Tran-America Trail: July 2008
- Thread starter Scott Brady
- Start date
Scott Brady
Founder
Battle Mountain... All is well
Thanks so much for everyones concern.
We just made it into town - barely. We had to abandon camping for the night to wait out the storm.
The storm was chasing us all day, catching us several times. The mud was intense and I am surprised the bikes/us made it through.
I will post a picture or two and a video in a bit.
Thanks so much for everyones concern.
We just made it into town - barely. We had to abandon camping for the night to wait out the storm.
The storm was chasing us all day, catching us several times. The mud was intense and I am surprised the bikes/us made it through.
I will post a picture or two and a video in a bit.
Scott Brady
Founder
Mud
Scott Brady
Founder
Redline
Likes to Drive and Ride
Battle Mountain is not one of my favorite towns when crossing Nevada, but I bet it was a welcome respite from the weather.
I'm sure you have seen weather extremes around the world as well as in AZ, but I think many don't realized the varied conditions we have in Nevada. Everything you have seen plus snow.
Glad you guys are having quite the adventure in the most mountainous state but the mud sucks. I think today’s weather is much better.
James
I'm sure you have seen weather extremes around the world as well as in AZ, but I think many don't realized the varied conditions we have in Nevada. Everything you have seen plus snow.
Glad you guys are having quite the adventure in the most mountainous state but the mud sucks. I think today’s weather is much better.
James
expeditionswest said:
WhereTheHellIsJames?
Explorer
Looks like the SPOT page isn't working... then again, maybe it's just me who isn't working.
goodtimes
Expedition Poseur
SOAZ said:
damn good bacon cheeseburgers and chocolate malts in Denio Junction...should any ever pass through there. Just don't blink, you'll miss it.
We are in Lake View, OR for the day. We stopped early to clean the bikes up, do a bit of maintenance on them and clean ourselves up. We were way overdue on the laundry....smelled like :shakin:.
The weather has been favorable the last couple days. Finally.
The front springs on the GS are still to stiff (.85 kg/in), so it acts like a pogo stick during steep, rocky climbs...yesterday had a few of those...some more successful than others.
Scott Brady
Founder
Utah
Fittingly, our first stop in Utah was Moab, where we ran the length of Sand Flats road from the foothills to the East all the way into the Slickrock campground. We also made time for a meal and few beers at the Brewery before rolling out the sleeping bags under a moon, as full and bright as a spotlight.
From Moab, we traversed the Gemini Bridges trail, testing our bikes (and us) on the slickrock steps. No drama, other than a long and sketchy sand hillclimb that Brian and I both managed to make the top of.
Climbing up to the Gemini Bridges
Video of riding in Moab
A great canyon in the "Swell"
The rest of Utah went quickly, but we learned to be wary of any hand-drawn dashed lines on Sam's maps. There were several and all were challenging, including miles of narrow, steep and rocky single-track.
Purple Mountains - Majesty
The KTM has been awesome so far, and is all the bike I had hoped it would be. The best way I can describe it is-
Riding the KTM is like strapping a big fuel tank and a few backpacks to a trophy truck. The only thing that will stop it is a gas station... Average fuel economy has been about 30mpg on the TAT.
Fittingly, our first stop in Utah was Moab, where we ran the length of Sand Flats road from the foothills to the East all the way into the Slickrock campground. We also made time for a meal and few beers at the Brewery before rolling out the sleeping bags under a moon, as full and bright as a spotlight.
From Moab, we traversed the Gemini Bridges trail, testing our bikes (and us) on the slickrock steps. No drama, other than a long and sketchy sand hillclimb that Brian and I both managed to make the top of.
Climbing up to the Gemini Bridges
Video of riding in Moab
A great canyon in the "Swell"
The rest of Utah went quickly, but we learned to be wary of any hand-drawn dashed lines on Sam's maps. There were several and all were challenging, including miles of narrow, steep and rocky single-track.
Purple Mountains - Majesty
The KTM has been awesome so far, and is all the bike I had hoped it would be. The best way I can describe it is-
Riding the KTM is like strapping a big fuel tank and a few backpacks to a trophy truck. The only thing that will stop it is a gas station... Average fuel economy has been about 30mpg on the TAT.
desertgirl66
WEMT
Beautiful photos, great story to follow. Stay strong and straight through the trails my friends.
Colorado Ron
Explorer
expeditionswest said:
OUCH! Thats not too hot. Whats the beemer getting?
mountainpete
Spamicus Eliminatus
Ride safe gents :26_7_2:
Scott Brady
Founder
Colorado Ron said:
Almost exactly twice... The fuel light has never come on.
54 was his worst tank - 71 is his best, for this trip.
It's like anything else, how FAST do YOU want to go
yep 30 mpg seems about right - especially if you have aftermarket exhaust and different jets. Mine is getting about 27 now in town and I went up to 37 cruising down to Santa Cruz.
I would say that's the major downside of this bike.
I would say that's the major downside of this bike.