AM in R3 & AK

Discussion in 'Trips & Events' started by A.M, Mar 1, 2017.

  1. carlgustav

    carlgustav New Member

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    That beaded seat on your camping neighbors bike looks oddly placed, or is it just the pic ... or just me ... :D

    A helluva ride, congrats.

    ACE
     
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  2. derstuka

    derstuka Lord of the Wankers Staff Member

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    That a nugget niggler.....for HIS pleasure!
     
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  3. A.M

    A.M Moderator Staff Member

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    Yes, 3 roads I cannot believe they laid so far in U.S.:

    Utah Scenic 12
    Beartooth
    Mount Evans

    No sheepies on Beartooth, but crazy goats on Mount Evans and a few that blocked me a while. I'll try to post up tonight.

    You've been to many of these places, Gator! And seem to enjoy them as I do. Ride some day... ???



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  4. A.M

    A.M Moderator Staff Member

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    Hope you can go ride some of these in the future! So amaze! Pics as usual do it no justice at all. Then everyone has their own opinion of what they like and don't like. Some of these roads are just amazingly trippy it's hard to imagine no one liking them...like the 3 I mentioned above.

    Yeppers, if you get a pic of me in front of camera without me smiling then you know it was hard for me not to. Except when in hospital after being hit by drunk driver...I did not want to smile...mostly drugged up.

    BUT, I'm coined here in Doodah as smiles and giggles. Prolly 95% of time whether I'm with others, in front of camera or alone, I'm smiling and laffing...mostly at myself for doing stupid stuff. Like slicing my finger open on foil the other night.

    Anyhoo, it's just natural. If I get grumpy or have grumpy face, peeps know something serious be happening.

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  5. A.M

    A.M Moderator Staff Member

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    Thanks, a very amazing ride. Seems like a dream.

    Haha, it's just the pic that makes it look both accurately and oddly placed. ;)

    Maybe there are some riders here who know some of the benefits of having it there?

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  6. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    I can't see the pics, but I came down Hiway 14 Alt. from Sheridan to Cody in the 70's, before they built the new Hiway 14, and just loved it. I also have to agree with AM about the roads she listed. I about crapped myself the first time I went over the hogback on Utah 12. I finally got to ride over Beartooth Pass last year. And I've ridden both kinds of bikes up Mt. Evans: pedal and motor powered.

    And I also agree with her assessment of Idaho. Some fabulous roads and great riding. Some mighty fine reading and pics in this thread.
     
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  7. Gator

    Gator Insider

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    Would really like to ride sometime with you. I have extensive files on most north American mountain states. I have been pounding up and down the hills for a long time. lol
     
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  8. Glenngt750

    Glenngt750 New Member

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    No! No! No! Lake Louise is the BESTEST! Don't bother going anywhere else! There are zero souvenier stands, or Coffee Shops at those other Lakes! All you Tourist types should just go to Lake Louise!(HeeHee)
     
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  9. Riding a 2000

    Riding a 2000 Member

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    So Spectacular!
    Makes me wistful. To be working so much that the Y2K just sits in the warehouse, waiting, is a bummer.
     
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  10. RVFR

    RVFR Member

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    WTF Photo Bucket!!!!&^%$ first they post now they don't, sorry guys.
     
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  11. Samuel

    Samuel Member

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    This thread makes me want to go out and buy rubbers right now! (Lethal Weapon 2 joke)

    Seriously though, makes me want to get out and RIDE! :)
     
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  12. A.M

    A.M Moderator Staff Member

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    Tuesday, June 27th to Fort Collins, Colorado…well Southern Wyoming


    I woke Tuesday morning to a day of blasting across Wyoming to Colorado…which was AMAZING!

    Moto did perform flawlessly this day, especially the cooling system. But still lingering in my mind was, "What the heck was going wrong?"...because something was.

    But no matter, had to press on. I had the extra coolant with me and was just going to closely watch moto temps and coolant level at gas stops or as needed.

    I gassed up, ate, got help from a friend for maps as I did not have paper one of Wyoming and no internet coverage. Thank goodness I had text/cell coverage.

    I knew I’d be doing a lot of slabbing it, but not before going over Bighorn National Forest on ALT 14, so I'm thankful this route is one that was suggested before interstate riding.

    If you are ever there, do ALT 14!
    I'm very happy it was suggested to me, and I see some of you loved it too!

    The views before going up the mountains were just beautiful!

