WWR X

June 17, 2016

We worked things out so we could leave a day early, and we went to Laramie, WY. The weather was 10 degrees cooler today than is was supposed to be tomorrow, so we got closer to the Rockies. It was a fun and uneventful ride, and we met Austin in Wheatland, WY. I don't knos if we would stay at the Laramie Super 8 again. The rooms were clean, and quiet, but the lobby and hallways were scary. They could use a lot of paint. It is good to see the Bass Boat make it to one more rally.

285 easy miles.

https://goo.gl/maps/Hy734CjUQFH2

June 18, 2016

We got a good start to the day. and stopped in Steamboat Springs for a while. There was a Mustang Rally going on, and it had traffic absolutely snarled. There was also a zero waste event going on, as well as a bicycle polo game going on.

Austin bought a clamp for his GoPro to mount on his engine guards.

We went to Joe and Yvettes and had a great time with them as always. We had two excellent meals, and got to play with their new dog Leia. The drive from our house to theirs is one of my favorite day long rides, we just broke it into two days to beat the heat and spend some time in Steamboat Springs.

255 miles.

https://goo.gl/maps/QPmnwmkgrtJ2

June 19, 2016

After a great breakfast, we headed west on I-70 to Arches National Park. We have driven by several times, and this time we decided to stop. It was good, but it was almost too hot to fully enjoy the scenery. The temps were in the upper 90s, and probably broke 100. We were anxious to get going, and we headed to Mexican Hat, UT. About half way there, I noticed something on my rear speaker grill, and Austin had bought  magnet and put it there.

We stayed at the San Juan Inn, and there was a great restaurant across the parking lot, and they had great fry bread. After a very good meal, Austin and I ran down to Monument Valley, and took a bunch of pictures. We got back about dark and enjoyed some nice 3.2 beer, and called it a night.

298 miles, with an additional 48 to Monument Valley and back for Austin and I.

https://goo.gl/maps/fggJ5CepX2v

June 20, 2016

We left early again, trying to get some miles on before the heat got bad again.

We had a nice short day going to the Grand Canyon. Melanie and I have been there before but Austin hadn't. He was impressed. We had a great time, with some difficulties getting our hotel room. After getting a shower and cooling off from the upper 90s temps, we went out and took way too many pictures, but we don't get there often. We met a couple from the Rapid City area that are now full time RVing, and he drives a bus there. We also met a family from Tasmania Australia, and had fun watching the sunset with them. They were an interesting family. They were doing a car show circuit, and got some time off to do some tourist stuff.

197 hot, pretty miles.

https://goo.gl/maps/UuLiqrorSzR2

June 21, 2016

Today was a hot mad dash to Taos, NM, the site of WWR X. We got a good early cool start, but soon the temps were over 95, and it broke 100 for the second day of this trip. The cooling vests were well worth every penny we paid for them.

This was an uneventful day, just trying to get there, and we pushed hard, but it is hard to make time when you have to stop to cool off and stay hydrated. We did pass by the meteor crater site, and if it hadn't been so hot we would have stopped, but all of us wanted to keep going to get it over with. It was a relief getting to Taos, but we didn't realize the traffic would be as bad as it is. We didn't spend enough time looking for directions to the hotel, but we found it thanks to a large bill board on the edge of town. The shower was wonderful, after we finally got a room. There was a thunderstorm right before we got to town, and they couldn't check us in for quite a while. It all worked out though. Things usually do.

540 hard hot miles.

https://goo.gl/maps/Tae1n6sN83U2

June 22, 2016

Our first day of WWR X. Today there was a group ride to Los Alamos. We didn't go with the group. We were still regrouping when the group left. We did go to the Bradbury Museum, and we met the group there and ate at the pizza place next door, and many of the group were there. They made an awesome crust on their pizza, and Mal decided to have a bacon salad with a topping of bacon!

We did an indirect route, going over the Rio Grande Gorge. I din't even think about it not being in Texas, but the suspension bridge was cool. It really shook when heavy trucks went over it. There were also three bighorn sheep males there. It was a neat experience. One thing about Taos, they could really use some additional traffic controls, and maybe time their traffic lights better. Traffic was always heavy, with only one lane in each direction. For supper we went to the next door place, Taos Ale House.

168 miles, not counting any beer runs, or other short runs we made.

Todays riding.

June 23, 2016

Today the group was doing the "Enchanted Circle" route. This is a scenic ride around the mountains around Taos. There were a few of us that did not go with the main group. we went the opposite direction, hoping to cut down on the traffic we had to deal with. Our evil plan worked very well, and we also had very little traffic on the whole ride. We did meet up with the group at Red River, and had a nice visit. We found a place that sold jerky, and I think everyone in the group bought some. On the  way, we went through Angel Fire, and it is a great skiing destination, with the ski slope visible from the highway. Our little group was the two of us on the BMW, Austin on the Bass Boat, Cargo on his Vaquero, "Vette" on her 1500 Drifter, and Mal on his very nice Victory Cross Country without a trunk. Cargo and Austin switched rides at Red River, and Austin really liked the Vaquero, but still thinks he wants a Concours. We will see how that turns out. Again, we ate at the Taos Ale House, which was right next door.

