Right out of the gate I have to say
Thank You!! to Tony Huegel (byways on ADV) for cooking up this epic route back in 2010 and to Frank Reinbold (DockingPilot) for sharing it with the ADV community. In fact, DockingPilot's RR was a big factor in me getting off my butt and buying a dual sport in 2011, it really did capture my imagination. Over the last three years we've been blessed to take some great off-road trips, but
Heart of the West rises to a whole different level. Covering six states and 2800 miles; the historical elements, variety of terrain, and sheer quantity of top notch backcountry travel are phenomenal. Couple this with the fact that Tony's trip pack makes it easy, just follow the magic line on your gps - no straying onto private property or wasting hours on wrong turns. 500 waypoints for lodging/fuel/camping/POIs/etc - the quantity of info and guidance you get when you purchase the trip is an unbelievable value. I'd never met or talked to Tony before this trip, but he treated us like old friends and I can't imagine anyone taking more interest in your trip's outcome - just a great guy.
DockingPilot's original RR -
http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=647968
Tony Huegel's H.o.W vendors thread -
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=845500
Anyhoo... I decided early in 2014 that this was to be the year - departing mid-September - two weeks on the bikes - now to gather the team.
I dragged Jim into dual-sport a couple years ago, helped him set up a TE630 to match mine, and he did our SanJuans/Moab trip last Sept. He goes with the flow, is easy to travel with, and was itching for a reason to buy a new Big Agnes tent/sleeping bag and Montana gps - You know he was up for this! :deal
Gary I knew casually from our monthly Cinci dualsport dinners...knew he was an experienced big distance off-road rider (CDT/NezPerce/etc), takes trip prep seriously, knows how to use his GPS, and heard him mention at dinner that a planned trip had fallen thru. I put a bug in his ear, we kicked it around, and he was in! He'll be riding his well set up '13 DR650 and he also donated generously to BigAgnes.
Dad - Bob Sr - Has a nicely set up KLX250S and has ridden CO/UT twice, but at 71 (w/ a bad knee) we felt the daily miles required would not be enjoyable, so he'd follow us in the Jeep instead. Having a support vehicle is a nice luxury anyway - he carried tools, tire stuff, cooler, food, water, and our camping gear. I also installed on-board air shortly before we left which turned out to be very handy, allowing him to air up/down and run a pace that didn't hold us back. Even when we skinned it across the Great Basin at 65mph he was always right there. It's hard to describe how dirty the Jeep was at the end - but the biggest thing - He got to do the trip!
Me - Bob Jr - On my trusty TE630 again and this trip it earned the name (risking questionable karma?) Deerslayer - more on that in a bit... Yes, I spend too much time planning trips. My friends will tell you I'm a little OCD about being prepared and they've heard my motto many times regarding hobby/leisure time - If you're not having fun, why are you doing it? Insomuch as possible, I like a plan that keeps it fun.
Quick overview - Our plan is for 15 days on the bikes to cover the 2800 miles at a reasonable, enjoyable pace. There are a handful of places I know we want to camp (thanks to other RRs) so daily segments are fit together to accommodate. We have in mind to take a rest/maintenance/laundry day somewhere, but leave it loose to maybe accommodate bad weather. We'll start the loop in Rawlins, WY going clockwise.
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