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    Amazing road and super steep if approaching Bighorn eastbound. Then down into Sheridan, yeah, super fun!!

    Here are a few pics from ALT 14...

    Going up:

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    Nearing top:

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    Lookout as far as you can see:

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    A little higher and you reach this:

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    So pretty green up here!

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    Look closely and you can see the winding road that brings you around the point and on the way down:

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    The whole time I left Red Lodge I was trying to beat storms. I was successful. Made it off the super fun descent and stopped to take in what had been chasing me. I felt a bit victorious.

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    I spent the rest of the day outrunning more storms of spectacular power!

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    I was BLOWN away at the immensity of it all...

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    And my most favorite storm shot:

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    BUT I did not evade the 4 hours of high winds, of which the last 1.5 hours straight consisted 60 mph crosswinds because the front was following me down the length of the interstate. It so sucked.

    I was beat up and hurting. The only thing holding my helmet on was the chin strap so my face was in pain.

    I almost flew off the highway at mile marker 96 on I-25 south after being shoved across two lanes in to the left shoulder in one huge wind blast (parts of that highway have extra shoulder width on the left seemingly for more room when vehicles are pushed into into it from wind howling over the mountain range, into the valley, and onto the highway).

    Thought I was a goner like the night over Christmas when I was riding into L.A. to get to Long’s (Cajon Pass area??...where there seems to be an extra shoulder as well, a few lanes wide, to catch all the people blown off the road).

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    Shortly after that, I couldn’t take it anymore. I was hurting all over (much of the pain from being so nervous for so long in those winds and being physically beat from wind). I also needed to potty, was super hungry, and just plain tired.

    So I pulled over on the next exit that seemed like there were services: Whealtand, Wyoming.

    I sat and piddled for a while until the worst of the storm blew over.

    Then I decided to call it quits and it takes a lot for me to call it quits. I wasn't too far to Fort Collins, CO, so I just planned to wake early to make up for the time lost.

    I set up camp for the night (which was silly difficult in the wind) in a field next to some RVs at a place where you sleep with all your gear and bear spray at the ready.

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    I took some Aleve, sent some messages, saw the beauruful sunset, set my alarm for early early and passed out fast...thankful to have survived the wind and not be on the highway even though the storms had passed.

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    Super excited for Colorado in the morning!
     
    Last edited: Jul 12, 2017
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  13. A.M

    A.M Moderator Staff Member

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    I'm very happy to hear this!

    I have two purposes when recording rides:

    1. For my memories

    2. To inspire others

    I don't do much, but if I can inspire people to chase joys, then I'm happy.

    Will be fun to see where you go...

    Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
     
  14. Gator

    Gator Insider

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    I was going to ask of you had run into any wind. I have done more adventures in Wyoming than any other state and have had some harrowing wind encounters. I know exactly what your talking about. Did you see any 18 wheelers all over the road? That is truly terrifying trying to pass one in the wind. Ride safe girl.
     
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  15. Gator

    Gator Insider

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    PS. The Wind River range is probably my favorite range. Did you get to see any of the almost 100 miles of unbroken range? It's still mostly remote and wild. Great hiking, climbing and fishing.
     
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  16. A.M

    A.M Moderator Staff Member

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    The wind was ferocious!

    Seemed all there were on the highway that day were semis. Very little vehicles and two motos I distinctly remember....one because the poory thing was heading opposite of me into that huge dark supercell...the other because I passed 'em.

    The semis were horribly all over the road. I cannot believe I didn't see one flip. Passing them really sucked, but I timed my passes for when we had a larger Hill or bridge for buffering. Then I just braced myself for the after effect.

    Unfortunately I did not get very near the Wind River range. I would like to go explore in the southern part of the range and in the Tetons more in the future... for those reasons of hiking and climbing and fishing even though I suck at fishing. I still love it anyway.

    Is that range visible from Beartooth Pass?

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  17. A.M

    A.M Moderator Staff Member

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    Wednesday, June 28th to Colorado:

    Trail Ridge Road and Mount Evans


    Wednesday morning I woke feeling much better thanks to some hard sleep and Aleve, but already super sad. This was my last full day out before I'd be home in Kansas. I be still try and smilies.

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    I left camp early and entered the last state I'd ride through before home.

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    Gorgeous day to ride Colorado and welcome after the stormy day before!

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    Moto and I spent the entire day riding Colorado: Trail Ridge Road, Scenic 7 and 72, and up Mount Evans.