Our round trip was 84 miles.

Our small ride today.

June 24, 2016

We didn't do any riding today, we just hung around, and visited, as did most people. I did get the bikes checked over and fueled for the ride home tomorrow. We walked to Michaels Kitchen for an awesome breakfast. They were also a bakery, and Melanie had a blueberry donut, Austin and I passed. That is one thing we had noticed, everywhere we ate, the food was amazing, and the portions were almost too big for us. 

June 25, 2016

We got a good early start, and decided to wait on breakfast until we got a few miles in. We were trying to make time in the cool part of the day. It was going to be another hot day, which is all we had since we left home. We finally stopped at a Carls Jr in Walensburg, CO. It was just a place to stop, and the first fast food we came across. It was starting to warm up. I didn't put on any warm clothes, although Melanie did. I was very thankful for a heated seat and grips! Austin was just cold on the Nomad. Things went good until we got to Colorado Springs, Austin wanted to stop at a junkyard to buy some wheels for his car, and they were closed. After that, when we got to Denver, the interstate turned into a parking lot for several miles. I don't know why, but that happens in cities. After we got clear of that, speeds picked up, even with the traffic. We stopped at a  Chick-Fil-A that Austin knew about in Loveland. I like the food, it actually has flavor, and even though there was a big line, they move pretty well. After that, it was on to Cheyenne for a fuel stop, and Austin was going to go one way, and we were going another. We ended up staying on the interstate until Wheatland, and the side wind was pretty bad. We didn't have any wind that day until Cheyenne, and there, you just expect the wind to blow. Our next gas stop was Guernsey, and that is where I noticed a large bulge in my rear tire. I slowed down to 35-40 mph, and finally told Melanie to go home, call a friend that has the same model BMW, and borrow his spare tire and wheel, get in the car and meet me wherever that was.

She misunderstood, and was waiting for me at Lusk , but had our friends on the way. I told her there to go home, there was nothing she could do. I pulled over at Mule Creek Junction to check the tire, and it wasn't really changing, but I didn't have cell service, so I couldn't contact her. As I was getting back to the bike, our friends pulled in next to me. It was a huge relief getting a good tire on that heavy bike. After 100 miles at 35 mph, 75 sure felt fast! That was the biggest problem of the trip, so it turned out to be a good trip. I should have taken more pictures, but we still got some good ones. It was an awesome, although hot, trip. It will definitely be one that we will remember, and Austin got in his first motorcycle trip. I think he now understands why we like doing this.

664 mostly enjoyable miles.

The route with the stops.

This put us right at 2500 miles for this trip, and it was by far the hottest we have done. The cooling vests work very well, and sunscreen would have helped my nose , after Arches NP, but it was worth it!

EUREKA!!!! 2015

We are on our way to Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

This is a shot of the bikes already loaded, at breakfast at the Gold Country Inn in Deadwood, on our way out of town.

Today was a good day, with not much wind. We did have one minor detour that ended up on us having to go on about 7 or 8 miles of gravel road south of Chamberlain. Trouble wasn't a fan of that. AT ALL! We ended up at Days Inn in Yankton, SD.

409 miles today.

Day Two

We started the day in Yankton with our normal McDs breakfast. It was a cool 50 degrees to start the day, but it started warming up quickly. We had a high of about 83 degrees, and a south wind all day. We happened to be going south. All day. It was windy, but it was better than a side wind for sure. 

We stopped at a small town in Kansas to visit Troubles niece. We had a nice visit after getting to the Sonic. I wanted to get something to eat earlier, but she said to just go to the town we were stopping at anyway. She thought it was only 20 miles, but it was over an hour. I was hungry!

Other than that, the day was uneventful. I like those days. We ended up at the Super 8 in Chanute Kansas, and we are going to the Kansas RV Center in the morning. I meant to get  picture of a large steam locomotive they had in a city park, but I forgot.

441 miles today, and no pictures. It was Nebraska and Kansas after all!

Day Three - Monday

We started the day looking at 5th wheel campers at Kansas RV Center. We are just looking at ideas for retirement or at least full time living. We looked at several very nice, very expensive units, but we both liked the Alpha Gold. It was more reasonably priced, and very high quality.

After we left there, we just meandered along in the general direction of Springfield Missouri. We didn't know how bad the winds would be, and didn't want to commit to any one route. When we got north of Joplin, we decided things were going well enough to go to Lamberts for our annual stop. On our way there, we ended up on Mo highways 97 and 96, and they were fabulous roads. Smooth, and newly surfaced. After that, we headed south on 65 towards Berryville. I had forgotten how nice that ride is. They have great motorcycle roads in this area. It is part of the reason we keep coming here.


This guy wanted a ride I think. It was there when I took the cover off.

 This is early in the rally, and this year seems to be a 4 wheel rally. We are all getting older, and medical issues forced many people to bring cars instead of bikes.

Here Moparman was showing Badger his sausages. Seriously.

Once we got here, it was great getting to see everyone. Waterman and I did a count, and there were 11 Hondas, 6 Vulcans, 1 Yamaha, and 1 BMW at the Vulcan rally. Reverse has been to ES on two wheels, three wheels, and now four wheels. They said next year she might try a unicycle!

