WeeStrom does Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Arches, etc

bikewanker

Well-known member
You’re a patient photographer or were in Zion with no traffic. Numerous rides on 95 and I’m still rubber necking and taking photos, just not as good as yours! Riding 95 through Capital Reef and wandering off of 12 where you can stop and touch the geological formations kinda makes Bryce a hassle, even though it’s spectacular.
Thank you for a proper ride report.
 

berth

Well-known member
You’re a patient photographer or were in Zion with no traffic. Numerous rides on 95 and I’m still rubber necking and taking photos, just not as good as yours! Riding 95 through Capital Reef and wandering off of 12 where you can stop and touch the geological formations kinda makes Bryce a hassle, even though it’s spectacular.
Thank you for a proper ride report.

Zion is a dangerous place to ride and drive because it's so hard to keep your eyes on the road and not looking up at the cliffs and rocks.
 

budman

General Menace
Staff member
Fun stuff Kid!!

Dig the pics and descriptions.

If the pics don't do that road justice I got to get out there and give it a go :ride
 

norcalkid

Well-known member
Day 7 677 miles

I just rode home today. 677 miles across Nevada. I was either guna ride past lake Isabela or across Nevada. When I realized Nevada temp was 10 degree cooler than Bakersfield, no California smoke, and actually the shortest route it was a no brainier, cross Nevada.

Anyway, I set off from Mesquite with the intention of riding all the way home. It was actually chilly the first 200 miles or so. I wore all my winter gear (40's). I had no real plan to go through Rachel Nv (the area 51 area) but that just happened to be the shortest route. Unfortunately I can't tell you much about that, you know, national security and all. :)

I almost ran out of gas. From the gas stations before Rachel to Hawthorne was 165 miles. Both gas lights were blinking when I arrived. Bike took over 4.5 gallons. That's one thing to plan for with a V-Strom, I get about 54mpg just riding around. With all my camping gear going 75 across Nevada with a bit of wind I averaged under 40mpg. This isn't uncommon for me when the bike is fully loaded and running at high RPM's on a trip.

Made it home just before 6pm, bike read 677 miles for the day.

PXL_20201012_150013886 by Norcalkid, on Flickr

PXL_20201012_144939265 by Norcalkid, on Flickr

Outside a museum in Hawthorne. Was actually closed but the tank was out front.
PXL_20201012_184631944 by Norcalkid, on Flickr
 

berth

Well-known member
Day 7 677 miles

I just rode home today. 677 miles across Nevada. I was either guna ride past lake Isabela or across Nevada. When I realized Nevada temp was 10 degree cooler than Bakersfield, no California smoke, and actually the shortest route it was a no brainier, cross Nevada.
Not the intuitive choice, is it. Sounds like a hard day of riding.

Outside a museum in Hawthorne. Was actually closed but the tank was out front.

Somewhat related, there's a General Patton Museum out in the desert (with a tank in front), at Chiriaco Summit. Mind, it's not in the middle of the desert. Desert Center is 10 to 15 miles east, and I guess that IS the middle of the desert. "Says so on the map!"

http://generalpattonmuseum.com

It's one of those "What is that doing out here" things, and it turns out that this was the Desert Training Center used by Patton to prepare the tank fighters for Africa in WWII.

My friend and I stopped there once on our way back from one of our trips to Arizona.
 

norcalkid

Well-known member
Post trip summery.

The COVID19 thing wasn't a big deal. The only detour I had to make was I couldn't cut across from the South Rim of Grand Canyon to 89. The mask thing was handled different in different states. Calif, Az and Nevada everybody wearing masks. Utah a lot less masks. Locals and gas stations and such more often than not weren't wearing masks in Utah.

As for the V-Strom, maintenance and reliability. Total trip was 2846 miles. I used a bit of chain lube.

The Alaska Leather sheepskin butt pad made a big difference. I was really glad I had it. I didn't have it last summer on Canada trip. Noticeably happier butt this time.

The nights were cold, first thing I did after arriving home was order a new sleeping bag. My 20+ year old Coleman Peak 1 rated for 30 degrees (???) but probably a lot less after 20 years of abuse just wasn't cutting it. I ordered a Nemo Forte 20. Not cheap bit I'm sicka being cold at night.

Cheapest gas was in Az I paid $2.09 but think I saw 2.05 in one area.

My first time using Shinko 705's. No issues. Not sure I'd be using them on a bigger/heavier bike but I'm guna stick to them on the VStrom.

????$$$$???? I think the week long trip cost me a bit under $800. This included my annual NP pass ($80) and 3 nights in hotels.

Capital One CC. I tried to put everything on 1 CC just to track spending and in case of fraud. I kinda ran into issues with the Capital One card at gas stations. Online it said no travel notice required. But if I hit the same gas brand station twice in a day it wouldn't allow me to pay at the pump the second time. Meaning I had to mask up and go inside. I'll call and try to turn this feature off next time.

Traveling this area in October. The riding weather was great. I was in mesh 3 of the 7 days. Couldn't ask for better riding weather in this area. Nights got cold. You kinda gota be prepared for any weather in this area this time of year. Coldest temp I saw on the bike was 37 at 0930 in mountains above Bishop. 16 miles later I was changing into mesh jacket in Bishop. I never saw 100 other than for about 10 minutes in Death Valley. Majority of the trip was mid 70's-low 80's. Crossing Nevada was cold with the first 200 miles or so in the 40's.

I was really glad I brought 2 jackets. My warm winter jacket and my mesh. I would say I was about 50/50 on which one I wore. Sometimes heavy in the morning and mesh in the afternoon. I used my warm winter gloves and grip heaters in Bishop and crossing Nevada. It never got cold enough to install my HippoHands though I brought them.

My Canada trip if anybodies interested.
https://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=538160
 

berth

Well-known member
Capital One CC. I tried to put everything on 1 CC just to track spending and in case of fraud. I kinda ran into issues with the Capital One card at gas stations. Online it said no travel notice required. But if I hit the same gas brand station twice in a day it wouldn't allow me to pay at the pump the second time. Meaning I had to mask up and go inside. I'll call and try to turn this feature off next time.
I think this is a motorcycle thing.

Cars don't fill up several times a day, and if they do, they're really far apart.

The system just isn't set up to handle someone dump $15 in to a tank 3 times a day at different places.
 

gixxerjeff

Dogs best friend
Awesome write-up and pics.
Thanks for posting.
You have more than likely inspired more people than just me to do a trip like this. Looks like you had a gas. :thumbup
 

veefereefer

Well-known member
Fantastic trip report and photos!!! Glad you had a great time!! Did you run into any Bovine on top side of Hwy 12?
 
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