    The ride from Fort Collins to Estes Park was fun and twisty and super busy! So not many photo stops of this section.

    Trail Ridge Road was also fun to ride up! I only went so far as the highest point due to time.

    Beautiful day up the peaks!

    Here are photos from up there:

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    I've learned something about myself in all my travels:

    I LOVE being high!!

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    On high coastal cliffs:

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    In high cities:

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    On high mountains:

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    On high dams:

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    On highest lookouts like the rock pile at Moraine Lake:

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    Peyto Lake high:

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    On Angel's Landing:

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    Up Astoria Column in Oregon:

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    High on anything!

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    If I can go up, climb up, fly up, I do it!

    I can't wait for things like hang gliding and more time hiking in mountains. I wanna do Mount Elbert soon. Takers?

    But I'm also happy perfectly grounded, especially by waters:

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    <3 <3

    Anyhoo, after coming down Trail ridge back to Estes, I stopped for a break before heading south.

    Next was riding Scenic 7 and 72. These are just roads I just get on and keep on riding because I get in a riding zone, just wanna enjoy the road.

    There was a portion of 7 (ran right along a river to that was temporarily open to Lyons) so I felt lucky to ride to and from Lyons back to 72 on that part.

    It was awesome to be on these scenic roads. Lots of mining history and casino towns, especially along the southern route of 72 as I was closer to Mount Evans. Wish I had more time to explore the areas on foot. There is so much more I have to explore next door in CO...

    Sooo, made it to Idaho Springs (town at base of Mount Evans) and realizing it would be a late night on the mount (and my last night on the trip), I was feeling like lodging. I made arrangements in Idaho Springs for a room.

    Then gassed up, snacked up, and headed up the mountain...
     
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  18. VFR4Lee

    VFR4Lee Member

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    Ah to be young again and have that I can do whatever attitude, and pull it off. :Canada:
     
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  19. A.M

    A.M Moderator Staff Member

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    Continued:

    Wednesday, June 28th to Colorado:

    Trail Ridge Road and Mount Evans


    And Mount Evans…HOLY GOATS!!!!

    Talk about high!

    How perfect this was as a last hurrah for this lover of heights!! <3 <3

    Do this mountain!!!!

    It's the highest paved road in North America and climbs 9,000 feet. Spectacular!

    https://www.denver.org/things-to-do/day-trips-around-colorado/mount-evans/

    Pike’s Peak is amazing to do and I still love it, but Mount Evans gives more of a thrill to me.

    I was freaking out with nervous excitement the entire time!

    Here was the view at Mile 3 of 28:

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    Just the road conditions alone would be enough to make most people want to turn around.

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    Yep, that's the majority of the road...tar/asphalt/not sure laid over crumbled up rock cliffs.

    And there were plenty of people turning around. At a photo stop one couple asked me how much further we had left to the top. I gave them my estimate and they were HECK NO-ING on going any further and they turned around.

    Another note: Going up in the evening was just super because I didn’t have to pay the road fee and there were lots of wildlife out and about (mostly goats and marmots) amazing evening cloudy sunset.

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    Finally made it to the top!!!!

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    I took my time looking around and freezing, super freezing and super windy...30s up there, 40s on way down. I wasn't ready to go so I just put on my rain gear and gloves to stay warmer.

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    The goats were sillies!!

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    And some were blocking me on road for a bit while they played!

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    Finally I needed to go before it got too dark.

    More photos down:

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    The sun began to set on a truly magical and thrilling evening. A perfect end to this trip. <3 <3

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    On the way down, moto must have been toooooo tired from the full day of riding. There was a lot of over heating, fan not coming on consistently, barely any coolant left in reservoir.

    I’m not sure what was going on. BUT all I knew is that two times now having issues tells me I just need to get home as quickly as possible. I was frustrated, but thankful this started closer to home and at the tail end of the trip. I knew I would have to pass up Pike’s Peak the next morning with moto being ill.

    But I was very happy to have made the decision to go up Mount Evans that night instead of veering off to Colorado Springs...since I had never been up Mount Evans at all...

    I was so thankful to be high one last time, seeing for miles and miles and miles:

    [​IMG]

    Moto and I settled into lodging and there was nothing much I could do for moto as it was dark.

    So I fell asleep with the plan to stock up on water in the morning and make the long ride back to Doodah...
     
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  20. VFR4Lee

    VFR4Lee Member

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    Awesome. :Popcorn:
     
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