We took a car last year, and we had just as much fun as we have any other year. Funny how that works. We also noticed that whenever we wanted to go somewhere, people were more than happy to ride with us.

253 fun and easy miles today.

Day Four

We started with breakfast at this place.

The sign was right. None of us died. Yet.

 Here was a bunch of the breakfast group. Wompass and Monteign are in the light.

After breakfast, I walked across the street and bought a couple dodads for the BMW. Everyone has to tell a story when they find out you ride a BMW. I think that might be my least favorite thing about the bike so far. BUT, there have been some pretty neat stories.

Trouble was worried about where I got off to after breakfast, and they found me at this shop. Here is a gaggle of VROCers hustling across the busy road.

I couldn't resist. I wanted to get a bunch more of the Honda bunch, but before I got it done, someone went and pulled a Vulcan in near it. I don't know what they were thinking!

Here is a before picture of a bunch of the girls heading out for a small "bachelorette party". They headed downtown Eureka Springs for some hooting and hollering. Oh yeah, and some "**** whistle blowing".

Here is just a mess of pictures of the "RETURN"!

Who would ever expect Zmean1 to get out of a PINK limo?????

There were enough of them that the limo had to make two trips, but everyone had fun.

A quick getaway

We decided to go to Ten Sleep, WY this morning when we were planning our day. We haven't done a spur of the moment trip in quite a while.

It was another windy day, but not as bad as last Saturday. The K1200LT  showed 101 degrees at the hottest part of the day.

We have been through the Bighorns many times, and have never seen a moose. This time we saw two. I tried a cell phone picture of the second one.
When we got to Ten Sleep, we stayed at the Log Cabin motel, but we wouldn't have to stay here again. The parking lot was the worst part of the place, it was large rock and no fines, so the kickstands would just roll the rocks around and sink. We got the bikes situated and went to eat at the Ten Sleep bar, and they made an INCREDIBLE burger. After that we went to the Ten Sleep Brewery, a mile west of town. They make good beer, and tonight was their second anniversary. They were making homemade Indian tacos that were piled high. The beer was good and so was the day.

The bikes are ready to go.

We stopped at Powder River Pass, for a quick picture.

Elevation 9666 feet. Here it was 75 degrees on a 95 degree day.

Here is an attempt at a moose picture, at Meadowlark Lake.

After supper we went to the Ten Sleep Brewery, and they were having a second anniversary party.

A shot of the place we stayed.

At least we didn't have to wait for hot water, and using the toilet included a diet plan. If you wanted to use the toilet, you had to squeeze by the sink, and you could rest your chin on the sink!

 This is the Ten Sleep Saloon, and they have very good food.

 We had breakfast at the Crazy Woman Cafe, and the food was good with very fast service.

 Ten Sleep Creek from the west looking east.

There is one spot with 25 mph switchbacks on a long decline, and this semi decided to park on the wrong side of the guard rail. The tires in the picture are the drive axles from the truck. There was a runaway truck ramp uphill about a quarter of a mile before this, it would have been a much better place to park!

 Bighorn Peak is the one above Melanies bike.

A link to our route there.

A link to our route home.

Day two of our "wind ride".

These were the ride home. We started with breakfast at the place we ate supper at, the Anchor Grill. If you are ever hungry and near Chamberlain, SD, you owe it to yourself to eat here. Our waitress happened to own the place, and you could tell she cared enough to make sure you had a good meal.

This is a picture of more normal waves from our second floor balcony. The wind is about 20-25 mph now.

This was a gas stop, with todays wind easier to deal with. Yep you can still count the stripes, but the wind is much better today. The CTX isn't bothered much by the wind. Probably less than the K1200LT.

We made a detour through the Badlands National Park. We don't get here often enough, and we live less than two hours away. 

Here is a gratuitous pic of the CTX 700 in the Badlands.

And one of the reason for this little road trip.

Finally, something to write about.

We took Melanies new CTX 700 to Sioux Falls to look at a different bike for me. The CTX isn't a great two up bike. We did ok, but can't wait to put the new Corbin seat she ordered on it. The hard side wind didn't blow the CTX around much at all. I was very impressed with it. Honda got this bike right.

I ended up buying the bike, and we are on our way home as I am writing this. We stopped at Chamberlain , SD because the wind got worse than yesterday.
There are high wind warnings for the rest of our ride home.

Alert: Wind Advisory issued August 22 at 12:56PM MDT until August 22 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Sioux Falls

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CDT THIS EVENING...

* TIMING...STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS WILL PERSIST BEHIND A COLD FRONT

THIS AFTERNOON AND INTO EARLY TO MID EVENING.

* WEATHER CONDITIONS...NORTHWEST WINDS WILL SETTLE INTO A 30 TO 45

MPH RANGE.

That was the weather warning in effect when we got here. We were glad we chose to stop.

This was the swells on the Missouri River from our second floor room.

Road selfie!

Here are a few mote pictures of the ride home on Sunday, with the wind greatly reduced from Saturday.

Mal and Corvettes Labor Day Loop 2013