2012 Wander Wound da West

[Treadless]

Originally Posted by rider914

Passing through Burrows Park and my bike again gets that funny feeling...




Looks like a round head, but was actually an antique square nail that had been waiting ~100 yrs for me to ride by

Didn't I just put my tire fixin' tools away a couple hours ago? Not happy

Ah hell, there's no reason to change that tire too, there's gotta be a least another 700 miles left on it!

We must have a relative in our ancestry somewhere.

[live2ridetahoe]

Originally Posted by eakins

nice catch. that's a 1993 Brushie i believe

i still have the Brushie from way back when that has the colored stripes that looked like the old old-school swallowtail.
the lengedary Cruzin' 153
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...9QEwAQ&dur=397
it's shape was cutting edge for 1995 & pushing almost 20ys old it's does ride like a modern board
Jeff said he was given carte blanche that year from Jake Burton to produce the very best board he could.
http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedi...ssic-137237231

had the board with me at the 1st winter X-games in Crested Butte. guy walks up to me and says nice board. i said thanks it's an older Bushie. he said i know, i'm Jeff Brushie and that's one of my boards from Burton. how fucking cool. we chatted for a bit and he signed it.

many boards latter, i still have keep that board. i pull it out once a year usually late in the season on a slush day. it never fails to attract ALOT of attention. it's kinda like riding an old classic motorcycle. good stuff!

That is a great story. I read that article the image was linked to:

http://whitelines.mpora.com/features...phics_for.html

Lots of good memories there. That is a great story about Jeff Brushie. Keep a close eye on that board when you break it out. I wish I had held on to my old boards...

JG

[rider914]

Originally Posted by Treadless

Ah hell, there's no reason to change that tire too, there's gotta be a least another 700 miles left on it!

And yet it made it another ~1000 miles all the way home

Originally Posted by Treadless

We must have a relative in our ancestry somewhere.

-M

[rider914]

Woke a few times in the night to the sound of rain falling on my tent. Hmmm... That could be a problem because the roads in this area can get nasty with enough moisture. Lets hope its just a little that sounds like a lot

Got up in the morning to find the sun shining and the ground only damp


Plan for the first half of the day was to continue on Elk Mountain Road up towards Bear Ears, then pick up Woodenshoe Road and follow that all the way to Hite. I had done some exploring around the Abajos many years ago, but had never taken Woodenshoe. Been wanting to do this for a loooong time.

Road started off great... Fast, smooth, and no dust


Just a few miles out, pulled off at an overlook to get some pics. Looking in the general direction we are heading.


Couple turns later, starting down into Brushy Basin, and my bike AGAIN gets that familiar funny feeling

Cripes! You gotta be kidding me

I stop to check the situation and almost topple over when my foot slides out from under me

Uh oh... Mud. What looks like damp dirt is really a sandy crust on top of a layer of slimy clay.

I know that mud is Ken's nemesis - absolutely hates it - but he is still moving along, so I guess it can't be that bad


I cautiously continue, not allowing myself to get too relaxed.

Round another corner and see that Ken is not moving along any more


I creep on down to lend a hand, Alpinestars outriggers deployed all the way

Couldn't hardly stop when I got there. Just kept sliding down until I found a place to park.


There's yer problem


Mud was packing up under Ken's front (low) fender and locking the wheel.

Got the bike upright, found some sticks, and started scraping mud from the tire.


We were almost down to Brushy Wash and could see the road climbing up the other side. I volunteered to scout ahead and see if it was passable while Ken continued carving.

After a bit more slime getting down to the creekbed, the other side turned back to normal damp dirt

No problemo as far as I could see so I parked my bike, removed some gear, and walked back to deliver the SitRep

The GS looked to be mobile again, so Ken suited up and slithered down.

100 yards later...


Repeat process... heave-ho, scratch-n-scrape, slip-n-slide...

3rd nap broke the front fender.


Thats gonna be a problem since the fender supports the crossover brake line and you really DO NOT want that line flopping loose.
Luckily, Ken was pretty much clear of the mud, so we sat down and spent some time drilling holes with a Leatherman knife tip and lacing the fender together with zip-ties. Honestly don't know why I didn't get a picture, because the end result was quality

(Willing to bet that the trailside fix is still on the bike. Maybe Ken will take a pic and chime in )

We pushed on and intersected Cottonwood Road a short distance later. All in all, we had just spent about 2 hours to get only ~6 miles from camp. Expecting another ~70 miles on route to Hite, a large portion of that totally unknown to us. Still a good chance of more mud up ahead and I know Ken had had enough floundering for the morning, so I agreed to a course correction.

Cottonwood provided the only escape for the next ~25 miles, so we hustled down to Hwy95 and turned west towards Lake Powell.


(continued...)

