharing. You should definitely do Africa or South America. Can't wait for the report.

[Land]

Great RR! Thanks for sharing.



I missed it the first time around, so thanks to Rackemcrackem for bumping it.

Chris

[bongr]

I enjoyed your RR. It was well written, very engaging and a good variety of photos. Like you, I started riding later in life and took my first solo "Adventure" last year at 60. Wish you well during your recovery and look forward to reading about more of your Adventures!

[old fart bob]

I do see one big problem with your bike. Where's the ADV sticker? No ADV sticker is unforgivable. I even have one on my Harley Sportster and yes, I do take it off road.

[red bud]

[Cariboostrom]

I'm so glad that someone on here actually admits to changing the oil and not putting the drain plug back in! This is exactly what happened to me when I did my first oil change on my old bike ('78 Suzuki GS550E).... I've enjoyed your ride report a lot. Keep on riding!

Gritty, capable, understated, organized, willing, daring and humble. I give you a straight up A. Photography is excellent, story telling is excellent, overall author appeal is outstanding. While these solo pursuits are an important part of our self-forging process, I do offer that you, my good Sir, are depriving someone somewhere of a great riding partner and traveling companion.

Endeavor well pursued, story well conveyed. I would expect nothing less from a fellow Lumberjack.

If you are ever adventuring in the PacNW, rest assured you have a landing pad in the Everett WA area... so long as you get along alright with kids and 4-legged retrievers.


Drew Thorne
NAU B.S.M.E. 1984
Tinsley Hall

[Ribsauce]

Great ride report. Cool you are from the same city as me, now my friend and I know what we can do!