ba4x
Junior Member
Hey folks!
I made my longest trip yet this weekend. Solo touring. Out to the Grand Canyon and back. 1200 miles round trip, done in 36 hours.
I feel pretty good about, but man am I dehydrated after all that desert riding! I've been downing water ever since I got back. I thought I was drinking enough, with the camelbak and buying a gatorade at every gas stop!
Here are some photos. Please tell me if they don't load correctly. I'm trying to post the photos from facebook right now because i'm not at home and don't have the originals to work with.
Starting out from San Diego, 3am Friday night. Leaving in the night to beat the heat. Also because it was a full moon and i love riding at night. Its just more emotional that way.
Fueling up in East County SD, still dark outside. Elevation: 4k feet.
Sunrise in the desert. Imperial Valley, AZ. Elevation: sea level. I left so early to beat the desert heat. But perhaps even better than the cool morning temperatures are the beautiful colors in the sky over the vast expanse of sand. With little blue mountains in the background.
Sun coming up as I push through the desert, starting to climb in elevation again. Good timing.
Finally at higher elevation, 6k feet. Highway 89 goes through Prescott National Forest with some nice windy roads. Who said a touring bike couldn't kick ass in the twisties?
Another view of Prescott National Forest.
Pushing up further north into AZ. Nothing but long empty roads... With nails on them. Who leaves a nail sitting in the road? Ya ****ing dick! It took a good couple hours and 100 miles out of my trip trying to get that rear tire patched up. Next time i'm bringing my own patch kit. Lesson learned. Also, Harley Davidson dealerships will refuse service to japanese bikes even if the rider is 500 miles from home and desperate for a tire patch job. Lesson learned.
Arrived at the Grand Canyon's south rim just as the sun was setting.
It feels so good to stand up. Stretch those legs.
Missed Connection. With no cell service, meeting up with your friends in a National Park is darn near impossible. I ended up leaving the campsite in defeat.
Although I had my tent and sleeping bag ready, after 750 miles in one day, I knew a good night's sleep was key. Sleeping in a real bed is something to be cherished. More riding to do in the morning, gotta stay sharp.
Did I mention long empty roads? Also, who knew you could use an iPhone with motorcycle gloves on...
Beauty. Heading home, back through Prescott, this time it was in the morning.
Back through the sand dunes. Just as brilliant in the afternoon. Except hotter than hell.
Reached home, 5pm Saturday. My neighbor Luis was there to greet me. Time to lube the chain and clean the bike.
1171.6 miles. **** it, I'm calling it 1200.
Over 36 hours, that gives an average pace of 33mph.
Thanks for looking!
Nick
I made my longest trip yet this weekend. Solo touring. Out to the Grand Canyon and back. 1200 miles round trip, done in 36 hours.
I feel pretty good about, but man am I dehydrated after all that desert riding! I've been downing water ever since I got back. I thought I was drinking enough, with the camelbak and buying a gatorade at every gas stop!
Here are some photos. Please tell me if they don't load correctly. I'm trying to post the photos from facebook right now because i'm not at home and don't have the originals to work with.
Starting out from San Diego, 3am Friday night. Leaving in the night to beat the heat. Also because it was a full moon and i love riding at night. Its just more emotional that way.
Fueling up in East County SD, still dark outside. Elevation: 4k feet.
Sunrise in the desert. Imperial Valley, AZ. Elevation: sea level. I left so early to beat the desert heat. But perhaps even better than the cool morning temperatures are the beautiful colors in the sky over the vast expanse of sand. With little blue mountains in the background.
Sun coming up as I push through the desert, starting to climb in elevation again. Good timing.
Finally at higher elevation, 6k feet. Highway 89 goes through Prescott National Forest with some nice windy roads. Who said a touring bike couldn't kick ass in the twisties?
Another view of Prescott National Forest.
Pushing up further north into AZ. Nothing but long empty roads... With nails on them. Who leaves a nail sitting in the road? Ya ****ing dick! It took a good couple hours and 100 miles out of my trip trying to get that rear tire patched up. Next time i'm bringing my own patch kit. Lesson learned. Also, Harley Davidson dealerships will refuse service to japanese bikes even if the rider is 500 miles from home and desperate for a tire patch job. Lesson learned.
Arrived at the Grand Canyon's south rim just as the sun was setting.
It feels so good to stand up. Stretch those legs.
Missed Connection. With no cell service, meeting up with your friends in a National Park is darn near impossible. I ended up leaving the campsite in defeat.
Although I had my tent and sleeping bag ready, after 750 miles in one day, I knew a good night's sleep was key. Sleeping in a real bed is something to be cherished. More riding to do in the morning, gotta stay sharp.
Did I mention long empty roads? Also, who knew you could use an iPhone with motorcycle gloves on...
Beauty. Heading home, back through Prescott, this time it was in the morning.
Back through the sand dunes. Just as brilliant in the afternoon. Except hotter than hell.
Reached home, 5pm Saturday. My neighbor Luis was there to greet me. Time to lube the chain and clean the bike.
1171.6 miles. **** it, I'm calling it 1200.
Over 36 hours, that gives an average pace of 33mph.
Thanks for looking!
Nick
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