-M

[larryboy]

I was gonna mention the LostRider front flip and you had it all linked up already. Scary stuff, dual disc with a crossover is a street bike.

[Treadless]

There's yer problem


Mud was packing up under Ken's front (low) fender and locking the wheel.

Yea, it's kinda obvious why Ken hates mud. I don't understand bmw's insistence on sticking with this design. Guess'n maybe there's no mud in Germany.

[C-Dub]

Low fenders allow better airflow through the radiator than high fenders. That's why even the KTM factory rally bikes still run them.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[rider914]

Originally Posted by C-Dub

Low fenders allow better airflow through the radiator than high fenders. That's why even the KTM factory rally bikes still run them.

High fender for ~70k miles


Mud hasn't stopped me yet

-M

[rider914]

Naturally, I was bummed about skipping Woodenshoe, but Hwy95 has some redeeming qualities.


Dropping into Comb Wash.


Fry Canyon twisties.


A few miles past Fry Canyon, I had waypointed a potential alternative access/escape to Woodenshoe Road (Not shown on most maps, but one had it marked as Co.Rd.227a).

We would not be taking this today, just wanted to check it out for future reference.


Looks like it could be interesting. Added to bucket list


Ken stayed behind to check out a historical marker for nearby Ute Pass.


Only went in a short distance, then turned around. On my way back.


Day was getting plenty hot, so we took a short break in the meager shade before pushing on.




Entering Glen Canyon NRA.


LLH


We pulled into Hite for food and fuel. Petrol price was not entirely unreasonable for this very remote location.


Rode down to see Lake Powell close up. Level was waaaaay below the end of the concrete boat ramp.


Soon made our second crossing of the Colorado River.


Passing Glencove and leaving Lake Powell behind.


Hwy95 following North Wash is pretty impressive.


The Henry Mountains come into view towards the top end of the red rock canyon.


Turned south on Hwy276, heading towards our next off-road stretch.


(continued...)

-M

[rider914]

I have taken several roads through and around the Henry Mountains, but this would be a new one.
The route I had plotted would take us around the south end of the range to connect with the Burr Trail. Hopefully it will work

Here we go


Looking back after a gradual climb up away from the highway.


The road ahead (couldn't find any designation) traversing the flank of Mount Hillers.


Passing by Starr Springs.


The campground was hot, sparse, and a little dreary, but the was an artesian spring with great tasting cold water

Looks like we are heading in the right direction.


Heading for the badlands. Loosing altitude and gaining heat


Miles and miles and miles of dry desolate country.


Saw lots of evidence of old cattle ranching out here. Can't imagine there was ever enough water and grazing

Nearly dry wash crossing at Muley Creek.


Regrouping at the Burr Trail ...


... then ~10 miles of buzzy washboard heading north. Scenery makes up for it


Making the turn west towards Capitol Reef ...


... and climbing the famous switchbacks.


We have both been here several times and it is always impressive





(continued...)

-M

[rider914]

Burning west on the Burr Trail. ~35 miles of single lane blacktop from the switchbacks to Boulder.


Starting down Long Canyon


Spectacular scenery down in here.


Made our traditional stop to check out The Slot near the bottom end of the canyon.


A short hike takes you to a very cool (literally) grotto.


Very difficult to capture in pictures.


Moving on, and a quick look back at Long Canyon.


Rolled into Boulder and stopped at the Burr Trail Grill for a short break.

(Cell Pic)

Really only wanted a beer, but you can't get alcohol without a food item. Garlic potatoe wedges seemed the most harmless item on the eclectic appetizer menu. They were okay... I guess.

The beer was excellent

Clouds had been gathering when we pulled in. Wind was picking up and it looked ready to rain just as we were about to leave. We could stay ahead of it if we hustle, so we hopped on Hwy12 heading west.

The Hogback.





Mother nature reeled us in just before Escalante. Might as well stop for dinner and figure out where to aim for tonight. I had though about heading up into the nearby Dixie NF, but I had been there in the wet before... not good. Some locals suggested the campground at the reservoir just west of town. Might as well check it out. If nothing else, we should be able to set up tents before the rain starts.

Actually turned out to be pretty nice

Even had covered picnic benches at each site, a welcome shelter from the rain. (... and rain it did )


The penultimate day of the trip.


End of Day #16

-M

[C-Dub]

Very nice stuff, a lot of the shots bring back fond memories! Thanks again!

[NSFW]

this makes we want to get on my bike and ride...........only if i have that much vacation days as you guys.



k and m, awesome trip.....more!

[MasterMarine]

Wow! What a ride.

Thanks for sharing.

[rider914]

Originally Posted by C-Dub

Very nice stuff, a lot of the shots bring back fond memories!

Stay tuned for next year buddy

-M