Central Washington ADV Ride w/live blogging

[DualsportWA]

Hey everyone! Just wanted to let you all know that my friend Rob Lutz and I are headed out on a dualsport adventure ride starting this Friday 03/15/2013, and I'm going to be bringing a Panasonic Toughbook H2 and mobile Wifi access point so that I can blog in realtime from the street/trail/campsite!

Here's the official kickoff:
http://gavingear.com/2013/03/13/cent...e-2013-part-i/

I'll be blogging to my website from Windows Live Writer on the Toughbook, and will do my best to keep this thread updated when I have new posts, but you can also follow via RSS/email from my website.

Rob will be riding his KTM 400EXC, and I'll be riding my Husqvarna TE-610 - so we'll be riding a variety of terrain and are really pumped about seeing some new places in WA, trying out new gear, etc.

Here's a pic of bike as I start packing up:

[hootch]

You are in my dirt. Have fun! If you guys need a hand, send me a pm.
Hootch

[WAknobbyknuckles]

right on, looks like fun. So what's the final route plan?

[atravlr]

Please photo on what you are taking or a detailed list. At the end of your trip, name the items you wish you had brought and what items you did not need to haul. For some reason I find it interesting on different riders must haves. Thanks and have a safe trip. Good Luck!

[robl245]

Originally Posted by WAknobbyknuckles

right on, looks like fun. So what's the final route plan?

We're still working on it. Tony sent us some suggestions on a direction to go, but I'm sure it will evolve as we travel as the realities of travel speed and actual distance become apparent.

At this point, the basic plan is to head from the Wenatchee area north east toward Electric City following gravel, dirt and 2 track. We'll be going through as many out of the way places as we can. Places like Jamison Lake.

Then probably a little more east, then south toward Moses Lake, through the dunes, Potholes, then east toward the Columbia River, then north to Vantage, then back up toward Wenatchee. Our previous discussion was about that last leg on specifically how one can get from Vantage to Wenatchee given current snow conditions and closures. Not sure on any of that yet. I don't know how many miles that will end being yet, so I don't know what is actually realistic. Gavin will have our exact route when we're done though, so we'll be able to tell you exactly. So far though, it's looking to be pretty fun.

Rob

[robl245]

Originally Posted by atravlr

Please photo on what you are taking or a detailed list. At the end of your trip, name the items you wish you had brought and what items you did not need to haul. For some reason I find it interesting on different riders must haves. Thanks and have a safe trip. Good Luck!

We'll try and do that. I've read all sorts of ride reports about what people have taken, this is my first time taking an overnight dirt bike ride, and the packing is harder that I thought it would be.

[robl245]

My riding partner started this thread, but I noticed the forum title says epic rides 1 week or longer. As awesome as I think our trip will be...
I'll just toss out there that this trip will only be three days, so maybe not quite enough for the grand and lofty "Ride Reports" forum???

Just sayin......

[robl245]

OK, I have to be cool and post a bike pic too. I'm leaving Spokane after work today to head for Leavenworth, so this is what I'm riding waiting patiently in the back of my pickup.



I know a lot of you would probably ride that type of bike all the way out there too, but I have to start small on this long distance riding thing.

Here it is all loaded up and ready to go (at least it felt like it while figuring out how to pack it)

[WAknobbyknuckles]

" Our previous discussion was about that last leg on specifically how one can get from Vantage to Wenatchee given current snow conditions and closures. Not sure on any of that yet. "


Ya, I have been holed up here with no dirt way out because all of the closures. Still working on a good route to Wenatchee though. Have fun this weekend

[DualsportWA]

Final stages of trip prep! We start the adventure tomorrow morning.

Here's my writeup:
http://gavingear.com/2013/03/15/cent...e-2013-part-2/

And my list of gear:

1. Sleeping bag (5 deg F rated)
2. Inflatable sleeping pad
3. 2-person tent
4. Clothing and toiletries (black Dirt-Bagz duffel)
5. Blue paper shop towels
6. Fire starting supplies and first aid kit
7. Cooking tins
8. Headlamp and flashlight, batteries
9. Rotopax 1-gallon tanks: Gasoline (red), Water (white)
10. Tripod stool
11. Tire irons and tools
12. Micro stove and propane cylinder
13. Manfrotto camera tripod
14. Panasonic Toughbook H2
15. Microsoft Wedge Mobile keyboard and mouse (Bluetooth)
16. Garmin 60CSx GPS
17. Mobile WiFi access point
18. GoPro HERO2 cameras (2)
19. Memory cards
20. Canon 5D Mark III DSLR camera
21. 580EX-II speedlite flash (may not make it in!)

[1911fan]

I don't see the kitchen sink?


1911fan

[n16ht5]

Comon get riding already

[DualsportWA]

OK, I had to trim the fat- A LOT. I ended up leaving my beloved Canon 5D Mark III, tripod, and a bunch of other stuff! We're posting this live from Big Wally's in Coulee City WA!

Here's a couple updates - we've had quite the adventure so far, including Rob losing 1/2 his oil, meeting a small town NAPA shop owner, driving in the dark, and more!

Full details here:
http://gavingear.com/2013/03/16/cent...e-2013-part-3/

http://gavingear.com/2013/03/16/cent...e-2013-part-4/

Here are some of the pictures:

Packing up:


Eating lunch at my cabin in Cashmere:


Rob's oil leak: (bad gasket from side cover replacement)


Joe- great guy! Owner of the Waterville NAPA who met us when someone called him on our behalf:




Rob finishing the oil leak fix after dinner:


Cruising today:


I'm hoping to send another update from the campsite tonight if we have Verizon coverage (we have a mobile Wifi hotspot).

[DualsportWA]

Lots more action including Rob's glove blowing into the fire, Dinty Moore issues, night riding to Moses Lake and more:
http://gavingear.com/2013/03/17/cent...e-2013-part-5/

[DualsportWA]

Another post up! I'm catching up on this- a few more posts to go.

Full post: http://gavingear.com/2013/03/18/cent...e-2013-part-6/

First half of the last day of the trip!

Started off at Starbucks, then on to the hotel where we planned our route for the day.

Bikes packed up and ready to go:


Getting off the pavement for the day (great high speed stretch!)


Cruising down the dirt road: